Published: August 10, 2026
Because it was an engagement ceremony, light makeup was applied and my hair was arranged. Tulli's hair ornament and the iridescent mana stone hair ornament were placed into my hair, and a faint shara sound rang at my ears.
Dressed by several people at once, I wore an outfit dyed in spring-like fresh green leaves, with a pale fabric like a clear blue sky layered over the light green skirt. When I lifted the thin fabric a little with my fingers and let go, it fluttered softly like a feather.
Once the outfit was in order, a veil was gently placed over me and fastened with a pin. There was no need to inherit Arensbach's customs, but this was meant to show that I respected their culture as well. The pale blue veil matched the birth season's color, and the lace-trimmed translucent fabric made me think of Maria Veil.
...It kind of looks a little bridal? Ah, no, maybe that's just how it is for an engagement ceremony. But no, that's bad. If I start thinking about it that way, I'll get embarrassed.
"You look beautiful, Lady Rosemine."
"Lord Ferdinand will surely be very surprised as well."
While the women nominated as attendants were putting away the makeup tools and preparing the clothing and shoes under Liselotte and Grethia's instructions, Clarissa entered the room.
"Nobles are gathering at the castle one after another, Lady Rosemine. It seems all of the gibe members have arrived. Some of them are also touring the inside of the new castle."
"It was decided so suddenly, I told the gibe members they could come or not come as they wished, though..."
I was thinking that too many people would make me nervous, but Clarissa insisted with a snort that there was no way anyone would miss the chance to see the avatar of the goddess who had healed the entire territory.
"Say, Clarissa. Have Foster Father and the others arrived?"
"Yes. Lord and Lady Aub, the knights order commander and his wife, and Lord Bonifatius are here."
It was an engagement ceremony held during the period before the lords' council. Even if they were my parents, they were not in a position to leave the territory for days just for an engagement ceremony. But now there were a large number of mana stones filled with the divine power of the gods, so by using the teleportation circle, they could participate.
"Oh, and Darmel is here too, mixed in with Lord Bonifatius's guard knights. Unfortunately, the minors are staying behind. I heard Filine and Judith were glaring at them with extremely resentful eyes."
I might need to prepare some souvenirs for them. I asked Clarissa to pick some out.
"If you're ready, let us present you to the guests from Ehrenfest. If we miss this chance, it will be difficult to exchange even a few words. I'm sure Lord and Lady Aub and Lord Karlstedt and the others are looking forward to seeing Lady Rosemine."
Prompted by Leonore, I nodded.
Once the engagement ceremony was over, everyone was to leave immediately. There had been the unrest with Arensbach, and I, as the adopted daughter, had taken Arensbach's foundation and then become the avatar of the goddess to select a new zent. It was easy to imagine how much preparation would be needed for the lords' council.
The newly created Alexandria was even more difficult than Ehrenfest. To be honest, we didn't have theδ½θ£ to entertain guests in the position of aub for many days.
"Well then, Rosemine. Congratulations on your engagement. How beautiful you are."
When Mother congratulated me in a cheerful voice, everyone else also praised today's outfit one after another.
"Yes, truly, just as Elvira said. You've become very feminine and lovely in the short time I haven't seen you."
"Just a little makeup makes you look so much more grown-up. That is, if you don't open your mouth."
I thanked Foster Mother, but gave Foster Father a light glare. I didn't want to hear that from someone who looked like a splendid aub as long as he kept his mouth shut.
"Foster Father, you should be the one to keep your mouth shut. It will ruin your splendid aub attire."