Published: September 6, 2025
After finishing my private meeting with Prince Sigiswald, I explained to my Foster Father and the others about the common sense on the royal family’s side, conveying that they were in a state of complete surrender and intended to listen to our opinions. Although there were many misunderstandings, it didn’t seem like they just wanted to dump all the burdens on us, so I believed that negotiation would somehow be possible.
I also told them that to resolve the mana shortage and silence complaints from other territories, the royal family would host a dedication ceremony on the last day, and I had expressed my personal requests regarding Ehrenfest as conditions for becoming the king’s adopted daughter.
Of course, I emphasized that I had firmly stated to the prince that “The decision-making power lies with Aub, so I am only stating my opinion,” to avoid repeating last year’s mistakes. My Foster Father, who had been angry at the royals for trying to get my consent right after their discussion failed in the underground archives, praised me for insisting I had no decision-making power.
After that, I was summoned by the royal family again, and two days later, a meeting was held. However, for some reason, Foster Father returned looking very angry. In the dormitory’s conference room, excluding aides, he held a private meeting with me. While poking my cheeks sternly, he scolded me.
“Well then, Rosemine, explain once again what negotiations you had with the royal family.”
“...Puh?”
“No! This time, to avoid misunderstandings, the royal family excluded their aides and held talks, yet you supposedly committed an unbelievable act of disrespect to Prince Sigiswald in the underground archives, didn’t you?”
I tilted my head at Foster Father’s words.
“Prince Sigiswald said he wanted to speak frankly and gave prior permission that there would be no punishment, so I spoke frankly. Are you complaining to me now? That’s not very manly.”
“That kind of negotiation must never be done elsewhere. Also, I was told to warn you strictly because you might do the same elsewhere. It was a stomach-churning experience.”
...So he’s not manly either.
If I had been told to be more noble-like, I wouldn’t have said such things. I was told to speak frankly, so I did—and now he complains? That’s just strange.
“You say ‘that kind of negotiation,’ but aside from the dedication ceremony arranged to be hosted by the royal family, since I have no decision-making power, I didn’t really negotiate about the conditions for becoming an adopted daughter. When stating conditions, I only threatened a little to make sure they would definitely save Lord Ferdinand.”
“Wait a minute! Just a while ago, I told the royal family that any threats they felt must have been a misunderstanding or a miscommunication, and that Rosemine did not intend such things! Were you really threatening them!?”
Foster Father said this flustered. I feel sorry for him for trying so hard to defend me, but the royal family’s words were not wrong. I consciously threatened them.
“I was worried, but once I go to another territory, I become just another person there, and nobody cares. Prince Anastasius told me to handle it myself. Since a normal request didn’t work, I used a method that could only be used at that moment. If I did that at other times, I’d be punished for disrespect, right?”
I merely conveyed my feelings to the royals at an opportunity when I wouldn’t be punished. If they didn’t understand, I would think of other ways.
“The royal family is so shocked that you got the message, so you don’t need to think about it anymore.”
“So, the royal family agreed to avoid Lord Ferdinand’s implication and improve his treatment?”
My heart swelled with hope as I looked up at Foster Father, and he nodded.
“They said they would order Arensbach to give a secret room to Ferdinand.”
“Yay! What about the other conditions?”
“Most of them were accepted... In a way, it’s thanks to you.”