Published: September 6, 2025
Brunhilde’s statement silenced Shin and everyone present. All eyes widened in shock as they stared at the kneeling Brunhilde. My mind couldn’t keep up with such unwelcome news.
…Aub’s second wife? Whose second wife? Brunhilde is Foster Father’s!?
The moment the scattered words in my blank mind connected, utter chaos broke out. I stood up from my chair with a loud thud and took a step closer to Brunhilde.
“W-wait, wait a moment, please! Brunhilde, calm down and take a deep breath. Stay composed…”
“You are the one who must calm down and take deep breaths,” Foster Father said with an exasperated look. He stood, walked around the table, and stood beside me. Then, he lightly tapped my shoulder. “Come, take a deep breath.”
“H-huff, huff… h-huff, huff…”
“What’s that supposed to be?”
“It just came out on its own. What am I saying?”
“Unfortunately, I have no idea. Compose yourself.”
I shifted my gaze between Foster Father, who seemed completely unfazed by Brunhilde’s bombshell, and Grandfather, who looked flustered watching me in confusion.
“I-I’m not sure how to calm down, Grandfather.”
“I understand that feeling well, Rosemine.”
While the two of us flailed about, Liselotte quietly stepped forward, saying, “Excuse me,” and smoothly produced the Shumil plushie.
“Don’t lose your composure, fool. Breathe in.”
Ferdinand’s voice startled me awake, and I instinctively inhaled deeply. I kept inhaling. Since no one told me to exhale, I inhaled even more, filling my lungs to the maximum. It became unbearably painful, and I finally exhaled sharply.
“How far do you intend to have me breathe, Lord Ferdinand!?”
I glared tearfully at the Shumil plushie, and Liselotte smiled sweetly.
“I’m glad Lady Rosemine has remembered how to breathe deeply. Now, please recall your manners as a lady.”
Holding the Shumil plushie, Liselotte activated her magic tool. Hearing Ferdinand’s voice say, “Are you still a lord candidate? How lamentable,” I slid back into my seat.
“I’m fine now. Calm. Let’s continue our discussion.”
“Hmm. Quite the surprising effect. Well done. Step back.”
“Thank you.”
Foster Father praised Liselotte’s quick thinking as he returned to his seat and shifted his gaze from me to Brunhilde.
“Judging by Rosemine’s reaction, it is clear you did not consult the lord at all.”
“Yes. I did not consult Lady Rosemine, who is the lord, nor Father. Lady Florentia or the other lord candidates also do not know.”
Brunhilde said quietly. Foster Father twitched his eyebrow but let her continue.
“Even if the person herself is unaware, Lady Rosemine is in a position to influence the Reizegang. Father, Gibe Greschel, also holds significant sway among Reizegang-affiliated nobility. If, after consultation, the proposal to make me Aub’s second wife is formally presented, it would be difficult for the current Aub to refuse. Therefore, for this to be treated as mere nonsense and for Aub to pretend it did not happen, it must be my unilateral action.”
Brunhilde explained that she wanted it to be seen as unrelated to the will of the Reizegang-affiliated nobility.
“Moreover, about the second wife, I believe Aub must choose someone necessary for Ehrenfest’s future, not have it forced upon her. I have heard that Lady Rosemine’s engagement to Lord Wilfried was decided by Aub for the sake of the territory. In that case, if it is necessary for the territory, Aub would choose to marry a second wife.”
Foster Father lowered his eyes momentarily, as if resigned, before slowly directing his deep green gaze back at Brunhilde.
“I will listen.”
“Thank you.”
Still kneeling, Brunhilde began her composed explanation.
“After consulting Lady Charlotte and actively gathering information on the Reizegang, I learned they are deeply concerned by the lord family’s post-purge emphasis on alliances with higher-ranking territories over their own nobles. There is doubt over whether Lady Rosemine will truly become the principal wife by marrying Lord Wilfried.”