Published: August 15, 2025
After leaving the library, there was a corridor leading to the specialized wings for civil officials and attendants. I instructed the civil official apprentices who were Lord Wilfried’s aides and the attendant apprentices to head to their respective specialized wings, and then I, along with Richarda and the knight apprentices, as well as the first-year students, proceeded in a group toward the central part of the main building.
Filine and the others entered the classrooms used by lower-ranking nobles, and Roderich and his group went into the classrooms for the middle-ranking nobles.
As usual, the lord candidates gathered in a small hall, but the upper-ranking nobles went to a different classroom. In court etiquette, the expectations vary by rank, with attention paid to fine details, so today the upper nobles and lord candidates were separated for their classes.
“I will come to pick you up again later.”
After arriving at the small hall, the knight apprentices and Richarda said this and left. Wilfried and I entered inside.
“You look quite motivated, Rosemine.”
“Isn’t that only natural? If I want to get to the library, I have to pass the lectures as soon as possible. I intend to pass this court etiquette test today as well.”
I had only toured the library and hadn’t managed to read even a single book. I was determined to pass no matter what and seclude myself in the library.
“I will give my utmost effort in the lectures.”
“…Hmm, it’s good to be motivated.”
Wilfried muttered, “Though I don’t think it will go that smoothly,” as he took a seat in chair number 13.
“What’s required in the first-year court etiquette class are greetings and conduct at tea parties. As you complete various lectures, tea parties for exchanges with other territories will be held. You are aware of this, right? At those times, common manners must be learned so that no one feels uncomfortable.”
Even though students had learned general etiquette through their education so far, customs were relaxed or bent in each territory, and lord candidates were not used to showing deference since they were at the top rank. Therefore, at the Noble Academy, the teacher Primver explained that students should confirm court etiquette under the setting of being invited to a tea party hosted by higher-ranking royals, to make it useful in the future.
Since the practical part of court etiquette simulates a tea party, students are checked by three teachers on greetings to the host (set as royalty), conversation topics, facial expressions, how they eat and drink, and so forth. To facilitate detailed checks, the lord candidates were split into the top ten and those ranked eleventh and below.
“Let’s begin with the higher-ranked lord candidates first.”
At Primver’s words, the top lord candidates stood. First was the greeting to the host who invited them to the tea party. It had to start with the higher ranks. They lined up in order with what seemed like experience, and without any sign of nervousness, the greetings began.
Filine had told me, “The court etiquette teachers are mostly gentle and calm, and very few fail,” so at first I relaxed and watched the higher-ranked lord candidates from my seat.
“Please try again.”
“...Eh?”
At the very first greeting, several were marked as failing one after another. Primver, who was receiving the greetings, smiled calmly but with an unmistakable authority and spoke.
“Lord candidates who may be invited by the royal family to tea parties cannot have such attitudes. Especially the next lord will surely have meals and tea parties with the royals at the lords’ council. Please tighten up your attitude.”
What she said wasn’t wrong, but it seemed passing on the first try was unexpectedly strict. I straightened my back and focused on watching the top lord candidates. Honestly, I couldn’t understand what was wrong with the standard greetings to cause them to fail.
At least after each candidate had had to retry at least once, the tea party began, though the atmosphere was somewhat stiff.