Published: August 15, 2025
As I toured the workshop, I noticed the children who had given me the picture book counting sheets of paper or giving instructions for the next task to those who were free.
“Why are those two children giving orders?”
“One of them is an attendant, and the other is a merchant apprentice. Both are Rosemine’s trusted aides. They receive instructions directly from Rosemine, manage the workshop, and report the progress. Compared to children their age, their burden is heavy—perhaps because they aspire to be like Rosemine, their growth is remarkable. Rosemine might have a talent for nurturing people.”
Ferdinand, who usually only said things to mock me, praised the children in the workshop and complimented Rosemine for raising them. A burning sensation crept into my chest.
“It’s the fifth bell. Let’s return to the room. Everyone, you’ve worked well. Keep up the effort.”
“Thank you very much.”
At Ferdinand’s words, those in the workshop smiled proudly and knelt roughly on the spot.
Clutching the picture book, I headed back to the head priest’s room. Usually, after the fifth bell, the afternoon studies end, and it is free time. I thought today would be the same, but Fran stacked several wooden tags on the table.
“What’s this?”
“These are the blessing words you must memorize before attending the autumn harvest festival. The various precautions are unnecessary for Lord Wilfried, who won’t actually attend, but the blessing words are also useful when using magic. Please.”
Lamprecht glanced over the blessing words written on the wooden tags, then widened his eyes and pointed at them.
“...No way Rosemine memorized all this?”
“Of course. Lady Rosemine is the head priest.”
Fran nodded without changing her expression, as if it were obvious.
“You know how once a bad reputation is given among nobles, it sticks forever, right? Lady Rosemine, as the lord’s adopted daughter, cannot afford to fail. She has to memorize new blessing words for every ceremony for a year. It’s tough, but she works very hard.”
Fran counted on her fingers the number of ceremonies where the head priest gives blessings. Rosemine became head priest in midsummer, so she has only experienced one season so far.
Even so, she has attended the starbinding ceremony, coming-of-age ceremony, baptism ceremony, and will next attend the harvest festival. The duties of the head priest are unbelievably numerous.
“I can’t read, so no way.”
I shook my head looking at the wooden tags with blessing words. Maybe Rosemine has to memorize them, but I don’t.
When I returned the wooden tags to Fran, she accepted them quietly and handed them to Lamprecht.
“Then, Lord Lamprecht, please read them aloud and have him repeat to memorize. After that, we will have dinner.”
“Wha—!?”
“If you try seriously, you can memorize them. ...High Priest, shall I prepare some tea? You must be tired.”
Saying that, Fran quickly headed toward the kitchen. Angry that Fran wasn’t listening to me, I shouted after her.
“I refuse! I won’t memorize such a thing!”
Stomping my foot and yelling, Fran furrowed her brows and looked back with a troubled expression. Just as I was about to firmly argue, Ferdinand let out an exaggeratedly loud sigh.
“Haa... Fran, Lord Wilfried apparently does not need dinner. If the sixth bell rings and he still hasn’t memorized them, serve dinner first. Otherwise, we won’t make it in time for the distribution of the divine blessing.”
“Understood.”
...Damn Ferdinand! Why interfere?
I clenched my teeth and glared, but Ferdinand just returned my cold half-lidded gaze, showing no fear.
...That’s why I hate castle attendants!
I shouted those words in my heart, feeling slightly relieved.
Anyway, even if I don’t memorize the prayer words, they wouldn’t really skip my dinner. So far, I had never been treated so badly even when I didn’t know letters or left study early. I just had to wait until Ferdinand left the room.
The sixth bell rang. It was time to eat, so Ferdinand left the room.