Published: August 25, 2025
As soon as I returned to the dormitory, I told my attendants that I planned to invite Solange to a tea party to welcome her and then express my desire to become a library committee member. After all, hosting a tea party would require their help.
“That’s why I want everyone to cooperate.”
“If Lady Rosemine is hosting the tea party, of course we will help…” Liselotte and Brynhildr exchanged puzzled glances and then looked toward Richarda. Normally, they would have immediately responded with “Certainly” and started discussing the arrangements, but their reaction this time was slow. Not understanding why they acted that way, I observed Richarda carefully.
“Princess Rosemine.”
When our eyes met, Richarda’s expression grew stern as she called my name. It felt like the kind of reaction I got when Benno or the high priest scolded me—a premonition that a thunderbolt was about to strike—and I instinctively straightened my posture.
“What exactly do you intend by entertaining Teacher Solange? The princess I have known has always tried to handle matters calmly and avoid trouble. Is it really your intention to forcibly compel someone to comply through your authority this time? Making such a forceful demand on someone you have barely met and know little about—how do you think Teacher Solange will feel?”
I tilted my head, confused as to how welcoming someone with food could equate to forcing them to obey with power.
“…Isn’t hospitality coupled with making your demands the way nobles conduct themselves? When I served meals to my Foster Father and young master Ferdinand before, I was told that was the noble way. Am I mistaken?”
Richarda closed her eyes tightly and let out a slow sigh.
“Not everything is wrong, but right now, it is completely wrong.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t quite understand.”
As I shook my head slowly, Richarda looked not only at me but also at Liselotte and Brynhildr.
“Despite her appearance, the princess is very knowledgeable and excels academically at the noble academy. She normally behaves well, so it’s easy to forget, but having spent two years in a blank period, she lacks knowledge about social etiquette. Young master Ferdinand’s education has been heavily focused on imparting knowledge. Now, I suppose that is clear to both of you?”
Liselotte and Brynhildr nodded.
“Princess Rosemine, you said you hosted young master Ferdinand and Sylvester and had your demands accepted by them, correct?”
That wasn’t my intention, but yes, that had happened. It caused a big mess because of the difference between noble common sense and my own.
“In those cases, it is not wrong to entertain them and try to win their favor before making demands because you were in a lower position to them. Whether or not you entertain them, the decision authority lies with the higher-ranking person. However, if you, who are higher in rank, entertain Teacher Solange and then make demands, it becomes an order that absolutely cannot be refused.”
When a lower-ranking person entertains someone, it only means “please,” but when a higher-ranking person entertains and demands something at a tea party, it is a clear threat: “I, being your superior, am putting so much effort into this hospitality — you understand what you must do, right?” It’s like cutting off any retreat and forcing a commitment to accept immediately.
“That’s not what I intended…”
I thought I could win her over with delicious sweets and appeal by showing how useful I could be, but I had no intention of threatening her with my power.
“I know you love books deeply and just want to be involved with the library, and that you wouldn’t threaten Teacher Solange. I understand that. But Teacher Solange and those around her don’t know your true intentions. Liselotte and Brynhildr know the princess’s usual self and were confused, but if these attendants were simply carrying out their master’s orders, a tea party that Teacher Solange could never escape would have been arranged.”