"Brünhilde, are the preparations for the outfits and magic stones going well? There's almost no time left, is there? Will we still be able to make it in time starting now?"
I asked as I gazed at the door through which my adoptive father and the others had just departed. Since I was the first student to return from the Noble Academy, there were still more days than usual before the Banquet Celebrating Spring, but that still couldn't mean we had much leeway.
"It would be difficult to have new outfits made on such short notice, and people might suspect how long we'd been preparing. So I think it would be best to simply make small adjustments to make our current outfits look more splendid. As for the magic stones, we should be able to manage since we've obtained good-quality materials thanks to Lady
Honestly, it would be best to start making the magic stones immediately, but my adoptive father had said he would broach the subject with Giebe Greshel. Since the proposal needed to appear as though it had come from Brünhilde rather than something my adoptive father had initiated on his own, we were all to pretend we knew nothing until the matter was raised with Giebe Greshel. Brünhilde would then be called by her family and proceed with preparations while acting surprised by the sudden proposal.
"If Father summons you, I imagine you'll need to return to your family home."
"Understood. Since I can't leave the northern building, and it would be impossible to summon the Platan Trading Company to a castle that's become so grim with so many of their patrons being punished, I'll be spending my time at leisure until the Banquet Celebrating Spring. Brünhilde, please prepare without worry."
With my words,
"Your Highness, I know this is a difficult thing to ask, but I have an urgent request."
"Rihyarda?"
"If possible, I would like to return to Lord
Rihyarda was the head attendant my adoptive father had assigned to support me after I became the Archduke's adopted daughter. She had supported me through my unfamiliar noble life and, in the beginning, had also trained my small group of retainers.
"Your Highness's current retainers now include many
"I understand Rihyarda's concern for my adoptive parents. Not having trustworthy retainers is truly a serious problem."
Daily life, official duties, protection — in the Archduke's family, everything must be entrusted to retainers. That one cannot simply live as one pleases should be evident from how my own reckless behavior in acting independently has troubled and angered my retainers. In other words, without trustworthy retainers, life simply cannot function. I, too, would be in considerable trouble if more than half my retainers vanished.
"Furthermore, since Brünhilde will be the Second Wife, it would be good to have someone who can mediate between her and Lady Florentia. Brünhilde would also feel more at ease with someone she knows well serving alongside the Archduke couple."
"Rihyarda's thoughtfulness is truly appreciated, and it would certainly help me, but wouldn't Lady Rozemyne be inconvenienced if two attendants were to leave at once?"
Brünhilde said this while looking back and forth between me and Rihyarda. I surveyed my attendants and considered for a moment.
"Since I'll be staying at the
"As Rihyarda says, my retainers include many Leisegang-aligned nobles, and there are also the former Veronica faction children who have sworn fealty, so there shouldn't be any real problem."
When I thought about it that way,
"Then I'll need to have a thorough discussion with Lady
Brünhilde nodded with an expression of understanding and began deep in thought about planning the schedule ahead. I shifted my gaze from Brünhilde to Rihyarda.
"Since you've been with me at both the castle and the Noble Academy all this time, it will be very lonely to have you gone, Rihyarda. But right now, my adoptive father is the one in greater need. Please help him."
"I am grateful for the opportunity, Your Highness."
I announced that Ottilie would be appointed as the new head attendant, then sent an ordonnanz to my adoptive father saying, "I'm returning Rihyarda, so please make use of her as a retainer." I received a reply saying, "As if I could do something that takes even more retainers away from you!" but I pushed Rihyarda forward and sent her on her way.
"As your master, this is my final order. Please watch over my adoptive father and make sure he works at full capacity. Also, please coordinate with the main building to ensure that my adoptive mother's condition doesn't become unstable with Brünhilde becoming the Second Wife, and that Brünhilde is warmly accepted."
"I humbly accept, Your Highness. ...Everyone, I leave Your Highness in your care."
"We will serve her well."
If I forced the matter, my adoptive father would surely accept her. He must need trustworthy retainers so desperately he'd reach for them with both hands. A short while after Rihyarda departed, an ordonnanz arrived from my adoptive father conveying his thanks — apparently, Rihyarda had managed to convince him.
Whether it was because Rihyarda had given him a stern talking-to, or because Grandfather's departure toward
By the following evening, Brünhilde had received a summons from her family, and
Even with everything in a flurry around me, being confined to the northern building meant I actually had a bit more time on my hands. So I began reading the book I'd borrowed from Hannalore of
The story of how the Water Goddess Fluträne took a ritual bath to defeat the Life God Eveilieb and distributed power to her attendants was among the tales gathered in the Grimm Collection, so it had been quite fascinating. It was said that her healing powers could also be bestowed upon
Because one of Leidenschaft's attendants had peeked at Fluträne's bath, a barrier had supposedly been erected that absolutely forbids males from entering. The tale also told of a magic tree called Sirol that stood in the goddess's bathing pool, whose branches extended thanks to Fluträne's bath, causing white flower petals to fall as green droplets. These droplets were said to have powerful healing properties, and they reminded me of the Rainlehen honey I had gathered during Fluträne's night.
