Published: September 6, 2025
When the spring celebration banquet ended, the Winter Social Season was over. The nobles returned to their respective lands, and those living in the Noble District resumed their usual work. As for me, I returned to the temple to conduct the winter coming-of-age ceremony and the spring baptism ceremony in the downtown area.
“According to the usual schedule, Lady Rosemine will be returning to the temple soon, right?”
At the dinner table, which had grown a bit livelier with Melchior joining us for meals, Foster Father was discussing upcoming plans. I shot him a sharp glance. His words weren’t wrong according to past years’ routines, but this year I couldn’t just return to the temple so easily. There was a very important promise that hadn’t yet been fulfilled.
“I can’t go back yet.”
“What’s wrong, Rosemine? Did something happen?”
Nothing had happened—it was that something very important had been forgotten. I pouted slightly.
“Foster Father, when will you teach my chef how to prepare fish dishes? Since I returned from the noble academy, I’ve been waiting all this time.”
Although the plan was for this to happen after returning from the noble academy, the day I had to return to the temple was fast approaching. This was a serious matter. When I voiced my dissatisfaction, Foster Father finally realized and clapped his hands.
“Ah, that’s right. Then tell Ferdinand to bring in the ingredients. As soon as the ingredients arrive, I will instruct the chef to prepare Arensbach’s traditional dishes.”
“Thank you very much.”
I replied with a noble smile, quietly clenching my fist under the table.
...It’s happening! It’s finally happening! Woohoo! Fish! I can finally eat it!
Not the muddy, river-smelling fish from Ehrenfest, but the sea fish from Arensbach. I wondered how many years it had been since I last ate fish dishes. I couldn’t help but be excited.
I thought I should thank Aurelia, who had brought the ingredients from Arensbach, but suddenly it hit me—how could I let Aurelia taste the fish dishes?
“Foster Father, the ingredients managed by Lord Ferdinand were brought by Aurelia when she got married, to remind her of the flavors of her homeland. I want her to enjoy the cuisine of Arensbach as well. Lamprecht told me she misses the taste of home. Would it be alright to invite her to the meal when the fish dishes are served?”
Foster Father pondered my question for a moment, then looked toward Father standing behind him.
“Hmm. If Aurelia comes, we’ll need to increase her guards and decide whether to invite the Karlstedt family along with Lamprecht. But the invitation itself is fine.”
After getting permission, Foster Mother gently called me “Rosemine.”
“Even if Aurelia misses the taste of home, we don’t know if she’s well enough to come here. Before sending the invitation, please confirm carefully with Lamprecht and Elvira.”
Foster Mother expressed concern while carefully avoiding the word “pregnant.”
Indeed, if Aurelia was struggling with morning sickness and heavy pregnancy symptoms, it would be difficult for her to come to the castle, no matter how much she wanted to eat. In poor health and needing to be considerate of those around her, she might not even enjoy the food. Besides, Aurelia was generally reluctant to go to places where people gathered. If I sent her a formal invitation, it would almost force her to attend.
...I really want Aurelia to try the traditional Arensbach dishes somehow.
“Brother Wilfried, may I borrow Lamprecht for a moment? I want to talk about Aurelia.”
“Ah, no problem.”
On the way back to my room after dinner, I got permission from Wilfried to have a talk with Brother Lamprecht. In a private room of the main building closest to the North Wing, I faced Lamprecht as family. Brother Cornelius, who had been assigned as my guard, softened his expression a bit.
“Brother Lamprecht, how is Aurelia’s condition? Do you think she’ll be able to come to the castle for the traditional Arensbach meal?”