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Ascendance of a Bookworm (LN) - Volume 4.7 - Chapter 9




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Planning for the Tea Party

I had assumed that Ferdinand would return to Ehrenfest right after the meeting, but he and Justus first checked with the scholars regarding the Interduchy Tournament and then began instructing them to add new research to their presentation.

“What new research, exactly?” I asked.

“Simple research regarding the bible’s prayers,” Ferdinand replied. “I imagine Professor Hirschur will descend upon you the moment I leave, asking for documents about the bible so that she might learn more. You must shoo her away and inform her that the details will be presented at the Interduchy Tournament. I do not want her summoning me over and over again.”

Ferdinand then started giving instructions to Hartmut. It seemed that to solve any upcoming problems, they had fiddled with my notes to make them look more like research results.

They started off as random notes I made while transcribing and comparing copies of the bible. I can’t believe they’re now fit to be presented at the Interduchy Tournament. I guess that’s a mad scientist for you—they live in a whole nother world.

“May I see them?” I asked.

The research was on prayers that even a blue priest could see, and it covered Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth. Apparently, the ideal timing to present this was next year, when I started the scholar course, but since we couldn’t exactly show the High Bishop’s bible at the Interduchy Tournament, he had selected the safest bits from the transcription.

“Still, who will we attribute this research to?” I asked. “I understand that I’m the most natural pick, as I was raised in the temple. Your average noble never enters the temple and wouldn’t have much opportunity to even see a transcribed bible.”

“Hartmut, of course,” Ferdinand replied. “His extensive research into the legends surrounding the Saint of Ehrenfest will prove most useful, and if we claim that he only started it after becoming your retainer, it will explain the relative simplicity and crudeness of the results.”

Apparently, the quality and quantity were too lacking for the documents to be put forward as the main research of a graduating student. However, since Hartmut had already prepared some other research, it could simply be added on to a supplementary degree. The only problem was that he would end up being viewed as a weirdo who frequently visited the temple for some reason.

“But that will not change much for me, as I am already known for being a Lady Rozemyne devotee,” Hartmut said, delivering this unpleasant news with an uncomfortably pleasant smile.

“Um, when did you become known for that?!” I asked.

“During your long sleep, Lady Rozemyne.”

It seemed that after my accidental blessing while playing the harspiel at my debut, Hartmut had promptly begun spreading legends of my sainthood at the Royal Academy. These grand tales were founded in the explanation that Sylvester had given for nobles to understand.

Okay, that explains why Prince Anastasius was suspicious about me when we first met!

“But you weren’t my retainer at that point, were you?” I asked.

“My mother scolded me for taking things too far and told me to calm down—to think carefully before acting. I ended up having to wait another year, but by that point, I was already your retainer at heart.”

Guh... That’s pretty similar to what Roderick said about becoming my vassal way before becoming my retainer, but why does it sound so different?! Ottilie, I don’t think your son is ever going to calm down!

After Ferdinand finished instructing the apprentice scholars on the Interduchy Tournament, he gathered the archduke candidates and their retainers. Now, there was going to be a meeting about my upcoming tea party.

I’d much rather be reading in my room, but I guess that isn’t an option. Tch.

Rihyarda was striving to get me out of my room to live a normal noble life, while Brunhilde was overjoyed to finally have an opportunity to spread trends alongside me, so I was having to attend at least the bare minimum number of tea parties.

“But aren’t Ehrenfest books a hot topic right now?” I asked. “I’m still not confident in my ability to stay conscious, so I’d rather attend as few tea parties as possible.”

In response to my very reasonable point, Ferdinand presented me with a necklace embedded with several surprisingly large feystones. “Wear this when attending tea parties,” he said, “and take your leave when these feystones are half dyed. The other duchies already know that you are sickly and collapse without warning. If you say that you feel unwell and are on the verge of passing out, any host should permit you to depart.”

Letting me leave early was a lot better for the others than having to endure the trauma of me collapsing in front of them. Furthermore, according to Ferdinand, the color-changing feystones would make it easier for my attendants to evaluate my health. The mana in the feystones wouldn’t even be wasted, since we could repurpose it for Spring Prayer and the Dedication Ritual.

Gee whiz, I sure am feeling like a battery charger.

“However, if you leave midway through, you will need someone there who can follow up without fail,” Ferdinand continued. “For that reason, only attend tea parties where Charlotte is also present. No others.”

“Uncle, that would put too great of a burden on Charlotte,” Wilfried said, evidently not keen on the idea. “She only recently started attending the Royal Academy and is not yet used to socializing. Instead, should we not have Rozemyne abstain from tea parties entirely until Charlotte can develop more experience?”

