Published: September 6, 2025
"I left the dormitory early to apologize to the royal family, so I never expected Lady Rosemine to be here already," Hannelore said.
I forced a smile, feeling awkward. I hadn’t intended to come early at all; I had just arrived at the appointed time, only to be summoned by the royal family, but I couldn’t say that.
"I also had something to discuss with the royal family," I replied.
"Um, perhaps I’ve intruded…" Hannelore began to fret, as if she had made yet another mistake. To reassure her, I smiled gently and shook my head.
"I was simply here to deliver a hair ornament from Prince Anastasius to Miss Eglantine."
"Ah, well then, I would very much like to see it too, Lady Hannelore," Eglantine smiled and nodded at my excuse.
I quickly exchanged a glance with Brynhildr, who immediately handed a box containing the hair ornament to Anastasius’s attendant. After the usual tedious process of checking the box and its contents between the attendants, Anastasius smiled with satisfaction and placed the box in front of Eglantine, saying, "I will give this to my beloved wife."
Watching the warm exchange of the hair ornament, Hannelore finally relaxed and smiled.
"Prince Anastasius also ordered a new hair ornament, didn’t he? My brother has placed an order too, and is eagerly awaiting its arrival."
"By presenting it as a gift from Lord Ferdinand, we also received an order from Lady Dietlinde of Arensbach. The flowers themselves are the same as Lady Adolphine’s, but we prepared five smaller ones with different colors."
As expected, Eglantine was surprised, "Five of them?"
Taking the opportunity, I explained Dietlinde’s hair ornaments. At the very least, the royal family should know that the design is not Ferdinand’s taste and that the ornaments can be styled in various ways.
"They are designed to be combined freely according to the time, place, and outfit. This was Lady Dietlinde’s idea. Though she did say she could not trust Ehrenfest’s taste…"
"Well, I am satisfied with Ehrenfest’s design, and I think today’s hair ornament is very lovely," Eglantine assured.
"I’m honored. I will tell my dedicated assistant that you are pleased," I replied.
While showcasing the hair ornaments, others arrived. Solange and Altansia came from the library. We exchanged greetings.
…So she is the principal wife of the central knights order commander.
"Ehrenfest may have its opinions about us, but please endure it," Solange said.
"Professor Altansia?" I blinked at her sudden words. Altansia gave a sad smile.
"At a difficult time for the royal family, Prince Hildebrandt brought back a story concerning the unopened archive that he heard from Ehrenfest’s lord candidate. When the knights order commander went to verify, the candidate had an old librarian’s diary. That diary mentioned royals visiting the library even after graduation, right? My husband, the knights order commander, suspected Ehrenfest was after the royal family’s possessions in the noble academy."
…I see. So that knights order commander knew Lord Ferdinand was royal blood because of the Adalgeesa Fruit? No wonder he was suspicious.
The timing was truly unfortunate. If we hadn’t run into each other in the library, no strange suspicions would have arisen, and Ferdinand might not have had to go to Arensbach.
"My husband tends to suspect everyone as part of his job, but if he didn’t stay cautious, he would be unfit as commander. I know his position earns him many grudges, but we try to resolve things amicably and beneficially for both sides. Please understand," Altansia said.
I managed a smile in response.
As she said, Ferdinand was not simply arrested because of his royal blood and suspicious behavior. What he was ordered to do was leave the despised temple and marry into a large territory—a transfer that was envied by those around him.
…If only it wasn’t Arensbach.
I was told to pretend to be happy, so I couldn’t say, “There’s nothing beneficial here for me.” I smiled sweetly instead.