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Chapter Text

Despite Ferdinand’s mood, the weather in Ehrenfest was unseasonably warm, even for summer. He’d finished his last act as his father’s son and as an archducal candidate of Ehrenfest, and he had attended his funeral, watching his brother’s uncle plunge the Sword of Ewigeliebe in his father’s chest. He watched his stepmother cradle the remaining feystone, every inch the grieving widow in front of Sylvester and his wife.

He still suspected Veronica held some guilt for his father’s ascent of the towering staircase, but that was not a suspicion he could share with Sylvester without proof, and proof eluded him. After accepting the various well-wishes, mostly from Bonifatius’s family and few others, he returned to his mansion where Lasfam was continuing to pack.

“Clothes and components are, of course, finished. As is the furniture, I took advantage of the… circumstances to have those shipped to the palace already.”

Ferdinand nodded absently at the report. Only a modest amount of belongings could pass between the palace and the Ehrenfest dormitory of the Royal Academy anyway, and so there was no need to rush when it would take Sylvester unlocking the transport, and Ferdinand passing probably at least a dozen sets of boxes.

“Heidemarie’s books have been packed, Milord,” he said after Ferdinand asked. Ferdinand still felt awkward about taking books that were not his, however Heidemarie had insisted it was the only way to keep her late mother’s books safe from the new Veronican wife in her household. “The magic books, the fey species books, and histories,” Lasfam neatly indicated each in turn. “The fiction is still being packed.”

“I’ll head to the palace then, Justus will be waiting on the other side to direct the items to my new quarters.”

Technically as a professor at the Royal Academy, and due to the fact that Hirschur had tried to use her seniority to offload her dorm management duties onto him, he could have lived within the Ehrenfest dormitory. However, they were now nineteenth. The dorms were woefully out of date, and until Sylvester’s son was of an age to succeed him Veronica would doubtless continue to try to kill him even after he had renounced his position as archducal candidate. The scholar dormitories would be safer.

As he stood at the transport circle, he could feel Veronican eyes on him. He was leaving, that woman could at least accept that and move on. She had barely seen him since he’d entered the Academy, and yet she lived in constant concern that he was plotting Sylvester’s downfall. If anything, him leaving should have been seen as her triumph.

Sylvester eventually came to see him off, or, more accurately, to convince him to stay, if only for a bit longer: “You don’t have to leave today. Take a few days? A week? We’ve only just had Father’s funeral…”

Ferdinand was well aware of that. He was also well aware that he was surrounded by enemies within Ehrenfest, and even the simple act of staying in the palace a few extra days could lead to tampered meals or worse. As it stood, that woman hadn’t had the decency to even inform him of his father’s rapid decline in health. He hadn’t even had the chance to say farewell… he still remembered the viciously satisfied look on Veronica’s lips while she dabbed her eyes beneath her veil, robbing him of even that one final kindness. No, staying until Father’s funeral had been painful enough. He had no desire to continue to pick at the wounds that had been left.

You are my pride. That was it… the same thing he always said, every year, even after six years coming in at the top of his class, in three courses. His only consolation had been that as the new Aub, Sylvester had emptied father’s hidden room with Ferdinand and he had been able to retrieve his namestone without Sylvester seeing it or the name inscribed on it: Quinta. Proof that he was not Sylvester’s brother.

“Furniture has already been moved,” he answered instead. “And I am always a message or ordonnanz away, as always.” Sylvester thankfully heard the polite decline and didn’t offer a place in the palace for him even though he obviously wanted to.

“At least have a drink,” Sylvester answered.

That, at least, he would do. After all, Veronica would never poison Sylvester’s wine. They drank well into the evening, and Ferdinand finally left for the Academy the following morning, finding both Justus and Lasfam waiting for him.

“You’ve had a long couple of days,” Justus said as a greeting, excusing his tired and worn appearance. “Allow me to draw you a bath and you can sleep.”

Yes, that would be best.

“If you wish to leave my service…” he offered again, one last time, but again Justus refused him. It seemed that his most loyal retainers would insist on following him down this route of minimal status, he could only be grateful for that. One benefit of choosing professorship at the academy over priesthood is that his aides would be by his side. While he did not want them to suffer alongside him, their loyalty was welcome.

He bathed, Lasfam taking down his hair and brushing it out, Ferdinand contemplating the clip that his father had given him so long ago. Did he even deserve it any longer, abandoning Ehrenfest and his brother like he had?

Before he could decide anything, Justus took it from his palm and packed it away somewhere with his other toiletries. His life as a professor at the Royal Academy had begun…

The following weeks as Ferdinand acclimated to living in the Academy were surprisingly peaceful. When he was not busy setting up his new lab space, he was either spending time researching with Hirschur or collecting materials. While the pain over losing his father did not go away, having something else to focus on was a balm of sorts.

Of course, he received plenty of letters from Sylvester asking him to come home and help with work. If it was not for the fact that there were prying eyes in the Sovereignty, no doubt his older brother would have sent crates worth of paperwork to him to complete. However, he did come home on the occasional Earthday when Veronica was outside of the castle.

As Leidenshaft’s rays began to wane, Ferdinand had nearly completed settling in and finally had time to consider his curriculum. As he and Hirschur both received no aid from Ehrenfest in the form of laboratory funding, Ferdinand would need to spend a year or three building up further reserves, likely through selling tools to Drewanchel or Dunkelfelger, and so he couldn’t take on a research assistant yet…

He would be teaching first year compounding, which was always far and away the worst class, third and fifth year compounding, several medical and compounding focused courses at the higher levels, and then thankfully he had been able to carve out some time for an experimental compounding course, available only by his recommendation.

Ferdinand had also been asked (ordered) to sit in on several day one exams for various written coursework, and he was not particularly looking forward to that. He spent a few days in the library, looking through some of the best student notes and his own notes.

“Ferdinand, working hard?”

“Ferdinand, studying?”

“I am preparing for next year’s coursework,” he answered the two schumils without even looking up.

“Not a student?”

He sighed and tapped his temple. “No, I am a professor now. Ask Professor Marian if she has the first, third, and fifth year compounding curriculum from the previous professor.”

Ferdinand found himself so deep in his work that he barely noticed that Gundolf had also arrived in the library, likely to check out or pull his own research materials as well. “Well, it seems you were hardly gone.”

He looked up and gave the professor a nod. “Yes, I arrived soon after… Aub Ehrenfest’s funeral.” They exchanged a summer greeting and Gundolf helped himself to a seat and ordered Weiss to bring a few materials from the upper floors.

“It can be a difficult adjustment for an archducal candidate,” Gundolf said, and Ferdinand realized he would need to have a proper conversation, putting his attention on the professor. “Losing so much status and privilege…”

“I cannot say I ever appreciated much in the way of privileges in Ehrenfest,” Ferdinand answered, more honestly than he perhaps should have. His trials and tribulations at the hands of Lady Veronica were well known in the Sovereignty. “And despite my attempts otherwise, my two attendants will not leave my side, so I do not think it will be too bothersome.”

“Your entourage was always so small,” Gundolf answered. “I hope you begin availing yourself of the cafeteria. There are many professors who are eager to chat with the living legend who has returned to become a professor.”

“By which you mean Pauline wants to listen to me sing and Rauffen wants to challenge me to ditter?” He had Justus bring the cafeteria meals over to his room to avoid those very people.

Gundolf nodded. “Yes, I imagine that is part of it. Still, it won’t do to have both of our Ehrenfest professors be incorrigible shut-ins. It is very important to make a good impression as a professor, not just as a former student.”

Ferdinand knew Gundolf was being polite, kind even, and the two of them also had the former position as archduke candidates to fall back on and share, so he imagined he would need to get used to being a mere archnoble now.

“You can also join us in our discussions to solve the most disappointing part of being a professor.”

“Students?” he asked.

Gundolf chuckled. “Budget cuts. With Dunkelfelger finally joining the war on Trauerqual’s side and the presumed final push at hand, the country’s budget is again given over to war… although that also means we will have less budget for magic tool experimentation, so I hope you are prepared to fall back on whatever caches of feystones you have tucked away from your student years.”

Of course, it seemed that wherever he went he was destined to have some level of annoyance when it came to pursuing his hobbies. At least in the Academy he did not have to worry about food and assasination attempts. There were also less incompetant fools, which was a benefit.

The old professor took a glance at the book Ferdinand had been reading. “Ah, teaching first years this year?”

Ferdinand nodded. Gundolf chuckled. “Then you will get to meet my grandniece this year, Rozemyne.”

Ferdinand raised an eyebrow. “Surely you have many adoptive nieces and nephews from Drewanchel.” From looking at the class roster, Ferdinand knew there was at least one or two Archduke candidates or minister’s children closely related to their main line. Which made it peculiar for Gundolf to mention one particular grandniece. Hopefully this was not another attempt to adopt or make him son in law of Drewanchel.

“I do. However, Rozemyne is a bit… well, different from the others. So many ideas and capacity for trouble all in one young mind.” Despite Gundolf’s words, his eyes showed a level of fondness. “She reminds me of you in your early academy days with her talents.”

Ferdinand’s brows furrowed. Was he requesting him to watch over his relative?

“I shall look forward to meeting her and treating her just the same as my other students.”

“Is that so? Well, be careful, that girl could even give you a trial of Glucklitate if you are not prepared.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

After some light discussion, Gundolf finally left and Ferdinand could resume his reading. Eventually he checked the remaining books out and returned to his quarters.

Dregarnuhr spun smoothly during Ferdinand’s preparation as a professor, and soon Ewigeliebe began to overcome Schutzaria’s shield. It would soon be time for the academy to begin.

Chapter Text

How to Compound without Self-Mutilation

“Don’t hold your knife like that, you will lose a finger!” 

“You there, keep waving the knife like that and you will gouge someone’s eyes!” 

“Don’t rush!” 

“Ouch- professor I-” 

An assistant professor rushed to that student, “Don’t touch your wound, I will heal it now!” 

If Ferdinand ever had any expectation for the classes he would oversee as a professor, it would not be a terror-inducing job of keeping a bunch of ten years old from mutilating themselves with a knife. Was it so long ago he didn’t remember how hectic the beginner class for compounding could be? 

Ferdinand grabbed a knife and stabbed it back into the blade holder. “Do not leave your knife lying around.”

“Ah, yes-” 

A schtappe was convenient indeed; messer would keep these children from losing fingers. He had forgotten how much healing he had cast for one class alone. 

“First cut the ingredient in a way so there’s a flat surface, then make a claw pose like this to hold it down. Like a zanze’s hand~” A voice, too young to be his fellow professor, cut through the commotion, Ferdinand turned to the side and found among Drewanchel students there was a young girl surrounded by her peers. “Then, cut slowly… don’t rush. Ensure the cuts are an even size, it will turn out better that way.” 

As expected of a Drewanchel, there was a student that was properly educated in how to use a knife. 

“For the herbs you cut it like this, one hand on the back of the knife and move your hand holding the handle like this.” 

“Oh-”

“These knives are sharp due to magic, but keep in mind if your knife is not sharp, have it sharpened first. A dull knife is very dangerous!” 

“Yes, Milady!” 

Ferdinand approached the resourceful student, judging from her luxurious dress it was easy to tell that she was an archduke candidate. Her appearance was… notable, hair as dark as the night and moon like eyes. She looked like… the younger version of the young goddess residing in the library. 

“Excellent work.” Ferdinand commented upon looking at her prep work, all cut well and evenly. “Ah, I believe you are Professor Gundolf’s grandniece.” 

She blinked at him, confusion apparent in her young face. “Ah yes, I am Rozemyne of Drewanchel. Professor…”

“Ferdinand.” 

“Professor Ferdinand.” 

She was… small, notably looking younger than her peers from her age and chubby cheeks. Just like… when he enrolled in the Royal Academy. It seemed she had massive mana capacity if her young appearance was anything to go by. 

“Zanze’s hand like this?” A student asked her. 

“Yes-yes… curl your finger like this, nya~” 

...Did she just let out a weird noise like a zanze?

“How adorable!” The assistant professor murmured.

Thanks to the young Drewanchel student the classroom was less chaotic, with the students slowly learning how to cut properly. After making rounds around the room, Ferdinand took a look at her potions. Much to his surprise, not only did she succeed in making all three potions for the course, they were all of superior quality.

“They are passable.”

“Thank you, professor! One step closer to the library!”

The girl beamed with the purest smile he had ever seen. Unfortunately she no longer needed to come to his class, it would have been helpful for her to assist the other students a while longer.

While she no longer was in his class, Ferdinand would hear about Rozemyne often from other teachers.

“The Drewanchel first years all passed as expected, but Lady Rozemyne received perfect marks in history and geography,” the professor for those courses said over dinner as Ferdinand chewed thoughtfully. “She’ll be top of her class for certain.”

“I believe she’s had your potion concocting class by now, Ferdinand?” Professor Gundolf said, a slightly teasing smile at his lips, doubtless remembering Ferdinand’s promise to treat Rozemyne exactly like every other student.

“Yes, she completed her potions on the first day to a passable standard and assisted the other students in not removing their own fingers,” Ferdinand answered with no additional inflection. He would not admit to Gundolf that she had been helpful and he missed her.

“Ah, yes, first years,” he said fondly. 

“She did seem far more familiar with compounding than the usual first year,” he felt compelled to note, curious if Gundolf would add anything.

“Yes, Lady Rozemyne is somewhat frail, she’s crafted her own antipyretics and stamina rejuvenation potions for years,” Gundolf answered with a faint frown. “She has also been working on some magic paper research so I’d imagine her facility with tools has much improved since I saw her last.”

Magic paper? Ferdinand felt his curiosity pique at that, but he didn’t give Gundolf the pleasure of biting. “That would explain it then.”

“It does not explain her talent in music,” Pauline mused. “She was quite remarkable, even by archducal candidate standards, and supposedly she was even the composer of the song she played.”

“I still remember her winter presentation,” Gundolf reminisced, again with a fond smile on his lips. “She played her own composition to Leidenschaft at a quality you would find more among graduates than freshly baptized children. The songs are her own,” he said, removing the possibility she was simply taking advantage of a talented subordinate. “I’m certain you’ve already invited her to a tea party?”

Pauline smiled gracefully. “The true question is if Ferdinand will continue to be in attendance.”

Ferdinand wanted to sigh at the annoyingly backhanded invite. Pauline knew he was not a great fan of attending tea parties that were largely for women, but he had been a longtime fixture of the tea parties surrounding music for years and it made sense she would want to continue to invite him.

“I think it would be better to allow the focus to remain on students,” he answered, not even glancing over to Pauline. Of course he did catch the disappointed look from Justus who was mingling nearby with the other attendants. “But I suppose I can attend to at least patronize the arts.”

That’s Not a Snake

His last direct encounter with the rogue Drewanchel archduke candidate was when he’d been asked to proctor for the highbeast and feystone armor ‘examinations’. It was mindless as ever, since only a few students had any real practice with forming feystones by their first year. Dunkelfelgers generally were competent at forming feystone armor, while some knights were capable of forming highbeasts if they were particularly enthusiastic.

After a few Dunkelfelgers filed over to the appropriate teachers, Lady Rozemyne walked up to where he was now apparently the only professor left.

“Which of the tasks will you be attempting today, Rozemyne?” he asked after she came to stand in front of him.

“Both,” she answered firmly.

Interesting… “Armor first.”

She nodded and placed her hand to the feystone bracelet at her wrist, a common way to carry the needed stones for the fashion conscious who didn’t take the knight course. It was also common to carry them in a gauntlet, but it seemed for her highbeast she preferred to keep the cage configuration that he also preferred when he wasn’t working with knights. She then swiftly and effortlessly used the feystone to forge breastplate, greaves, bracers, and a helmet.

He spent a moment in shock before drawing out his schtappe, forming a knife, and giving the armor a cursory poke. “Acceptably done.”

She then removed the armor just as swiftly, and then held her hand by the feystone at her waist and then… a… monstrosity emerged.

“What… is that ?”

“ Tsuchi -kun!” That more enthusiastic reply than needed answered none of his questions as he inspected the… thing again. It could generously be called a snake, possibly , although he wasn’t particularly inclined to call it one. It had a bulbous head , and where eyes should have been there was instead a large, rectangular piece of what seemed to be glass, revealing what appeared to be seats and some wheel where the reins should be.

Beyond the front area there was a huge, even more extensive body area, with tiny wings that made a mockery of the entire concept of ‘wings’, and as he circled there was also a tiny tail, curled up in an apparent hook.

“That is not a highbeast.”

“It most certainly is!” She answered, and although she was a child it was quite easy to see she was also raised knowing a certain amount of how to get her way. “What aspect of ‘highbeast’ does it fail to meet?”

It was, admittedly, an animal. “I fail to see how you can ride such a thing.”

Rozemyne then went to the side of her highbeast’s head and placed her hand to it, where it produced a door similar to a carriage, where she climbed in and sat, apparently comfortably. The tail end then wiggled very slightly before it began to move, circling him twice before she came to a stop.

“It also flies very safely, and carries an exceptional amount of luggage,” she answered. “Please feel free to have a seat!”

He was very reluctant to enter such a thing, but when he circled around to the other side he found a handle similar to a carriage door, opened it, and sat down in the… very comfortable seat. 

“Please fasten your seatbelt for safety!” Rozemyne said cheerfully, pointing to a hooked belt of some sort that came from the upper shoulder to his hip. He reluctantly complied.

The highbeast then slithered a bit more before increasing to rather exceptional speeds, exited the open door into the outer Academy area, and then it… flew. Those tiny little wings were apparently more than capable of taking flight.

“Wow,” Rozemyne said, craning her head to look out of the side of the highbeast. “The Academy is huge! Oh! Is that the library?”

“Rozemyne, pay attention and put us down,” Ferdinand snapped, perhaps a bit more harshly than he’d intended, but she pouted, did as asked, landing seamlessly without a single thud or bump before slipping back into the class area. She exited, and Ferdinand did the same, and Rozemyne then… walked him around the highbeast, showing the large secondary doors that revealed a massive interior.

“I carry any attendants this way, and an escort knight,” she answered. She then went around to the back and showed the hooked tail. “This can be used to hook up a specialty cart used for moving larger quantities of material.” And then she lifted at the tail and it produced another, enclosed cargo area. “And the trunk!”

“Not beautiful.”

“It’s a snake,” she argued back. 

“It is completely out of proportion, the wings are comical…” 

“But, Professor, what aspect of ‘highbeast’ doesn’t it meet? It walks, it flies, and it is far more convenient than a regular highbeast that can’t carry more than one safely and can’t carry any cargo. You can also ride without changing into highbeast gear as a lady.”

“How revolutionary!” Hirschur had come over and was inspecting the trunk and back area of the… thing. That woman! She then made her own from a shumil, and now several other girls were investigating Hirschur’s version of the thing.

He felt an exceptional headache brewing.

“I just need a pass,” Rozemyne said, voice bordering on desperate, especially for her station. “I can’t go to the library until I pass all my classes.”

As much as he wanted to fail that ugly monstrosity of a thing she had produced, he did have to admit that it was an animal - however malformed - it flew and walked, and did have several benefits as Rozemyne had said. It was just the most repulsive thing he had ever seen in his entire life.

“Your father allows you to… ride such a thing?” Aub Drewanchel let her distort the image of their herald animal to this ridiculous bloated figure and allow a Drewanchel lady to ride it in public?! 

“I have used it for three years,” she answered confidently.

“… You pass.”

She clenched her fist happily and then put away the offending highbeast. “Thank you, Professor Ferdinand! I can go to the library now, it’s been so long.”

“You have been here two weeks.”

“And that is two weeks that I couldn’t go to my beloved library,” she answered. “I am going to read every book in the library, maybe twice!”

“I recommend you review feybeast anatomy for better pointers on how to form something aesthetically acceptable for your highbeast.”

She answered with an undignified ‘hrmf’. “No one in Drewanchel complains after they get to take all their luggage on a trip and camp inside him.”

Camp? He frowned, and Rozemyne took that as an excuse to answer.

“I can stretch him out and make enough room for eight or ten people to sleep.”

How horrifying. 

Thankfully an older attendant came to fetch the girl nearly as soon as class was done and he didn’t need to think of her much at all after that. 

*

Gundolf invited him to toy around with one of Ferdinand’s older inventions that he had been tinkering on and they chatted. 

“Did you pass Glucklitate’s trial, Ferdinand?”

“I believe it was called a ‘tsuchi-kun.’”

Gundolf chuckled. “Yes, that is one of her quirks.”

“I was surprised how small Rozemyne’s entourage appears to be…” It was unusual for a teacher to see the full scope of an archduke candidate’s entourage but it still seemed minuscule.

“Ah, yes. I think she has… five? Quite small. You have to remember that we have so many options for lords to serve that the less ambitious have a much smaller pool to draw from.”

“Not ambitious?” She was a firm leader, brilliant, innovative as much as it pained him to admit.

“In a political sense? No.” Gundolf sighed. “However meritocratic Drewanchel can be, we do still prefer our own blood. Rozemyne is not my nephew’s daughter by blood. She is in a difficult position: older than Aub's oldest daughter, so between generations and too old to marry any younger nephews, but with innovation and intellect that merits an extensive following. Politically she is more astute than she seems on the surface… and so she is quite dangerous to my eldest grand niece by blood.”

“And so… what? A political marriage?” Assassination…? He was not blind to what happened to misplaced heirs.

“She is only a year older than Prince Trauerqual’s son,” Gundolf said. Ferdinand had never met the boy but he didn’t think well of royal blood. “Still, she tutors Adolphine, and has started to reform the education system in Drewanchel…”

A ten year old educating the oldest daughter of Aub Drewanchel who shouldn't be short of qualified educators?! Then again recalling her performance in class and flair in teaching, Ferdinand could see it. Ferdinand himself had known for all her brilliance, Hirschur was a terrible teacher as far as responsibility goes.  

Gundolf went on, “She wants to be a librarian, so… she must live out her days, have the grades to enter Sovereignty service… and recommendations from more than just a doting greatuncle.”

That was Gundolf’s concern? A recommendation to the Sovereignty? Most Drewanchels could simply ask and receive one, but it seemed to Ferdinand he was being asked to guide the girl, at least a bit, and he didn’t know how he felt about that.

“I’ve long ago forgotten what it’s like to be young and clever, Ferdinand.”

“Well, I’m certain if she has the intellect for it, she will find her way to her heart’s desire,” Ferdinand answered noncommittally.

“Yes, I hope she does.”

He’d hoped to avoid thinking about the strange girl for a few days only for Hirschur to dangle a very tempting bit of information when they met up for a brief tea and conversation.

“You weren’t there for the compression class.” Hirschur sounded very irritated about his absence, “You should have been there.” There should be plenty of personnel to keep students from blowing themselves up. He’d had another class, regardless, and could hardly be expected to make an exception.

He said as much, and Hirschur frowned.

“Fine, it means you missed that girl, Rozemyne.”

“Ah, yes, the ever exceptional Drewanchel.” Was this how teachers had felt when he was a student? Didn’t they have anything better to talk about? “She seemed fine for highbeast class, she didn’t blow herself up or faint so badly she missed classes.”

“She broke a mana meter.” 

Ferdinand looked up, curious. He didn’t think anyone had done that since him. “And so you pulled out the one you designed for me?”

“Yes, and she nearly broke that too,” Hirshur answered. “Objectively speaking, I would say she has mana that is even more compressed than your own was when you were her age.”

“I’d suspected that, given her small stature.” Still… “No other Drewanchel were so compressed, were they? I thought there were a few other cadets from the Aub’s family this year…” 

“Three total, yes,” Hirschur answered without even seeming to care. “Gundolf was telling me she had too much mana to be properly managed by a childhood tool and just started compressing subconsciously as a child.”

Subconsciously? Ferdinand had done that somewhat as a boy, but not nearly so much as Rozemyne appeared to have. That was a natural consequence of having no near blood relatives to match mana with… “He just wants to talk her up.”

“When a Drewanchel with Gundolf’s pedigree and experience talks up someone’s intellect and mental strength, it’s not idle talk.”

He had no idea what Hirschur intended for him to do with this information, so simply tucked it away as one of the many oddities about the new student.

*

Lalala! Library, library! Rozemyne nearly spun around at the pure, unrestrained joy that she had finally passed all her classes, including the practical ones, and was now allowed by her adoptive father and aides to go to the library.

“Milady, slow down and walk with more grace, you will pass out if you continue at that pace.” Hrosvita, as ever, had to ruin her fun on that front.

She sighed and slowed down. She wished she could have brought her roller blades to get there even faster, but the First Lady Minerva banned her from rolling down the Academy halls. She was told it was one thing to use them in the castle back home, but another to show a less graceful way of moving in front of other duchies. What a shame.

They finally reached the library at the end of the hall, put the invitation in the slot, and were welcomed inside. Two librarians and a moving stuffed rabbit helped her register, after which she promptly scurried to one of the carrals. She had one of the stuffed rabbits locate her a chained book nearby, and read with the sort of rapt attention she could only give books.

“Not a feybeast book.”

She looked up, startled, to see Professor Ferdinand there with one of the many extensive scrolls in hand - which he passed over to a rabbit. 

“There’s nothing wrong with Tsuchi-kun,” she answered with a slight huff. “I’d consider a [rabbit], I mean shumil, but I’m used to him now.” 

She took a moment to really examine Professor Ferdinand, he was fairly young, maybe twenty or so, with long, sky blue hair that he kept in a braid. She’d heard he was a former archduke candidate from Ehrenfest, at least that’s what her great uncle had said, he was also top of his class in three courses. She only really expected to take two, but there was a bit of pressure to consider the knight course just to ‘match up’ to Ferdinand. In short he was a ridiculously impossible person, but had come to the Royal Academy rather than do something for his home duchy, she could sympathize!

“You don’t seem to be reading about feybeasts either,” she answered, nodding to the scroll that he’d picked up from what she thought was one of the research sections.

“Yes, non-restricted research. My idiot-- I mean Professor Hirschur and I are reviewing a few of her older works.”

Idiot? She knew Professor Hirschur was eccentric, so that was a bit understandable… still, rude! And prickly! Just like her greatuncle had promised. “Hmm… maybe I should research feyplants instead…” 

Professor Ferdinand walked over to a nearby shelf and tugged one of the larger scrolls: “This is a good work for subjugation methods.”

“Oh?” Wow he actually… knew where that sort of thing was? She liked him already! “I meant more properties of the materials after the whole… subjugation part. As you can see, I’m not really the monster subduing sort.” She spread her arms slightly to indicate her very small size.

He smiled very faintly at that. “Too much mana, most likely. Hirschur mentioned you broke her mana meter.”

“I didn’t break her meter… just another teacher’s…” She smiled very awkwardly for a moment. “That’s been a problem for a while…” 

“Yes, I can imagine. Decompressing your mana would help, now that you’re finished with your classes it should be safe to do so. It would help your growth.” 

Her growth!? She could grow more? “Uh… not to doubt you, but, why hasn’t anyone else suggested it?” Alright maybe that wasn’t the best way to ask, but she’d really never been told to do that… 

Ferdinand again seemed amused by her response. “It’s not a typical problem for someone your age. You’d need to decompress regardless, after your Blessing Acquisition.”

“And why is that?”

“As an archduke candidate, even the five or six blessings you’ll receive will increase your efficiency significantly, and if you are at all pious you could receive more.”

“What qualifies as… pious?” She had spent almost a year in the orphanage as a child before presenting with mana and being scooped up as a ‘fallen noble’ by her giebe father and then adopted by the archduke. She prayed fairly regularly, and performed all sorts of healing, greetings, blessed crops, and libraries… and still helped out over winter and spring… and other times too.

“I’m hardly a good source on the matter. Prayer at least.”

She pondered the new information he’d given her. “So the more gods who bless you the more your mana?”

“Mana consumption efficiency, but yes.”

She’d heard of that, but hadn’t paid it a lot of attention, it was in year three before getting the schtappe, she nodded thoughtfully. “I shall keep your advice in mind, thank you, Professor.” 

Adolphine was six and already almost as tall as her!

Professor Ferdinand then indicated a scroll she should look at for feyplant properties, and even lifted it for her after he observed her standing and lifting her weak noodle arms to try to reach it.

“I am ever so grateful.”

He said nothing in return, retreating with his own scroll, and read over at another carrel. She decided she liked Professor Ferdinand, he liked books, he was fairly nice for an adult, and he seemed to understand at least some of the pressures of an archduke candidate, and he lived in the Academy.

Basically he was her idol. The only thing that could have been better was if he lived in the library!

Chapter Text

Music Tea Party and New Pupil

It was definitely a trap from Gundolf at Pauline’s behest to draw him to the tea party held by music teachers, as Justus brought rumors about Rozemyne composing at least a dozen original songs since her winter debut. Pauline had been asking if he would ever wish to grace the music class with his presence and how one performance would be very inspiring for their students.

However his patience and perseverance was reaching its limit when he came across a group of Drewanchel students and he picked up one of them humming an unknown song. 

“New song from Lady Rozemyne?” 

“Yes-” 

The tune was quite unique, and he was getting too curious to see her performance. She was said to be as good as a professional musician, something he’d largely only heard about a few students over his years there. And so he put in an order for the Ehrenfest kitchens to make a follold honey pie and made it clear it was for a tea party so Veronicans wouldn’t poison it. Justus also stood guard during the preparation as a matter of course as well.

He was not unaware of how pathetic the traditional and modestly skilled offering was in comparison to the other items brought by upper territories, but he had long ago learned to ignore that. Lady Rozemyne arrived with… a snake , but it soon became clear it was actually a cake shaped like one, something he could only be confused at.

“How artistic!” Pauline exclaimed.

“My chefs are very talented,” she demurred, explaining it was ‘honey soaked pound cake’, something he doubtless would not enjoy as far too sweet. 

She then introduced to other versions that were far less artistically crafted but far more suited to his palate: one with tea leaves and one with ‘rumtopf’ which was wine-soaked fruit. He didn’t even have to ask to be recommended the tea one as ‘the least sweet’. Did she have her scholars look into his tastes or were they simply that well known?

It was certainly the least sweet item at the party, but still a bit more sweet than he would have preferred.

“Are these new trends from Drewanchel as well?” another teacher asked.

“Oh I wouldn’t say trends ,” Rozemyne answered with a delicate frown. “It is simply a cake.”

Utter lies, the cake had a very complex flavor compared to the other desserts that relied heavily on honey and other sweeteners and simply seemed to be dry cake as a vehicle for more honey. Ferdinand could tell that instantly from the actually edible tea cake.

Still it conveyed her meaning: they weren’t to be considered trends Rozemyne was championing, even as she offered them. It was the sort of thing Veronica tried to make him do but he sensed zero reluctance from Rozemyne. 

Rozemyne’s musician, a girl of probably about his age with auburn hair, settled in and began to play and sing several songs as they ate. Ferdinand was stunned by them, each was beautiful and unique in its own right, mostly concerning the gods, romance through the use of euphemism, or soft entreaties to make it through winter into spring. There were so many Ferdinand couldn’t immediately keep all of them in mind at once!

The musician was very talented, and Ferdinand noted as much after a break in the music.

Pauline immediately agreed, as did the other students and professors, and the girl seemed pleased with the compliments.

Rozemyne seemed eager to deflect the praise and attention and even stopped to ask Ferdinand what fruit was on the pie he’d brought (fallolds, of course), before Pauline was able to urge Rozemyne to play at least one song.

She relented, sitting where her musician had and had a much smaller harspiel for a younger musician brought to her. Although it was in a younger, practice size he noted it had the full complement of strings for an adult harspiel and was thus obviously a custom instrument for her smaller stature. 

Despite her reluctance, it was almost immediately clear she was quite practiced, touching the strings with confidence and then beginning to sing in a perfectly pitched, high, clear tone. The song entreated Mestionora to watch over the country and ensure wisdom in the difficult times.

Silence stretched after she finished, Ferdinand savoring the last notes even long after they had faded. While Rozemyne’s musician was excellent, she herself seemed to be just as talented, if not more so, especially at ten.

“Another composition, Rozemyne?”

She flushed as she handed over the instrument again. “I composed it after I went to the Academy library and was in awe of the many books as resources.”

A few teachers smiled, while Ferdinand wondered if the girl could be any more of a strange creature than he already thought her to be. She had only been in the library perhaps two weeks ago, and she’d composed the song in that short time? 

Other students and personal musicians played, but Ferdinand almost felt bad for them for having to follow after Rozemyne.

Very strangely, after he and Justus had left, his aide informed him that Rozemyne’s adult aide, a woman named Hrosvita, had conveyed that Rozemyne would like some fallolds, that the offer would be to purchase them not a demand, and not be on a duchy level but a personal one, and…

“She asked if you… liked them, Milord.”

If he liked them? He had no particular feelings about fallolds, they were simply one of the few fruits that were seasonable to be cooked with in winter. “I suppose they are more tolerable than other, sweeter fruits.”

Justus smiled very faintly as he’d apparently conveyed much the same. “Obviously the question was a confusing one.” Food would never be sent as a gift even among close friends. “Normally it would be a precursor to an invitation to tea, but…”

Ferdinand put the question out of mind and left the matter of fallold acquisition to Lasfam.

He almost, almost , asked if he might receive one of her compositions better suited to a male voice in exchange but didn’t wish to push his potential welcome and instead settled for a basic exchange of money, he did have a lab to set up, after all.

The requested funds arrived along with… a small glass jar, carefully sealed with a strange gummy device, filled with a particularly rare ingredient, a nectar harvested at the height of summer that contained an abundance of life mana despite the off season and the obvious antagonism between life and fire. 

“I have heard of this,” Justus said after Ferdinand read the identifying tag. “Isn’t it an absolute nightmare to harvest?”

Ferdinand nodded. “You must watch the plant usually for up to two weeks to assure the peak harvest time. It is rare, but it was hardly harvested for me, just an interesting curiosity.”

He was thrilled with the chance to experiment with it, especially knowing how little funding he would have for the coming years to acquire these sorts of materials.

“It is an interesting curiosity to be certain,” Justus agreed, but Ferdinand didn’t think he was discussing the nectar. “I’ll have Heidemarie look into her, as a girl she’ll have an easier time of it than I would even as Gudrun.”

Ferdinand nodded, barely hearing Justus before heading to his lab.

*

News of Rozemyne continued to filter in, she went to the library where he found her almost every time he went. She apparently was invited to all the tea parties composed of grand duchy girls as would be expected of her standing, although there were very few since most students weren’t finished with classes. 

Even someone like Heidemarie who wanted to achieve a position as a professor to follow him hadn’t completed all of her courses yet. It would be more difficult in later years, but Ferdinand suspected Rozemyne would do as he’d done and study year round only to finish everything in the first few weeks.

“Ferdinand, working hard?” 

He nodded to Weiss and headed up the stairs to check on another ingredient book, only to find it wasn’t there.

“Weiss, where is the southern regional ingredient compendium?”

“Rozemyne has!”

Well… he should have expected that. He found her in her favorite carral that had excellent light at most times. 

“Oh, hello, Professor,” she greeted him after he arrived.

“Rozemyne. Might I borrow that for a few minutes?” He indicated the scroll she was reading.

She pouted.

“… Please.”

“Hmm…” she pondered for a few moments. “Only if I can have some advice on paper making.”

“Isn’t your uncle entirely adequate for the endeavor?”

“Well, he’s good, excellent even, but it’s a bit of a difficult thing since I’m trying to make paper without feybeast pelts and the transition is slow going.”

Well of course it would be, pelts were naturally an instrumental part of the process, just as they were for all parchment. “I will indulge your ridiculousness for a bell. I largely have class times blocked out still… the afternoon in two days.”

“I shall be there!” She then handed over the scroll and immediately summoned another book through Schwartz. Ferdinand felt she had just tricked him to help her research, and even for a Drewanchel it seemed absurd she was already researching in her first year. What an eccentric girl indeed. 

New Paper Research 

She arrived as promised, two days later, with a modest entourage of three and what appeared to be a huge… vat of liquid, strange tools, and a few other materials such as gold dust he more immediately recognized the purpose of.

He greeted her, and offered tea, and the two of them sat and she explained her issue while Justus and the other attendants coordinated placing a few materials on tables.

“So, I have been working on a product for several years, currently just called ‘Drewanchel paper’,” she began. Her younger attendant placed several sheets of paper on the table and Rozemyne picked it up and handed it over. 

He took it after her poison testing, running his fingers over it to find it had a rough surface compared to parchment but nothing that said it was not usable. Ink and a strange quill she called a ‘fountain pen’ was provided and Rozemyne neatly scrawled out her name in impeccable penmanship on the paper and Ferdinand inspected it.

“New ink as well?” It was a crisp black rather than having a slight blue tint.

“Traditional ink damages the paper more,” she explained. 

“So this replaces parchment?” He examined it further, it was much thinner, a better color, and had pristinely squared off edges. He was no expert in parchment but this was clearly masterfully made.

“Within certain regulations via the paper guilds,” she answered with a faint smile. “This is just paper, no fey aspects about it.”

He nodded. More paper was produced.

“ This is Drewanchel feypaper,” she continued. “It… well it is a slight trade secret but with very little investigation it would be clear it is made of feyplants, while the earlier paper is just plants.”

It had similar characteristics, thin, squared, even whiter color… “May I?”

She nodded and he took the paper over to one of his tools and inspected the mana of it. 

“Mostly a water aspect, but with a fair amount of fire as well, perhaps… the blue variant of the delonix feytree?”

“Your reputation is well earned, Professor Ferdinand! Yes, that is the base component.” He was glad to know he wasn’t completely surpassed by this little girl. “Between the paper and feypaper, they are basically made the exact same way: plants, several proprietary materials, water, and so forth. This is then used to make a sheet of paper.”

He was handed a box that had an incredibly delicate weave of threads between the edges.

“It can be made bigger, but that is a sample size.”

She then went on to explain the various tactics that had already been tried to enhance magical properties: purifying the original fey material more, balancing the elements to bring them more in line with feybeast elemental balanced and using those recipes, and just throwing a lot of gold powder and mana at them, which led to…

A final sheet of paper arrived. “Magic paper, but only archnobles in a relatively close range to me can write on it with stylo.”

Ferdinand beckoned Justus and Lasfam, both on near opposite ends of the spectrum of mana. Lasfam drew out his schtappe, attempted to write, and the pen simply produced nothing, no line at all. Justus did the same and then a smeared sloppy line was produced.

Rozemyne took a traditional mana pen and scratched out an impeccably clean, straight, and crisp line.

Ferdinand did the same with stylo producing a faintly thicker line that was still crisp with only a small amount of bleeding to be seen. Was… was her mana closer to his than Justus’s?! That was ridiculous. He knew she was an archduke candidate, but Justus was a direct offshoot of the archducal line himself, his mana was hardly pathetic. If she had this mana at age 10, she had more than their Aub, let alone other great duchy archducal candidates.

“So it can be made by archnobles, who have an easier time producing a lot, but who can only make paper usable by archnobles,” Rozemyne continued, completely ignoring the questions that had arisen from a simple scratch of ink. “Or it can be made by laynobles, who then make paper that can largely only be used by laynobles. This is obviously not an issue that regular feypaper made by commoners has, or magic paper used in compounding made by nobles.”

“Hmm…,” Ferdinand made a show of considering the problem while he was internally panicking over that ridiculous line. He took a sip of tea.

“Even with prayers to Cuococalura, the quality only improves a bit and—”

“Wait.” He held up one hand while pinching the bridge of his nose with another. The insanity was becoming a bit much. “Did you just mention praying to the God of Cooking ?”

“Well, yes.” She said, as if the most obvious thing in the world. “Praying to the God of Cooking and the Goddess of Balance before brewing tends to increase the quality. Also praying to Forsente when harvesting materials helps with purity sometimes.”

He tapped his temples. “Where on earth did you learn this information?”

“The temple, of course! As deputy High Bishop it’s my job to do prayers, ceremonies, blessings, and to know about the gods.”

Ferdinand knew the temple played some role in society and used to play a larger one. After all, when he was expected to be Knight Commander he would see blue priests heal the land after trombe subjugations. But to use the gods for brewing of all things…

“Has this been researched?”

“No, it's just something I noticed when I tried it. The temple does not have the best reputation unfortunately.” She sighed, as if she did not just propose a revolutionary research hypothesis. “Anyway, we only have a bell, right? Should we get started, Professor?”

For a moment he was confused, why did they only have one bell? Which was when he realized that he had given her that timeline and she was moving them along in the name of gaining as much from him as she could in that short amount of time. An excellent maneuver, but the problem was more complex than that… and she had dropped several revolutionary ideas on him at once to make the matter worse.

“How much time have you been working on the problem?” he asked, curious.

“Of turning feypaper into high quality magic paper? I suppose two or three years?”

Since she was baptized? How ridiculous. “Well, we can hardly be expected to solve it in a bell, then,” he answered. “Now, show me this material that you use to form the paper.”

“As a note, all paper production on a widespread scale must be approved by Aub Drewanchel, protected by universal contract magic,” Rozemyne said, carefully sliding off of her chair and walking over to the other table. “My authority to explain it is for personal and private use only at my own discretion.”

Yes, that was a very wise decision by Aub Drewanchel to protect the intellectual property… Perhaps he could manage to have Rozemyne approve his personal use once the method was perfected.

She then introduced him to the off white goop, she was offered a thin mana blocking glove by an attendant and she reached in to pluck some, squeezing it between her fingers to show him the fibrous material. “It’s not dangerous,” she explained immediately after. “Just sticky.” 

Although it was not, strictly speaking, ladylike work, she was allowed by her attendants to dip the strange box into the material, pulling it out and carefully swishing it back and forth to show her shaking out much of the liquid.

“The liquid is drained while the feypaper is formed.” She pointed. “And then the fibers of the plant stick together due to other binding agents and dry into a single sheet. Ideally it then dries for a few bells in the sun.”

“And the binding agent?” he asked.

She shot him a quick look that seemed to be gauging him before she answered: “For the magic paper attempts, we use the Anantos variant feypelt preparation medium using a particularly sticky local feyplant within elemental parameters.”

Well, that was an unexpectedly specific answer he probably should have expected. “Due to using plants instead of beasts?”

“That was a major factor in picking that preparation medium,” she answered. “I should note, up until this point in the process, this is made by trades craftsmen.”

What? By… commoners? He looked at her, confused.

“Normal plants turn into normal paper,” she explained. “Feyplants turn into feypaper that can be further refined by scholars, and then the magic paper is made by scholars after this point.”

The savings in labor by skilled scholars - and the skilled knights needed to safely and effectively harvest pelts in the first place - was huge. Yes, certain feyplants required knights to subjugate them, like Ehrenfest’s local trombe, but it was unusual for city guards and local farmers to not be able to handle most feyplants, and only called the Knight Order when they grew particularly out of hand… 

Ferdinand then asked her a variety of questions about the materials used, the mana used, how the phases had their compoundings done and the mana balanced, which method was used to make the binding agent, and Rozemyne answered each of them in turn. If he’d had any doubt that some other adult scholar had done the actual work and research it was immediately shattered with how quickly and precisely she answered.

After some time, they reviewed the recipe again, and Ferdinand made suggestions to keep the elemental balance more stable throughout the process, making it far more labor intensive but more likely to be precise.

Rozemyne sighed delicately. “I’d hoped it would be easier than parchment…” 

“It must be correct before it can be swift,” Ferdinand answered. He knew he had a tendency to throw mana and time at a problem and rarely bothered with the refining, but he could see in the case of something so universally useful and necessary as magic paper the refinement would be well worth the effort. “And commoners do have mana, so perhaps process with dampening gloves or have a scholar do so with dampening gloves after the agent is introduced.”

The bell rang, and since they were between discussions they both seemed to finally notice the time. Ferdinand glanced at Justus and Rozemyne to her aides.

“Sixth bell, Milady,” Hrosvita answered. “Time for dinner, no arguments.”

Sixth bell? They’d been working since the third and a half bell. Justus hadn’t stopped them because it was clear Ferdinand was enjoying himself and he didn’t have a class to manage, while Rozemyne’s entourage seemed to have done similarly, allowing them to chatter and speculate for almost the entire afternoon.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry to have taken up so much of your time, Professor Ferdinand. I believe I can attempt to take it from here!”

He was immediately, painfully aware that Rozemyne actually probably had the money and expertise to actually afford precision crafted tools of various types and a high quality brewing setup that Ferdinand could probably offer no better, but… 

“You’re welcome to avail yourself of my workspace and expertise.”

Rozemyne looked at him, slightly shocked, but then gave him an honest, earnest, beaming smile that seemed decidedly out of place on a noble. “Please have Justus contact Hrosvita when you have free time, and I will be certain to repay your kindness with research food!”

She researched food as well? She had mentioned praying to Cuococalura… 

The various research materials Rozemyne’s entourage had brought were swiftly and neatly packed up and disappeared through his door with Rozemyne. He felt unaccountably bereft by the loss, probably of the interesting research material.

*

Rozemyne was thrilled to finally get some time to do research and brainstorming with Professor Ferdinand. He was obviously very thoughtful about brewing, and she couldn’t help but admire that since she’d been responsible for her own potions and working on paper since barely after she was baptized. 

It wasn’t as though being reincarnated into another world had suddenly made her an outdoorswoman, but it was a very real problem that there were only so many books in Drewanchel. She wanted more books, and this world hadn’t invented plant based paper yet! She was also fairly sick even after her jureve treatment to fix her childhood mana problems. Since her father assured that her ideas saw reality and were swiftly implemented and expanded in the hands of competent aides, she had a lot more free time with few books to read.

This meant she gave over a decent amount of time to preparing for the Academy, helping her mentor the High Bishop at the temple, preparing cute little Adolphine and other children for the Academy, and then collecting a wide variety of materials from around Drewnachel to use them for interesting charms, tools, potions, and above all paper!

She sat in one of the Drewanchel tea rooms, having a few cookies and tea with her great uncle the next day and recounted her progress: “I think Professor Ferdinand was really interested in the magic paper problem. He said he’d help for a bell, and then it was almost three bells later when we finished up.” She wistfully sighed at the fact she’d managed to get Ferdinand to actually be interested in her projects. A book loving researcher professor was truly her idol!

“Yes, Ferdinand does have quite the interest in unusual research problems and the transition from pelt to plant will definitely spark his curiosity. Are you going to have further research time?”

“Yes! His attendant is going to contact Hrosvita when he has some free time. Do you think he would like granola bars or soup more…?” 

Her great uncle gave her a slightly conflicted look before shaking his head. “He’s fairly impartial to Ahrensbach cuisine, so nothing particularly spicy or sour, although he doesn’t much care for sweet food either…” 

“Maybe citrusy rather than vinegary?” she pondered for a few moments. “Well, I have some time. He really is very smart for someone so young.”

“Yes, age may lead to wisdom but also grumpiness and dullardly behavior.”

She smiled at her great uncle. “Don’t be silly. I just mean he’s accomplished for his age.”

After she’d finished tea, she headed to the library where she chatted with Schwartz and Weiss briefly before again trying to attract the attention of the main librarians. They were archnobles, and librarians, which meant they were another huge idol to have! After all she wanted to be a librarian as soon as possible and she hoped that becoming friendly with them would lead to a position as an assistant librarian, or a recommendation, or both!

“Professor Marian, are there no tea parties for library minded students?”

The librarian, a woman of about forty five or so, who had a fairly kind air despite her sharper features. She smiled sadly and shook her head. “I’m afraid not, Lady Rozemyne.”

“Oh… would you and the other professors care to have one, then? We could even have it here in the library if that is more convenient.” Honestly a library tea party sounded like perfection, so really she would have preferred that.

There was no immediate answer from Professor Marian and so she decided to sweeten the pot slightly. “I would love to discuss the Mestionora Decimal System I’ve used to reorganize the Drewanchel palace book room…” 

“It’s probably best not to worry about it, Lady Rozemyne. I’m certain you know a librarian's work is never done.”

Had she been this antisocial as Urano?! No wonder everyone was always so exasperated with her. She just wanted to make some book loving friends, but she had also learned a modicum of tact and so she took the rejection with as much grace as she could muster and returned to her reading, annoyed.

Maybe if Professor Ferdinand suggested the party for the librarians, and she snuck herself an invite she could manage it. She would be as quiet as a mouse, and not mention anything boring or out of place at all.

She’d called back home to have more materials sent up so she had bark and the items needed to make a magically balanced binding agent, so that would be handled soon. They arrived the next day with a letter from her uncle, the High Bishop, Nicholas.

It seems you’ve been so busy you’ve had little time to write, Rozemyne. The winter is going well in Drewanchel, not too cold even in the north, so no major aches yet. Your grays and blue friends are hard at work as ever. Mana should be sufficient this year, so please stay at the Academy and enjoy the chance for socialization and time in the library.

The letter went on, mostly covering this and that, a bit of a report from her workshop, making sure she knew to stay, asking if she had made friends, typical uncle stuff. Her heart squeezed slightly at the kindness, even years later. It had only been by Uncle Nicholas noticing her mana and putting in a strong word with her ‘blood’ father that she’d been able to escape the orphanage at six and began her life as a noble instead. To her he was a real life Santa Claus, even looking most of the part even if his hair wasn’t fully white yet.

She was glad the weather was mild, since his leg ached so badly during the worst weather. Sadly if limbs were lost, there was no way to grow them back, not even with magic, and prosthetic culture was basically nonexistent. Rozemyne had tried to regrow them, just after she’d learned how to make her potions for her fevers, but it hadn’t gone anywhere. Uncle Nicholas had smiled and said he was grateful, but it honestly hurt far more than moving little at all and using grays for crutches to move around when needed.

Rozemyne would eventually make a motorized wheelchair - rollerblades being one of the many steps along that route - but the ‘motorized’ part was still quite difficult even with mana for power. For now he had to survive with being pushed around in the chair by his grays rather than under his own power. She gently folded up the letter, pulled out a fresh sheet of paper, and wrote back about her classes, the library, her new idol Ferdinand, the students, everything, and she also made sure to check in to assure he wasn’t doing too much work and straining himself too badly. Warm weather or not, he was still getting older and she didn’t want him to fall ill!

She then checked on the kitchens to assure the fallolds were nice and dry and had been mixed in with the granola bars to give them a slightly tart sweetness that hopefully Ferdinand would enjoy. She also decided on a warm potato and corn style chowder that was a bit earthy and rich and not too sweet or sour. 

When she had a day when Ferdinand wanted her to come to his laboratory and work most of the day she had her chefs make several tea sandwiches as well: olive tapenade, egg salad, spiced ham, and onion-bacon jam, all of them on the more savory side. It thankfully wasn’t too much work and meant that the rest of the dorm could enjoy ‘Rozemyne food’, something that was always considered a rare treat.

“The most important thing is that we learn Ferdinand’s favorites!” She told Hrosvita, who sighed, a slight quirk to her lips.

“Very well, Milady.”

*

Rozemyne arrived in Ferdinand’s office a bit after breakfast, and Ferdinand was surprised to see that not just the materials from the other day had arrived, but a more extensive tea set and other items he wasn’t familiar with. Rozemyne truly had access to an array of tools he could only barely imagine at this point in his career.

They did soon begin to discuss the problems they had left the paper with the other day, inspecting elements of the process, and more.

“Perhaps this would be easier if the elements in the base material weren’t so scattered,” Rozemyne said with another one of her delicate - and yet also quite annoyed - sighs.

Ferdinand considered that. “That would make the calculations far easier. Can any feyplant be used?”

“Theoretically,” Rozemyne answered. “This is the only one that commoners can harvest, so that’s what needs to be used for mass production.”

“Commoners can potentially harvest young trombe,” Ferdinand said, again considering the problem. “But their appearance is infrequent, and dangerous, if it grows out of hand the Knight Order needs to be called and black weapons used.”

“So it’s primarily a dark elemental plant?”

They continued their back and forth with that line of reasoning, Rozemyne working in the newly made binding agents into the pulpy wood she had apparently gotten from Drewanchel, Ferdinand carefully measured the new material and resumed the calculations for balancing this feyplant’s elements while Rozemyne resumed brewing.

Eventually they needed to wrap up for lunch. “Milord, shall I check what is available from the cafeteria?”

“That shouldn’t be necessary,” Rozemyne announced immediately, much to Ferdinand’s surprise. Then an extensive amount of food was swiftly provided by Rozemyne’s retainers, and Ferdinand found himself shocked by the apparent variety. “I did promise research food, Professor!”

Ferdinand was always wary of food, even the cafeteria of the Academy to be honest, but oddly it was Rozemyne’s reputation as frail that made him feel comfortable accepting her food, since it would be very difficult for her to force through a mild poisoning… perhaps he shouldn’t have seen it that way.

“These are actually wonderful because you can continue to work while eating!” Rozemyne said with great pride. “... And reading, of course.”

Of course.

Still, he was a bit skeptical and Rozemyne wasn’t so crass as to try to force such a break in common eating etiquette upon first introducing the food, so they set up to eat at one of the tables they hadn’t been working on.

Rozemyne’s aides seemed entirely accepting of the strange way of eating and only provided her a handkerchief for an eating ‘utensil’, and so Justus provided further cutlery for him, but also a handkerchief. 

“This is a granola bar,” Rozemyne said, picking up the somewhat unappealing bar. “It has oats, nuts, honey, and dried fallolds.”

Was this ‘granola’ bar the reason that Hrosvita had asked Justus if Ferdinand liked fallolds? Rozemyne had a bar selected and brought to her plate before she took a bite and Ferdinand did the same. It was… a startling array of textures, crunchy and chewy, sweet but tart from fallolds and savory from the nuts and oats. 

“This is unbelievably superior to knights’ rations.” He realized, somewhat belatedly, that he had compared the bars, that were quite flavorful, to a ball of salty, porridge mush, and felt instantly as though he’d misspoken badly. “I served as Knight Commander for a time,” he explained to cover the slip.

Rozemyne was smiling, however. “Yes, I invented them for long journeys after eating that… thing once. It’s hard to believe they are considered suitable as food. I invented them after my first trip out of the city on a collecting trip with my knights. The entire Knight Order eats them now instead.”

“I would imagine so if there was a choice.” He already didn’t think he would ever want to eat the rations knowing this was an option. “Given there are fallolds in these, I assume there are a number of ways to prepare them?”

She smiled and gave him an enthusiastic nod. “Anything like dried fruit or nuts that can be kept for some time.” Then began to rant about the balanced nutrients the granola could provide. 

That was not the end of the surprises when lunchtime approached and Rozemyne brought in a strange large tube with a lid that for a moment he thought was a magical tool. She explained it was a trade secret but basically there were layers of different materials that keep the liquid inside from losing heat. It could last well for at least half a day without aid of mana. And indeed when she poured the soup inside it was still steaming. 

This soup was even more excellent than the granola, the taste was rich with the gentle texture of mashed potato and delicate sweetness of kern. She also served a platter of white bread with layers of ingredients in the middle. Rozemyne introduced it as another research food called a sandwich. This one was more filling than granola, the bread was so soft and matched the salty and savoury ingredients well. It was made bite size so there was less hassle in consumption when one was very busy. 

She had even brought a wide variety of flavors and Ferdinand would have been hard pressed to answer which was his favorite, not because he didn’t care but because they were all excellent.

As he ate Ferdinand for the first time in a long time felt full and content, it was a pleasant but also strange sensation. However he couldn’t say he didn’t like it. Perhaps he’d become too accustomed to discomfort from enduring trial after trial in Ehrenfest.

“It’s very good, right? Proper meals are not just food for our body but also our mind!” 

Ferdinand was unsure if she was just being nosey or… truthful, perhaps she was right or it was his mind being addled by her statement he felt their research afterward was more productive.  

For some reason after many exchanges like this Justus and Razfam praised Rozemyne not for her intelligence and resourcefulness but her caring nature. Under their urging, which was not needed- Ferdinand sent letters back home asking Sylvester for branches of feystrees from Ehrenfest, specifying for whatever they had left from autumn subjugation from trombe and any other available feytrees. 

Chapter Text

Heidemarie - The New Girl

It was not an understatement to say it took years to win Lord Ferdinand’s trust, let alone become part of his small entourage. Heidemarie worked hard to prove her worth as a scholar, from helping to create ditter tools to refining compounding recipes. Lord Ferdinand was the lord she respected above all others, so just getting him to acknowledge her was a major accomplishment.

So why, oh why, did some new girl start winning his trust in a matter of weeks?!

Apparently some girl from Drewanchel named Rozemyne had begun going in and out of Lord Ferdinand’s laboratory recently. It was bad enough that she had to hear the rumors about her among students. Excellent grades, hair the color of a starry night sky, moon-like eyes, gifted by Kuntszeal and Mestionora. Ha! Only Lord Ferdinand received such praise, there is no way some first year girl was on his level. However, now even Justus and Lasfam were praising the girl.

“Lady Rozemyne was so kind, she even brought meals to the lab.” Lasfam smiled fondly.

“The food was so good that Lord Ferdinand ate everything. And praised her cooking. You should have seen him savoring the soup she brought!” Justus gushed.

Lord Ferdinand?! Enjoying food?! Why couldn’t she have been there to see this?! Moreover, it was this girl who showed this side of Lord Ferdinand she hadn’t seen before!

“Is Lady Rozemyne really so excellent?!” she asked Eckhart.

He shrugged. “It would seem so, but I haven’t been able to serve Milord any more than you have.” He needed to earn excellent marks for his grades and his athleticism in order to be selected as a teacher, while Heidemarie was similarly focused on her grades and as many scholarly electives as she could stand.

While Justus and Lasfam could continue to serve Lord Ferdinand as attendants, she and Eckhart would need to become teachers in order to follow their lord to the Academy permanently. 

It was impossible to not be annoyed with this little girl who had seemingly managed to worm her way into Lord Ferdinand’s trust so quickly.

Finally she had an earthday free from classes, studying, and the need to go to the library to pull research materials, and she took advantage of that to go to Lord Ferdinand’s laboratory and even see how he had settled in.

Her attendant rang to be let in and Justus answered the door only to find that girl there. She was even holding a knife precariously close to her lord!

“That’s why younger wood is preferable, even required,” she explained, pointing with the knife to some mess of crunchy… wood? on the table.

“More supple before it’s dried out.”

“It’s the same as firewood,” the girl said. “It burns better when it’s dry, for obvious reasons, and it’s very wet when first cut. These fibers look good, though.”

Lord Ferdinand drew out his own schtappe and knife and gently peeled something out of the mess and inspected it, rubbing it between his fingers, and then nodding. He then looked up and greeted her, “Ah, Heidemarie.”

The girl looked up and smiled a beautiful, but not particularly noble, smile. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Well now she wasn’t allowed to be mad at the girl! Then again she was an archduke candidate of Drewanchel, of higher duchy and position than Heidemarie so it wasn’t like she could do anything but keep the anger inside. “Myself as well, Lady Rozemyne. May I pray in appreciation of this meeting?”

She nodded primly and accepted and exchanged a proper winter greeting. 

Lady Rozemyne seemed conflicted for a brief moment and then nodded to her older aide, who responded: “Milady, perhaps we could use the opportunity to attend to that matter in the dorm?”

Heidemarie was shocked by the display of what seemed to be manners, allowing Rozemyne to leave gracefully despite the fact she’d obviously intended to have more time with Lord Ferdinand. It was not strictly speaking a deferral to Heidemarie, since she was an archnoble and that wouldn’t be appropriate, but it did allow for Lord Ferdinand to allow her to leave.

He seemed conflicted.

“Yes, that might be best,” he answered. “Tomorrow?”

Lady Rozemyne nodded firmly before her aides began to pack up before she frowned very slightly. 

“If you’d like…?” She gestured to what seemed to be a huge platter of particularly unappealing rectangular things.

“That would be appreciated.”

She then drew out a handkerchief, picked one up, and ate a piece, thereby giving a fairly cursory poison display, and leaving the platter of them in the lab. 

After the girl had left, Lord Ferdinand picked one up and gestured. “Feel free to try one.”

Heidemarie picked one up while Lord Ferdinand took a bite of the item, and then another. Heidemarie followed his example and then spit it out almost immediately.

“Milord, these are quite bitter!” A sure sign of poison!

“It’s apfelsiege’s peel,” he answered, taking another bite, unconcerned. “There is a faint sweetness of honey underneath.”

Heidemarie glanced at Justus who nodded, and she took another bite, this time she allowed it to linger on her tongue a bit and did taste the honey flavors as well as a slight chewiness of the other dried fruits.

“I’m surprised you can eat something with such a bitter note,” Heidemarie said.

“Rozemyne noted my appreciation of it in the flavored water she served last week and experimented with it in these granola bars,” he answered. 

Although not extremely filling, they did have solid staying power, and then Heidemarie noted another oddity ‘noted his appreciation’. When had her lord ever appreciated something, especially food, and if he did she certainly had never noticed it. Even looking at him chewing the bar now didn’t seem like he found it tasty… but he ate a couple unprompted. Which was the only obvious sign he liked it to her. 

Could this girl somehow read her lord’s face better than her?

“I don’t know how to feel about this,” she confided in Justus later. “You know how hard it was for us all to gain his… trust.”  

Justus grinned, “Milord has put on weight for the first time in ages, even saying he would need to train with the knights more if he was going to eat so much.”

Eckhart would be happy to hear that… “Has… Bluanfah arrived?” she asked, skeptical but still curious. The girl was beautiful but also very young, but the age gap was nothing unusual. 

“For Milord? Doubtful; but he obviously enjoys her company.” That much was apparent to them all since he asked for their next meeting. “For the lady? Perhaps. She’s young and may mistake Bluanfah’s dance for something more modest or mistake admiration for her dance. But Milord eats more, sleeps more, and takes potions less, so I will pray to Bluanfah, Liebeskuilfe, or Sterrat if it means he gains Dauerleben’s blessing.”

