Ascendance of a Bookworm (LN) - Volume 5.6 - Chapter 4

At Karstedt’s Estate

Lieseleta had today off. As it stood, Gretia was the only one of my attendants set to accompany me to the Sovereignty, so Ottilie was training her as part of the handover. I watched them out of the corner of my eye while moving to my hidden room, but before I could make it—

“Lady Rozemyne. Good morning. Here is my name.”

“Hartmut? You really did make the preparations in a single night...”

Hartmut had presented me with his name stone, wearing a smile that was equal parts heart-throbbingly handsome and heart-chillingly creepy. Ottilie was supposed to be overseeing the name-swearing ritual, but she screwed up her nose and turned away.

Ottilie! Don’t neglect your duties! At least you’re not the one he’s staring at!

The name-swearing itself ended up being even worse; despite the fact that everyone else grimaced with pain when giving their name, Hartmut pretty much gasped, “So this is Lady Rozemyne’s mana...” and made a face of complete and utter bliss as it gradually bound him. It was so terrifying that I practically threw the rest of my mana at him, my eyes brimming with tears as I tried to complete the ritual as quickly as I could.

Ngh... That was supposed to hurt, but Hartmut wore a dreamy smile from start to finish! I’m not sure I could be any more freaked out.

“Clarissa doesn’t have the necessary materials on hand, so she will need to perform hers later,” Hartmut informed me. “I cannot even begin to describe the regret I saw in her eyes.”

“I see...”

Clarissa might have been disappointed, but I considered it a lucky break. Performing that ceremony twice in one day was as good as asking to be bedridden from exhaustion.

“I am going to my hidden room to write,” I said.

“Understood,” Hartmut replied. “May I have your permission to leave for a bit and gather some intelligence?”

“Do as you please.”

I got away from Hartmut and his eerily delighted smile at the earliest opportunity and went straight into my hidden room, whereupon I used my invisible ink to write a letter to Ferdinand. I told him that, as payment for my hard work translating in the underground archive, I’d managed to secure him a hidden room and immunity from Detlinde’s crimes. Sylvester and the royal family would confirm whether his living conditions had actually improved during the summer funeral. I also detailed our discoveries about the silver cloth that the previous Giebe Gerlach had used, and mentioned that Ehrenfest’s knights were now carrying normal weapons to use alongside their schtappes. There was also the phrase that Hortensia had said to Detlinde, which I still didn’t understand.

All in all, I think this is a pretty informative letter. I didn’t write anything about my new adoption or being a Zent candidate, but I managed to include everything else that feels important.

Indeed, it was perfectly in line with our rule of not leaking information to other duchies. I nodded several times in satisfaction. This would do.

For the visible section of my letter, I made sure to focus on things that nobody would think twice about. I offered my condolences on Aub Ahrensbach’s passing, expressed my usual concerns about Ferdinand’s health, noted that Sylvester would deliver the requested luggage during the summer funeral, and said that I would include sweets for Letizia, among other things. All that remained was to wait for the ink to dry.

I exited my hidden room, leaving my letter to Ferdinand inside, to find Cornelius waiting outside for me. “Lady Rozemyne, I’m here with a message from Mother,” he said. “She wishes to discuss the handover with you at your earliest convenience, and she proposed that you have dinner with her tomorrow. Will that suit your schedule? She has also proposed that you stay the night.”

I asked Ottilie to get everything ready for the meal and my sleepover; tomorrow was going to be my first trip home in quite a while. In the meantime, I wrote a bunch more letters to a bunch of places.

I wrote to Brigitte in Illgner, asking her workshops to prepare as much fey paper as they could, then bring it to the castle as soon as possible.

I wrote to my library attendant, Lasfam, informing him of the letter we had received from Ferdinand during the Archduke Conference. I also explained that, henceforth, he would need to liaise with Sylvester about any luggage being moved to Ahrensbach, including that due to be transported during the summer funeral. Naturally, I also made sure to note my success in negotiating for Ferdinand to receive better living conditions and a guarantee that he wouldn’t be punished for Detlinde’s actions.

Last of all, I wrote to the temple, notifying them that I would return before the coming-of-age ceremonies and that our report covering this year’s Archduke Conference would need to be done via letter, since the merchants were already so busy. There wasn’t much for us to discuss, in any case; we weren’t offering any more merchant slots than last year, and everyone’s priority right now was preparing Groschel to be renovated.

