Published: August 25, 2025
Today was the tea party with the music teachers. At this time of year, very few students had finished their lectures, and since last year—when Eglantine and Prince Anastasius sat together and a number of unexpected incidents occurred—this tea party was arranged with just me as the sole student attendee.
This was thanks to the teachers’ consideration: “Since we only want to listen to the new piece, it’s better if Lady Rosemine isn’t burdened too much.” Last year, Anastasius had forcefully joined Eglantine, causing quite a commotion, so I appreciated the teachers’ thoughtfulness.
What pleases the music teachers most are new compositions, so I brought the same quatre-quarts cake as last year. This was a chance to present the new piece arranged by Rosina. Apparently, they want to hear it first before it’s performed at other tea parties.
Charlotte taught me how to steer the conversation during the tea party. She said, “Other than your older sister, there’s no one else in Ehrenfest who can engage the teachers in conversation. We’re counting on you.” With that, I felt I had to give it my all.
…After all, I am a dependable older sister.
“Welcome, Lady Rosemine.”
Pauline greeted me warmly. While exchanging greetings, the attendants laid out the gifts, and Rosina prepared her fischspiel.
Once the greetings were over, Pauline guided me to my seat, poured tea, and took a bite of the cake to show me. I also took a bite of the quatre-quarts I had brought, and after our mutual tasting, the tea party officially began.
I gave Rosina a slight nod to start playing, then introduced the new piece to the teachers.
“This new piece is dedicated to the goddess of water.”
“Lady Rosemine, you compose only pieces dedicated to the gods, don’t you? Don’t you create other types of music?” Pauline asked, tilting her head gently.
I smiled and replied, “Since I was raised in the temple, the gods are the closest and most natural subject for me.”
Strictly speaking, it’s Rosina—who writes the lyrics and arranges the music—who was raised in the temple, so basing the lyrics on mythology is the safest approach when revising the songs.
Receiving my gaze, Rosina took up her fischspiel and began playing. The piece dedicated to the goddess of water was slow and soothing, with a healing quality. It was based on classical music.
“Lady Rosemine, will you start composing love songs in a few years instead of pieces dedicated to the gods? I heard you’re engaged to Lord Wilfried?”
“Though the engagement is decided, I find it a bit difficult to imagine how that will translate into love songs,” I answered.
The teachers chuckled softly, but I smiled and let it slide. If Rosina ever falls in love, there might be a chance for love songs. But as things stand, with her focused solely on instruments and shuttling between the temple and castle with me, she seems unlikely to have much opportunity to meet anyone suitable before her prime.
…But I mustn’t be the one to compose love songs.
It’s better if Rosina, not I, compose them. Even my love novels were called indecent by the high priest. If I wrote love song lyrics without properly understanding them, and others deemed them indecent, it would be a big problem—not just for me, but for Ehrenfest as well.
“By the way, Ehrenfest’s academic results have improved remarkably. Last year’s results were surprising. This year, did all second-year students pass on the first day?”
“I heard that in sociology, only Ehrenfest had successful candidates.”
“And even in music, the efforts of the lower-ranking nobles in the lower years are impressive.”
Music had traditionally been an area where lower-ranking nobles didn’t perform well, due to disparities in teachers and instruments. However, even among Ehrenfest’s lower years, some lower nobles played the fischspiel quite skillfully. Overall, the level has risen, they praised.
“The lower-ranking nobles of Ehrenfest all credit Lady Rosemine for this. How did you manage that?”