Published: August 3, 2025
Even living in the castle, unless summoned, I only see the lord’s family at dinner time. Breakfast is taken in each room, and the lord and lady often have lunch engagements, so we never eat together then.
Therefore, this dinner time is the only chance to have a conversation.
“Foster Father, I will be returning to the temple from tomorrow for about a month.”
“...The issue with the dining hall has been resolved, hasn’t it? What’s the matter?”
Sylvester furrowed his brows and looked at me. I could tell his deep green eyes were searching for something interesting.
“I have many matters to discuss with the craftsmen to improve printing techniques. I will report back as soon as new methods are developed.”
“Hmm, understood.”
Though he nodded seriously, I’m sure he’ll come to the temple halfway through under some excuse like an inspection or just to check on things.
“Foster Father, if you come for an inspection, please notify me in advance.”
“I understand.”
I swallowed the urge to say, “You clearly don’t,” and finished my meal.
After exchanging goodnight greetings, I returned to my room, but this time I headed to the North Wing with Wilfried.
“Rosemine’s unfair.”
Wilfried had been sulking the whole meal, glaring at me with deep green eyes very similar to Sylvester’s. I tilted my head, not understanding why he called me unfair.
“...In what way am I unfair?”
“If I say it’s unfair, then it is!”
That wasn’t an answer at all, and I was utterly confused. Looking up at Brother Lamprecht, he shrugged lightly with a troubled expression. Apparently, this wasn’t something that could be explained here.
“My sincerest apologies, Brother Wilfried. I will be away for about a month, so please spend your time in peace. Good night.”
Once we arrived at the North Wing, I quickly climbed the stairs. I heard a voice tantruming, “You don’t understand at all!” but I ignored it—I was busy.
Back in my room, I pulled out a sheet of paper and listed out the tasks I needed to complete during the month at the temple. I also made a list of items I would need to bring back to the temple.
“...I want a writing tablet. It’s wasteful to keep using paper.”
My writing tablet had been taken home by my family as Myne’s belongings. Lutz had said that Tulli was currently using it.
Even if it were here, I doubt they would let me use a simple wooden writing tablet with no decoration. It might have been discarded as inappropriate for the lord’s foster daughter. Considering that, it was better that Tulli used it—but I wanted a writing tablet of my own.
...I might be a bother, but I’ll order one from Benno.
As I sighed, my eyes fell on the cabinet where Richarda had tidied away the books. It was so painful to know they were there but unreadable.
While I gazed longingly at the cabinet, Richarda cleared her throat.
“Please rest now, Your Highness.”
“...Yes.”
Fine, I’ll just get up early tomorrow morning and read.
The next day, I woke up early. When I tried to start reading, the cabinet was locked and wouldn’t open. As I fretted, I waited for Richarda to arrive, only to be scolded that I hadn’t rested enough. After breakfast, Richarda hurried me off to the temple.
The reason was, “Your Highness tends to forget your promises once you start reading, didn’t young master Ferdinand say so?”
...Damn it, High Priest!
I pursed my lips in frustration and took the carriage to the temple, accompanied by Brigitte and Darmel.
“Welcome back, Lady Rosemine.”
“Thank you, Fran.”
Together with Fran, who had come out to greet me, I returned to the head priest’s office.
“I was surprised when I heard from the High Priest yesterday afternoon that you would be staying at the castle for a while,” Fran said.
“Yes, I was surprised, too, when the High Priest told me to return.”
The frustration over being forced to leave without reading was growing. The books piled by the High Priest were from the castle library and were forbidden to be taken out. So I could only read them once I was back at the castle.