Ascendance of a Bookworm

The invitation to Otto’s house arrived officially through Otto himself, sent by Corinna. It was written on a thin wooden board.

“I really can’t respond on my own. I have to ask my mother first…”

It seemed strange to send an invitation to a child before baptism. Normally, wouldn’t it be addressed to the parents? After all, RSVP confirmations should be done with the parents.

When I said this, Otto raised his eyebrows slightly and shook his head.

“You’re probably the only one in your family who can properly read. Besides, this invitation can’t be declined. If you refuse, your mother and sister might lose their jobs.”

“Eh!? W-What do you mean!?”

Corinna’s family was a wealthy merchant guild, and she herself was a high-ranking member of the sewing guild due to her abilities.

After various explanations, I understood that Tulli, the apprentice seamstress, was like a junior employee or part-timer, my mother, who did dyeing work, was like a section chief, and Corinna was like an executive.

A society based on status is scary. So declining is simply not an option, huh.

If the invitation had come from Otto instead of Corinna, my father would have the authority to refuse, but that was quite difficult.

“Also, I thought this would be a good chance to learn about invitations.”

“I see. Thank you for your help.”

Together with Otto, I studied the invitation and how to write a response.

“An invitation from Lady Corinna!? What? Myne!? Why!?”

“Otto told me, and she wanted to try using the ‘Simple-chan Rinshan.’”

“Oh my! What on earth!?”

My mother panicked when she saw the formal invitation I brought home.

When I asked her, “Was it better to refuse?” she opened her eyes wide and scolded me.

“Refuse? Absolutely not! You must behave properly!”

“Yes! I’ll be careful.”

Apparently, this was less an invitation and more like a summons.

From then on, my mother hurried to make me a new apron. It seemed wearing my usual clothes to Corinna’s place would be disrespectful.

While making it, she stressed all the precautions I should take to avoid offending someone rich.

What started as just teaching Corinna how to use the Simple-chan Rinshan turned into quite a big fuss.

“It’s not fair, only Myne… Even though I made it.”

“Mom, can Tulli come along too?”

“No! Not without an invitation.”

Although I came up with Simple-chan Rinshan, Tulli had made all the ones so far.

I thought Tulli also had the right to go, but bringing someone who hadn’t been invited was considered rude here as well, so despite Tulli’s envy, she had to stay behind.

Otto and I agreed to meet at the Central Plaza by the bell of three, as we did before.

Wearing my usual clothes with the new apron my mother made, I headed to the plaza with my father. I carefully put the Simple-chan Rinshan in a small pot and a comb into my tote bag.

Otto was already waiting near the fountain at the Central Plaza, and my father handed me over to him.

“Squad leader, don’t worry, I’ll take full responsibility for her. Let’s go, Myne.”

“Okay. I’m off, Father.”

After waving goodbye to my father, Otto started walking toward the city walls.

Apparently, Otto’s house was near the city walls. The closer to the walls where the nobles lived, the higher the rent, so Otto’s house was in a high-class residential area.

“Otto, you’re a soldier, but you live near the city walls?”

“A room was prepared above Corinna’s family home. Her protective brother-in-law didn’t want to let go of his cute little sister, so he told me to live here.”

“Ah, I see…”

I vaguely remembered hearing that Otto was like a son-in-law adopted into the family. Without support from his wife’s family, he probably couldn’t afford to live here on a low-ranking soldier’s salary.

He said he spent his entire fortune to buy citizenship, so maybe when they first married, he was broke, and his wife’s relatives were worried.

The surroundings gradually changed from my usual living area. Clothes lost their patches and became more flowing and elaborate in design.