Published: August 25, 2025
As soon as I returned to the castle, the spring celebration banquet began. The winter social season had ended, everyone returned to their respective lands, and the daily life of spring resumed.
“Princess, wouldn’t this outfit be suitable for you?”
“Since it’s the spring celebration banquet, I think this green one is preferable.”
The attendants had apparently already chosen two outfits by the time I returned to my private room in the castle. They laid the two garments side by side and expected me to choose. I alternately looked between the outfits spread out by Richarda and Brynhildr, tilting my head.
...I actually don’t mind which one.
Feeling a bit intimidated by the sharp glint in their eyes, Liselotte suddenly appeared from the side, holding out a hair ornament. It was the newest hair ornament, purchased from Tulli along with Eglantine’s.
“Lady Rosemine, will this hair ornament be suitable for the banquet?”
“Yes, I will use the new one.”
Seeing me nod, Liselotte smiled at Richarda and Brynhildr with the hair ornament in hand.
“If it’s to be matched with this hair ornament, I think the outfit Ottilie first chose suits best. Shall I bring it?”
“That sounds good. Since the hair ornament’s decided, please choose the outfit accordingly.”
Once the outfit was settled, permissions were requested for shoes and accessories. I simply watched them line everything up and gave approval. Basically, I left it to them.
“Lady Rosemine, what decisions were made at the meeting with the merchants?”
Hartmut showed me the documents related to the preparations necessary for engaging in the printing business.
After skimming through them, I handed Hartmut the minutes compiled by Justox detailing my discussions with Benno, along with a paper containing my own opinions.
“These are the minutes from the discussion with the merchants. Aside from that special skill, you might want to follow Justox’s example. It’s very well organized.”
“Special skill is not allowed?”
Hartmut muttered, thinking it might be convenient, but I shook my head.
“Hartmut, it’s not allowed.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it wouldn’t suit you. Justox has a somewhat androgynous face and is somewhat small and slender, but isn’t Hartmut rather tall? You also have broad shoulders. And you’re still in your growth period, right?”
Hartmut had grown a little during winter. Probably, he’d still grow. There’s no way he’d still have a physique suitable for cross-dressing.
“Cross-dressing isn’t something that can be done easily. Justox has been a hardcore enthusiast for it for a long time, having studied it extensively as a hobby—perfecting voice, speech, and gestures—but a makeshift attempt would only be creepy.”
The high priest might be fine with an aide who has a cross-dressing habit, but I’m not.
Hartmut already tries to hype up the legend of the saint and make my research his life’s work. That’s already quite strange; he doesn’t need to add anything more.
“If you ever cross-dress, Hartmut, I will dismiss you.”
“Dismissal would be problematic.”
Hartmut slumped his shoulders, apparently giving up on cross-dressing. I let out a relieved sigh. Ottilie and Richarda behind me also wore expressions of relief.
Everyone was busy with their own tasks, so I decided to focus on what I had to do. As promised to Lutz, I would increase the number of books. For that, I had to prepare the manuscripts for the books to be printed starting this spring.
While reviewing the manuscript of the reference books copied at the noble academy and writing the continuation of the romance novel I had left unfinished, Liselotte brought an invitation from Charlotte.
“Lady Rosemine, Lady Charlotte has sent an invitation to a tea party. How about tomorrow afternoon?”
“You don’t have any particular plans, right? If it’s fine to accept the invitation, I will attend.”
I had no specific plans until the spring celebration banquet anyway. Liselotte smiled and said, “Lady Charlotte has been waiting for your return and will be delighted. I’ll reply immediately.”