Ascendance of a Bookworm

“I’ll go and get the Fischpiel, Onii-sama.”

Mother said this with a smile as she faced Gibe Haldenzel. In response, Gibe Haldenzel gave a wry smile and said, “Your room is the farthest, so you’d better hurry,” and saw her off.

…Huh? Even though there are attendants, why does Mother have to go get it herself?

Puzzled by this thought, I watched the dedication sword dance. While I was observing, Liselotte, who had been standing behind to serve tea, quietly told me that Mother had said she wanted to practice and asked for some time, and Gibe Haldenzel told her to hurry as it would be done at the end of the prayer ceremony.

…I don’t get it!

Even as I screamed internally, the sword dance proceeded. Watching it made me recall the sword dance Oto-sama had shown me when he accompanied the prayer ceremony as an azure priest while hiding his status as my foster father. Both Foster Father’s and Father’s sword dances were so beautiful and cool.

I also found myself wanting to see Angelica’s sword dance. Of course, I kept that thought to myself. I couldn’t cause confusion at Haldenzel’s prayer ceremony just because of a passing fancy.

“I’m back.”

Mother returned with the Fischpiel carried by an attendant just as the sword dance ended and the dedication dance was nearing its finale. After sitting down and taking a breath, the dedication dance ended.

Normally, the prayer ceremony would end here, but this year it didn’t. Gibe Haldenzel stood up and said, “Following the old Sacred Scripture passed down by the temple heads through generations, I intend to offer a song performed entirely by women,” and then introduced Mother as “my sister Elvira, who will perform the Fischpiel.”

Mother, holding the prepared Fischpiel, ascended the platform. Even when suddenly assigned a role after helping me, she calmly climbed the stage without fluster—a truly impressive sight.

Noblewomen of Haldenzel, even when told to ascend the stage, usually watch each other cautiously during the festival since the women who have no part usually wait for someone else to stand first. Even if they want to step up, the atmosphere makes it impossible unless the seniors move first.

Noticing this atmosphere, Lady Gibe Haldenzel stood up and called the women sitting at surrounding tables to come onto the stage.

“Elvira-sama will also offer the Fischpiel. Let us all sing and pray together.”

Once the leader among Haldenzel’s noblewomen moved, the others began to encourage each other and stepped onto the stage. Since not all were confident singers, some seemed to prepare instruments, and I saw instruments being readied.

“Lady Rosemine, please join us as well.”

With a gentle smile, Lady Gibe Haldenzel extended her hand toward me. I was surprised because Mother’s playing the Fischpiel on my behalf should have exempted me. I scrambled to find an excuse.

“I am not a noble of Haldenzel, you see...”

“Oh, but Lady Rosemine, you are Elvira-sama’s daughter. You are family to us. Moreover, if the temple head, Lady Rosemine, celebrates spring with us, it will encourage the people and inspire them to boldly go out hunting.”

There was no way I could refuse by saying something like “I might cause some strange blessing.” They would probably respond, “Please grant your blessing to Haldenzel.”

I didn’t know how to decline politely, so I looked to Father for help. He gave a reluctant shrug.

“Solidarity and empathy at ceremonies and banquets are important. Rosemine probably doesn’t know the songs to sing, so she can’t participate in that way. But if it’s standing on the platform as temple head, I think she can do that.”

It was acceptable to get on the platform to save Lady Gibe Haldenzel’s face, but Father said I should just stand there without doing anything. No need to embarrass Lady Gibe Haldenzel.

Encouraged by the rising excitement of the banquet, I joined Lady Gibe Haldenzel and the Guard Knight Angelica to ascend the stage.

“Lady Rosemine…”