Published: August 25, 2025
“Good morning, Princess. How are you feeling today?”
“No problems.”
Having properly taken the extremely bitter medicine, I had been sleeping quietly on the bed to the surprise of Richarda, so my fever had completely gone down. My health is the most important thing for the success of the book lover’s tea party.
…Today, I’m feeling fantastic! Hehe.
I got off the bed, and Brynhildr, smiling and saying, “I’m relieved you’ve recovered,” helped me get ready.
“I’ll put in two hair ornaments, matching these as well. I want to add the floral decoration used in Schwarz and Weiss’s outfits.”
While Brynhildr was arranging my hair, Liselotte quietly smiled as she prepared today’s outfit. The outfit she held looked like it matched Schwarz and Weiss’s. What was matching was the embroidery Liselotte had sewn onto the hem of the skirt. Instead of the magic circle embroidery on the vest or apron, it was the flowers and leaves embroidered on the hems of pants and skirts that matched perfectly—proof of Liselotte’s obsessive dedication.
…The one thing I absolutely won’t give up on matching is the armband of the library committee.
Today, the armband was perfect too. I had also given it to Hannelore so that everyone would match.
“Lady Rosemine, please lift your chin a bit; I will tie your scarf into a ribbon knot.”
From afar, it looked like her usual calm smile, but up close, I could tell Liselotte was excited by the rosy flush on her cheeks and her slightly rapid speech.
“Liselotte, not only did you embroider Schwarz and Weiss’s outfits, but you also embroidered mine. That must have been difficult, right?”
“For me, the hardest part was whether Lady Rosemine would allow it. The embroidery itself wasn’t that troublesome.”
She said embroidery was no big deal, but it clearly wasn’t a task to be taken lightly. Definitely not a job I would want to do.
…Liselotte’s love for Shumil is exploding.
As I looked at the embroidered hem of my skirt, Brynhildr began the final check for today’s tea party.
“The sweets we’re bringing today are two types of quatre-quarts: one with feijoa and one with honey. Also, there are two kinds of cookies: one with walnuts and one with tea leaves.”
She said the jam, cream, and fruit liqueur for accompaniment had already been ordered from the kitchen.
“As promised to Lady Hannelore, the musicians from Dunkelfelger will play mainly the pieces Lady Rosemine composed to help them learn the tunes.”
“Have you asked Hannelore to have the musicians accompany her?”
“Of course.”
Although we made several last-minute requests to Hannelore—about Prince Hildebrandt attending, lending and borrowing books, and teaching the musicians the songs—she had accepted them all willingly.
“Richarda, have you finished preparing the books to return to Dunkelfelger and the next ones to lend? We are lending the Noble Academy’s love story.”
“Yes, Princess, they are ready.”
“Don’t forget the manuscript of the modern translation of Dunkelfelger’s book. We need to ask Hannelore if it’s okay to publish it. Ah, also, the library committee armbands…”
“They’re included. Since Prince Hildebrandt will borrow the knight’s tale, there’s no mistake.”
Richarda chuckled lightly. When we inquired whether it was okay to lend Ehrenfest books to Hildebrandt, we had been told, “Anything except the Sacred Scripture Picture Book related to lectures is fine.” In fact, we were sternly ordered not to neglect the prince during the tea party because of excitement over the books. Even recommending the knight’s tale was fine, but we had to keep the conversation going with Prince Hildebrandt.
…Just like the high priest said, to make the prince a book lover, I have to work hard to spread the joy of reading!
Then, accompanied by close aides carrying various items, we headed to the library. Since the tea party was scheduled to start at the third bell, we set off after the second and a half bell rang, waiting for the lecture to begin.