Ascendance of a Bookworm

After the dedication dance ended, I pretended to feel unwell as planned and excused myself early. I left Father and Mother to watch over Brother Cornelius, and accompanied by Angelica and Brother Lamprecht as my guards, and Richarda, I returned to the dormitory.

"I'm relieved it ended without any incident. Rosemine somehow has a high chance of getting involved in dangerous situations," Brother Lamprecht said with a wry smile as soon as we arrived at the dormitory, letting out a sigh of relief.

Angelica nodded in agreement. "That’s precisely why protecting you is worthwhile."

While I was at the noble academy, it seems Grandfather kept Brother Lamprecht busy with training. The demonic sword Steinluk has apparently grown stronger as well.

"Brother Lamprecht, how is Aurelia doing? Is she not bored during her pregnancy?"

Since only relatives were around, I figured it was safe to mention Aurelia and asked Brother Lamprecht about her condition during pregnancy.

"She’s been spending her time leisurely, reading Ehrenfest books that Mother handed her to stave off boredom."

"What an enviable lifestyle... but since this is her first pregnancy far from family, Brother Lamprecht, please take good care of her. You tend to leave everything to Mother, so I worry Aurelia might lose patience with you."

Despite my worries, it seems that while my master Wilfried was away at the noble academy, Brother Lamprecht and Aurelia got along well.

"However... she did say recently that she misses the taste of home a little," he added.

"Fish dishes, right? After I return from the academy, the court chef is going to teach me how to prepare them exclusively. I’ve already gotten Foster Father’s permission."

"That’s a relief."

Grinning, Brother Lamprecht responded warmly, and I smiled back.

"It’s perfectly fine if Aurelia, who provided the ingredients, tastes the dishes, but teaching your cooks the recipes or cooking methods comes with a fee. Brother Lamprecht, you should earn well for your adorable new wife."

"Rosemine, are you charging me too?"

Brother Lamprecht’s eyes widened, and I nodded decisively.

"Of course. I've already received money from Father, Lord Ferdinand, and Foster Father. Sharing recipes with students at the noble academy is a reward for improving their grades. Also, this time I’m getting taught exclusively by the court chef in exchange for recipes. I’ve never dealt with exchanges without compensation."

If Aurelia had fish dish recipes, an exchange would be fine, but there’s no way a princess like her would know cooking techniques. By the way, the ingredients Aurelia brought turned into Ehrenfest fabric, which now serves as Aurelia’s veil. She offered an exchange out of humility for the gift from me.

"If you can get fish ingredients from Arensbach, an exchange is fine, but you probably don’t have such connections now, do you?"

"It can’t be helped. I’ll work hard to earn."

Brother Lamprecht said this dejectedly, so I encouraged him.

"The harder you work for your family, the better father you'll be."

...Like my own dad.

After the dedication dance, there were only words from the head priest, so everyone returned fairly quickly for lunch. Due to the size of the dining hall, the lord family, graduates, and their guardians ate first, and current students ate in staggered shifts.

At my table were Father, Mother, Brother Lamprecht, Angelica, Brother Cornelius, and Leonore. While enjoying the special menu for the graduation ceremony, we talked about the coming-of-age ceremony and the sword dance.

"Brother Cornelius’ sword dance was wonderful," I complimented.

"Thank you, Rosemine," he replied with a relaxed smile, having released his tension. Next to him, Leonore sat stiffly nervous. Hoping to ease her tension, I brought up a new topic.

"Leonore, you were chosen for next year’s sword dance, right? I’m looking forward to seeing your performance."

"I must practice hard so you won’t think I’m much inferior to Cornelius," she replied earnestly.

"Indeed. The knights order is pleased to see more chosen from Ehrenfest for the sword dance. Keep up the effort," Father, the knights order commander, encouraged. Leonore, being serious, would surely train diligently and present a stable performance.