But I’ll need to tell at least Benno that I’m going to the Sovereignty. Lutz is in Kirnberger right now, so...

This was a matter of the utmost importance, so I would invite Benno to my orphanage director’s chambers in secret and explain the circumstances to him in my hidden room. With so many more name-sworn retainers among my entourage, I could even swear them to secrecy and allow them to join.

“Welcome home, Lady Rozemyne,” said the attendants of the Karstedt estate. I’d arrived with Cornelius, Leonore, Lieseleta, and Angelica.

Lieseleta was still supposed to be on vacation, but she had received a direct invitation from Elvira. In short, my mother knew that trying to have a frank conversation with Angelica was pointless, and since the finer details of our situation were still confidential, consulting her parents was out of the question. That was why she had turned to Lieseleta, who was both the successor to her house and one of the few people privy to my circumstances.

Angelica is technically still invited, but I’m sure Mother doesn’t actually care whether she’s here or not. She just needs Lieseleta.

Bonifatius was at the dinner table as well. Our attendants were busy moving around to serve us, so we stuck to more mundane topics of conversation, such as the printing industry and its future.

After the meal, our attendants prepared some wine and tea before taking their leave. Once they were gone, Karstedt activated an area-affecting magic tool and got straight to the point:

“I told Elvira everything—with the aub’s permission, of course. There won’t be a need for any further explanations. Now, I believe Angelica is our first topic of discussion.”

“That’s right,” I said. “It was decided that she would marry either Traugott or Grandfather so that her canceled engagement to Eckhart wouldn’t damage her reputation, correct?”

In response, Bonifatius muttered, “I continue to hope that Traugott matures quickly so that he can marry her in my stead...” He obviously wasn’t very enthusiastic about wedding someone who was both in service to and more or less the same age as his granddaughter.

If you want Traugott to surpass you, why did you perform the ritual to obtain more divine protections?

“However,” I continued, “Angelica now wishes to move to the Sovereignty. Mother, Father, with her agreed-upon engagement in mind, I thought it best that we ask you how we should proceed and whether it would be acceptable for me to keep her as my guard knight.”

Elvira praised me for not having made the decision on my own, then looked to Lieseleta. “How does your house feel about this?” she asked.

“Both the engagement to Lord Eckhart and your promised compensation for its nullification were far beyond what a mednoble house would ever deserve. Thus, as long as the good relationship between our families remains, we have no particular desires when it comes to my sister’s marriage. Being the retainer of a princess is enough of an honor, and she is already looking forward to training with the Sovereign Knight’s Order. If possible, we would ask that her wish to move be granted.”

Lieseleta then turned to Angelica, who merely smiled and nodded.

Elvira knew not to expect Angelica to behave like a regular noblewoman, so she approved the request without further ado. “If moving to the Sovereignty as a guard knight is what Angelica wishes to do, she has our permission. Recompense can be discussed with your parents at a later date. Now, Cornelius... what do you and Leonore plan to do?”

With a loud clunk, Bonifatius set his wine-filled glass down on the table. “GO TO THE SOVEREIGNTY!” he roared. “PROTECT ROZEMYNE!”

“Um... Mother was asking them, not you...” I noted. It was painfully obvious that he’d drunk too much.

Bonifatius’s eyes shot wide open. “I would go with you, Rozemyne! I would! But archducal family members can’t become guard knights or move to the Sovereignty! WHO MADE THESE LAWS?!”

“That would be Zent Gesetzkette, who ruled the country long ago. We covered that in law class.”

“Curse you, Zent Gesetzkette! You’ve ruined everything!”

Karstedt sighed. “It would reassure us all to know that you had Cornelius in the Sovereignty with you, but thinking about how our Knight’s Order will compensate for his absence gives me a bit of a headache...”

Now that Ferdinand and Eckhart were gone, Cornelius played quite a key role in hunting the Lord of Winter. Losing him too would have serious consequences.

“In that case,” I ventured, “perhaps he and Leonore should stay. Then—”

“No, Rozemyne!” Bonifatius interrupted, shaking his head. “That won’t be a concern. Ever since you revived that ancient Dunkelfelger ritual, we’ve been beginning our fights by seeking the divine protections of several gods at once. You’ve also given us your compression method, which is allowing the knights to slowly obtain more mana; demonstrated the value of prayer at the Royal Academy; and given us a way to repeat the divine protections ritual during the Archduke Conference. Those who work harder will be able to grow stronger, and the knights who come of age henceforth will only continue to increase in quality. Not to mention, with the ingredients we got from our gathering spot during the conference, it’s going to be even easier for us to make magic tools and rejuvenation potions! Ehrenfest’s current lack of strength is no reason to reduce the quality of your own guards. If working hard is all that’s required, then that’s what we’ll do!”

