Published: September 6, 2025
“Ohhh! Rosemine, you’re back!”
The one who greeted me with such a loud voice as I returned through the teleportation circle was Grandfather. The thunderous sound of his rapid approach startled me, and just as I flinched, Angelica and Brother Cornelius grabbed his arm firmly, and Darmel held onto his cloak, stopping his charge, saying, “You’re scaring Lady Rosemine!”
“I-I’m not scary. Right, Rosemine?”
“I was just surprised by your sudden momentum, Grandfather. I have just returned.”
As I greeted him, I looked around. Usually, the Aub family and Father and Mother would be here to welcome me, but today, only Grandfather, the lord candidates’ Guard Knights, and a few knights from the knights order stood here. This year, the order of returns was changed slightly. Foster Father had given instructions that regardless of the academic year, lord candidates move together. The unusual situation made me uneasy.
“Rosemine, since Charlotte hasn’t returned, you should get out of the magic circle quickly.”
Wilfried, surrounded by his Guard Knights a little distance away, said so. I nodded and moved with Richarda. Like Wilfried, soon I was surrounded by my own Guard Knights.
“Welcome back, Lady Rosemine.”
“Darmel, Cornelius, Angelica. I have just returned. …Hartmut is nowhere to be seen?”
“Hartmut is a civil official, so he’s waiting in his room. He wanted to come here, but Otilier is keeping watch.”
Apparently, only knights were allowed to welcome us today. Feeling the tense atmosphere, while I was listening to my Guard Knights say, “Otilier can easily keep Hartmut in check—after all, she’s his mother,” Charlotte and her attendants came into view.
Grandfather lightly raised his hand after confirming Charlotte was surrounded by Guard Knights.
“Very well. Let us return to our rooms. Until you enter the North Wing, I will guard you closely, so rest assured.”
With Grandfather’s command, the lord candidates surrounded by Guard Knights started moving. I also tried to move, but noticed Grandfather had his hand wide open, waiting. He said he would protect us firmly, but would it be okay to cover his hand like that?
“No need to worry. Grandfather said we’d protect you, so hold his hand with ease, Lady Rosemine.”
“Cornelius!”
Even when glared at by Grandfather, Brother Cornelius was unfazed and shrugged.
I muttered, “I’m not worried about such things,” and, just like last year, took Grandfather’s finger and started walking.
“This year, I was awarded Best Student for the first time. I went up on stage and received praise from Zent himself.”
When I spoke of the award, Grandfather rejoiced as if it were his own achievement, but unlike last year, he wasn’t fixated only on me, but was highly alert to our surroundings.
“…Grandfather, is it really that dangerous?”
“It had calmed down recently, but all the students are returning at once. There’s a possibility that nobles petitioning for sentence reductions might directly appeal, or pretend to appeal and attack. Those targeted will be you who struggled to avoid implication. Vigilance is necessary.”
“I had hoped to go to the library Lord Ferdinand gave me….”
I had planned to visit my library as soon as I returned to Ehrenfest, but Grandfather shook his head sternly.
“Unfortunately, you’re only free to wander in the North Wing. …At least wait until the spring celebration banquet ends and the number of nobles decreases. Melchior endured all winter. If your older sister could manage, so can you, Rosemine.”
When the purge begins, danger increases greatly. Melchior was reportedly not allowed to leave the North Wing, banned even from going to the children’s room, essentially imprisoned there.
“You should spend time with Melchior, Rosemine. I’m looking forward to tonight’s dinner.”
Grandfather said this while pointing toward the North Wing. Just at the edge of the forbidden North Wing, Melchior was eagerly waiting for our return with his aides.