Published: August 25, 2025
After being scolded by Richarda, I headed to the library again in the afternoon after finishing lunch.
First, I reflected on the various cautions I had received. To avoid rushing in with emotions and getting too close to Solange, it was decided that we would discuss what topics to talk about each day, and I was only allowed to speak about those topics that Richarda approved.
Also, once I returned to my room, Richarda would point out any concerns about that day’s conversations, so I could study how to socialize and converse properly among the nobles.
This afternoon, I was told that appropriate questions to ask Solange were whether she had time to attend the tea party and if she attended other people’s tea parties. I was instructed not to get any closer than that today.
“Princess, you have arrived.”
“Welcome, Princess.”
“I’ve come to continue reading from earlier. Could you please bring out the Carrel key?”
Welcomed by Schwarz and Weiss, I also greeted Solange, who was in the work area.
“Good day, Teacher Solange. I sincerely apologize for troubling you earlier with my selfishness. I suppose I got carried away with happiness now that I can finally come to the library. It’s truly embarrassing.”
“Please don’t worry. I’m glad to see how much Lady Rosemine cherishes the library.”
Solange, who had been writing something, looked up and smiled gently. Feeling relieved that she accepted my apology, I let out a sigh.
“From tomorrow, I won’t be able to come until the third bell rings. Since today is my first time in the library, my musician allowed me to come, but from tomorrow onwards, I’ve been told not to come to the library until my Fischpiel practice is over. It’s disappointing.”
After breakfast, we have a meeting with the attendants about the day’s plans, summarize results of the academic improvement committee activities with Wilfried based on the previous day’s exam results, and then practice Fischpiel. Practicing until the third bell sounds means no going out, just like when we are at the temple.
“By the way, Teacher Solange, I heard you manage the library alone. Do you ever attend or host tea parties?”
“Yes. There are fewer users around this time, so I have a little free time. But when the students start having free time, I get busy. So, I neither attend nor host tea parties.”
She continued, “There used to be multiple librarians who took turns attending, though,” as Solange looked at Schwarz and Weiss and softened her expression.
“Now that Schwarz and Weiss help me, the work has become much easier, and it helps with the loneliness. I am grateful to Lady Rosemine for that.”
…That’s a relief. It wasn’t just a nuisance.
Schwarz and Weiss’s involvement was a side effect of my impulsive excitement, and they are the ones useful to Solange—not me, particularly.
Still, I was worried I might have left only a bad impression, so I was relieved to know that I had helped Solange even a little.
“I would like to have a leisurely talk with you sometime, Teacher Solange. Do you have time? There are things I want to discuss, like Schwarz and Weiss and the book I’m trying to create.”
“Make a book? …Lady Rosemine truly loves books, don’t you?”
Solange’s blue eyes widened, and I nodded with a smile.
“I’m compiling stories sung by minstrels about knights’ tales and stories told from mother to child at Ehrenfest into books.”
Regarding the knights’ tales, they are already made and printed for sale, but since I am still collecting stories, it’s not a lie. To pique Solange’s interest in having tea with me, I brought up topics she might find appealing as the librarian of the noble academy.
“Oh my, Lady Rosemine likes not only reference books but stories as well? Though there aren’t many, there are some storybooks in this library.”
“Really!? I’d love to read them.”
“Then, I shall guide you.”
Solange leisurely walked toward a corner where old and less frequently read materials are gathered among the first floor’s rows of reference books. She explained that most students read reference books to prepare for final exams or to copy for money on behalf of upper nobles, so few read storybooks.