Published: September 6, 2025
“What was the summons for, Lord Ferdinand?”
It seemed that the high priest had already returned on the night of the day he was summoned. The next day, classes proceeded as usual. When I asked what had happened at the lords’ council, I was given a brief reply: “Nothing. It’s over.”
However, the high priest’s face looked sterner and more displeased than usual, and Melchior seemed subtly frightened. Wilfried, who was attending the lecture with us, had a tense expression and was occasionally checking the high priest’s mood.
After finishing the very tense lecture, we had lunch. Grandfather noticed the high priest’s demeanor and asked the same question I had.
“Ferdinand, what was the business at the lords’ council?”
“...It’s already over.”
“If it’s truly over, you wouldn’t be making that face. There must be some concern, right?”
After Grandfather urged him to speak quickly, the high priest sighed deeply and began to explain.
“There was a request from Arensbach for a lord candidate who is near adulthood to become a groom.”
“Huh? You mean to be Lady Dietlinde’s husband?”
“Is there anyone else, I wonder?”
The high priest gave me a cold glare, and I fell silent. That was true. Arensbach only had two lord candidates: one was Dietlinde, and the other was Leticia, a young girl who hadn’t even entered the noble academy yet.
“There was an offer from Arensbach, but it has already been declined. If I were to leave Ehrenfest now, there would be no lord candidates who have reached adulthood. I am Rosemine’s guardian. The daughter of a high-ranking noble and a mid-ranking noble is not a suitable match for the lord candidate who acts as the lord’s proxy. There are many reasons, including the relationship between Veronica and me.”
My foster father had apparently worked hard against the lord and lady of Arensbach and refused their offer. Still, there were suspicions that by remaining in a position within the temple, I am being unjustly confined due to the conflict with Veronica and treated unfairly.
“Georgine wanted to hear the answer from the person himself. It is thought that he would prefer to become the spouse of the next Aub of Arensbach rather than holding an unwanted position in Ehrenfest.”
That was why the high priest was summoned and asked for his opinion. He himself refused.
“So, I told you it’s over.”
A few days later, the high priest was summoned again—this time by the king. It’s one thing after another, I thought, seeing him off. The high priest said, “Exactly,” with an annoyed expression and headed to the noble academy via the teleportation circle.
“This time it’s going to be long. I wonder what happened?”
Two days had passed since the high priest was summoned, but he hadn’t returned. Because of that, the lord candidates’ preparation was on hold, and I was forced to practice Fischpiel and embroidery for bridal training. Honestly, I wanted to study practical skills more than embroidery.
“Can’t Grandfather teach me?”
“Lord Bonifatius is acting as lord’s proxy, so he’s busy with work.”
Richarda said there was no time for that. Since key civil officials were attending the lords’ council, there were fewer people, and the workload was heavy.
“In that case, may I assist Grandfather...?”
“Right now, you look just like Lord Sylvester trying to avoid studying or work. You can’t fool my eyes.”
...I was caught.
Since my foster father had been an escape artist from the past, Richarda had always caught him whenever he tried to run away. I couldn’t deceive her sharp eyes. So I gave up on trickery and decided to ask straightforwardly.
“Richarda, I want to read books more than do embroidery. It doesn’t have to be for enjoyment. I want to prepare for next year’s noble academy. Please let me read books.”
“Lady Rosemine will be absent from the noble academy during the dedication ceremony, so preparation is necessary. You will take both the civil official course and the lord candidate course.”