"Welcome home, Big Sister."
"You're back,
When I emerged from the teleportation circle room,
"Rozemyne, Charlotte. The lord family meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon. Make sure you're not late."
Father addressed us in his usual tone upon noticing my arrival. His expression showed absolutely nothing of the fact that this was a meeting to report that I would become the King's adopted daughter, and I was somewhat impressed as I replied, "Understood."
"Get some rest today so you're ready for tomorrow's meeting."
After seeing Mother and Father off toward the residential wing of the main building, I began walking to the northern building alongside my siblings, Grandpa, and our retainers.
"Rozemyne, wouldn't this work as an escort?"
Grandpa had his hands on his hips as he spoke.
"I hate to say this, Lord
"...It would be difficult for Lord Bonifatius to escort Rozemyne at banquets and such, so wouldn't this be fine for the walk from here to the northern building?"
"Having Grandpa escort Rozemyne is dangerous."
"What are you saying,
Grandpa declared this proudly, hand still planted on his hip. My guard knights were on their guard since they had experienced dangerous situations with Grandpa before.
"Then let's verify whether Grandpa can truly keep his hand on his hip."
With serious expressions, Cornelius and
...This is way overkill! Cornelius and the others are being serious, but Wilfried and Charlotte are both clearly holding back their laughter!
Melchior was watching enviously, saying, "That looks like fun," but Wilfried and Charlotte had unmistakable "trying not to laugh" expressions on their faces.
"As you can see, there's absolutely no sign of collapse. If Lady Rozemyne holds on around here, I don't think her arm will get tired."
After taking some time to verify, Cornelius reluctantly gave his approval for me to hold on. I placed my hand where he indicated, around Grandpa's wrist, and tried walking. Grandpa was being very careful with his pace, and I thought it probably looked somewhat like an escort.
...I say "somewhat" because it felt more like gripping than linking arms, and from the outside, it probably just looked like I was hanging onto a hand strap.
To look like a proper escort, I still wasn't tall enough.
...Come on, bring it on. Blessings of the Fire God
"Big Sister, how was your first lord meeting? I was so surprised when Lord Bonifatius told me that you not only performed the Star Binding on the first day but also ended up conducting the Dedication Ritual on the final day."
"I was surprised too. I was asked by the royalty while I was doing modern-language translations in the underground archive."
"They asked me" was more accurate, but I wouldn't tell Charlotte that. After that, I summarized what I could share about my time translating in the underground archive with
"We helped Lord Bonifatius with the magic power supply. And then, we studied the prayers together with Melchior and Brother Wilfried."
"Ah, so Melchior needed to memorize the
It seemed that Melchior's retainers had been nearly in tears trying to keep up with the enormous number of assignments
"Did it pay off?"
"Yes. He memorized the prayers for the Baptism Ceremony. And after that, he was able to move around after supplying magic power."
Melchior had been performing offerings at the Temple as well, so he had gotten used to supplying magic power to the foundation magic relatively quickly. As I listened to these reports about daily life in Ehrenfest, we arrived at the northern building.
"Thank you very much for escorting me, Grandpa."
"Very well. I'll see you at dinner, then..."
Grandpa, who had been focusing all his attention on keeping his hand on his hip, seemed extremely satisfied with having completed the escort successfully. He turned on his heel in high spirits.
When I returned to my room, I arranged for the adult retainers who had accompanied us to the lord meeting to rest until the meeting tomorrow afternoon and to switch with the underage retainers. The guard knights and scholars had enough people for rotation, but the Attendants would end up with just Gratia alone, so I was wondering what to do when Lizelote stepped forward.
"Lady Rozemyne, it would be too much for Gratia alone, so I'll stay."
"Lizelote, but..."
"Unlike Ottlie, who accompanied you to the underground archive almost daily, I only stayed at the dormitory."
I knew Lizelote hadn't just stayed at the dormitory, since she had been preparing tea and bringing lunches from there. But as a master, it would be irresponsible to dismiss an Attendant's concern and overburden Gratia.
