Published: September 6, 2025
I was so stunned by Ditter’s sudden proposal that I just stood there with my mouth open, looking up at Aub Dunkelfelger.
…What should I do? This is troublesome. In Professor Primver’s court etiquette lectures, there was nothing about “how to respond to an Aub who suddenly challenges you to a Ditter duel without even greeting you”!
“Father, does Mother know about this challenge? I’ll confirm with her.”
Seeing Hannelore flustered and almost in tears as she took out the Ordnance, I wondered if this was just Aub Dunkelfelger acting on his own.
…Hannelore must have a hard time too. …No, I can’t be spacing out now.
Socializing during the territory competition is like a battlefield for lord candidates. I have to act like a lord candidate. But I don’t know the Dunkelfelger manual for handling this. At least it’s not in any noble manual I know.
…Now’s your chance, High Priest!
I glanced at the High Priest, who apparently had some acquaintance with the knights of Dunkelfelger, and silently asked for help. The High Priest watched me as if to say, “I want to see how you handle this,” while avoiding eye contact with the knights of Dunkelfelger.
…You idiot High Priest! This is exactly the time to help me!
The only one trying to deal with Aub Dunkelfelger while watching me nervously was Hannelore. Then it hit me.
Could this be a test for guardians to see how each lord candidate responds in a pinch? Even in Primver’s court etiquette lectures, there were hidden challenges designed to trouble students.
The same might be true for the territory competition; Aub might be setting challenges for the lord candidates. Thinking that way, I suddenly felt motivated. I immediately recalled the talks from the tea parties at the library and with Hannelore, about the modern translation manuscript. Even if I don’t take the Ditter duel seriously, there must be some solution.
…I’ll pass Aub Dunkelfelger’s challenge and get the rights to publish the book!
Straightening my back, I smiled at Hannelore.
“Um, Lady Hannelore, I believe the talks about the historical manuscript copies are supposed to be between Aubs, right? I don’t think this is something a lord candidate like me should answer…”
When I suggested, “Why don’t we just leave any incomprehensible questions to Aub?”, Hannelore immediately caught on to my meaning. She blinked in surprise, then smiled brightly. As expected of a lord candidate from a large territory. Hannelore is sharp.
“That’s right, Father! You said the conversations would be between Aubs. If you suddenly talk to Lady Rosemine, she’d be surprised.”
At Hannelore’s words, Aub Dunkelfelger raised an eyebrow lightly with an amused expression. It seemed there was no big problem avoiding the Ditter duel challenge.
“Then, I will go call Aub.”
…Alright, I’m passing this to my Foster Father and running away!
Just as I stood up, the High Priest stopped me, stood first, looked around at the knights of Dunkelfelger, and smiled.
“No, Rosemine. That’s not necessary. You are the person who wrote that manuscript. It would be better if I, who am not involved, call Aub and take over.”
The High Priest blocked my escape and smoothly switched places with my Foster Father.
…The High Priest escaped instead of me! So unfair!
After a small groan, I pulled myself together, greeted Aub, and offered him a seat.
What I have to do is not the Ditter duel, but socializing. Brynhildr immediately brought some quatre-quarts made with Roule. This must mean to offer it and stall for time until my Foster Father arrives. I took a bite of the tea and sweets to show.
“This is the quatre-quarts made with Roule that Lady Hannelore gave me the other day. Please let me know your thoughts.”
“Thank you very much. I will.”
We sipped tea while talking about Hannelore and Dunkelfelger’s Roule. I thought I was handling this quite lord-candidate-like. Aub Dunkelfelger seemed to like the Roule quatre-quarts, but from what I saw, he seemed to prefer the fruit liqueur even more.