Published: September 6, 2025
As soon as the Plantin Trading Company finished selling their books, the spring celebration banquet began. Since Melchior’s baptism ceremony was scheduled, Liselotte and Brynhildr went to the temple to pick up the costumes and accessories.
“Fran and Monica have prepared everything, Lady Rosemine,” Liselotte said with a smile after checking all the high priest’s ceremonial robes and necessary items. When they arrived at the temple, Fran and the attendants of the high priest had already divided the luggage into smaller packages for transport by mounts and brought them to the entrance.
“These are gifts from the children of the orphanage to Lady Rosemine. It’s parue juice,” Brynhildr explained.
“It’s a winter delicacy. Please take it to Ella.”
“Understood,” Brynhildr replied, carrying the small jar of parue juice to the kitchen.
“Fran was worried whether Lady Rosemine had been feeling unwell, and if you were well, whether you were getting enough exercise to build your strength. I told her you’ve been doing light exercise at the knight training ground,” Darmel reported.
I also asked about Monica and the others, and it seemed everyone at the temple was doing fine, which was a relief.
At that moment, Otilier returned, holding an invitation in his hand.
“Lady Rosemine, Lady Charlotte and Lord Wilfried have invited you to a tea party. It’s a sudden invitation, but they want to introduce you to Melchior.”
Melchior had already arranged his room so he could be present from the baptism ceremony onward, and he occasionally went in and out with his close aides to bring in additional items. Since he was on a different floor, I didn’t know about it.
Wilfried and Charlotte thought it better to introduce Melchior to me before the baptism rather than waiting for the first conversation at the ceremony. Charlotte’s invitation included a note: “I was happy to speak with my older sister before the baptism as well.”
… I must do my best to be a good older sister here.
My first tea party with Charlotte was turned into an interrogation when Wilfried barged in, so it wasn’t a pleasant memory. But through that tea party, I realized how adorable a little sister Charlotte was. I had never spoken to Melchior before, so I wanted to talk with him before the baptism.
After accepting the invitation, I busied myself with manuscript copying alongside the civil officials, waiting for the day.
“Good day, older sister.”
“I’m glad you invited me, Charlotte.”
After greeting the hostess Charlotte, I shifted my gaze to Melchior, who was waiting to be introduced beside Wilfried. He had the blue-purple hair inherited from our father, and his eyes were our mother’s blue. His facial features resembled her as well, giving him a gentle and calm appearance. Most importantly, in height, I was just a little taller.
…Just a little, but I am taller. Even if we look like we’re about the same age, I can look like the older sister properly. Yippee! Oh, I’m not trying to stand taller or anything.
Clearing the biggest worry about height when meeting Melchior and realizing I did look like an older sister made me really excited.
“This is our younger brother, Melchior. Please take good care of him. …Melchior, this is your older sister Rosemine, the head priest who will give you blessings at the baptism.”
Introduced by Wilfried, Melchior stepped forward nervously, knelt down, and bowed his head.
“Please allow me to pray for blessings on this rare meeting, chosen by the strict judgment of the goddess of life, Avelibe.”
“Granted.”
“To Lady Rosemine, older sister, I pray for the blessing of the goddess of life, Avelibe. …I am Melchior, son of Aub Ehrenfest. I look forward to your favor.”
Melchior raised his face with a satisfied expression as if to say he had done well, glancing between Wilfried and Charlotte for approval. They both smiled kindly at him.
“I think you did very well, Melchior.”
“Yes, I was nervous for my first greeting as well. You did a good job.”