Published: August 3, 2025
It was the third day since I had been secluded in the temple when a letter arrived from the high priest. It asked, "When will the ceremonial garments ordered from the Gilberta Trading Company be ready?"
I had hoped it would be a notice about the interview date, but feeling let down, I asked Rosina to have Lutz, who was teaching the winter crafts at the orphanage, come to my room.
"Hey, Lutz, the high priest sent a letter like this. Sorry to bother you, but could you ask Master Benno about it when you go back to the shop for lunch?"
"Got it."
After Lutz inquired, he reported back that no matter how fast they worked, it would still take at least three more days. So, I wrote back to the high priest in the afternoon, giving a little leeway and saying, "If we try hard, it should be ready in five days."
When Fran took the reply, she returned with both the confirmation of the interview date and an invitation to Master Benno.
"Lutz, they’re calling for Lord Karlstedt in seven days and want Master Benno to bring the finished garments then."
Lutz came to visit my room to say goodbye and give today’s report. Clinging to him as he pampered me, I entrusted the invitation to him.
"I’ll drop by the shop on the way back and hand it over... Still, Myne, you seem really restless. Are you alright?"
"Not really. I want to go home at least once before the snow starts falling."
Instead of getting used to the loneliness, my homesickness has worsened. Correspondingly, the time I cling to Lutz and Tulli when they come visit my room has also increased. It feels like the fact that my pregnant mother can’t come here and I can’t lean on her only deepens my loneliness.
Sigh, Lutz said with a troubled look, stroking my head, "Once the snow starts, I won’t be able to come every day either."
Recently, my father, who works the day shift, only manages to visit once a week, and Tulli comes about every other day. If Lutz, who comes almost daily to check on the workshop and crafts, stops coming, I’d be even lonelier.
"I wish it wouldn’t snow at all."
Thinking about the cold outside where it could start snowing at any time, I unconsciously tightened my grip on Lutz’s arm.
On the day of the meeting, just before the third bell tolled, snow began to flurry. It wasn’t enough to accumulate suddenly, but everyone could clearly tell that true winter had arrived.
"Do you think it will stick?"
"Not yet, Myne-sama. Today’s meeting won’t be canceled."
After practicing Fischpiel, I was made to rehearse greetings for Karlstedt, with Rosina endlessly making me redo elegant hem movements. The path to grace is harsh.
"Master Benno will visit this afternoon, right? There isn’t much time left for practice."
"Yes."
The meeting was set for the fifth bell. Before that, as a courtesy to smooth things over, Benno was scheduled to visit my room first.
"Hello, Master Benno, Mark... Huh? Where’s Lutz?"
Benno, dressed in the long-sleeved winter attire befitting a noble, came in with Mark carrying a box. I pouted, surprised that Lutz wasn’t with them, as I had expected.
"Since the snow started, we’ve asked Lutz to prioritize work at the Myne workshop today. He’ll bring each finished winter craft item one by one soon. You should take them to the meeting."
"Winter crafts? Why?"
I tilted my head, unsure why we had to bring them to a meeting with the high priest and the upper nobles rather than just Benno, the merchant.
"I feel selling them outright would have too much impact. I want to hear the high priest’s and the upper nobles’ opinions."
"Hmm, if nothing like this has existed before, I think it would definitely have a big impact."
Recalling the era when playing cards and Reversi were widespread during Reno’s time, I answered. Benno shot me a very unpleasant glare.
"...Big impact? You’re just spreading things without considering the effects of paper or printing, yet you insist the impact is big?"
"Well, I know that paper and printing have changed history, right? I just make what I need..."