I could do nothing but hang my head. The tea party in the library was one thing, but I didn’t want to force other tea parties if doing so meant putting a burden on Charlotte.

This is why I’m saying I want to stay in my room and read. Let me be weak in peace.

I sighed, overcome with gloom, at the same time as Ferdinand gave his own exasperated sigh and glared down at Wilfried with frosty eyes. “As always, you think only of what is in front of you and never of the future,” he said.

“What?!”

“If we do not use this time to get Rozemyne as much socializing experience in the Royal Academy as possible, will you not suffer more than anyone? You will need to attend the Archduke Conference as Aub Ehrenfest one day, and at this rate, you will need to bring a first wife who is incapable of socializing. Charlotte will not be there for you to rely on then. I appreciate that you care for your younger sister, but if you are going to be the next archduke, you must always consider the full picture. You should drop to your knees and plead for Charlotte’s help, if necessary.”

Now, it was time for Wilfried to hang his head.

“Charlotte, I believe you are especially mature and thoughtful for your age, perhaps because you were raised beneath two highly unreliable older siblings,” Ferdinand continued. “I understand that this will place a heavy burden on you, but please accompany Rozemyne to any tea parties.”

“I would find it more of a struggle to invent new trends and introduce new industries to the duchy as my sister does, so I will do what I can, where I can,” Charlotte said, wearing a dazzling smile that seemed to exude ambition.

Noble tea parties were replete with indirect language, with all parties probing each other as deeply as they could. Under normal circumstances, as Charlotte’s older siblings, we would accompany her to tea parties and protect her while she gained experience. Yet here I was, being the burden despite being her elder.

Doesn’t this make me a failure of an older sister?

The thought alone was depressing. I wanted to be a reliable older sister like Tuuli, who always came up with new designs in advance and was so thoughtful that she had even predicted that I would want more armbands. But no matter how much I tried, it seemed as though that could never be me.

“I would rather not inconvenience Charlotte like this,” I said, “so please allow me to stay in my room and spend my days reading.”

“Yes, that would minimize problems for now,” Ferdinand replied, “but did I not just explain how that will introduce more issues in the future? Are you even listening? You have no choice but to attend while planning ahead.”

All of a sudden, Rihyarda protectively stepped between us. “I should ask if you are even listening, my boy! How many times have I warned you about this? You always resort to using harsh language, and I always tell you to think more carefully before you speak. You are coming across as much too cruel. Have you not been heeding my advice whatsoever?”

Ferdinand offered no response. Instead, he merely looked down at the floor.

Upon seeing this, Rihyarda let her expression soften. “Ferdinand, my boy... I know that you are doing all you can for Lady Rozemyne, making magic tools and thinking of plans for her, but the way you speak is much too harsh for a girl who cannot even enjoy talking about what she loves with her friends during tea parties,” she continued and then glared at Wilfried. “And I could say the same to you, Wilfried, my boy. I understand that it isn’t easy for you to continually run around cleaning up after milady’s messes, but she does not collapse by choice. It is only natural that she would get excited when topics she enjoys are brought up. Imagine if you were told to suppress your happiness at all times, even when you win one of those gewinnen games you are so invested in. And imagine that, upon failing to suppress your emotions, you were told to stop playing entirely.”

Wilfried gave me a timid look. “Sorry, Rozemyne. I didn’t realize I was being so inconsiderate. Charlotte’s here this year, and I don’t need to attend tea parties for girls now, so I thought it would be better to have her deal with them instead.”

I nodded. Even putting aside any potential malice or what have you, it was a fact that Ehrenfest would be much more peaceful without me attending tea parties.

“Rihyarda, would it not be in everyone’s best interest for me to stay locked inside my room?” I asked.

“Please don’t feel so down, milady. We attendants are at fault when we cannot plan ahead and ensure that you may enjoy tea parties to the very end.”

Rihyarda’s words brought me back to reality. My brow had been furrowed in thought as I tried to come up with an excuse to stay in my room, but on the outside, I must have looked sad about not being able to attend tea parties.

“I was not feeling down,” I replied. “I understand all too well that you are always working hard and considering every avenue you can.”

“In that case, milady, please give us more opportunities,” Rihyarda said, sounding dead serious. “We have no choice but to gain experience of our own—to work on identifying when your mana begins to overflow, how much overflow is safe, and what we can avoid to ensure that the tea party concludes safely. You have fallen unconscious during two tea parties now, so I understand your hesitance to try more. However, we cannot grow if we are not given the chance. Even during the library tea party, when the discussion turned to exchanging books and your thoughts on them, we kept you stable by using feystones. Will you not try attending more tea parties with this necklace Ferdinand so generously prepared for you?”

