Published: August 15, 2025
When multiple lord candidates exist within the same territory, they greet simultaneously. In territories without a lord candidate, the highest-ranking senior noble acts as a proxy to offer greetings.
As I observed those around me exchanging greetings, mentally noting this unspoken rule, it was finally Ehrenfest’s turn. Brunhilde helped me down from my chair, and Wilfried stood up.
“Being helped down from your chair like that…”
A soft chuckle of derision leaked from the surrounding nobles.
Wilfried’s face stiffened at the faint whispers meant just loud enough for us to hear. Judging by his tense expression and tightly clenched fists, it was clear the teasing words circulating among the crowd affected him more deeply than they did me.
...Wilfried isn’t used to being spoken to like that.
Back when I was a commoner, people always called me small, small, and nobles who leaned on their status said whatever they pleased to me. To add, as long as it’s a stranger, I don’t particularly care what they say—but Wilfried seems different.
“Brother Wilfried, I don’t mind what strangers say. We have many allies.”
I took his tightly clenched hand and quietly said so. Wilfried and the others around him gave a slight nod in response.
“...I see. Then, let’s go, Rosemine.”
Keeping pace with me, accompanied by his attendants, Wilfried headed straight toward the royal family’s seats.
No matter what was said, I held my head high with confidence, never forgetting to smile brightly and never looking down. This was something I had been repeatedly told since I began associating with nobles. This time too, I smiled as instructed and took a step forward.
When we reached the imposing royal seats directly ahead, we knelt and crossed both hands over our chests. Then, bowing our heads, we had to exchange our first greetings.
The one who condescendingly nodded down at us was the handsome prince with luxurious golden hair and gray eyes. I had casually muttered, “It would be disappointing if the prince were ugly,” but I’d heard from the high priest that “since princes only marry beautiful women, those of high rank are often beautiful themselves.” Indeed, I could see this prince was quite handsome.
“Prince Anastasius, please allow me to pray a blessing upon this rare meeting, selected by the strict judgment of the goddess of life, Avelibe.”
“Permitted.”
After receiving permission, Wilfried and I infused mana into our rings and sent blessings. I was careful to infuse just a little mana, not to overdo it.
...Alright.
Feeling quietly relieved that I could send blessings about equal in magnitude to Wilfried’s, I listened as Wilfried continued the greeting.
“It is an honor to meet you, Prince Anastasius. Wilfried and Rosemine from Ehrenfest have come here to learn the proper conduct of nobility suitable for Jurgenschmidt. We humbly request your acquaintance henceforth.”
Hearing our greeting, Anastasius raised his voice, “Raise your heads.” Slowly lifting my face, I saw him narrowing his eyes as he looked me up and down. After scrutinizing me from head to toe, he snorted.
“You said your name is Rosemine? Are you the saint of Ehrenfest? Rumors say you possess rare beauty and intelligence, abundant mana worthy of being adopted as the lord’s ward, and a heart full of compassion... but where is any of that?”
...When did my reputation get so exaggerated? I want to ask him that!
“Rumors can be conveniently distorted. This is the first time I’ve heard such,” I replied lightly. “Perhaps many confuse my reputation with someone else’s or exaggerate for amusement.”
If such rumors circulated among the nobility, I thought it was natural for them to laugh upon seeing me. Such praise was utterly excessive for a child who had only recently undergone her baptism ceremony.
My casual dismissal seemed to annoy Anastasius, who narrowed his eyes in displeasure.
“Really... Ehrenfest must be in dire straits if they have to dress up a child with just a little extra mana as their saint.”