“Indeed,” Elvira said. “Lord Bonifatius is entirely correct. It would also be pitiable beyond words to have a new princess arrive at the Sovereignty without any archnobles among her knights. Those at the Royal Academy know that her elder brother has been filling that role thus far, so I would ask that he stay by her side.”

“But Elvira...” Karstedt began. As the personal guard of the archduke himself, he had a better understanding of the duchy’s knights than anyone—but he was still shut down without a moment’s hesitation.

“How could Cornelius choose not to accompany Rozemyne now, when she needs him most?” Elvira asked. “He chose to serve her, and what kind of a knight fails to serve his own lady? Take our own Lamprecht, for example—he receives nonstop criticism from Lord Wilfried for failing to manipulate Rozemyne or contain the Leisegangs, but he continues to protect his lord nonetheless. I do not recall raising someone who would abandon his charge in her time of need.” It was perfectly clear that she was the mother of a family of knights.

Cornelius tightened his expression and nodded. “I, too, consider it best for me to move to the Sovereignty. Seeing the state of the royal family and the Sovereign Knight’s Order during the Archduke Conference convinced me that Rozemyne should not go there without as much protection as possible.”

“Quite,” Leonore agreed. “The trug-affected were punished, it would seem, but it remains a concern that the source has not been found. I can at least take comfort in the knowledge that Matthias is going to the Sovereignty as well, given his sensitivity to the scent.”

So Cornelius and Leonore were both set on accompanying me. The problem was deciding what to do about the timing of their wedding. Cornelius would also need to consider his plans for the estate he had received from Eckhart.

“Leonore will need to quit her job upon getting married,” Elvira said, “so you will need two years of preparation time, as was originally the plan. After you move to the Sovereignty, find more female knights for Rozemyne within the year. I shall tend Eckhart’s estate, such that it can be used whenever you or he returns.”

Cornelius offered a small smile and said, “Perhaps it would be better to give the place to Siegrecht.” He was, of course, referring to Lamprecht and Aurelia’s son.

“Ah, it is much too early to consider an option like that. He has only recently begun to crawl, you know.”

“Mother,” I interjected, “I have yet to even meet Siegrecht.” I’d hoped that I would at least be able to glimpse him now that I was back at the estate, but neither Lamprecht nor Aurelia was anywhere to be seen, so the same was naturally true of their baby.

“Everyone has become a lot more guarded since Bettina from Ahrensbach was imprisoned during the purge,” Elvira explained. “Aurelia has become especially wary in order to protect her child, and you have so many retainers whom she does not know. For that reason, she is unlikely to feel comfortable enough to meet with you—but I can assure you that she rejoiced when she received your gift. In any case, this is a discussion for another time; we must prioritize preparing for your departure.”

Elvira went on to request the names of the retainers due to accompany me to the Sovereignty. I divided them into three groups: those who were definitely coming with me, those who were definitely staying behind, and those who were still unsure. She nodded all the while, then let out a heavy sigh and turned to Lieseleta.

“Gretia only recently became Rozemyne’s retainer, correct? It seems much too unreasonable to have her be the only attendant going to the Sovereignty. Attendants serve their lord or lady more intimately than any other kind of retainer, and your lady will struggle to relax even in her own room if she does not have someone she trusts and who has plenty of experience there with her. Lieseleta, is there no way for you to go?”

“Mother, Lieseleta is her house’s successor, and she is already engaged to Wilfried’s scholar Thorsten,” I said, explaining the situation on Lieseleta’s behalf so that she wouldn’t be criticized. “She cannot leave Ehrenfest.”

Elvira looked openly exasperated, then shook her head. “Of course she would say that when the flow of information is being restricted and she cannot consult her parents or her fiancé. You asked everyone what they wanted to do but did not state your own desires, I expect?”

“No, but... I couldn’t state my desires. Would my retainers not have interpreted them as an order?”

If someone of a higher status made a request, then those who ranked below them had no choice but to obey. That was why I had asked my retainers what they wanted instead of stating what I wanted from each of them.

