Ascendance of a Bookworm

“It seems there’s a dispute over who will go, but since the Italian restaurant is located in downtown, minors without permission extending only as far as the temple cannot go there.”

“Ah!?”

I put an end to the argument among my close aides. I often forget since I move in and out of the temple so freely, but the permission granted by my Foster Father only extends as far as the temple at the boundary between the Noble District and downtown. Minors cannot go to downtown for work. When Brother Cornelius went to the Italian restaurant before, he cleverly used the family quota since Father and Brother Eckhardt were with him; it wasn’t entirely for work purposes.

The minors widened their eyes in surprise at my words. Among them, Leonore tilted her head gently and asked,

“So, will you be taking Cornelius, Hartmut, Angelica, and Darmel—the four of them? Shall we call Otilier or Richarda as the attendants to serve?”

“No. The Italian restaurant caters to wealthy commoners, so it’s not a place for a group of nobles to go to together. Two Guard Knights are enough so that we can take turns to eat, and I will bring Fran as the attendant.”

“Please don’t say such cold things, Lady Rosemine.”

I felt sorry for Hartmut and the others who looked shocked, but honestly, if this many nobles go as close aides to the Italian restaurant, it would cause trouble for the restaurant. If everyone comes as close aides, since they’re not customers, they would have to eat in the attendants’ room on a rotating basis. However, the attendants’ room is not designed for nobles and isn’t spacious at all. Naturally, there are no attendants serving those eating in the attendants’ room, and it’s not expected that attendants would bring servers. Bringing a large number of nobles as my close aides would only cause confusion.

“If you want to eat there, I will give you an introduction, so please go as customers by yourselves. You’re not used to eating without attendants. Eating in the attendants’ room would be tough, I think.”

“I’m fine without attendants.”

“I’m good too, Lady Rosemine.”

Darmel and Angelica answered promptly with determined faces, so I decided to bring the two of them as guards. I knew from the prayer ceremonies and harvest festivals that when Fran and the others lacked serving hands, they could eat without complaining. Also, it felt a bit cruel to tell Darmel to pay out of pocket as a guest.

“Brother Cornelius, who is late to the party, can go with Leonore, the two of you.”

I teased with a playful smile. Cornelius Brother laughed back and said, “That’s a very good idea.” Then, he turned his gaze toward Hartmut.

“What do you think about going as a guest, Hartmut? Not as a close aide.”

“I think it’s an excellent idea. I want to have a meal with Lady Rosemine, not in the attendants’ room.”

Hartmut and Brother Cornelius are completely decided to go. As I considered whether to send a letter to Frieda to change the number of people, Brother Cornelius spoke to Leonore.

“If we go as mere guests and not on guard duty, minors can enter downtown, right? Leonore, would you like to go to the Italian restaurant with me?”

“I’d be delighted, Cornelius.”

I teased them to invite Leonore, but seeing her accepted so smoothly was a bit dull. I hope they don’t flirt right in front of me; it would be pitiful for Darmel.

“Even as guests, don’t you need a guardian accompanying you or permission?”

“If Cornelius, my fiancé, is with me, I believe they will grant permission.”

Leonore said this with a blissful smile after thinking for a moment. Hearing the word ‘parental permission,’ Brynhildr’s amber eyes sparkled.

“To make Greschel a trading city, understanding downtown is important. I barely know anything about downtown.”

“It’s important for us attendants to know Lady Rosemine’s activity range, and reporting that we’re also monitoring our older sister should get the permission granted.”