Published: August 25, 2025
I finally recovered my health. Perhaps I had accumulated more fatigue than I realized. Maybe my stamina was completely drained. This time, it took me a full three days to get better.
"I'm truly relieved your fever has gone down. These past three days have been quite difficult," Richarda said as she told me about the commotion that had taken place while admonishing me, "You must not get out of bed today."
First, when I lost consciousness during the meeting, it apparently caused Prince Anastasius and his close aides to panic greatly. Although they knew I was fragile, having me report in poor health and then collapsing was something the chief attendant of Anastasius felt deeply sorry about.
On top of that, the new attendants who had rarely seen me faint right before their eyes were flustered and rendered useless. It seems Richarda had quite a hard time carrying me out from Anastasius's presence.
Even after returning to the dormitory, I remained unconscious and unresponsive to calls, lying limp, which reminded Brother Cornelius and Brother Wilfried of the time I fell into a deep sleep two years ago, turning their faces pale with worry.
"It probably wouldn’t hurt to apologize to Lord Wilfried and the others," I said.
"Recovering your health comes first. It would be troubling if you felt worse midway through an apology," Richarda replied.
"Yes..."
Instead of moving about, I laid quietly in bed, being allowed to read books I had borrowed from the library, spending the days lazing around.
"Is it alright if I go to the library today?"
"Yes, that should be fine," Richarda granted permission, and I happily got out of bed, declaring myself fully recovered.
"I’ve heard much about Lady Rosemine's fragility, but seeing her lose consciousness right before my eyes made my mind go blank—I didn’t know what to do," Leonore said as she stood guard inside the room, exhaling in relief and opening the door for breakfast.
She was used to seeing knight apprentices faint during training, but this was the first time she had seen someone suddenly lose consciousness without any obvious cause, which left her and the other attendants at a loss.
"Good morning, Lady Rosemine," I greeted as I descended the stairs and found Hartmut and Brother Cornelius waiting. Both relaxed their expressions upon seeing me.
"Hartmut, I think you were quite surprised too," I said.
"I nearly lost my nerve. I had heard from Mother Otilier that you once collapsed from a snowball fight as a child, but this was my first time witnessing it," Hartmut said.
He was startled despite only hearing of it through stories from his mother.
As we sat for breakfast, Wilfried shot a doubtful look at Richarda.
"Is Rosemine really okay moving around already?"
"She spent all day yesterday without a fever and was able to read books, so it seems her condition has improved," Richarda replied.
"I see. In that case, you are to return to Ehrenfest."
"What? What do you mean?"
I tilted my head in confusion, and Wilfried sighed slowly.
"I’ll explain after breakfast."
I finished the meal still puzzled about why I had to return to Ehrenfest. Afterward, Wilfried, his attendants, my attendants, and I were gathered in one room.
"This has arrived. It’s a return order for you," Wilfried said, handing over a letter from my Foster Father and the high priest.
The gist was: "If you have finished your lectures, return at once. Rosemine has been causing one unexpected incident after another, so it would be better to have her leave the noble academy for a while. There will be many things you must explain upon your return. The reports alone don't clarify anything."
It seemed the social affairs at the noble academy would be left to Wilfried while I was subjected to an interrogation by my guardians back at Ehrenfest.
"No, I refuse! You said it was okay until the dedication ceremony. There are still about ten days left! I will continue going to the library until the last moment!"
My precious library time, already limited, had shrunk by four days due to my illness. I was determined to prevent any further loss.