Published: September 6, 2025
The torrents of black and golden light faded away, and as the wavering of my vision ceased, I found myself having arrived at the noble academy. Urged on by the knights, I sluggishly moved my heavy feet and stepped out of the teleportation circle.
“Welcome back, Lady Rosemine.”
Seeing my close aides gathered together, I smiled warmly. After all, I couldn’t very well show a face that said, “I really didn’t want to come back.”
“I have just returned. Please report to me what happened while I was away.”
While Richarda and Liselotte tidied up the luggage I had brought back from the castle, I waited in the multipurpose hall with my close aides, as was decided. Resting a book on my lap from the shelf in the multipurpose hall, I listened to reports about the noble academy during the journey by minibus.
“I accompanied Lady Charlotte to her tea party along with Liselotte, and I also taught Lord Wilfried’s attendant about the sweets and topics to discuss in social settings. People from other territories have shown interest in the trends at Ehrenfest as well.”
According to Brynhildr’s report, there was interest in sweets and hair ornaments, and gazes gathered around the book recommended by Lady Hannelore about Ehrenfest. The tea party discussions apparently turned toward love stories.
...That sounds nice. I really wanted to go.
A tea party where they excitedly discuss Ehrenfest’s books, and share the love stories and knight’s tales I know—it sounds very enchanting. But the risk of collapsing is many times higher than a normal tea party. It’s not a tea party I can attend.
As I sighed, Filine peered at me, her young leaf-like eyes sparkling, and smiled.
“Lady Rosemine, I also accompanied Lady Charlotte to her tea party and gathered numerous love stories. Moreover, I received several stories from civil official apprentices of other territories. Lady Rosemine, you must review and assess them.”
“That’s wonderful, Filine.”
The fact that stories from other territories were gathering made my excitement surge, and the next moment, I clapped my hands.
...If I can’t hide away in the castle, I’ll just hide away in the noble academy!
Since the library and tea parties to discuss books are forbidden, it’s the perfect opportunity to retreat to my room and read. The noble academy, where there are no nagging high priests, is probably a better place to hide away than the castle.
...No, no. This is work. I have to assess the stories entrusted to me by civil officials from other territories and calculate the payments. If they can be made into books, I have to rewrite them as manuscripts. Ah, busy, busy. Woohoo!
With my spirits soaring, my steps on the minibus became lighter and I arrived at the multipurpose hall. Upon stepping off and entering, students who had finished their lectures were spending time as they pleased. Wilfried and Charlotte were among them.
“You returned early this year, Rosemine,” Wilfried said.
“Welcome back, older sister,” Charlotte greeted me with a smile.
When they welcomed me, I was so pumped up that I could respond with a genuine, full smile.
“I have just returned. Please report on what happened at the noble academy.”
Charlotte apparently attended many tea parties to fill the gap left by my absence. She finished her lectures smoothly and seemed to have talked about the female crest as I taught her.
“Thanks to Lady Hannelore and Lady Adolphine’s introductions at the tea parties, connections with several territories have been established. When the subject of borrowing and lending books came up at Lady Adolphine’s tea party, she showed interest. I had no books to lend at the time, so I promised to bring some later.”
Since revealing printing technology is still forbidden, they are currently lending a single copy of a book in turn.
“In that case, I received new books from Haldenzel. You may lend those to Drevannel.”
“Sister, those must be read first by people from Ehrenfest. We can’t lend them without knowing the contents.”