...Come to think of it, didn't
Setting those musings aside, Dunkelfelger must have a goddess's bathing pool as well.
As I read the book, finding parallels with the stories I'd collected from various regions, an ordonnanz flew in from
And then, for reasons I couldn't fathom, I was bombarded with ordonnanz after ordonnanz reporting on Grandfather's exploits. They carried an unmistakable vibe — the desire for me to send words of praise to Grandfather. Since Matthias and the others' work was being conveyed through these ordonnanz reports, I felt it was my duty as their master to cooperate, so I did my best to reply.
...But having them fly in several times a day really disrupts my reading, Grandfather.
This intelligence about Grandfather's exploits was also being conveyed to the Aub through
As a condition for maintaining this flow of information, I had requested that the Blue Priest whose memories had been examined and found to be clean be returned to the Temple. In particular, I earnestly wanted Fritault back, as he had become quite proficient in Temple work.
Two days after Brünhilde returned to her family, a message arrived: "There is an important announcement. Please take today's dinner in the main building." It was undoubtedly about the engagement to Brünhilde. I freshened up and headed to the dining hall.
It felt somewhat surreal to see Rihyarda standing behind my adoptive father, busily working and serving food.
"I have decided to take Brünhilde, daughter of Giebe Greshel, as my Second Wife. I have already received a favorable response from the Giebe, and I am gaining the support of the Leisegang-aligned nobles."
After dinner, my adoptive father declared his decision to take a Second Wife from the Leisegang family and announced it would be made public at the Banquet Celebrating Spring. He stated this was a decision made as Aub, emphasized the importance of his personal outreach to the Leisegangs and Greshel, and argued for taking steps toward the Leisegang family.
"Brünhilde — wasn't she Rozemyne's apprentice attendant?"
Wilfried furrowed his brows and looked at me. I nodded to confirm.
"I was told Father — that is, Giebe — had an urgent summons for me to return, so I hurried back. So that was what was being discussed. If only you had consulted me beforehand, I could have put in a word..."
Conveying that I had done nothing whatsoever, I turned my gaze toward my adoptive father. He shrugged helplessly.
"Having your assistance might have made things simpler, but it was important to show the Leisegang family our willingness to approach them. There are very few Leisegang-aligned daughters of suitable age, and I feel terrible that it meant taking Brünhilde from your service."
There was also the reasoning that grown daughters might interfere with my adoptive mother's pregnancy — as with
"I am delighted that Brünhilde has accepted our proposal. With the purge having left things in turmoil, it would be difficult to bring in someone with strong influence from another territory. Besides, until I give birth, she has offered to help Rozemyne with socializing among the Ehrenfest noblewomen. She and Charlotte cooperated at the Noble Academy, and she said she wants to work together the same way."
Mother's reaction had been my biggest concern, so I was relieved to see her welcome Brünhilde with a warm smile. As I breathed a sigh of relief at Mother's gentle expression, Charlotte also smiled reassuringly.
"Since Brünhilde is still a minor, the actual Starbinding won't happen for some time yet. Being the daughter of Giebe Greshel, she's a very suitable match for the Aub of Ehrenfest. Congratulations, Father."
Melchior seemed to follow Charlotte's lead and, still wearing an expression that suggested he didn't quite understand, said simply, "Congratulations." Only Wilfried wore a complicated expression as he looked around at everyone, but he didn't say anything in particular, and dinner came to an end.
And so the Banquet Celebrating Spring began. Having been told by my adoptive father to "arrive at the venue as close to the last minute as possible," we waited in the room nearest the grand hall.
"It's only been about five days, but it feels like it's been ages since we last met. Welcome back, Matthias, Lorenz, Muriela. It must have been rough. I'm giving you tomorrow off, so do your best at tonight's banquet."
"You're too kind."
Since this banquet was essentially the one occasion when all the nobles gathered, it had been held only after waiting for the knights who had been sent on the investigation to return.
They had investigated in a short period the mansions of the Giebes who had pledged fealty to
Having rushed back on magical beasts after the seventh bell and forced to attend the Banquet Celebrating Spring with almost no rest, Muriela couldn't quite hide her exhaustion, but Matthias and Lorenz looked energetic enough. Though Matthias's expression was stern.
