Published: August 15, 2025
I slept well.
Feeling refreshed as I awoke, I slowly crawled out from under Father’s cloak and stretched widely.
Then, I spread the cloak out on the bed. Normally, this would be a task for an attendant, but I wanted to do it myself.
Carefully smoothing out as many wrinkles as I could with the palm of my hand, I folded the cloak neatly.
“All done. Perfect.”
I had Fran hold the cloak and headed to the dining hall.
If the nobles didn’t eat, then neither the attendants nor the commoners could eat. So, at the small temple, all nobles, including the Guard Knights, eat together at once.
By the time I arrived at the dining hall, everyone was already awake and eating.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning, Lady Rosemine.”
Unlike Brigitte, who had just started eating, or Justox, who looked like he’d been rudely awakened and forced to get up, the high priest seemed to have gotten up earliest and was just finishing his meal.
“Good morning, Rosemine. Looks like you slept well.”
“Yes. It was probably because it was so warm.”
While Monica and the guild prepared the meal, I asked Fran to fetch Father so I could return the cloak.
Ideally, I would have liked to hand it to him myself, but that’s not something a lady can do. So, Fran delivered it on my behalf, and I only had to express my thanks.
“I return this to you, Gunther. It kept me very warm.”
When I spoke to Father, who was kneeling, he slightly lifted his face to look at me. Then, his amber eyes narrowed with relief.
“I’m glad I could be of help. …I hear that Lady Rosemine will be traveling through the villages for the prayer ceremony. Please take good care of yourself.”
“Thank you, Gunther. Please also convey my regards to your family.”
“You’re too kind.”
Our exchange was very brief. Still, even a small conversation made me happy.
Watching Father walk toward the group of soldiers, Brigitte narrowed her amethyst eyes in curiosity.
“Lady Rosemine, you seem quite close with that soldier.”
Among the nobles present, Brigitte was the only one unaware that I was Father’s biological child. The high priest and Darmel, of course, knew, as did Justox, who had investigated Myne’s background, and Brother Eckhardt, who assisted him.
I smiled gently and explained according to the prepared story.
“That soldier has strong ties to the Gilberta Trading Company. I order hair ornaments from the Gilberta Trading Company, and there’s a pair of parents who manage the hair ornaments—Eva and Tulli, I believe.”
“I’ve seen them several times in the orphanage director’s office. The girl who assisted during my measurements was there too, right? I heard that she is Lady Rosemine’s favorite.”
Brigitte seemed to remember Tulli coming and going with hair ornaments and assisting with measurements for her own outfit.
I nodded, “Yes,” and continued.
“That soldier, Gunther, is Tulli’s father and also the superior of Corinna’s husband—the man who was entrusted with Brigitte’s outfit. Before the baptism ceremony, when I frequented the downtown area because of the orphanage’s workshop, he often accompanied me in place of the Guard Knights.”
“So that’s the connection.”
Brigitte nodded in understanding.
That’s the story, and I’m glad she accepted it.
“Rosemine, you will rest today and begin the prayer ceremony tomorrow. We need to speak, so I will come to your room this afternoon.”
The high priest, who had finished eating first, announced the day’s schedule and then withdrew to his chamber. I replied, “Understood,” and hurriedly began breakfast.
If I and the other nobles didn’t finish eating soon, none of the non-nobles could have breakfast. I heard that the Gilberta Trading Company and the soldiers would return to Ehrenfest this morning. We had to switch quickly, or their departure would be delayed.
Trying to appear as elegant as possible, I ate as quickly as I could.
After finishing breakfast, I returned to my room so as not to disturb anyone.
Sitting in a chair and closing my eyes briefly, the events from yesterday in Hasse vividly returned, and my mood darkened.