Published: September 6, 2025
When the Winter Social Season began, the children were moved to the children’s quarters. I greeted the children I was meeting for the first time and, while making sure that the children of the old Veronica faction weren’t ostracized or bullied, I proceeded with studying and games.
The children who were old enough to enter the noble academy seemed to have spent the purge period together at the academy, or perhaps they just wanted to maintain the same atmosphere there despite the constantly changing situations. Either way, they interacted without particular animosity.
Perhaps influenced by them, the children who had not yet entered the noble academy did not show any tense atmosphere either. Everyone was desperately focused on games or trying to earn sweets by achieving excellent grades during study time.
“I thought the atmosphere would get worse, but it’s better than I expected,”
“Yes. Charlotte was worried it might become like the children’s quarters around the time Rosemine disappeared, but it wasn’t like that,”
Since the Aub couple would be busy with social duties, only the children shared dinner together. Therefore, after dinner became a time to talk leisurely about reflections on the children’s quarters and plans for the noble academy. We used eavesdropping prevention magic tools that limited the conversation range so we could speak frankly.
Charlotte and Wilfried were relieved that the atmosphere in the children’s quarters had not worsened. Melchior seemed pleased with the cheerful environment.
“Maybe the children have somewhat gotten used to cooperating to win against other territories at the noble academy, and only Ehrenfest gets caught up in the adults’ factional conflicts. I hope this atmosphere continues,”
“If they grow up with that mindset, we must raise nobles who look beyond the internal power struggles of Ehrenfest and consider relations with other territories,”
Charlotte’s words made Wilfried nod as he glanced at Melchior.
“What surprised me was how well Melchior has unexpectedly guided the children. Last year, he was isolated in the North Wing due to the purge, so I was worried, but it seems he can lead the children’s quarters without any issues this year,”
“Brother, that’s probably because I played games and talked with everyone at the temple orphanage. Though the number is a bit higher here, it’s not much different,”
Melchior smiled brightly as he said that. As he mentioned, his experience at the orphanage seems to be proving useful. Instead of getting absorbed in games himself, he occasionally looks around.
“My concern is the first-year students’ academic progress this year. Since they had fewer study opportunities in the children’s quarters last year... will they be okay?”
Regarding academics, since we’ve been doing classroom learning in the children’s quarters for about two years, it’s not a big problem. Whether they can all score high is uncertain, but they can pass the first day. However, it’s clear that they lack sufficient Fischpiel practice. The gap between lower and middle nobles is sharper compared to last year.
“Older sister, worrying here won’t help. While our musicians are here, let’s have them practice a bit and carefully check individual learning progress,”
Charlotte’s words made Wilfried mutter, “Checking individual progress... brings back nightmares from the first year,” and warn me not to go overboard.
...There’s no way I’d go berserk without the library involved, how rude.
“I was worried if Dirk and Bertram would fit in well, but both seem fine, so I’m relieved,”
Since both Dirk and Bertram played karuta and playing cards at the orphanage, they were happy when they won games and received sweets. I think it’s because we keep an eye on them, but they are not blatantly treated coldly and seem to be fitting in.
However, Dirk has only decided to become a noble about half a year ago. Though he can win games, he is quite weak in history and geography and needs to practice Fischpiel more. Above all, learning noble etiquette is his challenge.