"If the Aub has already received the details, you can report to me another day. Relax your shoulders a bit, Matthias. You're making a frightening face."
From Matthias's expression, it seemed certain that Giebe Gerlach was still alive. As long as I knew that much, the rest of the report could wait. At the very least, it wasn't something I needed to hear right before a banquet.
Led by Ottilie, who had been reading the situation, we moved into the grand hall. I could tell that the Leisegangs looked extremely happy and cheerful — word must have already spread that the former Veronica faction purge was complete and that Brünhilde was to become the Second Wife.
At the center of it all stood Brünhilde, her crimson hair beautifully set off by her spring outfit. Standing straight with a composed expression, she chatted warmly with the older generation of nobles. Beside her was Mother, positioned to support Brünhilde, and Bertilde, who was watching Brünhilde's situation with intense focus.
...The Leisegang-aligned nobles seem fine leaving things to Brünhilde. But I need to take care of that area over there.
In stark contrast to the Leisegang family's overflowing joy, there were many nobles with somber expressions or who seemed reluctant to join the conversations, hovering at the edges. These were probably the ones who had received light punishments.
"Is it because few were executed in the purge, or because many who have completed their punishments have returned? The number of nobles doesn't seem to have decreased as much as I had imagined."
"You think that because there haven't been so many changes in your own surroundings. Even those who escaped execution by association weren't left completely unpunished. Several of my own retainers have been distanced due to association — even though they themselves are innocent, having to separate from those who have walked alongside you for so long is truly painful."
As Wilfried spoke, he shifted his gaze slightly, and in that direction I could see
...So it wasn't just my adoptive father — Wilfried's retainers had been depleted as well.
"If we align ourselves with the Leisegang-aligned nobles while promoting capable former Veronica faction members, we should be able to restore them as retainers as quickly as possible."
The ones who needed to think about and execute the personnel changes in the castle — determining which direction to steer the nobles — were my adoptive father and Wilfried. I wanted them to succeed so they could reclaim their own retainers.
"...You say that as though it's someone else's problem."
"Since I'm not the next Aub, I was told it's best to stay behind the scenes and leave things to Wilfried. And I've left the social duties among the women to Charlotte and Brünhilde, so I don't intend to get involved."
Being escorted to the front row by the stern-faced Wilfried, I could hear the Archduke couple enter right behind us. Without receiving the nobles' greetings, the Spring Banquet commenced.
"In the pure waters of the Water Goddess Fluträne, the Life God Eveilieb was swept away, and the
With my adoptive father's proclamation, the banquet began, and as usual, the Noble Academy grades were announced. I was the only one with top marks, but there were many excellent students overall. The Archduke candidates all stepped forward, and numerous retainers from each of their retinues mounted the stage. And as usual, they received words of praise and commemorative gifts.
"It is truly gratifying that so many among those who will carry the future of Ehrenfest are excellent. Everyone, continue to strive and maintain these results."
My adoptive father addressed the assembled nobles, speaking about how we third-years had received divine blessings from multiple gods that astonished even ourselves, the joint research project with Dunkelfelger that had grown from that, the
"For this reason, a movement to reexamine religious rites has begun at the center, in order to receive blessings from as many gods as possible. Ehrenfest, where the Archduke candidates participate in religious rites, stands at the forefront of this. Therefore, as Rozemyne's successor, I appoint Melchior as the next High Priest in the role of Blue Priest apprentice, with a three-year transition period."
There were surprised voices at the news of the Royal Family's participation in religious rites and the movement to reexamine religious practices, but the Aub's decision to allow not just me but the other Archduke candidates to enter the Temple as priest apprentices was readily accepted by the Leisegangs.
"Sister Rozemyne, when will you be heading to the Temple?"
"After I've spoken to the children in the children's room, I plan to go together with them. I need to check the Temple rooms, confirm the space and necessary items, and select attendants who will serve at the Temple."
After that, the discussion turned to personnel matters. Leisegang-aligned nobles would be dispatched as provisional Giebes to the positions left vacant by the purge. It was announced that after observing their performance over three years, they would be formally appointed as Giebes. These too were accepted alongside cheers of joy.
"Furthermore, while those who committed crimes under the former Veronica regime were swiftly rooted out, those who are innocent but resigned voluntarily out of custom, or who have already completed light punishments, will be promoted according to their abilities as much as possible. I urge you: do not let bitterness over having been punished keep you from working hard."
A faint atmosphere of relief spread through the grand hall. To tighten the mood, the conversation then turned to the purge. While dangerous nobles who had pledged fealty to the First Wife of another territory had been eliminated, some had escaped to other territories, and the threat had not yet fully passed.
