Published: August 15, 2025
“…I found it strange that only my grandmother’s truth didn’t match the truths of others. If Father, Mother, and Rosemine were all telling the truth, then wouldn’t my grandmother’s words be the most suspicious? I like my grandmother, but when I think about what’s right or wrong, I believe she is wrong.”
Wilfried said this boldly and decisively. The high priest quietly observed him and then urged him to continue.
“Hmm… and then?”
“…I must apologize to you. I’m sorry for saying so many things, Ferdinand.”
Wilfried apologized honestly, causing the high priest’s eyes to widen slightly. Then he slowly narrowed his eyes and looked at Wilfried intently, as if examining him.
“Ah, you apologized, so there’s no need to be so angry…”
Wilfried’s face twitched under the high priest’s stern gaze, and he almost looked like he was about to cry.
“It’s alright, Brother Wilfried.”
“What do you mean it’s alright!?”
Wilfried let out a scream-like voice under the freezing gaze. I quickly explained.
“Although Ferdinand’s face looks harsher after the apology, this shows he is paying serious attention to listening. Your words have reached him properly, Brother Wilfried. Please keep doing your best.”
“…I-is that so?”
Wilfried anxiously glanced back and forth between me, the high priest, and my foster mother sitting beside us, holding my hand in support.
“Rosemine, don’t say unnecessary things.”
“It’s not unnecessary. It’s necessary. Since Ferdinand accepted your apology, instead of making a scary face, he should simply say ‘I forgive you’.”
The high priest snorted, saying something like, “He hasn’t said that because he doesn’t intend to forgive yet,” in a rather unkind way, then shifted his gaze back to Wilfried.
“Tell me, what did you think of the nobles at the tea party?”
“Those nobles… They seemed kind when they told me things, but since they encouraged crimes, they weren’t kind at all. What Oswald said—that a smiling person approaching isn’t necessarily on your side—that’s what I realized.”
Wilfried’s words showed that what he couldn’t understand from hearing alone became clear through experience. Oswald’s face twisted in frustration. If only he had understood a little earlier, he might have heard such words sooner.
The high priest nodded once at Wilfried’s important realization.
“That’s precisely why you’re taught never to speak with unknown nobles and to never say careless things. To eliminate even a small risk, the chief attendant selects which nobles may meet with you.”
“There is meaning behind those prohibitions…”
Children of lords have a mountain of ‘don’t do this’ and ‘don’t do that’ rules. Even if told repeatedly, if they don’t understand the reasons, they won’t be able to follow them.
“Of course. There is no rule that is banned without reason. On the contrary, the lessons drilled into you have their meaning.”
“…I know that from studying letters, math, and practicing Fischpiel.”
“I see. Any other thoughts or considerations?”
“I was surprised that the crime committed by grandmother could be seen completely differently depending on who was looking. I think hearing various opinions is important.”
“Hmm.”
The high priest furrowed his brow deeply while contemplating Wilfried’s opinion.
I clenched my fist tightly. I want to steer Wilfried toward being saved somehow. Certainly, he committed a careless and serious crime, but he is growing properly.
He was simply very poorly educated until now; he is not incapable. This time too, he noticed something important. I myself learned a lot in various ways.
“The usual punishment would be disinheriting him and sending him to the temple or imprisoning him in the tower like grandmother. …But it’s a bit complicated.”
“What is complicated?”
My foster father frowned just like the high priest.
“Just as truth varies from person to person, when multiple people are involved in one matter, their aims aren’t necessarily the same. This time, too many people are involved. We can’t narrow down their motives.”