It had been so long, she had guarded her lord’s safety and Eckhart his person, while Justus and Lasfam tended to his needs so long that it was shocking to realize their lord might not just endure, but perhaps even thrive somewhere.

Heidemarie was a loyal subordinate, and could not have granted her lord the cloak of the Dark God even if she wished for it, which she did not. She couldn’t even sense her lord’s mana, but perhaps the little Drewanchel girl could. If the girl was not competing as a subordinate, and would instead be a Goddess of Light to her lord, that was acceptable to her.

The next time she saw Lady Rozemyne in the library, she said hello, and while the girl did seem a bit upset by something, she pushed through and smiled brightly for Heidemarie.

“I wish you the best in your studies!” Rozemyne said, obviously knowing her circumstances and that she wanted to be a teacher to be near Lord Ferdinand. She was not jealous, that much was obvious, and so Heidemarie promised herself to reciprocate that courtesy.

The Librarians and Unreasonable Politics

It was unfair there was no librarian apprenticeship in Drewanchel and her own adoptive father forbade her from creating that new position for the castle library because not only was she an archduke candidate, but they were concerned she would decide the library was her permanent dwelling. Of course she argued she had decided so, and why not? 

She was told to learn the way of librarians in the Royal Academy instead, which meant- a library committee!  As the archduke candidate of Drewanchel, Rozemyne knew her manners so she started her quest to create a committee that would start from a friendly tea party with the current librarians. From there she would wow them through sweets and new sorting methods, and from there it should be a smooth way to convince them they need students to help them for librarian work!   

At least that was the plan; she couldn’t even get a tea party invitation accepted! 

She had been stymied at every turn, however, and eventually attempted to broach the topic with Ferdinand in a slightly roundabout way. He answered quite bluntly, however:

“They are attempting to save you from the trouble that is sure to soon befall them.”

“How can they be in trouble?” Certainly there were dangerous books or something but it didn’t seem like that sort of library… Was there a restricted section only for librarians and professors like in that famous wizard boy from her dream world? Could there be a book that bites or caused curses? 

Ferdinand tapped his temple, a gesture she now recognized as having been learned from his mentor, Professor Hirschur. “I suppose Drewanchel has largely remained neutral until now, and you are only a first year… The issue is that they are from Werkestock.”

Her confusion must have shown on her face, because he continued: “Prince Valdor’s mother’s home territory.”

That was the name of the fourth prince who fought the battle of succession with the recently enthroned Zent. Sometimes it was very easy to forget there was a civil war going on! It didn’t affect her in Drewanchel at all. “What does that have to do with the librarians, they’re Sovereignty nobles now, right?”

“Not where it concerns something like this.”

But… they were librarians ! The unbiased preservation and conveying of knowledge was their duty, not politics! “So… they’ll be sent home!”

She knew in her heart what punishment meant as a noble, but somehow it didn’t connect that that could be something that occurred to neutral librarians.

Ferdinand shook his head, his eyes slightly downcast.

Rozemyne felt her lip tremble and she covered her mouth with a delicate placing of her fingers. “W-would you please excuse me, Professor?”

“Please let me know when you wish to resume work.”

At first she almost wanted to snap at him. How could he be so cold? But then she remembered that he was a noble and had been his whole life and was simply saying she would tell him when she wanted to resume. She told Hrosvita they were leaving and the rest of her entourage hurried to pack up.

“Did Lord Ferdinand say something ungentlemanly?”

Rozemyne shook her head and didn’t say anything else, and Hrosvita, perhaps sensing that she was very upset hurried her to the dorm and she locked herself in her hidden room making several piles of gold dust.

Her mana had been more unstable since she’d started decompressing at Professor Ferdinand’s advice and this wasn’t helping one bit!

A few days later she headed to the library to try to discuss the matter with the librarians, almost forcing an eavesdropping tool into Professor Marian’s hands.

“I-is it true you and the other librarians are from Werkestock and— and—?”

She smiled, it was an odd look on her sharper features, and then nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid so. We are focusing on pouring as much mana as we can into the various tools so they can last as long as possible without us.”

That was too tragic! “Could you… run? Swear allegiance to Prince Trauerqual? I could ask Father to provide asylum!”

“Lady Rozemyne, we are servants of Mestionora, we cannot swear another vow, we cannot run, and we would not wish to burden your father, Aub Drewanchel. We had accepted our fate as soon as Dunkelfelger joined the war on Prince Trauerqual’s side.”

“But—!”

“Lady Rozemyne, I appreciate your concern, your love of books infuses everything you do, and we’re honored to have an incarnation of Mestionora to look upon before we…”

She wasn’t an incarnation of Mestionora! She was just a girl, a weird, reincarnated girl. It was then that she remembered Uncle Nicholas’ instructions from when she used to run off at the drop of a hat to achieve her new ideas: make sure to listen to your subordinates, know their hearts, and grant them their wishes, not your own.

Rozemyne took a deep breath, willing her mana back under control. “I understand, but if there is anything I can do, please tell me.”

“Let us take you on a tour of the library, then.”

A… tour? 

She accepted their offer, because it seemed like that one dying wish of theirs Rozemyne could fulfill. She told herself she could think later how to save them somehow, and now focused on her role as a future librarian, taking all the knowledge these great arch-librarians freely offered to her. Marian introduced her to many magical tools made specifically to preserve old books and all sorts of aged documents. The library was well lit by the numerous windows but the tools meant the sunlight wouldn’t harm old parchment and the humidity of the room was kept in check.  

She was reintroduced to Schwartz and Weiss and was registered as a supplier for their mana by Professor Carmen, a lady in her late thirties with hair as orange as a flame. She explained if they were fully topped off they could last almost a year, and Rozemyne was assured they would do this before they… left.

Carmen then guided Rozemyne to a restricted area with old notes deemed too dangerous to leave out for any student to take and then to the various rooms for librarians and servants. She was again introduced to Solange who seemed somber as well, but not from the wrong faction and she’d be expected to run everything without arch-librarian help.

Finally Professor Hermand, the lead amongst the archnoble librarians and the eldest among them, took her to an area on the first floor. “This is the cornerstone of the library.” 

Rozemyne looked at the fairly unimpressive podium that held an exceptionally large feystone at just below eye level. 

“In truth it is impossible to satiate,” he said, “but it mustn’t be allowed to run dry.” Rozemyne had finally realized why this tour was their last wish. They were leaving this to her, leaving her… in charge of the mana needed to run this beautiful library. Hermand placed a small book in her hands, and gave her a gentle smile. “We do not expect miracles, Lady Rozemyne, but going to a greater height knowing our duties to Mestionora will not go unremembered will be enough.”

They were all so kind and warm. How could anyone punish such wonderful people?

“Excuse me,” she said faintly, and she found an out of the way area to again compose herself over several minutes.

As Urano she’d never been the sort of girl who hid in the stacks and cried over anything! Even though she didn’t know these librarians - they had intentionally kept her from that - she still was mourning their loss as someone might a terminally ill person. Finally, when she had recovered most of her bearings, she returned and they continued the tour. 

She knew the upper floor well, although she was shown it again. There was the familiar statue and even though there were other magical tools, they were just a duplicate of ones she had been introduced to. The statue of Mestionora, a familiar goddess even in Drewanchel because their territory held her in high regard. Mestionora was a special goddess and among many gods and goddesses in Jorgenschmidt, she was the sole divine granddaughter of the Supreme couple. Also when looking at her loose hair and noticeably shin length dress, she was the only teenage goddess too. 

Looking at her ivory statue, Rozemyne couldn’t help but imagine if she had dark midnight hair and moon eyes blessed by her grandparents. She would be… 

“When we saw you for the first time in this library, we thought young Mestionora had come down from the Heights to read mortal books herself.” Hermand said with a chuckle.

She turned around to find him gazing at the statue fondly. “It does sound like something Goddess Mestionora would do.” 

Professor Hermand’s wizened features crinkled as he looked upon her kindly, “The flowers she always wears on her hair, it’s an obscure and forgotten myth but it is said… His Holiness Erwaermen, who became the Foundation tree after discarding his divinity, bloomed them to soothe Mestionora’s sadness.

“We lived a fulfilling life in this sanctuary of wisdom, giving our all in service of Mestionora.” He assured her. “We believe when she welcomes us to her library, we will not be ashamed to say we are her loyal servants to the very end.” The other librarians and library assistants, who had gathered behind him, nodded in agreement in a firm display of resolve, solidarity, and pride.

So… she who looked so much like the Goddess they devoted to should not show her tears and shake their resolve. Rozemyne did exactly that, holding in the tears so she could thank them for the tour. She promised that even though she was no incarnation of Mestionora she was still an aspiring librarian who would keep their treasured sanctuary safe. 

After she returned to her dormitory, her aides gracefully retreated so Rozemyne could spend her time in the hidden room in peace. She wanted to read the book they gifted her, but her eyes were full of tears, blurring her vision. She put it away on her bookshelf with care, and then sat on her desk, crying out loud to release her sadness.

Not even the whole night of bawling and thinking hard by herself about how to save the librarians soothed her aching heart. It was no wonder she couldn’t concentrate on research when she went to visit him the next day, and Professor Ferdinand was unhappy his assistant was indisposed. So he had their aides turn around and erect the soundproof barrier. 

“Politics is a horrid, dumb game in this life.” 

*

This ridiculous girl had just blurted out the most catastrophic statement no Archduke candidate would be caught making, not only was it offensive for ruling class nobles but also treacherous. He had heard she went to the library and returned from there very upset. However, by no means could she blame the foolish Royal Family out loud like this. 

“Rozemyne, while I am the only one who can hear you it doesn’t mean you can ignore manners completely.”

“Professor Ferdinand… There's no euphemistic way to describe my frustration in regards to the purge that’s going to wipe out so many lives. Also… if they killed so many people all over the country we would suffer not only from shortage of manpower but also a mana drought!” 

Ferdinand had a headache now to think a ten years old little girl saw the obvious flaw in the purge the winning faction was planning but the Royal Family and Klassenberg didn’t. Then again, they were deeply invested in the bloodshed and didn’t think about it thoroughly other than satisfying their revenge and paranoia.  “....Quite true. I predict the worst would only be felt in two or three years.” That was his rough estimation, and when they would ever recover would take two or three generations if they were being optimistic. 

It seemed his words just incensed her even more. “These wonderful people are only dutiful librarians, what could they do to threaten the Royal Family?” 

It was the noble's paranoia which was the basis of collective punishment. “Zent Trauerqual’s first son is enrolling next year… hence they need to eliminate anyone that could pose a threat to a royal prince.” 

“No archduke candidates or royal princes aside from you and Drewanchel’s cadets like me come visiting the library in person!” 

Normally that was quite true, but the Royal Family should be visiting the library for a certain Book sometime in the future, no? That would warrant the librarians being replaced. Perhaps in spring after the students left… His thought was cut short when he noticed her rant had wavered in volume and before him Rozemyne was trying to hold back her tears and failed miserably. She fumbled with her waist bag, obviously in search of a handkerchief but perhaps the latch stuck or something but her tears were already flowing. 

“I- am… s-sorry Prof-fessor but I just…” 

“You really…” He trailed off, speechless by the weird creature before him. He didn’t even know what to do with some crying… girl, it was beyond shameful for her to even cry in front of him, but there she sat. “They are no one to you… strangers, at best acquaintances you’ve known for over a month. Why would you cry for them?” He had no idea how else to say that, nor did he have a way to stem the tide of her tears, so he offered her his handkerchief instead.

She dabbed her tears, but her eyes were already puffy. “Because it’s so sad… they’re innocent, the librarians devote themselves to serve Mestionora. They earnestly protect her sanctuary and even… at the verge of death they- they… still think for the library, they look gaunt and weak not from fear of death but from putting mana tirelessly to every magical tool there so even… after their passing hic- the library will stay safe…. Uh-”

She was touched by their devotion and truly felt sad for their inevitable death?

“Then they.... Said… hic, it brings them joy seeing me in the library because I look like their beloved goddess…”

There was no way they didn’t fear death at all, but her mere presence gave them hope. Ferdinand sympathized and could understand why Rozemyne was such a bright existence to them, she was so unlike most nobles. So full of compassion and love, not just in words but in her actions. She cared too much and so… she was hurt too easily. Such a bizarre creature Drewanchel sent before him. Then again that was perhaps why he let his guard down around her so much. 

“Very well. I understand your concerns, but a lady shouldn’t show her tears so easily before others.” He summoned his schtappe and chanted. “Heilschmurz’s healing to Rozemyne.” He surveyed his work. The unseemly puffiness had gone away. “Better?”

Rozemyne nodded firmly. “Yes.” 

“Now then… enough crying. I believe they left you a valuable legacy you can follow as an aspiring librarian. They wouldn’t wish for wasted tears.”   

She pouted at him, “Professor Ferdinand, has no one told you that you should treat ladies more delicately?” 

“Indeed someone has, but I believe that advice doesn’t apply to most ladies I know.” If not all of them. A certain Dunkelfelger princess came to mind.

Rozemyne huffed, casting water goddess’ cleansing blessing upon his handkerchief before giving it back. “Go figure! But you did give me solid advice as usual. The librarians showed everything that should be taken care of after their passing from magical tools to Schwartz and Weiss! They even showed me the foundation of the library… and I have to keep it supplied and never let it run dry.”

Ferdinand froze. “What did you say?” He had never heard of such a thing.

“The foundation of the library. It’s the most important tool, they said. Though, it is odd that there is such a large foundation just for a building.” Rozemyne pondered, a finger on her cheek. “They also said something weird about it being impossible to sate?” 

Ferdinand looked into Rozemyne’s eyes to emphasize the seriousness of this. “Rozemyne. Never, under any circumstance, mention the library foundation to anyone else.”

“Bwuh? Why?”

“It may not be anything more than just a supply for the library. But on the off chance it isn’t…” 

He may be overthinking it. But this merits more caution, especially with Mestionora’s book in the library.

“Given how...tense the atmosphere is, any mention of a foundation could have political implications that can put you in danger. I say this as your teacher and mentor: it is for your own good to keep what the librarians taught you as a secret to protect yourself.”

Rozemyne thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. “Understood. But can I talk to you if anything else happens?”

Ferdinand nodded. “Of course. You are my disciple, after all.”

Then he realized it was the first time he called her that out loud. How strange. He had only known this girl for a few weeks, but the time he spent researching with her put her under his care so to speak. What else was this but a relationship between a mentor and a disciple? Is this how Hirschur felt when she picked him up those years ago?

Chapter Text

Social Season

With the majority of the students finished their classes and the academy entering social season, Rozemyne as both a female archduke candidate of Drewanchel and a trendsetter sadly abstained from visiting his laboratory for a while. On the other hand Heidemarie who had set her eyes to be a professor didn’t participate in most socialization, and she had Eckhart as a fiance who didn’t care about social season either. His assistant had seen fit to use her spare time to… find out more about Rozemyne. 

“She has an abundant blessing of Gleiseffan.”

“Which means…?” Eckhart asked. 

“She wanted to borrow a history book from Dunkelfelger and offered several large gold coins and also revealed her budget for her hobby is as much as a modest middle duchy like Ehrenfest has for liquid money.”

Justus cleared his throat in a surprised cough, while Ferdinand merely arched an eyebrow, curious. 

“She said they could have a copy of her transcription and modernization of the work for an extra eighteen large gold for paper, ink, and her scholars’ time. Apparently she also pays for transcriptions of zoological and biological books, stories, and a few scholarly texts, even going so far as to provide the paper and only charging for wastage.”

Ferdinand used to be able to be liberal with his funds due to his steady stream of interested students who wished to buy his potions, tools, and other miscellaneous items, but his income had been rapidly diminished by losing a steady stream of customers now that the war was ending.

“Where does she earn her funds, then?” Ferdinand asked, curious. He had seen her cake recipe that had been introduced as not her trend, had seen her hair that was repeatedly described as luxurious by almost anyone who spoke of her, had seen the attractive cloth flowers that adorned her hair and outfits, and had seen some of the proceeds of her paper research… In short, there was no end to the reasons she could be wealthy.

“Paper and beauty products are apparently the main reasons, and food.” Heidemarie answered, and she even nodded to where Eckhart was making free with a granola bar that Rozemyne had brought yesterday. “But everyone also mentioned… bottles?”

“Bottles?” Eckhart asked.

“Some sort of air tight bottle.”

Ferdinand went over to one of his work benches and pulled out the bottle that Rozemyne had given him materials in at least a half dozen times over the past weeks. They were occasionally a bit difficult to open, and wouldn’t replace the more typical feystone caps for more volatile compounds that could easily become airborne, but they were certainly superior to hold more inert or liquid ingredients. “These?”

Heidemarie took the vial delicately and tugged the stopper before nodding. “Almost certainly. Supposedly there’s a unique version that actually allows air to be removed and increases preservation times of certain ingredients by months, or even years.”

“So at ten she’d done more research than most graduates of the Royal Academy?” Justus asked.

“Except someone like our lord, yes.”

Which was still a very unusual comparison as Ferdinand’s research was his life’s work and main source of income because a certain Chaocipher decided Ehrenfest should not pay for a bastard’s living costs in the Royal Academy. 

“Is she poorly supported by Aub Drewanchel?” He couldn’t help but ask, concerned if her living situation was as poor as his had been in the Academy. 

Heidemarie shook her head. “The Aub pays for her clothes, living expenses, some of her research costs, entertainment stipends…” Basically everything an Aub was expected to do to support a child’s lifestyle. “Supposedly she even receives regular income from the duchy wide profits for things like her paper.”

In short, Rozemyne was wealthy under her own power. She had gotten to that point not out of necessity, but out of either intellectual curiosity or as a simple side effect of her research.

“ Why is she not considered a potential Aub then?”

Heidemarie and Justus shared a look that he couldn’t quite place, but she continued without making any additional comment: “Simply put, she doesn’t want to, Milord. She is heir to a southern province and by all accounts doesn’t even want that either, and is more seen as a placeholder while her biological father’s son by a third wife comes of age. Nothing is decided, and won’t be until after the civil war is over, but her step-siblings seem to think it’s likely she’ll become married to one of Prince Trauerqual’s sons.”

Gundolf had implied as much already… it was a noblewoman’s place to marry who her father told her to, Ferdinand knew that, but he couldn’t help but be a bit disappointed that Aub Drewanchel would voluntarily hand over such a capable intellect. There was also the fact that if his suspicions were correct, she might overshadow Prince Trauerqual, and most certainly his sons, in mana, which would mean Aub Drewanchel was in danger of offending the future Zent and his sons. It would be a stupid miscalculation, not befitting of a Drewanchel.

Still, he could do little about that, and she had six years to find a suitable match, maybe two or three if it came down to one of the princes, but that had nothing to do with him. As much as he should care for her like Hirschur did him, Ferdinand felt he should take care to make appropriate distance between them especially considering their… ages were far closer than he and Hirschur, and that was complicated by their genders. 

That concern for distance flew like Ordoschnelli when he heard Rozemyne had fallen ill, a very bad fever after a couple of tea parties and now was recuperating in Drewanchel. Gundolf informed him when he asked that it was due to aggressive decompression she was attempting since mid-season and her great uncle had also scolded her for being so careless. He was the one who had recommended it and he apologized to Gundolf. 

“The fault is not yours, Ferdinand. She knows better than to attempt it while she was away from the temple, and she is frailer than most.”

Again with the temple. This time he chose to ask: “Why the temple?”

“She went through her supply of empty feystones and should have waited to be somewhere she could safely have offloaded so much mana.”

“Exactly how much mana does she have?” Mana was difficult to measure, especially in an objective sense. The most someone could do would be to say someone had more mana than someone else by one attempting to overcome the other’s mana in some way.

Gundolf did not answer immediately, and Ferdinand watched several complicated thoughts clearly pass through his mind before he eventually arrived at: “When she was seven she had an argument with the Aub on an economic matter and boosted the mana requirements on her hidden room… locking Aub Drewanchel out.”

She had more mana at seven than a grand duchy Aub? Drewanchel was several generations distant from the royal family, but their Aubs were selected for a mix of intellect and mana and so while a handful of close family could have more mana than him… 

For a brief, frantic moment, Ferdinand wondered if they were related. He quickly contented himself with the fact that Rozemyne shared none of the typical features of a fruit of Adaliza, and that he would have certainly remembered her as they were only six years separated and he still had several distant memories of the place from just before his baptism. 

“Why do you so loudly play the role of Ordonschnelli, Gundolf?”

He smiled very faintly. “No other reason so that you understand that to Drewanchel she is a complicated mix of precious, dangerous, frail, and powerful.”

As was typical, it was a noble non-answer. “Well… then send her my wishes for her speedy recovery. I am without a research assistant.”

“You are her mentor, Ferdinand. No one would look askance at a letter.”

And so after a good deal of internal debate, he did write a letter, calling her a reckless fool… and asking if she had recovered.

His letter was returned only a day later and she completely ignored his chastisement: I thank you for your concern for my well-being, Professor. I can assure you I am doing well and am enjoying a break from socialization during my convalescence. My Uncle Nicholas has already assured I am suitably chastened. I hope to return to the Academy in three or four more days.

This led to the minor revelation that her Uncle had retired to the temple after losing a leg and arm in a confrontation with a feybeast, and Rozemyne assisted him in temple duties frequently.

Well, her temple relation aside (which also made him wonder about her reputation and marriage prospects)… Ferdinand still felt he was somewhat responsible for her terrible condition. He knew from personal experience that being on the verge of mana overload was a very agonizing state one would only wish for their worst enemies. 

He was considering how to make it up to her when the girl returned, even chirpier than usual and looked very… refreshed. Looking at her bright smiling face free of worry made Ferdinand relieved but also a tad annoyed. Why was he even worried for this reckless idiot?

“Professor Ferdinand, thank you for your advice! I feel much lighter in body and mind…” She was even twirling happily, her entourage looked on with fond expression. It seemed they had decided he was a teacher and thus Rozemyne didn’t need to be so proper around him. 

“Well yes, compression takes a toll on one’s mind and body.” Of course she felt much better. 

“He he… I haven't felt this good for years.” She sighed wistfully, “Ah, I brought you some thank you gifts! Please accept them!” 

Her attendant brought in a sizable box Justus accepted on his behalf, and inside was a beautiful set of component jars in crystal clear glass with ‘gummy’ stoppers that make them airtight. This one was apparently the type Heidemarie reported could remove air and extend the preservation period. 

Ferdinand felt as though he should chastise her for her generosity, but instead ended up learning how to use the small pump mechanism to remove air.

“When you want to open it, you need to return the air!” she explained enthusiastically and then showed him that process as well. He’d learned these ‘vacuum’ jars were each sold for small golds, so the set of five was quite valuable, even empty, especially since getting access to part of a trade quota as a new professor would have been nearly impossible.

“I was surprised to learn you were offloading your mana in the temple, not the supply,” Ferdinand said as he and Rozemyne shared tea and cookies.

“Aub Drewanchel only asks for supply during the Archdukes Conference,” she answered with a shrug. “Uncle has trouble performing the Winter ceremonies due to his injuries so I usually do those, I think it’s just second nature to me.”

No noble thought of the temple as second nature. “I must admit I’m familiar with the temple services only in the abstract.” He’d seen a few winter baptisms as a boy and that was it.

Rozemyne then explained the temple functions briefly: prayers for Flutrane in spring to give mana to farmers, then… “I suppose you know the Star Binding Ceremony…”

“I’ve never attended,” he answered.

Rozemyne looked at him, confusion obvious. 

“My first summer as an adult was here in the Academy.”

She still seemed confused, but continued: “It’s the obvious entreaties to the Supreme Couple, fall is busy for the temple, with priests going around to the various duchies to collect taxes and perform all the commoner ceremonies for farmers, and then in winter it’s the Dedication Ceremony.”

Ferdinand usually participated in the hunting tournament so he knew little about tax collecting. “Justus is trained as a tax collector.”

“I sat in on a negotiation once, I think I almost fell asleep.”

Beside him, Justus poured him fresh tea and smiled. “It can be boring and frustrating.”

“Frustrating?” Rozemyne pondered. “Ehrenfest is a bit further north, but I would think crop yields would at least be stable…?”

It was a testament to him getting to know Rozemyne that he immediately knew she was searching for research data and concern for commoners, not political room to maneuver around Ehrenfest… how strange. 

“The north tends to suffer from poor yields,” Justus explained after Ferdinand nodded for him to continue.

Rozemyne nodded. “Overwintering can help some, even in thick snows.”

Did… did this girl know about everything? “Over… wintering? The giebes return to Ehrenfest city most winters.”

“Planting crops in late fall for an early spring harvest,” she explained, taking another cookie. “Merhen at least should tolerate that, a few others…” She shrugged, not particularly elegant. “That only will work if the mana is sufficient, however, so checking mana levels in early spring or late fall is necessary.”

“And if the levels are low?” Ferdinand asked. 

Rozemyne finally stopped rambling, something she did often when talking, and actually seemed to reflect fully on the conversation. She’d never said anything particularly important in those conversations, it was usually incidental things. After a pause she chewed on her cookie more.

“The fault would probably be in the temple,” she answered firmly. 

Vehrdonner’s thunder struck in his ears. “How… would such a thing be accomplished?”

“It depends,” she answered, and her eyes said that she knew Ferdinand was no longer speaking in the theoretical. “Priests can fail to fill the grails at all, offload the mana in allied provinces, offer the mana to a family cornerstone rather than the land…” She then glanced at Justus. “What is the pattern of failure?”

Ferdinand nodded again, it wasn’t as though his duchy’s reputation would survive this damned girl as it was.

Justus didn’t immediately answer.

“When considering population and arable land, approximately twenty five to forty five percent less food than more prosperous neighbors?”

“Yes, Lady Rozemyne.”

“Where did you get those numbers?” Ferdinand asked, voice stern.

“Giebes will, of course, attempt to make up the shortfall of an empty grail, but for some reason grails filled in the temple are more potent. My hypothesis is that it is because mana is removed from the other holy instruments as part of the Dedication Ceremony, but my uncle and Aub Drewanchel won’t let me test it.”

“And he let you test the other one?”

“That was retrospective historical data,” she answered, defending herself from the accusation of not providing her people mana for an experiment. “The elements of water, dark, and light are at play. If the giebe has all three the twenty five percent reduction is about expected, missing all three and it is closer to forty five. I take it this falls along political lines that match your High Bishop or other high ranked functionary in the temple?”

Ferdinand sighed. 

“Uncle doesn’t allow such things,” Rozemyne answered firmly. “But it seems you should have your Aub turn his eyes to the temple. Mana embezzlement is a terrible crime.”

He was well aware, but he was also aware Leisegang would hardly bother to complain. Veronica had long ago convinced Sylvester that the lion’s share of their complaints were exaggerated.

“I assume there are other ways temple operations can be used to obfuscate illicit financial dealings?”

“Oh, dozens,” Rozemyne answered with…pride? “I would worry about the mana first, Professor. Economically speaking it is difficult to teach financial auditing in the abstract, and I’m afraid any practical items would be barred from leaving the duchy.”

“Of course,” not even Sylvester was foolish enough to send him tax documents in the Sovereignty. “And the harvest research?”

She tilted her head. “A slightly redacted version of the report might be possible.”

It did arrive a week or so later with several blacked out portions, a huge waste of ink. It was clear some political upheaval had struck Drewanchel at some point in the past and Rozemyne, bored idiot that she was, had apparently noticed the issue in old temple records.

Justus looked at the paper after Ferdinand had finished. “What sort of weirdo reads old harvest reports?”

“It seems Lady Rozemyne is such a weirdo,” Ferdinand answered with a sigh. 

It did make it clear she was deeply involved in temple politics and mana management, however, even at her young age, and it was just as clear that while their current High Bishop was honorable there had been at least some issues in the past… but it also made it clear that leaving Bezewanst in the temple and thinking he was out of sight and out of mind was clearly incorrect.

“I’ll address this with Sylvester in spring.”

He only hoped his brother would see reason in these numbers.

*

Professor Ferdinand never attended the Starbinding ceremony in his home duchy and it was his first summer as an adult this year. “Great Uncle! Professor Ferdinand is just sixteen years old?!” 

Her great uncle looked at her in puzzlement before he sighed loudly, “Rozemyne… I trust you did not say that out loud to Ferdinand’s face, did you?” 

“I didn’t…but he… He looks twenty at least !” 

Great uncle sat down back to his chair and offered her the soundproof tool, while her attendants busied themselves with tea and sweets. “Ferdinand lived a harsh life no archduke candidate should experience. I believe you noticed that he is a very guarded man?” 

Rozemyne recalled their first real meeting. “Yes… I mean Tsuchi-kun makes most people wary because it’s too cute for a high beast, but Professor Ferdinand acted like it could be dangerous. He is also quite sensitive when there are people behind him…” He was less guarded around her lately but then again a frail little girl could hardly pose a threat to the high and mighty Professor Ferdinand. 

“Do you enjoy spending your time researching with him?” 

“Uh huh! He is a great help and he is even better than you in brewing, great uncle.” 

Gundolf shook his head, “It’s true, his potions are super effective for me, although…part of why his potions are so potent aside from precious ingredients is because Ferdinand completely disregarded taste in the making.” He explained with a fond smile on his lips.  

Rozemyne had a goal in mind already. “I will try my best to make him change his mind about taste. I mean… his potion when the lid opened has a stench that could wake the dead.” 

“...Rozemyne, watch your language! But…” Great uncle trailed off. “You are not wrong, the stench would even give Ewigeliebe pause.” His hand hovered over his nose, perhaps in recollection of his own experience with Professor Ferdinand’s special recovery potion. 

She cupped her cheek, “If not for him eating the food I bring so enthusiastically, I would have thought his taste buds had atrophied.”  

Great uncle looked at her in amazement, which was not rare but she had not said anything out of this world as he would put it. “Ferdinand… eats the food you bring? In front of you?” 

“Yes?” Rozemyne answered, unsure which part of it was strange to great uncle. “I think I have studied his preferences perfectly, he dislikes sweets like a typical nobleman but his palate is quite refined and he loves savory and deep flavors more.” Rozemyne couldn’t help but smile. “Contrary to his aloof and cold look, he is quite a glutton!” 

“Hmph!” 

“Great uncle, did you just choke on cookies? Here is your tea.” 

He drank and quickly asked. “What do you mean he is a glutton?” 

“He eats very well… and a lot, but I think it’s no problem because he exercises properly. He is a knight too, isn’t he?” She confirmed and her great uncle nodded. “...Is there something wrong?” 

The look on her great uncle’s face was… indescribable. He seemed happy and oddly full of anticipation. “Rozemyne, perhaps you will fulfill Drewanchel’s great wish after all ha ha ha! Your adoptive father, Aub Drewanchel would be very pleased!” 

She cupped her cheek, tilting her head in confusion. “It is my pleasure to hear that, but I think I don’t understand…” 

Justus - Almost spring

It was a well understood fact that aides had their master’s best interests at heart but occasionally went outside of their immediately prescribed duties in order to accomplish them. This fact had become most apparent when it came to the matter of the young Lady Rozemyne and his lord, Ferdinand.

It seemed their duty was best served by assuring she was around as much as possible. Since their lord had met Rozemyne he had gone from sustaining himself with nourishing potions and minimal food from the cafeteria to eating food regularly enough that he joined the Ehrenfest apprentice knights in practice two to four times a week.

Eckhart adored this, of course, and even more so when Lady Rozemyne had heard about his time in knight practice and had regaled the entire Ehrenfest knight course with the granola bars, rolled nut and oat balls, and some strange powder that could be added to water for something she called “electrolytes.”

The recipes to make such food had apparently been discussed with Dunkelfelger and now the Ehrenfest knights were clamoring for the same recipes to be purchased for them. It was also easy to see the results in their master: he was putting on weight and muscle in his shoulders, and even seemed like he might have a final growth spurt if the slight change in how his robes fell was any indication. 

His lord was still plagued by nightmares, little could be done for that by Rozemyne, but his health was obviously improved. The lack of fear of poisoning doubtless helped, but the food was a major factor. By the end of the season, Lady Rozemyne could even be counted on to offer up dinner and those recipes were absolute perfection .

In short, no matter what their lord occasionally said about Rozemyne being a pest or a hassle… his entire entourage was deeply appreciative of her. They were all also well aware how their lord would push away good things for fear of losing them, and they were extremely careful to assure that didn’t happen to Lady Rozemyne.

“Professor Ferdinand! The knights have sent a few winter feyfruits that should improve the taste of the stamina potions considerably!”

Behind her, Hrosvita held an impressively sized basket, looking fondly at her lady.

Lord Ferdinand sighed as though she was being particularly difficult, but gestured her over and she came to stand beside him. “Why do knights send you such things?”

“Uncle cannot perform the various temple duties required of knights, so I perform most of them,” Rozemyne explained without a trace of concern in again mentioning her temple upbringing. “So I perform many pre-battle blessings. I offer to pay them for their time, but they always decline.” She sighed her cute little sigh of annoyance that reminded Justus more of a shumil than a lady sometimes.

The two of them began discussing which methods they would explore first in the brewing process, and while Justus was always very interested in such things he had been assigned by Ferdinand to look over the harvest issues and compare them to the information that Rozemyne had provided concerning temple and mana duties. A word to Gudrun had produced a deluge of papers on the matter, much to Ferdinand’s consternation that this was let out of the duchy for any reason, even at his request.

This was cross referenced with an item from Elvira that included known colors of various giebes. It was dull and boring work, but it was also very illuminating.

Lasfam interrupted his work a short time in with a delicate shove to his shoulder, and Justus’s head came up from his work only to see Lord Ferdinand and Lady Rozemyne… standing particularly close. Although she had to stand on a taller stand to do so, she was so close that she was almost touching shoulder to shoulder with his lord.

“Does that work?” Rozemyne asked, and his lord leaned in a bit more, obviously to inspect the work but pushing himself even closer to her.

“It seems so,” his lord answered, taking some of the substance from the cauldron and going over to his stand for measuring elemental compositions.

They seemed… far too close for propriety, and Justus was shocked that Rozemyne’s aides hadn’t stepped in, only to quickly glance over to where they were. Hrosvita was standing nearby with a contented expression, while the younger attendant and scholar apprentice were clearly clinging to eavesdropping tools. The location meant that they didn’t care about also hiding their lips and Justus was fairly certain he was witnessing the two of them rambling about whether or not his lord would get even closer.

Interesting… 

Lord Ferdinand returned and nodded. “The balance is within expectations, but remove a quarter of the herbs.” 

Rozemyne then stepped away from the cauldron and Lord Ferdinand picked up the discarded mixing stick and continued to work. Justus blinked, twice. Obviously that was not his lord’s schtappe, but mixing sticks (and knives and other tools that required some dyeing) were usually attuned to the wielder quickly after a first use, just like how using another’s highbeast or other tool was far more difficult. That his lord could pick up the tool and use it effortlessly meant… 

He felt a slight flush at his own collar as his lord carelessly mixed mana with the girl. That was so unlike him, and yet he was easy to wrap up in research… perhaps he hadn’t even noticed what he was doing. It was only slightly less brazen than skin to skin mana contact. Justus briefly wondered if he’d been too remiss in the gentleman’s education of his lord. After all, he’d shown little to no interest in anyone before or since Lady Magdalena, and even she was shown barely a fraction of the attentiveness his lord was offering now. To his lord, Lady Magdalena had been nothing but a potential escape from Ehrenfest.

It was even more shocking that no one from Lady Rozemyne’s entourage was protesting, and when he checked again he saw that they seemed to be holding their breath, also shocked, but none of them moving in to correct her, not even Hrosvita who was several levels more assertive and terrifying compared to Justus’s mother.

He knew Hrosvita was a branch family aide like his mother, not specifically duty bound to Lady Rozemyne, and so it was safe to assume that what was transpiring was within expectations and acceptable tolerances for Drewanchel as a whole. This boustrous, temple-raised, ten year old giebe’s daughter had accidentally become more accomplished than Dunkelfelger’s princess and several royal princesses when it came to seducing his lord. 

Without even trying.

“Ah! It looks like it’s almost done!” Lady Rozemyne rushed over to the cauldron just as the concoction shined to indicate completion. The two looked up at each other so closely they were almost nose to nose!

The pair hurriedly distanced themselves and turned away. Was the Drewanchel princess flushing?

Were his lord’s ears crimson?!

Was Justus witnessing the dance of Bluanfah?!?!

His lord cleared his throat: “That seems to have done it. Is it sufficiently refined for your palate?”

Lady Rozemyne made an indelicate noise of protest before retrieving tools to separate out the potion. “It’s not a refined palate, it’s not wanting to risk greeting the Supreme Couple from the smell and taste!”

His lord smirked at her, and waited for her to finish separating the potion out. The two of them had a pair of tubes, almost like a pair of drink glasses, and they experimentally sniffed before they both took a brief taste of the experimental concoction. The concoction that had both of their mana in it!!

“Hmm,” his lord said. “The efficacy is good.”

“So is the taste.”

“That would be a good potion for a morning after a long night of research…”

Rozemyne clutched the cauldron and shot his lord an annoyed look. “Potions can’t serve as a substitute for sleeping, Professor! It’s obvious you try, but you always smell of too many potions on sproutday and waterday!”

She… Lady Rozemyne knew what his lord smelled like?! And could tell when he hadn’t slept from research? His lord seemed ignorant of this, but Justus caught a frantic puff of gold powder from the apprentice attendant out of the corner of his eye.

It seemed they had finally reached a ‘too stimulating’ level and Hrosvita called them away to have tea. Today it seemed Rozemyne had brought cheese and wintery greens in biscuits of some sort. Rozemyne had hers with butter while his lord took them plain.

“Hopefully Aub Drewanchel won’t work you too hard this year.”

Lady Rozemyne frowned slightly. “No, Father is quite reasonable on that front. Spring Prayer, of course, and more tutoring for my little sister Adolphine, but I should have plenty of time to experiment and read.” She continued: “I… heard that many Ehrenfest nobles don’t return home for the off season. Will you go?”

Justus inwardly winced at the question. “Some this spring,” his lord answered. “I need to discuss the temple mana issue with Aub Ehrenfest.”

“Your brother, right?”

Ferdinand nodded. “Half.”

“I hope it is helpful,” she answered. “I don’t know how it is in other territories, but there are definite divides between father’s wives.”

Justus was unsure if Rozemyne was intentionally prodding Ehrenfest politics, but his lord seemed to ignore it. “Says the lady who is tutoring her step sister.”

“Adolphine is adorable and precious. How could I not assure she has the best education that can be offered?”

Such a strange girl. Justus wondered if it was because she largely grew up around an adult male uncle, but despite being the smallest student among the entire Academy she always seemed to call students and other children “cute,” as though she was their mother not their peer. 

“I cannot say I was allowed to be close to my brother,” Ferdinand admitted, his voice held no particular emotion but Justus knew that was a sore point for his lord. “But he usually listens to my advice.”

“Oh, that’s good then. Will your father be able to help with the chalice investigation, then?”

Justus did wince internally at that, even if Rozemyne had deeply investigated his lord, internal duchy politics weren’t of interest to such an elevated duchy as Drewanchel. Ehrenfest was almost fifteen ranks beneath them.

“Ah.” Ferdinand seemed stumped for a brief moment. “No, our previous Aub recently climbed the towering staircase.”

Rozemyne hid the beginnings of an indelicate expression behind a sip of tea. “My deepest, sincere condolences.”

Ferdinand offered a faint smile. “It was not unexpected.”

“Still…” Rozemyne placed a hand on her chest. “Losing family is difficult. Professor, I…”

“Unnecessary, Rozemyne.”

The previously sweet, spring atmosphere was gone without a trace, and Justus ached for his master who put up a wall once more.

The girl fell silent, nodded, and then took another sip of tea. “Well, if you need help or more data, please write to me immediately! Aub Drewanchel approved the release of my report, but he may allow specific pieces of data to be released if I ask.”

“I will keep it in mind,” his lord promised. 

Justus could see that Rozemyne was struggling. She was a young girl, doubtless far more emotional than his master, and she had unintentionally battered his lord’s emotions. He could see her stop and start thoughts and words several times, perhaps offering help, or condolences, or sympathy, but after a long stretch of silence she said: 

“Please do, Professor.”

They were able to return to the potion after tea, but the atmosphere from before never returned. Rozemyne did have Hrosvita leave more feyfruit for him, but left after they had finished bottling up the potion.

It was impossible not to notice that his lord was a bit melancholy that evening as Justus brushed out his hair and scrubbed. He couldn’t even begrudge Rozemyne, she had healed his lord quite exceptionally this winter, but both for the Academy and his lord it was nowhere near spring. He just hoped Lady Rozemyne wouldn’t give up on his lord; while Lady Magdalena didn’t have warm feelings for him, it was this kind of issue that made her reject their engagement. A wall of ice protecting his heart that was so hard to crack not even a bold Dunkelfelger princess was willing to try. He feared this delicate and intelligent princess of Drewanchel wouldn’t try either.  

He was shocked when, far from avoiding his lord, Rozemyne sought out Heidemarie a few days later and rather conspicuously asked what sort of gifts her lord might appreciate.

“I admitted to his trouble sleeping,” Heidemarie admitted, somewhat abashed.

“How could you reveal our lord’s weakness like that?” Eckhart asked, clearly annoyed at his fiancée.

“Well she was concerned!” Heidemarie protested in return. “And she said she might know how to help.”

Justus and Lasfam were shocked into silence, as was Eckhart. 

“She wanted to help?” Justus clarified, not quite believing what he was hearing.

“She even muttered something about him being a ‘growing boy.’” Heidemarie sounded a bit miffed by that. 

Justus covered his mouth and sniggered. Only Lady Rozemyne would call his lord a growing boy . “I am glad. She was obviously upset when Lord Ferdinand rebuffed her concerning Lord Adelbert’s death, and I was concerned he trampled what few spring blooms might have begun to sprout.”

“No, I would say that if anything it seemed to make Lady Rozemyne more determined,” Heidemarie said. “If she can offer our lord respite from his past…”

“I think we would all wish for that,” Justus confirmed.

Apparently the tiny Drewanchel princess was not so frail as she might seem, at least not in her spirit. 

Chapter Text

Gifts Before Departure 

That day Rozemyne left the lab with a heavy heart, wondering what she could do for her mentor who must still be suffering from grief. It was hard to empathize since her father as Urano died when she was young, and her parents as Myne gave her up to the temple, but she knew family was important after losing it again and again. She wanted to give Ferdinand a big hug, but that was not appropriate as a noble. So then what?

Two days later she was heading to her favorite carrel in the library when she ran into Heidemarie. They exchanged greetings, when she was struck with an idea. She beckoned the scholar closer and gave her a soundproofing tool.

“What is it, Lady Rozemyne?”

Rozemyne fidgeted a little. How could she say this and not be misunderstood!

“I would like to give something to Professor Ferdinand. I-it’s a thank you gift! For being Ewarchleren and Anhaltung! But I’m uncertain as to what to give him…” She kept to herself it was also a condolence gift, anything to ease that pain in his eyes. 

Heidemarie’s eyes sparkled. “My, a gift for milord! Hm… he does tend to enjoy the food you make. Justus and Lasfam are ever so grateful for that! The only problem now is that milord is not sleeping well.”

“No sleep? That’s not good for his health! He’s still a growing boy!” He must still be in his growing period given his age!

Heidemarie nodded vigorously. “He takes this potion that is supposed to grant a full night’s sleep that wakes him up in a bell, but it seems the side effect is vivid nightmares. I tried it once since I usually help him brew it, and it was terrifying!”

How awful!

Rozemyne thought for a moment. “I might have just the thing. Thank you so much Heidemarie!”

The girl's shoulders eased and she smiled in relief. “I am ever so grateful, Lady Rozemyne.”

When Rozemyne got back to the dormitory, she hurried up to her hidden room. There was always a fierce competition to nab one of the stations in the shared brewing rooms so it was much easier for her to just use her own brewing station in her hidden room. 

It was her personal space, complete with a comfortable couch, a bookshelf, several potted plants, a brewing table, a different shelf filled with ingredients, and a work desk. The floor had fluffy rugs on them, so she was able to take off her shoes and feel comfortable in her safe haven. 

A small altar dedicated to the gods was placed in the back corner of the room behind a partition, a gift from her uncle Nicholas. She went over to it and touched the white feystone next to the small statue of Ewigeliebe.

“May my brewing receive the blessings of Cuococalura.”

Rozemyne struck the prayer pose, and a gentle white light rained upon her. While she did this prayer many times, the white light of blessings when she prayed for herself only happened in the academy for some reason. At home she could bless others, but did not receive blessings for her own endeavors. How strange.

She went to her shelves and took out ingredients to make mana imbued threads, then got to work. She made a spool of white thread in order to absorb life attributes. Then, she nabbed some flexible wood from her shelves and weaved it into a wooden circle. It wasn’t difficult, and reminded her of that time she made baskets out of magazines with her mother as Urano.

She started to loop her thread around the circle, creating layers as she went so it would resemble a web. It took her some time, but it was much easier than embroidery. She also added some life attribute feystone beads that she made onto the string to increase the effect. A loop of thread was attached for hanging the craft. Finally, she took some feathers from a feybeast that were light gold like Professor Ferdinand’s eyes to hang from the bottom of it. Her face flushed a bit when she thought of the moment when he gazed into her eyes in his lab the other day.

After some finishing touches, Rozemyne was done. She made him a dreamcatcher!

Oddly enough, the concept of using a dreamcatcher was practiced among commoners in Drewanchel. Well, they call it a ‘nightmare ward,’ but the concept was similar to what she read about in a history book as Urano. If this worked, Professor Ferdinand would be able to sleep without the nightmare potion!

Just in case, she went back to the altar and put her creation on top of the white feystone and prayed “May Ferdinand receive the blessings of Schlaftraum to have peaceful slumbers.” The white threads and white beads began to glow, and she felt reassured that it would work.

Now, when should she give it to him?

*

Ferdinand was slightly reluctant to have Rozemyne return to his lab after that little display concerning his father’s death. He didn’t wish to see her teary doe eyes anywhere near him. But he wasn’t so cold to completely deny her, and so a bit before the end of the season she came to review the research progress and say farewell. He loathed to admit it, but he may have missed her presence as an efficient pupil during her absence.

“Professor Ferdinand, I wanted to thank you ever so much for your role as Ewachlaren and Anhaltung.”

He nodded, but was shocked when Hrosvita presented a flat and thin box to Justus, who obviously examined it and opened it, his aide inspected it for a few moments and then tilted the box toward Ferdinand: it was a light wooden hoop of some sort, with pale white thread like silk woven and wrapped to produce a very accurate version of Schlautrum’s symbol and with several white beads interwoven along it at the most relevant nexuses. Feathers paler than the color of Schutzaria hung from the bottom of the hoop.

He felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. Rozemyne had showered him with gifts this season, and yet they were all simple things: tools already invented, materials, meals… But this was much more obviously crafted by her hand for him.

“Where did you get the impression I needed such a thing?” He asked, still incredibly wary even as he was impressed at his disciple’s thoughtfulness.

“Your [panda] eyes aren’t particularly subtle, Professor,” she answered.

Why did he get the distinct impression he was being mocked? But instead of finding it annoying he instead ran his fingers carefully along the wood and thread. The thread was imbued with mana, comfortable enough that he knew that was Rozemyne’s, as were the beads.

The mana flow was excellent, the construction similarly so.

“Can… Can I continue to be your disciple next year, Professor?”

He looked at the device, and then Rozemyne, catching those hopeful evening moon eyes looking up at him.

“Well, you would have to. We haven’t finished your paper yet.”

Rozemyne twirled happily. “I am ever so grateful.”

Ferdinand was still confused by the magic tool, his words failing him, Grammalatur forsaking him. The warm feel of mana along his fingertip was intoxicating. “What is this called?”

“It’s called a nightmare ward, or a dreamcatcher!”

“Not particularly elegantly named,” he noted.

“I don’t know who invented it, Drewanchel commoners use them but they aren’t magic tools usually. I just added the manaed part.”

Ferdinand smiled very faintly. Turning some random item into a magic tool was not so simple as just adding mana, but it was clear to him this would do what Rozemyne clearly intended it to: ward off nightmares.

“Schlaftraum’s weave,” he said instead. 

“That’s definitely more elegantly named,” Rozemyne agreed.

“How is it used?”

“Simple! Hang it from the canopy from the bed or on a wall near your bed. Pray to Schlautrum. Then sleep!”

She hesitated, then added: “Since it is the first time it has been made as a magic tool, I would like to hear about the results and effectiveness. For research. If you don’t mind?”

“For research,” he agreed.

A slight, reproachful clearing of the throat by Justus and he realized he hadn’t actually thanked Rozemyne, for the gift or for her curious presence. 

“Very fine work,” he said.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Lasfam pinch the bridge of his nose, but Rozemyne beamed.

“And you took the best student award this year. First in Class.”

The Interduchy Tournament and Award Ceremony events were canceled this year due to the aftermath of the war, so he felt this was worthy of mentioning since it wouldn’t be publicly acknowledged otherwise.

Rozemyne nodded. “It was easy this year, but maybe next will be more difficult.”

Somehow he doubted it. “Until next year.”

“Yes, until next year… but I will write.”

Ferdinand nodded, he knew he would as well.

He felt strange. Later that night, Justus placed the web up near the head of the canopy of his bed when he retired and Ferdinand prayed as instructed. Justus had even forbidden him from taking that potion, if only for a night or two.

Ferdinand always remembered his dreams - nightmares - so it was odd to wake up refreshed the next morning. He’d been riding around in that strange thing tsuchi-kun with Rozemyne, and they were flying around a blooming ruel tree. Despite the incredible precariousness of such a position, he and Rozemyne sat on branches that were much too thin. Rozemyne delicately held the ruel in a handkerchief and ate it.

“It tastes good! And smells good.”

“It is an exceptionally strong wind elemental feyfruit and you are eating it.” It seemed even his dream Rozemyne was weird.

“Gods make trees bear fruit for humans to eat, a scripture says so.” 

And he woke up with a faint smile on his lips, remembering a full evening of bickering and chatting with that weirdo pupil of his. Perhaps her mana had tangled up into his own and Schlautrum had brought them both a dream, or brought a figment of Rozemyne to his dream, produced by her mana…

When he realized he’d slept from seventh bell almost through to third he was dumbfounded, but Justus seemed to be more than happy enough to ramble about the excellence of his student while he dressed for the day.

Later, Ferdinand out of curiosity looked for a copy of scripture focused on Schutzaria’s kin and also Flutrane and couldn’t find anything that said they made trees bear fruit to be eaten by humankin. Well, it wasn’t as though the Dream Rozemyne was any more real than the Veronica that haunted his nightmares, so she would be expected to say odd things.

Hidden Royals and Hidden Wisdom

Sebastian had only been Aub Drewanchel for a few years, having solidified his ascension after his father’s retirement three years earlier, but he was already well situated to his position. Were it not for the civil war that had stained his entire tenure, he could almost say being Aub Drewanchel was something of a pleasure.

One such reason for that enjoyment was his strangely exceptional adopted daughter, Rozemyne. He knew her secret, of course; his distant cousin Nicholas had not hidden that from him when he brought the little girl to his attention: a Devouring child left in his orphanage at four after her parents could no longer afford to keep such a sickly little thing.

He couldn’t even blame a commoner for not understanding that they had an incarnation of Mestionora in their midst.

Of course, having such a child was not without its struggles. She was too exceptional, and while Sebastian felt some guilt in it, he had always known it would not do to have her become Aub… but she also didn’t want that for herself, and that assuaged a good deal of his guilt. She was even terrifyingly eager to assure that his eldest daughter, Adolphine, was trained by the incarnation of Mestionora herself.

But the most interesting news that his daughter and his uncle Gundolf had sent back that year at the Academy was that Rozemyne seemed to have entangled Lord Ferdinand of Ehrenfest in some level of Blueanfah’s dance, something he previously would have thought impossible.

“Very good work this year, Rozemyne.”

“Thank you, Aub! I think the best student award is not so impressive this year, however, so I will need to redouble my efforts for next year!”

He smiled faintly. “Gundolf says you have become fast friends with Professor Ferdnand?”

Her face brightened in a fashion not suited for nobles, but Sebatian couldn’t help but be pleased by her obvious happiness. “Yes, and I will need some time stopping tools to send him food, since he will be in Ehrenfest for a whole quarter and that wicked stepmother of his might try to taint his food!”

A very real concern, but still amusing that it was Rozemyne’s first concern. They discussed the school year and curriculum, as well as what research she wanted to focus on during the off season. Afterwards he wrote to Gundolf and requested tea with Lord Ferdinand to see if there might be some level of Bluanfah’s dance that had come to him during the season.

He would be happy to give his dear daughter to Ferdinand, knowing that he had the intelligence and wisdom to temper his occasionally out of control child.

Tea was scheduled in one of the Drewanchel tea rooms for approximately a week later, but it was only a few days when his cousin, High Bishop Nicholas, sent for an urgent meeting. Due to the nature of Nicholas’s injuries, he went to the temple himself despite the fact it was more common to demand the High Bishop come to him. His wives knew he had no desire for flowers, so this was not an issue to them.

Nicholas was sitting, as he always did, his left elbow holding him up while clearly missing the rest of his arm. It was a tragedy of noble society where such a lack of beauty was shameful enough to demand he go to the temple… Nicholas had once been a fine knight.

Sebastian had his aides set up a ranged soundproofing tool and fully dismissed their entourages out of the dining area and had the doors closed.

“What has my daughter done this time?” Sebastian asked.

Nicholas smiled fondly. “It is always her, isn’t it?” 

He carefully took a sip of tea and speared a tiny little ‘mini quiche’ with a fork. Rozemyne had a variety of ‘no knife needed’ foods that allowed her uncle Nicholas to look marginally elegant while eating, and they were nice for a quick snack as well… 

“She returned to the temple to check in with her grays, and as is her wont she decided to read from the scriptures. She soon discovered that there were additional words there, at the front of the book: ‘Dost thou want to be king?’”

Sebastian coughed slightly into his tea. His daughter had seen what?!

“She tried to show me, but I could not read it. She then began to read out what seemed to be some manner of instruction, but it was in the ancient language and thus fairly obtuse.”

He sighed, squeezing his temples between his fingers. “And you told her to keep quiet?”

“Of course, and then immediately summoned you,” Nicholas confirmed. “She began to ramble about what might have been different since fall when she last read the scriptures, but I again reminded her to keep quiet on it, and that she was only to make notes in her hidden room from now on.”

Sebastian nodded at the wise precaution. Technically at rank four, Drewanchel could conceivably support Rozemyne as a Zent, but he also knew that Rozemyne wouldn’t want the position and would absolutely not want to restart the civil war over such a specious potential claim to the throne. Her blood didn’t even contain a drop of royalty in it, and so her viability as a Zent candidate was also in question.

“This is difficult,” he told Nicholas. “It is not well known yet, although it will be when the Archdukes Conference reconvenes, but Zent Trauerqual does not possess Grutrissheit.”

Nicholas winced visibly. In short, their Zent lacked the Wisdom and Aub Drewanchel’s daughter might be able to acquire it. And then there was that boy still at the Academy and well known to be even more exceptional than Rozemyne, and his blood… 

Well, his father had speculated, and Sebastian had to agree after seeing Ferdinand for the first time. Just like with Rozemyne, Sebastian knew that Drewanchel could have supported Ferdinand’s ascension to Zent if he had wished for it.

“I will be meeting with Lord Ferdinand in a matter of days,” Sebastian said, pulling the conversation away from the topic of his daughter for the moment. “Do you think Bluanfah dances for Rozemyne?”

Nicholas shook his head. “At the moment, no. Rozemyne has always been an odd one when it comes to romance. I worry raising her for a few years in the temple may have stunted that, but even now with her largely living in the palace she seems completely uninterested in matchmaking. If anything, I think in Lord Ferdinand she has found a mix of someone to respect and learn from, but also to tend to. I worry she may see him more like she sees me than a potential Dark God.”

Sebastian hadn’t considered that. Rozemyne did see Nicholas as a mix of caretaker and someone to care for… on the other hand, Ferdinand was an attractive young man bordering on seventeen, not a grown man heading into his mid fifties.

Matches could be made without affection, but… he knew Lord Ferdinand wouldn’t thaw and open himself to just any woman simply because she was on his intellectual level.

“Tell Rozemyne we will discuss… that scriptural issue later into the year,” Sebastian decided. He needed to assure his knights and scholars were prepared to push to the end of the war, and he needed to prepare for the Archduke Conference. There was just no capacity to deal with that issue yet.

“Of course. I believe she’ll be back in the palace in about a week.”

“Adolphine will be happy to hear it,” he answered with a faint smile. “Thank you for the tea and the wisdom.”

They chatted a bit from there, trivial matters, how the Winter Dedication went… and then Sebastian had the soundproofing tool withdrawn and he headed back to the palace.

*

The next day, he wandered in the castle’s early spring gardens, pondering the issue while pointedly ignoring the areas where ladies gathered to chatter and gossip.

The conversation with Nicholas had simply reminded Sebastian he needed to do something about Rozemyne. She possessed seven colors, was brutally intelligent, and yet that intelligence was tempered by a great deal of kindness. It was well-agreed by anyone who saw her that she would be as beautiful as a goddess by the time she was an adult, the sort of woman who would cause rafel to take root without even trying, and she already had more mana than him. A part of him hoped when she eventually became an adult he would be able to sense her, at least so he could keep some level of pride that had been bruised when Rozemyne had been able to block him from her hidden room based on her strength of mana alone.

Sebastian wanted the best for her, his intelligent adopted daughter who would assure Drewanchel remained at the cutting edge of research and technology for years to come… but she made it rather difficult without even trying to.

Even before he heard that Lord Ferdinand had chosen to become a professor, he and his father had decided that Ferdinand would be a far superior match than Zent Trauerqual or his sons, but he was well aware that Ferdinand was stubborn and Rozemyne was oblivious and so Rozemyne might find herself bumbling through an accidental courtship with a prince before Ferdinand decided he wished to keep the girl for himself.

When he finally returned to his office, he found a proposal from Rozemyne to release more of the mana harvest data to Ehrenfest to help with “some political issue with the temple.” He approved, and had his scholar’s pull the original data and report as well.

“Set these aside for the Conference. Klassenberg and Prince Trauerqual are both incensed with the death of their various royal children. We will need to stand firm on the preservation of mana and intellect.” As a duchy allied with Prince Trauerqual he hoped that would be enough, but he was concerned that the ruthlessness vengeance would win out over practicality.

And so it was with a mix of curiosity and trepidation that he headed to tea with Ferdinand.

“A pleasure to see you again, Lord Ferdinand.”

“Just Professor Ferdinand now,” he answered as they made their greetings and then sat. 

“I hope my daughter hasn’t been too trying as an apprentice,” Sebastian said, trying to probe a bit of how Lord Ferdinand viewed his daughter.

“Her ideas are sufficiently interesting, and she is an excellent research assistant.”

He might have been offended if he wasn’t aware of how high a praise that was from a perfectionist like Ferdinand. “I see. Rozemyne was very excited to make progress on her magic paper project. That should keep her busy for at least a season.”

“Is it necessary to keep her away from something?” Ferdinand inquired with slightly narrowed eyes.

Sebastian realized that he was being probed back. Gundolf had made it clear that Ferdinand was worried about Rozemyne’s treatment in Drewanchel, but it was something else to witness in person. “Rozemyne was very young when I realized it was necessary to keep her…intellectually stimulated. If I do not, she is inclined to run amok in search of a project or hole herself up in the book room indefinitely. I hope you do not think that eight year olds are normally so fascinated by agricultural and tax yields that they do retrospective studies on the topic.”

Ferdinand’s lip quirked very faintly. “No, I suppose not.”

“Speaking of which,” Sebastian placed the modestly sized wooden portfolio on the table. “That is the more complete data. Rozemyne said you were interested in it, presumably for some sort of harvest issue, although she didn’t elaborate further.”

“Are you in the habit of giving away your duchy’s harvest data on the whim of your daughter?” The young professor asked, a brow raised.

“It is over eighty years old, and she asked,” Sebastian said with a shrug. “I’m certain you understand that it can be difficult for an Aub to balance the needs of his children, especially in a duchy such as Drewanchel when I have far more children than most Aubs.”

Ferdinand nodded.

“Rozemyne is quite special, and sometimes difficult to guide along a path she finds interesting. But I assure you, she is very precious to Drewanchel, and to me as her father.”

Sebastian saw Ferdinand relax very slightly, a faint adjusting of his shoulders that had previously been much more tense, and he seemed slightly more able to enjoy the presented tea. 

“Which is why I wished to ensure she wasn’t a burden to you. Drewanchel can offer some laboratory funding, or tools, if they ease the burden of handling Rozemyne’s particular form of innovation.”

“Unnecessary,” Ferdinand answered immediately. 

Good… good. Sebastian breathed his own internal sigh of relief. He then lightly probed about Rozemyne’s research with Ferdinand, nothing particularly deep, but enough to see that Ferdinand lit up a fraction with enthusiasm for the research. That much, at least, was something he seemed to appreciate.

“You are right that she can sometimes be… difficult, but she is a pleasant assistant.”

Pleasant ! Sebastian smiled slightly, and then gestured to an aide, bringing out a soundproofing tool. Ferdinand nodded his assent to the use then he began more pertinent issues.

