Ascendance of a Bookworm

The gazes of everyone turned toward grandfather as he cleared his throat. However, considering social status, I was supposed to greet the lord and lady of the estate first.

I stepped forward toward the lord and lady and knelt.

"I'm sorry for causing you worry."

"Rosemine, stand up. I can't see your face like that."

At my foster father's voice, mixed with a wry smile, I stood up, but he knelt down in front of me, meeting my gaze. My eyes widened in surprise, and the surrounding crowd murmured simultaneously. Lords never kneel before anyone within their domain. No one knew how to respond.

Ignoring the whispers around us, my foster father grabbed my cheek, pulled me closer, looked into my eyes, then lightly pinched my cheek.

"Hmm, it's good to see you well. Since the attack, you've been treated in the temple's secret room. Ferdinand forbade anyone from checking on you, and everyone was worried."

Come to think of it, the high priest had said they would remove anyone disturbing your sleep. It wasn't just a figure of speech—the foster parents were really forbidden from seeing me, and anyone who tried was removed.

"Rosemine, there's something I've wanted to tell you for these two years."

Saying that, my foster father took both of my hands. Not knowing what would happen, I instinctively wanted to pull back, but I tilted my head.

"What is it?"

"Not as a lord, but as a father... I thank you for saving my children."

He pressed his forehead against the back of my hand. I didn't understand what was happening but guessed it was the highest form of gratitude.

...Okay, I get the thanks, but please let go! Your gaze is painful!

I looked at my foster mother standing a step behind him, silently pleading for help, but she added, "I am also grateful. Not just as Ehrenfest’s, but as my saint."

Though I had only acted out of sisterly love, being bowed to like this by the lord and lady was overwhelming.

"Enough of that. Rosemine is stiff with embarrassment."

"Father!"

Thanks to Father’s rescue, my foster father quickly stood, returning to his usual posture, looking down at me.

"I heard from Ferdinand that you must catch up on two years’ worth before going to the noble academy. It will be tough, but do your best."

"Yes."

"Rosemine, you often push yourself too hard. Please take better care of your body."

With my foster father standing, the formal greeting to the lord and lady concluded, so I crossed my hands in front of my chest.

"Show your face to those who were worried about you as well."

"Thank you."

Just as I turned to Father and Mother, my foster father whispered sharply.

"Rosemine, next is Bonifatius. Considering status, Bonifatius is a lord’s child, higher than Karlstedt. Don’t make mistakes."

...Oops, nearly did.

Until he pointed it out, I hadn’t noticed and nervously stepped forward to grandfather.

"Um, grandfather. This time... no, two years ago, thank you for saving me. Ferdinand told me that if you hadn't found me, I might have died."

Holding the thank-you letter I had written earlier, I spoke. The stern grandfather nodded solemnly.

"I'm glad Rosemine has recovered."

A bit nervous, I handed him the heart-shaped letter.

"This is a thank-you letter. Would you accept it?"

"Ah, of course... Hmm? An unusual shape."

"Hehe, it’s shaped like a ‘heart’. Cute, isn’t it?"

"...What is a heart? Does it have meaning?"

Grandfather curiously twirled the letter folded into a heart. I nodded vigorously and made a heart shape with my thumb and forefinger.

"This heart is a symbol of love."

Grandfather looked startled, eyes wide as if frozen for a few seconds. Then he awkwardly examined the letter with a difficult expression.

"I-is that so..."

The silence around us felt heavy.

Maybe grandfather didn’t like the heart shape. Even though he was active in the knights order and acting as lord proxy, he might prefer something stronger rather than cute.

...How foolish I am! Of course boys might like helmets or dinosaurs better! I should have known with just a little thought!

I was about to bury my head in my hands when I realized origami could be unfolded and refolded. Though it might crease, it would be better to have a shape he liked.