"Then I'll grant you two days off starting the day after tomorrow, Lizelote. Please take care of things today and tomorrow."
"Understood."
The guard knights returned to their respective dormitories or homes, and the two scholars left with Ottlie. I began sorting through the luggage that Lizelote and Gratia had brought back, received reports about the Temple from
...I should gather all the retainers to talk right after the lord family meeting. Oh, and I need to speak with
The dinner table was spent hearing reports from everyone who had stayed behind in Ehrenfest, with my own report to be given at the meeting.
And then, the lord family report meeting was held. It was a large gathering attended by the lord family and their retainers, as well as upper-ranking members of the Knight's Order and scholar corps. What made this year slightly different from the usual was that Melchior, who wasn't yet old enough to enroll at the
"I don't know why I was called."
"Regardless of age, maybe there's an important report for the lord family?"
Looking at Wilfried's expression, which seemed to say "you probably know something about this," I simply smiled and said, "You'll find out at the meeting." I couldn't very well reveal here that "It's because I'm becoming the King's adopted daughter, and Melchior will need to take over as High Priest."
Surrounding the nervous Melchior, we walked together to the meeting room and took our assigned seats. The retainers I had brought were Attendant Ottlie, Scholar Hartmut, and Guard Knight Cornelius.
The scholars and Attendants prepared everything swiftly, and once everyone was ready, the Archduke couple entered, just as they did every year.
"Everyone seems to be present. I will now begin the report on the lord meeting."
The report meeting commenced with Father's words.
"As there have been major changes again this year, there are many matters to communicate. There were also many important decisions, so please be careful not to miss anything."
As usual, it began with the announcement of the rankings. Thanks to my request to
"Oh my, that's..."
Several relieved voices rose at the news that the ranking hadn't dropped, making it painfully clear just how unprepared the adults truly were.
"However, being a winning territory also comes with additional burdens."
"...Eh?"
"You know that
Gilissenmaier and Haufletze, who had become relatives of the royal family through marriage, were naturally also bearing significant burdens to support the current royal family. Ehrenfest, which had previously been a neutral territory bearing none of the extra burdens imposed on all territories, was now being told it too would need to bear burdens in support of the royal family.
"...What exactly does that entail...?"
Father surveyed the anxious nobles, and after his gaze rested on me for a moment, he said, "That will be announced next year."
"However, it's not only burdens. We've been granted special permission to restrict marriages to and from Ehrenfest for five years in order to rapidly grow the nobility, and we'll also be receiving forty Magical Tools for children. While there are burdens, we should be able to increase Ehrenfest's noble population."
...Ah, so my becoming the King's adopted daughter was going to be counted as a burden on Ehrenfest.
The nobles' reactions were split between those who felt the burden was acceptable given the compensation, and those who worried about just how great a burden would be imposed. In the midst of this, reports were given on religious matters: the postponement of
It was also revealed that the royal family's Dedication Dance had caused the magic circle to glow, meaning
Furthermore, changes were announced regarding the Royal Academy from the following year: the Stab acquisition would return to the third year, lecture content would change accordingly, the Dedication Ritual would be held on the final day of the lord meeting, and at the Royal Academy, it would be conducted as joint research with Klassenberg.
"The Stab acquisition is returning to the third year? It's not because the number of nobles has increased and there's more room, is it?"
"The quality of the Stab apparently varies depending on magic compression and the Blessings received. Thanks to the joint research between Dunkelfelger and Ehrenfest, there will be more students receiving Blessings from multiple gods. And by holding the Dedication Ritual at the lord meeting, adults will be able to re-acquire Blessings as well. It's important to improve the quality of the Stabs."
The nobles nodded in understanding at Father's words.
"The curriculum will be changing from next year, so the children's studies may become more difficult."
"The Stab was used for practical training, so there shouldn't be much change in their written exam scores. Perhaps you should ask Teacher
"Hmm," Father nodded. The children's room mainly consisted of lectures, so I didn't think much of the curriculum needed to change.