“As you know, the war in the Sovereignty is reaching its end. What I will tell you now will be revealed eventually, but first I want to ask this of you. Whether it is as a teacher or her mentor, I request of you to protect Rozemyne in the academy.”

“Aub Drewanchel, I’m honored you think highly of me, but despite my reputation there is little I can do beyond what your own uncle can,” Ferdinand countered.

He frowned very slightly, but nodded. “Gundolf is excellent, but he is not her mentor, and he cannot assure she is given a place where she can be more easily shielded from… unwanted eyes.”

Ferdinand showed little expression but his brow did furrow slightly. “I would have thought there were no unwanted eyes entering the Academy next year…”

Ferdinand must have heard the gossip concerning matching her to a prince. It was within his specifications, but he knew his daughter hated politics and had little wish to be a queen. He did know she wished to have a family and that meant marrying into royalty or someone with similar mana levels.

“I take it you haven’t met the young prince?”

Ferdinand shook his head. Sebastian let the silence speak where he feared to tread even with Grammalatur. Ferdinand heard the unspoken criticism and nodded, indicating he understood that Sebastian could hardly criticize the boy publically to someone he didn’t hold the loyalty of.

“And then there is… another issue. It is not well known outside of the war camps yet, but it will be no secret by the Archdukes Conference… but neither of the warring princes hold a copy of the Wisdom. It was lost with Zent Waldifried and there is little indication they know where to begin looking, much less are close to finding it. Aub Dunkelfelger is incensed with his sister as a result.”

“A prince is still superior to a nineteenth ranked bastard archduke candidate,” Ferdinand shot back, but he was also clearly troubled by the news of Grutrissheit. He was of course speaking of Lady Magdalena’s choice, but Sebastian hoped to assure him this was neither the case to Aub Dunkelfelger or to himself.

“Only if that prince possesses wisdom.”

Ferdinand was silent, taking a few sips of tea and elegantly chewing the quiche Sebastian had brought. He eventually spoke. “Your daughter is most concerned about the fate of the Royal Academy Librarians.”

Sebastian leaned back slightly, confused by the abrupt change of topic. He had hoped to push further to see what else Ferdinand might have known about Grutrissheit.

“Indeed she is,” he answered instead, going with the change. “It is likely impossible. They are mostly from Werkestock, and my understanding is that two of them are full cousins, or closer, to Aub Werkestock. Many of the library assistants also hail from losing duchies, I’m told.”

Ferdinand seemed to consider his words carefully: “If I had the Zent’s ear I would recommend against purging them, but I do not.”

Sebastian nodded, pondering Ferdinand’s words. “It would be difficult to justify.”

“I hear Zent Waldifried was fond of the library.”

Waldifried was known to be the most studious of the brothers, but… 

Sebastian froze. Was Ferdinand implying…? “There is the underground library.”

“Which has a startling array of ancient wisdom,” Ferdinand agreed.

Rozemyne did mention that in the diary the archlibrarians gave her they would guide royals in the library often, perhaps that also was referring to the underground library. Sebastian pondered his own entrance into the library when he was younger. Not enough attributes; not enough prayer . He’d been irritated by that as a younger man, but now it rang in his ears again: not enough attributes . He had six.

So did Prince Trauerqual; so did Prince Sigiswald; so did Prince Anastasius… 

Ferdinand had seven; so did his troublesome daughter who had seen the scriptures ask if she wished to be king… 

He carefully inspected Ferdinand’s face: “Zent Trauerqual and his sons are from middle duchy lines, none of them hold all seven attributes.”

Lord Ferdinand was exceptionally interested in his quiche for a moment. “Fascinating.”

Sebastian hesitated, then stated. “Given these trying times, those who were born of the flowers would be wise to seek Verbergen from whoever rules from the heavens.” He hoped that this warning would help keep Ferdinand safe. “I would loathe to see the Ewarchleren my daughter is so fond of coming to harm.” 

Ferdinand’s face betrayed barely a flicker of emotion, but it was there. After a brief moment, he nodded. Sebastian sighed in relief that his message given with goodwill was understood.

The tea ended mostly with niceties but Sebastian’s heart trembled at the implications.

*

A week before the Archduke Conference his deepest fear was confirmed: he couldn’t see the words his daughter could, he couldn’t read the prayers to the God of Life as Rozemyne could, and toward the end of the book the letters and words became difficult to read despite Rozemyne’s assurance they were sharply written to her.

The first Zent was a High Bishop… how could he miss such an obvious clue? 

At the Conference when he had a brief tea with Ferdinand and mentioned the proposal to reduce the age the schtappe was required he’d only said “hmm, seems unwise.”

The measure passed to some extent, and Sebastian's only consolation was that his daughter would receive her schtappe in fourth year still. However Adolphine…he would have to advise her to hold off on her schtappe as much as possible, no matter what her peers did or said. She was a clever girl so she would understand.

It seemed Bluanfah would be the least of his concerns for his adopted daughter in the coming years. Rozemyne might be convinced to be Zent if only to spread printing and build the biggest library in the country, however with inadequate royals in the wings they would wish to take her as a wife who would do Zent work for them. As Aub Drewanchel and as a father that was unacceptable.

Chapter Text

Protecting Geduldh

Shortly after his tea with Aub Drewanchel, word came down that Prince Valdar had fallen at Prince Trauerqual’s hand. In anticipation of the first wave of purges, and at Aub Drewanchel’s urging, Ferdinand retreated to Ehrenfest. It seemed the Aub knew, or at least suspected, that Ferdinand was from the Palace of Adalgisa. Was Rozemyne? No, Ferdinand again admitted that was unlikely, bordering on impossible.

It also seemed that Aub Drewanchel, and maybe even Aub Dunkelfelger, had suspected his pedigree and considered it possible that he was in possession of Grutrissheit. As a teacher belonging to Royal Academy he would be easier to access than if he stayed in Ehrenfest, so he should think of a solution to divert their attention.  

“Ferdinand!” Sylvester greeted him with a warm slap on the shoulder. “You’re back!”

“Just for a season, perhaps less.”

Sylvester ignored that, and instead ushered him to his office, promised Veronica was out of the palace for a week, and… sat him down in front of several budgeting sheets that showed an unfortunate deficit of funds, just as it always did.

“You look good. I heard you’ve been training with the knights.”

“When I’ve had the time,” he answered, pulling a board over and inspecting it. He set it back down. “Do you have the tax and agriculture yield reports?”

His brother was confused for a moment, but gestured and a scholar brought them over with a begrudging look on his face. It seemed Sylvester’s grand plan to weed out his mother’s most loyal minions slowly was not progressing with any real speed.

Ferdinand had Justus bring over the portfolio the Aub had given him, and began comparisons of the harvest data again.

“What’s that?”

It seemed Sylvester was happy enough to avoid work and pester him, and was now leaning over his shoulder to try to make heads or tails of the report. “Retrospective crop yield analyses from Drewanchel.”

“Ferdinand, don’t tell me you’ve gotten more boring as a professor.”

“I have gotten more boring.” Ferdinand agreed. 

Sylvester groaned, but Ferdinand swiftly made the needed comparisons, enough to assure himself that his initial belief that Rozemyne was correct about grails to be confirmed. If anything it was worse than she’d reported, but in Drewanchel the issue had only been for one year, not year upon year.

Justus was dealing with moving some of Ferdinand’s furniture back into his mansion and setting up the dozens of tools needed to prevent ‘accidents’ from befalling him in the building, so he gestured to Lasfam and told him to make an appointment with Lady Elvira. He wanted to confer with her first before throwing such a dangerous charge out.

He spent almost two bells crunching through the math necessary to bring the books back into some level of order before he retired to his room where Justus brought… “Is this one of Rozemyne’s meals?”

Justus nodded, obviously pleased to have surprised Ferdinand. It must have been preserved leftovers from one of their many lunches. The meal was… satisfying, the only trouble was he kept looking up, hoping to see Rozemyne’s excited expression or hear her chattering about some idea or another for paper or one of the other more minor projects they were working on.

“Is it not to your liking, Milord?”

“No, it’s excellent, thank you, Justus.”

He kept the issue of missing the company to himself. Justus would only laugh.

*

The tea with Elvira a few days later was not what he had expected.

“Eckhart has told me that you have a new disciple, Lord Ferdinand, is this true?” It was quite subtle but Elvira’s eyes shone with something indescribable for some reason. 

“Rozemyne of Drewanchel,” Ferdinand confirmed. “She sought me out for help with a duchy project which is unfortunately secret. She is one of the current Aub’s adopted daughters and intelligent even by Drewanchel standards.”

“And what about by your standards?” She pushed on. 

Ferdinand wondered if it was just because of curiosity that Elvira asked but he conceded to giving an unbiased opinion, “She is also exceedingly intelligent by my own standards. Whenever I socialize with the other professors I realize what it must have been like to be a professor during my tenure as a student. It is as though they have nothing better to talk about.”

Elvira slightly pursed her lips, but Ferdinand could tell she was a bit amused or something else by the description. “And she sings? And cooks?”

Ferdinand sighed, tapping his temple. “Quite well, she is the very model of an archducal candidate.”

“My… I am relieved to hear such a talented student found you as Ewarchleren. I hope we can wait for Ordoschnelli’s wings to fly with happy news in near future.” She said with a gleam in her eyes. 

What good news could it be? However Elvira had wished them well so he supposed it was fine. 

Elvira sipped her tea slowly and then nodded, placing her teacup down. “But I assume this is not why you’ve come to meet with me.”

“Indeed it’s not,” Ferdinand also set down his cup and tapped his temple, pondering the way to broach the subject. He would have to assume Elvira knew, if Giebe Haldenzel hadn’t received grails or had received them empty. He simply sighed, exhaling long and slow: “It has come to my attention that certain Leisegang areas have not received full grails for some time.”

Elvira was silent for several moments. “It is nothing you need to concern yourself with, Lord Ferdinand. I know you are in a difficult position.”

“I am a Sovereignty noble,” Ferdinand answered, “and while I cannot say that I have anything resembling political backing, Aub Drewanchel will be bringing up the necessity of a moral temple administration if our future Zent pushes for changes that might compromise that.”

“Is that due to Lady Rozemyne?”

Ferdinand tapped his temple again. “Largely, she is the one who introduced me to data to show it, and I am hopeful that I will be able to convince our Aub to do something about it.”

Elvira looked conflicted for several moments and then nodded. “You’re correct, Lord Ferdinand, Haldenzel and several other Leisegang territories have not received filled grails for many years. They attempt to make up the shortfall with their own mana, but… Claudio has told me that does not make up the difference.”

Ferdinand nodded, remembering what Rozemyne had said. “It has something to do with the Winter Dedication.” This would be difficult. “As I am no longer technically an Ehrenfest archduke candidate, I am not beholden to Ehrenfest politics in this sense. I will speak to Sylvester about it, if mana embezzlement is occuring…” 

Sylvester said that he wanted to remove Veronica from the heat of politics, and at the very least removing Bezewanst and his ability to move mana around behind Sylvester’s back could do nothing but good.

“Thank you, Lord Ferdinand,” Elvira said softly. “I am afraid this is an issue that long predates your brother, but fixing it would go a long way to smoothing out the worst of relations between Leisegang and your brother.”

That would be his greatest wish, the civil war and the upcoming purge taught him that he couldn’t leave Sylvester dependent on Veronica’s backing. In the end Veronica was one woman with limited lifespan, her faction that supported Sylvester was named after her. She even rejected Florencia, her expected successor, owing to her dislike of Sylvester’s choice. 

On the other hand Leisegang in spite of their precarious condition was a faction named after a lineage, they would live past Veronica and while the Florencian faction was made up of both Leisegang and neutrals in the end they didn’t fully support Sylvester.  

*

Ferdinand only had so much time to complete his investigation but Sylvester wanted his assistance in other matters and had quite persistently probing him about doing research when he was in Ehrenfest instead of helping Sylvester. He barely had any time to write to Rozemyne but he did assure her the Schalfaum’s web was working. 

It was the real situation of Ehrenfest that gave him trouble sleeping now. It was only after he completed the statistical report and needed to move the investigation to the temple Ferdinand revealed what he was doing. 

“Your uncle has been embezzling mana for years from the Leisegang region.” 

“But mother said Leisegang’s complaints are…”

“Sylvester, your mother is heavily biased against Leisegang. You are similarly biased because of your mother’s past, however numbers don’t play with Verbergen… we need to investigate the temple.” 

Ferdinand continued by using the civil war and the ensuing purge as an example, how backings had fluctuated from prince to prince, and now a purge that would kill dozens of innocents was the only thing that would quell the rage in Klassenberg’s hearts. Leisegang had not lost a prince, but they had been deprived of mana and taxed without regard for their economic stability. 

“Would you ever take a wife from Ahrensbach then? Now it wouldn’t be possible but perhaps in a few years after the situation in Sovereignty stabilizes…” However that would put Sylvester’s goddess in second wife’s position and as Ahrensbach was a winning duchy by executing their second lady and Frenbaltag was on the purging list, Florencia would suffer. 

Sylvester balked, “No, I would never! Florencia is my one and only Goddess of Light. I need no Goddess of Water in my household.” 

How ironic considering what his own mother did, sending water goddesses out into every house she could get her hands on. 

“Then her faction, the Veronica faction that supports you now shall end with Veronica.” Ferdinand concluded. “Your mother is no longer young, she rejected your wife as successor and now… the Florencian faction is an anti-Veronican faction led by Elvira. Do you think they will still support you if you don’t take a Leisegang wife when your mother retires?” 

Sylvester didn’t immediately answer.

“With Father—” A lump came to his throat. “Father has only recently climbed to the heights, use this to show you don’t intend to keep relying on your mother who will not relinquish power to your one and only goddess.”

It was a threat to his Geduldh and so, Sylvester conceded. “I understand…” 

Ferdinand doubted Sylvester would be able to continue the charade that Florencia could remain his only wife, but Ferdinand was glad enough to make headway. 

“You asked me to take over the temple for your uncle. Instead I can give you cause to depose him and make room for forgiveness between you and Leisegang.”

“They’re…”

“They wronged your mother. Your mother has already paid them back a hundred times over, along with many innocents not even related to the original conflict. You must always listen to both sides, Sylvester, not just your mother’s words. Leisegang didn’t even bother to approach you with this issue because they knew you wouldn’t believe them.”

He placed his hand on the bound report from Rozemyne. “These last weeks I’ve only been confirming what Rozemyne knew instantly when she heard of our harvest issues.”

Ferdinand opened it, tapped the first page, and pushed it toward Sylvester. “Read it.”

It was the summary, showing that properly nourished lands should have certain mana levels and have commensurate production with neighboring provinces.

Sylvester looked away, hand trembling against his desk where it was balled into a fist.

*

Two days later he took Karstedt to the temple and demanded Bezewanst open the cabinet that held the grails. It took only a moment to see that the mana was already gone. 

From further investigation it was found that Bezewanst had distributed the grails earlier than the scheduled spring trip but to Giebes of the Veronican faction that had been quite generous to him. They could easily track them from records of visits Bezewanst made over the winter and by looking at their harvest record, it could be seen clearly they had been taking Leisegang’s share of mana. 

Ten provinces of grails had been misdirected, almost a third of the mana. Ferdinand was uncertain if the mana could be refilled, or if they would need to keep grails from the Veronicans who had taken the bribes.

His letter to Rozemyne asked exactly that, and her answer came back that the Dedication was done at the height of Winter since Ewegeliebe was distracted by Geduldh. He didn’t know if he believed that, but he took her wisdom on the matter to heart.

It took some prodding but Sylvester agreed to withhold the grails from the Giebes who had already gotten grails to assure Leisegang got them this year.

Further punishment had to be made, and Sylvester was incredibly reluctant because somehow Bezewants managed to contact his sister and Veronica was furious the investigation had taken place at all. Even more so when she realized Leisegang would get their fair share of mana from now on. Sylvester for once shut her out because she became irrational enough in her rage and told Sylvester they didn’t deserve her brother’s hard work. 

This also gave him a leverage to convince Sylvester aside from withholding mana for at least three years, they also had to pay their due in tax while Leisegang had theirs lightened for that period. Three years was not a long time but it was a good enough gesture for all regions to pay their tax fairly by then. 

Ferdinand conferred with Elvira, assuring the gesture would be taken well, and said that if Sylvester could politely ignore ten Giebes disparaging his mother he would gain some sympathy for appearing to see the misdeeds of the past, correcting them, and delivering the filled grails personally. 

“This will not be the only… mistake of Father’s tenure. From now on, Giebes may speak to you of their troubles and you will need to listen. Can you do that, Brother?”

He didn’t wish to be too harsh with Sylvester but this was the only way to start to court neutrals and start mending bridges with Leisegang.

Sylvester nodded, his face downcast and not at all the usual joyous man he knew.

“Now is the best time,” Ferdinand assured him. “Ahrensbach will be fractured in the wake of the civil war and their influence will be lowered, so Veronica’s influence will also be lessened.”

“I’m her son,” Sylvester answered in barely a whisper. “How can I betray her like this?”

Ferdinand was sympathetic because the last thing he wanted was betraying father but Veronica had done their people a disservice for her own gain. “Serving your duchy, your people , is not betrayal.”

It was a hard lesson, and he wasn’t certain Sylvester had truly learned it, but it was a start. Their greatest contention however was over what to do with Bezewanst. Ferdinand pointed out Bezewanst was a criminal now so he should be exiled to white tower and as he had been Veronica’s extension to commit injustice they could secretly read his memory to find more. Veronica obtusely demanded no punishment because her “dear little brother” was just doing what’s best for the family. Sylvester thankfully went for a middle ground and forced Bezewanst to retire to the countryside. 

Far enough to be out of Veronica’s direct protection, but close enough to not be out of sight. 

Sylvester however agreed with Ferdinand that his belongings, especially written records, had to be confiscated. Which earned them quite a struggle from Bezewanst when Karstedt led a group of knights to supervise him and his grays packing up. He was not a noble, so his restraint was almost nonexistent. Sylvester had to concede that Ferdinand was right. His uncle was incredibly suspicious but Sylvester didn’t wish to take more heat from his mother and so… Ferdinand, who was already a Sovereignty archnoble, was forced to bring the property to his mansion. He resolved to not let Bezewanst’s confiscated property out of his hand when he saw a supply of enchanted parchment to send messages, far too many for a High Bishop. Some letters he gave cursory glance to implied the recipient was Sylvester’s eldest sister in Ahrensbach. 

He wished to inspect the documents leisurely but Sylvester had enough of this investigation and whined for him to help in the office. By now Veronica already returned to the palace, and had taken the pleasure of running into Ferdinand whenever she could to harass him. 

“Not content to slink away and lose your status like an honorable lord,” she said, venom filling every word. “You have to destroy hard working, noble people like Bezewanst.”

Ferdinand didn’t bother to hide his disdain, and snorted. He didn’t even dignify her with a response that time. He’d learned that long ago; if he complained or cried or wailed she would only get more vicious.

“I find I quite enjoy the Sovereignty,” Ferdinand answered, surprised with his honesty. “The food is better, the company better, and the rest much better.”

Veronica it seemed had hoped he would be distressed, but he was actually far happier than he would have suspected. Yes his original flight from Ehrenfest had been exactly that, but now he was only too happy with the friendships he had made… 

Perhaps one friendship in particular but he didn’t think much on that. A friend who continued to occasionally haunt his dreams and say weird things but always made his dreams pleasant and comfortable. 

Veronica tried again, she always did, but the more he seemed unconcerned the more enraged she got. A few times it was almost enough to feel a happy curl at the corners of his mouth, not a smirk or sneer, not a glittering fake smile, but a smile, perhaps one of the first he’d had in a while, maybe ever.

Justus was helping him bathe a few weeks before he would return - in time for the Archduke Conference - and he finally had realized that Justus and Rozemyne had conspired to send him off with enough food to give him one evening meal every day with more time stopping tools than he could imagine. 

“I need to give her something ,” he grumbled back as Justus chuckled at his concern. 

In the end, he settled for sending Justus out to use the time stopping tools to collect fresh feywood, and soil samples of the mana deprived areas of Ehrenfest; he figured that Rozemyne would appreciate the chance to research the role of the temple and mana even further.

A week or so before he was to return to the Academy, just ahead of the Archdukes Conference, the web ran out of mana and Ferdinand refilled it, only to discover that while his sleep was peaceful…Rozemyne no longer haunted his dreams.

Sylvester finally sent him off a week later while dozens of time stopping tools were sent to the Academy one set after another.

“What the heck are you taking with you?” Sylvester asked, and before Ferdinand could answer he pulled open one of the tools and found… dishes. “Don’t you have your own dishes?”

He then pulled it out and immediately noticed that it was clean, but marked with the obvious heraldry of Drewanchel, and after that he flipped the plate to see the inked name and Rozemyne’s personal emblem.

“Whewww!” Sylvester said, spinning the plate carelessly a few times before Ferdinand held out his hand and Sylvester finally returned it. “Is Bluanfah dancing in summer?”

“No,” Ferdinand answered immediately, but he could also admit that it was exceedingly unusual to receive dozens of meals from a student. Rozemyne was just annoyingly concerned about his meals for some reason, and Justus probably encouraged it. “It is thanks for helping with her research and nothing more. Now, if that is all?”

“Yeesh, little brother, lighten up.”

But he had nothing else to add, and Ferdinand finally returned to the academy. Of course Rozemyne hadn’t experienced Bluanfah’s dance, she was a young girl, and Ferdinand would never reciprocate regardless. She was a pupil, an excellent one but a pupil nevertheless.

He did miss her evening presence, however, if only because she always said bizarre things in his dreams and very rarely he discovered the information in Grutrissheit, but it was far more common for the information to be of absolutely no use.

And yet he still missed her.

Wisdom Old and New

Rozemyne was so glad she finally got to spend more time with Adolphine again, and her adorable little sister was glad to see her as well! In two more seasons, Adolphine would finally be baptized and they could spend more time together with tea parties and she could start showing Adolphine around to the many cooking and printing and research institutions that Rozemyne worked with! It was so exciting.

Maybe Adolphine would even like Tsuchi-kun enough to make a highbeast like hers!

So she was very happy to return to the northern building and spend some time reviewing books and flashcards with her and seeing that her adorable little sister was totally ready for the intellectual challenges of the children’s room and beyond.

“Sister, did you have a good time at school?”

“Yes, the library was amazing, I met the library tools Schwartz and Weiss, and although I couldn’t spend much time with the librarians they were quite nice…” She felt the pain in her chest knowing that Adolphine would never meet them. “And I met Professor Ferdinand!”

“Oh?” Adolphine sat up a bit straighter, interested. “I think I have heard the name.”

“He is quite a famous individual, the top of his class for six years straight in three courses, is great at music, read lots of books in the library, and as soon as he graduated he became a professor!” Ferdinand really was a perfect idol!

“How exceptional. So is he a scholar? What courses did he teach?”

Rozemyne found herself rambling about brewing classes, and then discussing the variety of research that she had done with him over the season; just thinking about all that research, the reading, the thinking about new problems, considering new ways to make paper, it made her heart race and took her back to the earliest days when she was so sick she would grow feverish with little provocation.

“Sister… your cheeks look dyed by Geduldh’s color.”

She placed her hands to her cheeks, feeling they were quite warm. “Oh… perhaps I am not feeling well.”

“... Maybe,” Adolphine considered, but she looked doubtful. “Please, tell me more about Professor Ferdinand, then?”

And so she explained how Professor Ferdinand didn’t eat well unless he received food from her, how she had given him Schlautrum’s weave to help him sleep.

When she looked back and noticed Adolphine sitting there, slightly shocked, and all the aides behind her looked a bit perturbed, Rozemyne realized she had been rambling on a bit too much. She took a sip of tea and again asked Adolphine how things were going.

She spent almost the entire spring like that, meeting with Adolphine, going over new information she had learned from her year one courses, discussing old study guides that were being printed more actively now, teaching her some of the intricacies of interduchy socialization that she’d learned… 

And she shot up an entire inch! She was getting so tall! Praise be to Anwachs and Ferdinand!

*

Just before the Archduke’s Conference, Father came to the temple to discuss that issue with the scriptures. She and uncle and father retreated to her hidden room where she showed them the scriptures. Just like her uncle, Father couldn’t read the words either. 

“You said there were instructions on how to be king?” Father asked.

She nodded, and looked down at the words. “Is… it really wise for me to say?”

Father smiled faintly. “I understand your hesitation, but both your uncle and I are almost certainly barred from becoming Zent. The question is, can you, can Prince Trauerqual, can his sons?”

That was a serious concern, so she opened the book again and read it in the ancient dialect before offering her own translation, eyeing her father to check that he agreed with her interpretations: First, to become king, you had to increase your mana; then, you had to pray to increase your magic power; after you finished growing, you were to pray again and a way to become king would open for you, and you would obtain what was needed to wield their power as a king.

“If the way does not open, then you are not qualified to be king… and then pray again , and what is necessary will be provided and then you can be recognized as king.” She sighed. “There are so many things that seem to be old euphemisms, even after reading so many copies of the scriptures I'm not sure what it all means for certain.”

Father also nodded. “I would think that at least one of these ‘prayer’ steps is the Divine Protection Acquisition ceremony. Perhaps that is what was meant by praying to increase your mana, since it does produce an increase in mana efficiency.”

“Could dedication whirls be another part?” Uncle asked. “That is part of the graduation ceremony and they do share a great deal in common with temple rituals.”

Rozemyne glanced between them and nodded. “Perhaps… Do you know what the qualifications might be?”

Father tapped his knuckle to his chin for a moment, and then he sighed. “I do not think I will be able to keep you away from the underground library forever…” 

Underground library?! “Father!”

“When I was a young man, I entered and the schumils there said: not enough colors, not enough prayer.”

“So, seven colors is necessary?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. The fact that she could see the words after going to the Academy, that she had seven colors… that seemed like it could be a base requirement. “What about… Prince Trauerqual?”

Father shook his head. “Six, both of his sons by his first wife are baptized, they also have six colors. Your color was not measured until your baptism, and at that time it was clearly all colors with a bias toward… well.” Her mana was weird, somehow a pale mix of green and gold that boggled uncle, but publicly it was biased toward light mana. “Your devouring aide, Merida, her mana was not the same, so it is not some facet of the Devouring, but beyond that, I do not know.”

“So… you are saying that the war has ended, but the prince who won is possibly unable to gain the legitimate proof of kingship?”

Father nodded. “That is why you must keep this information secret, but at the same time must also pursue this until you reach as far as you can. We do not know what the repercussions of the Royal Family lacking Grutrissheit will mean for the country, but politically it will not be good.”

“... I don’t want to be king.”

Father chuckled, and placed a hand atop her head. “I know, daughter. As your father, I promise I will help you find a route to the path you desire, as much as I can. See if that prince, Sigiswald, is tolerable. You must find a husband who can help protect you from them if you do not want to marry them.”

“Where can I find a husband who can do that?”

Father sighed and lifted his hand from atop her head. “Smart, talented, politically astute… and an absolute idiot.”

She puffed up her cheeks. “Father!”

He chuckled. “I will see what I can do to find you such a rare specimen. How is that?”

“As long as he likes books… and libraries… and is good at politics… I suppose cute as well…? I don’t know what makes a good husband.” 

“That sounds like an excellent start,” father answered. “Now, I have a few things I wish to speak to Ferdinand about before the start of the Archduke’s Conference. How about you have your chefs cook one of his favorites, and you can accompany me?”

“I can?!” She twirled happily. 

Father sighed again, but didn’t have anything more to add.

Chapter Text

Post War Archducal Conference

Despite his effort to keep Heidemarie away from the Royal Academy while the Sovereignty would be so eager to purge people, she had decided that replacing a purged librarian would be the easiest way to follow Ferdinand to the Academy. He couldn’t say he approved particularly, but he admired her resolve all the same. After a few attempts, she even managed to gain a tea party with Solange and discuss the possibility of using her final year at the Academy to train as an apprentice librarian. 

Eckhart was irritated that Heidemarie had found a way to stay in the Academy in the off season while he had not, but he did manage to convince his father to allow him to go to the post-war Archduke’s Conference.

Ferdinand had Justus gathering as much information as possible about how far the purge had gone: it seemed that almost the entire archducal clan of all of the losing territories had been purged, with the only survivors being pre-baptism children who could potentially be turned to support Prince Trauerqual. Thankfully the librarians had not been executed yet, but it also meant purge happy eyes would be on the Academy still and he resolved to again heed Aub Drewanchel’s warning and stay out of sight as much as possible.

Depending on duchy organization, Aubs came earlier or later depending on their preferences, so he was only slightly surprised when Gundolf had a tea party invitation delivered for Ferdinand to have tea with Aub Drewanchel the day before the conference started.

He was greatly surprised, however, that Rozemyne had apparently brought a huge array of tea suitable items, and herself, to the party. Lasfam swiftly began the transport of the time stopping tools back into Rozemyne’s possession, Aub Drewanchel’s slight smile growing more and more amused as more tools arrived.

“A few of the tools contain feytree species for you to experiment with,” Ferdinand explained as they were slowly cataloged. “They were all hunted by commoners, so if any of them are suitable for magic paper…” He left his hopes that it would lead to Ehrenfest-Drewanchel trade in the future unsaid. “I also had Justus collect various soil samples from areas around Ehrenfest. They should be useful in studying the effects of long-term mana deprivation via lack of filled chalices if you so wish.”

“Why thank you, Professor Ferdinand. I eagerly await the results; perhaps this can be my year two research topic.”

Ferdinand tactfully ignored the fact that no scholar was expected to start presenting research until year three. 

“There is also some data concerning how crop yields failed in a tax and harvest sense.” Justus presented those boards.

He was surprised when Aub Drewanchel gave Rozemyne a meaningful look and she immediately promised: “I will analyze them tonight, Father.”

Ferdinand wanted to tell her to take a break, but he also couldn’t deny that she looked far healthier than she even had at the end of winter. Unless he was mistaken she had also grown quite a bit, enough so that he wouldn’t have even suspected she ever was tiny for her age. He was glad to see it.

Aub Drewanchel finally began the main topic of the meeting, explaining several of the educational proposals that had come down from Prince Trauerqual’s aides. Ferdinand found them roundly idiotic, but he listened nevertheless: a general flowing of nobles and blue robes to the Sovereignty to replenish their ranks, returning as many blue priests as was practical to noble society; granting schtappe in year one - partially to accommodate those priests but mostly because of the first prince’s wish; many history, religion, and sociology courses were recommended to change; a transition from treasure ditter to speed ditter for end of year evaluation; and delaying basic brewing lectures to second year.

“Of course, Klassenberg seems to have either originated some of these, or at least approved them,” Aub Drewanchel continued. “Aub Dunkelfelger only cares about preventing the transition to speed ditter and actually sees the gaining of a schtappe earlier as a way to facilitate more ditter. Ahrensbach… despite the political circumstances, I have been more focused on discussing my brother’s marriage to Aub Ahrensbach’s daughter to ensure he has our support in keeping the purge of his family to the second wife. Obviously there is no consideration for any Werkestock issues.”

“Aub Dunkelfelger…” Ferdinand sighed with exasperation and rubbed his temples.

“All I can say to that is that the blessings of both Mestionora and Angriff are difficult to find in one person,” Aub Drewanchel said, eyeing Ferdinand hopefully.

People who could speak competently to both the Drewanchel concerns and Dunkelfelger concerns were few and far between, and Ferdinand was one such individual. He didn’t even bother to hide his exasperation: “I will be certain to invite Aub Dunkelfelger to tea… and then be pushed into a ditter instead.”

“Rozemyne has some data to help us argue for at least careful consideration of who will be returned to noble society from the temple,” Aub Drewanchel said, ignoring his slightly poor manners because he was clearly asking for a rather large favor. “And a few ways to assure the local temples do not suffer under the weight of losing blue robes to noble society and the Sovereignty temple.”

“I would not have thought of that as a concern before learning more about grails from Rozemyne, so I believe that is wise,” Ferdinand agreed.

Rozemyne looked at him, absolutely beaming at the praise.

“Aub Dunkelfelger will doubtless make my victory a requirement for his support in anything I ask of him…” Ferdinand continued, considering the problem. “Any help would be appreciated.”

He was only very slightly surprised when Aub Drewanchel offered up Rozemyne’s brewing services.

“I’ll do you one better: I’ll participate in the ditter myself!” Rozemyne volunteered proudly.

“You don’t have a schtappe yet,” Ferdinand answered without a moment of hesitation. He also had no desire for tiny, frail Rozemyne to be anywhere near a ditter-drunk Dunkelfelger.

“I have other ways to fight, don’t worry.” She smiled smugly.

Ferdinand looked to Aub Drewanchel to talk sense into his ridiculous daughter only for him to smile very faintly: “We wish to elevate the consideration for the temple… Rozemyne will be more than capable of that as well.”

*

His invitation to Aub Dunkelfelger the next day was responded to with an incredibly enthusiastic response via ordonnanz: “We must meet at your absolute earliest convenience, Lord Ferdinand!” the ordonnanz bellowed three times as Ferdinand rubbed his temple in annoyance. From an Aub that basically meant “today,” so he ended up responding that Aub Dunkelfelger should name his time and Ferdinand would arrive.

Thankfully he managed to convince the Aub to push back his support of schtappe acquisition for a decision to leave it in the hands of the student and their parents, anywhere between first and fourth year, and reminded the Aub that treasure ditter was far more interesting than speed ditter. He also managed to convince Aub Dunkelfelger to support performing divine protection acquisitions before schtappe regardless. All of this was, of course, contingent on Ferdinand’s victory in ditter. If Ferdinand lost, he would have to return Heishitze’s cloak (which he wanted to do anyway), and would also have to become a Dunkelfelger noble. As Ehrenfest was his Geduldh, he was reluctant but accepted the stakes. After all, he would not lose. 

When he returned to his office, Rozemyne had arrived and was cheerfully brewing with Heidemarie.

“I thought you were working on the Ehrenfest tax data.”

“I finished my preliminary analysis to find the details Father was most concerned with, the rest can wait until after the Conference. The most important thing is to assure blues are appreciated for their necessity to the duchy.”

“Well, as long as he is satisfied. The ditter will be in three days, I pushed it back as much as possible… and the participants will be Aub Dunkelfelger, Rauffen, Ser Heisshitze, and his wife Mathilde.”

“The wife is a scholar?” Rozemyne asked.

Ferdinand nodded. “I will have myself and Eckhart as knights, and then Heidemarie and Justus as scholars.”

Rozemyne’s cheeks puffed up like a very annoyed schumil.

Justus just chuckled. “Milord, Lady Rozemyne was so assured of herself that I cannot imagine taking the place she has so graciously offered to fill. But you have failed to inform them of the stakes Aub Dunkelfelger has asked in return.”

“I will return the cloak I previously won from Ser Heisshitze,” Ferdinand answered, not saying anything else until Justus glowered. “And… become a Dunkelfelger archduke candidate…” 

“What!?” Rozemyne stood up from her brewing station which actually made her shorter, but Ferdinand suppressed the chuckle at that. “If that was an option you should become a Drewanchel noble! Who will be my Ewarchleren if you lose?!”

“I have no intention of going anywhere, Rozemyne,” Ferdinand assured her. “Besides, haven’t you assured me that you have plenty of ways to fight?”

“Heidemarie!” Rozemyne said, hopping back up onto her stool. “We cannot lose.”

Heidemarie smiled very faintly. “Of course, Milady!”

… Milady?

Ferdinand shook his head, sighed, and went to begin brewing some stamina potions and a few tools that would cause eye irritation and other issues to make the ditter turn in Ehrenfest’s favor.

He knew Heidemarie would be diligently working on some of the more combat oriented tools, but had no idea what Rozemyne was doing.

“Rozemyne, why are you here? What are you making?”

“Hm? Other than our paper, I am making some basic tools used in subjugations in Drewanchel. Ufufufu… prepare yourself Dunkelfelgers…”

As non-participants in the Conference itself, Ferdinand, Heidemarie, Justus, and himself were hard at work on brewing, while Eckhart was almost beside himself with glee at getting to fight alongside Ferdinand in a ditter against Dunkelfelger. 

In the interim, the matter of ditter had been settled, although not to his full satisfaction: speed ditter would still be used in the end-of-year evaluations, but treasure and other ditters would still be a major component of knights’ practical grades meaning that the more strategic ditter thinking would not be totally missing. There was a small amount of wisdom in assuring knight apprentices didn’t get themselves maimed or worse in the name of duchy rankings, so Ferdinand was largely satisfied with that.

There were also a variety of trade deals, although as usual Ehrenfest had little to offer on that front so he knew Sylvester was largely not busy, going so far as to invite him for an evening drink on the second day of the Conference.

Unfortunately Karstedt ended up hearing about the ditter and Sylvester was shocked and yelled at him more than a bit about his reckless behavior during the Archduke’s Conference. It was for the future of the country… which in turn would affect the future of his duchy, and so he could accept a bit of Sylvester’s ire.

A Most Unusual Ditter

The day of the ditter, Rozemyne arrived early and assisted Heidemarie in dressing the Ehrenfest half of the field, and at the ‘treasure’ spot, Ferdinand found a pair of tools standing up straight in a stand that Ferdinand eyed carefully before realizing they were the Spear of Leidenschaft and the Staff of Flutrane.

“What… are these doing here?” he asked.

Rozemyne came over to his side and looked. “They are holy instruments from the temple! They will assure I can keep our side healed and powered up!”

Eckhart and Heidemarie each had a dozen or so small glass spheres that contained what were apparently sealed spores with an internal sealed feystone, both would break when the glass hit something and the combination of mana and spores would immediately cause the subject to be immobilized, wrapped up in fast growing vines. 

“They can only be broken with exceptional muscle enhancement or a magic knife,” Rozemyne explained. 

“Aren’t each of these glass jars worth at least a large gold coin each?” Ferdinand asked.

Rozemyne nodded enthusiastically. “This is for your future as my Ewarchleren, Professor Ferdinand. I will not fail! Ferdinand’s glass baubles have spores that will cause violent convulsions… although I have toned it down for a friendly ditter!”

“What… would you do if this was not a friendly ditter?” Eckhart asked, curious, but he was looking down at his own glass containers that were for wrapping up enemies.

“I would use the [cordyspore]! It’s an aerosolized spore that, once breathed in, causes the affected fey creature or human to lose control of their motor and mental faculties. If they are not treated with an appropriate antifungal in the matter of two or three bells they will rot and die and wander around until their heads are destroyed. Of course that would mean we would have to wear masks to stay safe when using them though.”

Everyone fell silent.

Eckhart swallowed visibly. “Remind me to never annoy you, Lady Rozemyne.”

She tilted her head cutely as though she hadn’t just promised the possibility of completely destroying the minds of her enemies. “It is a rare plant, and the spore is strictly regulated and immediately subjugated when it appears. Keeping spores outside of authority from the Aub is punishable by death, the antifungal is carried by all knights and scholars who travel into wilderness areas, and I designed a mask to help further!”

“Oh,” Heidemarie said. “That certainly makes it better.”

Rozemyne nodded, either ignoring or not hearing the sarcasm.

After preparations were over, Rozemyne gathered them all together for some reason.

“What is it, Milady?”

“I will bless you all before the Dunkelfelgers get here!”

Bless? After a brief explanation, the three of them knelt, and took off their helmets when instructed.

“May my comrades be blessed by Angriff, God of Valor, and Schlageziel, God of Hunting.”

“May my comrades be blessed by Steiffebrise, Goddess of the Gale.”

“May my comrades be blessed by Greifechan, Goddess of Luck.”

Blue, yellow, and green lights of blessing respectively fell upon them as they stared on in awe.

“There.” Rozemyne said with a smile. “Now you guys should be a bit stronger, more accurate, faster, and have more luck! We’ve got this!”

His mana did feel different, more vigorous. Meanwhile he had so many questions...

“...this is a blessing?” Eckhardt murmured. Meanwhile Justus was practically bouncing in his seat in the stands, perhaps he will give a barrage of questions later.

“Seriously, you are outside of the standard.” Ferdinand tapped his temples, then sighed in exasperation. “Do you need a recovery potion?”

“Nope! It barely took much mana to do, especially in the Royal Academy.”

Just how much mana did she have in that tiny body of hers? Also, why does the location matter at all? 

The tools were distributed, and to his surprise they each received a bundle of magic paper inscribed with Heilschmurz’s symbol. Rozemyne explained that if they applied mana to it they could treat minor injuries, but each sheet of paper could only be used once.

At the appointed time, the Dunkelfelger team arrived prepared for battle. Everyone took their places, while the team leaders met in the middle of the field. Since Rauffen was participating in their team, Primvale stood in as referee. The stands were relatively full of Dunkelfelgers, though some Drewanchels and Sovereignty nobles were in attendance. Sylvester, Florencia, the Archducal couple of Drewanchel, and the First Lady of Dunkelfelger were in the more privileged seats.

“This is a treasure ditter between Professor Ferdinand and Aub Dunkelfelger.” Announced Primvale to the audience. “The time limit is one bell. Whoever steals the treasure wins. If Professor Ferdinand’s team defends the treasure until the time limit is up, their team wins. Any objections?”

After a brief moment of silence, Primvale struck the ditter bell and their battle began.

Ferdinand boarded his high beast, and as he predicted Aub Dunkelfelger immediately went after him with his sword. Meanwhile Rauffen and Heisshitze went forward to attack their treasure. He had no time to worry about it as he took hit after hit from the Aub.

“Hahaha!!! You are stronger than I thought, Ferdinand! You’ve been training!”

“Indeed I have.”

Strangely enough, the blows were becoming easier to dodge and were not difficult to block. Was this the result of her blessing?

The Aub raised his sword and Ferdinand finally found an opening, activating a net magic tool that immediately captured his opponent. Aub Dunkelfelger roared in frustration as he was sent to the ground, the net had a convenient effect of increasing the gravitational force on its victims.

“Ha! How cunning, as expected of the Lord of Evil!” The Aub bellowed, already using a messer to cut at the net.

Ferdinand took a moment to assess the field. Rozemyne, their treasure, was simply encased in some...amber hemisphere. She seemed to be chanting something, and white and green lights rained down on their enemies. Eckhart was battling Rauffen, while Heisshitze was on the approach. 

Before he rushed over, Heisshitze was repelled by the hemisphere as if a gust of wind blew him back by several meters. What on earth…?

“Milord, look out!”

Tch, he let his guard down!

He turned, and apparently Matilde launched a magic tool that released a blinding light. He put his shield up, but the delay in response earned him a gash on his arm from Aub Dunkelfelger. He had escaped the net sooner than he thought. 

With his shield Ferdinand pushed the Aub back, his sword arm rendered useless from the wound. There was no way for him to use the healing paper and defend from attacks at the same time. Below he could see Heisshitze rushing back to defend the treasure after his failed attempt to steal theirs. Ferdinand tried to stall for time so Heidemarie could get into place, however if Heisshitze returned...and he could only last so long with one arm…

Suddenly, a familiar green light rained down upon him, and his injury was healed. His body was filled with warmth coursing through him as he rallied back.

“What?!?!” Aub Dunkelfelger paused in shock for a sliver of a moment, but as he did, Raufen barreled past Ferdinand as the Aub locked him sword to sword, keeping him occupied as Rauffen drew a bow instead and pulled back as what seemed to be a half dozen mana arrows screamed toward Rozemyne. 

“Rozemyne,” his voice was a whisper, but his eyes had to follow the arrows… His heart skipped several beats as the arrows clattered into her shield and seemed to be torn apart with the swirling wind.

Then that strange highbeast almost seemed to leap from her hip, repulsive mouth wide and it… it bit Rauffen, the Professor’s arm clamped in it mouth and he tried to swing his arm to get free, failed, and then turned his schtappe to a sword to try to batter down on the highbeast’s outside only to clatter uselessly against it.

Ferdinand was so momentarily shocked that Aub moved past him, trying to free Rauffen only to similarly be repelled by the beast.

If the loss of Rauffen’s fighting ability didn’t slow down the Aub, the fact he realized his treasure bested the Aub in mana did. He struggled more, but it was useless, the Aub swiftly retreated to shore up their own treasure’s defense as Rauffen was taken out of commission by the disgusting snake highbeast.

Ferdinand sped toward the treasure, took out his bow, and rained arrows down on Heishitze and Matilde. They dodged the arrows in turn, and while none of them hit it was the perfect distraction. Heidemarie made it close to the treasure and threw the spore orbs, which cracked open and landed on their target.

“Kya!!! What is this?!?!” In a matter of moments, the lady was tightly wound into a nest of vines that moved quicker than trombe branches. 

Ferdinand went in to attack only to be held back by Heisshitze. “I shall protect my treasure!”

“We’ll see about that.”

The two went toe to toe, however Ferdinand felt his mana being drained the more he attacked. The shield Heishitze used was a peculiar one, studded with black feystones that wore him down.

“Milord, here!!”

Ferdinand retreated back and went to Heidemarie, who was holding the spear Rozemyne brought. He took it from her and ordered her to retreat. He had no idea how this spear would help, but it was worth a try.

Flying back a few paces, Ferdinand charged the spear with his mana. Blue lightning crackled, and the spear shone brightly for all to see. 

“I don’t like the looks of that!” The Aub yelled as he rushed to join his knight. “Defend, Heisshitze!”

“Sir!”

Heisshitze stood his ground in front of his treasure, his black shield in hand with the Aub holding up his shield a couple paces behind him. Ferdinand would have to gamble that this attack would pierce through the defense of them both.

Once the spear was sufficiently filled, he thrust the spear forward and it flew through the air like a meteor or a shooting star. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

KABOOM!!!!

The force of impact was immense, leaving a crater in the ground. The spear pierced through the black shield, which slowly crumbled into gold dust, and severely injured Heishitze’s shoulder. Both Heishitze and the Aub were on their knees from the impact.

Matilde fainted, and Heidemarie took advantage of the gap to grab her with a whip and pull her out of the treasure circle.

“Ferdinand’s team wins!!!”

The crowd went wild. The hot blooded Dunkelfelgers cheered about a fight well done, and about him being a Lord of Evil worthy of respect. And he could hear Sylvester going “That’s my brother!!!!” Much to his dismay.

The two teams gathered to the center to congratulate each other on a good game. Ferdinand’s team was somewhat scuffed up, but looked great compared to the Dunkelfelger team which was severely wounded. If he did not know how tenacious Dunkelfelgers usually were he would have felt bad.

Seiglinde, Aub Dunkelfelger’s wife, held him up close to her side. “What manner of weapon was that? And those vines…” A scholar was still hard at work extracting Matilda, peeling off the spore vines one at a time.

“The Spear of Leidenschaft. Apparently there is one in every temple.” He purposefully ignored her remark on the vines since Rozemyne said it was her duchy’s secret.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “A sacred tool?”

Meanwhile her husband was as hot blooded as always “Oooo! Such a boon from the God of Fire exists right under our noses! And with such formidable power!”

Rozemyne smiled and approached, the green staff of Flutrane in her arms. “Shall I heal everyone?”

“You can do it with that tool? Another sacred weapon, perhaps?” Seiglinde asked in surprise, her shrewd eyes eyeing the tool.

Rozemyne nodded, and as instructed everyone kneeled for the blessing.

“May everyone injured receive the healing of Flutrane and Heilschmurz.”

Green lights of blessings burst forth from the staff, raining on the ditter participants. All of their fatigue and injuries vanished without a trace. The damaged armor was the only evidence a ditter ever occurred. It seemed she was finally tired and drained enough and took a vial from her hip and drank it swiftly.

“What a divine ceremony. I am thankful to be able to witness it.” Sieglinde praised Rozemyne with a warm smile.

“It is my honor, Lady Sieglinde. I am not so bold as to think myself Ewarchleren, to me that role is held by Professor Ferdinand. However, my uncle Nicholas is a retired knight and our High Bishop; he is well versed in how the sacred tools can be used in subjugations and other occasions. Perhaps Aub Dunkelfelger would like to speak to him concerning Dunkelfelger’s temple.”

Ferdinand felt the tips of his ears heat as Lady Sieglinde and Aub Dunkelfelger eyed him for a moment, but he ignored it in favor of giving Rozemyne a firm glare.

“Well done, Rozemyne.” Aub Drewanchel had approached from the stands, an amused look on his face.

She spun around to face him, beaming with a smile. “I am humbled by your praise, Father!”

Her adoptive father chuckled. “And your Tsuchi-kun only bit someone, instead of eating a highbeast.” 

Ferdinand felt his lips quirk up. There must be quite a tale behind that statement.

“That was only the once,” she mumbled. “You are not badly injured, Professor Rauffen?”

“Just a small injury to my pride,” Rauffen answered with his usual enthusiasm and cheer. “You’re certain I cannot convince you to take the knight course as well?”

“But when would I have time to do my reading and research?”

Aub Drewanchel chuckled again. “We will consider it, but Rozemyne is still recovering from some youthful frailties. I hope you understand that as her father I worry about her.”

Aub Dunkelfelger nodded. “You would never know! To stand tall in such circumstances, if only my Lestilaut was a few years older. We shall keep our hopes up for the next Evil Lady!”

“Or the Serpentine Lady.” Rauffen offered with a twinkle in his eyes.

Rozemyne shuddered at the moniker while Justus, who had also approached, was nearly doubled over in laughter. “Simply Rozemyne is more than enough,” she assured them.

Later, at the post-ditter celebration, Heisshitze bemoaned the failure to win his cloak back, but that meant Rozemyne asked if he did not have his own embroidered cloak.

“I am a motherless professor,” he answered, and he saw the telltale look of Rozemyne’s sad eyes and so he turned away, speaking to Aub Dunkelfelger about any questions he had about the policies.

He did tell Rozemyne later that the Schlautrum’s weave worked less well without her mana - a slightly twisted truth - and she gladly refilled it for him.

That night, in his dreams, he and Rozemyne wandered around Drewanchel’s collection area, and she fussed over the injury she’d healed earlier that day. It was still warm… comfortably so, when he woke up.

Chapter Text

Gift Exchange 

Ordoschnelli flapped her wings, carrying tragedy all over the country. Ferdinand was disgusted by the thoughtlessness of the newly crowned Zent and his lack of power. His powerlessness had him surrendering to appease Klassenberg’s desire to avenge their royal descendants. Nevertheless they managed to avoid losing all three archlibrarians, two of them unable to escape collective punishment due to close blood connection to Aub Werkestock. At Drewanchel’s urging, Trauerqual, who had no wisdom, had no choice but to spare one person and to fill one of the empty positions. Heidemarie herself was determined to grab a spot within the library as well. 

Good grief, why did he have to work so hard preventing the royal family from sabotaging their own country? 

Still, Heidemarie was happily working as an apprentice librarian. Eckhart was also focused on training, hoping to earn one of the spots as a Knight course professor that opened up from the purge. Ferdinand was settling back into the Academy since Lasfam finished moving items from his mansion. He almost… almost asked Aub Drewanchel if Rozemyne might be allowed to stay in the Academy during the off season so they could research and continue to collaborate, but he refrained, and instead spent a large portion of the boring later days of the Archduke’s Conference crafting a cuff to go around Rozemyne’s upper arm, something that could easily be hidden by clothes and thus wouldn’t cause any concerns about propriety. It was a return gift for the Schlautrum’s Weave keeping in mind Aub Drewanchel’s request to protect her.

He showed it to Justus to get his perspective on it. It was largely golden… a color that seemed to closely match Rozemyne’s eyes, wrapped snugly around a few times and had a green stone at the head imbued with Verdonner’s protection. If someone tried to harm her they would know what a lightning strike felt like. Running along the cuff were many smaller stones filled with other minor protective circles dotted down the length of the body like scales.

“It is… of excellent craftsmanship, Milord,” Justus said, but Ferdinand heard the hesitation in his aide’s voice.

“Is it insufficiently designed for a lady of a grand duchy?” He knew from school he was considered to have excellent artistic taste, but he did worry about that. 

“Just the opposite,” Justus assured him, although he had a faint smile on his lips. “Perhaps you should consult with Heidemarie, her perspective as a woman might be useful.”

Heidemarie took one look at it and happily clapped her hands together. “Flawless as always, Milord!”

Ferdinand was more than glad when Rozemyne came to see him off when the Conference was finally finished. 

“Professor Ferdinand, I… I know we could not save them all, but Father was very firm that he pushed for saving even one of the archlibrarians because you asked,” Rozemyne said, her eyes slightly downcast, but obviously pleased that at least something could be done. “I will be in the library more next year, as Father has said I can go to the underground library as well. I know it’s not much, but…” 

She took out a thin sheet of paper, folded three times and sealed with wax, which she passed to Justus. His aide carefully opened it, although Justus had long ago grown lax when it came to gifts from Rozemyne, and then smiled quite broadly. Ferdinand then took the paper and saw a neatly penned and exceptionally long recipe. “Consomme?” 

Rozemyne smiled. “Indeed. You can make other recipes using it as a base. Anything else your chefs will need to learn for themselves, and it is not easy, but… I hope you can eat well year round.”

This… annoying little disciple, now he would need to make another gift for her! Still, as he looked at the paper, a warm feeling he began to associate with her filled his chest. He cleared his throat and handed it to Justus.

“Very well. It will prove useful to me for certain. I also have something to give you.”

Rozemyne blinked in surprise “Whatever for?”

Ferdinand tapped his temples. “For the Schlautrum’s Weave you gave me.”

“That was a thank you gift!” Her cheeks puffed out adorably like a shumil.

“You underestimate the value of such a magic tool. It is also for your participation in the ditter.”

“I did that for my own reasons, you know.”

“Still. Please accept it.” He gestured, and Justus brought for the box holding the gift. It was handed to her attendant. Hrosvita looked at the item for a brief moment, obviously stopping and considering it before she resumed an inspection of the item and tilted it toward Rozemyne.

“Wow!” Rozemyne gasped, eyeing it carefully from side to side before picking it up gently in her hands. She took her hand and allowed the coiled magic tool to rest around it, and then she ran her finger down it carefully, perhaps inspecting the circles, or even just feeling the mana taken to make it. “Professor Ferdinand, this is exceptional! I am ever so grateful.”

“You shouldn’t be reliant on that strange wind blessing for your protection,” he said, lips slightly downturned. Then he chuckled.  “I would hope that this amulet is suitable for the Serpentine Lady.” 

“Grrr people need to stop calling me that!”

If he had to suffer through the Lord of Evil moniker, his pupil would need to suffer alongside him with a moniker of her own. “This way you will stay safe and return to school next year ready for more research.”

She recovered from her ridiculous moniker and then nodded. “I look forward to school next year, Professor Ferdinand. But do not think that this is the end of our battle, Lord of Evil!”

Rozemyne huffed again, and her entourage eventually departed. 

With the Conference coming to a close he had to field many inquiries due to rumors. Hirschur wanted to know more about the tools, Aub Dunkelfelger and Heisshitze wanted to ditter again, and Sylvester… 

“Why didn’t you tell me you had given that data to Drewanchel!?”

Ferdinand frowned, confused. Did he mean the information he’d given Rozemyne?

“Aub Drewanchel said that we collaborated to show why blue priests were needed in certain numbers for each duchy and some lower duchies thanked me!”

“Well, that is good for Ehrenfest then, it should help us weather the issues from remaining neutral during the civil war.”

“That’s not the point! Now come back and help me deal with all this ridiculousness this damn Conference stirred up.”

Ferdinand pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sylvester, I am a Sovereignty noble now. First and foremost, my duty must first be to the country, not Ehrenfest, although I will always do what I can to continue to help you. I’m… certain father would have wanted that.” Sylvester grumbled and whined, but eventually went back home without pressing the issue further.

Later that night, it seemed Schtaltrum also grabbed onto the slight thread of his own thoughts about his father, and so he ended up walking through the Ehrenfest palace, Rozemyne somehow keeping pace with him despite her still-tiny legs. 

“Aub Drewanchel seems very proud of you…” 

Rozemyne nodded happily. “I work hard to help him, of course, but he is always pleased when I come up with new inventions or find old knowledge. Since I don’t want to be Aub, he sometimes asks that I tutor Adolphine or make her aware of upcoming trends, but he still largely leaves me to my own devices, as long as I’m being a proper Drewanchel lady.”

“... If you are a proper Drewanchel lady, I think they might be even more dangerous than Dunkelfelger women…” 

“Phooey!”

He smiled slightly at that, but he ended up walking the halls of Ehrenfest palace with her for the entire night, showing her rooms and saying what they were for and little more. It was probably a boring dream to most, but to someone who was usually plagued with nightmares until Rozemyne had gifted him Schtalrum’s web, it was a welcome respite.

Changes after the Conference

After the Archdukes Conference she was abuzz with happiness about the overall success. Drewanchel had risen to rank three, Father had gotten her seafood and rice from Hauchletzte to import, and she’d impressed Ferdinand with her blessings and magic tools!

However it was not all good news. Due to their strong ties to the Werkestock archducal family, librarians Hermand and Carmen were executed in the purge. Rozemyne and her father tried their best, but in the end only Marian was spared. When she heard the news she wept in her hidden room, the diary Professor Hermand gave her held closely to her chest. While she deeply mourned the fact that all of the librarians were not saved, she was grateful that at least one of them remained. There would be one new librarian that she would meet this year, so hopefully the library would not be in dire straits. 

On a brighter note, her new friend Heidemarie was working hard to become a librarian after she graduated. They bonded quite a bit during ditter preparations, and from now on they will be book friends! Heidemarie had quite the collection of books, so they would be exchanging books over tea parties and research next year.

Rozemyne learned that as Ferdinand’s disciple she should know him better, she’d rather not get caught off guard again and brought up sensitive topics like his father in her ignorance. Sergius, her lead scholar in charge of managing her businesses turned out to be an excellent source of information. Although Sergius was technically an attendant by trade, he took enough scholar courses and was talented enough to be a huge asset as a scholar just like Justus. How come she didn’t know before that Sergius was his fan! 

“Milady, I can say with confidence that Drewanchel students fortunate enough to enroll in the Academy with a living legend such as Lord Ferdinand are his admirers!”

She had heard he was extremely talented but to be called a living legend… she could imagine when he got older he would be called national treasure or something. So many good stories, what a life her teacher led as a student. 

“Professor Ferdinand’s life story can be compiled to be one epic book…” Or even a trilogy! 

Sergius smiled, “Such a book would be well received although I don’t think Lord Ferdinand would approve, he was never one for fame.” 

“Huh… since he is so well known I would have thought he wouldn’t mind it if fame earned him more research funds.” Rozemyne pointed out. 

Her scholar smiled sadly at that, ”The overabundant blessings bestowed upon Lord Ferdinand are too bright for Verbergen, it pierced through the shroud. However at the same time… Lord Ferdinand is in an awkward position in his duchy so it’s also his undoing…” 

Rozemyne frowned, “Internal problems among members of an Archducal house are usually shrouded by Verbergen, and Professor Ferdinand is quite a private person himself. Why is it public knowledge he has an evil stepmother?”

“...Lady Rozemyne, your description of Ehrenfest’s former First Lady is a bit…” Sergius trailed off, coughing. “Well, even if they want to keep it private they can’t… Lady Veronica of Ehrenfest seems to lack the blessing of Verbergen, she is quite blatant in her harassment, her followers on her behalf poison, sabotage, insult… and do worse to her enemies.” He shook his head, “A mere archnoble First Lady of lower rank middle duchy like her would not usually be known by name alone nationally, but she made a name for herself as an unvirtuous First Lady so narrow minded she didn’t even see fit to protect her duchy’s own honor.” 

There was a clear divide among her father's wives, though neither would harass the other's children in the academy. One had to show an united front to outsiders after all! That aside, injuring an archducal candidate was punishable by death!

“And so she made a name for herself as Lord Ferdinand’s…”

“Evil step-mother?” 

“True, from what I understand she has blood of Ahrensbach’s archducal house in her… but even they were quite ashamed to be associated with such a petty lady.” 

Obviously, Ahrensbach had a reputation to uphold and this lady loved to brag about her connection to them. 

“On top of that… Lord Ferdinand’s older brother’s reputation… is a bit unique.”

“The current Aub of Ehrenfest? If he is Professor Ferdinand’s brother, surely he is quite excellent as well.” 

Sergius’s lips curled, “If only… He is mostly well known for chasing spring with a lady two years his senior for the majority of his enrollment, but as a student, well… good enough to graduate would fit him very well.” 

While Rozemyne was aware her excellence was troubling, no one would be against Adolphine succeeding father as long as she worked hard. However, being known just for being a Romeo was a bit… 

“The gap was so vast, many wondered how the previous Aub Ehrenfest could ignore Lord Ferdinand in favor of the current Aub…” Sergius tried to keep exasperation from his voice but Rozemyne could tell all the same. “At the same time Lord Ferdinand, like any excellent archduke candidate, was striving to elevate his duchy and was quite pressured to do so by the very same woman because he… lacked Weigenmilch’s blessing.” 

That was a vicious cycle. Rozemyne had heard some noble children pretended to be less capable for their protection but in Ferdinand’s case it was damned if you do, damned if you don't! 

“Well, even if they didn’t harass him so openly… one look at his empty cloak says everything, Milady. Most frustrating, Lord Ferdinand rejected every hand offered to him from grand duchies including your grandfather’s adoption offer due to his loyalty to his father and Ehrenfest.” 

Rozemyne could see that, even now he was still working hard for that duchy even as a professor. Still- why wasn’t he protected?! Someone who threatened an archduke candidate’s safety would have been executed in any other duchy because an Aub’s children were precious! Even more so for someone as talented and devoted as Ferdinand! 

