Ascendance of a Bookworm

For now, since my sense of common sense is so different, the head priest repeatedly reminded me to always bring something whenever I write anything before leaving.

I replied with a "yes" while placing the scandalous novel, which had been called indecent, into a lockable writing box and sealing it. I was ordered to destroy it, but maybe someday it might see the light of day.

"Fran, could you go to the kitchen and call Hugo and Ella for me? There is something I'd like to discuss that was just decided."

"Lady Rosemine, when calling the chefs, I would prefer you to go through the attendants."

"I'm sorry, Fran, but since this is about marriage, I think it's better to speak directly. You of course, and the attendants here, probably don’t know much about it, right?"

When I said that, Fran sighed reluctantly. When it comes to work-related matters, involving the attendants isn’t a problem, but for personal matters like marriage, going through them tends to be tedious.

"Excuse us."

Ella and Hugo entered, looking nervous. Fran explained that today I would be speaking directly, then stepped back. Since commoners were conversing directly, the two Guard Knights stayed close behind me.

"Thank you both for your hard work at the noble academy. It must have been tough making so many meals every day. The students all said they were delicious. I suppose while I attend the academy, we’ll often be going together, so I look forward to working with you. Now, onto the main topic—your marriage."

Their faces tightened. I could hear them gulp. I smiled reassuringly.

"There’s no problem with your marriage itself. If you have it this summer, I will bless it."

"Thank you very much!"

"However, the issue is where you will live. There are servants at the castle who are married and have rooms for couples. I will apply for you two to have a room together at the castle, but it’s impossible to make a married couple’s room inside the temple. While you’re at the temple, you will have to continue using separate rooms as before, or else live in a room rented downtown, which will be inconvenient. Even if you rent a room, during busy times you can still nap in your temple room, which will be maintained."

I signaled Fran with my eyes, and she brought the money we had prepared. I handed it to them. Hugo’s eyes widened in shock as he looked inside the bag, hearing the clinking sound.

"This is a travel allowance for all your hard work at the noble academy during the winter, and a wedding gift from me. Use it to help prepare for the wedding."

"…Is this really okay?"

"Yes. Also, during the prayer ceremony period, Hugo will accompany you as usual. So starting tomorrow until the prayer ceremony, Hugo will have a break, and during the ceremony, Ella will have a break. The breaks aren’t very long, but please use them to prepare for the wedding. Ideally, I’d like to give both of you time off together, but unfortunately that can't happen. Sorry."

"No, we appreciate your kindness."

Preparing for a wedding is hard. You have to rent a room and furnish it. The starbinding ceremony, which is the wedding, is held in summer so the couple can prepare their life together before winter. In summer, you can sleep without extra covers, food is abundant, and less firewood is needed. Preparing for winter together requires time.

In Ella and Hugo’s case, since they have rooms in the temple and castle, the downtown room is mainly for sleeping. Preparing just the bedroom might be enough. But preparing linens and bedding is the bride’s job, starting from weaving fabric during winter handiwork. Women who are about to marry work hard weaving fabric during winter for their new life. That’s why being skilled at sewing is a standard for beauty.

"Ella, since you were working at the noble academy, you probably didn’t have time to prepare fabrics, right? Are you okay?"

"My mother said she would weave them."

Ella’s mother worried about her work-driven daughter and promised to weave the fabrics during winter. For anything lacking, they will use secondhand materials.