Published: August 15, 2025
Two days after the starbinding ceremony, a book sale was scheduled for this afternoon. It seemed the event had been introduced during the ceremony, so more nobles than usual were lingering in the Noble District.
As a result, Darmel’s courtship had become known throughout the castle over these two days, and he was teased by everyone.
Women who witnessed his story-like courtship firsthand tended to approve, but men laughed at the reckless proposal, saying it was impossible for Darmel, a lower noble, to gain enough mana to match Brigitte, a middle noble. Still, he was praised for defending Brigitte’s honor against her former fiancé. Occasionally, people could be seen grinning and patting him on the shoulder, saying, “Looking forward to a year from now.”
Meanwhile, Brigitte, the one who had been proposed to, said, “No matter the result one year from now, I’m just happy you protected my honor.” Her words were meant to protect herself in the moment, and her expression clearly showed she thought it unlikely to come true.
“One year from now… Darmel, do you think you’ll make it in time?”
The rate at which mana increases differs from person to person. I had taught Darmel my compression method, but I had no idea how useful it would be or how much mana gap there was between Darmel and Brigitte.
“I don’t know… but I think it’s already good that I’ve gained some reprieve.”
Darmel, who had set a deadline for himself and resolved his determination, looked more dignified than his usual slightly timid expression.
Today, the day of the sale, I was scheduled to meet Gibe Ilkner over lunch. When I was asked to create an outfit for Brigitte, I was told to take some time to express gratitude.
It was a timely opportunity. I wanted to talk about introducing the Plantin Trading Company and about traveling to Ilkner, so I scheduled the meeting on the same day as the sale.
“Thank you for waiting, Lord Ferdinand, Gibe Ilkner.”
When I headed to the room for the meal, Gibe Ilkner and the high priest were already waiting.
Since the high priest had officially become my guardian, he was to attend discussions concerning the printing business to prevent me from being out-argued by nobles or causing any weird troubles.
My foster father, the lord, couldn’t attend all meetings concerning me, and my father, the knights order commander and my lord’s guard, couldn’t always stay by my side. So the high priest had been chosen for this role.
The high priest had already sighed, saying, “You weren’t supposed to return to secular life.” My sympathies.
After the lengthy greetings exchanged among nobles, lunch was served. When I took a bite to show them, both the high priest and Gibe Ilkner picked up their cutlery.
After tasting it, Gibe Ilkner smiled happily.
“During the Winter Social Season, I tasted a dish devised by Lady Rosemine and was truly surprised by its deliciousness. Brigitte occasionally boasts about the meals, and I have been looking forward to today’s meal.”
Brigitte, who had apparently been boasting to her family about the delicious food at work, blushed in embarrassment and lightly glared at her brother. Receiving that gaze, Gibe Ilkner relaxed his eyes slightly and changed to the main topic.
“At the starbinding ceremony, I was deeply grateful to receive new attire for my sister Brigitte. Thanks to Lady Rosemine’s kindness, my sister’s honor was restored, and it seems a suitor has appeared.”
Gibe Ilkner glanced briefly at Darmel as he said this, a slight smile of recollection on his face. It seemed he had witnessed the entire scene perfectly.
“I left immediately after the blessing, so I didn’t see what happened. What was the situation?”
From the brother’s perspective, Brigitte’s situation sounded more like a tale of good triumphing over evil than a love story. It was interesting, differing from their mother’s viewpoint.
We finished lunch while listening to such stories.
“I don’t know if this will be of any help, but please do come to Ilkner. I would like to prepare a variety of wood for Lady Rosemine.”