As soon as the meeting with Sergius ended, she retreated to her hidden room for some feystone powdering. After her anger subsided, Rozemyne couldn’t help but want to see her mentor. The more she knew him, the more she felt he needed all the care and attention she could provide to make up for his harsh life before meeting her. 

“Alright then! He likes savory recipes… let’s bring more next year! Sergius said scores would be something he enjoys too!” 

She was unsure about giving him any romantic songs. As much as she wanted to hear his heart melting voice, as her otaku classmates in highschool said… It was like handing the Lord of Evil a nuke. 

Speaking of gifts, the serpent arm cuff Ferdinand gave her was really pretty but he meant it as a hidden weapon. Rozemyne took it off, examining the amulet. “Hidden weapon… the serpentine lady, lady of evil…” She was not a silk and hidden dagger kind of lady, even as Rozemyne who had a pretty face she was always a bookworm. She was a book and library kind of girl. 

“If I am anything like a certain master thief lady with Victoria's Secret Compartment…” She looked at her chest, she was growing but no curves yet. Then her gaze went lower. “Just for a bit… it’s a hidden weapon after all!” She had watched that legendary thief anime as Urano with Mom so she was a bit interested! “It just goes where it should!” 

As any amulet made by nobles, it had size adjustment magic on it and the accessory fit nicely onto her thigh like a holster. She flitted around the hidden room, pretending to be a secret agent, with spy theme music in her head. “Secret agent Rozemyne! Pew pew!” She put a finger gun in the air and then sighed.

“...It doesn't feel cool at all… bloomers and weird sock garters aren’t sexy at all.” One day she was going to popularize mermaid line dresses, or lingerie! This body would shoot up like bamboo in growth and someday… fu fu fu~ 

The possibility of eventually being more pretty than cute was alluring, and she was incredibly happy that her body was rapidly catching up to Adolphine and might even surpass her before it was time to go back to school!

Instead of worrying about that more, however, she sat down and looked at the materials Ferdinand had given her father before the Archdukes Conference, this was the sort of data that would be incredibly amoral to collect, depriving a province of mana from the temple for years , so it was a window into that.

That wicked stepmother of Ferdinand’s had even deprived her duchy of mana if it meant hurting her enemies.

She was snapped out of her musing by her aides calling from outside and informed her it was time for bed and she should take a bath first. Rozemyne quickly rushed out of her hidden room, smiling at Hrosvita. “I will use corralie soap for today… and I won’t need an oil massage.” 

“Yes Milady.” She answered, gesturing to attendants to start disrobing Rozemyne. 

Even in this life, Rozemyne loved baths like any Japanese person. Whichever country that had passed this culture to Jurgenschmidt, Rozemyne was thankful! A gasp disturbed her musing, and Rozemyne opened her eyes and saw the ladies were blushing like boiled crabs! Not the demure kind of blushing where their cheeks were tinted by Geduldh’s color but full blown red up from their neck. 

“T-this… Milady… you wore it there …” 

“Ah, I forgot to put it back on my arm…” 

The ensuing scrubbing was silent, even though usually her attendants were usually quite animated and talked about all sorts of things to her. “Erm…” 

“Milady, spring….” 

“Spring?” 

“Has spring come over you and beckoned Bluanfah to dance?” 

Was this the same as a parent asking their kid if they had a crush in school? “No, there’s no such thing… I am still a first year student going into the second, no rush.” 

“...Are you sure, Milady?’ 

“Father told me to try, but for now… books are the closest thing to a lover to me.” 

“Oh my dear lady, what are we going to do about you? Hrosvita wondered out loud exasperatedly. 

*

After the debriefings from the Archdukes Conference finished, Rozemyne met with Father and his other aides to discuss the upcoming transfers to the Sovereignty for knights, scholars, and attendants, but most importantly to her , blue priests.

It was largely decided that decisions to transfer to the Sovereignty would first and foremost be done on a request basis. Most Drewanchels either already were in the Sovereignty, or didn’t want to go, but that would cover the first wave.

Due to Rozemyne’s efforts over the last four years, the blues in the temple fell into one of two categories: adequate and good (or better). Anyone who was at risk of harassing her gray robes, embezzling, or other disreputable behavior had already been encouraged to leave their relatively cushy position as a priest and head back to their family homes as servants usually. Very rarely they were baptized and found a match as a son-in-law to a woman-run house, but there was a certain amount of stigma to having been rejected by Rozemyne that meant the men received extra scrutiny before making a match. 

A few blues wanted to go to the Sovereignty for various reasons - local scandal, curiosity, or otherwise - and a few others were sent so that Rozemyne could remove them from the workings of the temple. Of those, few enough were both of a suitable age and ‘temperament’ to rejoin noble society. Afterall, the temple was largely a dumping ground for irrelevant old men, unwanted children, and ‘fallen’ women when it came to noble society.

After Father approved her handling of the blues, Rozemyne returned to the temple and had her lead aide, Wrenn, handle the invitations while Ivan served her tea and some cookies. Then she read reports concerning the temple workshops and other work programs the grays participated in. Things seemed to be moving well; Father had long ago removed the bulk of papermaking and bookmaking from her purview and instead the grays printed specialized cards and flashcards as their main source of income, since it was somewhat more difficult to work with the ultrafine wooden boards needed.

She met with the blue robes who would be heading to the Sovereignty first, a bit over half took the information happily, and a little under half were disappointed to know they had been deemed unfit or unwelcome by Rozemyne. Rozemyne took a brief break to sip more tea while she awaited for the next group to arrive. Her blues.

Frederick and Gregory were both firmly in the mednoble range, but both of them were well studied in brewing since they had studied with her under uncle and helped her prepare, store, process, and experiment with various components. Frederick was doubtless the more intelligent and studious, but Gregory was not far behind. They both suffered from being the youngest boys in a house that already had too many. 

Weirdly, Rozemyne had learned that there was no difference in the gender ratio of nobles, but because men were generally expected to take two or three wives, the ‘extra’ men were dumped in the temple or as family servants. They had both been in the temple since near their birth, and despite the ‘hopelessness’ of their situations they had never given up on nursing their intellect. She was glad her uncle took the chance of educating them. Just like he took a chance on her all those years ago...

Christiane, despite her extremely beautiful name, suffered from the greatest ‘defect’ a noble woman could: she wasn’t quite pretty enough for her station, with lips a bit too big and ears a bit too wide, and eyes a bit too close set, everything about her face was just a fraction out of proportion for ‘perfect’ looks. Rozemyne hated that, and she was certain that if someone took even the briefest moment to get to know Christiane they would find an exceptional talent in almost every lady’s art, even as a laynoble. She was actually Rozemyne’s greatest tutor in embroidery! Despite the somewhat delicate disposition, she had every intention of becoming a knight… Rozemyne cheered her on in her heart, the girl was twelve, a year older than Rozemyne now, and she was already coming into her looks a bit. 

Rozemyne knew between the temple and her ‘imperfect’ looks, Christiane was fighting an uphill battle, but Rozemyne had every intention of finding a match for her if at all possible.

Evelyn was the hardest ‘sell’ for Father, she was actually Rozemyne’s cousin - Aub Drewanchel’s sister’s daughter - the trouble was she was… well, it had taken Rozemyne years to figure this out because no one would say it plainly, but Evelyn’s  mother had had an affair with a middle territory archduke candidate in school and Evelyn was the result. She was also two years older than Adolphine, 9 years old this summer, which put her in the awkward ‘between generations’ situation of potential Drewanchel archduke candidates, but her mana was more than good enough to make a match to an aub or other aub level man, perhaps as a second or third wife due to her defect of bastardry.

Rozemyne had barely finished explaining the circumstances when Evelyn took a knee. “Milady, I will serve you gladly if you will have me.”

The other three were barely a fraction of a second behind.

“Oh…” Rozemyne was shocked at the immediate loyalty. They didn’t need to serve her, she made that abundantly clear, but all of them were firm that their loyalty was to Rozemyne; she was the one who had given them the opportunity to return to noble society, after all.

Evelyn later decided that she would study the attendant course; as a child of a lord candidate, taking almost any other course could be seen as dangerous politically. Evelyn had never expected to return to noble society, and so she was very cautious to not give Aub Drewanchel any reason to doubt her sincerity as a noble who would serve Drewanchel first and foremost.

Rozemyne took a bit of the extra burden in mana supply for the temple so that her blues could store up some mana for school, Rozemyne and Nicholas made sure to check that the blues selected to return to the nobility were ready for school, and Rozemyne pondered ways to continue to innovate in Drewanchel and perhaps even some way to rid Ferdinand of that wicked stepmother of his! 

Chapter Text

Purge Repercussions

It was midsummer when Trauerqual made his way to the library in the Royal Academy, and he felt a mild annoyance since he had much more pertinent things to do. He had won the war and become Zent, but the ‘victory’ in the end left a bittersweet aftertaste. 

On the one hand, his family was safe, the bloodshed was finally over, and his eldest could go to the academy this year secure in the fact he was safe from harm. He had finished moving into the Zent quarters of the Royal Palace, his family happy to come out of hiding in Gilessenmeyer to come to a home they felt secure in.

On the other hand, he found himself as Zent, a position he was never trained for nor had wanted in the first place. His throne was built atop his fallen siblings and countless sacrifices for a needless war for power. Under the pressure of his backers, he had purged many who had ties with his enemies. Trauerqual felt it was a shame to lose so many, but after the needless death of his daughter Eleanore he felt no regret so long as his remaining family was safe.

Trauerqual’s position was a precarious one, as he was a Zent without wisdom. It would seem not only Klassenberg, but the other great duchies Dunkelfelger and Drewanchel felt the need to assert their influence on him. Hence, his trip to the library under Drewanchel’s insistence. If it was not for the fact he was searching for his wisdom, he would not be wasting his time in a place he never visited in his academy days. 

Supposedly there was an underground library that required archnoble librarians to be present at all times. Only one librarian was not purged, and he’d had to spare a Sovereignty noble to fill one of the gaps. Only, there was an issue with the contract that he had to see. The remaining librarians had sent him a letter that on recommendation of Aub Drewanchel, they should inform Zent of the conditions a librarian had to accept before becoming a servant of Mestionora. 

They were still on to their redundant excuse about ‘only loyal to Mestionora’ it seemed. They shouldn't be librarians in the most prestigious school educating future generations but instead at the temple if their loyalty was to the gods. When he arrived at the library, Trauerqual noted the somber but serene atmosphere that was somehow discomforting. 

“Trauerqual, here.”

“Welcome back.”

“Welcome, Zent Trauerqual…” They welcomed him, kneeling reverently while the shumil automatons simply waved. The shumil were supposedly made by his ancestors, but were irksome somehow.

After customary greetings, they offered a tour or going straight to the aforementioned slate of librarians in question. Trauerqual didn’t want to waste his time, and gestured towards the Sovereignty noble. “I believe this devoted lady’s induction ceremony is an urgent matter?”  

Marian, the surviving archlibrarian, curled her lips. “Of course Your Majesty, please follow me.” They were led further into the library, where the librarians resided. “I am afraid our office is quite small, Your Majesty… I understand this is not my place but there’s simply no space to accommodate your entire entourage.” 

Trauerqual consulted with his scholar under an eavesdropping-proof tool.  “...I shall bring five escort knights and two scholars.” The librarians nodded obediently, not even reacting when one knight moved closer to supervise them from behind, ready to behead them at a moment’s notice for any suspicious movement. 

He became even more annoyed by the whole matter when before entering, a prayer was to be made to a small statue of Mestionora near the entrance. Trauerqual then sensed a small portion of his mana was taken, but not enough to raise alarm.  

The room was as they said was not spacious, the number of people let into the space was just right for them to not feel cramped. Inside was a modest office space with three tables, more bookshelves and at the center was the slate placed at an altar like lectern. 

“Zent Trauerqual, Lady Hortancia…  if you please stand over here and read Mestionora’s decree to be her librarian, guardian of knowledge, and dweller of this sanctuary.” 

He was annoyed instantly when the slate was written in a very old dialect and he beckoned his scholars to translate it for him. The librarian just smiled, “Zent Trauerqual, your scholar may translate for you… but you can also just place your hand upon the slate. Lady Hortancia too.”

His scholar checked the slate first for any tampering and no poison or trap was found, and Trauerqual had Hortancia placed her hand first. She jolted when her fingertips touched the slate, her back went taut. “Oh… that I…” 

Raublut rushed forward. “Poison?” His knights pointed their weapon at Marian at once. 

“Your Majesty...” Hortancia clutched her chest, “I am not poisoned however… this slate is a magical tool. It activated when I touched it. ”  

Trauerqual followed her example and indeed before his very eyes the words floated, he couldn’t read them but a voice that didn’t sound like a human voice gave him understanding of the words. 

“Those whom would to be librarian, disciple of Mestionora and guardian of her sanctuary shall be sworn to guide those who seek wisdom-” 

Their loyalty shall belong to the goddess of wisdom alone, Geboltnung decreed those who made their vow to the gods couldn’t be sworn to another. Librarians were orphaned, cut from ties and blood as those who serve her know not of worldly matters.  

List of duties followed but Trauerqual had taken off his hand from the slate, he was shaken. What had he done? He punished those librarians, thinking their words were beautiful lies that belonged to the temple! The inhuman voice also mentioned guiding to wisdom, which meant… they were connected to Grutissheit, which Trauerqual was looking for. 

Hortancia made her vow and the slate burned briefly with golden flame after she did. Once again her back went taut. “I…” She said somewhat fearfully after she regained her bearing. “I feel something tying me inside, for a moment I felt the existence of my thread of life.” 

Marian, the archlibrarian smiled. “You will get used to it, this is the contract with the gods designed by Geboltnung herself for Goddess Mestionora.” Her smile was bright as she placed a hand over her chest. “The vow is irrevocable, thus it shouldn’t be made lightly.  I have cautioned you before...those who break the covenant would be barred from the stairs to the heights.” 

She tried to hide it but Trauerqual could tell the woman was fearful. “I understand.”

Marian turned to him, “Zent Trauerqual, while I hope for another so the spot to be filled I… don’t think you can find another willing to be burdened by a contract with the gods easily.” 

How strange but also devoid of lies, she spoke of the gods as real figures instead of euphemisms. Trauerqual glanced at his two scholars, they were pale, obviously terrified of the weight of the librarian's vow. “I don’t think so.” 

After confirming the contract was real, they left the cramped office and rejoined the rest of his entourage.

“Aub Drewanchel mentioned an underground library.” He said before they offered the tour. “I would like to see it.” It was even more imperative after that tool mentioned wisdom.

The librarian hesitated. “Unfortunately the underground library requires three archnoble librarians as key bearers for entry. As of now, there are only two of us.”

“I could take two of the keys,” Hortencia offered. But Marian shook her head.

“The keys are a magic tool. You can only take ownership of one at a time.”

“That’s…”

The woman paled, and Trauerqual felt another gnawing at his consciousness. This was why it was insisted a minimum of three archnoble librarians remained…

“Is there nothing that can be done?”

“Typically only an archnoble librarian who has sworn to the goddess can manage the keys. However, in this case, I am sure the goddess will allow an exception. If there is an archnoble in your entourage willing, I can grant temporary ownership.”

One of his scholars accepted, and then Marian went to retrieve the keys. Taking ownership must have taken quite the toll, as both the new librarian and his scholar needed to take potions afterward.

They were led by the shumil downstairs in front of a large wall with three slots, and when the keys were inserted the wall disappeared, revealing shelves full of old stone tablets, tomes, and a few barrels full of scrolls. One automaton went further inside, while the other seemed to wait a distance away.

Raublut stepped forward “I shall test if it is secure, Your Majesty.”

But the archnoble librarian shook her head. “Only those who are archduke candidates or royalty registered to supply foundations can enter.

“We’ll see about that.”

Raublut strode toward the shelves only to be promptly repelled by an invisible barrier right around where the closest shumil was. A look of inexplicable frustration flitted across his face. He tried to knock it down with his fists and with his schtappe transformed into a sword, only to be repeatedly denied. The shumil inside the barrier started to move closer to stand next to the other.

“Raublut, no entry.”

“Not allowed, Raublut.”

The golden eyes of the shumil glowed eerily as they stepped back from the underground library. Marian cautioned Raublut. “Stop, Knight Commander! Any more and the shumils will take it as an attack on Mestionora's sanctuary! They will kill you!” 

“Attack, no listen?”

“Enemy?”

Trauerqual quickly stopped his knight. “Raublut, that’s enough! No matter how you care for my safety, you are going too far!” At last his knight stopped on his order. 

The shumil however circled around Raublut and his knight froze. “Bad, Raublut.” 

“Library, quiet.” 

“No fight.” 

“Warning!” 

Then they poked his knight with their furry hand, and for a moment he thought nothing happened until Raublut convulsed and fell to the ground in pain. “Ugh… they-” 

“Warning, only time.”

“Fight again, banned.” Then in unison they gave Raublut, who hadn’t fully gotten up, a very firm kick. “Hmph!”

It was a bizarre sight for all of them, and Marian heaved a sigh. “Your Majesty, I am sorry. While technically we’re their master we have no authority to stop them from… punishing the library's rule breakers.” She admitted. “Even I would be similarly punished if I step out of line.” 

Then she turned to the new librarian. “Take note of this… you may ask the shumils everything. If they behave like they did just now, quickly apologize and ask how to make it up to them.” 

“I understand.”  

Learning from Raublut’s mistake, Trauerqual felt a bit silly but asked the black-white pair. “May I enter? 

The white shumil nodded. “Trauerqual, may enter.”

He waited, and the black shumil went inside like it did before. Once it was in place, Trauerqual followed it inside.

“Trauerqual, not enough attributes! Not enough prayer!” The black one declared. 

“What? What do you mean?” He asked, but did not receive a response. He sighed, and then since it was just the two of them said what had been frustrating him since the beginning. “You should have some respect toward your maker's descendants. I am not just Trauerqual, but Zent Trauerqual.”

The shumil tilted its head. “Trauerqual, Aub Sovereignty. Trauerqual, not Zent.”

His blood ran cold.

Trauerqual quickly turned around, but from what he could see he could not hear his entourage on the outside of the barrier nor could they hear from the inside.

“What do you mean, not Zent?!”

It tilted its head to the other side in a fashion that was supposed to be adorable but Trauerqual suspected it was mocking him for being a fool. “No wisdom, no Zent.”

His knees shook, and we went to sit down at the nearest carrel. “What do you think Sovereignty is, then?”

If the shumil could sigh, it would have. “Duchy, your foundation.” It said in a tone that suggested Trauerqual should have known. 

He didn’t even hold the country's foundation?! Just a duchy’s?!

“Where is the country foundation?”

“Old man, knows.” It said, hopping up and down.

“Old man? Which old man?” Were there old family members of his alive? Or someone else?

“Old man, ancient and great.” That did not narrow it down.

“Then, where is the wisdom?”

She shook her head left and right, “Trauerqual, must find. Not enough attributes. Not enough prayer.”

He supposed it wouldn’t be that easy to get an answer. “Can I have information on the founding of the Sovereignty, then?”

“Will gather!”

After a few moments the shumil finished gathering a stack of books. Based on what he read, the area known to him as the Sovereignty was an expansion made by his royal ancestors. However, how big was the original Sovereignty? What about the real foundation? That information was not included.

“Okay, Shumil. Give me information about Zents.” and before he left he had not forgotten to tell the shumil since they were great creations of his ancestor, they could just call him Trauerqual. As they almost switched to addressing him as Aub. 

*

Later that night, Trauerqual had retreated to his private balcony to think. He sipped his favored aged vize, but that did nothing to comfort him as he processed the day’s events. To summarize what he had learned:

He was presently an Aub, not Zent.

He did not know where the country’s real foundation was.

The information about Zent was in a dialect he could not read, in a place his scholars could not enter.

It was fortunate that his entourage could not enter the space with him given these devastating pieces of new information. If this leaked out, would another civil war happen? Would his family be in danger? Not only that, but he did not have the foundation of the country. How long would this great country, that was now his, last without someone to manage the foundation? Were they now on borrowed time?

He desperately wanted to find someone to talk to for counsel or comfort. But this was his burden to bear, the information too dangerous and heavy to share. The only thing he could do is visit the library frequently to get answers, but did not have time to visit nor to learn the ancient dialect. With his entourage he was barely able to run the country, and the Sovereignty—his “duchy”—itself was understaffed as is.

“Milord, it is getting late,” Raublut stepped forward. “You must be chilled, should I light a fire for your comfort?”

“No, that is not necessary. The summer breeze is quite comfortable, I am not so frail as to need a fire in summer.” Trauerqual chuckled. But he did return inside and prepared to retire. Tonight was his night to visit Magdelena, so he went to her quarters when appropriately prepared for bed.

She greeted him warmly, and they sat down in bed next to each other. “You seemed troubled, Your Majesty. Is there anything I can do to help ease your burdens?”

He held her and gently kissed her on her forehead. “Unfortunately it is my burden to bear, warrior wife of mine.” She squeezed him, and there they sat in silence for a while. It was one of the things he loved about his new wife: while Magdelena was a strong Dunkelfelger woman, she was also a patient one. She let him hold her, not once rushing him to let them both rest.

A realization dawned on him. “Madelena my dear, do you know the ancient dialect?”

Her crimson eyes blinked in surprise. “But of course. All archduke candidates of Dunkelfelger must know it. Is there something that must be read?”

Some of the tension in his body eased, and he felt gratitude anew that Magdelena chose to be his wife. He nodded. “Indeed. But that can wait until morning.”

She smiled sweetly like Efforeflume and let him untie her ribbon.

A Quiet Autumn

It seemed the wisdom-less Zent had just realized the repercussions of his and Klassenberg’s mindless revenge and paranoia. Hirschur, who stayed over the spring, had told him that the Zent visited once or twice during off season, which was honestly not enough however… in his place he sent a certain lady he would pray to Dregarnuhr to not intersect their threads. She was only behind Veronica in terms of women Ferdinand would like to avoid. 

The Zent, as Aub Drewanchel said, being raised as a vassal was not educated with Zent’s curriculum and thus was not literate in the ancient dialect. It was no wonder Magdalena, who was also a former archduke candidate of Dunkelfelger, was chosen. Undoubtedly to translate information within the underground library on his behalf. 

The season of Schutzaria was quite uneventful as he took care to send Heidemarie who was studying as apprentice librarian off season to fetch the material for him. His sole female aide complained about traitorous women being around the library too often. 

“Heidemarie, she is the Third Queen. You can’t be rude.” 

“She was rude to us first! It’s up to her if Bluanfah dances before her for someone else, but she could be more respectful in signaling Jugereise to dance! Also she called me a fanatic when I ran into her!” 

....Considering how Heidemarie and Eckhart revered him, she was not wrong. Also if he didn’t read it wrong, part of Magdalena’s antagonism towards him was because her Dunkelfelger peers were obsessed with him.  

He was certain Erwaermen would not be pleased at the idea of Magdalena seeking wisdom for another, and he knew Drewanchel would be similarly displeased. Thankfully it seemed that Magdalena had either realized the futility or simply retreated in anticipation of winter in the Academy and he could finally return to the library without fear of running into that woman or her Zent husband. Heidemarie was of the same opinion. 

Due to the purge he would have several more classes to teach than he had last year, but he was otherwise glad his winter in the academy should be peaceful, aside from a certain disciple of his. This year Ehrenfest had shot up to rank fourteenth due to their neutrality, but he hoped also due to their participation in Drewanchel’s research as the subject with poor mana management. They were at least not subjected to harsh critiques for their rank. 

Eckhart had returned to the Academy a few days early and was apparently hard at work to claim one of the knight course professor positions. His training under Bonifatius bore fruit as his movements were much more refined than before.

In short, other than the fact that their Zent was a wisdomless idiot at risk of destroying the country… things were moving along acceptably. It remained to be seen how the coming winter would go. Hopefully the oldest prince was not as disappointing as Aub Drewanchel had implied.

The New Royal Family

Now that Drewanchel was rank three, Rozemyne had again received a reminder from Father to do her best, to remain as presentable as possible, and to remember that politics in the Sovereignty were troubled now. She was also aware that her new aunt from Ahrensbach was now pregnant! Due in spring! It was exciting, but meant Hrosvita would be leaving her service next year to tend to the child… probably next fall after the six month weaning period had finished.

She was not pleased to discover that Father had all but sworn the child back to Ahrensbach for the match, but they were fairly closely aligned with Ahrensbach at the moment due to other marital ties, and she supposed it couldn’t be helped.

Even though she would be losing a portion of her entourage she had already gained three new members in the form of Frederick, Gregory, and Christiane! They were all technically wards of her father, but it seemed Gregory might be taken back by his family… if Gregory allowed it. He was disappointed his family only wanted him back now that he had the honor of being in Rozemyne’s service, not because of his excellence.

After Gundolf visited and gave the usual beginning of year announcements, they settled in, and had their last preseason night in the dormitory, Rozemyne was woken up early and prepared to take her students down to the main hall.

They were lined up between Dunkelfelger and Gilessenmeyer who had risen to prominence as the home of Zent Trauerqual’s first wife. Beyond them was the final large territory: Ahrensbach in fifth. She tried not to be too excited that she was actually as tall as her peers now! She would need to discuss it with Ferdinand, but she was considering pushing herself up to the second stage of compression assuming it wouldn’t stunt her growth again; four stages was apparently too much until she was an adult. 

Her apprentice scholar, Emilia, stood behind her offering a few quiet words between them via sound blocking tool. “No new archduke candidates from Klassenberg this year, although the rumor is the third prince’s daughter, Eglantine, is a year older than Adolphine and so will enter in two more years. Dunkelfelger is still between archduke candidates as well.”

The rest were not her immediate concern, and so she watched as the new royal prince, Sigiswald, sat in the too large chair and received greetings.

Soon enough it was Drewanchel’s turn, and she took the lead to bow and make the introductions for herself and her myriad step siblings who were also archduke candidates.

Sigiswald seemed… confused? His eyes drifted to one of her older brothers. It seemed Sigiswald didn’t understand how the ranking of archduke candidates worked in Drewanchel! 

Very roughly it went: children of wives in decreasing order of rank before falling on those who were merely children of giebes, adopted by the Aub, and unlikely to become Aub. Rozemyne was officially adopted by the First Lady and thus was the highest ranked candidate present despite being in year two.

Sigiswald returned the greeting to her older stepbrother. Was he too dumb to understand that Rozemyne had led the greeting?!

Apparently.

A scholar whispered in Sigiswald’s ear, perhaps to tell him to address her. Rather than apologize for the gaff or respectfully greet her, he turned to her to say “And Rozemyne of Drewanchel, the… Serpentine Lady was it?”

That name! How did he know her stupid title and not her rank among the archduke candidates? “I am honored you have heard of me, Your Highness, but I cannot say that is a title I have claimed for myself, merely the whimsy of Grammalatur remaining on Ordoschnelli’s wings.”

He seemed mostly uninterested, but his eyes sized her up for a moment in a way that made her feel distinctly uncomfortable before they were sent away.

After they finished greeting Klassenberg and Dunkelfelger, her brother apologized for the embarrassing lack of decorum in the greeting.

“It is not the pillar’s duty to correct one who seeks to wear the cloak of the dark god.”

Emilia let her know that it seemed Sigiswald’s aide may have finally corrected him after they left, as the prince had an annoyed look on his face while greeting Gilessenmeyer. That was also bad since they were a major part of his father’s backing but that wasn’t Rozemyne’s concern at the moment. Still, why did a ten years old prince need his manners to be corrected in public?

“Father will want to know what the other grand duchies think of him,” Rozemyne said between greetings of lower territories. 

One of Adolphine’s scholars volunteered her services to coordinate with Emilia on the topic, and Rozemyne considered it closed for the moment. She gracefully ate the (even more bland than usual) food for the welcome feast and let the various scholars who were uninterested in the food spread out their little snakey fingers—or was it tails?—to slither about and gather information.

Finally Ehrenfest arrived, with Eckhart leading the delegation. Rozemyne accepted the winter introductions and told Heidemarie she was looking forward to meeting in the library.

Later that evening she wrote a letter to Father in coded shorthand that explained the incident, wrote Ferdinand a letter saying to let her know when she could visit, and then reviewed the half-dozen boring ‘it was so lovely to see you today’ letters her scholars wrote on her behalf that seemed to pass among the grand duchies every year.

Sadly they were anything but frivolous and represented the first interactions of the year; Rozemyne liked to think of it as ‘setting the agenda’ of socialization for the year. She might write to Dunkelfelger saying ‘let’s talk about books!’ and Dunkelfelger would respond with ‘let’s have a ditter!’ and it would be up to Rozemyne to send a ditter idiot to socialization (sadly it would have to be her) and Dunkelfelger would send someone to discuss books.

It was not nearly so simple but that was how Rozemyne thought about it. Gilessenmeyer had received a fairly stereotypical ‘let’s get to know each other’ because they weren’t an economic or social powerhouse outside of their relationship to the new Zent. It was perhaps similar to a child wearing adult’s clothes; they were worn by their rank instead of the other way around. 

*

She finished her classes in the usual one go, and checked in with Professor Ferdinand that her two new scholar aides were exceptional enough for Drewanchel, and assured that Christiane was on track for a swift (but not day one) pass.

Ferdinand assured her they had done well, and she also made it clear she had some important information to discuss concerning the soil samples from Ehrenfest.

Sadly she wouldn’t be able to get much free time for about three weeks due to classes taking up time, her needing to wait for enough aides to pass classes, and Professor Ferdinand being extra busy with having far more classes to teach post-purge… 

And she received a letter from Sigiswald ‘inviting’ her to tea. It was sadly not a request she could refuse.

It was scheduled for four weeks after class started, thankfully, and so her chefs and aides had enough time to prepare even more beautiful treats and tea and gifts, but that didn’t help when she knew it meant it would dig into her reading and research time! Such was the life of a grand duchy lady.

*

As the classes had started, while Ferdinand had not had the current first prince in his class the intel on how he had fared in the academy started trickling in. After all, in this academy Ordoschnelli could flit about freely. If Ferdinand had held any expectation that Aub Drewanchel was wrong, his hope was dashed. The professors were cautious in their assessment of Prince Sigiswald, but from various euphemistic remarks it could be summarized as ‘The prince was alright in class’ which was unacceptable for the supposedly most honorable scion of the country. Their curtness regarding the prince in contrast to the lengthy and lively chatter when Rozemyne was the topic was jarring, and Ferdinand did not miss that several professors had noted she had grown quite significantly in the off season. Nobody said it out loud but the general consensus was… there was nothing noteworthy about Prince Sigiswald. And the two were far from being equals, let alone a match.

Well… the prince was not yet deemed a useless buffoon, and as a first year he could get better. Ferdinand however had to assure himself on one matter, which was why he ensured himself to be one of many teachers assigned to compression class of the year. 

Prince Sigiswald from the first time Ferdinand saw him wore the air of arrogance as if it was going out of fashion, and it clashed terribly with the gentle smile on his lips. He did pay attention to Hirschur and other professors explaining the purpose of compression, the danger of this exercise and how each family had their own but it was encouraged to stick to one you found most comfortable with. So Ferdinand supposed he was not a poor student. 

Gundolf came forward before any other teacher could and began teaching the prince how to compress, and Ferdinand naturally assisted Professor Gundolf but was careful as to not draw attention to himself. They first measured his mana with the measuring tool. The prince right away showed discomfort and began sweating, not very unsightly for the first try in enduring discomfort of compression but could be better. 

“Your Highness, your hand please… let’s measure your compression rate if you are ready.” 

“I am ready.”

He grasped the mana meter and Gundolf frowned very briefly and as did Ferdinand. “If you could compress some more, Your Highness. I will give you the time.” 

Prince Sigiswald took it and for the second time was asked to attempt further compression again. 

The third time he smiled at the teacher with a sharp look in his eyes, “I am finished, Professor. Kin of the one who dons the dark cloak in the heavens needn’t endure Glucklitate’s trial when unnecessary.”

Gundolf’s bushy brows furrowed slightly, but he took the cue. “Well done Your Highness, you pass.”

He indeed passed the class by acceptable range according to the measuring tool, however his rate of compression was just average for an archduke candidate…perhaps even slightly below average.  

Ferdinand remembered Rozemyne telling him that her favored blue priests had enrolled this year, and so he walked over to their table instead. Much to his surprise, the two mednoble level boys compressed like an archnoble, while the laynoble girl compressed similarly to a low range for a mednoble. Were all Drewanchels contemporary to Rozemyne out of the standard, or just her followers? Observing them after seeing the prince’s paltry attempts made him want to sigh.

In the privacy of their laboratory after compression class, he and Hirschur talked under the soundproof tool. Hirschur pinched the bridge of her nose. “Gundolf showed me the prince’s measurement… I don’t expect a second you but that’s a result too poor for a prince.”

While Hirschur was hardly the oldest professor in the academy, she was old enough to have taught Prince Sigiswald’s older cousins, so she knew the royal standard the prince had failed to live up to.

Ferdinand’s disappointment was not on the result however. “When Professor Gundolf tried to encourage him gently, he refused.” While Ferdinand valued talent, he prized hard work and perseverance more. Lasfam for example was a mere laynoble with less talent compared to his other aides but he never made excuses and continued improving himself. 

Those former blues serving Rozemyne were the same, they showed both effort and results. 

“Well… with that rate of compression, obviously he is not going to match with my grand-disciple.” 

Ferdinand scoffed at the way Hirschur referred to Rozemyne. “Quite right.” He was slightly relieved. “I heard there’s an issue during the opening ceremony as well…”

Hirschur snorted, “Primvale was in charge of etiquette class and seemed to be in a poor mood since her class began. She is from Klassenberg but if one watched closely during the compression class she avoided interacting with the prince.” 

Which meant the boy’s manners were problematic. If how he dealt with Gundorf’s instruction today was any indication, he must have rebuked Primvale as well. It seemed that Prince Sigiswald took it for granted that his new position meant that he would not need to expend any real effort in class.

“We also have received his permission slip to seek his divine will.” 

“...Didn’t he know it will give him a schtappe that’s not of the highest quality?” 

Hirschur shrugged in an unladylike manner, “Who knows. Would you like to advise the prince against it? Your reputation has some weight, perhaps he will listen.” 

Ferdinand frowned, “He has rebuked several upper duchies’ professors. I don’t think he would listen to me. Just leave him be.” 

Perhaps this boy thought his royal status and blood wouldn’t be affected by a poor schtappe, hence the entitlement to get his divine will as early as possible. The first prince was an arrogant child who was ignorant that his elevated status was due to a civil war, not talent or any effort on his part. Throwing his status around like he did endeared him to no one. If anything he put his father in an even more precarious position with his behavior. 

Ferdinand had done enough interfering. He had stopped the boy’s father from making a fatal mistake and he would not help Trauerqual’s son from self-sabotage. That was the Royal Family’s problem.

Chapter Text

Bizarre Blessings

Since Rozemyne had finished most of her classes, she spoke to great uncle Gundolf to see about performing the Divine Protection Acquisition Ceremony just to see where she stood. It was easy enough to set up, and she headed in with most of the rest of the students who were doing their own acquisition ceremonies. Because of the slight change in organization of the curriculum, she was there with her three new aides, as well as Prince Sigiswald, and her aides were gathered around her, excited for their acquisition.

“Milady, do you think I should get my schtappe now or wait?” Christiane asked.

Rozemyne pondered for a few moments and then shook her head. “You have your lance still for practice, right?” She and uncle had helped Christiane make one, it was basically just a normal lance, but imbued with just enough mana to allow channeling along it for fighting. Christiane had been learning to focus on minor body enhancements as the most efficient way to fight with the amount of mana she had, so not worrying about a schtappe ‘lanze’ or a manablade was probably the best for her. “Grow your vessel during your off season classes.”

Both Frederick and Gregory nodded, they had already decided to wait.

The news trickled in slowly as she waited, Christiane one of the first to go, and she returned with a rather un-noble smile. “Milady, I… have gained the blessing of Leidenschaft, as well as the blessing of Greifechan, Efflorelume, Angriff, Duldsetzen, and Schlageziel.”

That was in addition to the existing blessing of Schutzaria that she had gained from being born in autumn. “So you have gained two colors?”

Christiane nodded with a brilliant smile on her face. She was left with the incredibly awkward wondering: did prayer actually work? Even she had largely considered the words said at a baptism just for show… She knew that blessings and talismans worked for certain, but never considered that prayer could actually lead to increased attributes.

Her other two former blue aides returned with similar news, each of them had gained a pillar, bringing them up to three total, and then a smattering of other blessings that brought them both up to five colors in total. So of her aides, Christiane went from one color to three, and Gregory and Frederick from two to five… 

“We will need to look into this later,” Rozemyne said as they continued to sit patiently, waiting for herself and the Prince to be called. “I think there are research opportunities, I’ll also speak to Professor Ferdinand about it when I finally have the opportunity.”

She would also need to write Father with the preliminary findings. Because of the words that she had seen in the scriptures meant that he was very concerned about Adolphine only having six attributes. She could hardly promise it could grow her little sister’s attributes to seven, but it seemed there was a possibility, and Father would want to know that first and foremost.

After it seemed all of the regular students were finished, Rozemyne waited for the Prince to be called, only for great uncle to gesture her up. She stood, and then gave a quick glance to Prince Sigiswald who flipped his hand dismissively, as though ‘shooing’ away an archduke candidate was completely acceptable. Ugh.

Well, she went to join Professor Gundolf, he swiftly explained the ceremony even though Rozemyne was already well aware of what was to come, and then she knelt: “I offer my prayers and gratitude to the gods who created this world.”

She then carefully recited the names of the gods and watched as the pillars lit up around her, illuminating every direction around her, the lights growing higher and higher as she spoke the dozens of names of the gods, major and minor… and then she slumped very slightly, exhausted.

Slowly, the statues that guarded the steps moved aside, flanking a path up the stairs. A nervous part of her mind wondered if this was what it was like to be beckoned to a greater height… and she swallowed, glancing at her great uncle who nodded, and she began the slow walk up the stairs to see what was there waiting for her.

When she arrived at the top, she turned around and saw the huge magic circle that must have been triggered by the ceremony… and immediately drew out her diptych to sketch it, before she closed it and entered the doorway.

It was a courtyard, beautiful and bright, with wintery daylight sun trickling down despite it obviously being underground. At the center was a tree, crystalline white almost, and surrounded by white stone like a tree might have been in any other courtyard, but this one was huge, towering above her. Suddenly she wondered what sort of paper the tree would make… and then she uncomfortably giggled to herself at the thought.

With nothing else to do, she circled the tree and found a huge crystal there, rainbow and lovely, and she knelt down to examine it. It was her divine will, she knew it instantly. Should she take it? Should she touch it? When she tried to stand, she placed her hand against the tree, and then yelped as mana was sucked out of her, as though she had somehow touched a mana black hole!

And then suddenly the tree wasn’t a tree anymore, but a man, pale white with white hair and white skin. Eyes closed, but somehow his presence was boring into her. “Myne?”

“Y...yes?” She knelt and crossed her arms, this was some sort of god, Erwaermen perhaps?

“Too small,” he said, and she mentally bristled at the jerk, how rude. Then he began to speak hurriedly, as if running out of time. “Leave your will for now, find Quinta, complete his wisdom, save my garden… Foundation… need mana...quick—” And then he was a tree again. 

“Um…” Well, he’d said to leave her will, and she was a bit scared to touch the black hole again… if worse came to worst she could ask great uncle to allow her to take the blessing ceremony again, and so she fled the strange garden and the strange tree-man.

Great uncle seemed to immediately realize she was upset, and the two of them left the sanctuary area where she saw the prince waiting and looking somewhat impatient as the other professor prepared for him to go next. He was the one who had her go first!

Rather than return to the dorm, they went to Gundorf’s office to have a private conversation. They were quiet the whole way there, but Rozemyne could tell something big occurred by the serious expression on her great uncle’s face.

When they finally got there, they asked their aides to turn around and set up a ranged soundproofing tool.

“Rozemyne….” He sighed. “I don’t even know where to begin.” 

She waited patiently.

“To think that you would get over forty protections . I expected something unusual after seeing the blue priests, but to think there would be so much…” Gundorf drummed his fingers on the table, shaking his head incredulously.

“Is it that abnormal?” she wondered, her head tilted. 

He nodded. “Usually, a person gets blessings from the pillars of their original colors, and maybe one or two blessings of their kin. It is exceedingly rare for someone to gain a new color, especially from a pillar god. However it was something all of your temple retainers achieved.”

“Ah, I see.” It certainly was surprising.

“Then you went and got the blessings of half the gods! This has never happened before as far as I know. Maybe there might be records… Do you have any clues on why that happened?”

“Hmm…” Rozemyne tapped her chin in thought. “The only thing I can think of is the temple and prayer.” 

As expected, her uncle balked. “The temple?”

She nodded. “As High Bishop, I say at baptisms all the time that children will ‘receive more blessings through prayer to the gods.’ It’s so routine that I never truly thought about it before. Then, since my retainers are blues and I am High Bishop, we pray quite a bit. Frederick and Gregory have done spring blessings with me and now both of them have Flutrane’s blessing… although I believe Gregory had it before, Frederick did not.”

Gundolf smoothed over his snowy white mustache, taking his time digesting the new information. “I see… that will have to be researched. Then the next thing, what happened up those stairs?”

Rozemyne hesitated. Seeing a tree turn into a person and also her divine will, the things the tree said, those things could be a big deal. It shouldn’t be something told recklessly. She hadn’t even told great uncle about the words in the scriptures, just uncle Nicholas and Father.

“I think I should consult with Father first before I say.”

Gundolf sighed and shook his head. “That distressing? I will leave you to consult with our Aub, and I will make a few inquiries as well. When will you go?”

Quickly , that’s what she thought the tree was saying. “Earthday, if father can see me.”

“I will encourage him to do so,” Gundolf answered.

“Thank you, great uncle, it's just…” She didn’t know how to explain it.

“I’m glad you trust your father enough for that.”

She was too, she could only imagine how shaken she would be if she hadn’t had the ability to go to Father for his wisdom and council. 

Sebastian- Bizarrely Blessed Daughter

Some days Sebastian wondered what he had done to deserve such a trial of Glucklitat, but it was painfully obvious that he, Rozemyne, and Drewanchel as a whole reaped the rewards from their trial and so he could only complain somewhat.

Gundolf hadn’t even wanted to put whatever had transpired into words, only ‘see Rozemyne on Earthday.’

Obviously he agreed to do exactly that.

She arrived four days later, looking a touch haggard but otherwise normal, and despite the fact that it was doubtless duchy business they met in her quarters to reduce the number of people who might suspect his brilliant daughter had done something to shatter convention again .

Rozemyne politely set up the eavesdropping field while tea and sandwiches were served, and then both of their entourages were sent away. 

“Father, thank you for seeing me on this—”

He gestured for her to stop. “Dispel any dance of Grammalatur. I have a feeling I’ll have enough of a headache without attempting to handle your euphemisms.”

She pouted. “Fine. Each of my blues performed the divine protection acquisition ceremony and each of them received at least one pillar they didn’t possess before, along with several subordinate blessings. All three of them gained two colors.”

Thunder rang in his ears. “Pillar blessings?”

“Christiane gained Leidenschaft’s blessing, Gregory gained Schutzaria’s, and Frederick gained Flutrane’s. They also gained a few knowledge, love, or other applicable subordinate blessings.” 

They… gained colors ? Suddenly the words he listened to seasonally at baptisms didn’t seem so hollow. “As said in the baptism ceremony?”

“I knew you would swiftly follow! I… got the Seven and… forty three subordinates.”

Sebastian coughed into his tea. “Your mana efficiency?”

“I’ve been all but giving away free gold dust, I was shining during my whirling to keep from spewing blessings.”

“Perhaps I should have you get your schtappe if your mana will be so out of control…”

Rozemyne shook her head. “No, that’s… the other part. After I finished my ceremony, the gods’ statues moved aside and I walked up the stairs into an open door and there I found… my divine will and a huge white tree.”

The symbol of their country?

“I was considering whether or not to take the will when I touched the tree and then… it turned into a person.”

A… what?

“Probably a god, actually. I believe it might have been Erwaermen.” She then pulled something from the sleeve of her academy outfit, a letter from his uncle Gundolf. “Great uncle said to give you this. He saw me go up the stairs but I didn’t tell him about the tree since I hadn’t spoken to you yet.”

“Very wise, Rozemyne.” He took the letter, not technically the safest thing to do but he trusted his uncle and Rozemyne. He unfolded it, no pleasantries, simply one brief line: Hirschur confirmed it happened previously .

Ferdinand. He wasn’t surprised, but his uncle had accidentally albeit unknowingly confirmed that the divine protection ceremony was quite probably part of the path to kingship. 

He sighed.

“Do you not wish to know what the tree said?”

“It spoke ?!” Of course it spoke, this was Rozemyne and her life could never be normal. “Go ahead.”

“Um…” She closed her eyes, probably trying to recall it exactly. “He said I was too small, and to leave my will. He said I needed to find Quinta, complete his wisdom, save the garden, and… the Foundation needs mana.”

Sebastian’s heart jumped into his throat.

“The last part was disjointed, so I’m not certain that’s what he meant, but he said ‘quick’, and then turned back into a tree and we couldn’t speak anymore.”

A boy named Quinta with incomplete wisdom? Was it possible? Sebastian had recently spoken with his father about Ferdinand and the suspicion that he was a fruit of Adalgisa. Father had told him the boys had strange foreign numbers, not names, and so it was very possible if Ferdinand was from the Palace he would have a different name at birth… 

Sebastian pondered. “Did he call you by name?”

“Myne.”

Not Rozemyne despite the fact she had been baptized as a noble?

“And the Foundation needs mana? A garden needs saving?”

“That’s what he said,” she confirmed. “One of the names for Jurgenschmidt is…”

“Erwaermen’s garden,” Sebastian finished for her. 

So if this ‘Quinta’ was Ferdinand he already held a portion of Grutrissheit… but there was always the possibility there was another fruit of Adalgisa who held it. Why was the Foundation and the garden in danger? The civil war had gone on for years but he knew the Foundation of Drewanchel could have been left completely unattended for years if needed, the land would simply be depleted as time went on, and the supply could still be used to hold the Foundation in some level of stasis.

How to handle this…?

If the garden was in danger, and Ferdinand held the book, he had to believe Ferdinand was unaware of the issue. After all, there was a royal family whose job it was to maintain the Foundation; Sebastian could forgive Ferdinand for thinking it was tended because until a few moments ago he thought the same.

The war had raged throughout most of Ferdinand’s tenure at the Academy and standing up with the book without very solid backing would have simply shattered the war into three, or even five fronts depending on when he did so.

Ferdinand must be told. Sebastian could provide support from Drewanchel, but only one with The Wisdom could be involved with saving the garden itself. He looked to his daughter, who was anxiously awaiting his advice, but he had no idea what to say.

“Discuss your ceremony with Ferdinand.”

“Professor Ferdinand?” Rozemyne asked, shocked. “I… trust him, Father, but are you certain I should say something to someone from another duchy?”

“And the soil from Drewanchel and Ehrenfest, you said it had irregularities?”

Rozemyne nodded. “Yes… Ehrenfest’s I can understand being poor quality, but for our Drewanchel soil… it also seemed to be weak at a fundamental level despite our blessings.”

One might even say at the level of the Country Foundation.

Rozemyne seemed to immediately have the same thought and she gasped, covering her mouth. “The country’s foundation…” 

“Which explains former God Erwaermen’s desperation.” Sebastian nodded grimly. “The myth of our country’s founding is famous, but we have never really thought of how pining and sealing the God of Life was really done. It was said Erwaermen discarded his divinity not just out of guilt, but for his repentance which is providing this garden for us, the mortal children of Geduldh. Perhaps his current state was part of the requirement, a component of a giant magic tool holding this country together.” 

When the supply to the foundation was neglected, a former god could only leave a handful of sentences to his adopted daughter. A clear indication of the very foundation of this country; Erwaermen himself was on his knees now. 

“Father, should I… tell this to Professor Ferdinand too?” His daughter tried to keep her calm but her young voice trembled. “H-how much should I tell him?” 

His dear daughter’s concern was quite warranted, and so Sebastian pondered the issue. He was fairly certain Ferdinand had Royal blood and he was fairly certain Ferdinand had taken at least a few steps toward Grutrissheit. If he was from the Palace he might know who Quinta was if it was not him… 

“Tell him what you learned about the soil this summer and autumn, and mention seeing Erwaermen and what he said. I know you had already intended to look into other samples, so do that with him… I think it is safe to say that magic paper will need to be delayed for this.”

Was there anything else he could advise?

“Do you know anything about where a Country Foundation or supply might be?”

“I… don’t know if it’s the supply…”

Sebastian looked at his ridiculous daughter with painful hope.

“When I asked the… the… librarians if there was anything I could do, they showed me the cornerstone of the library. They said it was the most important tool and…” She seemed to be pondering. “Impossible to satiate, that’s what they said.”

Idiot, idiot, idiot. Sebastian cursed himself - and the Royal Family - several times over. A book, a library, and a supply stone? How much more obvious could it be? He still had no idea where the Foundation proper might be, but putting mana into that cornerstone would be a start. “You said your mana efficiency is much higher?”

Rozemyne nodded, very politely ignoring Sebastian holding his head in an undignified manner for a while.

“And you’ll be done with practical classes soon?”

“In three days.”

“Put your mana into it,” Sebastian said immediately. “As much as is comfortable. You go to the library often enough so it won’t be odd… and speak of this to no one else, other than Ferdinand, and… only bring it up supplying mana to the cornerstone if he does first. Do you understand?”

The panic they could cause if they announced this without proof or a solution was unimaginable. As much as he was tempted to feed the royals who caused this mess some of the nastiest potion in existence, and he was sure Aub Dunkelfelger would wish to hang his new brother in law to dry too- the royals were the least of their concerns because they knew nothing and Trauerqual didn’t even know the ancient dialect. 

“I'm not sure I can hold the weight of the country on my own,” Rozemyne confessed softly. 

It was not really the noble way, but Sebastian stood, walked over to Rozemyne, and placed a hand on her shoulder. She squeezed him tightly at the waist for a brief moment. “I know, I will help you in every way I can, but for now… work on the soil problem with Ferdinand and we will go from there.”

“I will do what I can!” Rozemyne promised. 

An Ailing Geduldh

Ferdinand’s first few weeks of school were exceptionally busy. The lack of new professors while a similar amount of students were in attendance meant even the first classes of the year were delayed in many places. The usual gossip about Rozemyne continued, as did the gossip surrounding the Prince. 

The strangest bit of gossip, however, came not from the various professors, but from Heidemarie.

“Lady Rozemyne has finished her classes and was in the library all day.”

Justus’s answer was to chuckle. “Shall I tell you what Ewigeliebe wants?” Clearly the observation was so obvious that it didn’t even need remarking upon.

“That’s not the strange part, obviously,” Heidemarie said with an annoyed look. “While her aides were working on copying some items, she headed over to the library supply and pushed what I can only assume was a large amount of mana into it. She even drank a potion after and then added more.”

Well that was certainly strange. Last year he’d told Rozemyne not to speak of the supply, so her randomly pushing mana into it was certainly strange… on the other hand, she knew the librarians had left her that task. Also it being impossible to sate shouldn’t give Rozemyne such an urgency. “Have you tried to supply it?”

“Marian said it’s unusually difficult and she usually did it with… well, the other two librarians. I tried it and it was… sluggish, like pushing mana into a living thing with a great amount of will to resist it. Marian said she cannot even do that without the other librarians.”

“Your mana compared to hers?”

“She is within my range, so it shouldn’t be so different.” Heidemarie continued. “Of course I examined the supply after Lady Rozemyne was finished, and it was filled with a fairly modest amount of rainbow colored mana swirling with gold and green.”

“Rainbow?” Heidemarie had seen his mana color and would never have called it ‘rainbow’. He realized he had never seen Rozemyne’s mana color, although he highly doubted it was ‘rainbow’, if anything the green and gold suggested it was one of those colors. “How does it usually look?”

“Bordering on empty, to be honest,” Heidemarie answered. 

Despite his busy schedule, he took the time to head to the library when it was free of students (close to the second bell) and went to inspect the stone himself. The same green-gold tint was there, and he placed his hand atop the stone and allowed some mana to flow, the mana swelled very slightly, becoming rainbow with a hint of the balance shimmer that marked his own mana. It was still perhaps barely supplied at all, if Ferdinand was to guess it was under four percent filled. He pressed his mana in again, trying to sense what the tool was connected to, only for an aggressive pulling sensation to grab at his mana, like a black feystone of immense size. He broke contact immediately. 

What in the world…? 

Certainly where the description “impossible to sate” came from was obvious now. He didn’t feel the sluggishness that Heidemarie had described, perhaps a fraction, but nothing particularly noticeable. When classes were finally trimmed down he could only hope he would have more time to investigate the strange black feystone like behavior of the supply.

The next Earthday, despite being quite busy and having an annoying amount of preparation for classes to do, he decided to ask Rozemyne if she would like to come to his lab. There was no real pretext, he was simply curious if his pupil would spill the details of why she was suddenly attempting to sate the supply.

Rozemyne brought her usual array of savory treats with her, and the two of them settled in to have tea. “I thank you ever so much for the wood and soil samples,” Rozemyne said after they had made their usual greetings and pleasantries.

They went back and forth on that, and Ferdinand inquired after her paper research; she had made some progress in autumn but when winter arrived she was obviously back in the Academy.

“It seems I’m likely to take top of my class again,” she said a bit later. “I would say they need to improve the curriculum, but… I cannot help but notice that many professors are no longer employed at the Academy. I also did my acquisition ceremony with my blues, just to see where we stood.”

“You did it yourself?” Ferdinand asked, clarifying. He was deeply concerned about that, remembering his own first year after he began to compress so much, and how he felt as though he was bursting at the seams until he became more comfortable with the amount of mana in his tiny body. Ferdinand leaned back and gave Justus a nod, and the man brought a fresh pot of tea. 

After the two of them gestured, their aides turned around and Ferdinand passed Rozemyne an eavesdropping device, which she clasped tightly in her hand as she took another sip of her tea.

“And?”

“I can only assume you know part of what happened.” Rozemyne said, eyeing him.

Ferdinand nodded. 

“I got the blessings of all the pillars and forty-three subordinates.”

He exhaled in shock. So many? He only had twenty-two himself, and suddenly felt a bit inadequate before his temple pupil. “And then you… climbed?”

“And found a tree,” she confirmed. “And my divine will.”

“Did you take it?”

She shook her head. Ferdinand wasn’t certain if that was wise or not, but she continued. “I.. was thinking about it. It was right there, after all.”

Ferdinand had taken his own divine will when he was in his third year so he could hardly claim he didn’t understand the allure.

“But I touched the tree.”

Erwaermen?

“And it… turned into a man and spoke to me.”

Ferdinand leaned back, confused. He thought there was the circle held within the statue of Mestionora that would allow someone to actually manifest Erwaermen, but there must have been other routes, or simply the amount of mana he took from Rozemyne was sufficient.

“You don’t seem surprised.”

Ferdinand sighed and tapped his temple, of course such a thing should be shocking. “Erwaermen.”

“I thought as much,” Rozemyne said. She was looking down at her tea, fiddling with the cup, obviously struggling with what to say next. “He could barely speak, like he was so weak it was all he could do to gasp out a few words.”

That surprised him. “And?”

“He said I was too small, and to not take my will. That he needed me to find Quinta, complete his wisdom, and save the garden.”

Ferdinand’s noble composure barely kept him from showing anything on his face. 

“And… that the Foundation needs mana, quickly.”

How could his pupil dump all of this on him? A purge had just finished! Erwaermen clearly remembered his incomplete wisdom and wanted him to come and finish it, but the Foundation should have been fine, Trauerqual was now supplying it, wasn’t he? On the other hand… he knew the zent didn’t have Grutrissheit, that might have complicated things slightly. And her blessings ! Fifty when you added the gods and pillars! Her mana must have been struggling to not burst out of her at a moment’s notice.

She simply had too much mana. She would never match with the prince who wasn’t even working hard to compress, and now with her blessings her mana would be so much more efficient he couldn’t begin to imagine it. 

“Why would the Foundation need mana?” That was what he decided to ask instead of any of the other dozens of questions he had.

“I don’t know,” Rozemyne admitted. “But… I did an analysis on the soil samples you sent me and compared them to several samples from Drewanchel. I suppose the best way I could say it is that there seemed to be three different sets of mana within the samples.” She placed a hand flat at her eye level. “The top layer was fine in Drewanchel, and in the Ehrenfest samples that were from areas that you marked as Veronican. The neutral ones were similarly fine and it was clear that the Leisegang ones were deeply deprived.”

That wasn’t unexpected. Ferdinand nodded. 

She lowered her hand slightly. “There was a middle layer, in Ehrenfest that layer was quite thin, and also thin in life attribute, while the Drewanchel one was much more robust, but thin in life. Is… Aub Ehrenfest lacking the attribute of life as well?”

She could tell Sylvester’s attributes from the soil of Ehrenfest? And why was Ehrenfest’s less robust? “Yes, and Aub Drewanchel lacks life?”

Rozemyne nodded. “And then…” She lowered her hand once more. “The bottom layer was almost nonexistent, but all elements. If that bottom layer represents the country’s Foundation…”

“Show me.” Ferdinand wanted to see this striated mana for himself.

“I can show you the results, otherwise I will need to send Hrosvita off for… dirt.”

Ferdinand released the eavesdropping tool. “Justus, I need you to retrieve another soil sample from the Ehrenfest direct control area.”

“Allow me to provide the tool,” Rozemyne said, and she went over to the cart that they had brought and she retrieved one of the storage bottles, a particularly large one.

“N… now, Milord?” Justus asked, one didn’t usually do things now as a noble, but he needed to see the results with his own eyes, watch how Rozemyne obtained them, everything.

Ferdinand nodded, and Rozemyne handed over the container to Justus, and he immediately headed out to Ehrenfest.

Picking up on his cue, Rozemyne put her soundproofing tool down, “Gregory, please retrieve the centrifuge tool.”

The scholar apprentice hurried off and returned with a large, strange tool Ferdinand had never seen before. Rozemyne opened the lid of it, donned a leather glove, and shoved a particularly large black feystone into the bottom.

Meanwhile, unfortunate scholars made to run errands on their behalf rushed back to their respective home duchy to dig dirt for their sample. Even Justus looked caught off guard; he was made to go back to Ehrenfest for dirt, and mumbled about not seeing anyone he knew. They returned in less than a bell, looking slightly haggard. 

“...I met my mother… she was… in the garden having tea with her coworkers and spotted me…” Carting a large bottle of glass, clear glass where all could see the dirt he had dug up from somewhere. 

There would be questions when they returned to Ehrenfest next time.

Rozemyne then walked him through the steps she had taken to process the soil, and the mana within it. The box of soil she placed within one of the huge slots in the circular machine, which fit perfectly, and she used a strap to tie it down, snugly. She also took another empty box, filled it with what seemed to be random weights, strapped it down. “I use this to remove mana from large portions of substances like water or soil or really anything that hasn’t become a feystone yet. I know there are a few techniques that can pull mana out into stones, but they require contact and this was… interesting.”

Rozemyne nodded, and Gregory went over to the machine, grabbing what seemed to be a handle and then cranked it. Although he was not rotating it particularly quickly, as he did so the ‘centrifuge’ increased in speed, and the wisdom of having a counterbalance immediately became apparent. It seemed heavily weighted down to keep it from rocking or flying off of the cart it was on, although it did shake very slightly.

“Incredible.” Justus murmured.

That went on for what felt like an interminable amount of time, but was likely only a few minutes. “That should be enough.”

Gregory stopped and exhaled, Rozemyne waited for the machine to stop spinning, and then removed the container, now in a pair of mana dampening gloves. She shook the box, the soil seemed highly compressed, and it loosened, revealing flecks of white sand, black dust, and a decent amount of soil that looked… dry, for lack of another way to describe it. Rozemyne reached into the dirt, receiving an annoyed ‘Milady’ from Hrosvita, but the stone, which had been black, had been filled about two thirds of the way with mana, it was dull yellow.

“Wind mana?” Ferdinand asked, curious.

“I believe it is influenced by the border gate,” Rozemyne answered. “It is interesting because for Drewanchel the black stone turned into a bright mix of gate colors, but for Ehrenfest’s wind gate it is not as vibrant.” Did that mean the border gate was lacking in mana as well? “Depending on how north or south you are in Drewanchel the mana leans light or water. I will have you do the next part, I assume you are more than proficient at separating out different sources of trash mana within an ingredient?”

It was third year material, of course he knew, but it also meant that Rozemyne knew it, not that he was surprised. Rozemyne carefully provided three empty feystones for him, and Ferdinand placed his finger to the stone, feeling the mana, immediately realizing that she was right that there were three discrete sources of mana within the item, like a feybeast slain by three hands… 

He latched onto the first source of mana and pushed it into the first stone, when that was finished he did so for the next stone, and just to be certain he removed the rest of the mana to the final stone, turning the black stone back to its original state.

Rozemyne then removed a glove and pressed her fingers to the final stone, this one a faint rainbow color, tugging the mana apart as she did so into the rainbow striation he knew from his own work with seven color mana. “You can see there is very little,” she said, pointing to how thin the mana was despite being pulled apart into what should have been vibrant colors.

She released the orb and Ferdinand did the same, not surprised to feel the same result. He did the separation on the next orb - which was pale yellow - and tugged it into the seven layers of mana only to see that they were all weak, with life being far and away the weakest.

