Published: September 6, 2025
“Please, come inside.”
“Why is Fran here?”
Of course, my close aides had accompanied me during the prayer ceremony and the harvest festival while I was asleep, so they were familiar with Charlotte and Wilfried. Seeing everyone’s eyes widen, Fran smiled apologetically and looked at me.
“Lord Ferdinand has been spending time at the temple, so there are usually fewer attendants and servants here. Since today we invited more guests, we asked Fran and Zaam, who were originally Lord Ferdinand’s attendants, to help out.”
Everyone sighed lightly upon seeing familiar faces from the temple walking through the mansion.
“Since Lord Ferdinand will be heading to Arensbach soon, it makes no sense to increase the number of people here now.”
“He’ll probably spend most of his time at the temple during the handover as well.”
“Let’s keep it a secret from Lady Dietlinde that the temple’s attendants are being used here.”
I added this, knowing that Dietlinde wouldn’t be pleased to find out the temple staff were also serving here, and everyone agreed.
The building’s basic white exterior was the same as Father’s manor, but it had the unmistakable aura of a high priest’s residence—simple, practical, and completely devoid of any feminine charm. It somewhat resembled the atmosphere of Dunkelfelger.
The high priest, who had been giving instructions to the attendants in the reception room, noticed our arrival and turned around.
“Ah, welcome.”
“Lord Ferdinand’s residence really lacks any decoration, doesn’t it?”
“You seem unable to appreciate the beauty of functional design.”
Passing through the entrance hall, we were led into a large reception room. The table, chairs, and sofas, along with rugs and necessary magic tools, showed that this was a lived-in space. Zaam brought in some sweets.
While drinking tea, we made final checks before Dietlinde’s arrival. This was the only room where eating and drinking were allowed, and when the Gilberta Trading Company arrived, the high priest, Raimund, and the male civil officials would retreat to the library to discuss research so as not to interfere. I had suggested that Raimund talk about research, though I hadn’t been told it would be in the library.
“That’s not fair... I want to go to the library too.”
“You said you would entertain Dietlinde with talks about hair ornaments and fashion.”
“But with Lord Ferdinand’s library right in front of me, you expect me to hold back?”
I might never come here again, and there should be many books I haven’t read. Being denied that was cruel.
“I want to be a gentleman just for today. Brother Wilfried, shall we swap clothes?”
“Changing clothes won’t make you a man.”
“I know that. But still...”
“Lord Ferdinand, may I say a word?”
“Go ahead.”
“While it’s not unusual to hold social gatherings separately by gender, this event aims to deepen the bond with the fiancé. It wouldn’t be good for Lord Ferdinand to withdraw completely to another room.”
When Brynhildr said that, Liselotte nodded in agreement and proposed an idea.
“Why not leave the doors of both the library and reception room wide open so people can come and go freely? It’s important to create a state where anyone can enter at any time. Lady Dietlinde would also feel reassured seeing her fiancé.”
Charlotte, who had been thinking deeply, looked up and smiled at me.
“I hesitate to go into a room full of men. If older sister is in the library, Lady Dietlinde will have no qualms about coming in and out. So, older sister, you may read in the library.”
...Charlotte, you’re truly an angel!
“Don’t you think you’re spoiling Rosemine a bit too much?”
“That might be true, but I think the older sister, who keeps getting distracted and focused only on the library, can’t be trusted with socializing with Lady Dietlinde. Dietlinde isn’t that interested in books anyway.”
Everyone nodded at Charlotte’s amused words as Brynhildr and Liselotte puffed out their chests and smiled confidently.