Published: September 6, 2025
Having successfully concluded the most challenging tea party with Drevannel, I wrote a report to Ehrenfest. Since I was instructed to write it in a formal work report format, I made an effort to show that I could do it well. I listed the date and time of the tea party, the list of attendees, the sweets each person brought and their reputations, the topics discussed during the tea party, the territories likely to approach us during the territory competition and the lords' council along with their agendas, and finally, the countermeasures I could think of.
"With this, Lord Ferdinand shouldn’t have any complaints."
Looking at the rather thick report, I relaxed my tired arms and basked in a feeling of accomplishment.
"Lady Rosemine, may I present this to Prince Hildebrandt?"
Brunhilde handed me a letter. It was an inquiry about how to present the armband. After confirming that the format and wording were correct, I returned the letter to Brunhilde.
"No problems. Please send it as is."
"Understood. I shall go now."
When Brunhilde left, I handed the stack of reports to Liselotte to send them to Ehrenfest.
"Richarda, please get the book. Now that the report submission is finished, I want to read Glessen Meyer’s book."
Having completed my tasks, I was eager to start reading, but Richarda sighed and shook her head.
"Everyone is currently busy preparing for the territory competition, so as a lord candidate, you should observe the preparations and keep an overall grasp of the situation."
"…Will I be able to participate this year?"
"Young Master Ferdinand said he wants you to participate as much as possible, so unless something drastic happens, you should be able to attend."
Pushed along by Richarda, I headed to the multipurpose hall. Preparing for an event I couldn’t attend felt empty, so I wanted to prioritize reading, but if I could participate, I’d like to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Inside the multipurpose hall, the civil officials were busy cleaning up notes gathered from the tea party and preparing presentations for the territory competition research. Still, compared to usual, it was somewhat quiet since most knight apprentices were out practicing for Ditter, leaving only the minimum number behind.
I saw Wilfried and Charlotte near the bookshelf, accompanied by their attendants, deep in discussion.
"Brother Wilfried, Charlotte, what are you talking about?"
"Ah, Rosemine. Have you finished the report? If so, I want to discuss the territory competition. Is that alright?"
Wilfried looked up and spoke, so I sat on the chair Richarda recommended and prepared to listen.
"I was discussing with Charlotte, and since there are three lord candidates this year, I thought we should assign responsibilities by course — knights, attendants, and civil officials. What do you think? Having clear lines of command would be better, right?"
I thought for a moment about who would be suitable for each role. The answer came quickly.
"Brother Wilfried would handle the knights, Charlotte, who gained experience at the tea party, would manage the attendants, and I would be in charge of the civil officials?"
"Exactly. Honestly, I don’t know much about the civil officials' research presentations. Since you said you will also join the civil official course next year, you should be somewhat familiar with it."
"Yes. …With the blessing incantation research added, and since there’s a high chance Professor Hilsure will come, I should be best suited to handle it."
I had the materials entrusted by the high priest to divert Hilsure’s interest. Whether I could use them effectively was another matter.
"My aide, Hartmut, is in his final year of the civil official course and was last year’s top student, so I can leave most of it to him, but won’t Charlotte have a hard time? Many guests this year are from high-ranking territories."
"Like last year, after Ditter’s part is over, the knight apprentices will help with reception, and Father and Mother will also come, so it should still be manageable."