Published: August 15, 2025
During the winter, adults prioritize socializing.
Nobles who own lands located on the borders with other territories bring in information about those other lands, and lords who travel to the capital for the lords’ council, along with their entourages, bring back rumors and news from the center.
Adults are busy gathering information through their peers, holding meetings among nobles who govern lands to discuss this year’s harvest or damage caused by demonic beasts, and exchanging various gossip during gatherings of women.
Meanwhile, the children who have completed their baptism ceremony are gathered into a room. From here on, they will be heading together to the noble academy, where they will live together as classmates, seniors, and juniors, forming bonds as peers of the same age.
Based on stories they heard from siblings, they begin selecting which course to belong to at the noble academy. They interact a little with those aiming for different courses, and even though they are not as refined as the adults, they learn the art of socializing. At the same time, they are expected to understand social hierarchies and acquire noble-like manners.
“Starting this year, Young Master Wilfried and Princess Rosemine will be joining here,”
After breakfast, Richarda explained at length about the upcoming activities.
“For the two of them, this is an opportunity to choose and nurture their future close attendants. Because traveling together to the noble academy nurtures a sense of solidarity and trust, close attendants are often chosen from those close in age.”
Then, with a slightly stern expression, Richarda said that the competition for these attendant positions will be fierce, with parents working behind the scenes.
“Please do not forget that behind every child there is always a family member.”
I nodded in agreement.
After breakfast, I headed to the room where the children were gathered. Today, all four Guard Knights were accompanying us. Students preparing to depart for the noble academy were also gathered in the same room, and because of the large number of children, many Guard Knights were needed until everyone had moved.
“Today is the day the highest-year students move, so there are the most people, Princess,”
As winter socializing began, so did the students’ departure to the noble academy.
On the way to the room where the children were gathered in the main building, I saw carts piled with large luggage. These belonged to those heading to the noble academy, and I saw people wearing cloaks and brooches indicating their enrollment there coming and going.
Everyone looked at my mini bus with surprise, turning around two or three times. I’m used to those startled faces, so I pushed forward without concern.
My Guard Knights and attendants seemed accustomed to this as well, and we proceeded without incident.
“Every year, the highest-year students who are familiar with the noble academy move first, and the new students move last.”
“There seem to be some without cloaks and brooches?”
“Those are the attendants. Only one attendant is allowed to accompany each student.”
Apparently, they move to the noble academy accompanied by attendants from their home. And if needed, they hire attendants who have chosen the attendant course, knights from the knight training course as guards, or civil servants from the bureaucrat course to help with assignments.
That’s why all the children who have completed the baptism ceremony eagerly listen to stories about the noble academy. They want to gather information to decide which course to pursue.
“This is the room where you will interact during the winter. It is a bit cramped until the students depart for the noble academy,”
Richarda opened the door of a certain room after waiting for me to put away the mini bus. Everyone who had been chatting happily fell silent and turned their attention to us, quickly kneeling in respect.
“Princess, please come this way.”
I was seated in a chair prepared at the back of the room. Richarda busied herself making tea, and the Guard Knights stood around me protectively.