Published: September 6, 2025
After the meeting with the Plantin Trading Company, it was time for the Winter coming-of-age ceremony. Between the end of the coming-of-age ceremony and the spring baptism ceremony, I planned to finally do the long-awaited fish dissection. At least, that was my plan.
“High Priest, when will we dissect the fish? And where will it be done?”
After helping in the High Priest’s room, I asked this question daily. By the third day, the High Priest gave me an incredibly annoyed look, as if seeing something extremely bothersome, looking down coldly. But such a gaze would not faze me.
“High Priest, when will the fish dissection be? And where will it be?”
“…The afternoon after tomorrow. It will be conducted in your workshop.”
“I’d prefer to finish the dissection by the morning so that it can be ready for dinner. I’ll invite everyone for dinner. Since it’s a special occasion, let’s cook the dissected fish and eat together.”
When I explained my plans and wishes regarding the fish dishes, including making plenty for the orphanage, the exhausted-looking High Priest relented with a “Morning will do.”
“Is there anything we need to prepare?”
“Gather all the Guard Knights, change into your riding uniforms, and tie your hair back in one. Do not let your guard down.”
Though these instructions hardly sounded like cooking preparations, I didn’t dwell on it and sent a message to Ordnance in the castle. The attendants had to bring the riding uniforms.
Leonore and Judith served as my guards, and Liselotte brought the uniforms.
“Liselotte, could you teach me how to tie my hair? Monica wants to learn a noble-style hairdo.”
“Understood... Since it takes time to practice until you master it, Lady Rosemine, how about enjoying some reading?”
Liselotte giggled and made a wonderful suggestion. While I was absorbed in a book Fran had prepared, she planned to teach Monica the hairdo.
“Lady Rosemine’s hair is smooth and very pleasant to touch, but it slips away easily, making it hard to tie properly.”
Liselotte gently lifted some of my hair with a kind touch while brushing it. I heard her words at first, but soon they didn’t bother me as I immersed myself in the book.
Monica learned the hairdo, and the day of the fish dissection arrived. I eagerly woke early, finished breakfast, had Monica tie my hair, and Nicola helped me change into my riding uniform. Preparation was complete.
I looked at the Guard Knights in the room, Leonore and Angelica.
“Leonore, Angelica. Are all the Guard Knights gathered?”
“Yes, everyone is here. I caught a glimpse of Judith coming through the window during the uniform change.”
Angelica proudly said, “My eyesight has improved, so I can see better now,” while Leonore’s expression turned worried.
“Lady Rosemine, you seem quite excited, but aren’t you afraid you might faint at the crucial moment?”
“I’m fine. I won’t faint. Not until I eat delicious fish!”
“…It’s good to see Lady Rosemine in good spirits.”
Having finished changing, I asked Zaam to inform the High Priest that we were ready and had Angelica call the other knights.
“Lady Rosemine, a message from the High Priest. He says to bring the magic tools into the workshop. Also, he wants this brought there as well.”
Hearing Zaam’s message, I opened the workshop door wide. The attendants moved the desks and wooden boxes used during potion mixing to the corner, clearing the center, and carried in the magic tools. Hugo and Ella brought sturdy lidded pots as instructed by the High Priest.
“Is fish dissection really something that requires such heavy caution?”
“There are things even chefs cannot handle, right? For edible monsters from Arensbach that commoners find difficult to dissect, I can guess several.”
Leonore named a few, but I had no idea what they actually were.
“Leonore, among those, are there any fish suitable for salt-grilling?”
When I explained the simple method of scoring the skin in a cross pattern, salting, and grilling, Leonore looked very troubled.