"To counter this threat, Leisegang-aligned nobles are being placed in the vacant Giebe positions. Should you notice anything suspicious or unusual, please contact the Knight's Order immediately."
By implying indirectly that failure to do so would result in accountability, the Leisegang-aligned nobles' expressions grew more serious as well. The message got through — they couldn't afford to be complacent just because they had displaced the former Veronica faction.
My adoptive father also announced that the Greshel Entwicken would be led by the Aub and held in autumn, and he requested cooperation from the surrounding Giebes.
"For the specific details, I will gather the Giebes around Greshel for discussion. I want to ensure we aren't looked down upon by merchants from other territories, so I ask for your cooperation."
If he had said "noble of a higher-ranked territory," the adults would have reacted with the inferiority complex typical of lower-ranked nobility: "It's only natural to be looked down upon." But when he said "commoners from other territories," they would fire up: "We can't allow commoners to look down on us!" A slight change in phrasing makes all the difference, as Brünhilde had told me.
"...In this way, I wish to join hands with the Leisegang-aligned nobles and govern Ehrenfest through cooperation. Furthermore, I intend to actively recruit young people experienced in dealing with other territories for castle positions. As proof of this, I have decided to welcome as my Second Wife the daughter of Giebe Greshel, who contributed the most to dealings with the Royal Family and higher-ranked territories as Rozemyne's apprentice attendant."
Cheers and applause rose from the Leisegang-aligned nobles at the Aub's words. Some nobles looked on with widened eyes in surprise, but since the demand for a Second Wife had been strong all along, there were no voices criticizing the Aub's decision.
"Brünhilde, come to the stage."
At my adoptive father's prompting, Brünhilde first glanced at me, then ascended to the stage with her attendants. Her chin was held just slightly higher than usual, her expression resolute as she climbed the steps. Since one of her female attendants was carrying a small box, it seemed the magic stones had been properly prepared.
Brünhilde slowly knelt, and her attendants did the same, bowing their heads. Rihyarda, who had been waiting with my adoptive father's magic stone, stood ready. Confirming that Brünhilde's preparations were complete, Rihyarda carefully opened the small box and presented it to my adoptive father. He took out the magic stone from within and held it out toward Brünhilde.
"Brünhilde, daughter of Giebe Greshel, chosen by the Guidance God Ehwaglairen — will you become the Water Goddess Fluträne who heals and supports this turbulent Ehrenfest?"
What came from my adoptive father's lips was a request for Brünhilde to be the Water Goddess who supports the Light Goddess and heals the Earth Goddess. Unlike the First Wife, a Second Wife is never compared to the Light Goddess in public. According to Ottilie, the comparison is usually made to a more minor attendant deity, so being compared to Fluträne meant that Brünhilde was being held in exceptionally high regard.
"I humbly accept."
Brünhilde received the magic stone my adoptive father held out, and in return, presented her own.
"By the guidance of Ehwaglairen, I stand here. If you wish for me to be the Water Goddess Fluträne, then I shall become the Water Goddess for Ehrenfest. All is by the guidance of Ehwaglairen."
Smiling sweetly, Brünhilde offered her magic stone. My adoptive father accepted it and extended his hand. Brünhilde took that hand and rose to her feet.
"Hereby, the engagement is established."
Applause of blessing erupted for the two on the stage, and staffs glowed with light. I, too, lit my staff along with everyone else.
...May happiness come to you, Brünhilde.
"Aha!"
A bit too much blessing light went flying.
"Rozemyne."
"It's all right, Brother Wilfried. It wasn't a particularly noticeable amount."
"As if it wasn't noticeable."
I hurriedly put away my staff and tried to look nonchalant, but given the way the surrounding nobles' gazes turned our way, Wilfried's assessment was probably the correct one.
I was mentally making excuses about how controlling the staff was getting more difficult, when Filine smiled sweetly and tried to comfort me: "It's perfectly fine."
"It was foreseeable that Lady Rozemyne would send her blessings for Brünhilde's celebration. Something of this magnitude is well within acceptable limits."
"Indeed. Unlike the Noble Academy, no pillar of light will appear. Something like this is nothing at all. Everyone will forget about it quickly."
Judith also tried to comfort me, but it didn't feel very reassuring. The two of them had rather unusual ideas about what counted as acceptable and normal.
"If we're going to do it, you might as well have made it a blessing that envelops the entire grand hall. If you make my Starbinding that spectacular,
...I'm terrified of what Hartmut and Clarissa's Starbinding will be like!
Rihyarda has returned to my adoptive father's side. Now I can feel a bit more at ease.
And the Banquet Celebrating Spring ended without incident, and Brünhilde's engagement was formally arranged.
Next, I'll be heading to the Temple with Melchior and the children.