Published: September 6, 2025
“I’m going to hurry back to the temple now. Since it’s also at Foster Father’s request, I’d like to change things so that the Gilberta Trading Company comes to the temple…”
When I returned to my room and said this, Liselotte showed some reluctance.
“If Lady Rosemine can come back to the castle tomorrow, could we have the measurements done there? We’re planning to invite the personal seamstresses of Lady Florentia, Lady Charlotte, and Lady Elvira to place the order for the outfits.”
The attendants had been making arrangements all over the place, coordinating so that Lady Rosemine wouldn’t have to wear the clothes granted by Brynhildr, her close aide, forever. To add, if the outfits weren’t ready before the lords’ council, it would create the worst possible situation where there would be no clothes for moving to the capital. We couldn’t waste the preparations Liselotte and Otilier had made.
“Understood. I’ll return here tomorrow.”
“Please allow me to accompany you for the measurements and outfit selection tomorrow. I want to be of help to Lady Rosemine.”
Bertilde looked at me sadly, saying she hadn’t been of any use at the noble academy at all. She lamented that, despite becoming an attendant, she hadn’t been able to do anything worthy of the role. I bent slightly to match Bertilde’s earnestness, which was truly endearing.
“From what I’ve heard from Liselotte and Grethia, you were enthusiastically helping with Charlotte’s tea party to rival Melchior’s close aides, right? I’ve heard you’ve been doing very well, even working hard to spread Ehrenfest’s trends while I was away.”
“But I can only serve Lady Rosemine until my older sister binds stars with Aub…”
Once Brynhildr officially becomes the second wife, Bertilde is set to become Brynhildr’s attendant apprentice. Bertilde’s eagerness to do even a little of what an attendant should before that time was very cute.
“Then let’s entrust one of the outfits we order tomorrow to Bertilde. Please order one summer outfit for me. Even I feel my atmosphere has changed quite a bit. Please keep that in mind.”
“Thank you very much.”
I smiled at Bertilde, who looked pleased, and asked her to have Brynhildr come tomorrow as well.
“You must be busy preparing for the wedding, but I want to present Brynhildr with a hair ornament to celebrate her marriage and retirement. Bertilde, this is sudden, but could you inform Brynhildr now?”
“Of course, Lady Rosemine. I’m sure my older sister will be delighted.”
When Bertilde left her seat to contact Brynhildr, I immediately began preparing to return to the temple.
“I was told by Foster Father that there’s something I need to confirm at the temple, so I’ll return here tomorrow. Please have the personal musician Rosina stay on standby at the castle. The personal chef Hugo stayed too long at the dormitory, so I’ll take him back to the temple. I’ll bring someone to replace him tomorrow.”
Grethia hurried off to notify the temple and the personal staff. I glanced sideways and then turned my gaze to my civil officials.
“Hartmut and Filine, please accompany me to the temple. Roderich and Clarissa, please handle the transcription of the books lent by Lady Hannelore at the castle. As for the Guard Knights, Darmel, Angelica, Matthias, and Laurenz will accompany me to the temple; the others will stay at the castle. I expect summons from Foster Father or Grandfather.”
There was a possibility the knights order would summon us for revising the defense plan. I’d like to keep Brother Cornelius and Leonore, senior knights, but Angelica staying behind is pointless.
While I was giving instructions, Liselotte and Otilier quickly started packing. Since my body size had changed considerably, it would be difficult to sleep in the clothes at the temple, so I’d need a change of clothes.
“Please take care, Lady Rosemine. We await your swift return.”
Upon arriving at the temple and dismounting my Mount, I saw the temple attendants’ surprised faces. They all gasped and stared intently at me. Their eyes weren’t filled with rejection at seeing something heretical or the quiet understanding of noble aides aware of the circumstances. Rather, their gaze was closer to Melchior’s, who had simply believed Hartmut’s words.