Rozemyne pulled out another stone from her cart. “This one is from Drewanchel.” The stones were a gradation of green and gold, but much brighter than Ehrenfest’s dull yellow.

Ferdinand performed the same procedure, and saw that the mana was far thicker, more ‘robust’ as Rozemyne had called it, but weakest in the life element.

“This one will be winter mana, so it is weakened by a year of crops and so on…” That was the final stone from Ehrenfest soil.

It was not particularly thick either, but he pulled the mana apart and saw it was quite thin in four of the seven elements, while it was a bit more filled with the other three. 

“I think there is some connection between mana colors and crops, but it’s not nearly so simple as the other two layers are,” Rozemyne said, finger pressed to her cheek.

To summarize quickly, Ferdinand determined the ‘giebe level’ of mana was spotty, but strong enough all told, the ‘aub level’ of mana in Ehrenfest was embarrassingly thin, enough that he wondered how full the Foundation of Ehrenfest was, and he intended to ask Sylvester exactly that as soon as he was able. In Drewanchel that layer was fairly strong, and although he knew he could hardly ask Aub Drewanchel the state of his foundation, he would imagine it was much fuller than Ehrenfest’s. The ‘zent level’ was the most troubling, there was barely any mana there… 

He had been so fascinated by the device and research procedure that he had almost lost sight of the original problem: the Country Foundation was almost dry. He could easily guess that Ehrenfest’s Foundation was also thinner than it should be, especially when compared to Drewanchel with their huge surplus of archduke candidates. The border gates… required someone with Wisdom to supply so it made sense the wind gate was neglected ever since the Eisenreich era ended. It would be too risky for him to supply the gate, he could expose himself.

And it seemed things might be so bad that Erwaermen was harassing his student to find him . However there was no way he could actually speak to Erwaermen now, there was maybe a way to manifest the circle again… or to feign having a student who wanted to do the acquisition ceremony again? And after that he would be gone for several weeks at least, he couldn’t afford to do that during the school year; and then there was the very real fact he didn’t wish to be zent . 

“If you do not mind setting magic paper aside, I think this would be a… worthwhile research study for this year.”

Rozemyne’s lip was trembling slightly, whether it was because of the dangerous conclusions she had drawn from a few mounds of soil or because she didn’t wish to give up magic paper. Ferdinand could tell she was distressed, but she nodded firmly.

Chapter Text

Awkward Situations

It was awful, like when she was still ill with mana blocks, compressing heavily and bursting at the seams with mana. The music class was an uproar because her blessings flew everywhere and Prince Sigiswald had the gall to approach her at the end of the class to smile and then make a comment. 

“Lady Rozemyne, you have no need to try so hard, spring can’t be beckoned by force. The one donning the dark cloak who rules the heavens sees everything.” 

Then he left with his newly formed gaggle of fangirls. 

Rozemyne later found out the librarians had… a shower of blessing coming out of nowhere, although Professor Marian said she knew right away it was Rozemyne. “It couldn’t be anyone else but the incarnation of Mestionora.” 

She was sorry but there was nothing divine about her blessing barf! Since she was already in the library might as well begin supplying everything within reach. 

At last she was spent, with this amount she could fold it and stuff it back to the box neatly! This couldn’t continue, she was so- so tempted to go ask for another blessing ceremony and take her divine will but she had to be patient! After all there was a mana sink hole in the library, she would survive! This winter she would solo the dedication ceremony, this much should be fine!

If she didn’t take a significant amount of mana potions, she would go from low to almost full in a matter of about three days, and then from there she would grow more uncomfortable unless she offloaded mana somewhere. This suited her library and tea party schedule fairly well, but it was still uncomfortable. She didn’t even want to think what would happen when exam season began in earnest and she wouldn’t be able to surreptitiously put mana into the supply because the library was busy.

And that… prince ! He thought she was throwing out blessings to impress him? She wanted to impress Mestionora or her mentor Ferdinand and no one else, thank you very much.

Her mother and father’s orders to get to know the prince were feeling more and more annoying by the day. When she was around eight, her mother had given her some rudimentary sex ed and she had learned that her dating options would be very limited. Around that age she had about as much mana as her father, Aub Drewanchel, and while he was only distantly related to the modern royals, the civil war had seen most of the ‘high spec’ royals killed. In short she had a lot of mana, and few enough boys who could balance her, and that was when she was eight!

Ideally, father had wanted her to marry into the royal family so that she could be elevated, have the best future possible, and have the children she wanted, but the various revelations from the Jurgenschmidt soil and the scriptures had made Father hesitant to tie her to Zent Trauerqual’s sons if they were not exceptional.

She returned to the library again, having only been away for a day, and was greeted by Schwartz and Weiss: “Milady, welcome back!”

Milady…? 

Solange was nearby and heard, coming out from the office and frowning very slightly. “It seems you’ve over taken Professor Carmen’s mana, Lady Rozemyne.”

The stark reminder that two people were dead, and for no good reason hit her hard, it seemed that the shumils were completely oblivious about it, however, and were more concerned about getting new clothes.

“Have Schwartz and Weiss not been prioritized?” she asked.

“I’m afraid not, the preservation magic, silencing magic, time keeping magic, and light shielding magic were all prioritized above… administrative magic that could be done by human hands for the most part.”

“Well… my mana is not beholden to that,” Rozemyne said soon after. “If no one objects I can take over the ownership for now while the librarians focus on the other magic that’s more pressing.” If anything it was an excuse to think about introducing the library committee!

She would need to write a letter home to her father to deal with that political… thing and headed to drop mana into the library supply. Schwartz ended up going with her this time, and after Rozemyne glanced around she poured about half of her available mana into the supply.

“Old man, happy!” Schwartz said.

Rozemyne nearly yelled in shock. It was easy to think of the shumils as adorable dolls but then they just talked randomly… “Old man?”

“Ancient and wise!”

Rozemyne fought down the urge to shush the shumil and then pulled her over to one of the more distant carrels and sat. “Do you talk to the old man?” Could it be Erwaermen?

“No talk, old man wants mana.”

Could they be guiding her to offer mana to the foundation intentionally? Was that part of their duty? Why wasn’t it taken care of, then? The two shumil were known to be the invention of a historical princess, so that wasn’t without possibility. 

“Is this the best way to give the old mana mana?”

Schwartz then took her hand, and she allowed herself to be led over to the statue of Mestionora. She had put some mana into the statue during her tour of the library, not much, more just getting the chance to feel the flow of supplying things. “More here.”

Well, if she was being ‘asked’ so nicely. She raised her hand against the book that Mestionora held and began to pour mana in slowly, until some strange magic circle came to her mind, almost etched there. No memorization needed, it just… was there. After a moment to recover and rub her head, Schwartz took her by the hand again and took her back to the supply.

“Here now, more and more!”

More and more, huh? “I’ll put more later.” She was already a bit tired, but this was… weird. “Do you have any books about the old man?”

“Underground?”

Underground… the underground library! She realized. Father had told her she could go, but only if she asked him beforehand and told him what she was going to do there. Father would doubtless approve, but she couldn’t go without his permission. 

“Let’s go another day,” she answered, although it almost killed her to say that.

So she wrote her letter to Father, both explaining that she had accidentally become the master of Schwartz and Weiss, and then in a shorthand code that they said “the old man” wanted mana and more information was underground.

Rozemyne was thankfully mostly left out of whatever back and forth was needed to deal with her accidentally becoming the master of Schwartz and Weiss. Prince Sigiswald said she should be sworn in as a librarian, which sounded amazing , but Father and the Zent had both disapproved of that. 

Father gave her permission to go to the underground library, although apparently Zent Trauerqual was forbidding anyone from entering the area with pen or parchment, and a… Sovereignty scholar would be stationed outside to assure that she didn’t bring anything with her. It viciously offended her sense of what a research library was for, but Father had said she would just need to use her mind to memorize something instead of just reading and forgetting.

Oh well, she would get around that! For sure! 

She also was allowed to continue to supply the two shumils, and she convinced Heidemarie to join her as an apprentice librarian in the library committee! This also served as a bit of a recommendation for her to say Drewanchel thought Heidemarie would be a good librarian!

But first… she was going to be subjected to the worst thing ever: tea with Prince Sigiswald.

*

The very first thing Rozemyne learned about Prince Sigiswald at their tea party was that he was a delusional idiot. This was obvious when he thought that Rozemyne had sent out blessings in music and taken over the library tools all to impress him. She knew she couldn’t correct the prince’s impression, but it was very annoying to be assumed to be some sort of weirdo lovesick maiden. She was an archducal candidate from Drewanchel, her concerns were books, learning, and more learning, not trying to impress someone who wasn’t even a risk of being top of his class. 

“How have you been enjoying being in the Royal Academy, Your Highness?” she asked, after Sigiswald was finished making his baseless assumptions about why she was at tea with him. She wouldn’t even be at tea if not for his invitation, as well as her father pushing her to evaluate the prince.

Sigiswald sniffed audibly, taking a sip of his tea and Rozemyne followed soon after. “I was surprised to find how ill-mannered the professors are. Are these really the ones who were shown to have merit ?”

Rozemyne continued to drink so she could hide her expression for a moment. Was he really going to pretend that the ‘merit’ the current teachers had shown wasn’t to be the victor in a war, and that innocents had been killed? “Ill-mannered?”

“Yes, it is though they demand I be the most exceptional student they have ever had,” Sigiswald began to complain. “I have passed three trials of Glucklitat for any other student’s one, and yet they demand more.”

Wow. She’d not heard anything like that, and even if it was true it seemed particularly idiotic to complain. Father and Mother had always told her it was her duty to be exceptional. She was the daughter of the first wife of the Aub of the third ranked territory in the country, which came with certain expectations… including Mother’s very first wisdom: ‘use useless platitudes if you don’t know what to say, Rozemyne ’ - although she’d said it more politely.

Sadly she had no idea what to say here, so she needed to find a platitude. “That is very unfortunate, Your Highness,” she decided that was a safe answer, and who was unfortunate in this matter was up to interpretation but according to hers it was the teachers. 

Rozemyne swifty realized that Sigiswald should have failed court manners as well. Rozemyne had considered it a lot like a job interview, or any other circumstance where you needed to impress someone above you. To Sigiswald this was admittedly just his father, mother, and step-mothers, but rather than ask after any of Rozemyne’s interests or cares, or even matters that were of interest to both the Sovereignty and Drewanchel, or Drewanchel trends, or about the beautiful cakes she had brought that he had cut into without a care in the world, Sigiswald was exercising his favorite word: “me.”

She found herself absolutely bored to tears. Over the years she had learned to suffer through conversations that weren’t about books, libraries, education, or research, but this was on an entirely different level. Sigiswald seemed completely incapable of bringing up any topic that didn’t directly relate to him and his interests, and then they finally hit the meat of the tea that headed straight into ridiculous and embarrassing.

“I can’t say if Drewanchel is really in a position to compete with Klassenberg in the sort of influence they can offer to the future reign of a zent,” Sigiswald said, falling silent for one of the first times in what felt like hours to wait for her to give an answer to his statement.

“I would say the strengths and weaknesses of each duchy, especially in the higher ranks, are quite different, Your Highness,” Rozemyne smiled, as though she wasn’t attempting a sales pitch to the absolute stupidest customer ever. “The healing of Heilschmerz and Flutrane are different, after all.”

“Mmm,” Sigiswald pondered for a moment. “Yes, I suppose if you were Flutrane that could serve nicely…” 

Wait, what? Did he? WHAT?! Um, excuse me, I am first wife material, thank you very much! She may have actually been a Devouring commoner by birth, but she’d frequently been lectured on her high value as a spouse and how there was a need for a match that would serve both her and Drewanchel.

Part of the reason that nobles used euphemistic speech, however, was to allow for plausible deniability and not actually agreeing to anything firmly, but by completely misreading the euphemism about healing he could broach the idea of her becoming a second wife… Finally, finally she was allowed to leave, she made her polite farewells, and none of her aides looked even slightly surprised by her entering her hidden room as soon as she returned to the dorm.

She closed the door, let out what could only be described as a primal, frustrated, scream, and then returned barely a minute later, voice very faintly hoarse, and told her aides they would discuss what intelligence had been uncovered.

They certainly hadn’t uncovered the intelligence of Prince Sigiswald, however.

*

Now she was past her ‘peak of frustration’ moment, Rozemyne was calm again and could see the situation objectively. If she was angry before at Prince Sigiswald, that rage had turned to utter pity for Zent Trauerqual’s firstborn. Considering his father had just ascended to the throne after a long civil war and he was now enrolled as a Zent’s scion, little Sigiswald’s head must have swelled out of proportion from his newfound status. 

He was basically a brat that was drunk on the ‘no one can tell me what to do ’ phase, royal style. Rozemyne had heard a lot of how parent’s status and wealth twisted their children’s worldview and she had thought it was different here. Then again she was born in Drewanchel and most noble children lived a life on edge to be good enough to be part of the society. Perhaps Sigiswald, who lived in the asylum of Gleissenmeier for the majority of the civil war, had never experienced this.   

Still… the report to her father, Aub Drewanchel would be quite taxing. 

She was allowed permission to go home the next Earthday because there was too much sensitive intel to share over letters. As soon as she passed the transfer circle, father’s lead aide was already there to escort her to him. Just like before, father dismissed everyone from the room and they spoke under an eavesdropping-proof barrier. 

“Rozemyne, feel free to begin your report.” 

She pondered where to start, “Well the less distressing first, I suppose… it’s about Prince Sigiswald. I believe you ask me to find whether the first prince is a tolerable future husband?” Aub Drewanchel nodded and Rozemyne felt like she should have known, considering her father asked whether he was ‘tolerable’ not ‘suitable’ in hindsight. 

“Father… he is not a tolerable husband, and I think you will regret it if any daughter of Drewanchel were married to him. I would pray strongly to Jugeriese.” She stressed this firmly. 

Aub Drewanchel frowned, “What did that prince do?” 

“Father… he complained to me , a Drewanchel lady, that the teachers are being ill-mannered for trying to push him to give better academic performance whenever he falls short… and I strongly believe Professor Primvale wishes to fail him in court manners.” 

“So he fails his classes by royal standards…” 

“Precisely. And if that’s not bad enough, he also compared us to Klassenberg and put Drewanchel down as not having enough to offer to the future Zent, he said I could be Flutrane , and-” 

Aub Drewanchel held up a hand, “Gods… and Zent Trauerqual let that boy go to academy?”

“He certainly should have learned his manners before he enrolled. Perhaps if I were charitable I would say he was taken in by the power of his new position… but for me that is not a risk I want to take!” 

“Very well… forget a match with that buffoon of a prince, it’s an insult to Drewanchel’s name to even consider him, Zent’s first son or not.” 

“I’m sorry, Father. I know you wanted me to consider him, but…” 

“No, with your mana growth and blessings it had become unlikely at best already. There are other concerns now, but there is a possible solution to that. I do not want to push too firmly now.”

A solution that even her father was hesitant to pursue? “Father?”

He shook his head. “Not now. All I can say is that you should think deeply about the sort of man you wish to tie your stars with, and seek him out. Understood?”

She gave him a big, enthusiastic nod. She then made her Father cling to his head again by explaining the issues with Schwartz and Weiss, the underground library, that the supply in the library could be for the foundation, the “old man”... Poor Father, his hair was so pretty too… 

“...It’s unfortunate, but as I have brought Zent’s attention to the underground library, it would be quite dangerous if you approach it carelessly. Especially since you would be defenseless inside save our amulets as only foundation suppliers may enter… and while you might be able to bring your sisters and brothers, I don’t think Zent Trauerqual will appreciate such an aggressive approach.” 

“It’s unfortunate but shall I refrain completely?” 

“The foundation is more important, as it accepts your mana we could rest assured you have given us time, dear daughter…” He frowned, “Speaking of this foundation, has Professor Ferdinand tried to inquire about it?” 

“We discussed the soil mana findings, and he repeated the experiments with me, but he hasn’t asked about the library supply again. He goes to the library sometimes, but I can’t follow him everywhere, and Heidemarie is his loyal aide, so if he did anything about it she wouldn’t tell me. He seemed concerned about it, and believed there was a problem. Anything else would be wild conjecture.”

Father rubbed his temple in frustration, but nodded. Rozemyne had to assume Professor Ferdinand would be trying to help now that he understood the issue, but she also knew Father wanted to keep things tight lipped. “And he wasn’t surprised about your experience? Even speaking to Erwaermen?”

“No, I said I noticed he should have been surprised by a talking tree, but wasn’t.”

Father chuckled very slightly. “As expected of my out of standard daughter. Still, as dangerous as it may be… I believe the potential for you to secure the country’s foundation is of paramount importance. Do what you can, and be mindful of those library tools. They are intelligent in some senses but mindless in others. They do not hesitate to offend our Zent, or anyone else. If the Zent sees you as a threat…”

Rozemyne shuddered slightly, and then rubbed her arms to warm them even though Drewanchel winters were relatively mild. “I understand, Father, I shall be a secret agent!”

“Do I even want to know what you think that means?”

She shook her head, her heart prepared for a dangerous behind-enemy-lines mission!

*

She returned to school again, she felt so ridiculously busy! Classes had finished for her and now she was somehow stuck with secrets and politics and lies. At least she didn’t have to deal with her father thinking that she and Sigiswald could make a match, but all that meant was that Rozemyne was inconveniently back to having zero possible boyfriends. That had been her life as Urano, but she was actually cute in this world! And politics demanded she choose a boyfriend before the Royal Family chose her!

At least in her old world she could be a Christmas Cake without worry, now she’d be that almost as soon as she graduated!

But for now she would need to be more concerned about the underground library and what to do once she got in there, and how to deal with the shumil tools like Father had warned her. She sat in the library at one of the smaller tables downstairs, looking through a study guide without really reading. Which was very rare for her.

Heidemarie eventually returned from wherever she was, probably in the offices in the back, and came to say hello and make a greeting. Thankfully, she had excellent aides and she was able to have an impromptu tea party - with tea and cookies only - as long as the books were far away from any possible tea stains.

“How is your studying going?”

“Very well, Lady Rozemyne,” Heidemarie answered with a faint smile. “I was told the position of assistant librarian will almost certainly be mine after I graduate.”

“Leave some room for me,” she said, thinking about how much she wanted such a position as well. “Aren’t they in need of one more archlibrarian, though?”

Heidemarie looked conflicted for a brief moment, and then Rozemyne flashed an eavesdropping tool and Heidemarie took it. “It’s not really a secret, but I’ve read the oath required of head librarians and it’s… difficult. Traditionally you work as an assistant librarian for several years before showing you are worthy of taking the oath.” Ah, so that new woman from the Sovereignty was a special exception. And all those other librarian assistants were Werkestock… Thankfully Heidemarie again interrupted her thoughts.

“That and... I quite willingly swore my name to Milord, and I’m afraid I will need to ask for it back at least…”

Rozemyne wasn’t super fond of nameswearing, she didn’t have any dedicated aides herself, but she understood some people enjoyed it for romance, for politics, and for a simple desire to say how much they admired their lord or lady. “Would… Professor Ferdinand not return it to you?”

“Oh, he would, he offered as soon as he became a Sovereignty noble, but I refused,” Heidemarie assured her. 

She was glad Ferdinand wasn’t some jerk about that, he didn’t seem the type. “So you will be an assistant for several years? That seems nice… maybe I could swear to be a librarian to fix the marriage issue…” She now knew that much had been part of why Father was against her becoming a librarian so quickly.

“Marriage… issue…, Lady Rozemyne?” Heidemarie’s mint green eyes suddenly shone with curiosity.

It wasn’t as though it was some national or duchy secret, basically everyone who investigated would easily know her plight. “Well, I am a daughter of an grand duchy Aub, and so…” Well she couldn’t exactly say she hated Prince Sigiswald’s guts to someone from another territory! She decided to leave it at that.

“It does seem harder on archduke candidates,” Heidemarie admitted after a moment. “Eckhart and I have been courting almost since age ten because we both wished to continue serving Lord Ferdinand no matter where he went via marriage.”

It seemed a bit strange to her to be that dedicated to a lord, but she could admire that they knew their own hearts, even if their hearts went to their lord first! “But Professor Ferdinand has become a Sovereignty noble instead.”

“Sovereignty nobles still can be married. My lord is still seventeen, and we hope he is able to find a good match.”

She nodded. So Professor Ferdinand had problems with finding someone too… everyone sure had it hard.

“He loves research. And he has an abundance of books.”

“Oh?” She knew Professor Ferdinand had a beautiful office, and it obviously held lots of research notes and boards, but she had never seen “an abundance of books”; she knew the threshold for “lots of books” was much lower in Jurgenschmidt than in her own opinion. Still, even if it was just a dozen or two, that was impressive for a personal collection.

“Why yes, he had a library and study back in Ehrenfest worthy of Mestionora’s praise, and brought the books to the Sovereignty when he moved.”

A whole study?! An actual, personally owned library!? She forced herself to stay calm, but only barely. Why had Ferdinand not said he had a whole library!? “Someone who is as intelligent and attractive as your lord should have no trouble finding a lady who appeals to him, though, right?”

“Milord can be a bit… picky when it comes to women,” Heidemarie answered with a faint smile. “But I do hope he eventually finds a lady who can match his mana and intellect.”

Rozemyne nodded absently, she hoped so too, Professor Ferdinand deserved it! Oh… wait… She frowned very faintly. A smart archduke candidate, an abundance of books, her absolute idol for living in the Academy and loving books, and he was seventeen soon to be eighteen. That was certainly weird for Urano, but then her Uncle was in his late twenties and had recently married a sixteen year old and absolutely no one thought that was weird… So Ferdinand would be the perfect catch! “Um…” 

She had no idea what to say. How should she express her interest?! Lady’s training pull through!!

“I will pray that… Liebeskhilfe grasps his thread to tie it to… someone deeply blessed by Mestionora.” Nice one, Rozemyne!

Heidemarie’s lip twitched into the direction of a smile before she took a sip of tea. Oh no, she was found out so easily! “I will pray for that too, Lady Rozemyne.”

Perhaps she wasn’t very cut out to be a secret spy…

*

Finally the day of going to the underground library came, obviously there was the rules set forth by Trauerqual that said she couldn’t bring parchment and pen, but obviously there was no way she was going to go without it! Loopholes existed for a reason! She had an alright memory, she did many ceremonies every year, after all, but she wanted to make sure she had something to record with in case she needed it!

So she did what any delinquent student would do… and tucked several tightly folded sheets of paper and a grease pencil of sorts into the bangle that Ferdinand had given her. This time it was on her arm, though. 

Obviously as a noblewoman (and an archduke candidate at that) no one would be so crass as to inspect her upper arms, and there was no contract that needed to be signed. Besides, the rules said parchment and pen, this was a pencil, and well… the paper wasn’t parchment either, so she figured even if there was a contract the gods might be alright with her slight fibs. 

She arrived a bit early that Earthday and found that the scholar who was supposed to be her chaperone of sorts hadn’t arrived yet. Clearly they weren’t nearly as excited for the visit as she was! Marian and that new librarian were already there, and Schwartz and Weiss came over to say hello to their “lady” as well. Since there was a chance the scholar could be lurking, and she didn’t know if there was something that might need her mana within the library, she held onto her mana for now.

“Lady Rozemyne,” Marian greeted her, coming over to where she was sitting with her aides. Rozemyne nodded and smiled at her. “Would you care to see the new effects of the book preservation tools?”

“New effects?” Well that was exciting, she could hardly say no, and so she stood and headed up the stairs with Professor Marian and she was told that because there was a bit more mana coming in now the tools were even more effective.

She was so distracted by the magic involved that she almost didn’t notice that Professor Marian was offering her an eavesdropping tool. Rozemyne knew to never accept such a thing without her attendants checking it, so she shook her head and provided her own. Thankfully she wasn’t offended and understood the fear of poisoning that most archducal candidates needed to live with.

“I apologize for the awkward way of approaching you, Lady Rozemyne, but I fear I must discuss a sensitive matter with you.” 

Rozemyne nodded thoughtfully and looked down at the book that was in front of them. She was still not a great secret agent, but she was at least practiced in how to look busy with something else while speaking via a magic tool.

“Obviously you are aware of the restrictions that the Royal Family has placed on entry into the underground library, which is counter to the desires of Mestionora, but there is only so much I dare protest in the current political climate.” 

She knew Marian didn’t fear for her life, but if a path to Grutrissheit really was here that couldn’t be spoken of, and the county supply was in the library, then she knew she would have to approach things delicately.

“The new librarian is quite kind, but always remember she is also a Sovereignty agent. As servants of Mestionora we are not to have another master but… she does not behave that way, digging into the various secrets of the library so aggressively.”

Rozemyne nodded again. “I shall keep that in mind Professor Marian. I am also concerned for… the shumils.”

“Very wise. As their owner you can order them to secrecy, but… if another becomes their master you lose that right and the right to your confidentiality.”

Scary! So as a browser of books she could be told on by the shumils, her father was wise to warn her about them. “Thank you for your wisdom, Professor Marian,” Rozemyne said, and then held out her hand to retrieve the magic tool. In that time, her “chaperone” had arrived and Rozemyne followed him, Professor Hortencia, and Professor Marian down to the underground library. The scholar apparently held a third key that was supposed to be left in the library!

Trauerqual!! Her anger at the zent for destroying the access to this important historical tool was unimaginable, and she only slightly calmed herself enough not to grow angry. She was also told that apparently it was by order of the zent that each archduke candidate could only enter the underground library once a year! How unfair could you get?!

“Well, I must make the most of the time I have then,” she said with forced cheer. No leisurely library stroll for Rozemyne!

Watching the library open was exceptionally exciting, and then Schwartz walked through what was apparently a barrier keeping out non archduke candidates, and after a moment to have her hands and bags checked to see what she was holding, Rozemyne headed inside.

“Milady, not enough prayer.”

… What? How much prayer did she have to do?! She could ask about prayer but then that might tip someone off if they asked Schwartz what she asked for. “Schwartz, begin bringing me items from each shelf, from top left to bottom right.” After another moment she said: “And as long as I am your master, you are not to tell anyone about my… requirements or lack thereof.”

Given the extreme time press, she sat down and simply scanned every book, tablet, and board she could, extreme librarian categorization skim mode: activated! Each item she would read the first few lines, then another line or two a bit further down, and then decide what it mostly encompassed. She couldn’t help if she got a bit sidetracked, however. Some of the works were diaries of past Zents and were downright fascinating.

Finally after a while she came across a tablet worth noting: the Zent coronation ceremony! The crown of the Goddess of Light was used, and the new Zent would show their wisdom. A sacred tool… finally a connection between Zent and the temple! She surreptitiously took her papers and pencil from her sleeve and jotted down shorthand notes. The passage stated that the predecessor would make the crown from his schtappe. Was there a spell for that?

“Schwartz, bring me materials about ‘Spells.’” That should be a safe enough inquiry.

“Spells, search.”

The shumil brought back a stack of materials, and to her surprise there were spells or magic circles or nearly every sacred instrument! The crown, the cloak… even the circle for a staff of Verfuremeer which wasn’t even in Drewanchel’s temple! She hurried and wrote down the spells and then asked Schwartz to continue from where she left off from the top left.

After skimming a couple other items there was a record of Zent supplying mana to the border gates, pressing a book against them as a conduit for their mana. Was it their Wisdom? The temple’s Bible? Something else? She wondered if she could ask Ferdinand about it since Ehrenfest had a border gate… she should ask her father for permission first though. Some materials had royal compression methods. There were also some tips for the archduke candidate courses, helpful but not relevant so she set them aside.

All too soon, her time was up. Schwartz tapped her on the shoulder and said “Milady, time.” She roused from her skimming and looked behind her to see the scholar standing by the barrier, waiting for her. She stealthily put her papers and pencil back up her sleeve and met the scholar.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” The scholar asked, how blunt! Probing her for information?!

“Why yes. Some I couldn’t quite decipher, but there were some helpful pieces of advice for the archduke candidate course.”

The scholar’s face softened. “I hope it proves useful for next year. Now, shall we go?”

They went upstairs, and Rozemyne inwardly praised herself for finally doing well as a secret agent. Even if the scholar or the new librarian asked Schwartz, they would think “spells” were about the spells used in the lord candidate course. Though she did not find anything concrete on missing Wisdom, the trip did prove to be productive. Later that night when she wrote her report to father, she could only hope to be a step closer to unveiling the mysteries when she visited the underground library again next year.

Chapter Text

Tugged Threads

Since Rozemyne had finished her classes, she had returned to his lab so they could resume their research. It was a risk to research deeper on the quality of soil, but Ferdinand felt a newfound sense of crisis for the country. As much as he wished the royal family could step up and take responsibility, Ferdinand knew he and Rozemyne had to do it because Erwaermen and the Foundation could not wait for anyone else. The problem however… 

“We can not expose mana details of our respective duchies. My contacts might allow me to take their soil samples, but I don’t think making them part of a presentation the whole country would see would endear any Aub to this.” 

Rozemyne tilted her head to the side, “Perhaps we could just say Duchy A,B,C… make it anonymous? Perhaps a magical contract while pricey would assure Aubs of their duchy’s confidentiality?”

“They would realize from the mana composition of the third layer easily and guess where the soil came from. A duchy like Drewanchel might have some leeway due to their location but Ehrenfest or any duchy with a border gate has no such luxury from Verbergen.” Then he added, “However, if the result is not presented publicly I think it’s worth proposing the contract to further understand the situation of our country post-civil war.” 

“You are right but… it would be nice to present something for the interduchy championship, especially since we are working so hard on this.”

Ferdinand remembered as the Knight Captain there was a healing ceremony by blue robes after trombe subjugations. The land was dry from the subjugation and after a few days of ritual it would be green again. Could they use that instead? Considering the country’s foundation was so poor, the results before and after should be apparent enough for comparison. He was curious to see if the ceremony would be the same if Rozemyne did it, since she used the sacred tools so uniquely during the ditter.  Also, if the materials would be more abundant, the benefits made it worth the attempt. 

“I believe we could try using our collection site, I have felt the quality of materials worsened over the years…” 

Rozemyne’s expression brightened. “Oh, do you mean we should do a spring ceremony on the soil there?”

“There’s a ritual in Ehrenfest to heal land after trombe subjugation, it requires a prayer to Flutrane… if you don’t know it, I remember listening to the complete prayer before.”

“...Professor Ferdinand has an [eidetic] memory I see…” 

She was using weird vocabulary again. He sighed and wrote down the prayer on a wooden board for her to read.

The next day Flutrane’s staff arrived from Ehrenfest as he requested, and he met Rozemyne at the Ehrenfest collection site. The apprentice scholars and knights from the Ehrenfest dorm also followed along in hopes of getting better material than before.

Just as he had done last time, Justus did his part and dug up a portion of soil and put it in the centrifuge box. There were also several scholars snipping and cutting a variety of different plants, taking them to Rozemyne’s scholars and were paid for their time.

“The prayer usually takes several days,” Ferdinand said after that was done. “We can experiment incrementally.”

Rozemyne shrugged. “That’s because typical blue priests don't compress, have low magical power, no divine protection, and no potions. I think for us this would take much less than a bell.”

She had a point, and so Ferdinand gestured and Rozemyne took position toward the middle of the area, took a deep breath, and made a wind shield for their party’s protection. Then the three blues that served as her retainers took a knee and crossed their arms; after a fraction of a moment, Ferdinand, and then the Ehrenfest students did the same.

“O’ bringer of healing and change, Goddess of Water, Flutrane and the twelve subordinate goddesses who serve by your side. Listen to my prayer, bestow upon me your holy power… grant me the power to heal your sister, Goddess of Earth, Geduldh that has been harmed at the hands of evil. Raise the ripple of supremacy! Accord me the purity of your protection. Fill this land I bid with your noble color!”  

The wind slowly began to whip up and Rozemyne chanted, her young voice somehow rising above it, and her sleeves and dress fluttered gently in the breeze. Her loosely pinned hair began to be teased by the wind, and then her skirts began to flutter, whipped around by the gale… 

For a moment, Ferdinand was reminded of stories of Verfuremeer, the Sea Goddess who cooled passions of land and sea, as though she was within a raging storm… 

Ferdinand had never seen anything so… so… 

As the assembled gawked, a huge magic circle began to rise from the ground! That had not happened in Ehrenfest before! But he was also locked in place, unable to look away. Shrubs and flowers grew before their very eyes, trees began to bloom and show fruit, the leaves went from a dull green to a lush bluish green color. Rozemyne was at the center of it all as flowers rippled at her feet, and he could not look away. Thankfully Justus rose and summoned his highbeast to copy the circle. He would get the sketch from him later.

Rozemyne’s estimate of a bell was embarrassingly high, she was done in well less than a quarter bell. She wobbled very slightly and Ferdinand almost ran to her to catch her. But her aide did it for him and he felt shocked by his impulse.

She handed the tool to Heidemarie. “That took a touch more mana than I expected.”

Rozemyne then grabbed something from her belt and popped it into her mouth. Beside him, Lasfam said: “So Bluanfah is a subordinate of Flutrane after all.”

Ferdinand had no idea what his aide meant by that, but the various students slowly recovered and began to chatter, and then got to work harvesting. He looked up and the circle was still there and a portion of Rozemyne’s mana also flew… to the soutwest? Over there was-

“Are you well, Rozemyne,” he asked, still concerned.

She nodded, a huge smile on her lips. “The land was very dry, and that circle was quite a surprise, but it was fine. How long do Ehrenfest blues take to do such a ceremony?”

“Days,” he admitted. “And that is without the circle…”

“Hmm… it is difficult to say, I think my scholar blues could do so in a day or two on their own…”

Gregory chuckled. “Milady, I think you overestimate us.”

So Rozemyne had that much mana? Dozens of times more than a high mana mednoble… Obviously she didn’t yet possess mana sensing, but Ferdinand wondered… 

No.

It didn’t matter.

Ferdinand would attempt the ceremony next time when they go to Drewanchel’s collection site to get a feel for the strain of the mana, but even though theirs should be in better shape than Ehrenfest’s, he suspected he would find it required a great deal.

“Why don’t we return to my office and begin analysis of the soil,” he suggested, and Rozemyne nodded. Justus now had the circle transcribed, two buckets of dirt, and was discussing the impressive amount of ‘before and after’ materials with Rozemyne’s aides.

Things like analyzing the exact differences between the materials themselves would take a great deal of time, so instead they simply used Rozemyne’s tool to extract and separate mana just as they had done with the Ehrenfest duchy soil. 

Again there were three contributors of mana, and the ‘middle’ layer seemed to be contributed by Sylvester, surprisingly enough. It seemed to hold the same life deficiency at least, and although Ferdinand couldn’t be certain it did seem to feel quite similar to the mana layer he’d felt in Ehrenfest’s soil. The layer of mana they suspected was the country level was still in incredibly bad shape, but Ferdinand felt as though there was an almost fractional improvement, something he didn’t mention to Rozemyne but he held out hope that meant the royal family was doing something.

The top layer, however… 

“It’s… full,” he said. There was no other word for it. Full of warm mana in unusually swirled gold and green colors in its natural state. Rozemyne looked at it from next to him.

“Oh, that’s my mana,” she said, and then she poked it and swifty separated it.

Ferdinand then reached for it and felt the mana, it was quite comfortable, almost familiar, which was quite odd, but then he let go of the small seven colored feystone. Also he had never seen someone else with mana perfectly balanced between two colors before. 

“We will have to repeat it with the Drewanchel site, but I believe the Aub’s mana may influence the secondary layer.” 

Rozemyne nodded at his assumption. “The difference in the soil is quite obvious, the question now is how it affected the plants.”

After a couple of days they redid the procedure at the Drewanchel site, this time Ferdinand did the ceremony. Just as he expected, the site was in a better state with the circle appearing at his shins rather than starting on the ground, however it still took a good deal of mana even by his standards. Analysis of that soil and the materials before and after showed similar results, albeit with his mana instead of Rozemyne’s.

“I think it would be best to publish the results of increased material quality rather than the soil.” He concluded. 

Rozemyne nodded. “I agree. Especially since it would help if everyone can heal their own duchy’s collection site.”

That gave him pause. “Don’t they need the Flutrane wand to do so?” He could not imagine other duchies going near their temples.

“It would make it easier, but it isn’t completely necessary. If a group did the prayer together, poured mana directly into the ground in a circle with knights standing guard, people could share the burden and do it together. Though,” she added, “they would need to do it separately by mana class, or have the ones with lower mana in the outer edge of the circle.”

His brow furrowed. “How do you know all this?”

She grinned “Because we dedicate mana all the time in the temple, of course! Especially in the Winter Dedication ceremony. When a group of people gather in prayer or dedicate mana all at once, mana flows out much faster.” 

Her scholar Frederick shook his head with a fond smirk on his face. “I’ll never forget that one time we all did the ceremony together for the first time. Gregory and I nearly passed out mid prayer!”

Rozemyne pouted. “That wasn’t on purpose! And I made sure to do it on my own after that!”

How fascinating. Ferdinand had usually supplied alone because of… a certain woman, but when he did supply with the rest of his family there was nothing unusual. The difference between ranks of nobles seemed to cause issues. Since mana was never dedicated by anyone other than archnobles and archduke candidates, there was no issue. There seemed to be more and more intriguing knowledge to be found from the temple. Then again this was only possible because Rozemyne had the perspective as both a High Bishop and an archduke candidate. 

“We will have to experiment to prove this as well. Let’s try it in a few weeks when the sites are depleted just enough to see a difference.”

*

Even before another round of healing ceremony, Ferdinand could already tell that at her age Rozemyne perhaps would balance less than an already very small population of eligible noblemen with appropriate mana and color. Which was very… praiseworthy for a daughter adopted by Aub, displaying her merit appropriately for all to see. However she overdid it, and that was where the problem started. 

In their recent research session Rozemyne had asked for a more… rigorous schedule, and under soundproof tools admitted she wanted legitimate reason to avoid a certain royal prince. At first he had thought Aub Drewanchel had insisted on this match, but Rozemyne assured him it was not the case. “My father prays to Jugereise so the dark cloak would never even slide over my fingertips.” 

Basically Aub Drewanchel was done with this match but considering the delicate position of the royal family without wisdom Zent Trauerqual would not allow Rozemyne to refuse an engagement if his son chose her before she was obligated to someone else. Rozemyne’s beauty was frequently praised by others, she made many inventions from what he heard, and had an abundance of seven colored mana. Of course the prince would be interested in her. Which would lead to a bigger disaster down the road as early as one or two years later when mana sensing manifested in both children and… courtship jewelry was given. Or mana matching was done through a magical tool. 

Either way, the result would be disastrous. 

Knowing Prince Sigiswald’s arrogance, Ferdinand could not imagine the handover or matching would be in a quiet and private setting. Which meant when jewelry made of his pathetic mana would inevitably be powdered by Rozemyne, it would create an uproar over hurt royal pride or the revelation a prince could not balance an archduke candidate of an upper duchy.

However his pupil would be in a very dangerous position when that happened, and he didn’t wish to put all his faith in Aub Drewanchel’s love for his adopted daughter. Of course he valued Rozemyne but that man was an Aub before a father, and Rozemyne cared for people around her too much to resist his will. 

The only solution for this was for Rozemyne to be engaged to an appropriate match with both mana and color so the royal family could not contest it. The problem however… he only had one potential candidate in mind. The civil war had seen to the rest of them… 

As Dregarnuhr spun smoothly, their research was over much too soon, and Rozemyne went back to her dorm. Before fully accepting the...idea, he decided to ask his aides for preliminary intel.

He started to broach the topic with Heidemarie, who had been relatively close to his pupil of late. It wasn’t because she wouldn’t tease him like Justus would. “Heidemarie, you had a tea party in the library with Rozemyne recently? What do you know about her… current situation?”

Heidemarie was overtly eager to answer for some reason. “Well, she certainly has marriage issues… and wishes she could become a librarian at the Sovereignty or the Royal Academy, but if Liebeskhilfe tied her thread to a lord of archduke candidate ranking or higher it would get in the way of that.” 

“Sounds like her… is there a problem with the current prospects?” He knew there was, but he wanted his retainer’s perspective.

“She also asked me if Eckhart and I communicate well, being a knight and scholar- I assure her we always have mutual interest in our lord’s wellbeing.”

Heidemarie’s tendency to stir the topic to Ferdinand aside, Ferdinand could surmise Rozemyne’s tea party with the prince didn’t go well. Which was understandable given how he acted in class.

“However Milady also expressed that if Liebeskhilfe were to pick her thread… a gentleman of equal intellect, astute in politics and shares her mutual interest in books and research would be her ideal Dark God to start a family with!” 

Ferdinand blinked at that, “Start… a family?” 

“Eckhart and I are going to tie our star soon and Lady Rozemyne referred to it as such, even asking if I would wish for a boy as strong as Eckhart. She seemed to enjoy hearing about my thoughts on that.” 

She wanted… a family, children, and that wish might be out of her reach no matter how pious she was. Entrinduge could not grant her blessing to a match of clashing colors. 

Later during his bath, his aide who was most aligned with Verbergen in matters of mischievousness said to him (who was immobile in his bath and unable to escape in his not decent state), “Milord, I believe if you wish to tug onto a certain lady’s thread and beckon Liebeskhilfe… you should be as swift as Steifebrise, as after all Dregarnuhr stops her spinning for no one.” 

Ferdinand groaned, “It’s not that simple, Justus… I am currently a mere Sovereignty noble.” 

“Lady Rozemyne is very fond of you, Milord.” 

“I don’t think Bluanfah dances for Ewarchleren, Justus… and the one who should approve in the end is Aub Drewanchel.”

Justus snorted, “Milord… I think Aub Drewanchel is the least of your worries. His father wished to adopt you and… I recall quite vividly how Sergius, a dear friend from Drewanchel, was cross with Heisshitze for weeks thinking Dunkelfelger had stolen the march from them…” 

So Aub Drewanchel would approve. 

“Why don’t you ask for Lady Rozemyne’s wish first then? I think that’s the most important matter here, Milord.”

Justus was not wrong, Rozemyne’s wishes were the most important for this matter. A family… The prospect did not seem so bad to him.

*

During their next post-research tea break, Ferdinand made his case to his pupil.  

There was little eyebrow raising at them grasping eavesdropping tools as they usually did, but for some reason his retainers were radiating with excitement.

“Rozemyne, as my pupil I am obviously quite concerned about your future if Prince Sigiswald is not an appealing Dark God.”

“He is most certainly not!” Rozemyne said, a bit more emphatically than might have been appropriate, but her point was clear. “I do appreciate your concern though, Professor. I do wish to be a librarian someday, but I know that the prince also sees me as a potential Goddess of Water if Lady Eglantine chooses to select him…”

Goddess of Water , it was worse than he thought. He couldn’t even hope for the boy to ensnare the Klassenberg princess and leave his pupil alone.

“Does your father have a plan?”

Rozemyne chuckled: “Find someone else first.” She looked over to him, eyes huge and expressive. She wasn’t close to tears, Ferdinand at least could take heart in that, but even with his resolve it was difficult to form any words in the face of those huge, moon-like eyes.

“I thought that would make a better solution as well,” he answered. “If your father approves of that outcome…”

Neither of them spoke.

Ferdinand cleared his throat as Grammalatur failed him.

“You… I cannot say a Sovereignty lord is a particularly acceptable match, but perhaps if you wish it, Liebeskhilfe could be persuaded to tug our threads together and you can be assured of the fulfillment of your future wishes.”

Rozemyne’s eyes grew wide and her hands went to her lips, covering her expression of surprise. Her eyes were now slightly wet… had he done something wrong?

“I accept!” She said, hands coming down against the table. “I will pray to Liebeskhilfe for us daily!”

Her enthusiasm was quite mind blowing, and he quickly responded. “I am more concerned for your father than Liebeskhilfe at the moment.”

“I can write father now!”

Ferdinand shook his head. “I am at least not so improper as to allow a request to be done that way. I will meet with him myself.”

“Then I will send the request!” 

“Rozemyne, I… am glad you approve, but… I am a Sovereignty noble, not an archduke candidate, no longer tied to that position, and…” 

“Did you just propose and then say you are unacceptable?” Rozemyne asked, now she was… smiling. That was good… right? “You can make many of my wishes come true! Why would I reject a Dark God who can do that? I wish to live in the Sovereignty, I do not wish to cause succession issues for my siblings, and you have bountiful blessings of Mestionora! I will be the very best Light Goddess I can.”

Ferdinand didn’t know what he had expected, but the vehement and enthusiastic agreement was not it. He finally was able to say something about asking her father for a meeting and set down the tool only to see… both his and her entire entourage in various states of prayer and celebration.

He sighed and tapped his temple. “I should have had you turn around.”

Justus looked very smug, but also… happy. “Perhaps you could have been a touch more imbued with the workings of Bluanfah, Milord…” 

Ferdinand ignored his divorcee aide’s advice.

“Do not worry, Justus, I am quite happy with the proposal.” Ferdinand couldn’t quite believe his ears, Rozemyne was quite ridiculous to have been happy with such a mediocre offer. “Liebeskhilfe and Bluanfah can work more effectively when there is more spun thread to work with.”

She… hoped they would eventually come to love? Ferdinand didn’t know if he could promise her that, but if she asked it of him, he would do his best to give her everything else. Rozemyne wasn’t wrong that they did have far more time now that the risk of one of the princes pursuing her could be removed.

Rozemyne and her entourage had barely left when--

“Milord, I have made a list of all materials in Ehrenfest and the Sovereignty that would make a good engagement stone.”

“Milady loves stories, I think she would appreciate one of my mother’s story books…”

“I will protect Lady Rozemyne as though she were you, Milord.”

“Shall I look into larger rooms that would better suit a married couple?”

Ferdinand glowered at his aides. “How long have you been plotting this?”

“Milord,” Justus said, an amused smile on his lips. “We’ve hoped for such tidings since the moment Lady Rozemyne shared the blessing of Cuococalura with you.”

Ferdinand was uncertain at that moment if his aides were excellent or not, but after a long glower at Justus he held out his hand. He would need to get courtship jewelry and a proposal stone prepared for their engagement, after all.

Engagement Meeting - Sebastian

After Sebastian finished reading the letter from Rozemyne, he opened the bottle of finest liquor he saved for a special occasion and headed to the East Annex where his father retired. He also sent an ordonnanz to Nicholas that he would be visiting soon. Ordoschnelli had good news to share. It felt like victory when his wizened father almost sputtered and at a loss with Grammalatur when Sebastian shared the good news. 

“Your adopted daughter manage to beckon spring and Bluanfah to dance for Lord Ferdinand?” 

“Yes, I told you last year he made our Rozemyne, his pupil.” 

His father inhaled softly, “Many women tried and were rejected, but he accepted Rozemyne? Is it his… taste?” 

“Father… I don’t think Lord Ferdinand is such a man, unfortunately I believe it’s not Bluanfah dancing. Rozemyne has been… wearing down the wall of ice around him since she enrolled from what Hrosvita reported and… due to recent problems with her prospects, he perhaps feels obligated to offer himself as someone who could match my daughter in intellect, mana, and color.” 

Father narrowed his eyes, “I believe there’s nothing to worry about for Rozemyne, Lord Ferdinand is a very fine Dark God. Aub Dunkelfelger’s sister is just too blind.”

“Well… I believe my daughter is fond of him but it’s his extensive book collection that endears him as her ideal spouse.” 

“Ha! Typical of our incarnation of Mestionora.”

There was still a very real possibility Lord Ferdinand was the Zent candidate “Quinta” that they were looking for, and even if he was not that was fine because he obviously had the qualifications. Now… the delicate issue was how to probe whether he was the one or if he would ever want to claim the throne, if only to save this country from ruin in the hands of ignorant royals. 

He didn’t wish for his future son-in-law, or Rozemyne, to think he was only glad for the match because of their shared qualifications. Whether a true spring had come and melted Ewigeliebe’s heart, Sebastian didn’t know, but he didn’t wish to break what was doubtless a delicate situation.

“I will request for her to spend more time in the Academy over the off-season,” Sebastian told his father. It was for them to potentially sweeten to each other, but also to deal with the very real possibility that his daughter was supplying the foundation of the country singlehandedly. Sebastian hadn’t told his father about the potential zent among them either… This was far too delicate even for an intelligent old man. “Father, do you know any way I might prove if Ferdinand is from… that place?”

His father pondered. “There is the mark of Anhaltung that is used by Aubs to find their way to the palace. I do not know what would have become of the palace in the wake of the war, and I am not of a mind to discuss it with Aub Ahrensbach without cause.”

What a political nightmare. Sebastian certainly didn’t want to ask another Aub if the flower garden was well tended. “If you have it, I will take it, Father. I wish to investigate during the Interduchy Tournament.”

He knew from his father that upper duchies with strong all attribute lines took daughters from there several generations ago. So finding Quinta if there was any record would not be difficult, there shouldn’t be many boys taken as that would cause inheritance problems. 

The promised Earthday arrived, and Sebastian embarked to the Royal Academy with his entourage to see Ferdinand. The venue they used for this meeting was Drewanchel’s tea room reserved for archducal house members. When the man he was waiting for arrived, Sebastian was pleased to see how Ferdinand’s eyes became drawn to the beautiful arrangement of vertical gardens made on lush greenery that formed the heraldic symbol of their house. It was always a crowd pleaser since Rozemyne started the trend in Drewanchel. 

As much as Sebastian was impatient, they exchanged proper impromptu pleasantries.

“Aub Drewanchel, I always deeply appreciated Drewanchel’s favor during my tenure as a student. Now in my time as professor your duchy has given me a wonderful disciple blessed by Mestionora. My time teaching and guiding her potential has been very fulfilling.”

So that was the angle Fedinand was trying to broach it from? It sounded good and all, but Sebastian (who had been on the other side of this sort of conversation thrice) could tell Lord Ferdinand was not having an easy time with Grammalatur.

“It pains me as Erwachleren that Liebeskhilfe’s mischief might stop her from achieving her true potential and dream, so if you allow it I shall be the Dark God to her light so she may have the blessings from all the Gods and Goddesses.” 

Whether or not Bluanfah had danced, did it matter because this excellent man expressed his determination to fulfill Rozemyne’s wishes? She wished to be a dweller of Mestionora’s sanctuary, and to tie her stars with a capable Dark God that could give her the blessing of Entrinduge.  

“Lord Ferdinand… any father holds fear in their heart that they might be the Dark God who lets Eweigeliebe take their beloved daughter’s hand.” Sebastian began with a smile on his face. “However I truly believe we of Drewanchel have never been wrong about your excellence. You are a Dark God who could rule the night as my daughter rules the day…” He nodded. “You have my permission to take my daughter’s hand.” 

Lord Ferdinand’s pale gold eyes did not waver, and dignifiedly responded. “Thank you Aub Drewanchel, I swear I will be the dark that protects her light.” 

How diplomatic of him, not fun for a man so young to be this proper. Sebastian didn’t think even with his Drewanchel’s upbringing he was as stiff as Ferdinand. 

“I have always known Rozemyne was a girl who would need to make a very specific match. Normally a father wouldn’t look farther than one who would serve in the highest heavens…”

“Yes, I… admit my concern was for her circumstance if Lady Eglantine did not accept him. I have always had few pillars who supported me in achieving my best, but I recognize it is not so easy for a woman of Rozemyne’s talents.”

As a father, Sebastian could appreciate a man who complimented his daughter, even more so since he knew Ferdinand was not rich with praise.

“I suppose it is only natural, Drewanchel is quite famous for beckoning Liebeskhilfe during research rather than song and poetry… or ditter.”

Ferdinand smiled an endearingly awkward smile at that. Perhaps not all hope was lost for Bluanfah. “Your daughter is too blessed by the gods to have her thread tugged for only one reason.”

“Yes, I suppose so. She has been so enthusiastic about your research… You must enjoy it as well.”

Thankfully, Ferdinand had the heart of a Drewanchel in some senses and nodded enthusiastically. “I will admit some of the appeal is the fascinating devices Rozemyne has made.”

“Oh, my daughter does have the most fascinating inventions… which one was it for your most recent research?”

Ferdinand answered, “I believe the name of the device is centrifuge, it separates… matter inside a container and helps immensely in our research to examine the quality of soil.” 

Rozemyne had informed him of the result for Drewanchel’s soil but withhold Ehrenfest’s in the name of confidentiality. It was fascinating but concerning aside from his color being so obvious from the soil sample. It also signaled the grave situation their country was facing. 

“I trust you share my daughter’s concerns about the results?”

Ferdinand sighed and pressed a finger to his temple, a gesture even Rozemyne had begun to pick up. “It would be difficult not to.”

“I am unwilling to have her offer something so detrimental to our stability, but… I am concerned for our future if she doesn't. Is it a reflection on the war, or a consequence of lacking Wisdom?”

He waited carefully for Ferdinand’s response, as it might be telling. “I am at a loss.”

Sebastian’s hopes twisted slightly in his chest. If even Ferdinand didn’t know… 

“I’ve never personally held a foundation, but it should last for many years unattended if necessary, yes?”

Sebastian nodded. “It should not have been so deprived if only a handful of years went without supply, and the Royal Family was… quite extensive until recently.”

Ferdinand seemed to be considering his words, which was a slight spark of hope to him. “Without the centrifuge, no one can see the difficulty, so my hope is that Rozemyne and I can find a solution now that the problem is known.”

Sebastian was relieved that at least Ferdinand took it seriously. “My daughter’s future is of great concern, and for that I need a duchy and a country.”

Ferdinand agreed, and Sebastian assured him the matter of the engagement would be approved swiftly and he would be in touch.

*

As Sebastian expected, Zent Trauerqual was not pleased. How could he be, as Rozemyne was an upper duchy lady with appropriate lineage and ability with the closest age to his oldest son, and Drewanchel quickly had her hand promised to another as early as her second year? The zent had an appropriately composed royal mask but Sebastian could roughly guess what was on his mind. 

In the beginning of the year Sebastian made no move to show if he was changing his mind in offering a daughter. However he also made it clear to leave it to their children to socialize first, see if spring could come upon them as Dregarnuhr spun her yarn. However, not even halfway to social season, one tea party and Sebastian rushed to ask Zent Trauerqual to approve his daughter’s engagement. 

“Your daughter is very young, Aub Drewanchel… as you said before she was at the peak of her summer.” 

“It’s an out of season raffel Your Majesty, I had thought my daughter found an Erwachleren’s guiding hand but she also caught the tip of Dark God’s cloak.” It was not a complete lie, as Hrosvitha reported with despair in her eyes how Rozemyne’s golden eyes sparkled with spring when Ferdinand’s aides cleverly mentioned his private collection of books.  

Well, a Dark God’s cloak and one’s library was one and the same for his Mestionora incarnate of a daughter. 

“So you approve of… Ferdinand was it? I have heard of his name.”  

Of course Zent had heard the name of a man his third wife had Jugereise dance for. “I am sure you have heard Ordoschnelli sing of our rivalry with Dunkelfelger over the young lord.” He mentioned their loud southern neighbor and Goddess of  Courtiers on purpose, if only to subtly remind Trauerqual that if he disapproved of this matter, wild Ordoschnelli would bring ill rumors about him for getting in the way of Ferdinand’s thread not once but twice. 

The wisdomless Zent frowned, “Hm… he was an exceptional nobleman in spite of his… pedigree.” 

Sebastian chuckled softly, “Exceptional indeed, my people of the same generation as he waxed lyrically how Lord Ferdinand is abundant of Angriff, beloved by Kuntzeal, and blessed by Mestionora.” 

“I suppose it’s no wonder a Drewanchel lady as exceptional Lady Rozemyne would be drawn by such an Erwachleren.” Trauerqual murmured softly. “Very well, I shall approve of this match Aub Drewanchel… may her thread be tied beautifully by Sterrat when Forsente comes to visit.” 

He gave the Zent a bow, “Thank you, Zent Trauerqual… Drewanchel is always loyal in service of our country.” 

“Speaking of which, Aub Drewanchel… Now that you have arranged a match for Lady Rozemyne, what of your other daughter still on the eve of her summer?” 

A double pronged inquiry, whether or not Drewanchel was still supporting him and was not attempting to distance themselves. Also… implying he gave up on Rozemyne, but surely Drewanchel would offer another daughter for Zent’s son. 

“I am certain she will don the crown of the Goddess of Light beautifully when the time comes.” 

Trauerqual nodded, obviously pleased with the politic answer but swiftly indicating that he had no idea his son had pushed for Rozemyne to consider being a second wife. So his wisdomless zent had also not heard the flapping of Ordoschnell’s wings.

“Well then until our threads overlap once more as Dregarnuhr decreed.” 

At the rate the boy was going, if he didn’t learn some tact Sebastian didn’t think he would endear himself to any upper duchy ladies and definitely not the deceased third prince’s daughter. However it was not Sebastian’s concern as he was sure it was just on Dregarnuhr’s whim when other upper duchies noticed the current royal family was not of royal standard any longer. 

Chapter Text

Rumors and Discoveries 

Her father said their engagement had been approved by Zent Trauerqual and Rozemyne was relieved their speedy request was passed smoothly. She was also told to tread carefully how Prince Sigiswald interpreted her engagement to Ferdinand. Rozemyne had to agree it was very likely taken as an insult to his pride; that bratty prince had even perceived the teachers’ encouragement to work harder as an offense. 

Rozemyne couldn’t predict how he would take it. 

Social season was in full swing and this year too, Rozemyne received a tea party invitation from the music teachers. Ferdinand had also attended, as apparently they had to make a good show of closeness as soon to be official fiancés. 

“Your hand, Rozemyne.” 

“Oh yes-” She had a fiancé now, so she would be escorted by Ferdinand gallantly. Rozemyne felt like she had taken another step of ladyhood! But… “Professor Ferdinand, you were abundantly blessed by Anwachs this year.” 

Ferdinand blinked at that, “Ah, I believe I was…”

He was getting taller from proper nutrition and enough sleep, a proper growing boy-man. Still… Ferdinand was already over 180cms it seemed and might reach up to 185cms! While Rozemyne was also growing, it felt like Anwachs didn’t bless her as abundantly and while Ferdinand was elegantly escorting her their vast height gap no doubt made it difficult. 

Perhaps… to others she looked like a kid next to him? Of all the things she invented, she should have tried to make high heels.

“My~” Professor Pauline clasped her hand after their initial greetings. “What a pair we have here, you make quite a picture Lady Rozemyne, Professor Ferdinand.” 

Professor Pauline was being so nice!  

“Finding Dark God in your Erwachleren… how delightful, Lady Rozemyne.” Another professor chimed in. 

The professors were into romance talk during the tea party and Rozemyne felt like recently engaged youngsters being gushed on by a group of aunties. They also mention Ferdinand’s older half brother who apparently married a lady two years his senior and his persistent chase after his spring for his entire tenure in the academy. That was some serious dedication.

The problem, however- 

“As Aub Ehrenfest’s brother, surely Professor Ferdinand couldn’t fall behind.” Professor Pauline was all smiles. 

Rozemyne glanced at her fiancé who was all smiles but she could sense his annoyance of being expected to be romantic like his lovesick brother.

“Professor Ferdinand is Ewarchleren, and my future Dark God. I am glad enough to forgo the mischief of Liebeskhilfe or a trial of spring from Glucklitat.” Rozemyne then reached out and placed a gentle hand on Ferdinand’s sleeve, and the titters and giggles went off the charts, but that seemed to soothe some of Ferdinand’s indignation. 

The topic moved to sweets they brought, and Ferdinand’s chef had made a variation of pound cake with Ehrenfest’s ingredients. The teachers enjoyed and commented that the moderate sweetness made them able to taste a myriad of flavor and texture. Rozemyne was glad at last the trend moved from mindless display of wealth through sweets to real food made for consumption!  

Somehow the conversation drifted back to their engagement, but this time not gushing but serious concern expressed by them. As her father feared, the timing of their engagement that was rushed left quite an impression that she was avoiding Prince Sigiswald. However, rather than being offended, the prince had quite positive thinking on the matter. 

“Prince Sigiswald has kindly commented how Lady Rozemyne’s tiny shoulders are too frail for a cloak made of darkest night to rest upon.” 

“You are blessed by Mestionora, it’s also a wisdom to know your limit, or so he said.” 

Was it to protect his self-esteem or did he truly believe Rozemyne was that humble and cowed by royal status? 

“I’d say it’s not wrong as Liebeskhilfe couldn’t pick two threads of clashing colors no matter how mischievous she is.”

“Lady Rozemyne is blessed by spring tugged by Dregarnuhr at the plea of Mestionora.” 

Prince Sigiswald was amazing in all the wrong ways, and it seemed the general consensus among the teachers was that he was unsuitable for her. Considering his complaint about the teachers and her being a favored student to most of them, she supposed it was understandable. However they went as far as congratulating her and were genuinely happy she avoided the royal brat and had Ferdinand court her instead.

In her old world they would say she dodged a bullet. 

When they retreated to his laboratory, Ferdinand had her grasp a soundproof tool. “Rozemyne, you were upset when the teachers mentioned the prince… why is that?” 

“I don’t care about his opinion of me, our threads are no longer crossed…. But I am upset that he seems to think I am compromising with you. As if there were any way you are worse than him. The nerve.” She huffed. How dare he look down on her idol Ferdinand!

“It is fine...A royal prince certainly would look down on me, a mere Sovereign archnoble.” 

“I still don’t think he has any room to look down on you. Actually, I won’t forgive anyone who looks down on my fiancé, Professor Ferdinand!” 

“Good grief, you get upset over the strangest things…”  

Hm, his ears were reddening? How cute! 