My heart was moved a little. Indeed, even during the bookworm tea party, things had been going pretty well until the palace library was brought up. I was certainly open to the idea of attending another, as long as I wasn’t forbidden from talking about books.

After all, I’m still interested in hearing stories from other duchies and what people think about books in general.


As if noticing this chink in my armor, Charlotte clasped my hands and gazed at me, her indigo eyes brimming with concern. “Sister, I have been looking forward to attending tea parties with you ever so much. To me, your return from Ehrenfest was cause for celebration, and my hope is that we can attend your next tea party together.”

That’s so adorable! As a big sister, how can I not go to a tea party with her now?!

“Very well. We may attend the next one together,” I said and exchanged a smile with Charlotte.

“In that case,” Ferdinand interjected, “I suggest you plan a tea party with Dunkelfelger.”

“Dunkelfelger?” I repeated.

“You are closer to their archduke candidate than any other, no? Lady Hannelore. You have exchanged books with her, she can keep up with your interests, and she has witnessed you collapse at tea parties more than once before. It should be safe for you to make a few minor mistakes in her presence.”

Wilfried abruptly stood, his expression hard. “You misunderstand Lady Hannelore, Uncle. She is not at all used to Rozemyne collapsing. Even last time, she was so shocked that she—”

“She is a woman of Dunkelfelger,” Ferdinand replied, waving his hand dismissively. “We may intend to exploit this for our benefit, but we can say with certainty that she has what it takes to do the same.”

Hannelore didn’t come across as the scheming sort to me, but history showed that Dunkelfelger women were quite capable strategists, so perhaps her demure conduct was all a farce.

After listing off several more instructions, Ferdinand returned to Ehrenfest with his retinue. The apprentice scholars were extremely busy with their suddenly increased workload, but Hartmut seemed particularly lively, and Philine was desperate to learn as much as she could. Add on Roderick to that, and they looked as though they were having plenty of fun.

We consulted Dunkelfelger about a tea party and received a positive response. They had ended up being the ones to invite us, since they wanted to discuss my modern translation of their history book.

I’ll do my best so that they permit me to print it, and so that I can ask to borrow the book I currently have for a little while longer!

After putting on the necklace that Ferdinand gave me and making sure we had our Ahrensbach knight stories, which we had printed in the temple workshop after Aurelia shared them, I made my way to the Dunkelfelger tea party with Charlotte.

Dunkelfelger’s tea party room was very simplistic: the color scheme was a simple combination of blue and white, and there were no ornate carvings or fancy decorations. The main table was long with sharp edges, and in the corner was a statue of a highbeast with a knight atop it, about as big as a small child. It was made of clear blue crystal and was carved so beautifully that I almost expected it to spring to life at any moment.

Mm... It’s simple and modern, but stylish in a way that seems distinct from Klassenberg fashion. Although, I must admit, contemporary designs like this feel a bit unusual, since Dunkelfelger has such a rich history to draw from.

As I curiously looked over the room, Hannelore blushed with embarrassment. “Plain, isn’t it? Our duchy places very little focus on decoration, and when coupled with our color being blue and the season being so frigid...” She trailed off and muttered about how the atmosphere and decor felt especially cold in the winter—a stark contrast to the summer, when knights filled the room with pleasant uproar.

“I would argue that it reflects Dunkelfelger’s practicality in quite a charming and efficient way,” I said. “It may not exude the adorableness that girls tend to love, but a gathering of knights would feel right at home here. The decoration positively exudes strength, meaning it suits your duchy very well indeed.”

Hannelore blinked in surprise, looked around the room, then nodded several times. A seat was suggested to me, at which point Hannelore took a demonstrative sip of tea and then bit into a sweet. In turn, I ate one of the Ehrenfest cookies we had brought with us.

Once these opening formalities were over, I tried the sweets that Hannelore recommended to me. One seemed to resemble dried grapes covered in honey-flavored yogurt.

“Is this a Dunkelfelger specialty?” I asked.

“Indeed. These fruits are called rohres. I prefer them dried, although adults tend to enjoy them more when they’ve been turned into vize. We generally serve sugared rohres when in the Sovereignty and Royal Academy, but given your duchy’s pound cakes and cookies, we thought you might prefer these.”

I was glad to know that Hannelore had considered my preferences when choosing these sweets and nodded with a smile. “Yes, these dried rohres are quite delicious. I’ve developed quite a taste for them. I think they could serve as the perfect complement to any pastry.”

“Sister,” Charlotte added, “I believe they could be used to make a wonderful pound cake.”

“Oh my. Rohres in pound cake? That sounds delicious,” Hannelore said with a dreamy smile. I nodded my agreement, and she instructed her attendants to gift me with some dried rohres once our tea party was over. “Please do share your new creations with us when they are done.”