"Rather, shouldn't we consider that the Holy Book picture books and educational toys we're putting on the market will raise the average scores of many territories in a few years' time?"
"Yes, you're right. I already promoted the Holy Book picture books and educational toys that have been cleared for release to the royalty at the time of presentation. I think it generated considerable interest. Tell the Plantin Company to have plenty prepared."
"They're made through winter handicrafts, so ordering more now won't increase production. It would be better to order mass production this winter, to prepare for next year when the Gracier market will be established and we can expand our trading partners."
I had already reported that we were producing to some extent since the Holy Book picture books had been cleared for release, but there was no way to increase production now.
"Right. I told them we should be able to increase the number of trading partners somewhat next year, so that preparation should take priority."
How far along were the Gracier preparations? I'd need to ask when contacting them about the results of this report meeting.
"In early summer, there will be the funeral of the Archduke of Ahrensbach, which I must attend. With Florentia heavily pregnant, I'll have to go alone. Please handle the preparations for that."
Setting aside the conflict with
...I really want to see it for myself, but...
Between preparing for the handover and my new life, I was already overwhelmed. On top of that, I had poor stamina and wasn't suited for long journeys, and two of my guard knights couldn't be brought before Georgine. There was no way I'd be given permission to go to Ahrensbach in this state. If anyone were to accompany Father, it would most likely be Wilfried or Charlotte.
After that, various smaller matters were reported: the princess from Lanzanave had declined to come, the knights who had used Trug had been disciplined and expelled from the Central Knight's Order, the magic circle had glowed during the Star Binding ceremonies of Sigiswald and
"That concludes everything I need to communicate to you all. Clear the room. From here on, this is for the lord family only. Everyone, including retainers, leave."
After finishing the report, Father ordered the retainers to leave the meeting room. There had never been a discussion held after excluding retainers from a lord meeting report before.
"Archduke!?"
"What on earth..."
While everyone cried out in surprise, Father said nothing and quietly waited for them to leave.
"Lady Rozemyne..."
"It's the Archduke's order. Ottlie and the rest of you, please leave as well."
I ordered my concerned-looking retainers to depart, then slowly let out a breath. The upper-ranking officials and retainers filed out, exchanging uneasy glances. Of the lord family members who remained, everyone except the Archduke couple and me—who knew all the details—wore extremely tense expressions.
"Everyone, take this..."
Father handed out Magical Tools to prevent eavesdropping. On top of having excluded the retainers, he was taking the further precaution of using Magical Tools, which made Melchior pick one up with a slight tremble.
"What exactly is this about?"
At Grandpa's voice, Father finally spoke.
"One year from now, Rozemyne has been decided to become the King's adopted daughter. And she will be engaged to Prince Sigiswald."
Hearing this for the first time, everyone's eyes widened slightly. They seemed unsure what to say, mouths opening and closing, but no words came out. Seeing that they still didn't fully grasp the situation, Father continued in a calm tone.
"We've been given a one-year preparation period before moving to the central territory. During that time, for Rozemyne's safety, we've been instructed not to inform other territories about the adoption. Externally, things will remain as they are, but internally, we must prepare for the move."
He would not speak about anything related to Gutrisheit. It wasn't certain whether it would even be obtained, and it was unclear how it would be handled, so it had been decided to keep it hidden. The only thing those in Ehrenfest who needed to know about the handover could be told was that "in one year, Rozemyne will become the King's adopted daughter and go to the central territory."
Charlotte was perhaps the first to fully grasp what would happen as a result of my becoming the King's adopted daughter. She whipped around to face Wilfried. Wilfried was frozen with his eyes wide open, unable to move. His gaze was fixed solely on Father.
As Melchior quietly murmured, "Then what about the Temple...?" Grandpa's voice cut over his.
"...Wh-What are you saying,
Grandpa raised his voice and blustered, lunging at Father, but Father simply shook his head slowly.