* 

After the consultation about the matter of the royal schumil artifacts, Trauerqual had decided that Rozemyne would become the official master of the two tools and needed to change their protective outfits. She was happy enough about that, since it seemed no other librarian had enough backing, and the Sovereignty couldn’t afford a ‘wasteful’ use of materials on something so ‘unimportant.’ Marian from Werkestock obviously had no backing at all, and so Rozemyne was left as the only person who could take care of that. 

She reviewed several very cute designs with Ferdinand, but he seemed more focused on the amount of circles that could be placed on them rather than cuteness. “I assume you would like to be invited to the measuring, Professor?”

He tapped his temple, and nodded, since obviously he cared much more about the circles that might be hidden on the tools than dressing them. “If… you would be so kind, my former master, Professor Hirschur would not forgive me if I didn’t ask for you to consider inviting her.”

“I would be honored to have someone who helped you become the man you are today join us!”

Wow, Ferdinand was awful with compliments, it seemed. He always seemed to want to deny them, or his ears would flush, or both , and it was beyond adorable. She would have to sneak a chance to talk to Justus about what the best compliments were… and to get a handle on his new measurements for a cloak. He was so tall ! He’d also gotten a bit broader in the shoulders and that seemed to upgrade Ferdinand from ‘startlingly attractive’ to ‘massive, irresistible hunk’ as far as most were concerned. 

So while Rozemyne was able to gather many aides from several archduke candidates to help with the measurements due to shumils being adorable, she was also surrounded by professors who seemed more like they had a robot undressing thing . Rozemyne moved between the two groups: the attendants who were petting and measuring the shumil tools and Professors Gundolf, Ferdinand, and Hirschur and several scholars who were inspecting the stripped off clothes and their various circles.

That then led to naked shumil automaton inspection, which made Rozemyne a bit amused how enthusiastic the professors were, and although Rozemyne was excited to learn much more about the magic that made the shumils move, she spent a moment talking with Professor Marian who was standing nearby while they used the Archlibrarian Lounge.

“I noticed no other librarians are here today,” Rozemyne said as they sat next to each other and had tea served by Marian’s attendant, the two of them were grasping eavesdropping tools although it was more for keeping their chatter from disturbing the researchers than anything else.

“Today is Hortencia’s day off,” Marian answered. “It’s a pity she will have to miss the measuring.”

Wow, Professor Marian was definitely doing her best to protect the library and library tools if she was right about the new librarian having split loyalties.

“I also heard that the shumils might be of use to you on another research topic concerning your… uncle I believe it was.”

“Yes, I am very much looking forward to it. I have tried to experiment several times with existing prosthetics tools to replace his missing leg and have it be powered by mana and feystones, but obviously it has been a difficult prospect. I’ve had to resort to improving his chair instead, but without two arms it is difficult for him to propel himself. My greatest wish is that he is able to again return to noble society, at least in the sense of attending winter gatherings and performing some of the more important ceremonies. I… will be moving to Sovereignty when I tie my stars with Professor Ferdinand and I do not want to leave my uncle without support.”

“How kind of you, Lady Rozemyne! I am always impressed with your concern for others… It is not much, but there are several notes from the creation of Schwartz and Weiss in the librarian’s personal diaries… as long as you do not leave them in the hands of scatterbrained academics.”

Rozemyne glanced to where her great uncle, her fiancé, and her fiancé’s mentor were all furiously discussing various circles. “I understand, Professor, I can assure you I handle any and every book in my possession with the greatest of care.”

“I’m glad to see you have found a suitable Dark God.”

Rozemyne smiled brightly. “I do not think there is any better Dark God for me.” Then she realized perhaps she should be a bit kinder to Sigiswald… “I obviously enjoy books and research far more than politics.”

Professor Marian gave her a knowing look that said she wasn’t fooling anyone. “I perhaps shouldn’t say so of the queen, but I do think Professor Ferdinand has found an ideal Light Goddess in you as well, Lady Rozemyne.”

“The… queen?” She tried to be dainty as she tilted her head. Clearly there was some gossip she hadn’t been privy to!

“Oh my…” Marian clearly thought she had misstepped and took a long sip of tea, probably deciding what to say. “When he was a student, Aub Dunkelfelger pushed repeatedly for Professor Ferdinand to marry his daughter Magdelena. They were of an age and seemed to socialize well enough.”

An ex-girlfriend! Rozemyne shouldn’t have been surprised, Ferdinand was amazing, but she was surprised her father hadn’t mentioned it to her, nor her aides. “But you called her the queen?”

“She used a Dunkelfelger tradition to remove herself from the potential engagement and instead proposed to Zent Trauerqual.”

Rozemyne blinked. Wow, talk about getting dumped hard. Was that perhaps why Professor Ferdinand was not as enthusiastic about their engagement? Was he worried she’d dump him? She would definitely have to pass some intel with Justus or Heidemarie to check!

“But you think I am… a better suited Light Goddess?” She couldn’t quite believe how worried she was now. 

Professor Marian smiled. “I do think so, Lady Rozemyne. As much as he is also a knight, I do not know that Professor Ferdinand would have thrived in a ditter climate, and his ability to remain in the Sovereignty is doubtless something he is glad of. Just like you, I also believe he is not much for politics.”

Right… if he was particularly ambitious he probably could have become Aub Ehrenfest. “You are truly exceptional in your role as Anhaltung, Professor Marian.”

“To be called Anhaltung by the incarnation of Mestionora is truly one of my greatest accomplishments.”

That was too much praise for Rozemyne, so she went back to discussing books and the best designs for Schwartz and Weiss and any important circles for them. That much she could live with! She would also need to assure that Ferdinand knew she had no intention of dumping him! She didn’t know anything about Queen Magdelena outside of this - she was apparently Zent Trauerqual’s third wife - but she knew this was her gain, but perhaps Ferdinand was still a bit upset over her? It was definitely important to find out.

Questioning Liebeskhilfe

Peace had come to Jorgenschmidt, and Magdalena didn’t regret it even though she was all but disowned dishonorably by the archducal house of Dunkelfelger. Even so it pained her heart when her brother angrily cursed her for supporting a wisdomless Zent and dragging them into the war. Her decision to stay as only the third wife enraged her family even more. They refused to give her a full entourage and many left her side to stay in the Land of Fire. 

She was truly abandoned by Dunkelfelger and all she had from them was superficial backing, as there was no formal banishment from the family. Trauerqual was deeply apologetic and gave her more people to care for her. Magdalena was treated as Trauerqual’s precious wife, and his other wives were very considerate of Magdalena too. It was not perfect but she was content, especially with Geduldh’s burden she carried. As much as she had lost several connections to her family, she now had a man who loved her and had given her a child.

It was the end of winter, and the Interduchy Tournament was upon them. As Zent Trauerqual’s third wife she was hardly expected to attend, but her brother was not so cold as to snub her in public. Although Dunkelfelger had basically promised no support, he would at least welcome her to their table and chat as good siblings would.

However, the most interesting intelligence she had received in front of the tournament was not anything concerning politics, or even her home duchy, but that that man had somehow found a fiancée. Ferdinand of Ehrenfest was more blessed by Schneest than any of the gods, and yet apparently some young girl from Drewanchel had been convinced to ignore that. Aub Drewanchel was doubtless pleased to have “stolen” Ferdinand from her brother and father, but she couldn’t help but think that Aub Drewanchel must have sacrificed the girl to win Ferdinand’s favor. Or perhaps that was Lord Ferdinand’s type… 

Such excellence didn’t come without its failings and vices. 

First she went to the Ehrenfest table, where it seemed that Aub Ehrenfest and his wife had already left to socialize with other duchies. Professor Hirschur had apparently done some sort of presentation on the royal relics.

“Was this presentation approved by the Zent?” She knew Trauerqual had become quite sensitive about the underground library, and the library in general.

Professor Hirschur looked at her with a particularly annoyed expression. “The ownership of the tools was approved by the Zent.” 

Perhaps she had overestimated her husband’s concern… She did not think so, but she was curious about the many circles that were displayed, and after a brief discussion she found this was only a fraction of them. “Is your former student not presenting?”

“As Drewanchel was the primary contributor of research funds for his main projects, he is at their table.”

She wondered if even Ferdinand had finally grown tired of Ehrenfest… it seemed he might have, but then again he had already become a professor and so his ties to Ehrenfest would naturally be weaker now. Magdalena left the Ehrenfest table and continued to head toward the Drewanchel tables in the direction that did not force her to pass her brother, yet.

It was easy to spot Ferdinand, not only was he originally freakishly tall, he had apparently grown even taller, and broader, in the intervening year. Somehow he looked more… youthful. It took her a moment to realize why: rather than the severe braid he usually wore, his hair was tied loosely in a ponytail with much of it left loose at the scalp, creating a softer look. His expression was also more relaxed and not as taut as before. Even Magdalena had to admit the look suited him quite nicely. It was also slightly shaming to notice that in the intervening year, Ferdinand’s growth had pushed his mana to a point where it had become a touch fainter. While he had grown and her own mana was for her unborn child, it was still slightly galling. Beside the Lord of Evil was a tiny girl who looked exactly like a miniature Mestionora, her hair had even been done in short twin braids in the front with beautiful flowers made of thread woven into them, the rest of her hair flowing down to her back.

Aub Drewanchel was sitting at the table as would be expected, and she turned away from the odd pair to meet him. “Aub Drewanchel,” she greeted him with a faint nod.

“Third Queen Magdalena,” Aub Drewanchel gave her a smile and offered her a seat nearby in front of his first wife. She was offered tea and cookies and other treats. They were, without doubt, delicious, and she asked about the various research presentations.

However she could not concentrate, that man was presenting with his new fiancée and Magdalena was unsure how to probe what the honorable Aub before her had done to his daughter.    

“It was quite surprising to learn that you applied for an off-season engagement approval, Aub Drewanchel, especially for a daughter so early in her summer.” Magdalena also remembered the First Queen was quite… miffed Aub Drewanchel was pushing it so early when her son was still in first year. Magdalena herself was worried if it wasn’t because the daughter disliked Sigiswald but because Drewanchel decided to distance themselves from Trauerqual. 

His answer was a smile, and she was surprised to see his wife also gave a pleased smile. “There is no accounting for the path, nor the speed, Liebeskhilfe takes in her duties.”

So the Aub was attempting to claim the engagement was… mutually desired? Magdalena had a very hard time believing that. 

“Perhaps you would enjoy our daughter’s research presentation?” Lady Drewanchel said.

Magdalena realized they meant to not speak on it more, and demanded she take her concerns to Rozemyne. How ridiculous that they expected such a young girl to know how icy and loveless such a match would be. Still, she accepted that answer and headed over to where Ferdinand was standing next to the girl.

“... Queen Magdalena,” Ferdinand greeted her, tone saying exactly how displeased he was to see her. Although it was unbelievably rude for him to take such a tone with her, she supposed she could allow it. She did break a potential courtship with him.

“Your Majesty,” the girl said, much more polite, but there was a wariness to her gaze that said she was more than aware of her history with Ferdinand or wished to judge her. Then the standard greetings were exchanged.

“Your father said I should examine your research,” she said, eyeing what appeared to be two large feystones that contained different amounts of mana, a few strange drawings, and a huge tool of some sort beside Rozemyne.

“We have two research projects to present, although one is far more preliminary with intentions to follow up next year,” Rozemyne answered. “The more developed project is about duchy soil quality and the use of temple tools, while the less complete research is about the acquisition of divine protection via prayer.”

So both of the research topics involved the temple? A surprising decision. “Is there some reason the research focuses on the temple?”

“I am the Deputy High Bishop,” Lady Rozemyne answered, with apparent… pride. “It was my research that Aub Drewanchel used to advise certain levels of blue robes remain in various duchies to avoid crop failure.”

Well, perhaps she shouldn’t judge, but it seemed Ferdinand was not so above such things as budding flowers as he always presented himself to be. “Quite impressive. I think I would like to hear about the soil and temple tools.”

Rozemyne nodded to Ferdinand who took over. “The premise was simple: soil and plant samples were taken from the Drewanchel and Ehrenfest collection areas in the Royal Academy, a land replenishment prayer invoking Flutrane was performed using her Wand, and then the soil and plant sample collection were repeated. The ingredients were used in various potions, while the soil was tested using an ingenious device Rozemyne pioneered while examining soil samples in Drewanchel: the centrifuge.”

The girl… beamed , and continued from his explanation. “The centrifuge,” she pointed to the huge tool nearby, “is used to remove mana from soil, water, or other materials that either can’t be converted to feystones, or it would be dangerous or impractical. The hand crank is used and the device spins, thereby pulling mana from the material and into collecting feystones. The feystones in the display were produced in this manner. From there the mana is then easily divided into three layers.”

“Why is there only one layer presented, then?” Magdalena asked.

“The aub and zent layers were found to contain what would be considered sensitive information about the state of the foundations,” Rozemyne answered sweetly.

Magdalena’s eyes widened a fraction at her answer. As Trauerqual’s wife and a former archduke candidate she understood why it was confidential, but who gave the girl permission for the research that would expose the Royal Family’s situation? 

“Were you granted permission for such research?”

Rozemyne looked briefly confused: “Student research is outside of the purview of adults.”

“One would think the adults in your sphere would have advised you to seek permission.” She shot Ferdinand a thunderous gaze.

“Lady Rozemyne performed soil quality testing in Drewanchel outside of my supervision since she was baptized,” Ferdinand answered coolly. “Which Prince should she have asked?”

Magdalena could not argue that if Rozemyne had researched the issue for years, Trauerqual had no jurisdiction over what Drewanchel did with their own research on their own land. The political repercussions would be disastrous if a zent could do so.

Perhaps it was a bluff… “Why would a child barely in summer do such research?”

“As I grew up in the temple, the harvest data was one of the few non-scriptural texts I could enjoy there. There was a political transition approximately eighty years ago that caused giebes to not receive filled chalices in spring and the results merited further investigation. Once I was baptized and adopted by Aub Drewanchel I was given permission to pursue the research.”

And Aub did not report this even after her husband ascended to Zent? However he did warn them over the minimum number of blue robes needed in each territory, but then why was this research presented before informing her husband? Sure they kept it confidential, however Magdalena was not feeling comfortable that Drewanchel of all duchies and this man held the knowledge of how their foundation fared. 

Was there any intention to tell Trauerqual at all? 

“Would Ordoschnelli ever leave your hand to the one who rules the heavens first and foremost?”

“Lady Magdalena,” Ferdinand said with an incredibly sharp voice that didn’t match his softer appearance. “Sovereignty scholars judge all projects and report on them so the Zent may make a determination of their excellence.”

Of course Ferdinand would know that, he received excellence awards frequently and sold many devices and potions he researched. Magdalena hated that he wasn’t wrong! The Zent would be informed the research existed and it was up to him and his scholars to determine its worth to the Sovereignty. They never would have anticipated that a study on dirt of all things would hold such significance.

She made an annoyed sniff and then asked: “And the divine protection acquisition?”

“My aides and I who grew up in the temple each performed our Acquisition Ceremony and received several subordinate blessings in addition to each of them gaining the blessing of a pillar god they did not have when they were originally baptized,” Rozemyne answered. Thunder struck in Magdalena’s ears as the girl confined: “Next year we will—”

That was what she read in the underground library, the shumil (as Trauerqual warned her) rudely declared she was lacking both prayer and attributes. It was Trauerqual’s biggest concern, and as the shumil had clearly implied attributes mattered the most and this girl found how to increase colors through divine protections… 

She also remembered that Aub Drewanchel had been a major proponent of performing acquisition ceremonies before obtaining schtappes, so he must have had some inkling of this already last year… exactly how much information was Drewanchel keeping from her husband?!

The research was only preliminary, and obviously there was no way that the Sovereignty could stand against research like this. In all senses it was good to increase blessings and attributes, but there were also archduke candidates of royal blood scattered throughout the various duchies simply due to princes marrying out generations before.

If another scion of the royal family obtained seven colors and had the blood of a royal, how could they avoid another civil war?

Her heart trembled with the implications.

“I’m sorry, what?” she finally said after Rozemyne prompted her.

“I simply asked if you had any questions about the research methodology or the preliminary results.” Rozemyne smiled. Apparently her attendant was handed a bundle of strange looking papers that detailed both studies.

Magdalena glanced at Ferdinand and saw that he was merely smiling his icy lord of evil smile, but Magdalena could hardly argue that Rozemyne appeared to be the originator of this novel research. 

“No, I simply worry about how difficult it must be for Ewarchleren to become a Dark God.”

The girl didn’t even pause to ponder, and answered readily. “Oh, I think he is an excellent Dark God: while his abundant blessings from Mestionora are already well known to Drewanchel, he is also an Ewarchleren who could guide me in my summer and fulfill my dream as I reach the eve of autumn. What deficiencies could I find in such an excellent person as a lifelong companion to tie my stars with?” 

She had returned with a question instead. Also, he would fulfill her dream, was it? Magdalena could not deny as far as research and invention went, the girl certainly had picked the best choice.  

Magdalena smiled and tried to be… gentler in imparting wisdom to the younger girl. “Indeed a companion to tread the path of Mestionora is good, but if you ever desire the warmth of spring you should know the blessing of Brenwarme would not be found as the cloak is covered in frost.” 

Rozemyne glanced at Ferdinand, who seemed to be watching to see what she would say in response with curiosity. “I see no need to be Verfuremeer, as long as I have the divine protection of many of her fellow kin under Flutrane.”

Magdalena pondered the subordinates of Flutrane, surely Rozemyne did not mean Bluanfah so… 

“Rozemyne.” Ferdinand’s tone was that of an annoyed teacher, and yet his ears were pink! Did… this little girl really have the capacity to melt even a fraction of that ice?! Rather than act scolded however, Rozemyne smiled at him. 

Was Rozemyne alluding to… Entrinduge and Weigenmilch? That would be embarrassing, did she think she could give that inscrutable blob of too much mana a child. Did Ferdinand agree ? Magdalena was shocked by the potential implications and instead chose to believe she meant something far less… presumptuous, perhaps she merely meant innovation and health.

It seemed the strange girl at least thought Ferdinand was… suitable. There was still the fear that she had been pushed to the ice cold Ferdinand by her father. Only Dregarnuhr’s spinning thread could tell if this little Mestionora could be content with just wisdom and guidance without the warmth of love most women would crave. 

“I suppose Lady Rozemyne has more in common with Lord Ferdinand than I had presumed.” Magdalena commented, and noticed since who knows when Ferdinand’s little group of fanatics was behind him and the irritating female assistant of his was nodding vigorously.  

Noticing Magdalena’s gaze, Heidemarie looked at her in the eye with smugness no archnoble should direct at a queen. “Ah… Heidemarie, do you disagree?” 

“Queen Magdalena, I couldn’t agree even more!” She responded brightly, “Not only does Lady Rozemyne share Milord’s common interests, she is also without a doubt his equal in every aspect.” 

That was a challenge wasn’t it? Magdalena couldn’t help but be reminded of how faint Ferdinand’s mana was to her and wondered if that was what this irritating girl was implying. “Lady Rozemyne has not yet reached her peak of summer. Do pray for Duldsetzen, Heidemarie.” 

Heidemarie’s smile became even wider as did her fellow fanatics, “Perhaps I must, but really… Queen Magdalena, it is as if Dregarnuhr was playing mischief with Ventuche when it comes to my master and Lady Rozemyne.” 

“Heidemarie…” Ferdinand called her in warning, but his aide flipped her sunset colored hair in a huff.

“Milord, there’s no need to be embarrassed by how both of you troubled the teachers by breaking the mana compression measuring tool.” 

What did she just say… something like that incident was repeated again with this young Drewanchel lady? Could it be, the reason Aub Drewanchel rushed to engage her young daughter to Ferdinand was… Magdalena held back the flush that threatened to crawl up to her neck. 

Ferdinand frowned, tapping his temple, a gesture that she knew well enough as an indicator of his annoyance by the situation. Magdalena almost forgot how annoying he could be even when he was quiet, she was the one who should be offended on behalf of her step-son and husband! 

“Lord Ferdinand! Lady Rozemyne!” 

Magdalena knew that loud voice from anywhere and indeed when she turned around a group of blue cloaks approached with impressive momentum. They came to a halt when they saw Magdalena. Her brother didn’t frown but it was clear her presence was unwanted. She was about to strategically retreat but Aub Drewanchel and his lady had risen from their seats to welcome Dunkelfelger. Magdalena couldn’t help but share her former people’s annoyance with the Drewanchels when the burgundy-haired Aub didn’t even bother to wear a noble mask as he smugly stood beside Ferdinand and his daughter. 

“Congratulations are in order, Aub Drewanchel! As it was proven in our previous ditter, Drewanchel has borne a daughter that could match Lord Ferdinand, the Lord of Evil.” 

“Indeed it’s our fortune to be blessed with my daughter, Rozemyne... “ 

She left after saying her farewells to Lady Drewanchel while the two Aubs were trading barbs over Ferdinand.  An ordonnanz arrived from Lady Sieglinde’s attendant, asking to chat over tea in Dunkelfelger’s dormitory. Her heart warmed. Perhaps it was for public appearances sake, but it was better than nothing. 

On schedule were the speed ditter matches all Dunkelfelgers were looking forward to and even as Third Queen Magdalena didn’t miss this chance to watch. How unbelievable as she thought she would get tired of ditter but now she missed the excitement. It didn’t take long for that excitement to diminish like Brenwarme’s passion under Verfuremeer’s tide. 

The performance was lackluster, there was no strategy whatsoever. Most duchies below upper rank just… threw themselves at the summoned monster. Which was not necessarily wrong considering they were graded by speed, but this mindless brutishness was just pathetic. 

Could they be the future protectors of their duchies and country like this? 

*

If she was being sensible after the pathetic showing of speed ditter, Magdalena would have let Jugereise dance and told her brother and sister-in-law their threads just could not overlap and decline the invitation for a social visit. However, as Drewanchel was increasing in power she had to work harder than ever to mend her relationship with Dunkelfelger. She steeled herself against that stormy look her brother had the moment she entered their tea room that evening. It was quite telling that Elpberg was about to erupt in his stomach. 

“Mindless and wanton assault over and over… is this what that husband of yours approved of for our future knights?! Remedial lessons, retraining from scratch?!” 

“Brother… Aub Dunkelfelger, you must understand we are accommodating late enrollment students from the temple-” 

“And so the next generation of knights would be weaker?” He turned to Rauffen, who for once was silent with his head bowed. “What did you do? How could you allow this disgrace to Leidenschaft and Angriff happen?! The Pantheon of Fire would never ignore Mestionora and Anhaltung!” 

Rauffen answered, his face full of shame. “... I am following the curriculum to the letter. I was also… not… pleased either. However the professor who taught war tactics and strategy was of a losing duchy. If I tried to protest their ascension to the towering heights or use their former curriculum I would receive reprimand. The only solution would be to propose a new curriculum but we do not yet have the staff to take over and make their own.” 

Her brother slammed his fist on the nearby table, crushing it and Lady Sieglinde didn’t even warn him to keep his temper under control. “What is this I wonder? An attempt to weaken us all so we won’t rise against that wisdomless Zent once it becomes apparent that the throne is too much for him?” 

“Brother! How dare you-” 

Aub Dunkelfelger pointed at her instead, “No! How dare your husband approve such a degrading curriculum! How dare he neglect the knight course! Now… what do you have to say for yourself?” He inhaled deeply, trying to quell his anger. “For your sake I tried not to be too antagonistic and ignored Drewanchel’s warning about the curriculum…” 

Drewanchel again?

Magdalena steeled herself. “Aub Dunkelfelger, I understand your frustration but the royal family is trying their hardest to both manage the country and find Grutissheit.” 

“Obviously, not hard enough…” He groaned, “Would it be too much to ask Lord Ferdinand… if only he could be a professor of the knight course!”

Rauffen perked up a bit. “His guard knight Eckhart is applying for professorship. I have recommended him so if all goes well and he is hired, he should help guide students with the Lord of Evil’s tactics.”

Magdalena inwardly grimaced. While she did wish for their knight apprenticeship to learn battle tactics and strategy, it was not Ferdinand’s vicious and dishonorable way of fighting she wished for them to acquire. Also, more of Ferdinand’s fanatics were entering the Royal Academy? What demoted archduke candidate brought his gaggle of fanatics along and still had them served him? That irritating girl in the library and that vicious boy in knight course— where did he put that weirdo attendant again? 

“It seems… Lord Ferdinand is cleaning after another royal mistake.” 

Magdalena’s head snapped up at that, “Brother… what does this mean?” 

“You learned about the divine protection acquisition from his fiancée, didn’t you? Lord Ferdinand and his fiancée won a ditter against me to gain my support on that matter in the previous conference! Ha-” 

Ferdinand and Drewanchel again-

“I understand his merit, still… My husband is now Zent and as king he needs support.” 

“Sure he does.” Her brother scoffed. 

Lady Sieglinde at last saw it fit to interfere. “Lady Magdalena, I believe we have made it clear we have done enough. What more do you wish Dunkelfelger to offer?” 

Magdalena clenched her fist. She didn’t want to announce it outright like this but what else did she have to garner their favor? “I am with Geduldh’s burden. If you could just support us and my child—“

“Will your child become the next Zent?” Her brother asked, leaning forward with a raised eyebrow. 

“I beg your pardon?”

“Are you carrying the next Zent?” 

She tried not to tremble. “I am but the third wife.”

“So you wish for us to stand by and support this wisdomless Zent, while a child with royal and Dunkelfelger blood is subservient to those arrogant, lazy, incompetent princes with the heritage of middle duchies? Is this what you ask of me?”

She was about to defend her husband when she digested what her brother said, not about her husband, but her stepchildren. “W-what do you mean lazy and… incompetent?” She knew Sigiswald was a bit arrogant, then again he was a child and had just enjoyed elevated status. 

Rauffen scowled. “That boy is mediocre even for an archduke candidate, let alone a royal. Poor compression, barely any etiquette at best, and minimal work in his courses. All of the professors despise his arrogance, and he uses his father’s dark cloak to spurn Ewarchleren and Anhaltung, dismissing his learning as needless trials from Gluklitate. As an heir to Zent, forget a supreme dark god, he would be like Ewigeliebe in spring.”

Rauffen was someone she was quite familiar with since his days as assistant professor, he was straightforward and liked most students as long as they made an effort in his class. To call the prince incompetent and useless? Never had she imagined she would ever hear him speak of a child, and a royal prince at that, with such disdain. 

“...That… bad?” Magdalena managed to let out, forsaken by Grammalatur. “He is in his first year… and aren’t you professor of knight course? To speak even of his manners—” 

“Lady Magdalena. Professor Primvale in charge of etiquette class spoke of welcoming Jugereise’s dance for the potential Dark God.” Rauffen sounded exasperated even more. “You know how strict she can be and yet she passed the first prince because she gave up on correcting him.” 

Which meant… This matter had reached Klassenberg as well?! 

Aub Dunkelfelger scoffed, and her sister in law shook her head. “I understand the princes were… shrouded by Verbergen with their mother’s family during the duration of the civil war, but are they so poorly educated or is it just Prince Sigiswald?” Magdalena had no answer to that. “Do you expect any great duchy to support your step-children at all?” 

“It gets even worse.” Rauffen sighed. “Both of the princes would be enrolling in the same period as Aub Drewanchel’s daughter… Lady Rozemyne. It could only be worsened more than this if Lord Ferdinand himself was their peer. Either way it highlights how vast the gap in talent is between the ‘royal’ princes and a grand duchy archduke candidate.” 

Magdalena trembled. “Comparing Sigiswald to Ferdinand is… quite an unfair comparison.” Even that sounded hollow to her own ears. “Or a Drewanchel lady…” 

“If it makes you feel better, dear sister… No one expects Prince Sigiswald to take three courses and be best for six years in a row. You heard Rauffen… at most his performance is befitting a middle duchy like his mother’s lineage.”

Sieglinde finally put a hand on her husband’s arm and stopped him, only to look upon Magdalena with a piercing gaze.

“Now you know the state of your step children, Magdalena. You can investigate and see for yourself. However, the question still remains. You already have sown ditter’s shame upon Dunkelfelger by having us wield our spears for a wisdomless Zent. You belittled our duchy’s pride as a grand duchy standing since this country’s founding by becoming a wife of lower rank than those wives from the middle duchies. 

“So let me ask you: Will you continue to shame us further by having a royal of Dunkelfelger blood be a subservient minister to mediocre princes unable to live up to their station? Or will you right these wrongs by taking your place as First Queen and have the child you bear be raised as an appropriate heir to Zent? Think carefully. Whether you regain the backing of Dunkelfelger or lose it forever depends on your answer.”

She never answered her sister in law and when she was snapped out of her thoughts, Magdalena was already back in her chambers, sitting in her hidden room all alone. She thought she was making an appropriate sacrifice for peace, that no matter what venom was carried by Ordoschnelli she would not waver. 

Yet… as she put her hand over where Geduldh’s burden lay, for the first time since the war was over, Magdalena was beginning to doubt her choice.  

*

For better or worse, with her burden she saw her husband far more often, and that evening he came to see her and offer her his mana… but before that could begin she sat with him on one of the more comfortable chairs.

“I walked through the Tournament today—”

“You could have been hurt,” Trauerqual answered, and it made her love him all the more.

“It’s for the best I did, and I wanted to speak with Aub Dunkelfelger.”

It was difficult to begin, but after she did the words came forth in almost a stream of consciousness: the teachers were disappointed in Sigiswald, his position among the best students was to avoid the prince’s anger and embarrassment not due to grades he had earned, the matter of divine protection she had found out about in the underground might have been solved by the Drewanchel girl, and most of all… 

“She devised some way to view the mana that fills the Foundation at a duchy and country level.”

“What?” Trauerqual’s voice was sharp.

“Apparently soil can be taken from a duchy, tested, and used to see the mana that imbues it from giebe, aub, and zent… and if I read the research correctly it even shows the attributes of the provider.”

Her husband did not say anything, simply sat and seemed shocked into silence. Not even Magdalena sitting beside him and rubbing his back was able to draw him out for some time.

“Is there… trouble with the Foundation?” she asked.

He didn’t answer. Yes… there was.

“The girl, Aub Drewanchel’s daughter?”

“Rozemyne,” Magdalena said. “I went to assure myself she understood how cold Ferdinand could be, I didn’t want another Aub pushing their daughter to that sculpture carved by Schneest in the name of making him a son-in-law.” Magdalena wondered why admitting it herself and to her husband was… quite embarrassing but she pushed on. “But she seemed… happy, not blinded by Bluanfah, but happy.” It made her wonder if she had judged Ferdinand wrongly if he could be kind enough to stir such affection in the girl.

When she looked at her husband she saw that he had barely been paying attention to her concerns about Ferdinand’s marriage. “Then Aub Drewanchel knows…”

Magdalena’s heart felt as though she had been captured by Schneest herself and ice flowed where mana should be. There was a secret so terrible that her husband feared how far the knowledge had spread.

That night her husband couldn’t offer mana to her, his mind too scattered to allow himself to do so safely. Their foundation was in danger, and the Lord of Evil knew. 

Chapter Text

Academy in Spring!

Rozemyne had stood firm against Ferdinand’s stupid third queen of an ex, and she had even suffered a much more terrifying trial in the form of meeting her future in-laws! Aub Ehrenfest, whose name was Sylvester, seemed to deeply love teasing Ferdinand, and Rozemyne got the impression that Ferdinand suffered through it rather than enjoy it. The fact that he returned the barbs with politeness and firm rebuffs instead of more good natured ribbing said everything to Rozemyne.

She met Ehrenfest’s knight commander, Ser Karstedt, the First Lady Florencia, and Aub Ehrenfest’s mother Veronica. If anything, Veronica seemed completely uninterested in meeting her. Given she was Ferdinand’s wicked stepmother, Rozemyne wasn’t too surprised.

“Ferdinand, you’ve got to bring her home and show her around.” It also seemed that if Aub Ehrenfest had a good political demeanor it became loose around his brother.

“If Dregarnuhr sees fit, I am certain our threads will overlap,” Rozemyne answered, unwilling to promise that since she hoped Ferdinand would focus on sleep and fun rather than his brother… 

Aub Dunkelfelger was apparently fascinated by both the research products, or at least his scholars were, and after a brief discussion with her father it was decided they could bring soil and witness the procedure themselves. Rozemyne was uncertain about gaining information about Aub Dunkelfelger’s foundation, but it seemed he was willing to ‘risk’ that in the name of slowly disseminating the issue out among allied duchies.

Ahrensbach was similarly interested, but didn’t ask to have their soil tested. Father didn’t approve, but explained it later. Apparently Aub Ahrensbach knew their soil was already growing poorer in the name of a new resource coming in from their external trade partner: Lanzanave.

“Sugar?” She asked, surprised that there wasn’t much, her sweets used honey and syrup since she hadn’t gotten her hands on raw sugar. 

“Doubtless it will become the new trend, but its cost is measured in mana, not coin.”

That seemed especially bad in light of the Foundation issues, but Rozemyne didn’t have authority to tell Aub Ahrensbach he was being an idiot.

At the award ceremony, Rozemyne received her expected best student award, and a reward for her divine protection research with no mention of the much more impressive soil research. Though she got to see Eckhart escort Heidemarie at their graduation the following day. She was so happy for them both.

The day after the graduation, Aub Dunkelfelger visited Ferdinand’s lab with soil and watched the procedure, and Rozemyne learned by inspecting the soil that Aub Dunkelfelger had all attributes… and the soil seemed even more enriched than Drewanchel possibly because of that. How fascinating.

“Hmm, the collection site mana is quite damaged, you said it could be fixed?”

She listened to Ferdinand explain the ritual, and ask Rozemyne to add further details as needed. 

“And the Country Foundation?”

“That information is held in confidence,” Ferdinand said. He then placed the feystone that held the country foundation mana on a table, and turned away, urging Rozemyne to turn with him.

Oh… this was the trick ‘I’m afraid I can’t tell you…’ but then you left the information out for them. Ferdinand was a way better secret agent than her! How bold!

“Do you actually wish to come to Ehrenfest this summer?” Ferdinand asked, startling her. “I would understand if you do not.”

“Ferdinand, I’m incredibly eager to see the land of your birth!” Ah, she loved how he blushed through his ears.

A few moments of planning was interrupted by Aub Dunkelfelger’s fist slamming on a table, causing Rozemyne to eep.

“My apologies, Lady Rozemyne,” the Aub said, his fingers sitting near the foundation mana feystone. 

Ferdinand retrieved it and placed it with several other country foundation measures. “Was there anything else, Aub?” he asked.

Rozemyne watched a dozen questions flit across the Aub’s face before he shook his head. They then said their farewells. Afterwards, she sat with Ferdinand grasping an eavesdropping tool. “The Foundation is very slightly improved. Would you happen to know something about that, Rozemyne ?”

Her voice lowered to a whisper even with the eavesdropping tool: “I have been putting mana into the library supply almost daily since school started this year… at my Father’s instruction.”

“The two of you suspected it was the supply.”

Rozemyne nodded. “The librarians offer mana to it, but Marian said she was unable to do so without other librarians, either it needs more mana than she can give, it needs more colors, or… something else.”

“I suppose that tree did tell you to help.”

She knew by now that he was always grumpy when Erwaermen was concerned, but his manners! “What a way to speak of a former god! I was thinking about inspecting the border gate when we go to Ehrenfest, checking the mana level, and attempting to supply it.”

“Supplying the gate requires Grutrissheit.”

“It requires a book ,” Rozemyne corrected. “I want to attempt to use the temple’s scriptures. It is just as much a divine magic tool book as Grutrissheit.”

Ferdinand went silent, his mind had obviously hit a processing error.

She waited patiently for him to reboot and he just shook his head. “You are…so out of the standard.” 

“Why thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.” He said, rubbing his temples. “How are the scriptures a magic tool?”

“How about we talk about it over dinner together? I brought some of your favorites!”

The attendants had already cleaned the office from the demonstration and Hrosvita was rolling the cart in. Ferdinand nodded, and in no time they began eating together within a ranged soundproofing tool.

“So. The scriptures?”

She nodded after finishing her salad. “The scriptures require their key be dyed by the owner, and then only with that key can you unlock and open it. The mana from the key gets sucked into the book.”

“I see.”

“The passages you can read in the scriptures depend on the attributes of the owner. No one can read them without the owner’s permission. And even with permission you can’t read the attribute specific passages if you don’t have the attribute yourself.”

Ferdinand narrowed his eyes, his finger went to his temple in reflex. “So its contents are locked based both on the owner and the reader?”

“Yup! We found out after Uncle got tired of me asking to borrow the scriptures repeatedly and since he had the needed prayers memorized I became the official owner via the key. I could suddenly read more, and obviously we did some testing.” She ate some soup as a means to pause, trying to decide if she should broach the ‘king’ content, but continued with: “It seemed to me if there’s some sort of trial to get Mestionora’s book, the scriptures would make a good backup if you needed to add mana to the gates…”

“It seems the temple keeps getting more and more important than I thought.”

She shrugged. “The first Zent was High Bishop after all. Why would it be strange for the duchy High Bishop’s scriptures to be some sort of [analog] backup tool?”

“[Analog]?” 

She needed to stop doing that! Rozemyne shook her head. “Just a physical backup. It does make sense though, right?”

Ferdinand tapped his temple a few times and then conceded that it was worth a shot. “My brother’s uncle was recently forced to retire because of his… mismanagement of temple mana. I don’t know who has been appointed to replace him, but I’d imagine Sylvester would at least allow us to take the scriptures out.”

A summer plan made, they continued to discuss the Foundation and other oddities over dinner.

*

Eventually she received word from Father that Zent Trauerqual had called via water mirror to discuss her project. She supposed at last their king saw it fit to bring out the red tape. But she was annoyed to learn that Father had no intention of bringing Ferdinand to the demonstration. 

“He’s my fiancé, and my professor.”

When she had protested, Father simply placed a hand on the top of her head. “Trust me in this, Daughter.”

Not even her patented Rozemyne pout could sway him. So she had her aides packed up the centrifuge, the various tools needed to separate out the mana, and headed off to the Sovereignty with her father. She had only seen the Zent very briefly during the award ceremony so this would be their first proper meeting. 

On their appointed day, she and her father greeted the Zent and presented some snacks as gifts. After the appropriate greetings, the attendants started to set up for tea only to be waved away by Zent Trauerqual.

“That can wait. I would like to see the research procedure first and foremost.”

Was it just her, or did he look quite anxious?

A sovereignty scholar handed her a sample of Sovereignty soil, and she got to work on the procedure like she had with Aub Dunkelfelger. Rather than the usual noble small talk or chatter, the room was unusually quiet, with only her explaining the procedure and the whirring of her centrifuge machine.

She carefully separated out the layers, then had her attendant present them to Trauerqual’s. He was given them after a cursory poison inspection. There was no giebe stone because it was a direct control area and the Aub mana would be the same, but his face went slightly pale with the Aub stone. Which...she wondered, why did the Sovereignty have an Aub stone if it was where Zent lived? Shouldn’t there just be one layer?

He nearly turned blue with the Zent stone.

A ranged soundproofing tool was erected after the experiment was cleaned up and tea confectionery was placed on the table. The tension was so palpable that their plates and cups went untouched. Rozemyne had a few moments to actually see the Zent up close, he looked to be a bit older than her father, and he had green eyes, they were not at all kind in the moment but severe. His hair was a shortly cropped bluish-silver that sparked something in her mind but it didn’t last long, since her Father then broke the silence and she had to pay attention.

“Your Majesty, do you have any questions about the procedure or the results?”

Zent cleared his throat. “How far has Ordoschnelli flown on the matter of...the last layer, Aub Drewanchel?”

“We have kept that matter under the veil of Verbergen, Your Majesty.”

Rozemyne tried to keep her face as blank as possible using her noble training. It was kept ‘confidential’ but...well what the Zent doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

The king sighed, then tightened up his face. “Then it shall remain that way. As Zent I shall prohibit such research from being done in the future."

“Your Majesty… it’s prudent for any Aub or Giebe to ensure their land is well nourished and this research gives us a concrete indication.” 

Rozemyne agreed, how could he just shut the research down as he pleased! There could be a confidential contract to ensure secrecy and everything! Also there was a need for a degree of transparency in government, especially when it comes to the holder of the foundation's diligence in maintaining the core of territory! Abdicate if you slack off! 

Her father then added, “Verbergen in the end is solely a subordinate of darkness, he can only hide matters in his shroud but is unable to change anything… that’s the domain of Flutrane.”

That’s right, tell him father!

The Zent tapped his finger on the table for a moment, frowning before saying. “It is up to the Supreme God in the heavens to decide how Verbergen, Flutrane, or any other god moves. Even without Anhaltung the Supreme God expects his pillars to follow his intentions unless they choose to forsake Geboltnug.”

Forsaking order was bordering on saying she and her father were embracing the Goddess of Chaos! This… zent wasn’t even tending to the foundation, and some old tree of a god was so stressed out he had to yell at her! In order to avoid having her own outburst, she studied the zent’s face and allowed her father to take over the negotiations further.

“Understood. My duchy will continue to play our role as a pillar. Drewanchel is always seeking the wisdom of Mestionora just like Your Majesty. Shall we provide support as a pillar in the search for Wisdom?”

Rozemyne’s heart skipped a beat for potential extra library time, but the Zent’s face soured and he shook his head. “No, in this the Supreme God is without need of a pillar’s assistance. However… if Mestionora bestows blessings on the matter it is expected of a pillar to be Anhaltung.”

“There is the matter of increasing attributes through prayer as detailed in my daughter’s research…”

Zent raised an eyebrow “I was aware of increased attributes, however I am unclear on what manner of prayer you speak.”

Rozemyne finally felt an opening to be a part of the conversation. “There are many manners of prayer, Your Majesty. As Deputy High Bishop I provide mana to sacred tools, dedicate mana for the land, and distribute it in Flutrane’s name in spring. However there are many ways to pray to the gods, so long as it is sincere, with mana, and in the right format. Some in our duchy use simple talismans to pray when visiting the temple for prayer is not feasible.”

Hrosvita handed his attendant a report of their findings, as he looked at her as if he forgot she was in the room. Then he perused the papers once his aide finished the poison check.

“I see…this could prove useful.”

There was some small talk before Rozemyne and her dad were finally dismissed. They went back to the dormitory to debrief on their not so encouraging conversation with Zent.

“Father, what should we do? He has no idea where the foundation or wisdom is, yet he refuses our help?” Not only did this put their country in danger, it restricted her access to books!

“It seems he has completely forsaken Anhaltung, Mestionora, and…” Her father sighed. “All that we can do is continue to follow the wisdom that Erwaermen has left to you.” 

Which was just stalling the destruction of his garden, but didn’t solve the issue! “What if I can’t find Quinta? What if I can’t get him to complete his wisdom? I don’t think the Zent has all colors even now…”

“He doesn’t,” Father answered. “And if we cannot find Quinta… I’m afraid the fact that Erwaermen spoke to you may indicate you are… the best backup choice.”

She grabbed her head and squeezed it firmly between the heels of her palms, just squeezing to try to get the headache out, and not have Father have said what he did. “Maybe if I find it I could give it to him… after I read it, of course.”

Father placed his hand on her head. “I doubt it works that way considering how the civil war happened.”

Noooo, Father don’t ruin my denial!

*

With that headache of a meeting out of the way, Rozemyne began her first year spending the off season in the academy. She had four objectives: supply the foundation, release mana so she could grow, make progress on her improved prosthesis project, and embroider Ferdinand’s cloak!

The first two goals essentially went hand in hand, with supplying the library foundation taking a good chunk of her mana. The foundation was so dry that she could dump any manner of mana into it without worrying about the supply tool breaking. The problem was that the library was being heavily surveilled by the occasional sovereignty noble. She could only go a few times a week at most in order to not arouse suspicion. 

However the more she supplied and grew, the quicker her mana replenished since she wasn’t going hard on the compression. Before she had a few days until she needed to see the foundation. Now she had two days before her mana began to reach its upper limits! The only way to get around this was to find another was to give her excess mana, and so she did so by replenishing collection sites. Ferdinand, Professor Hirschur, and uncle Gundolf’s materials stock was full, she offloaded her mana, the foundation got some mana. Everyone became happy!

When both the Ehrenfest and Drewanchel sites were full, she would also secretly go to the sites of lower duchies with Eckhart and Christiane to help heal them. They were in such sad states that she could give her mana there without worry. Hopefully the students would appreciate it when they came back next winter! With these efforts to release mana, and her frequent prayers to Anwachs at her hidden room, she was slowly getting bigger. Hrosvita noticed that her measurements were swiftly changing. With this she should look less like a kid next to her fiance! Hopefully.

Prosthetic research had some new life thanks to Schwartz and Weiss and the new journal. It was also an excellent excuse to go to the library and check mana flow as the automatons did stuff like pick up books (and supply the Foundation of course!).

She focused on arms first since she didn’t think legs would be nearly as easy, but that would be an amazing start for uncle. It didn’t take her long to realize that not only was the new librarian stalking her, but the aide who had escorted her to the underground library was too. It was in a ‘polite’ way, where he basically cornered her in the library and asked ‘how her research was going’, and Rozemyne quite firmly discussed prosthetics - not even the automatons - and after the man’s eyes glazed over he would flee. It happened about every week and she of course reported it to Father.

Then was her final goal: embroidering Ferdinand’s cloak! Rozemyne knew that in courtship you usually start off by giving a handkerchief to show your skills. She knew, but...the blank cloak Ferdinand wore really bothered her. He has been a professor for two years now and it was still blank! If no one in his family would embroider it for him by now, she’d do it herself!

Back when her engagement was initially approved, Rozemyne told Hrosvita her intentions of embroidering a new cloak for Ferdinand. For a Drewanchel woman, embroidery was not just a sign of beauty but also intellectual prowess. The embroidery skill and the intricacy or power of the circle was taken into consideration since a mother would pass on her intellect to her children. It was standard practice to start with a handkerchief to show one of her best circles, but she was going full speed to the cloak.To her surprise, rather than rebuke her for being too forward Hrosvita was fired up.

“It has pained me all this while to see Lord Ferdinand wear a blank cloak. Do your best to show your talent as a Drewanchel woman, milady! This is what all of your years of embroidery training was for!”

“I shall do my best to make it an incredible cloak worthy of a Drewanchel son-in-law!”

Her mother heard from Hrosvita, and sent her a bunch of papers with powerful magic circles. Enclosed was a letter cheering her on. She also made an appointment for an artist to come to their dormitory to do the preliminary sketch of the decorative design. Was her art really that bad? Draw a cartoony anime picture once and the whole world here thinks you lack talent!

Hrosvita obtained the fabric needed to make his cloak after getting Ferdinand’s measurements from Justus, and Rozemyne had her aides bring in her embroidery machine after the Interduchy Tournament. She even had the artist draw the designs on the fabrics for her! So in between all the research and prayers, she spent her nights embroidering a cloak for Ferdinand, praying that the cloak she made for the fiancé who saved her would keep him safe too.

She was finally in a state where she wanted to show off the designs to her mother when she also heard she had become a cousin again! Uncle’s wife had safely had a daughter, Leticia, with blue eyes and blonde hair and adorable little fingers and toes. Despite the unusual nature of it, she was allowed to also see her cousin and give her blessings.

“I get to meet my new cousin!” she told Ferdinand brightly.

“You… really do care for family.”

She smiled. “Of course I do. To me it’s one of the most important things.”

Ferdinand looked at her again, his ‘you’re so out of standard’ look, but after a moment his ears slightly reddened and she waved farewell to head back to Drewanchel for a few days.

Gaining Family 

It didn’t take a deep wisdom to understand why Ehrenfest’s soil was malnourished, with their father climbing to the towing height and Ferdinand leaving they lost two suppliers. Also it filled him with dread that the reality was Veronica (who always made him supply mana to a critical degree) didn’t realize Sylvester severely misjudged how much mana he should offer to the foundation. His brother never changed how much and how often the mana offering was conducted.

However… telling this to Sylvester would just make him guilty, as if to perpetuate that he had betrayed father and abandon both Sylvester and Ehrenfest. 

“Milord, archduke candidates are precious because they are the future of duchy and devote their mana and work accordingly… it’s a grave crime to harm them for this very reason. Ehrenfest couldn’t protect you from Veronica, you don’t have to feel guilty.”

His mind understood the logic Justus said, but his heart still ached and wondered with what-if he obediently followed Sylvester. But then…he would never have met Rozemyne, and he would never regret that. 

His heart didn’t delight in spring for her, but he did care, perhaps more than he had cared for any woman in a long time. 

Ferdinand returned to Ehrenfest and told Sylvester what they had found in Aub’s layer of Ehrenfest’s soil. He had gathered the entire archducal family of Ehrenfest minus Veronica, who avoided him like plague after how handily he humiliated her. He felt guilty to see Sylvester’s devastated expression when the soil was described as dry and malnourished, and how it was the result of his failure of not adjusting how much mana he offered after losing both father and Ferdinand. 

Bonifatius growled at Sylvester, “Incompetent! How could an Aub not even notice you didn’t supply enough for our land?” 

Florencia didn’t say anything, but his sister in law looked at her husband with disapproval. Then turned to Ferdinand. “I believe… mother in law also doesn’t supply as often as she should, ever since… the temple restructuring.” 

A silent protest by depriving their duchy?

“Has that woman gone even madder than she already was?!” Bonifatius roared. 

“Uncle, that’s my mother!” 

“Ha! Even the mother of our Aub has obligations! If this is about that pig of a brother we banished, she should be thankful he has not climbed the towering height.” Bonifatius narrowed his eyes, “Fine, let’s just grab that buffoon from retirement… and make him useful.” 

Sylvester paled, “You are going to hold Bezewanst hostage to demand mother’s mana?” 

“Why not? You are our Aub, you should make it a decree, but I know you won’t, so we have to do it the hard way.” 

His brother sputtered, “I will convince mother to supply…. Don’t do anything rash!” 

“Why does Aub even need to convince an archducal house member to supply mana?” Bonifatius wondered out loud. “What’s the use of keeping her around then?”

The discussion ended with Bonifatius’ threat hanging over Sylvester’s head and despite his hatred of Veronica, Ferdinand couldn’t bear to see her brother so torn. So he offered his help and supplied mana, which Sylvester accepted happily. The only stipulation was he wanted a day off to gather material to make Rozemyne’s courtship necklace. 

“Wow, you are serious about this young lady… off season raffel indeed.” Sylvester teased, “No wonder flowers in bloom around you went ignored.” 

“It’s a political match. We decided it would be for the best.”

“Sure, bring your future goddess home sometime in the future.” 

“I am not sure you would want her here…” 

Sylvester winced, knowing very well how favored Ferdinand was by Drewanchel at the moment, and how Leisegang, who despised his mother, might see it: New power that could help them usurp Veronica.   

On his way to the south to gather suitable material Justus said would suit Rozemyne, he made a stop to the temple and asked the current High Bishop, a priest of the neutral faction, to lend him the staff. He might be a former archduke candidate, but he was still of a higher rank than a mere priest. So he managed to borrow the staff easily. 

He departed with his small group of aides, consisting only of Justus and Eckhart to the spring of rairein. As it was not the night of Flutrane, the path was not hidden and with Justus’ guidance he made his way easily to the spring full of large pink flowers in bloom. It was not the night when Flutrane was at her strongest so the quality wouldn’t be suitable so Ferdinand planned to use a healing ritual to improve the quality. 

“O’ Flutrane and twelve goddesses serving by her side-”

As he had learned from the recovery of the collection site, the flowers began to grow bigger and their nectar was plentiful. He believed the quality was close to when they harvest it at their best night, and began collecting several vials of nectar. 

Collection complete, and he went back to work the next day much to his aides’ ire. 

Ferdinand went back to the academy after three weeks worth of mana dedication and work, exhausted, only to find Rozemyne sulking in his office. If it wasn’t for the fact that she resembled a shumil, her stance would have reminded him more of Rihyarda. 

“If you have come to speak out against me going to help at Ehrenfest again, don’t. As I have said already, I have a duty as a former archduke candidate to support the duchy.”

Her cheeks puffed out in a pout as he sat in his favorite chair. “Then I shall say it again. You are a former archduke candidate. You do not see my great uncle running home, do you? You seem to be doing even more work than the Aub does from what I hear!”

Justus was nodding fervently to Rozemyne’s words as he poured tea, and Ferdinand scowled at him. As always Justus was unfazed. “Milady is right, milord. You owe Ehrenfest nothing more than your post as professor.”

“See! Even your head attendant agrees! Thanks Justus!”

Ferdinand tapped his temples. He was too tired for this. “How is your research progressing?” He asked, trying to change the subject.

“Our research, which you have been skipping out on.”

...Fair. It hurt his pride as a researcher, but it was true.

“Well?”

“I shall tell you… if you agree to take a break and go out with me this week!” Rozemyne declared. Her face was determined but slightly flushed pink like the color of rutber juice in milk. She then looked away, shyly saying. “I want to go to the goddess pavilion with you, as we are fiancés after all.” Ah, the pink turned into the royal color of Geduldh. It was… not unpleasant.

He sighed. “Fine, we shall coordinate via our attendants to meet within the week.”

A week… enough time to make the courtship jewelry from the rairein nectar feystone he collected. And Sylvester could handle the duchy problems for a week.

If he pushed himself a bit…. he could manage it. When he sent the letter to inform the news, Sylvester both whined and teased him about being tempted by his goddess and abandoning his poor brother once more. 

*

The courtship jewelry was nothing special, truthfully. It was greenish, in keeping with one of her dominant colors, and then the metal he used was more golden in order to also speak to the light aspect of her mana. It was an attractive piece of jewelry, and he was grateful for the fact he’d been able to gain Elvira’s opinion on it. She had been very enthusiastic about the piece and so he was fairly certain he had created a piece that was sufficiently beautiful for a grand duchy lady.

He went to the Drewanchel dormitory to escort her at the appointed time, and he was… more nervous than he expected. He waited in the tea room briefly, and not long after Rozemyne entered the room. If not for his noble training, he would have gasped. She was dressed in a way he had never seen before.

Rozemyne walked in with a dress that looked as if it were blessed by Efforelume, with flowers and blossoms adorning the seams in a pattern. The bodice was in a deep green with light blue embroidery, the neckline cut slightly lower than usual. Apparently all of her decompression efforts have paid off since she had height and--as much as he wished he did not notice--soft curves suitable for her year. Her hair was also more elaborate than usual. If Ferdinand had to describe it, it was like looking at a young, beautiful Mestionora fashionably adorned by the goddesses of spring.

“You look… seasonable.” He settled with that, Grammalatur failing him. He decidedly ignored Eckhart face palming in the periphery.

Contrary to his falling compliment, Rozemyne positively beamed. “Thank you, Professor Ferdinand! Shall we go?”

He took her hand, and noticed that it felt… comfortable escorting her like a lady.

As they walked toward the Pavilion, her hand felt oddly warm on his own, and he kept his pace slower since he knew she was still a good deal shorter. He wondered if he would always be so much taller than her, and found he didn’t particularly mind. 

“Did you enjoy your own trip home?” Ferdinand asked, curious since she had been so staggeringly excited for the trip to see her cousin.

“Yes! Leticia is very cute, she looks so much like her mother, and little like my uncle, but she is just perfect,” Rozemyne answered with a smile. “Hrosvita will be moving to her service when she’s six months old, so Harriet will be my head attendant next year.”

Ah, so Hrosvita’s service was similar to Rihyarda’s in that she didn’t serve a specific master. Ferdinand nodded, and Rozemyne didn’t seem upset by this change at all. He had noted that Hrosvita was walking with the traditional tea cart but there was also an obvious package there as well. Rozemyne was likely gifting him something, since it was more traditional for the man to offer courtship or engagement jewelry first because of the tendency to have multiple wives.

“I’m glad you will still be well looked after,” Ferdinand answered, but he did wonder how many of her aides would be interested in following her to the Sovereignty as his own had. She had several years to make those decisions but… Ferdinand should ask eventually.

The pavilion itself was unchanged, although the season had made it far brighter and greener than he was used to during the school year. After they had sat, his courtship jewelry arrived via Hrosvita and the mysterious package through Justus, indicating their aides had both checked the items.

“Well, we are here,” Ferdinand said.

Rozemyne huffed. “Have a modicum of delicacy.” He could tell she was partially joking, but she placed her hand atop his and they sat, enjoying the spring atmosphere. After they had sat in silence for a few minutes - Ferdinand was surprised that he found this comfortable rather than boring or awkward - Rozemyne continued: “Gifts first or research?”

Part of him wanted to answer ‘research’ but he was not quite that tactless, and Justus had been drilling it into his head for the last weeks to also be more courteous and loving to his ‘impeccable’ fiancée (Justus’s words). So he reached to the small box and placed his hand atop it for a moment. “Due to your color, I selected a spring ingredient,” he said, and he opened the box to show her the green stone. “rairein nectar… and I even used Flutrane’s staff to assure it was of the highest qualities and the height of spring.”

“Oh,” Rozemyne inspected it for a moment, and then placed her hand atop it. It was typical for a woman to assure the mana wasn’t too uncomfortable, she frowned, almost imperceptibly for a moment, but then nodded with a softened expression. His coat of arms and name shone in gold lettering, and he could see her flush ever so slightly. “It is incredibly beautiful, Ferdinand. And… surprisingly comfortable.”

He felt his ears heat, he didn’t know if they’d really bothered to feel each other’s mana, but his mana was usually called uncomfortable and unnatural. That had been Magdelena’s words when he had considered offering her courtship jewelry.

Rozemyne nodded and removed her fingers from the stone. “I shall cherish it. Would you… care to put it on me?”

That was… surprisingly intimate, but Ferdinand nodded, since he was doing his very best to please Rozemyne as much as he could with so little experience. She then delicately swept her hair to one side, revealing her pale and vulnerable neck. Ferdinand swallowed nervously and carefully circled her neck with the chain and worked the clasp to close it. When he retreated, Rozemyne let her hair fall, covering the back, and she turned toward him again.

As she was still young, she didn’t wear the occasionally distastefully revealing outfits, so it rested atop the top of the bodice. “How does it look?”

“... Good. I made it, after all.”

“Ferdinand, at least pretend I am an attractive lady!”

She was attractive, especially for her age, no one who said anything about her before or since their engagement had said anything else. “You are radiant and blooming like Efforeflume.” He said flatly. It was something he recalled Sylvester saying to Florencia once, so hopefully it would suffice.

“... We will work on that,” Rozemyne said. She giggled very delicately, and then reached beside her to pick up the box from where her attendant had set it beside her. “I wanted to show my own happiness and affection, so… hopefully this conveys it.”

Ferdinand opened the large box and felt himself inhale in surprise. In it was a new, embroidered cloak… he had never had a cloak embroidered just for him…

He pulled it out to examine it carefully. The Sovereignty Black side had a bold and proud Ehrenfest lion gazing forward, its mane ruffled by wind. Golden leaves, branches, and patterns stood out against the black vibrantly. He flipped it over to the ochre side not expecting anything, but to his pleasant surprise this side was also embroidered. It had a strong, majestic looking black serpentine creature in its center. When asked, Rozemyne said it was a river ‘dragon’... whatever that was. Black river currents and black trees with branches delicately surrounded the dragon in an artful pattern, with leaves of different colors on the branches.The two sides were different but similar, with heraldic animals representing Ehrenfest and Drewanchel in equal measure. It was nothing like he had ever seen.

He had a minor flicker of concern that the cloak, however exquisite, was only decorative, but he also couldn’t help but be impressed with the craftsmanship. 

“Of course I couldn’t leave you unprotected,” Rozemyne said. “It actually has three layers, black for the Sovereignty, Ochre for Ehrenfest, and then an inner layer similar to Geduldh’s cloth from the temple that conducts mana more freely. You should be able to get a feel for the circles… here.” She placed her fingers at the silvery mana threaded seam near the neck. “I am simply glad that our colors are already close enough that you will be able to restore its mana even when I am not with you.”

Ferdinand did as she’d suggested and delicately probed the circles. His mind swiftly recognized the feel of an anti-poison circle, one good against magic, one for physical projectiles, one that warded against piercing weapons, a temperature control circle, before finally finding one that surprised him… the protective and mana conductive circle that was a mirror to the one that sat at the heart of the country and could open up the way to Erwaermen. He shouldn’t have been surprised, but there it was. How had Rozemyne come to know it? He could tell there were even more circles, but his mind didn’t immediately sense or recognize them.

“Several are Drewanchel archducal circles… you may find them in the bottom of the box.”

Ferdinand didn’t resist the urge to peek, and found as promised there were another half-dozen circles or so, some on handkerchiefs embroidered with his name, while others were written outright on paper.

“...how on earth did you embroider so much in a season?”

“Ufufu,” Rozemyne said, dropping some of her perfect noblewoman behavior. “I would say it’s a lady’s secret, but… I designed an embroidery machine to help with all of the exterior designs! The circles are usually done in part via machine and part by hand. For the moment it is a Drewanchel secret, but after the country stabilizes it will hopefully spread everywhere!”

Another Rozemyne invention, was there anything the girl couldn’t do?

“In this case though…” She flushed the royal color of Geduldh, “I embroidered all of the magic circles by hand.”

His own ears heated, and he again looked down at the cloak, tracing the lion along the Sovereignty side with his fingers. He had never had an embroidered cloak, Irmhilde had died before he was even baptized, and Veronica had stolen the cloak Father had given him. It wasn’t even embroidered, simply given the same day as the broaches to go to the Royal Academy, but now he had an exceptional cloak embroidered thrice over. “It… is exceptional.”