“Yes, of course,” I replied.

You’ve got a new task coming up soon, Ella.

“Now, Lady Rozemyne,” Hannelore said, “about your modern translation of our duchy’s history...”

“Have I committed some grave error?” I asked.

“Oh, not at all. It was extremely well written. My brother even read it several times over. He was, ahem, quite inebriated on the splendor of our history, so...”

I only knew Lestilaut as an antagonistic jock, so it was extremely surprising to learn that he was an avid enough reader to go through the same manuscript several times. Even if this passion was inspired mainly by his patriotism for his duchy, I was pleased to see how much enjoyment he had gotten out of reading.

That’s one affection point for you, Lestilaut!

“In any case, the aub requested that we be allowed to transcribe the book for our own purposes as well,” Hannelore continued. “Erm, what do you think? The details can be discussed during the Interduchy Tournament or perhaps during the Archduke Conference.”

I opened my mouth, ready to agree here and now, but Charlotte spoke first. “We shall discuss this with our aub as well,” she said with a smile. “I believe it would be ideal for them to settle the matter between themselves at the Interduchy Tournament.”

“I thank you ever so much.”

Oh. I guess I wasn’t supposed to give her my approval right away. Well, I didn’t even get a chance to speak, so I’m still safe.

From there, the conversation shifted to us sharing our thoughts on Royal Academy Love Stories. Hannelore had much to say: she thought it was wonderful, she wanted a man like this one particular character to offer her a feystone, and she liked a selection of the stories in particular. The most surprising thing was that her favorite story was the one about Sylvester and Florencia.

“To begin with, one cannot help but support a man chasing after a woman who is both older than him and from a higher-ranked duchy,” she said. “I can only dream of someone one day speaking their love to me with such passion.”

Ouch. Hannelore’s head over heels for Sylvester, of all people. That’s unexpected.

Charlotte listened with a vaguely uncomfortable smile, aware that the story was about her parents getting together, and then said, “I personally enjoyed this one about the apprentice knight. Not many men would stay so resilient after failing so many times, nor would they continue striving with such fervor to earn the hand of their one true love.”

This time, Hannelore was the one wearing an uncomfortable smile. It was probably a Dunkelfelger story, and perhaps she knew whom it was based on.

Although, in this one, they keep losing all the way to the end.

“Incidentally, I am ever so glad that I was allowed to lend Ehrenfest books to others,” Hannelore said, bringing up the book lending. “I am now able to discuss them with my other friends as well.”

“Do read this story as well, then,” I said, leaping on the new subject at once. “It is a tale about knights, taught to me by an Ahrensbach woman who wed into Ehrenfest. I brought it with me in the hope that we could extend our exchange. You returned my book, Lady Hannelore, but I am sad to say that I have not yet finished transcribing the book I borrowed from you.”

Philine offered our new book to one of Hannelore’s apprentice scholars, who looked to their lady for a response. Hannelore gave a curt nod, then turned to me and said, “You really need not be so considerate, Lady Rozemyne, but I will gratefully accept.”

Okay, so I can keep borrowing the book. Yippee!

As I made a victory pose on the inside, Rihyarda lightly rested a hand on my shoulder. I gazed down at my necklace and saw that the feystone Ferdinand had indicated was half dyed, meaning it was time for me to leave.

Drat. And I still feel fine too.

As I dwelled on how little I wanted to leave, Charlotte likewise noticed how much the necklace had changed color. She rested a hand on her cheek, her indigo eyes trembling with concern, and said, “You appear rather pale, Sister. Are you well?”

“Lady Hannelore, my sincerest apologies, but I believe I must leave for today...” I said, placing a hand on my necklace while making no attempt to hide my disappointment. “I, erm, would not want to collapse and trouble you once again.”

Hannelore’s expression clouded with worry. “But of course. I would not want you to push yourself for my sake. I pray that you rest well and feel better soon.”

“Today has been truly delightful,” I said. “Please share your thoughts on the books with me again sometime. Charlotte, I leave the rest to you.”

“Indeed, Sister,” Charlotte replied. “You may count on me.”

I said my farewells, stood up, and then returned to the dormitory, leaving the rest to Charlotte. I made it all the way back to my room without collapsing and sighed in relief. My retainers did the same, although they seemed even more relieved than I was.

“To think Lady Rozemyne could discuss books without collapsing immediately afterward...” Lieseleta mused.

“Indeed,” Rihyarda said with a proud grin. “She attended a tea party with her closest friend and came out unscathed. The meeting with Drewanchel should continue just fine, milady.”

I’m glad the two of you are so happy for me, but the tea party depresses me for another reason entirely...



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