“Respecting others’ wishes is important,” Elvira said, “but so is making your own wishes clear. Those in your service are unlikely to move to the Sovereignty unless they are completely certain that you want them to join you. If you tell me now that you desire Lieseleta’s continued service, and she expresses a desire to follow you, then I will do the necessary legwork to make it feasible.”

I gazed at Lieseleta. In truth, I did want her to come with me. She had served as my attendant since I first joined the Royal Academy, and while her work never really stood out, she always did what I needed, like a considerate hand willing to scratch an itch wherever one appeared. Having her with me would come as an immense relief.

However, upon hearing Lieseleta’s original answer, I’d accepted that she was staying behind without the slightest hesitation. She was currently wearing her usual smile, but she was nowhere near as transparent as her sister; I couldn’t tell whether she actually wanted to move to the Sovereignty. If I said that I wanted her to accompany me, it was likely that both sisters would cancel their engagements for my sake.

“With the duchy in its current position, I could not bear to take more people than is absolutely necessary. My retainers are all the best of the best, and I suspect they are needed here now more than ever. Lieseleta will support Brunhilde when she becomes Sylvester’s second wife and will, for the sake of Ehrenfest—”

“Oh, enough of that,” Elvira replied. “No matter how talented your retainers might be, the castle’s daily affairs are not going to fall apart in the absence of a select few who spend so much of their time in the temple to begin with. It would be one thing if you were gathering together a massive group to form a faction in the Sovereignty, but how much harm is the loss of your personal retainers really going to cause?”

So... I needed to focus on the personal circumstances of each retainer rather than the problems facing the duchy as a whole. Elvira went on to note that a princess who moved to the Sovereignty with the smallest possible entourage would inspire the Sovereign nobles to look down on her as well as her duchy.

Elvira continued, “You are welcome to take whomever you will need to ensure your safety and emotional well-being. Now, state your wishes clearly so that they are properly understood. If you and Lieseleta are both on the same page, then as I said, I will make sure that your desires are met. I am your mother; the least I can do is grant my daughter a single wish. Now, wring a positive answer from Lieseleta and take her to the Sovereignty with you.”

She then pushed me forward until Lieseleta and I were standing face-to-face. Karstedt and Bonifatius were silently cheering me on from the sidelines, Cornelius was smirking to himself, and Leonore was watching intently as if expecting to see something truly heartwarming. Lieseleta herself was patiently waiting for me to speak, a calm smile on her face, while Angelica beside her was wearing her usual expression.

What is this, a public love confession?! Am I really supposed to ask Lieseleta to come with me when you’re all acting like this?!

My cheeks grew hot and my eyes teary as everyone watched us closely. I was just barely resisting the urge to run away. If I asked Lieseleta to stay by my side, and she refused... I would probably drop dead on the spot.

“Motherrr...”

“It is your duty to secure her approval,” Elvira said, clearly amused as she went back to her own seat. “We are waiting.”

I would need to say something to get out of my current predicament, so...

“Eep. Um... Ah... Lieseleta!”

“Yes, Lady Rozemyne?” she replied, unmistakably amused. Her dark-green eyes were narrowed in an impish smile, but as she awaited my declaration, her cheeks started to redden as well. Even amid this blur of emotions, one thing was clear to me: she wasn’t feeling troubled or bothered in the slightest.

Knowing that we were both feeling embarrassed made me even more nervous, but I could sense that Lieseleta was likely to accept my request, and that gave me the courage to speak. I took a deep breath... then vomited the words out as quickly as I could.

“L-Lieseleta, if you w-would come with me to the Sovereignty... that would r-really warm my heart. I will do my best to protect you, to ensure that no ills befall you, to make sure you are not overworked, and, um... I will also raise your pay. And allow you to keep a veritable nest of shumils in your room. So, um, so, so... please come with me!”

I’d said absolutely everything that was on my mind. I wasn’t sure how, but I’d managed it.

As I exhaled, Lieseleta smiled joyfully and wiped away the tears forming in the corners of my eyes. “I would be glad to, as long as my house’s affairs can be put in order.”

I smiled in response, at which point Cornelius came over and took my hand. He was still smirking as he peered down at my flushed cheeks and said, “Rozemyne, I’d feel a lot better about going to the Sovereignty if you asked me like that as well.”

“Not happening!” I exclaimed. “Doing it once was enough!”