Rozemyne exhaled. “I was worried it was not enough for my wonderful fiance. I will embroider it as many times as you wish, and… there is some room still on the inside if you have more circles you wish me to add.”

More circles? As it stood they were already extensive and the mana draw was going to be impressive if he was under attack at some point. “No, it is fine. Well done, Rozemyne.”

“Ferdinand’s highest level of praise,” Rozemyne said with a faint giggle.

He tapped his temples, before deciding to be a bit vulnerable. “It’s… the first embroidered cloak I have ever received. So… thank you, Rozemyne. Truly.” The words were not elaborate or smooth, but he hoped his sincerity was conveyed to her.

“I-it was my honor as your future family!” She said, again dropping her noble demeanor as she flushed once more.

They enjoyed the spring blooms in the pavilion a while longer before he escorted her to his office to discuss research, as they were both much too flustered to have an academic discussion in this spring atmosphere.  He had Justus switch out his cloaks, and found himself relishing Rozemyne’s warm mana on his back. Family...was this what it was like? A peaceful, glowing feeling spread in his chest. He never wanted to let go of this feeling.

He would never admit, even to Justus, that when they were apart, Rozemyne in Drewanchel or he in Ehrenfest, that he would sometimes run his finger along the thread that allowed him to feel the mana and circles within the center of his cloak and thought of that moment in the Goddess Pavillion on more than one occasion. He was never alone… even when he was apart from her. Just like with his dreamweave. Ferdinand decided that was what family was, at least to him. He didn’t think he had ever felt such a sensation before. 

Chapter Text

A Colorful Archduke Conference

As Flutrane’s waves began to subside for her brother’s season, it was time for the Archduke Conference once more. Sebastian had not been looking forward to it given Trauerqual’s attitude toward their discussion of soil research, but now that he was to announce the research project on increasing colors through the Divine Protection Acquisition Ceremony perhaps he was feeling more hopeful than usual. He held out hope his daughter might rise to become a true Zent, but if she didn’t they would at least they would soon lay the foundation for more Zents. 

Unfortunately his trip to the Palace of Adalgiza had been disturbing and useless; whatever records may have existed there were gone, and the flowers had been removed , likely killed. It left him no surer of who Quinta might be than before.

He summoned his daughter Rozemyne to see him before the conference began in earnest. She had been staying during the off season to supply the foundation with mana and to grow closer with her fiancé Lord Ferdinand. There was also a stunningly beautiful courtship necklace adorning her chest, which gave Sebastian no small amount of pleasure. It would seem things were going well.

“You have been staying out of trouble, Rozemyne?” He asked once the ranged soundproofing tool was set up and their aides left the room.

His little Mestionora smiled sheepishly. “I have! I have been quietly doing research, offloading my mana, and I even embroidered Ferdinand’s cloak! I want to supply the foundation more but a Sovereignty scholar has been monitoring my movements,” she said with a pout. “I can’t even get books without them asking me every little thing I have been up to.”

“And that is what, exactly?” Knowing his dear daughter her research was not as ‘quiet’ as she made it out to be.

“Well I’ve been improving materials, working on paper,” Rozemyne said, ticking down her fingers. “Ah! And I’ve been working on making new limbs for Uncle!”

“Come again?”

“Professor Marian gave me a book on how the library shumil were made, and I got a close look at them during the fitting. So now I’m making decent headway on my improved prosthetics project! But don’t worry, this is just for Uncle, I haven’t gone on to make a whole body!”

“Body…”

“Once it’s done I’ll have you be the first to look at it.”

Why, oh why, did his precious daughter have to jump leaps and bounds ahead of his expectations?!?!?!?

Sebastian tipped his head back looking up at the heavens, sighed, and then looked back at his daughter. “The improved prosthetic limbs research… keep it as confidential as possible. Not only do I foresee your improvements being groundbreaking, but the automatons are property of the Royal Family. This is not a project we can publicize, especially in this climate.”

“Understood, father.” She affirmed with a serious face as Sebastian rubbed his temples.

“Is there anything else I must know before the conference?”

“I was not able to give these to you earlier given the commotion with my engagement and my soil research, but here are two magic circles that may benefit our duchy.”

She handed him two sheets of paper. “The one on top is the magic circle for making the collecting site. I have been offloading mana by healing all of the collection sites in the academy secretly, and the circle is the same for each one. Perhaps the duchy soil or Aub decides what grows differently? But if we can draw this in our own duchy, it will be easier to have a space to collect for our scholars.”

His jaw tightened subconsciously at the thought of Rozemyne going to other duchy collection sites unguarded given unspoken ditter rules, but let it go since she was safe. He’d scold her for it later. “Then what is the second circle?”

“It’s the circle for the Blessings Acquisition Ceremony.”

Now this was a big boon.

“Can it be used outside of the Academy?”

“Yes, I’m fairly certain. After all, the innermost room is exactly the same as the prayer room in our temple. If we assume every temple is the same, then any duchy could do it in their temple’s prayer room. With the knowledge prayer increases blessings, maybe people can keep increasing their blessings throughout adulthood! I haven’t shared this with anyone else yet, including Ferdinand, because of the potentially huge implications. Please use this at your discretion, father.”

Rozemyne looked up at him proudly, her expression full of unwavering trust. For the thousandth time he thanked Dregarnuhr and the gods in general that he was the one to adopt this epoch-making girl as his daughter, for Sebastian had a hard time believing anyone else would be able to handle her torrential rain of change or would be worthy enough of her trust.

He set aside his shock and let his pride of her come to the surface instead, smiling at her. “Well done, Rozemyne. I shall use these well.”

As Aub Drewanchel, the adopter of the gifted and talented of the duchy, Sebastian was not allowed to openly show favoritism or favorites with the occasional exception of his biological children, but in the times they were alone like this, he tried to give Rozemyne the praise she deserved as such an extraordinary gifted child. It was not much, and he could not convey it all in words. But thankfully it was enough to reach her.

“Thank you father! I will continue to do my best!”

Sebastian chuckled, and the barrier was taken down so they could enjoy a more casual, less earth shattering visit before he had to retire for the day. He spoke to his first wife Minerva in bed that night about how the visit went. Thankfully Rozemyne was adored by all of his wives, his beloved first wife even more so, so he could talk about her as a father would amongst any of them.

“How was our little Mestionora?” Minerva asked when he joined her in bed.

“As outrageous and exceptional as always.” They both shared a laugh together, then he gave her a summary of the day’s revelations.

“I see,” Minerva mused. “Certainly those circles can help us build alliances should the opportunity arise.”

“It could, but it also risks putting Rozemyne in more danger if not handled with care. You saw how Trauerqual reacted when we tacitly rejected the first prince. With his reaction toward the soil project I am worried that our daughter is in more danger than ever.”

They laid side by side together in silence for a while, pondering both as an archducal couple and concerned parents in equal measure.

“I shall be alert in socializing to mitigate the danger, Seb. I’ll leave the Zent to you so... let us pass this trial of Gluklitat to keep our daughter safe.”

He nodded, then turned the light off, holding his wife in the darkness. Long into the night he thought about what was to come, and how to protect his crazy daughter’s smile.

*

The conference began in earnest, with greetings taking up the bulk of the first day as usual. Drewanchel increased in rank to third after the war now that Werkestock was gone, so as an upper duchy he sat through most of the greetings. 

Sebastian kept a close eye on Aub Ehrenfest, the soon to be brother in law of Rozemyne. He wasn’t at all impressed. Certainly Lord Sylvester was new in his tenure as Aub and from a middle duchy, but as older brother to Lord Ferdinand he was a disappointment. Also, who in Erwaermen’s garden brought their mother to a conference to socialize when the First Lady should suffice?

Checking in with Rozemyne later that evening, he confirmed that she also didn’t have a particularly good impression of the young Aub either, since he often called Ferdinand back to Ehrenfest to supply mana, do paperwork, and generally be Aub . To her, Lady Veronica was ‘that wicked stepmother’ and little else.

Sebastian frowned, and ordered one of his attendants to make an appointment to meet with Sylvester at some point in the conference. It would have to be after his more important meetings, but Sebastian needed to talk to this Aub to ensure his daughter was treated well in her visit. Minerva also made an appointment to meet with the First Lady of Ehrenfest, Florencia. She outright scowled , which was unusual for his easy going wife.

“Did you have trouble making the appointment?”

“That Veronica wanted to encroach upon our tea party, and my attendant was rudely refused by Veronica’s when she insisted the meeting was for Florencia only. How much power does that woman have in Ehrenfest to think she has the gall to tell a First Lady of Drewanchel who she can and cannot see?” She shook her head, her icy blue eyes narrowed in disgust. “I am so glad Ferdinand will be a son-in-law so he can escape those dreadful people.”

Ah, it was as he had heard about Ahrensbach, Gabriela’s arrogant bloodline ran strong in Ehrenfest. Well, even more reason to play Anhaltung to the young Aub during the conference.

The next few days were for discussions on trade deals, and each day was swamped given the backlog of trade during the war. Sebastian and his scholars presented some of Rozemyne’s more ‘tame’ inventions for trade, though the country was not ready for the vast majority of the other epoch-making inventions yet. Ahrensbach then tried to promote sugar, a new sweetener from Lanzanave, to fill the gap in Klassenberg’s honey market. Apparently many of the honey farms were damaged in the war, and Ahrensbach was all too glad to step into the void.

Thankfully beekeeping methods were already researched in Drewanchel, and their rank was higher than Ahrensbach, so unless there was a dire need to appease them there was no need for Sebastian to entangle himself in such an expensive and new product. Not like they were pressed for money given his daughter’s businesses, but that money could be invested in more research instead of foreign goods. Rozemyne did end up asking him to procure some samples, and as always Sebastian caved to her curiosity, but he reminded her quite firmly that the new product was expensive .

“All the more reason to tempt Ahrensbach into purchasing novel recipes with it!” Rozemyne answered. “My understanding is Lanzanave has offered the product only, with no recommendation on how to use it.”

Perhaps he should have called her his little messenger of Cuococalura… He sighed and handed over a few gold to Ahrensbach in the name of currying some political favor.

Finally midway into the conference research discoveries were unveiled for discussion. Rozemyne’s soil project was a hot topic, and his scholar presented on it, but as expected Trauerqual swiftly ended discussions on the matter. But before his turn could be dismissed by Zent entirely, Aub Dunkelfelger spoke up.

“I believe there is another matter that Drewanchel has stumbled upon: the increase in colors from the Divine Protection Acquisition Ceremony. Will you please be our Anhaltung on this matter, Aub Drewanchel?”

Sebastian glanced at Trauerqual, who gestured for him to answer. “Indeed. The blue priests of Drewanchel, who have been praying to the gods in our clean temple, have received their blessings. Many gained more colors from subordinates, or even a pillar depending on their devotion.”

The room went abuzz with the information, especially in this new era of mana shortage. The repercussions of the purge have not been fully seen yet, but to those who lost the most nobles in the war increasing colors and mana efficiency was of the utmost importance.

“Unthinkable!”

“Blue priests?! They are barely even nobles, how are they gaining enough colors to rival those of higher status!”

The outrage was understandable given the disdain for the temple. Sebastian cleared his throat, which refocused the room. “Indeed. We have yet to begin full research to understand the cause, but our preliminary theory is that their blessings increased due to sincere prayer and mana dedication at the temple.”

“Our priests did not show such findings…” Aub Immildink said with an irreverent glare.

“As I said, it is from sincere prayer. Our temple is clean, and our priests all give their prayers to the gods without resentment. Do your priests offer prayer to the gods purely and do their duties proudly, or are their prayers clouded by the whispers of Chaocipher due to being cast aside from society.”

A hush fell in the room. The answer to that was more obvious than what Ewigeliebe wants.

“Therefore, more research needs to be done. How much mana needs to be dedicated? What constitutes enough prayer? These are the questions we seek to answer at Drewanchel going forward.”

Trauerqual paled at the words ‘enough prayer,’ but eventually nodded. “Then I shall order you to continue such research, Aub Drewanchel. It is quite timely, given what I am about to announce.”

The wisdomless Zent decided to use Drewanchel’s announcement as a springboard to start the efforts to promote his wife Magdelena, claiming that she ‘discovered’ a map of small shrines to subordinate gods throughout the academy. It was not said outright, but it was clear it must have come from the underground library.

Was this why the library was restricted? To hoard the intel and achievements amongst the royal family, and for them to control how Ordoschnell flies? Sebastian kept his expression neutral, but felt clear disappointment in their would-be king.

Still, he had his scholars take a copy of the map for it to be looked into later, and had one sent to Rozemyne. Surely his little Mestionora would find more discoveries than anyone else given how beloved she was by the gods.

*

Midway through the conference it was time for the most important part of the event: socializing. Drewanchel and Dunkelfelger were often at opposing ends of certain alliances, but at the moment they were most firmly unified in their concern over the Foundation, and him ‘winning’ against Aub Dunkelfelger in the competition to claim Ferdinand as a son-in-law.

They met over tea, where Sebastian had the attendants serve more savory snacks and drink with the Drewanchel liquor junipsen. It was an invention by Rozemyne named Flutrane’s Sprites, with mentha, ginger beer, citrus fruit, and honey. Rozemyne was underage so she has not had a chance to drink it yet, but it surprised no one that she had the blessings from Vantole. Aub Dunkelfelger sipped on his drink and his eyes widened with surprise.

“This drink is like nothing else! Lighter than vize, but would give over abundance of Vantole’s blessing if one was not careful!”

“Indeed, it is a deceptively light drink. I am thankful for your praise.”

They discussed trade for the recipe and other light topics, until finally delving into the real discussion. A ranged soundproofing was erected by Sebastian, and the warrior Aub sat up straighter.

“About the soil research… it would seem there is much hidden behind Verbergen’s shroud we must discuss.” Aub Dunkelfelger began.

“Indeed. Our Geduldh is in grave danger, the results are consistent in Zent’s layer of soil is low in mana in every duchy we have examined.”

Aub Dunkelfelger leaned forward. “Is the king aware of this?”

“Yes, however when asked what was being done he refused to be or accept Anhaltung on this matter.”

This was clearly not what Aub Dunkelfelger wanted to hear, and he slammed his palm on the table with force that thankfully Drewanchel construction could weather. “That damned wisdomless zent !” He said with obvious distaste. “The Zent has at least heeded the wisdom of beginning the work to promote Magdalena, and we have pushed for her to become first queen at least, her child is far more likely to be able to find the Wisdom.”

Sebastian nodded calmly and took a sip of the junipsen. “Yes, that seems more wise than continuing to back those wisdomless, witless children of his. If the child is insufficient, perhaps another will be.” For all it occasionally seemed callous, Drewanchel were experts in selecting dozens of children to find the best, far more rigorous and meritocratic than most duchies where it was largely the Aub’s first wife’s children who were considered and others were hard pressed to achieve greatness.

“Does the Foundation have that much time?” Aub Dunkelfelger asked.

Sebastian considered what to reveal, he knew that the country could be held via supply for quite some time, and he knew Ferdinand and his daughter had no desire to be Zent even if he was Quinta and did have a portion of the wisdom. “Our zent has decreed that Rozemyne cease her investigation into the soil…” 

“That--” Aub Dunkelfelger began to fume again.

Sebastian held up a hand, somewhat improper since Aub Dunkelfelger technically outranked him at the moment, but they were friendly enough that it wasn’t taken poorly. “Despite that, the zent layer is slightly recovering.”

“So he is supplying it?” Aub Dunkelfelger sighed in relief.

“... Is he?”

Aub Dunkelfelger looked confused, and Sebastian waited as the… ah, what was Rozemyne’s expression ‘gears whirled’. Eventually the Aub followed. “Your daughter?”

Sebastian quietly sipped his drink. “Rozemyne and Ferdinand have been passing their time… putting mana into the various collection sites via a ceremony to Flutrane, I’m certain you’re aware of their sorry state each year.”

The Aub cocked his head. “This was done using that sacred tool?”

“The wand of Flutrane, yes. As you now know, the spring ceremony gives Flutrane’s blessings to our lands, helping plants grow. Priests also use the wand to heal the land when devastated by dark beasts.”

“So it can also be used to grow plants further…”

“...and nourish Geduldh.” Sebastian finished. He considered momentarily to bring up the library cornerstone, but felt that it should be held under Verbergen’s shroud a bit longer. This intel was enough, and would be safe if relayed to Magdelena. Dunkelfelger had already seen Rozemyne use the tools after all.

“I see. Nourishing our Geduldh will also nourish the country in turn… but that will only buy a modest amount of time.”

Sebastian nodded his assent. “Indeed. We can only hope that Dregarnuhr will give us enough grace for Trauerqual or Magdelena’s child finds the wisdom needed to fully nourish Geduldh.”

They both sighed at the circumstances. Aub Dunkelfelger took another swig of his drink, and furrowed his brow before speaking. “Speaking of the sacred tools… my First Lady has done some research on them after your daughter served as Anhaltung.”

Dunkelfelger? Doing research? This ought to be intriguing. “Go on.”

“It would seem that if you use the tools enough or supply enough mana, the circles on them are recorded in the mind, similar to the Supreme Couple Gods names. Then when using the standard spells, the schtappe turns into the sacred weapons themselves.”

Simply fascinating! Rozemyne did copy down unique spells and circles from the underground library for the crown, cloak, and chalice. But to think that the sacred tools could be used with the standard lanze for spear or straight kolben for wands… Sebastian tapped his knuckle to his chin, trying to suppress his excitement. It did not go unnoticed, however, as his fellow Aub had a grin on his face.

“Ha! Seems like Dunkelfelger got the lead on Drewanchel this time, huh?” He teased

“Not so fast, Aub Dunkelfelger,” Sebastian sniffed. He took out a copy of the circle Rozemyne gave him for the collection site and handed it over to Aub Dunkelfelger. He was going to give it to his ally anyway but he might as well use this to quell that meat head’s smugness.

“What is this?”

“The circle for the creation of collection sites.”

“Oh?” The Aub inhaled sharply, his mind churning with the implications. Perhaps, as Rozemyne once said, his ‘mind was blown’ with the wisdom Sebastian dropped at his feet.

“It has yet to be researched, but we believe it is possible to reproduce the unique properties of Academy collection sites in native duchies. We are in the process of experimenting with this. Of course this matter is under the shroud of Verbergen except for Drewanchel and our allies.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle as Aub Dunkelfelger frowned at his loss, stowing the paper away. Their rivalry, which was once bitter, was now simply friendly and entertaining. And with his little Mestionora by his side, Sebastian would not lose. At least, not this time. He kept the Blessing Acquisition in reserve still, and the possibility of adult increases in blessings, until the time was right.

“You may have won this round, Aub Drewanchel… for now. But it never hurts to have a strong ally when facing trials of Gluklitat in times like this.”

“Indeed. May our rivalry—and our friendship—be long and fruitful.”

The two nodded in agreement, each trading grins. In an age where their Zent could not be counted on, it was ensuring that two great duchies would stand together as pillars for Geduldh.

*

Of course, Sebastian also made the time to meet with Aub Ahrensbach and his first wife - Sebastian’s aunt. He even brought a spicy pie that Rozemyne had made that had been Leticia’s mother’s favorite when she was missing the too-spicy cuisine of Ahrensbach. They made their usual hellos, and Sebastian sat and enjoyed a lazy cup of tea for a few moments.

“No interest in the new Lanzanave export?” Aub Ahrensbach asked after they had chit-chatted for a while.

“Rozemyne has asked for some to experiment, but I don’t believe we will for now.” He was even more certain of the decision when ‘dessert’ was served, which seemed to just be a huge ball of sugar with some fruit. “If sugar becomes profitable, will that not be damaging to your Geduldh? I know Lanzanave almost always asks for mana, not gold or jewels.”

The Aub waved a dismissive hand. “I doubt it will become so popular, and even if it does, we can trade for mana with our neighbors.”

That argument again, Rozemyne had fumed and made a ridiculous presentation when he’d last mentioned that to her. He could certainly make orders, of a sort, but that would strain the relationship that had only just been renewed with his brother's marriage.

Instead he moved on to other topics, Rozemyne’s research on the connection between colors and the efficacy of the spring prayer, the benefit to soil from Flutrane’s prayer, the thin Aub layers of soil in other duchies… and of course he bragged about little Leticia’s excellent mana and her attractiveness, all excellent qualities for a future Archduke candidate.

Aub Ahrensbach smiled ruefully. “I am happy that your brother and my daughter are doing well. As for the research… I am afraid it is not so simple.”

“I am aware that the temple has its unsavory reputation, but it is more important to nourish Geduldh now more than ever. Shall I send over some research notes to help with this matter?”

“Notes would be helpful, but the issue is more with the people than with data.”

Aub Ahrensbach said that his duchy was torn after the purge, particularly after the death of his second wife. Those of Werkestock lineage had been growing louder with their discontent, now spearheaded by the third wife Georgine. He was struggling to keep the balance between his wives, and did not have much energy to spare toward change. If he tried to reform the temple, it would be a source of contention between which faction took the credit or had the most favor.

Sebastian frowned. “If your second wife is flirting with Chaosipher, perhaps it would be wise to marry a new bride to stabilize things.”

He shook his head. “I am deep in my autumn, Aub Drewanchel. That will soon be the role of my heir, but I cannot leave my duchy like this. The consequences of the purge have also shifted my heir from my former second wife’s sons to my third wife’s son, who then unfortunately claimed to a towering height, naturally there is a great deal of internal struggle as a result.”

Sebastian glanced at his aunt, who looked placid, but he did wonder if his aunt had flirted with less Drewanchel methods of solving problems and removed the boy.

“I can send my daughter Rozemyne to visit,” Sebastian offered as a compromise. “She will be in Ehrenfest to meet her future in-laws this summer, and a trip to Ahrensbach in the south will not be too taxing. Rozemyne has quite an impression on most people, as she is Drewanchel’s little Mestionora she is able to speak with a piety that would seem naive or cloying from any other.

His aunt’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I would love to see my grand niece. Will her fiancé be coming with her as well, the fabled Lord Ferdinand?”

“As her fiancé, I would presume so.”

“How marvelous, I have heard nothing but exceptional words of praise for her and Lord Ferdinand.” 

Even if the Aub had wanted to decline, he obviously couldn’t now, and Sebastian made a few arrangements of the typical sort when discussing a lord candidate traveling to another duchy, her expected escort, how much of an escort Ahrensbach would also provide, and so forth.

Comfortable in his daughter’s safety, Sebastian agreed to Rozemyne coming to the palace and temple, inspecting them, making demonstrations, and doing her best to show the close relationship Drewanchel and Ahrensbach would hopefully cultivate in the coming years.

*

If Sebastian had any expectations for Aub Ehrenfest, the half-brother of fabled Lord Ferdinand, it was nonexistent as soon as his scholar brought in everything they could find on Lord Sylvester. His grades during his academy days were just passable, he didn’t fail classes but most offers to give his exams another try for better grades were refused. He did manage to be an honor student for a while but his grades barely made it to that ‘honor’ range, and when one looked at his peers- there were only lower middle duchies and bottom duchies so the feat of getting honors was not all that great. This achievement was also due to stipulation from the late Aub Frenbeltag to marry the love of his life. 

This accomplishment was also greatly overshadowed by his little brother, Lord Ferdinand who won the best students in the only year they spent together in academy. 

During socialization he was quite a carefree student, mingling mostly with those of close rank to him but never beyond. Hence Aub Ehrenfest’s current awkward position in his social circle as he now outranked those he considered his peers, and was unused to socialize in the upper middle rank sphere. 

The only story of note from his academy days was his fervor in courting his ‘one and only’ light goddess, Lady Florencia of Frenbeltag. 

“That’s it?” 

“That was all, Aub.” 

Perhaps he should approached this in a different angle, “And what of his short tenure as Aub of Ehrenfest?” 

If he was a passable student in the academy, Lord Sylvester was a neglectful Aub to his duchy. Upon his ascension at too young an age and not enough guidance from his predecessor, he dismissed his father’s entourage that was supposed to guide him to appease his mother, Lady Veronica, who wished to establish herself as his ‘advisor.’ Factional conflicts at the level no lower duchy of this rank should entertain ran amok between natives and those who inherit Ahrensbach’s blood, and it was fierce enough for Wigenmiche’s blessing to be deprived from this duchy that already had so few nobles for its size. 

Also as his own daughter had told him, Lord Ferdinand in spite of his circumstances had assisted Ehrenfest beyond his station. It was almost guaranteed now, the moment his future son in law gave his full support to Rozemyne with no room for Ehrenfest, this duchy would fall to their old rank in a few years.  

“How disappointing.” Was there any point to see Aub Ehrenfest at all? 

Still, since he and his daughter were visiting Ehrenfest in summer, it was his duty as a father to set firm expectations of this Aub for her stay.

They met in the Ehrenfest tea room, with the young Aub looking nervous as they exchanged the routine greetings.

Sebastian carefully examined Aub Ehrenfest as he sipped his tea when served. The man did not give off an arrogant air like his mother, however he also was missing the quiet gravitas his predecessor had. The more he exchanged words with him the more he realized that Lord Sylvester did not seem purposefully malicious, but woefully out of his depth. Sebastian almost pitied him. If only he had learned from his half-brother how to socialize with upper duchies more skillfully as a middle duchy, rather than emulating a lower duchy mindset like a shumil.

After a while Sebastian signaled to change the tea and brought up the main subject.

“As you are aware, my daughter and I are visiting Ehrenfest this summer.”

Aub Ehrenfest nodded, “I have been informed by Ferdinand of the visit, we will provide her the best hospitality we can afford, Aub Drewanchel!” 

He had not made any demand but Aub Ehrenfest was already all submissive. Sebastian noted that Aub Ehrenfest’s arm was over his stomach and he tried not to sigh. 

“Of course, that is my expectation.” It seemed he had to cut this short before Aub Ehrenfest fell over from stress over this meeting, he’d rather not harm Rozemyne’s future brother in law. “Then, Ordoschnell has flown over several years about the treatment of Lord Ferdinand by your mother.”

Aub Ehrenfest paled.

Apparently this young Aub did not expect Sebastian to outright tell it to his face about the public embarrassment he called mother. “I shall play Anhaltung only once. See to it that our visit is free from Chaocipher’s mayhem. You will not like it if I have to come down on Ehrenfest like Verdraos to protect my daughter and her fiance.”

He lowered his head meekly, and fortunately was wise enough to not dance with Gramaratura. “Understood.”

*

There were a few more meetings in the conference, with the scholars exchanging information behind the scenes. Since the purge was winding down, it would be time to distribute land to the ‘winning’ side of the war, so Sebastian put a word in via scholar that Drewanchel would be willing to take a lower duchy. They were not near the losing duchies, but there were an abundance of adult lord candidates who could be Aub and solidify standings in the east given a small or medium area. 

He was certain that Klassenberg and Dunkelfelger would take the majority of the land, but was not concerned either way. So as that meeting was approaching as the conference was past its midpoint, Sebastian began to relax now that Drewanchel’s part was over for the most part.

Unfortunately, Gluklitat liked to give the heaviest of trials to those who least expect them.

“As Zent, I shall reward the pillars who have supported the supreme god in the heavens.”

King Trauerqual turned to Aub Klassenberg. “To Klassenberg in the north, I shall bestow the former land of Zausengas.”

Ah, after acquiring a taste for stealing land from Eisenreich, Klassenberg has had their eyes set on Zausengas for decades. This was not surprising to anyone. Aub Klassenberg said words of gratitude, and Trauerqual continued.

“Then, for Werkestock, the land of rebellion, I shall look to its neighbors. Aub Dunkelfelger, Aub Ahrensbach, do either of you desire it?”

This made Sebastian quirk an eyebrow upward. Zent was asking about this reward instead of giving it? What was he thinking? Unless this was planned in advance… Sebastian refocused.

Aub Dunkelfelger shook his head. “My land of Dunkelfelger is quite enough, Zent Trauerqual. If it were possible to take a portion of it by realigning boundaries, I would think differently, but it seems the threads of Dregarnuhr are tangled on this matter. I shall take a step back from this reward.”

“I am of the same mind, Zent Trauerqual. The land of Ahrensbach does not need a land of rebels, especially after purging some from our midst.”

Zent Trauerqual did not seem surprised by the rejection, but rather waiting for them to finish. Like it was planned in advance. Though the zent did balk a bit about the boundary portion seeing as he had no wisdom. At least that wasn’t planned.

“I see.” He turned to Sebastian, and he had a feeling he would not like what came next. “Aub Drewanchel, I have heard you requested land as a reward. Given contribution to the war, research on nourishing Geduldh, and ongoing research on acquiring blessings, I shall reward you by bestowing the land of Werkestock.”

What?!?! He stood. “You honor us too much with your favor, Zent Trauerqual. A smaller duchy, perhaps Trostvek could suffice.” Had the Zent gone mad? He said he wanted a small duchy, especially with the land being on the other side of the continent!

“Nonsense. You will accept this reward that is commensurate with your duchy’s contributions. It is my order as Zent, that is it for that matter. You shall report to me when you decide upon who in your archducal family shall become Aub.”

The true blow came later, not even in some grand announcement but in a letter with the Zent’s seal. Trauerqual was ordering that Rozemyne be made the heir. It even came with a few preemptive arguments against objections Sebastian would have made. Rozemyne was not his heir, Rozemyne had a competent older fiancé to assist, and so forth.

There was no doubt, this was punishment for Rozemyne digging into the issues that concerned the Royal Family. Dunklefelder may even have signed off on this list to have Ferdinand as a neighbor, the ditter-headed idiot! And Aub Ahrensbach… surely he had gained some boon for his own cooperation. Sebastian immediately decided he would be aiding the man with his temple issues. His dear daughter was going to face an unparalleled trial of Glücklitat, his only consolation was that Lord Ferdinand would be by her side… but that was a cold comfort knowing how badly he had failed to protect her from the Royal Family in the end.

Will Jugereise Dance?

Although the Archdukes Conference was underway, Rozemyne was confident that Father would keep her informed of any important developments, so she largely passed her time in Ferdinand’s lab, experimenting with the automaton features to assure that Uncle had his hand and leg back as soon as possible.

“I will admit I am curious to meet your famed uncle who seems to be so responsible for raising you in your youth,” Ferdinand said as he prodded the arm with mana to check its workings. “I do wonder if I could make a version of the library tools now…”

“Always the mad scientist,” Rozemyne said with a giggle. She was glad Ferdinand had so much free time even when that pest of a brother of his kept him busy.

“In theory, if we changed the limbs of the automatons to these they’ll have more dexterity.” She said, pulling on one of the mana threads to move the pointer finger of the arm. “It’s going to be a matter of how to connect these threads to their core though.”

“Indeed.”

Rozemyne kept tinkering, nearly done with the arm part. The mana threads high in life attribute and compounded with the magic circle from the limbs of Schwartz were like a hybrid of nerves, muscles, and tendons moving the bones of mana metal. The joints were made of a substance similar to gumka bark that allowed for mana transmission to the threads fairly well, and when attached to an arm there would be joint fluid with water attribute to prevent pain. She was so close… Once it was done she would need to find some sort of skin so it would look natural. But she felt on the verge of completion. Then next would be the legs…

She was so deep in experimenting and thought that she barely noticed the ordonnonz arrive.

“Rozemyne, come to the dormitory, there is something to discuss.” Father… and a chill went down her spine at that. Of course during the conference the amount of lead time on meetings was naturally limited, but the need to talk now, not even waiting for the end of the day… as she considered that, her father’s voice was repeated.

She handed the stone to Harriette who sent the confirmation that Rozemyne was on her way. Ferdinand was obviously curious, but Rozemyne merely smiled and said they would speak later. “Don’t invent a whole humanoid shumil while I’m gone.”

The trip to the dorm was tense, although Rozemyne didn’t fret much, and she arrived at the dorm only to be shown to a small side room, and Father had all their aides stay outside. They both sat, Father turned on the eavesdropping prevention tool and then… 

He sighed. “Rozemyne…”

She felt as though Schneest had grabbed her heart. “Yes, … Father?”

“As I’m certain you know, with the purge nearing completion, Zent Trauerqual has been dividing the various abandoned territories to be managed by other territories. I offered to have one of my siblings take over a territory despite us not being next to any of them. Zent has agreed, but it seems… Trauerqual has decided to push the territory of Werkestock on Drewanchel. More specifically he wants one of my siblings to take over, and for you to join him as heir.”

Rozemyne blinked, confused, even her standby of tilting her head cutely in confusion failed. “Me? Why assign me to a post there? I am only about to turn twelve, I don’t even have a schtappe yet.”

“The point was made that you have a former lord candidate as a fiancé who would join you in assisting with duties there. I know this is not the future you want for yourself, but even I cannot argue with a false zent that much.”

She nodded, of course father would argue, but… “ Why ? Certainly there are better candidates than an underaged girl who doesn’t even possess a schtappe, has had a modest entourage, and little specific political training. I wouldn’t even join Werkestock until years from now, not to mention the abandoned territories have lost their foundations and cannot be administered properly!”

“My guess is this is Trauerqual’s way of pulling you away from the library and research that has placed him in such an awkward position.”

Rozemyne stood, and began to pace, and Father didn’t even chastise her. “But I’m working on a solution ! I need to find Quinta! I need to fill the Foundation! Even after almost a year it’s not even a tenth full! And that’s with me putting mana in almost three times a week.”

Father sighed. “I know, Rozemyne, I know. Realistically the intensive heir training will severely undercut your time for any damaging research.”

She stopped. “Ferdinand… doesn’t want to abandon Ehrenfest. He wants to stay a professor and support Ehrenfest, just like I want to be a librarian and support Drewanchel. Neither of us want to be cast away to an abandoned land!”

Father didn’t answer, since he didn’t really need to, Rozemyne was stating well known facts. She placed her hand over the courtship stone, felt Ferdinand’s warm and comfortable mana against her palm and her skin… 

“I can’t put him through this. I won’t.”

“Rozemyne?”

“He’s been through so much! That wicked stepmother, that father who clearly loved him far less than he deserved, that brother who keeps calling him home despite him being a former archduke candidate… He’s happy now, he has time to research, he… he…”

She closed her eyes, fighting off tears. “I can’t. I won’t.”

“But your happiness as a woman, as a mother… No one but Ferdinand can balance your mana, Rozemyne.”

“I’ll adopt Evelyn, or maybe a Werkestock child. I will marry someone else and they can assist willingly . Ferdinand’s excellence is nothing in the face of a job he doesn’t want. That is family, Father, doing what is best for them even when they don’t know or when it doesn’t always benefit you… just like you have for me, just like Uncle always has. I am not your daughter by blood, not… not even noble by blood, but you’ve always done right by me.”

Father sighed, and closed his own eyes. “And in the end I couldn’t protect you from the royal family no matter how much I tried.”

She knew it wasn’t his way, but he stood and came over to her, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and squeezed her tightly so she would stop pacing.

“If you think that is the right decision, I will see if there is a brother or uncle of mine who would be suitable to marry you and join you there. In the worst case you can marry a former Werkestock noble when you come of age. However… I hope Ferdinand proves you wrong, my dear daughter.”

Somewhere deep in her heart, Rozemyne hoped so too, but she wouldn’t let that wonderful man, her Averclaren, throw himself on another sword out of guilt or some damaged idea of family.

*

Knowing she had a minimal amount of time to deal with the Foundation, Rozemyne hurried to the library where she checked that no spies were around and threw enough mana to push her toward mana exhaustion before drinking two potions, doing so again, and then finishing with a sweet mana ‘candy’ to recover the rest of the way.

“Is something amiss, Lady Rozemyne?”

She almost yelped as Marian came over to her. Apparently Schwartz and Weiss had reported her arrival. “Ah, it’s…”

Wait… Marian was from Werkestock! Rozemyne had struggled so hard to get Father and Ferdinand to help save the librarian that it almost slipped her mind that the woman was from the traitorous duchy. 

“It’s quite an odd circumstance,” she admitted. “Perhaps we could…”

Marian understood immediately, bringing her into the back, having her attendant put the kettle on, clearly scrounging up some sweets. 

She even provided the mana for the eavesdropping field. Rozemyne looked around and internally sighed: farewell to her living-in-the-library dream.

“I don’t imagine it will be particularly secret for very long, but… obviously do not speak of this to others until it is announced.”

Marian nodded. “Of course.”

“I have been selected by the Zent to oversee… the former Werkestock territory as heir to the future Aub.”

Marian was silent.

Rozemyne was silent.

Marian could say nothing.

Rozemyne waited. Perhaps several minutes passed and after Marian took a sip of prepared tea, Rozemyne did the same. The two of them basically sat in stunned silence for long minutes.

“I… see.” Marian finally seemed to have recovered. “Is there some reason this is not unexpected?”

“It is likely a punishment for my father and my interference in certain Sovereignty decisions,” Rozemyne answered. 

Marian nodded sadly. “Although I am no longer tied to my home, I believe the least I can do is explain what you and Lord Ferdinand will be entering into.”

Rozemyne didn’t correct her assumption.

In the end they spent over a bell together discussing the internal politics that Marian was still aware of. “Although Werkestock’s economy has always been quite strong, there is a certain cultural divide between north and south that is the cause of most internal political pressure. My survival was in part due to coming from the south and being less related to the archducal family—”

Rozemyne listened intently, and after a few moments even gave in to the need to take notes to organize her own thoughts. She crammed as much learning about Werkestock as she could in that brief tea party. 

It seemed that at least her dreams of an impressive library could be realized because while Werkestock didn’t have the same reputation as her home of Drewanchel they were at least well educated; they had fielded three head librarians after all!

Not that she would have any time to read… 

They spoke a good deal more, but by the end Rozemyne knew she would just need to experience it. She had her notes, and Marian’s support, but it was clear this trial from Glucklitat would be exceptional.

*

Ferdinand felt something was amiss ever since Rozemyne’s sudden departure from his lab the other day. Certainly an ordonanz from Aub Drewanchel summoning her that day must have been urgent, but when he received a message that she would refrain from the lab for a while it gave him pause.

“I do wonder if Lady Rozemyne is alright…” Lasfam said forlornly.

“I saw her at the library the other day. It was quite concerning,” Heidemarie said with an anxious look.

“How so?”

“Well she was pouring mana into the library cornerstone like a madwoman, taking one potion after the other.”

Well, supplying was not anything new but… mana potions? Didn’t Rozemyne supply to offload excess?

“Then she had a long conversation with Professor Marian in the back office, but when I asked what it was about neither would say.”

“Justus, do you have any ideas?”

His gray haired scholar shook his head. “There have been many rumors flitting about on Ordonschnell’s wings, but nothing specific to Rozemyne so far. For Drewanchel it would seem that one of their lord candidates will inherit the losing duchy Werkestock, but I can hardly see why it would be related to her since she is underaged.”

How frustrating. Ferdinand tapped his temple. Perhaps it was an archduke candidate she knew? But that would not have anything to do with the library… unless she was getting intel. But why the mana supply?

The more he thought, the more frustrated he became. Ferdinand did not like uncertainty or the lack of information. If only she had confided in him, he was her mentor and fiancé after all. Would it be normal of him to know internal affairs like these to a certain extent?

Thankfully an attendant of hers named Harriette came by with an invitation for him to meet with Rozemyne in the Drewanchel Tea Room. It was unusual as they tended to have discussions in his office, but reasonable if it was a duchy issue. The tension in his entourage eased a bit at the prospect of answers, and prepared for the visit.

The day of their meeting arrived, and Ferdinand felt relieved to see her and discuss answers. But then he froze.

She was not wearing his courtship jewelry anymore.

It was strange. When Magdelena came to him to cancel their potential courtship, he had been disappointed but oddly relieved. Their personalities did not match, and while he lost a way to escape Veronica’s wrath he figured their union would not be the happiest. But this? Why?

Ferdinand kept his face carefully blank while hiding his internal dread.

After their pleasantries, a ranged soundproofing tool was erected and their aides turned to face the wall. Rozemyne looked pale, and seemed to struggle as if she had lost Gramaratura’s blessings. So he decided to assist.

“I see that you are not wearing the courtship jewelry I gave you. Was there something wrong with it?” 

Rozemyne shook her head. “Not at all. I… there is something you must know. For now the matter is under Verbergen’s shroud, but as we are to be engaged it is only fair for you to know.” She took a sip of tea to collect her thoughts.

He waited.

“I am sure you heard from Justus some of the updates from the conference?”

“Yes, particularly the assignments of land to the victors of the war. Drewanchel received Werkestock if I am not mistaken?”

She nodded. “Yes. The more confidential matter for now is… they are selecting me to move there as heir.”

His brow furrowed. “Wait. There are many members of Drewanchel’s archducal family, no? Why is Aub Drewanchel assigning you to a hostile and purged land when there is no need for an heir so soon, especially with you still in the Academy?”

“It was not my father's idea.” She shook her head. “It was an order from Zent Trauerqual himself. Apparently us playing Anhaltung on the matter of Geduldh and the missing wisdom displeased him. This move is likely to punish us for getting too close to matters that concern the royal family.”

Cold fury that would have impressed both Ewigeliebe and Schneest gripped him. It felt both like mountain Loenberg before an eruption and unforgiving snowstorm of the Winter Lord of his homeland.

The rage was so consuming that he could not respond right away. Rozemyne continued. “Father tried to argue with the decision, but of course he could not go against Zent’s order. The Zent said that as I have a fiancé who was a former archduke candidate, you could assist me in learning about management. Then my fiance would move to Werkestock with me when I came of age. But…” She shook her head.

“I do not want you to suffer that fate. You have already sacrificed so much for Ehrenfest and your brother, and went through pain under your step mother. You have persevered through enough. I know how happy you are as a researcher and professor. After all, Dregarnuhr spins so smoothly when we do research. I will not take you away from your happiness. Nor from your Geduldh.

“You have my gratitude for agreeing to marry me to protect me. At the very least, I am in no danger of marrying that prince anymore.” The wry smile on her face did not suit her, nor did the glassy sheen in her eyes as if she were holding back tears. She reached into her bag on her belt, and placed the courtship jewelry on the table. 

“As much as I do not wish for Jugereise to dance, I do not want to be selfish and tie you to a trial from Glücklitat that you do not deserve. I thank you ever so much for everything, Ferdinand.” She waited for his answer, but it was clear resignation was in her downcast eyes.

Ferdinand at last regained his bearings, shocked by how bothered he was for Jugereise to dance. He loathed to see her so heartbroken over the prospect of separation, and hated it even more she thought he would back down after everything. Geduldh… was that even Ehrenfest any longer…?

There were the outward signs, his cloak being Sovereignty black. There were the inner signs like his growing frustration with Sylvester continuing to cling to him rather than another wife or more competent ministers… but the true sign was how he had leapt to save Rozemyne from that idiot prince Sigiswald with barely a second thought.

“Rozemyne.”

He called her, but her eyes were still lowered, and from the looks of it her hands were clenched under the table.

“Rozemyne, look at me.”

Her honeyed, moon-colored eyes finally reflected him, her lips taut from holding back tears.

“...Rozemyne, do you want Jugereise to dance? Forget the burden of going to the abandoned land we have to face, but do you want to abandon me? Me who you call your family?” He knew the answer because of the open look of hurt and despair in her eyes, but he wanted that confirmation. 

She shook her head. “I have never wanted to abandon you. Not once. But as my family… I want to put your wishes first above my own. Your happiness is more important than forcing another burden on you that you never asked for. I want the best for you. Even if it means letting you go.”

His heart raced in his chest. Had there ever been a single person in his life who put his needs before their own? His father saved him from that damned palace, but ever since he was expected to care for Sylvester and the duchy first. Sylvester put his mother and wife before him. His aides offered their loyalty, but that was as a subordinate. Putting family first… it was as if the darkness in a corner of his heart had abated and thawed for the first time.

If Rozemyne was his family, if that's what she felt, why did she not expect him to do the same? Did she expect him to abandon her when she needed him most, the one person who had cared for him in a way no one had before? Unthinkable. He felt her mana on his back, which only strengthened his resolve. She was his, his family. Ferdinand had been forced to let go of many things he cherished in this life, but he would be damned if this tie as family was one of them. This was not a bond he ever wanted to break.

Ferdinand exhaled, conflicted thoughts racing through his mind, but he was not conflicted in knowing what he must do, for her, for his family . He stood up, picked the courtship jewelry on the table. He didn’t miss how Rozemyne clenched her fist tighter when the jewelry was picked up and her eyes followed his hand. He approached her closer, walking around her so he stood behind her. Rozemyne didn’t move, a testament to her trust and care for him to leave herself so open in such a vulnerable position. He then gently swept her hair to the side, and he smiled at the tiny shudder she made as he bent down and put the necklace back where it belonged. 

“Fe-Ferdinand, does this mean…?” 

Her voice was full of hope and he picked up a strand of hair to his lips before letting go, some silly gesture he would never have considered until that moment. “You have claimed me as your family, so I will be by your side to face Glücklitat’s trial. Perhaps I don’t deserve the trial but neither did you. And I believe every Dark God deserves to stand by their Goddess of Light.” 

“But… your position as professor? Your peace?” 

“I’ll still be a professor until we marry anyway.” He snorted. “My peace is also being your family, the place and work doesn’t matter… also what family would I be if I abandon you to the malice you will face in the new land? Have you ever been in a position where you were surrounded by enemies?”  

“Well, no but—”

“Then my aides will have to teach yours, and I will need to be your Erwachleren on this matter too.”

“But Ehrenfest—”

“Rozemyne. I have decided. I will not accept anything else for an answer. Liebeskuhilfe has brought our threads close together, and I shall stand by your side until our threads are tied and thereafter.”

The words he found himself saying surprised even him, but he knew they were true. Even as he felt his ears heat while he returned to his seat, he did not regret it.

“There is one problem, however.”

Her face stiffened, but he turned away, embarrassed by the words he would say next.

“The cloak you just made me… given that we will be going to a new land one day, you will have to embroider another to fit the situation, no? It is a shame since this one was just made…”

Ferdinand glanced her way with a hand over his face to hide his embarrassment, only to see her smile so purely and beautifully that it would put Efforeflume’s finest blossoms to shame. “I have no problem embroidering as many cloaks as my future Dark God desires! After all, it will always be my job to embroider your cloak, if you will still have me.”

“Fool. I already said I would. Do not make me repeat myself.”

“Then it is settled!” She flushed, and then her expression changed as she hesitated, biting her lip for a moment. “Would… would you hug me, Ferdinand? I know it is unladylike of me to ask but… The last few days have been so much, and…”

Hug? He obviously knew what a hug was but why would she ask for one…? He nodded his head and stood with open arms, still confused. Rozemyne stood, rushed over to him, and grabbed him around his chest, pulling him close. A huge sob came out of her mouth as she did. Ferdinand carefully placed his arms around her as well, awkwardly patting her back, and then his fingers found her silken hair and he stroked her. She felt so warm and soft… he had never felt anything like it before.

“Is this… a sufficient hug?”

“Tighter.”

He squeezed her more tightly, and she grabbed even harder. It would almost be painful if he didn’t make him feel so… warm, and full. Perhaps that was why she needed this hug after days and days of fretting. All of the stress and chaos was too much for a young lady in the middle of her summer to bear. He was glad that now he knew what she was facing, and that he could shoulder the burden with her. Ferdinand let his chin rest atop her head, and waited for her to finish crying until the tension slowly eased from her shoulders. Her arms weakened, and they stood apart.

“Better?”

“Yes. Thank you. I’m sorry you had to see such a shameful sight, but it was sorely needed.”

He shook his head. “I am glad it helped. Though… perhaps it should be done sparingly. For propriety’s sake.”

Rozemyne nodded with a giggle. Ferdinand vashened them both and healed her eyes. Then they took their seats once more.

“Much time has passed, it seems Dregarnuhr has spun smoothly.” Rozemyne noted, her face much more peaceful than before but it was clear she did not want to part, but time waited for no one. Before she deactivated the tool he asked: “Would it be feasible if I told my aides about the situation? They have dedicated their names to me, and it would only be right for them to decide how to proceed going forward.”

“Of course. They should decide their fate, but if they decide to join us then the more the merrier!”

Ferdinand felt the corner of his lips raise slightly, enjoying how hearing the word ‘us’ made him feel.

*

The longer it was since he spoke to Rozemyne, the more furious he became, not at her, no, but at that damnedable false zent who thought he could run away and hide from the truth that he held no foundation and was no true zent. He cared little about the zent abusing him, but to take advantage of Rozemyne was unacceptable. Cold fury gripped him even as he returned to his office with his aides. 

Justus clearly knew he was furious and didn’t interrupt, but it gave him too much time to think. How could he save Rozemyne from this fate? 

His only idea came without a guarantee of victory, something he usually would not even consider, but the longer he thought the more it was clear it was the only possible way to force the false zent’s hand. He had been avoiding Erwaermen’s instructions to find him and have him complete his wisdom in the hope that something else could be done, but now… Glutrissheit was the key, the leverage he could use to crush the zent’s authority.

For Rozemyne.

Later that night, he met with his aides to brief them on the situation. They had been waiting nervously, obviously concerned about what was happening to their lord and his fiancée.

When he told them about the situation, it was Heidemarie who spoke first.

“Is this even a question? Of course I am coming with you!”

Ferdinand held up a hand to stop her from continuing. “I have one ditter left to play, but… I am uncertain if it is one I can win.”

All of them knew how significant that pronouncement was, but it was Justus who clarified: “But you wish to try, for Milady?”

Ferdinand nodded. “I hold your very lives in my hands,” he continued, “and this is no ditter for a cloak or a position in another territory, it is a ditter for my life. I can keep Rozemyne out of it, but you, my aides–”

“Will follow you to the heights if necessary,” Eckhart finished.

Heidemarie, Justus, and Lasfam nodded in near unison. 

And so he swore them to silence by name, and explained his plan. By the end they were all shocked into silence, but all believed he had a chance to succeed. In this battle, in taking on a false zent to win the future he and his Light Goddess wanted, he could not ask for a better entourage to stand by his side.

Chapter Text

A Messy Conference Conclusion

In spite of the entire contents of his world changing overnight, Ferdinand’s world actually changed very little. He was now technically the fiancé of a future Aub, far elevated compared to a professor, and he had a week or so left in an Archduke Conference he wasn’t supposed to attend and then a trip back to Ehrenfest to deal with while deciding how he would pull off what amounted to a coup.

He began with the basics: finding out what the hell Aub Ahrensbach and Aub Dunkelfelger were thinking when they passed up administering Old Werkestock. Aub Drewanchel made the actual inquiries for him; Aub Ahrensbach had taken mana donations and tax breaks and his future father-in-law assured him that Aub Ahrensbach knew that declining the territory offered was a trap for Drewanchel even if he didn’t know the exact nature of it.

“The rewards were too good,” Aub Drewanchel explained. “I told him Rozemyne would not be coming to explain temple reform. He can figure out his own damn territory and if he’s lucky I’ll send some aides to help Letizia clean up her adoptive father’s mess.”

Aub Dunkelfelger… was less helpful. “They made the promise to elevate Magdalena to First Wife, lowered taxes, lowered the expected quota of knights to be sent to the Sovereignty, and allowed an increase in scholars to keep track of the movements in the Soverenty.”

Ferdinand sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“And when he discovered that the heirs would be me and Ferdinand?” Rozemyne asked, taking a sip of tea as they hid away in the Drewanchel dorms after a long day of the Aub gathering information.

“At first he was thrilled that Ferdinand would be his neighbor,” Aub Drewanchel said with exasperation. “When I reminded him that Rozemyne was adding mana to the Foundation with her efforts he finally seemed to realize he’d been swindled. Not even Dunklefelder construction spared the table and I do not know how this will affect relations with the Zent and the new First Queen.”

All three of them fell silent. Aub Dunkelfelger was not an idiot, as much as he sometimes seemed like it, but ignorance of the political currents and that Rozemyne would be swept up in them meant he didn’t realize the full scope of what he’d given up. In short, Trauerqual had played Aub Dunkelfelger.

“Do you have plans from here?” Aub Drewanchel asked.

“I’ll need to increase my heir training,” Rozemyne said with a firm look on her face.

Ferdinand weighed his words. “I have a few amulets to work on, some for myself, some for Rozemyne… and I need to gather some documents just to check a few things.”

It wasn’t an odd declaration and the Aub seemed to think nothing of it.

“Who will become Aub Werkestock?” Rozemyne asked. “Did the Zent really leave it in your hands?”

His father-in-law sighed and fisted a handful of hair before releasing it. The open display of emotion actually reminded him a touch of Sylvester, a moment of seeing an Aub as human, but he quickly recovered in a way that was foreign to Sylvester.

“I had offered to take a territory, expecting Trostwerk or Schaefer, but Werkestock has been ravaged, hundreds of nobles gutted based only on blood…”

“The land is larger than Ehrenfest and has far fewer nobles now,” Ferdinand noted in response. “That number of nobles is far too few to sustain it. The lesser territories have largely only had their Aub and the Aub’s family purged, Werkestock is another matter.”

“So the fairest thing to do was to partition it and make it somewhere the territories that protected it might add a few giebes,” Rozemyne noted. “Instead Werkestock is cut off from the territories that might have provided it asylum and the transfer of human resources on any real scale is impossible…”

Rozemyne clenched her fist in fury. 

“Your uncle, Letizia’s father, will take the position,” Aub Drewanchel said. “Two of his wives are archduke candidates, he has a number of competent aides, he has largely finished having children, and he has faith a decent relationship can be brokered with Ahrensbach through Letizia.”

Ferdinand didn’t know the future Aub, but he gave Aub Drewanchel a firm look. “Is that enough?”

The Aub shook his head. “Another half dozen suppliers would be the minimum needed. I’ve also made promises that some of Rozemyne's inventions that are technically the property of the duchy will be shared to help the economics of Werkestock. In short we have been forced into becoming the sole caretakers of this abandoned land. The long term consequences to Drewanchel in resources will be disastrous.”

“Father…” Rozemyne stood, fury again writ across her face. “Damn that Zent! I— I—” She glanced between Ferdinand and her father, almost trying to figure out if she could or should say more. “What if I get Grutrissheit? What if I find Quinta?”

Ferdinand tried not to flinch, and instead looked between the father-daughter pair.

“Unless you are prepared to wreak the ultimate political destruction… it will just make that Zent fear you and what you know more,” Aub Drewanchel answered with the reasoning of a man who was far older than Rozemyne and even Ferdinand.

“Oh…” Rozemyne sat. She then looked over to Ferdinand. “What do you want, Ferdinand?”

Again that question… “I want you to be safe and happy. Remember, political maneuvering must be done carefully, so… continue to look for ways to undermine this Zent and we will find a way to escape this trap.”

Rozemyne gifted him with a beautiful smile and after a bit more discussion he returned to his room. Justus helped him out of his clothes and into his bath for the evening.

“Milord, when will you…?”

“I need at least two weeks of uninterrupted time,” Ferdinand said without needing to think. “After that… there are several options but I’m not sure which one will be the best.”

He had jumped on the possibility of using Grutrissheit to save Rozemyne, but he was also concerned about things like her ability to live peacefully in a rehabilitated abandoned land or even the Academy if that was Rozemyne’s wish.

The urge to destroy that false Zent was very high.

In the end, Aub Drewanchel’s brother was selected to become Aub, while the area of Zausengas was simply considered a subordinate territory without a separate Aub. Trostwerk and Scharfer were given over to administrators without true lords still… In short the land was still a mess even though those two territories were in far less bad shape than Werkestock.

Ferdinand was part of the ceremony to name the new Aub Werkestock, as was Rozemyne and her uncle, and he was at least gratified to see that Aub Dunkelfelger was looking very contrite and angry. Aub Ahrensbach it seemed had settled for ‘abashed’ but not willing to take the blame or responsibility for what he had caused. Truthfully the man didn’t even know he’d done so much damage to the country but Ferdinand still would not let him have peace.

Trauerqual, Magdelena (now acting as First Wife), and the Knight Commander all arrived for the small ceremony. It was the first time Trauerqual and the knight, Raublut apparently, had seen him. Ferdinand could tell immediately as Raublut’s gaze swept over him almost violently and his look was one of disgust. Trauerqual didn’t seem to recognize him, instead examining him like one might a long forgotten song on the edge of hearing. Magdalena’s disgust was probably simply because of his personality and their past history.

The ceremony was swift, and Ferdinand fled soon after, finding he truly wanted to hide from the new gazes that had found him. 

It brought up questions he didn’t want to think about, answers he was too cowardly to seek, and troubling nightmares of woozy memories of women sobbing… He was glad for the nightmare ward Rozemyne had given him years ago now but that couldn’t change his waking thoughts.

Finally the Conference came to a close, he made a few talismans to keep Rozemyne safe, let his aides know he would be gone… and made the visit to that damn old tree that had been pestering Rozemyne for him and reminded that tree to call him by his baptismal name if he wanted any help at all.

Once he had examined the full scope of the Wisdom and understood Rozemyne’s wishes, he would decide what needed to be done.

Preparations

Ehrenfest was the main land of the once great duchy of Eisenreich, that was divided to several smaller duchies and part of them was absorbed by Klassenberg and Ahrensbach. They were the duchy of the wind that held the border gate Schutzaria. It was also the former territory of wisdom before it was overtaken by Werkestock and Drewanchel. So Rozemyne was excited by this visit. 

“Please don’t expect so much, Lady Rozemyne… your sparkling eyes hurt.” Heidemarie said, raining on her parade. 

“Oh? But Ehrenfest…. Well, the former Ehrenfest nobles I met are all excellent? You and Ferdinand have lots of books, I never met anyone with a personal library outside of Drewanchel with an extensive collection as vast as yours and Ferdinand’s.” 

Heidemarie continued cleaning up post-concoction tools, grimacing a little. “Well, milady… My house is old so we can trace our ancestry to the Eisenreich era, but many houses lost their valuable books and properties to water goddesses so you wouldn’t find them so easily.” 

“Water goddesses?” Rozemyne wondered out loud. 

Heidemarie then went at length explaining about Ferdinand’s evil step-mother’s tactic to destroy the opposing faction, she had thought the woman was just bitter because her husband had cheated! But she was already killing people left and right since before Ferdinand even existed. Also, she was stealing books to sell for money!

Veronica was an enemy of Ferdinand and books! 

Justus chose to come in to check on them that very moment, “Heidemarie, I hope you have not—” 

“An enemy of Ferdinand and books, I will not forgive them!” 

“Right, Lady Rozemyne!” 

Justus groaned, “Too late.” 

Rozemyne enjoyed herself, bantering with Ferdinand’s entourage and researching in between preparing for her trip to Ehrenfest in mid summer. They would have their engagement there, and investigate the border gate. Father had decided she would not go to Ahrensbach after the Aub had betrayed them like he had, and he would be certain to safeguard her himself due to the various trials that seemed to sprout up around her.

She passed the time feeling a bit like she had in her childhood, wondering when her Devouring heat would take her before Nicholas found her and realized her potential: things were going to change, fast, and she could only hope things would again be for the better.

Once he had heard about her ascension to becoming heir of an abandoned territory, Uncle Nicholas wouldn’t hear of anything but going to the territory with her. Zergius immediately said he wished to serve her and Ferdinand in the future regardless of where they would be–although Rozemyne was fairly certain the appeal was Ferdinand, not her. They were discussing their future over tea just after the Conference had finished and were even wondering when they would officially be considered Werkestock nobles.

Ferdinand seemed conflicted, but then tapped his temple, obviously considering something for himself. “I have one opportunity to sway the zent from this folly, I have a few items I must take care of and will be gone for two or three weeks. Rest assured this will not hinder engagement ceremony planning.”

Rozemyne gave him her best puppy eyes. “You won’t do something foolish, will you, Ferdinand?”

“This is a necessity, and my aides will accompany you while I am gone.”

“Wait! No, that's no good at all, where are you going that you don’t need aides?”

“I will be as safe as any can be,” Ferdinand promised her. “I have decided to become your family and so I would be a fool to run now.”

She flushed very slightly but agreed after Ferdinand made it clear he wasn’t going to allow her protests to sway him.

“Use some time to relax, do not fret, and don’t forget to prepare the engagement stone. I trust you know how?” He asked with crimson ears.

“Of course I do.” She rolled her eyes at such a silly question, then sighed. “Fine, fine. I will need a hug when you return.”

“Fool, have some modesty.”

She pouted again, and this time Ferdinand reached out a hand and allowed them to thread their fingers together. He left the next day, and Rozemyne wondered if maybe Ferdinand was just holing himself up in some hidden room or his chambers but that didn’t seem to be the case. Still, she visited Ferdinand’s office to experiment and relax.

“I think I should do some praying in the nearby shrines,” Rozemyne told Justus and Heidemarie. “Queen Magdelena found that map, didn’t she?”

The two exchanged a concerned glance. “Which?”

“Anhaltung certainly for guidance, Verdräos to protect against ill wishers, Arnwachs to grow bigger. Greifechan for new businesses…”

“A reasonable assortment, do not push yourself to exhaustion over the library or the shrines,” Justus agreed. 

Justus, Eckhart, and her own knights accompanied her on her trips, Justus even joining her in her highbeast along with her knight. “What’s that larger shrine there? It’s not on my map.”

Justus took her map and examined it carefully. “Probably just a small building, not a shrine.”

“But it looks—”

“Milord wouldn’t want you prodding around strange buildings,” Justus continued.

Rozemyne couldn’t really argue with that, even her father forbade her from doing ridiculous things without an adult’s permission. “Fine.”

She was too busy studying heir training to get distracted by more research anyway… 

True to his word, Ferdinand was gone two and a half weeks, and he had the look of someone who hadn’t really slept much. She almost scolded him, but settled for a loose hug instead.

