Published: August 3, 2025
After receiving the key from the high priest, I was about to rush straight into the library, but Fran stopped me.
“Lady Rosemine, since you have been away for so long, there are many reports to go over and matters to discuss. Even if briefly, you were just intimidated by the new head priest, so the library isn’t going anywhere nor will it be disturbed. Please finish your urgent tasks first, then you can enjoy reading at your leisure.”
I glanced between the door and Fran, scanning the room for anyone who might side with me.
Behind Fran stood Monica, Rosina was polishing the Fischpiel as if it were none of her business, Darmel averted his gaze to avoid getting involved, and Brigitte watched the situation with a furrowed brow, looking troubled. No one seemed reliable.
“But Lutz and the others are coming tomorrow, so I wanted to read at least a little today…”
If the people from the Gilberta Trading Company were as busy as the high priest sympathized, then I would inevitably be busy too. There was no doubt that today was the only chance to relax.
When I pleaded about the lack of time, Fran smiled like the high priest himself.
“Don’t worry, Lady Rosemine. You have something to read even without going to the library.”
“Huh?”
“Before the books in the library, please take a look at this.”
What was stacked high before me were wooden tags—apparently, a compilation of ritual procedures and prayers put together by Fran and Monica.
“Please memorize these by the rite of star binding.”
It wasn’t me who flinched at the sheer number of wooden tags piled up, but Brigitte.
“Wait. All of these? This is way too much. For young Lady Rosemine…”
Brigitte tried to defend me, saying this was too much for a child who just completed her baptism ceremony.
Fran, who was cornered by the noble, frowned painfully but still stared quietly at Brigitte and spoke calmly.
“Lady Rosemine must attend the star binding rite as the head priest. If she fails at her first ceremony as head priest, that evaluation will follow her permanently. As someone from the noble class, Lady Brigitte, I’m sure you understand what such an assessment means in noble society.”
Having served closely under the high priest, Fran had learned the ways of noble society firsthand—knowing what the high priest had to watch out for and how he judged others.
“I see. Understood. It was a trap.”
Brigitte said that and stepped back smoothly. Fran’s face clearly relaxed, and she handed me the wooden tags.
“Here you go, Lady Rosemine.”
“I wrote these. We worked hard for you, Lady Rosemine.”
Monica looked down at me with sparkling eyes. I couldn’t resist the combined encouragement of Fran’s devotion to her lady and Monica’s innocent smile.
“…I’ll memorize them. I’ll do my best to repay both of you for your effort.”
“I’m really glad that what Monica compiled for Lady Rosemine won’t go to waste. Right, Fran?”
“Lady Rosemine would never waste Monica’s efforts. Now, let’s start with these procedures.”
With Fran smiling brightly behind Monica, I felt like I couldn’t escape. As expected, Fran was a servant educated by the high priest—heavily influenced!
I gave up on the library and reluctantly took the wooden tags. Hmph, happy tears. I’m glad to have such devoted servants. Sigh… the library…
That’s how we spent the day talking about the flow of the star binding rite and the head priest’s duties.
Today, the high priest was scheduled to meet with the Gilberta Trading Company to check on the progress of the printing business. They wanted a report before any tampering by clerks.
The Gilberta people arrived at the third bell and were to have lunch together. So after preparing breakfast, Ella and Nicola moved to the director’s kitchen to prepare lunch. Fran left me in Monica’s care and went to the director’s room to prepare tea. Since nobles always dine with music, Rosina took her Fischpiel and headed to the director’s room after breakfast.