Ascendance of a Bookworm

Today, I was scheduled to have a discussion with the Plantin Trading Company. As the third bell rang, I hugged the completed collection of mother's bedtime stories and the letters for my family, and headed toward the orphanage director’s office.

...Hehe, hehe, I get to see Lutz~

“Thank you for waiting.”

When I arrived at the orphanage director’s office, Benno, Mark, and Lutz were already there, along with Otto, who was drinking tea that Nicola had prepared for him on the first floor. After the usual lengthy greetings, we went upstairs and quickly entered the secret room.

“Yay! Lutz, Lutz, Lutz~ I’ve missed you!”

I eagerly jumped into his arms, and as if he had expected it, Lutz lightly responded, “Ah, yes, yes,” while catching me. He gently patted my head a few times and smiled broadly.

“I told everyone I’d be staying at the lord’s place, so I won’t be back to the castle until summer. When I said that, Uncle Gunther and the others were really worried—wondering if you’d mess something up at the castle.”

“That’s awful! I was diligently doing my work!”

I felt disheartened by their lack of trust. Lately, the legend of the saint has been gaining momentum around me, but ironically, the people who trust me the least might be my own family.

“I was working hard making a book for Tulli…”

“A book?”

“This is for Tulli. She’s turning ten this summer, right? So, it’s a gift to celebrate. Could you deliver it to her?”

Here, children complete their baptism ceremony at seven and enter into an apprentice contract as a trainee. At ten years old, their three-year apprenticeship contract ends, and they decide whether to sign with another workshop, renew their contract, or, if their talent is recognized, enter into an apprentice contract (dapra). In a way, it’s a milestone year.

Also, skirt lengths change from knee-length to about mid-calf, so they’re no longer treated as children. In Reno’s era terms, it might be like middle or high school—still underage but not treated entirely as kids.

So, for Tulli’s tenth birthday, I made a collection of mother’s bedtime stories as a present.

“Oh, by the way. Tulli said before that once she turns ten and her trainee contract ends, she wants to move to Corinna’s workshop. What happened with that?”

Still clinging to Lutz, I glanced around at the Plantin Trading Company members. Benno slowly shifted his gaze to Otto and spoke.

“That’s today’s main topic. We want your opinion.”

“Huh?”

Prompted by Benno and Mark, I let go of Lutz and sat down. Benno and Otto sat across from me, with Mark and Lutz standing behind them.

“You can let your guard down here. Just speak your mind. Gilberta Trading Company isn’t my store anymore.”

Otto gave me a slight nudge with his elbow, then glanced at me with a hesitant look.

“Ah, I guess calling you ‘Myne-chan’ isn’t appropriate? Should I say Lady Rosemine? Wow, that feels kind of strange.”

Muttering to himself, Otto took a breath and spoke.

“You know Tulli’s trainee contract ends at the end of spring, right? She needs to decide on her next workplace by summer. That’s why I asked Benno to bring Lady Rosemine here.”

The urgent matter was about Tulli. But I didn’t understand why they needed my opinion on this.

“Basically, Tulli and Gilberta Trading Company are negotiating to sign a contract. Tulli is important to Gilberta. Few know the background, but she’s connected to Lady Rosemine, the lord’s adopted daughter, and she’s becoming a crucial craftsman in making hair ornaments.”

Tulli has been working hard to think up new flowers and braiding techniques. So far, I’ve only bought hair ornaments from Tulli and mother. They want to secure Tulli through an apprentice contract to keep such a valuable client as the lord’s adopted daughter.

“Until now, Corinna could leave tasks other than her interests to Benno. But since Benno became independent as Plantin Trading Company, and Benno, Mark, and Lutz—all people close to Lady Rosemine—joined Plantin, right?”