Published: September 6, 2025
While Siegiswald was discussing Rosemine’s presence and role in the library with Solange, they heard some commotion from the second floor. The voices sounded surprised, and Siegiswald instinctively glanced toward the staircase leading to the upstairs reading room. The noise quickly died down, and silence returned.
After a moment, two figures dressed in the azure priest’s robes descended the stairs. They knelt before Siegiswald, and Hartmut, the high priest of Ehrenfest, spoke apologetically.
“Prince Siegiswald, I’m terribly sorry, but Lady Rosemine wishes to read now. Today is Earth Day, so normally it’s a day off, and the ceremonies have already concluded. The central temple and Classenburg will handle cleanup, and as high priest, I will attend to all confirmations. However, the lord’s wish is to have some time for leisurely reading—would you kindly grant this request?”
Siegiswald found it hard to believe that Rosemine, who had come to the library alongside him to supply mana and had said nothing beforehand, would suddenly decide to start reading. He knew that once Rosemine began reading, she would immerse herself in the books without regard for propriety. But before starting, she did exercise some measure of restraint.
Suspecting there was more beneath the surface, yet recognizing that in front of Solange and surrounded by his close aides he could not voice his suspicions, Siegiswald granted Hartmut’s request.
“I allow Rosemine to read. In return, I ask that the high priest accompany me to inspect the innermost chamber.”
“Understood. Darmel, please take care of the rest.”
The azure priest called Darmel quietly nodded and returned to the reading room upstairs.
Escorted by Solange and his aides, Siegiswald left the library with Hartmut, handing him an eavesdropping prevention magic tool as they headed toward the central building.
“So, what happened to Rosemine?” Siegiswald asked.
“She suddenly vanished during the mana supply,” Hartmut replied.
Siegiswald swallowed the words that wanted to escape his lips in disbelief and smiled faintly.
“Vanished? What do you mean exactly?”
“The library’s magic tools present at the scene indicated she went to ‘Old Master.’ When we inquired about him, we were told he was ancient and venerable. Do the royal family know anything about him?”
Though Hartmut spoke calmly and smiled gently, Siegiswald sensed a faint edge of excitement or anxiety beneath. He judged that Hartmut was not lying; there was no benefit in deceiving royalty over something like this.
“When is Rosemine expected to return? Did the library’s magic tools say anything about that?”
Had it been anyone else, Siegiswald might not have cared. But since Rosemine was set to become the king’s adopted daughter in the spring and acquire Grultrishite, her sudden disappearance was troubling.
“She doesn’t know when she’ll return. She might already be back or perhaps three days from now. We don’t want to make a fuss. Lady Rosemine has fallen ill from the exhaustion of the dedication ceremony. Ehrenfest plans to handle it quietly for some time.”
“I will inform only Father tonight. Until the next Earth Day, please keep this secret between us.”
If she were gone for more than a week, the royal family would need to convene a meeting. Rosemine’s position as a prospective member of the royal family made her disappearance significant. Relieved to have a week’s grace, Hartmut relaxed his expression and smiled politely.
When they returned, the innermost chamber was being cleared by members of the central temple. Hartmut inspected it as the noble representative, and Siegiswald, as royalty, sealed the chamber.
That night, Siegiswald informed only his father, Traocval, about Rosemine’s disappearance and that Ehrenfest was officially treating it as an illness. With so little information, the situation was difficult to manage. Traocval sighed heavily.
“If she might return soon, it’s best not to make a fuss now. Let’s follow Ehrenfest’s wishes.”