Published: August 15, 2025
When I handed the letter to Lutz for my family, he said, "What will you do, I wonder?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I’ve been living at the Plantin Trading Company since last summer, and Tulli is living at the Gilberta Trading Company too."
"Oh? Ah, right. Tulli is an apprentice as well..."
When Tulli had just turned ten, the Plantin Trading Company and Gilberta Trading Company had just separated, and there was a lot of chaotic moving around with the stores, and with Benno and Mark relocating, so there wasn’t an immediate move for Tulli.
Benno and Mark moved their residence to the second floor of the Plantin Trading Company, and Corinna and Otto, who had been living on the third floor, moved down to the second floor. After that, a room was prepared for Tulli.
"Both of them will come home on Earth Day, so it’s probably best for Lutz to take the letters directly to the house then. You keep the letters for now."
"Understood, master."
I arranged to have the letters to my family handed over, informed that I wouldn't be able to meet them during the winter because I’d be at the noble academy, and was told to talk with Mother and Gibe Haldenzel. That settled the discussion with the Plantin Trading Company.
"Gil, crouch down. You worked so hard, so I will pet you."
I reached out my hand, and Gil’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Lady Rosemine, I’m no longer at an age for that sort of thing..."
"Eh!? Ah, right. That’s true."
Gil declined with a deeply troubled expression, so I pulled back my hand. Although I had thought that despite appearances, he hadn't changed much inside, I suddenly remembered that Gil was fourteen, right in the middle of puberty. He wasn’t the kind to enjoy being petted on the head in front of everyone anymore.
...The Gil who used to be happy being petted on the head is gone. It feels a little lonely.
Of course, not just his appearance but his inner self has changed too. Just then, Gil suddenly knelt before me and bowed his head.
"Uh, I just remembered I wanted to be petted. Please go ahead."
Noticing my slight disappointment, Gil was trying to be considerate.
I didn’t want to waste his kindness, so I reached out my hand to pet Gil’s grown-up head. Thinking this might be the last time I praise him like this, I stroked his head.
"Gil, you worked incredibly hard these past two years. I was so happy to see that when I woke up, you had already read five books. Thank you. Please keep up the good work."
"...Yes."
And soon after, the day came to head to the castle.
I prepared the minibus, loading on my personal attendants Rosina, Ella, and Hugo. Then the high priest’s attendant brought a wooden box filled with work materials. The high priest himself was going to stay at the castle for a while to supervise my short intensive course.
"I will return for the coming-of-age ceremony in autumn and the baptism ceremony in winter. Prepare accordingly."
"Understood."
I saw the high priest entrust the attendant with tasks and handed over my own attendants to manage things while I was away.
"Two years away was no problem. I believe it's okay if you are absent during winter as well. Please take care of things."
"We look forward to your swift return."
Boarding the minibus, I chased after Darmel’s Mount speeding ahead and set off into the sky. With the high priest guarding behind me, I headed toward the castle.
When we arrived at the castle, Norbert greeted me, and Angelica and Brother Cornelius were waiting, kneeling.
"Welcome home, Lady Rosemine."
"I'm back, Norbert."
"Norbert, have these carried to my office."
"Understood, young master Ferdinand."
Norbert rang a bell he pulled from somewhere, and the servants swarmed out, unloading the wooden boxes from the minibus.
Ignoring the bustle, the high priest called me.
"Rosemine, I'll give you some materials and books you should read. Come to my office when you finish changing."
"Understood, I will hurry."
"No need to rush. Act with the grace appropriate for a ten-year-old heading to the noble academy."
...I don’t understand. Grace appropriate for a ten-year-old? What does that even mean?