Ascendance of a Bookworm

I am Charlotte, the daughter of Aub Ehrenfest, who has just completed the baptism ceremony.

Right now, clutching my older sister’s letter to my chest, I am heading to the children’s room together with my older brother. I have been entrusted with a request from my older sister.

...I must accomplish it without fail!

This morning, shortly after breakfast, Father, Mother, and Uncle Ferdinand came to the North Wing, accompanied by their Guard Knights.

I was also summoned to my brother’s room, where I was told the full story of last night’s attack. One of the assailants had been caught, but it’s highly likely that multiple nobles were involved. I learned that my sister, poisoned and on the verge of death, was immersed in a medicine called Yureve to suppress her mana, and she won’t wake up for over a year.

...Because they used their own Guard Knights to save me, my sister...

Seeing me blame myself and cry, Uncle Ferdinand gave me a stern look and said, “Don’t waste your energy.”

“Think about atoning before you cry. You can grieve anytime, but honestly, it’s a waste of time. Could you instead try your best to fill Rosemine’s place as much as you can?”

Father frowned beside him and said, “That’s too harsh, Ferdinand.” Meanwhile, Mother added, “I don’t think Rosemine would ever want Charlotte to cry for her.”

Wiping my tears and looking up at Uncle Ferdinand, he said, “I want Wilfried and Charlotte to take charge of the children’s room and offer blessings at the spring prayer ceremony.”

...If you say I should atone rather than cry, then I will do my utmost to serve as my sister’s substitute.

“The two of you will manage the children’s room. As for the spring prayer ceremony, Charlotte is inexperienced with mana handling, so I want to entrust Wilfried, who took charge during the spring lords’ council, with that...”

Just after I resolved to do this, Uncle Ferdinand removed me from the prayer ceremony's blessing. This is no joke. If the very chance for atonement is suddenly taken away, what am I supposed to do?

“Uncle, it’s not impossible. If it’s just about getting used to handling mana, then I can practice, right? My brother practiced during the lords’ council, so I will practice over the winter. After all, I am also a lord’s daughter. I will do everything I can to replace my sister, who was poisoned because of me.”

All my teachers so far have said in unison that I am more capable than my brother, who keeps running away from tasks. So, if I put in the effort, I’m sure I can be my sister’s substitute.

“Charlotte, handling mana is difficult. It’s tough and harsh when you’re not used to it... Still, if you truly want to, then try. Practicing mana control and seeing what Rosemine has done with your own eyes will be good nourishment.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I will attend the prayer ceremony too. We can’t always rely on Rosemine’s help.”

My brother clenched his fist and declared this to Uncle Ferdinand. It was not the lazy but kind brother I knew, and I stared at him wide-eyed.

“Well then, both of you. Over the winter, practice mana handling by channeling mana into foundation magic to prepare for the spring prayer ceremony. Bonifatius and your parents will assist you.”

“Ferdinand...”

Father frowned bitterly, and Uncle Ferdinand smiled politely and bowed.

“Aub Ehrenfest, please arrange the prayer ceremony for the two of them as well.”

After asking Father to arrange the prayer ceremony and mana practice, Uncle Ferdinand handed me and my brother a letter.

“This was written by Rosemine. It contains schedules and plans regarding the children’s room. It won’t be exactly as she did it, but manage the children’s room to some extent.”

“Yes!”

And so, first is managing the winter children’s room. My brother and I must cooperate to carry out what is written in my sister’s letter. It says, “Assign Rosemine’s chief attendant and Guard Knights to the children’s room, but return their personal attendants to the temple. Use your own personal attendants well and carry out activities while listening to those around you.”