Published: September 6, 2025
And so, it was the morning of the graduation ceremony. Grethia came to wake me up a little before the second bell rang.
“Lady Rosemine, please wake up.”
“Isn’t it still a bit early?”
I muttered, turning over in my futon as I looked up at Grethia.
“It’s rare for Grethia to come wake me. Has something happened to Richarda?”
“Although it’s a bit early, Aub sent word that from the second bell, Lord Ferdinand will join you for breakfast. Richarda is preparing breakfast in the tea room.”
At those words from Grethia, I sprang out of bed. Because we were busy cleaning the tea room after breakfast, we were originally forbidden from eating breakfast with them.
“Lord Ferdinand drank with Aub and talked about various things, but he was still reaching for research materials afterward. He wants Lady Rosemine and the others to join for breakfast to make sure you wake him up.”
It seems my Foster Father ordered me to wake him up early and send Ferdinand off on time. There was also the calculation that if the three close aides accompanied him, the tea room cleanup would finish more quickly.
...Yay! Thank you, Foster Father!
With Grethia and Brynhildr’s help, I hastily started getting dressed. This morning, the reason Riesereta and Leonore weren’t in the room was because they had gone to breakfast timed with the second bell. After finishing breakfast, I had to take a quick bath before my parents arrived.
“Graduates have a lot to prepare for.”
Angelica chuckled as she remembered two years ago when she hadn’t prepared much, and Riesereta and my parents worked together to get me ready. I drew out my Ordnance.
“Good morning, Lord Ferdinand. I’m ready now. I’m heading to the tea room for breakfast.”
When I left the room, Charlotte had already finished preparing. Wilfried was downstairs waiting too. When we all headed for the tea room, the attendants who had prepared everything greeted us. The space for the close aides that had been set up in the tea room was already gone, and the benches had been rearranged so the graduates could wait for their escorts. The wooden box for luggage was nowhere to be seen, probably moved to Ferdinand’s space.
“It’s already quite tidied up.”
“Yes. Breakfast is ready here. Now, ladies, this way please. You others should finish breakfast in the dining hall.”
The underage attendants who accompanied us to the tea room went to the dining hall, and we lord candidates were guided by Richarda to the table. Ferdinand must have heard our arrival because he came out from behind the folding screen. Though dressed properly, his face still looked like he hadn’t had enough sleep.
“Good morning, Lord Ferdinand.”
“Ah, good morning.”
“You sound like you aren’t fully awake. Too much reading of research materials?”
He had the same expression as when he stayed up all night talking about research with Hilsure two years ago. Seeing Ferdinand so dazed was very rare.
“...That too, but that bench was surprisingly comfortable to sleep on.”
“If Lord Ferdinand slept well, then it was worth carrying it in. When we move things in spring, shall I help you carry them?”
Because of the sudden notice to go to Arensbach, Ferdinand only brought the essentials and the minimum wedding gifts. Seasonal items and the many gifts received from nobles over winter were still in Ehrenfest.
“I’m still in the guest room, so I don’t need them yet.”
“That will be after spring and the starbinding ceremony, right?”
“...I’ll think about it once I have my own room.”
Ferdinand’s noncommittal answer was unusual for someone who usually thought ahead, but it made sense that having things brought in before getting a room would be troublesome. I said, “Let me know if you need anything,” and he nodded, taking his seat. Then, he beckoned me over.
“Rosemine, come here. Has your fever gone down?”
“I feel okay this morning, though...”
I obediently stood before him. As he checked my fever and pulse, Charlotte exclaimed in surprise, “Has my older sister been unwell?”