Ascendance of a Bookworm

When the fifth bell rang, it was time to meet with Prince Anastasius. After finishing lunch, we set off carrying the various souvenirs that Richarda had prepared for us. Of course, it was the attendants and civil official apprentices’ job to carry them; my job was simply to walk diligently. Gracefully and beautifully, while managing my stamina. Walking inside the noble academy was quite challenging for me.

“Hey, Gudrun. Did Lord Ferdinand also receive invitations from the royal family during his student days?” I asked.

“…Yes. I accompanied him several times. Lord Ferdinand was not only invited by princes but also by princesses, and he performed Fischpiel for them,” Gudrun replied.

She told me that he had been invited to musicians’ tea parties and was favored by princesses, who would summon him. If he weren’t a lord candidate, they would have liked to make him their exclusive musician.

“It seems everyone has similar experiences,” I said.

“Princess, it seems you might have a misunderstanding. Being invited to the royal family’s private chambers is not something everyone experiences,” Gudrun said with an exasperated expression.

Although, since I and the high priest were invited, and from Anastasius’s way of speaking, Eglantine must have been invited many times too, I thought it wasn’t that unusual.

“Since we have the chance, let’s ask Prince Anastasius about the unopened archive today.”

“Princess?”

“If he knows its location, he might open it for us.”

I suggested that if the archive could only be opened by royalty, it would be best to ask royalty. Gudrun gave me a startled look and cautioned me.

“Please refrain from such questions, Princess.”

“Why? If only royalty can open the archive, asking them is the quickest way, isn’t it?”

I tilted my head, and Gudrun sighed deeply.

“Lady Rosemine, the unopened archive is one of the noble academy’s mysteries. Whether true or not, its origin is unknown. It’s not something for the royal family’s ears.”

“So, it’s like one of the seven mysteries of the academy?”

“Why seven? What are the other six?”

I didn’t know the reason or the other six, only that school mysteries often come in sevens.

“I don’t know, but Gudrun probably knows more.”

“There are about twenty mysterious stories I remember from the noble academy,” she said.

“Twenty mysteries… that’s a lot.”

“Students add to them for fun; similar stories merge and change over time. Not just the unopened archive, but also the statue of the god dancing on graduation night, the pavilion where the goddess of time plays tricks, the Ditter duel starting in Gewinnen... Have you heard some of these?”

As Gudrun counted off the mysteries, Brother Cornelius and the other senior Corneliuses exchanged looks and slowly shook their heads, suggesting these stories aren’t commonly talked about.

Gudrun muttered softly, “Perhaps even political upheaval affects this.”

“Lady Rosemine, welcome back. ...Your complexion looks good today; I’m relieved,” said Osvin, Prince Anastasius’s chief attendant, smiling gently upon seeing me. I recalled that after collapsing here before, I hadn’t shown my face until I sent a report on my return to Ehrenfest along with a reply to well-wishing messages.

Though I was ordered back due to my various misdeeds, without knowing the details, it might seem I returned because I fell ill after being summoned by the prince. Osvin must have worried about me all along.

“It’s a common occurrence, so I’m fine now. I caused concern not just to Prince Anastasius but to everyone,” I said.

Guided by Osvin, I was led to the room where Anastasius was waiting. Sitting in the chairs arranged to entertain guests, Anastasius invited me to sit.

…Huh? The prince seems to be sparkling somehow?

Anastasius’s blond hair was already luxurious but now seemed even shinier. Perhaps Eglantine shared some Rinshan with him. It looked impossibly glossy.

Not only that, unlike the last time I was summoned, he no longer appeared flustered or nervous; instead, he was composed and exuded confidence. His calm demeanor made me momentarily think he was a different person with the same face.