"Rozemyne is my adopted daughter. If I dissolve the adoption, she'll return to being an upper-ranking noble as
"You accepted such an outrageous demand!?"
"It's a royal command. I was able to negotiate various conditions, but since it's a royal command, I couldn't refuse."
Father said this firmly. Grandpa said "Conditions?" and glared at Father with his eyes darting about. But Father answered calmly, as though this was exactly the reaction he had expected.
"As I mentioned earlier, the five-year marriage restriction to increase the nobility, and the Magical Tools for children."
"That's all!?"
Grandpa shot to his feet in fury, asking if that was all it took to sell Rozemyne to the central territory, and Father laid out what he hadn't mentioned during the report meeting.
"A recall order for Ehrenfest nobles who went to the central territory. Recognition that taking Rozemyne as an adopted daughter counts as a burden on Ehrenfest. And the avoidance of Ferdinand's collective punishment, along with improvement of his treatment. That's everything. Compared to last year, when Ferdinand made his own arrangements with the royalty and failed to bring any real benefit to Ehrenfest, I've done a far more proper job as Archduke."
Grandpa's blue eyes went wide at Father's words.
"Avoidance of Ferdinand's collective punishment and improvement of his treatment!? What is that supposed to amount to!? Avoiding collective punishment and improving treatment for someone who married into another territory has nothing to do with Rozemyne's adoption! It doesn't benefit Ehrenfest in the slightest! Have you lost your mind out of brotherly affection?"
When Grandpa insisted that, as Archduke of Ehrenfest, he should have demanded better conditions, Father made a face and pointed at me.
"The avoidance of Ferdinand's collective punishment and improvement of his treatment were conditions proposed by Rozemyne. They weren't my conditions."
At that moment, everyone's eyes turned to me. Grandpa looked so shocked his jaw nearly dropped, and his gaze darted about uncertainly.
"Rozemyne, you... don't tell me you were harboring feelings for Ferdinand!? Did something happen at the Temple...?"
"Grandpa, I'm not harboring any romantic feelings for Lord Ferdinand. Is it really so strange to worry about someone who's practically family? ...If I went to the central territory, would Grandpa forget about me right away? Would you stop calling me your granddaughter and say we have no connection?"
As I asked this, thinking it was a little sad, Grandpa immediately denied it.
"Even if I dissolve my adoption with Sylvester, there would be no change whatsoever to the fact that you are my granddaughter."
"Then is this feeling what's called 'harboring feelings'?"
"...Wh-What did you say?"
I smiled sweetly at Grandpa's bewildered expression.
"I worry about Lord Ferdinand for the same reason Grandpa worries about me when he thinks I'm going far away. I wasn't accepted by the royalty, but the truth is, I asked for Ferdinand to be returned to Ehrenfest."
If that had worked, then most of Ehrenfest's problems—the magic power, the
"Do you have no reservations about going to the central territory?"
"I do. I'm being forced to give up both my precious printing workshop and library, and move from an environment where new books were delivered to me immediately, to one where I can't even have a Library built in the building I live in. I'm full of complaints."
My dissatisfaction about the drop in living standards wouldn't go away easily. I wanted to build a printing workshop in the central territory as soon as possible, and I needed to think about how to improve the teleportation circle between Ehrenfest and the central territory so new publications could be delivered smoothly.
"But Lord Ferdinand also couldn't resist the royal command and went to Ahrensbach. Since it's a royal command, there's nothing I can do about it. All I can do is become the King's adopted daughter and support Ehrenfest from that position, but I do want to be of some use."
Grandpa opened his mouth as if to say something more, but Father shrugged.
"Your granddaughter is marrying into the royal family. Isn't that something to celebrate? You kept saying Rozemyne was too good for Wilfried, after all."
Father said this with a sigh, and Grandpa's expression instantly changed as he looked toward Wilfried. Wilfried met his gaze with an ironic smile.
"There's no need to look so surprised now, Lord Bonifatius."