Published: August 15, 2025
Classes start tomorrow. That said, the first session is just an orientation, where explanations about lectures and facilities will be given to the new students.
At dinner, I asked my attendants,
“When does the lecture start by the bell?”
“On lecture days at the noble academy, the number of bell rings changes. Between the second and third bells, there’s a half bell. That’s the signal for the lecture to begin.”
Breakfast starts at the second bell. The morning lecture begins at the half bell between two and three. When the third bell rings, the subject changes, and again at the half bell after three, the subject changes once more.
At the fourth bell, everyone returns to their dorms for lunch, and at the half bell after four, the afternoon lectures begin. Classes continue until the sixth bell, after which dinner is served. The seventh bell marks lockdown time, when the dormitory’s front doors are locked.
“So, after lunch, until the half bell at four, isn’t that free time? I’d like to go to the library during lunch…”
“That’s not free time, Lady Rosemine. It’s time to prepare for the afternoon lectures.”
Brother Cornelius smiled deeply as he looked at me. I returned his smile with equal intensity. From my time as reno, it was settled that the library at lunchtime was an essential reading time for school life.
…Having a library and lunch break but no reading time? That’s impossible!
“I finish all preparations for the day before leaving in the morning, so I’d like to go to the library…”
“No.”
“Ugh…”
…I won’t lose! I absolutely won’t back down until I win my reading time!
“Please let me go to the library! I’ll return when the bell for the afternoon lecture rings.”
“I told you no. Even if the bell rings, Rosemine won’t hear it and won’t come back, right?”
Ouch. That hit a sore spot. That’s very likely. Back in my reno days, as soon as the warning bell rang, the librarian would kick me out of the library.
“But I want to deepen my bond with books a little more. At least let me carefully see what kinds of books are in the library… If needed, I’ll even skip lunch.”
“No. That’s not good for your health, and if Rosemine skips lunch, all your attendants won’t be able to eat either.”
“N-no… my library…”
At the noble academy, going to the library is a given in my mind. Yet Brother Cornelius won’t let me go. He’s so mean.
With teary eyes, glaring at Brother Cornelius, a sigh cut in between us from Wilfried, who was sitting at the next table eating dinner.
“Rosemine, enough of that. Since you look so young, if you keep throwing a tantrum like this, people will only see you as a child who sneaked in.”
…What? I’m a spoiled child!?
Shocked by Wilfried’s words, I glanced around. Indeed, I was a 6 or 7-year-old who repeatedly got rejected by 14-year-old Brother Cornelius and couldn’t accept it—a spoiled child from an outsider’s perspective.
“Rosemine looks young, so she must be even more careful than us in her words and actions. We can’t give other territories any openings.”
“…Yes. I’ll give up on lunch and come every day after school.”
I slumped and nodded. In two years, Wilfried has grown so much that I truly feel like his little sister now. Two years in childhood is a long time.
“You managed to stop the princess well, Master Wilfried.”
Richarda smiled and praised Wilfried, then knelt smiling before me.
“Also, regarding the princess’s entry to the library, young master Ferdinand has ordered that it be forbidden until she passes all exams. To return to the dedication ceremony, passing the exams must be prioritized above all else.”
“Nooo…”
…Grr! That high priest!
How far will my plan to shut myself away in the library be obstructed? Perhaps my greatest foe is the high priest.
“If you want to go to the library, pass all the exams, Princess.”
“Understood. I just have to pass the exams, right?”
When I looked up sharply at Richarda, Wilfried shook his head.