While he was gone, most of the preparations for the engagement ceremony were done on her end. Her dress had finished being made and items were being packed. She even made Ferdinand’s engagement stone! Rozemyne had also gone to the small shrines, which was a huge help in reducing her excess mana and strengthening her elements. For some reason, each time she went to a shrine a feystone was given to strengthen her schtappe and a magic circle for the subordinates was etched onto her mind.

“I see… then we shall have our students visit the shrines as well.”

Needless to say, she had not been idle when Ferdinand was gone. So she was knee deep in resuming her research when he had returned to his office.

“Do you not need to depart from Drewanchel soon to make it to Ehrenfest in time?” He asked. They were due to visit in less than three weeks.

“That would be true if we were using carriages, but father has decided to use the boundary gate circle so it should be fine. Ah, and by that we mean the Frenbeltag gate.” Rozemyne said before returning back to tweaking the prosthetic arm.

Ferdinand sat next to her and tapped his temples. “Boundary gate circle… that is quite unexpected. I shall have to inform Sylvester then.”

Rozemyne looked up and blinked. “Don’t all Aub’s know about it? It would make the matter of transporting our items and people there much faster. Unless… don’t tell me Aub Ehrenfest never uses it?!”

Ferdinand frowned. Silence was affirmative. She sighed.

“Nevertheless,” Ferdinand began as she put her tools down. “He will be informed, and there will be attendants at the gate to receive the transported items. We will also be prepared to receive you there at the appointed time, rest assured.” 

She could see Justus leaving from the corner of her eye, and hoped that Ehrenfest was better than she expected it to be. She would hate to have to hold a bloody carnival on Ferdinand’s relatives while she was there.

Welcome to Ehrenfest

“Aub Drewanchel, we welcome you to Ehrenfest.” Sylvester was kneeling before him, something that Ferdinand found intensely uncomfortable… 

Despite the fact that Ferdinand was well aware of Rozemyne’s tendencies to be loose with her words and actions she was very capable of acting like an upper territory lady, however, and seemed to receive the attention effortlessly.

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Aub Ehrenfest,” Aub Drewanchel said, serving as the lead of the small socialization that occurred at the border due to his highest rank. Several summer greetings were traded, and Rozemyne’s horrid high beast was loaded up with the last of the luggage that was transported on the day. Sylvester led them as the group flew to Ehrenfest city by high beast.

Ferdinand never thought going back to his soon-to-be not home but still a homeland would bring him so much anxiety. He was not even concerned about his own safety during their stay in Ehrenfest, but even knowing how pointless it would be for Veronica to cause trouble, he couldn’t help but worry that she would do exactly that.

When they arrived in the city, Ferdinand fought off the shame when Rozemyne went as far as poking her head out to see their dirty downtown and made a grimace when no one was looking but him. He made a mental note to tell Sylvester to clean up their downtown and lend him a magical circle of Flutrane for a city wide vaschen. Rozemyne had suggested Ehrenfest could buy a patent for paper and pay for it in installments, and from how it looked she would also give the same for a green waste system Drewanchel created. 

It was just a short distance to reach the noble district, where the white city was not too embarrassing to look at. They landed in the courtyard in front of the palace, where the rest of adult members of their archducal house were already waiting. 

Bonifatius was standing slightly to the side with Elvira who was attending to Florencia on one side, while Veronica was conspicuously standing in the middle as if she was the one with highest standing in Sylvester’s absence. Behind her veil she had a noble smile on her lips that didn’t reach her eyes. 

“Anyone to be mindful of other than the wicked stepmother?” Rozemyne asked.

Ferdinand tapped his temple, trying not to be amused and annoyed by the name for Veronica. “Bonifatius is a boisterous knight of a man and uses muscle enhancement constantly so be mindful of him.”

She frowned, “Basically… a Dunkelfelger? I didn’t know there was a marriage between Ehrenfest and Dunkelfelger.”

He couldn’t blame her for assuming. “I have heard there was some… suspicion of Bonifatius’ parentage, but I assure you he is really full blooded brother of my father and not related to Dunkelfelger.” 

“As for the ladies?”

“Elvira is quite astute...”

“Yes, your brother’s proxy second wife.”

Ferdinand coughed awkwardly. “They are not--”

Rozemyne patted his hand. “No, but I understand lady’s society a bit better than you do, Ferdinand.” 

The routine greeting was tense, with Bonifatius correctly but also too loudly talking over Veronica who attempted to welcome them to the palace of Ehrenfest. Aub Drewanchel didn’t seem offended, more amused to see an Ehrenfest that acted like a Dunkelfelger. Aub Drewanchel even brought up that his father had mentioned Bonifatius and how the man was quite famous in his academy days. 

Something about destroying a building in the academy? How is Bonifatius still alive after ruining the royal family’s property? 

Bonifatius just laughed, “Good old days… the Zent kindly pardoned me since I was so young and mistakes in youth should be forgiven to leave room for Anwach and Erwachleren.” 

At last they were let in, the walk to the dining room was a short reprieve for Ferdinand. He had hoped the timing of their arrival would leave some room before dining time as he wished to send Justus out to guard the kitchen just in case. 

Alas his worry for poison was unfounded, because when he subtly checked for poison with the new amulet he created, there was nothing found. However there was something else about the lunch that was obviously displeasing for their guests. It was obvious to him who prepared their lunch menu from the sharp scent of spice of the appetizer, bread with a spread of spiced mince meat. It was a familiar meal to him but not to their Drewanchel guest. 

Obviously Ehrenfest never welcomed guests from higher duchy to their dining table, but to decide the menu not according to their guest’s palette was unacceptable. This could be pardoned if Ehrenfest’s rank was higher, but not the other way around. Sylvester was not so insensitive as to not notice the mood of his guests, his sister in law was paling rapidly as Frenbeltag was a former upper duchy so she would know this was not acceptable. 

Ferdinand could almost imagine she tried only to be rebuked by Veronica like always, it was nothing new. 

“... Ahrensbach’s cuisine.” Aub Drewanchel said after taking a few bites out of politeness. “Not even when I visited Ahrensbach, was I served their special spiced dishes like this.” 

Ahrensbach was always close in rank with Drewanchel but never above, so of course their southern neighbor would serve something less spicy. 

“I-Is that so, Aub Drewanchel?” Sylvester stammered.

“It’s Ehrenfest’s pleasure to give a new experience blessed by Cuococalura.” Veronica interjected with a pleased smile. 

It was a disaster and the lunch continued quietly, and Ferdinand noted Rozemyne had asked for milk to wash off the spiced meal. Ferdinand did the same and indeed the hotness subsided better than drinking water. The Drewanchel group also followed her wisdom, not caring how strange it was to eat their lunch with milk. 

After lunch, tea would be served and they would split by gender. Ferdinand pulled Sylvester aside, because his brother was so confused about what had offended Drewanchel. Sylvester’s face became as pale as plant paper of Drewanchel after Ferdinand finished his explanation. “B-but… I thought serving traditional meals from their fellow upper duchy should not offend them?” 

“Aub Drewanchel has close ties to Ahrensbach, he told you what Ahrensbach served him… it’s a host’s consideration to serve an enjoyable meal. This could be taken poorly in so many ways, from at best Ehrenfest’s terrible preparation to welcome them to Veronica trying to imply fifth ranked Ahrensbach is superior to third ranked Drewanchel.” 

“...Ugh… at least the meal is just too spicy and not… tampered.” 

“Fool! It shouldn’t be tampered in the first place!” 

Ferdinand couldn’t help but be impressed with the Drewanchel delegation, who had taken the need to drink mounds of milk with their meal in stride and not made more than the passing note that the meal was incorrect.

“Aub Ehrenfest,” Rozemyne said as the groups began breaking away into the two groups. 

Sylvester paused, now understanding his folly and was perhaps waiting for a pointed and vehement scolding. Instead she delicately gestured and one of her attendants came over with a modestly sized box. 

“Ferdinand has made clear your taste in spirits and so I offer a bottle of junipsen that should suit your palate.” Rozemyne subtly made it clear that she had asked Ferdinand how to create a gift for Sylvester, again driving home the error of the meal. “It mixes well with aspfelge or mentha.”

The gift changed hands and Sylvester gave his best thanks for the gift and managed to make a few platitudes about continued friendship.

Rozemyne accepted the thanks sweetly and headed off to her ladies tea party. Ferdinand didn’t fail to notice the slightly fond smile from Aub Drewanchel, and Ferdinand reflected that his fiancée was a very lucky woman to have such a doting father and a mother who had taught her so well.

*

That was not the end of it as during their after meal tea, Justus passed him a note made from scrap of Drewanchel’s paper, informing him that the ladies tea party between Rozemyne’s mothers with Elvira and Florencia were almost interrupted by Veronica trying to join in uninvited. She could have been at the tea party if she was Ferdinand’s mother but she was not. It was the height of rudeness to insert herself. 

From the corner of his eyes, he saw an attendant of Aub Drewanchel passing something. Most likely using the same trick Rozemyne taught Justus. As he was sitting beside Sylvester, he passed it to his brother, who quickly pasted a stiff smile as holding his stomach in pain after reading the short note on his mother’s latest mischief. 

She was for sure would also complain to his dearest son about being turned away at the door. Justus had left the room and Ferdinand could guess what his sharp minded attendant and scholar was doing. Justus returned not long after and passed another note that confirmed Ferdinand’s guess. Veronica had come to weep to Sylvester about her treatment, and Ferdinand never realized years of both father and brother’s permissive behavior toward her had accumulated into this. 

Aub Drewanchel conversed as if nothing amiss but his sharp gaze at Ferdinand told everything. He would allow Ferdinand to straighten this matter out and not interfere, however there was a limit and once crossed Aub Drewanchel would not let this matter stay an internal problem of Ehrenfest. 

After the tea party in which Aub Drewanchel graciously offered the paper industry seeing Ehrenfest’s abundant forestry and also their green waste system for a modest price as future relatives, Sylvester was visibly slumping to his chair in the office. His brother looked so worn out, Ferdinand almost took pity on him. 

“Sylvester…” 

“The offer is nice, but my mother… I am so scared Drewanchel gave us all sorts of things but they just silently watch mother make blunders one after another!” Sylvester poured both of them vize from his cabinet, one he saved for special occasions. “They are doing nothing, that scares me even more! It’s like- bam! They will snap at me without warning!” 

“Because that is only proper ,” Ferdinand answered, growing a touch annoyed and wondering what sort of grade his brother had gotten in court manners. “Yes, Veronica should be less…” He didn’t know how to finish that, so he waved his hand, but he imagined Sylvester got the point. “Being a lord of an upper territory involves overlooking a certain amount of boorishness from territories that are not as refined. They will snap at you because your mother has pushed them past the point of all tolerance, not for no reason or without warning.”

Ferdinand himself had had trouble extending the same courtesy to commoners, but Rozemyne had made it clear she considered them part of the same sweeping duty of nobles, as long as it did not undermine the standing of a noble.

“Alright, I get it… so we’re still somewhat… in a precarious situation but still have a chance, what should we do to make our guest comfortable and less offended?” 

“Keeping Veronica out of hosting duty would be a start, and let your wife do her work as proper first lady of Ehrenfest.” 

Sylvester nodded, “Mother won’t be too pleased.” 

“I assure you, it’s less hazardous to your health and our duchy to offend your mother than Aub Drewanchel.” 

For some reason Sylvester was holding his stomach again. “Yeah… I know, he… warned me.” 

“What? During the conference?!” 

“Yes.” 

“And you still let Veronica play host?” After an open warning, Sylvester didn’t keep Veronica out of the palace altogether? Ferdinand couldn’t help but feel the prospect of this visit ending peacefully was becoming even more grim than ever. He knew Sylvester was soft to his relatives, especially Veronica, but this was beyond improper and even dangerous to himself and their beloved duchy. 

“Sylvester… I don’t care how, send her away for the duration of our stay, there is no need to tug the strings in Ventuhichte’s loom by having her around our guests. If you don’t do this, I fear the blessing of Duldsetzen will run out for both our guests and your mother.”

The next morning, Justus informed Ferdinand that Sylvester had gone to see Veronica and asked her to take a leisurely vacation away from the palace. He was soundly rejected, and Sylvester wisely sent Bonifatius of all people to deliver the news that Veronica should take a vacation or else. Ferdinand had hoped Sylvester would have done it himself as their Aub even if he would displease his mother after the first refusal. Then again it was more effective to send Bonifatius who was unafraid of Veronica. 

Chapter Text

Temple Revelations

The breakfast was thankfully correct this time, nothing on the level of Drewanchel’s gastronomy but Florencia’s scholar had contacted both Justus and the scholars of Drewanchel to ask for their preference. So the meal was quite pleasant, and not offensive. 

“Aub Ehrenfest.” Rozemyne began after their plates were cleared from the table. “I believe Ferdinand has informed you of our plan to visit the temple of Ehrenfest, would today be convenient for us to pray in the house of god?” 

Sylvester nodded, “High Bishop has been informed of your wish, there is no ceremony for today so yes… you are welcome to visit the temple.” 

“How wonderful, I thank you ever so much, Aub Ehrenfest.” 

They departed to the temple and Ferdinand was reminded of what he’d recently discovered was hidden beneath the house of god. Also how for years that brother of Veronica was holding the key to the foundation. However he couldn’t show his anxiety now, and thankfully Rozemyne was more amused to see him so impatient to see the magical tool scripture due to his enthusiasm as a researcher rather than realize it was his anxiety as an archduke candidate. 

“Ferdinand, the scripture is not going anywhere.” She giggled. 

The new High Bishop, a neutral archnoble of advanced age, seemed confused by Drewanchel’s interest in his scripture but abided by the request to fetch the book for them from his bookshelves. Ferdinand’s heart was filled with dread when the book was opened without the key. It took all of his noble composure to not demand the High Bishop show him the much more important key, and told himself to be patient. 

Rozemyne frowned like him, but with a different concern than him. “Is your scripture broken?” 

“Pardon me, Lady Rozemyne?” The High Bishop blinked in confusion. “I didn’t see any tears or damage to the book…” 

“No, the scripture is a magical tool, it should not let anyone read it without permission from its owner, namely you…” 

The High Bishop stammered, “I… am new to this position, Lady Rozemyne, so I don’t know. My predecessor didn’t say anything as he was dismissed with haste.”

Rozemyne thankfully went on and asked the whereabouts of his source of anxiety. “And what of the key? If you have taken possession…” 

His answer was not what Ferdinand wanted to hear ever. “A key? I do not know of any key, Lady Rozemyne. The book was not locked when I received it.” 

Rozemyne pushed further, “There’s a keyhole on the scripture.” She pointed out the obvious. How could he not notice? 

The High Bishop nervously glanced at the book, “...I was of lower status than the previous High Bishop, so I dared not question him.” 

A small part of his mind rationalized this as mere harassment from Bezewanst to give trouble to the next High Bishop, however if that was the case he shouldn’t have taken the trouble to give orders such as allowing the book to be read by anyone or leaving it unlocked. If not for Rozemyne’s inquiry, no one would have noticed the peculiarity of the High Bishop’s scripture. The current High Bishop wouldn’t speak up either, fearing repercussion if he dare to imply Veronica’s brother was a thief. 

Which meant… Veronica’s little brother could know the importance of that key and had taken it to himself for a far more malicious reason than harassing his replacement. 

“Ferdinand…” Rozemyne tugged on his sleeve, and slipped a soundproof tool to his grasp. “Are you alright? You have been too quiet, and your expression is so blank, you’re scaring me.” 

Ah, he had been more expressive as Justus said when around her. She had never seen him like this, a mask he wore to protect himself in his darkest period of life. “I am fine… it’s just…” 

Rozemyne nodded, and he returned the tool to her. “Aub Ehrenfest, we need the key to take ownership of the scripture for our experiment. If you can find the key for us, it would be a great help.” 

Sylvester had to stop his instinctive reaction to hold his stomach but they all saw him mid-motion. “Ah… I believe it’s just the previous High Bishop being clumsy and forgetful! He is very old after all, ha ha ha!” 

Bonifatius who was with them frowned, “‘What are you talking about, Aub? Bezewanst is over a decade younger than me! If he is running out of Daoleben’s blessing at that age, what am I?” 

“Uncle…” Sylvester looked pained by Bonifatius who could not read the room. “If you can please fetch the key from the previous High Bishop, it would be very helpful.” 

“Ah, sure.” Bonifatius seemed relieved to leave the temple, and no doubt would use an untold amount of violence to get the key back, how reassuring. When he was a knight commander, Ferdinand was always worried to leave Bonifatius or Karstedt for delicate work, but now he couldn’t be more grateful for Bonifatiius… on second thought—

Ferdinand stepped forward, “I will go with Lord Bonifatius just in case.” 

“In case of?”

“To ensure… Bezewanst keeps Daoleben’s blessing.” 

“Ah right! Thank you Ferdinand!” Sylvester beamed.  

They were only halfway to Bezewanst’s villa near a town named Fontdorf when Ferdinand cursed himself for forgetting to warn Drewanchel that the trip would take at least a bell. However the key and foundation was a much bigger concern for Ehrenfest. When they reached the villa, Ferdinand saw the former High Bishop enjoying Leidenshaft’s rays in his terrace, a feast at his table and a flower within reach. 

Ferdinand was not particularly delicate when he descended to the terrace without as much as a greeting and dragged Veronica’s brother with light rope by his waist out of his chair mid-meal. 

“Ahhh!” The flower fled, leaving her master. 

Bezewanst was still disoriented and only squirmed when he noticed not only Ferdinand but also Bonifatius and his entourage coming uninvited to his abode. “...F-Ferdinand, what the hell is a bastard like you doing here?! I- I am no longer a High Bishop, what business do you have with me! Release me, my sister would not stand for this!” 

He still thought Veronica was the all powerful Chaocipher of Ehrenfest? “Bezewanst, I believe you have something you have forgotten to pass to your replacement.” 

Bezewanst became very pale and that was all the confirmation Ferdinand needed. He waved his hand to Bonifatius, a signal for his uncle to not interfere. He leaned in closer to the fool, grimacing internally to be in the personal space of the disgusting creature. “I- I don’t know anything- he might have misplaced the key or something!” 

“I never mentioned any key…” Bezewanst stopped squirming, and now frozen in fear like a rat being stared at by a vicious lion. “Now…” He said in a low voice so Bonifatius couldn’t hear. “You know the significance of that key, do you?” 

Bezewanst shook his head frantically. Ferdinand was glad the man had no noble composure. 

“Who could have guessed a lowly person like you has been holding onto the key…” 

The former High Bishop couldn’t even form coherent words anymore, he was just trembling and gasping nonsensically. Ferdinand dragged the fool inside with Bonifatius in tow. His attendants, who were entirely female, trembled in fear but didn’t run away and just submissively knelt. He asked them if they knew where Bezewanst kept his valuables. 

A girl Ferdinand remembered might be the flower Bezewanst was holding due to her distinctive hair color then answered with a trembling voice, “...The… bookshelves…” 

“Fetch it for me.” 

She almost crawled to the bookshelves placed in Bezewanst’s bedroom, a piece of furniture that was so out of place because Veronica’s brother was never a studious person. The flower unexpectedly didn’t fetch a key but several books. Upon a closer examination however, they were fake books, boxes elaborately crafted to look like books. He was sure this was something his fiancee would have loved, not that he would ever give her anything Bezewanst ever owned. The key was found inside one of the boxes, together with dozens of letters. 

“Ferdinand, what did you find? Is the key there?” 

“Yes…” 

“...Hm, are those letters? Who would correspond with this pig, anyway?” 

Ferdinand’s eyes narrowed when a paragraph on the letter mentioned a woman’s lament of being sent away because of her brother. “It’s Georgine…” The last person who should know of their treasure was in contact with Bezewanst. 

“Huh… a third lady of Ahrensbach sent letters to Bezewanst? Well… I know they were close when Georgine was still in Ehrenfest but-” 

Ferdinand without warning turned his Schtappe, “Schwert!” And cut off Bezewanst’s right hand, where a ring that should never be in his fingers rested. The man let out an ugly squeal of agony, and Ferdinand was glad he at last could vent at least a portion of his anger. 

“Fe-Ferdinand, what are you doing? I understand wanting to beat this pig up, but to mutilate him is going too far, isn’t it?” Bonifatius asked anxiously, “That damned woman and my nephew will not stand for it!” 

“Just to be safe.” He assured Bonifatius, before chanting a healing spell to stop Bezewanst’s bleeding hand. “We can’t have him commit suicide here…” 

Bonifatius was still skeptical, “I don’t think this coward has the guts. He still cowers behind his sister.” 

Ferdinand then came to a decision, this matter was too important for him to keep to himself. “Let’s just say… Bezewanst is quite aware of the severity of his actions, so even Angriff could have blessed him to do the deed.” 

“Severity?” 

“I will inform everyone else after we return, for now… we have to ensure Bezewanst is sedated and ready for mind reading.” Ferdinand was never so grateful for Sylvester’s softness that spared this disgusting creature’s life after his severe crime of mismanaging the temple. They needed to know how much Bezewanst knew, and… if he had played a dutiful Anhaltung for the Chaocipher beyond their south boundary gate.   

*

Rozemyne spent a few minutes in the High Bishop’s chambers being served mediocre tea and no sweets. Aub Ehrenfest was positively twitching although he had a decent amount of composure despite that. After a moment she asked exactly how far away this former High Bishop was only to realize it was at least a bell’s travel. Well, she would simply have to spend her time some other way.

“High Bishop, I believe I will pass the time with a further tour. Perhaps the orphanage?”

“Th-the orphanage?!” The High Bishop’s voice almost broke.

“It is a part of the temple, is it not?” She had said she wanted to have a tour of the temple, and she was a well-known bleeding heart when it came to orphans, so… even if it was very dirty she would have thought they would have cleaned up a bit.

“It… is…,” the High Bishop agreed, glancing at Aub Ehrenfest and silently screaming his concern.

Rozemyne politely waited for the dull panic to subside, for the High Bishop to send off his aides to try to pretty up the orphanage in a limited amount of time, and sipped her tea very slowly. Eventually it was suggested they should have tea again in the orphanage director’s chambers, a sister named Margaret, and Rozemyne internally sighed, realizing it would be a good deal of time. The place must have been revolting.

It seemed Sister Margaret was baptized as a noble, as she had a ring, but otherwise her manners were… passable. After a few moments, Rozemyne noted the odd composition of the aides, it was more ‘reverse shota harem’ than what she was now used to with perhaps a 75/25 split where any opposite gender aides were employed for unique skills since they couldn’t tend to things like hair, clothing, and baths. 

The gray boys were also all… relatively attractive. 

The tea was slightly better, at least, although it was served by an attendant named Fran with short purple hair, he was a year or so pre-coming of age, but a bit small for his age and clearly hadn’t gotten that last hit of puberty yet that made boys taller, broader, and deeper voiced. First she noted that Fran seemed to shy away from his own master, and her, but not Aub Ehrenfest… and her concerns were further stoked by an impressively dark bruise at the wrist that was only visible when he poured tea or moved cups a certain way.

She felt wretched for doing so, but the next time Fran was near, she moved her hand swiftly toward the boy, although nowhere near close enough to make contact… and he dropped the entire kettle, staggered back, and then swiftly assumed a posture saying he expected to be punished - arms crossed and kneeling.

“Fran, lift your head,” Rozemyne said, voice calm. 

The boy did.

“And tilt it just so…” She gestured to the side, he did, the gray robe rode down just enough to reveal long, delicate bruises along his neck. “Hmm.” She then turned to that woman across from her. “I would appreciate if you would allow my aide Frederick to… examine your attendant, if that is acceptable, Sister Margaret?”

The woman meekly nodded and Rozemyne fixed the woman with her firmest glare.

“So, do you make a side business of your orphans, or merely keep them for your own… interests ?” She didn’t bother to hide her venom.

“The… the temple was to be cleansed of… that,” the High Bishop stuttered. Aub Ehrenfest finally seemed to realize what was being discussed and also looked disgusted.

Frederick’s report was a foregone conclusion, the boy, Fran, was covered in the many marks of depravity that littered the skin of many grays in the time before her uncle had taken over the temple. It seemed just like in her old world, there was a failure to understand that women were not immune to such behaviors.

“I think it would be best to put an end to this… visit, so I may finish my dance with Elpberg,” Rozemyne said, and she stood. “Ferderick, see that this is tended to my satisfaction while I go to the orphanage.”

“Of course, Milady,” Frederick answered immediately. He knew her mind on this matter better than most.

She fled Margaret’s room, elegantly, before she could do something that she would regret, Aub Ehrenfest trailed after her while the High Bishop seemed to have realized that he was best served by staying in the orphanage director’s room to avoid seeing her response to the orphanage, and to deal with Margaret. Although abusing grays was not illegal, it was most certainly not something that should be occuring in a temple, or anywhere really, but she had been told this was a work in progress, not a den of depravity!

Aub Ehrenfest made a few apologies that Rozemyne ignored, eventually stopping to tell the Aub he would do best to cease apologizing and instead consider how to fix the issues that he was so clearly blind to. “I make allowances because your brother is my dearest Erwachleren, but he will also soon no longer be able to serve you as Anhaltung. Think on that , Aub, rather than waste your breath on apologies.”

The orphanage was just as bad as she had expected, most of the grays were filthy, several of the women were pregnant, and after she asked twice if this was all the orphans, including the unbaptized, a dozen or so malnourished prebaptismal children were dug out of who knew where, stinking of who knew what. Rozemyne then introduced herself, raining blessings on all in attendance with healing, growth, cleanliness, and long life… before she announced she wished to speak to any grays who had previously served blues, could read or write, who could perform math, or were artistically inclined.

Most of the grays had little to offer, sadly, and she ended up only finding a half-dozen who were talented enough to serve as aides and who wished to be purchased and leave the duchy. A group of three artistically inclined shrine maidens named Rosina, Wilma, and Jenny all but fled to her side, which was a relief as her musician was to remain in Drewanchel. Two priests named Zahm and Fritz were similarly sharp and seemed more Ferdinand’s type when it came to aides, and Fran said he wished to serve the saint who had seemingly descended from the heights to cast down his tormentor of years. As it turned out Fran just came of age, but was kept malnourished in his mistress’s attempt to keep him boyish and underdeveloped forever. It took all she could to quell her rage again.

She paid one large gold coin and recommended the High Bishop and Aub consider how to cleanse the temple more thoroughly using the funds.

Unfortunately for her aide she had sent downtown to go shopping for ‘incognito’ clothes for her, Ferdinand, Father, and Aub Ehrenfest was… immediately sent out again to find two changes of clothes for the six aides so they could leave the temple in proper clothes.

Ferdinand was almost more furious than her when he returned, and so they retired to the palace for the day rather than explore the downtown area. The fact that he didn’t even complain when she snuck a one-armed hug at his waist said everything.

*

Ferdinand returned from his trip with Bezewanst securely tied to Bonifatius’s escort knight’s high beast. He’d expected one problem of the missing key only for it to be replaced with the Georgine problem, but he’d certainly not expected several more to appear within the city of Ehrenfest. He had left Justus by Rozemyne’s side to assist her or Sylvester in his absence, and Justus had welcomed him mid-air without his usual mischievous smile but a rather grim face. 

The last time Justus wore this expression was the day he had to inform Ferdinand of father’s passing. 

No one had climbed to the towering height, which was a great comfort, however it was no less upsetting. The temple was in progress of cleansing in Ehrenfest, so some imperfection was expected however Ferdinand would never imagine Sylvester had failed spectacularly to ensure anything beyond the lack of visits for flowers and well managed chalices in the temple. 

His fiancee was exposed to the most vile practice in the orphanage, that girl who had a soft heart for children had to witness such depravity in the last place she wanted. When he arrived at the temple, Rozemyne had her attendants were cleaning up the orphanage and Ferdinand laid his eyes on pregnant women, neglected children with empty eyes, and- 

It made him sick, this place looked so, so much like that accursed villa. Rozemyne fled to his side, almost forgetting her composure and Ferdinand looked at her. Their eyes met and Ferdinand saw his expression that reflected on her moon like eyes, there was… an open fury in his face that slowly abated and when he felt her hand on his waist, he let her. 

They returned to the palace because obviously nothing else could be done, and after ensuring his fiancée was calm Ferdinand headed to see his brother. “Sylvester!” He roared, slamming his fist on the table as only the likes of Bonifatius would do. “I trusted you, how could you let a shrine maiden as vile as that woman live? After Bezewanst, you should have investigated more closely for blue robes with such preferences!” 

Sylvester blanched, his brother had never been on the receiving end of his true fury. “I… flower offerings have been banned to the public, but… what the blues did in their own chamber… I…” 

“Sylvester…” Ferdinand hissed, “That woman has a taste for boys in their summer, you have a son yourself…” 

His brother looked like his heart would give out when Wilfred was mentioned, that boy raised by Veronica was also to that vile woman’s taste. “...That… is unfair, how dirty, Ferdinand.” 

“There’s nothing clean about this in the first place, Sylvester, not even Flutrane can wash all the filth.” 

“...I… will have Margaret executed, first thing in the morning for her crime, including for her unsightly display of depravity to our guests.” 

Ferdinand shook his head, learning the lesson for almost suggesting Bezenwast to die. “No, ensure she has nothing else she hides in her mind.” 

“Ferdinand, who the hell would want to read that woman’s filthy mind?! Even if I am Aub, I would not subject any of our subordinates to that.”  

“Sylvester, my trip to Bezewanst’s villa has been very rewarding. For once I thank you for being so lenient to your dear uncle, if he had climbed to the towering height I would have never known he has been corresponding with Lady Georgine.” 

“Sister Georgine? They were always close…”

“Oh, more than close, for her sake, your uncle is more than willing to expose something that potentially will ruin our entire duchy.” Sylvester stiffened at that, “Today has been quite stressful but unfortunately after dinner we are not greeting Schlaftraum.”

Sylvester asked timidly, “....Can I bail tonight, or at least… can’t this wait until the goddess of light shows her face tomorrow?” 

“No.” 

“...Okay just give me a moment to put my Aub mask on…” 

Ferdinand placed a vial of improved stomach ache potion on the table and Sylvester cringed before downing it in one shot. There was a version that had improved taste, but after his successive failure, Sylvester should repent a little. 

* 

The members of this meeting were limited to Ferdinand, Rozemyne, Aub Drewanchel, and Sylvester, simply for the reason they were holders of foundations or soon to be. Dinner had been private in their respective rooms because obviously each of them needed time to compose themselves. Heidemarie had reported that Rozemyne’s mother was fussing over her after what happened in the temple. Unfortunately this matter was so urgent, Ferdinand didn’t want to delay even another bell or for another day. 

“I understand it has been a day full of Glücklitat’s blessing, however the matter I am to speak about is of the utmost importance.” 

Aub Drewanchel turned his head to give a glance over for all aides that already had their back turned and the soundproof barrier that was erected. “Obviously, Lord Ferdinand, what is this all about?” 

Ferdinand placed the scripture they had confiscated temporarily and then the key with yellow feystone. “It’s about the true importance of the key I have discovered when browsing the underground library for duchy management in preparation for going to Werkestock.” He tapped the feystone. “Do you notice anything about the key and scripture?” 

Rozemyne leaned in to look at the key and scripture closer, “Hm… it’s peculiar indeed both the book and key have our respective duchy’s color.”

Sylvester squinted, “It’s yellow… not ochre.”

“Not our cloak, Aub Ehrenfest, the color of our duchy’s dominant mana.” Rozemyne explained. “I was unsure before but now looking at Ehrenfest’s key and scripture, I can confirm it… Drewanchel’s has a mix of gold and green because our duchy is located between the water and the light border gates. While Ehrenfest…” 

“Is the duchy of wind with Schutzaria’s gate.” Aub Drewanchel finished. “If we ask Aub Dunkelfelger, we can be almost sure that his set has the blue color of Leidenschaft.” Then he turned his attention back to Ferdinand. “It’s definitely significant but what more is there?” 

“The dialect of the tablet I found was very old, perhaps dated back to the era of the first millenia of our country. It says-” Ferdinand recited the information written in the oldest script from his wisdom, vaguely alluding to treasure resting at the feet of God’s home in the mortal world. Their most beloved daughter holds onto it, and the key shall open the path. 

Silence fell, and for a moment it was as if nobody dared to breathe and he broke that silence with his conclusion. 

“...There’s a path leading to the foundation in the temple, to be exact… in Mestionora’s sanctuary, the library,” he explained.

They departed once more with haste, and since they were all noble with mana level of Aubs their entourage almost could not keep up with their high beast. When they landed, the High Bishop looked ready to collapse because had to receive a group of honorable guests again on the same day. No one paid heed to his staggering as he led them to the temple, the library was located just across the blue robe’s living quarter. It was a tiny room, not even a third of the High Bishop’s chamber in size. The placement was neither secluded nor prominent, it was just there as if it was a room of no importance. 

So it was no wonder Sylvester questioned, “Is it really… I don’t see how this library-” He walked to the door that was opened by High Bishop, or tried-

“Aub Ehrenfest, wait-” Rozemyne cried out. 

Sylvester then ran to an invisible barrier, reminding Ferdinand of Hirschur when his mentor tried to follow him up the stairs leading to the garden of the beginning. 

“Rozemyne?” Aub Drewanchel turned to his daughter sharply, “You knew the library had such a defense?” But did not tell him was left unsaid. 

“...I tried to enter before I had my ceremony…” She admitted sheepishly.  

The library was not completely defenseless after all, at least to outsiders. The High Bishop was then kept busy to arrange an ordination ceremony for them, with the altars, incense burners, and offerings. “The noble color of spring is green, the color of sprouting young life after the harsh winter. The color of summer is blue, the vast and towering sky all life should aspire for. The noble color of autumn is yellow…” The High Bishop went until the winter season before asking them to join in for the vow.

“O mighty King and Queen of dark and light, most righteous and divine rulers of the wide heavens.”

It was almost the same as the blessing acquisition ceremony, calling out the pillars and supreme couple one by one.“In eternal gratitude for your heavenly powers, I shall worship thee for eternity.

“I shall live with just hearts, calm hearts, and resolved hearts. I shall have faith in thee as the true and just gods.

“I vow that I shall pray to thee, gods of nature; I shall thank you, and I shall prepare offerings for thee.”

Ferdinand repeated word by word the High Bishop uttered together with his brother and Aub Drewanchel, and felt the vow sounded like instruction to grow and become all attributes to the path of Zenthood. It was almost too blatant even! When they were done, his eyes met Aub Drewanchel’s as they had come to the same conclusion.   

“I give these robes to you, those who worship the King and Queen-” 

The High Bishop offered the robes to Sylvester, who stared at him in amusement. “...So, I should put this on before I can go inside?” 

The poor man sputtered, “Erm… it’s part of the ceremony, so-” 

Sylvester took the robes off of the HIgh Bishop’s hands. “Thanks.” 

The High bishop sighed in relief, “O’ pious apostle who will begin to act on the guidance of the Gods, we welcome you.” 

Apostle- Zent was the agent that connected Gods and mortals. As for guidance… 

Sylvester almost asked to borrow a changing room to put on his robes but Ferdinand urged him to move on. Ferdinand ignored Sylvester who was stealthily handing over his robes to Kardstedt for safekeeping, and rushed back to the library. The barrier let them in this time, and in the bookshelves was a statue of the beloved granddaughter of the supreme couple. A very conspicuous piece of furniture as it was made of ivory instead of wood. Sylvester approached the seemingly innocent decoration. 

“...There’s a keyhole…” Sylvester was usually happy to find something hidden like this but not this time. “I… will put it in.” The key was inserted and  turned, the bookshelves moved to the side and a stairs leading underground was revealed. 

“Sylvester, go down and-” His brother grabbed Ferdinand’s hand in an iron grip, his emerald eyes pleading helplessly. “...I will accompany you just in case.” He wanted to confirm with his own eyes if possible anyway. 

They went down, leaving Rozemyne and Aub Drewanchel behind. It was not a long way down but Sylvester was already pale. “...The path looks too much like one in the palace and-” 

There it was, a large circular room with floating orbs in the color of Sylvester’s mana. Sylvester ran to the other side, making a round trip to circle the room. “...The other side is the secret path in the castle…” 

The path to the foundation was not meant to be solely the domain of their mortal power, but in the hands of the gods as well…

Chapter Text

Burdens from Anhaltung

Aub Drewanchel glanced between the assembled Aubs and Ferdinand and Rozemyne as he considered the repercussions. “The Zent is in no mood to be thankful to Drewanchel or Old Werkestock at the moment,” Aub Drewanchel stated firmly. “This information would best be held in reserve until the appropriate time…”

Sylvester shuddered, “Aub Drewanchel, is that wise…?”

“ Wise would be the Zent not punishing Drewanchel for being Anhultung,” he said bitterly. “We can use this when it is needed to help Ferdinand and my daughter, not shared with a man who will just see it as another encroachment on his power.” 

Ferdinand felt his ears heat at the concern of his future father-in-law for him and Rozemyne, with this finding Ehrenfest would also contribute greatly for the country and lessen severe eyes upon them for their rising rank more so than credibility gained the blue priest research. 

“This also would ease our burden in our new land.” Rozemyne exclaimed. “The foundation is found and can be dyed properly…” 

The day full of tribulation ended safely, and Ferdinand was almost sorry that a few days later another trial was in store for Sylvester. His brother was not amused when first thing in the morning during breakfast the day after the temple trip, Ferdinand told him that Aub Ehrenfest had to come with them to Kirnberger in three days for another… confirmation. 

Even more unfortunate, it was not Ferdinand’s suggested experiment that Sylvester could slip away from but his fiancée’s idea. “We have to confirm whether it’s possible to supply the border gate with the High Bishop’s scripture! Who else would be a better fit for the job than Aub Ehrenfest, who is keeper of the gate?” 

It was true, of course. It would be unacceptable for Rozemyne or someone else to dye the key to the scriptures at this point, as Sylvester needed to keep the key on his person at all times. This would also ease Ferdinand’s concern that the gate could be supplied when he was gone…

The four of them and their entourages set out to Kirnberger after breakfast of the appointed day, and were greeted warmly by Giebe Kirnberger. They surveyed the city some as their attendants put away their items, and Ferdinand could not help but note how deserted the city was.

When asked, the giebe lowered his head sadly. “Kirnberger was once the epicenter of trade with Bosegaitz in the era of Eisenreich, and was a bustling city. However… with the gate closed, many sought to live elsewhere. Over the decades, the soil here has worsened despite the chalices…”

Could the gate be drawing mana from the land to supplement the lack of supply?

Aub Drewanchel nodded. “I would hope that if our experiment works, your land will have abundant blessings of Flutrane once more.”

“If that were true I would be ever so grateful.” The stalwart giebe said, a look of relief on his face.

After touring around the town, they finally came upon the Wind Border Gate and Ferdinand could not help but be impressed when he saw it. The gate was taller than the boundary gates, taller than Ehrenfest castle even. The gate itself was white with ornate carvings on the closed door and a rainbow-like sheen forming a barrier over it. A fortress was on either side of the gate almost like a wall, though was only about a building’s length. The sky above the gate had ripples in it, almost like a warning that the edge of the country was in sight.

“It is magnificent.” Aub Drewanchel murmured in awe. Everyone nodded in agreement.

The giebe gave a brief overview of the history of the gate, and then it was finally the moment of truth. Sylvester approached the gate with the temple scriptures while everyone else was a few paces back. After a few tense moments, Sylvester lifted up the tome and tapped it to the gate.

“Ugh!”

“Sylvester!” 

Karstead reached out to catch him and Ferdinand rushed forward to examine him. “What happened?! A protective ward? Poison? Or did it repel?” Were their hopes all for naught?

Sylvester shook his head, his complexion pale. “No it worked all right… but it sucked out my mana like crazy! It was like my mana was pulled into the gate in an instant!”

He helped Sylvester stand and gave him a recovery potion. It was a testament to how much Sylvester was drained that he took it without complaint.

“It works, then. It would be expected of the gate to pull mana after centuries of going without a supply.” Aub Drewanchel mused.

Rozemyne and Ferdinand exchanged a look. The depleted state of the gate mirrored the country's foundation. Perhaps the border gate supply would go to the country’s foundation as well?

“Perhaps you will have to supply it each season, a bit at a time,” Aub Drewanchel advised. “It should get easier when the gate isn’t so depleted, at least that’s my theory.”

They returned to their lodgings after some discussion, and spent a few days in Kirnberger while Sylvester recovered his stamina. Aub Drewanchel and Ferdinand explored the local feytrees in the area, while his bookworm of a fiancée copied old Eisenreich literature. It was a peaceful time, and soon it was the day before the departure back to Ehrenfest city as they were due for the engagement ceremony in little more than a week and some preparations needed to be done.

Ferdinand should have known the peace would not last.

They had dinner as usual, Rozemyne chatted enthusiastically not only about the old literature but also ingredients native to the region that would taste like Geduldh’s blessing. She promised it would be served upon their return. 

After dinner, he wished his fiancée a blessing from Schlaftraum and was on his way with his entourage back to their quarters. He didn’t get too far, as one of her attendants chased after them. “Lord Ferdinand… May I have a moment?” 

Ferdinand became suspicious, if there was anything they could have sent an ordonanz to Justus as usual but she ran after them and addressed him directly. “Of course, is there a message from Rozemyne?” Something confidential perhaps? 

“...Please come with me, Lord Ferdinand.” 

He was now alarmed, because Rozemyne had her attendant invite him to her bedroom. It was beyond improper, and if there was a concern she could have asked for her father so something really concerning must have happened. Ferdinand was led inside the room, much to his relief Rozemyne looked fine and was sitting in the lounge portion of her bedroom. 

“What’s wrong Rozemyne?” 

She didn’t answer right away, but with a wave of her hand one of her scholars carried a… pillow with gloved hands and a cloth mask over the bottom half of her face. They were also keeping a fair distance away. 

“...We found poison in the pillow.” 

Justus joined in with the inspection, while Ferdinand kept his fiancee company even though he was tempted to check it himself. Rozemyne thankfully never approached her bed close enough to be affected, she and her attendant noticed due to the previously smooth bed sheet having creases on it. Whoever tampered with the pillow was definitely not an attendant or not a good one. 

His scholar returned, holding a jar with a vacuum lid Rozemyne designed. Inside the jar was powdered dried grasses. Justus examined the item and even Ferdinand recognized the combination of dried plants, separately it was just fragrant and could be used to refresh the room but together it became a vicious poison with a pleasant scent, the victim would die in their sleep. 

“With this dose… it would have taken just one night,” Justus reported with grim assurance.

Ferdinand gritted his teeth in frustration and Rozemyne gently grasped his clenched fist. “Rozemyne… this is…” 

“My father will be very fair, but please… do not ask for Verbergen’s blessings. Remember… Soon you could no longer be your brother’s Anhaltung. You can’t let this go now.” 

He was actually more than willing to agree this case had to be properly investigated. He couldn't care less if it was him they were after, however it was unacceptable they attempted to harm Rozemyne. For better or worse, this particular kind of poison carried a strong scent and one of the flowers shed pollen everywhere; the benefit was in the ease of procuring the items. Whoever did this was neither meticulous nor careful, Justus believed they could easily find pollen on their person or left over in their room. 

A search was conducted that very night, leaving the culprit very little time to hide evidence. Every nook and cranny was searched, and it took little for one of Rozemyne’s scholars to find not only pollen on one of Sylvester’s scholar’s sleeves but also traces of the leftover poison. They were also as swiftly incapacitated by severing their right hand and sedating them. 

Sylvester’s look of utter despair pained him, it was not confirmed but was almost certain who was the instigator of this assasination attempt. This scholar, like the majority of Sylvester’s aides, was a Veronican noble. The one who could order him to do this grave crime was either Sylvester or… Veronica herself. 

* 

To say that Sebastian was unimpressed by Ehrenfest was a staggering understatement. If not for the example the eldest prince has given recently he would have been blind to how much mediocrity could come from even the best situations, so perhaps it was understandable that Ferdinand could have come from horrid ones.

Glücklitat was Leidenschaft’s subordinate god alongside Anwachs and Erwachleren for a good reason it seemed. Those who never had to persevere against adversity would never grow and learn. The predecessor Aub Ehrenfest’s two sons were a perfect example of this, both were supposed to be raised in the same environment but they couldn’t be more different. 

Lord Sylvester who was pampered all his life and Lord Ferdinand who survived through trials with heavy shackles from Chaocipher. 

From the perspective of a researcher, Sebastian found it very enlightening. At the same time it was also a confirmation that Drewanchel's way of encouraging healthy rivalry and hardwork in their children was correct! 

Sebastian supposed he could tolerate more than several mistakes Ehrenfest made, like a father would a clumsy child bumbling their way in their first winter room. However it became progressively worse. He could ignore spicy meals or an old Chaocipher throwing a tantrum over not being invited for tea. The temple’s failure was barely tolerable. But then—

The obnoxious woman that Aub Ehrenfest called ‘mother’ just had to cross the line. 

She tried to assassinate Sebastian’s daughter.

And that crime he would never tolerate. Never. There could be no explanation, no excuse, no mitigating circumstances that could make this anything but a crime that could have given Sebastian leave to level the duchy.

“Aub Ehrenfest… I demand your mother, Veronica, be punished for this crime against both my daughter and your brother.”  He said as soon as they returned to the castle.

“A-Aub Drewanchel, there might be a misunderstanding-” 

“Sylvester!” Lord Ferdinand barked harshly at him, “The one who is found guilty for putting that bundle of poisonous plants is an aide of yours, a Veronican noble who will only move only by your order or Veronica’s!” 

Sebastian inwardly sighed, Lord Ferdinand was young and it was obvious why he jumped to rebuke his brother. It was to protect Lord Sylvester, because being rebuked by Lord Ferdinand was less severe than if Sebastian did it. 

“We all know you don’t have the motivation, no one in the Archducal house of Ehrenfest has the motivation but Veronica,” Ferdinand continued.

A subtle and gentle reminder to this naive Aub, if he didn’t hand over his mother he would lose everyone in his family. Lord Ferdinand was called the lord of evil by Dunkelfelger folks but as his daughter said, he was actually a very gentle man to those he cared about.

“Let me not dance with Grammaratur,” Sebastian said firmly. “I am being generous enough to not contact the Zent and bring down swift collective punishment on the entire Ehrenfest archducal clan like Gotlistrafe the Goddess of Retribution. I am only requesting punishment of the criminal. However, if you choose to insult my intelligence one more time that consideration might be revoked regardless of how much I favor Lord Ferdinand. So choose.”

Lord Sylvester swallowed, and Sebastian stared him down. Was this criminal of a woman more important than Aub Ehrenfest’s wife and children, his family, his duchy? If that were true… then Lord Sylvester was beyond saving.

He waited, letting his gaze pierce the immature Aub in this test of character in what must be the true first trial of Gluklitat Lord Sylvester ever faced. After a few tense moments, Aub Ehrenfest replied, “Ehrenfest is not the herald of chaos, as the land of Schutzaria we shall not shelter my mother if she was entranced by Chaoscipher’s temptation. Drewanchel… may request punishment as you see fit.” 

Not perfect marks, Aub Ehrenfest still said if, which meant a proper investigation even though the motivation couldn’t be more obvious. The fear and jealousy of her hated stepson becoming the consort to the Aub of an upper territory must have terrified the old woman. Even outside Ehrenfest she was well-known for being almost psychotically paranoid about Lord Ferdinand.

Lord Ferdinand once again became his brother’s salvation when his exceptional scholar, Justus, returned after tracking down how the poison reached the culprit’s hand. Sebastian had no idea what trick the Lord of Evil used but when Lord Bonifatius barged into Veronica’s room, a supply of similar poison was found in a small chest. A witness among her aides also came forward with a confession that Aub Ehrenfest’s scholar had come to pick up the poison the day before their departure to Kirnberger. 

Sebastian could see how a witness could be made through blackmail and other tricks, however this woman couldn’t be foolish enough to store her poisons in her own room at the very least. The standard practice was to have it kept by her closest confidants who would loyally take the fall for her even if she was found. So it was almost certain that an agent of Lord Ferdinand moved the storage place to Veronica’s room. 

It was crude but understandable since Lord Ferdinand was in haste to close this case. 

Sebastian could not be more pleased with his daughter and her entourage, however. Poison was a relatively rare concern in Drewanchel, as it was considered uncouth not to solve a problem with intellect, but despite this her aides had swiftly noticed the issue and the cause. If this was the case, he could rest a little easier with her being in a land of rebels soon. 

Rozemyne was also swiftly moving to keep an eye on her aides, and ordered the rest of her possessions checked, an obvious and necessary precaution. He was glad to see that as much as Lord Ferdinand obviously wanted to tear apart hidden rooms and probably that woman’s mouth, he stayed by Rozemyne’s side, his hand resting near hers so she could soak in that comfort from him when needed.

Lady Florencia was just the opposite, finally having had enough of her husband’s bumbling. It seemed she largely didn’t wish to be in the man’s sight. That deflated the young Aub even more.

“Sylvester?” Lord Ferdinand prompted after the evidence had been heard: poisoned pillow, plants in the possession of both the aide and that woman herself, confessions of three aides… 

“Why would she…?” It seemed even now the Aub was having trouble understanding what Chaocipher had whispered to tempt Veronica. 

“If it baffles you so, Aub Ehrenfest, then read her mind as expected of a criminal after her punishment. No, as a matter of fact I order you as your Anhaltung to do so.”

“Her… punishment? If she were executed, then… read my mother’s mind?”

Sebastian sighed and Rozemyne stepped forward. “Death would be too kind if she is guilty of all that she has been accused of. There are fates worse than death.” Unlike her usually bright self, there was a righteous fury pouring out of her that even without Crushing made Sebestian tense.

“Bring forth the criminal.” Sebastian ordered.

Veronica was brought into the room with cuffs that sealed her schtappe, screeching about her innocence and how an outsider dared falsely accuse her and poison her son against her. Rozemyne’s expression was flat and cold.

“ You , that bastard’s fiancée—”

So it seemed Sebastian was not incorrect in his assumption, Rozemyne’s new position likely frightened Veronica, a tenth ranked upper duchy heir’s husband was ‘too good’ in her mind.

“May Schlautrum the God of Dreams and Goltistrife the Goddess of Retribution give you a harrowing and lasting slumber.”

Gold and white light flew out of Rozemyne’s ring, and the vile woman was sedated near instantly.

“What was that, Rozemyne?” Lord Ferdinand asked, peering over her shoulder curiously.

“She will sleep for a few bells, long enough to give her the punishment planned for her sentence. It will be a sleep full of nightmares, a penance for what my fiancé went through because of her.”

Lord Ferdinand blinked in surprise, while his scholar looked on in interest. As expected of his daughter, whether it is rewarding her loved ones or punishing her enemies, Rozemyne always gave back tenfold. It was times like these he was glad she was his daughter and not his enemy.

“Father, do I have your permission?”

“As the slighted one, you are free to implement the punishment of your choosing.”

Rozemyne nodded and looked to his head scholar. “Bring me the tamed cordyspore.”

Sebastian internally shuddered, but he nodded. It was an excellent choice, the woman would be destroyed and her mana would not be robbed from the struggling duchy.

“Cordyspore…,” Ferdinand looked at her and Sebastian knew he understood what was being asked. “The fungus you told us would control the mind and rot the victim?”

His daughter shook her head as the scholar handed her a loaded syringe, full of a cloudy purple liquid, the deadly spores. “This one… is an experimental strain that is quite different. It will not kill her.”

Ferdinand was still for a moment and then nodded. “Would you allow me?”

Rozemyne was obviously startled.

“It is an Ehrenfest matter, and…” he said nothing else but Rozemyne agreed while Ferdinand was walked through the procedure by her scholar.

She nodded, and placed a hand on Ferdinand’s shoulder for a moment before she continued to explain: “Her mind will be gone, but her body and mana will remain and be able to flow.”

Ferdinand injected the needle in the woman’s arm, and when he had finished he handed the syringe to Sebastian’s head scholar, removing his gloves.

“You call that tame?! B-but what if I read my mother’s mind and find that she is innocent?!”

“As I said, it will not kill her, at least.”

“What if you harmed an innocent person?!”

Rozemyne smiled wryly, forgiving Sylvester for his lack of etiquette given the circumstances. Sebastian was not feeling as charitable but he had abdicated his right to punish Ehrenfest to Rozemyne. “It takes a couple bells for the spores to reach the spinal cord. We have the antidote, which can reverse it if done in time. The sleeping blessing also works for a few bells given the amount of mana I used so… If you intend to prove your mother’s innocence, then I suggest you waste no time in reading her mind then.”

The various attendants around Sylvester scurried about to grab the circlet for mind reading while Ferdinand came to stand near Sebastian’s daughter. “Sylvester will… probably forgive me,” Ferdinand said softly. “Although… Perhaps I want to hide you in my cloak too much.”

Sebastian felt a slight heat at his neck, knowing it was likely meant as protection, not inappropriately forward, but Rozemyne sighed and gave him a nod.

“I am to be your husband, so… rely on me.”

“I will… I just do not wish to see you suffer any more. You have been through enough.”

Ferdinand smiled. “If it is for my Geduldh, I am willing to fight the trials that come. I do not fight battles I cannot win, after all.”

“Ahem.” Sebastian cleared his throat, and as he suspected the two forgot he was even there. He was glad that the two found the beginnings of spring, but he was still Rozemyne’s father!

“Shall we retire until Sylvester finishes the mind reading?” Ferdinand suggested, his ears a deep crimson.

They agreed. While Ferdinand went to check on his brother, the group disassembled to rest in their rooms before the goddess of light fully ascended in the sky.

*

Ferdinand understood mindreading Veronica would be a toll on Sylvester’s mind. He didn’t want this burden put upon his brother but Karstedt who stayed by Sylvester’s side disagreed. Both of them were raised as Sylvester’s ministers their whole life, and while Kardstedt had not experienced the worst of Veronica’s harassment he had taken the fall so to speak for Sylvester too many times to count. The example being marrying a Veronican woman, which was like sleeping with a naked sword next to you. 

“We have spoiled him too much.” Kardstedt said mournfully. “Elvira yelled at me on the first day of the visit, Sylvester should never let Veronica act… like his first wife.” His voice became really small at the end of it. 

“...Is this something we don’t understand about lady’s society?” Ferdinand kept that strange comment from Rozemyne about Elvira being the second wife to himself. 

Kardstedt shook his head, “Nevertheless… we have shielded him from everything over the years, now Sylvester has to see everything and more.” He looked down at Sylvester’s prone form. “...He acts all big and strong but inside he is still that kid that cowered behind me because Georgine bullied him.” 

Ferdinand almost forgot about Georgine after everything, he had to go over that problem with Sylvester before he left. 

Suddenly without warning, Sylvester was snapped awake, eyes wide in fear and despair. “Sylvester?! Are you alright?” 

“Sylvester!” Yelled Kardstedt. 

His brother gasped, eyes unfocused. One hand of his clutched his chest while the other pulled at his hair. “No, mother no, stop please-”

“Sylvester”

He began to hyperventilate, his eyes still not focusing. “Please don’t do this--”

He was yelling, borderline screaming “Someone please stop her- MOTHER NO— ”

Ferdinand quickly acted when Sylvester was about to claw his own eyes out. “Kardstedt, help me restrain him before he hurts himself!” His brother’s knight quickly took one side, grabbing hold of his arms while Ferdinand approached his panicking brother from the front. “Sylvester, look at me!” Ferdinand ripped the circlet off of his head and grabbed Sylvester’s face with both hands, etiquette be damned. “Brother! Focus!”

Sylvester blinked a few times. “Ferdinand? You’re alive?”

Well that explained some of what he saw.

Ferdinand nodded. “As you can see, brother. I am here. We are not in her head anymore. So breathe slowly before you lose consciousness.”

He breathed slowly as an example, walking him through until reason made its way into Sylvester’s features. The haunted look still did not leave his eyes.

“What the hell did you see in there?” Karstedt asked, letting go as Ferdinand gave Sylvester a healing blessing just to be safe. His brother was drenched in sweat, and his face began to be streaked with tears.

He stifled his sobs, hand rose to cover his eyes, “Everything… everything people said was true… worse than I could ever imagine. Where do I even start?”

Why would Sylvester read that deep in the first place? “Calm down and say it one by one. You asked me how I was alive?” Ferdinand asked. 

Sylvester’s face contorted with pain. “I knew mother never liked you, but the things she did to you. The poison, those ghastly women, the mana draining. How did father let this happen? How could you endure, why didn’t you tell me? I am a failure as an older brother…”

Ferdinand shook his head. “You were the only one who truly accepted me in this family, Sylvester. I have never resented you, not once. It was not your fault.”

Sylvester shook his head, almost like a child. “You did not feel that intense hatred, Ferdinand. The things she had done to you… then all of those families, those children…”

Karstead flinched. Now they had proof that what Elvira had told him, that what Karstead had also been denying on Sylvester’s behalf, was true.

Sylvester fell upon Ferdinand’s shoulder and openly wept. He started speaking in a stream of consciousness of all the wickedness that he witnessed but never wanted to know. The Wigenmiche made barren or bereft of their children. The mana in the land running dry from chalices being given to her allies. Then lust for power mixed into a twisted love for Sylvester, attempts at poisoning him lightly or incapacitating him so she could make decisions and stay in control….

“I failed Florencia… I failed Father… my sister was right… How could I go on to be Aub Ehrenfest when the blood of Chaocipher runs through my veins? How do I live with this?”

Ferdinand was speechless. He knew Veronica was a horrid woman but the weight of that woman’s crimes were now also on Sylvester. How could she do all of that to her own son? For all her cruelty, Ferdinand had believed she had loved Sylvester purely as Wigenmiche. 

“Even Wilfred…” Sylvester was not done. “Our firstborn child she robbed from us… I wanted to see if at least she had ever loved her grandson.” Obviously what he saw was again not what he wanted to see. “She has raised him to be incompetent, intending to leave him to fail as an archduke candidate and blame it on Florencia’s blood! She would cast aside her own grandson to demote Florencia.” His sob that had abated restarted again.

Ferdinand’s breath hitched, he never would have expected such a maneuver, it was unbelievably cruel. “Sylvester I…” 

The smile Sylvester directed to him was heartbreaking, “That woman I called mother… loves no one but herself, we were all fooled Ferdinand… even you were convinced that she loves her family, when really she loved power more.” It was now clear what Sylvester had been looking for, perhaps at first her crimes as he should as Aub Ehrenfest but then… Sylvester was just a child trying to find in every nook and cranny of Veronica’s mind if there was ever compassion and love he could find. 

That was why it took so long, even longer than usual for Sylvester to mindread Veronica. 

“Sylvester,” Ferdinand said, holding his brother. He tried to think of what Rozemyne would say, the person was somehow sweet and strict and wise beyond her years. “This pain… Anhaltung blessed you with it, but also with these revelations before Dregarnuhr spun our threads into a worse weave. You are not your mother. Your son is still young, and with this will return to your hands. I am alive. Florencia is alive and by your side.” 

Ferdinand pondered… even he was shocked at the cavalier treatment of Wilfried although most of the rest was more or less expected. His dear fiancée had saved them from extreme punishment and given Sylvester a trial that it seemed had finally shaken him from his complacency. 

“What I mean to say is… Now you know the sins your mother made, and you are not at fault for them. But… now that you know the truth, you can make things right. I believe you can do that… because you are my big brother.” 

Ferdinand felt awkward, wishing he had better words to help console the only brother in the world he had. His father was gone so… they only had each other. He just held onto him, feeling that if he didn’t Sylvester would wither away. They stayed like that for a few moments, Karstead putting a hand on Sylvester’s shoulder in support as well. It was unclear how long they stayed there, before Sylvester pulled away.

“Thank you, both of you. I would offer a drink but it would seem the goddess of light already made her ascent.” Sylvester tried half heartedly to joke, and Ferdinand didn’t even scold him.

“Will you return to your chambers or to Florencia’s?”

As it was just the three of them in Sylvester’s hidden room, Veronica was limp over in the other corner. Sylvester shook his head. “I shall remain here for a while. I don’t think I… that I’m ready to face Florencia yet.”

Ferdinand nodded. “Understood.”

“Karstedt can you take m--that woman away to the White Tower at once?” Sylvester did not even look in Veronica’s direction. It went unsaid that Sylvester no longer sought the cure for her anymore, accepting that her fate was a more than justified punishment. Karstedt got to his feet without a word and wrapped the vile woman in a mana bind, taking her out of the room.

Ferdinand watched them go, and then turned back to his brother worriedly. Sylvester put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m… well I wouldn’t say fine, but I am better now. Truly. I have my sanity back, thanks to you little brother. And Anhaltung has blessed me with more clarity than I have ever received before. So go back and rest Ferdinand.”

Sylvester’s face did look more steady, but that hopeless, haunted look did not leave his eyes just yet. Ferdinand’s chest tightened, but he was uncertain what else he could say. Instead, he said. “You need rest as well, so… May Schlautrum the God of Dreams give my brother a peaceful rest and a respite in a dream.” He tried to replicate what Rozemyne did, only… a much more benign version. A tiny fraction of mana was used as white blessings fell upon his brother. Sylvester’s eyes slowly closed, and Ferdinand laid him down on a bench, pulling a cloak over him, with a small pillow under his head. He quietly left the hidden room.

At the very least, after the trial he went through, Sylvester deserved a bell or two of peace.

Years ago, he might have gone to his own hidden room to take some sleeping potion of his own, but instead he sent word to ask if Rozemyne was awake yet and found she was. She invited him to meet him in the gardens in response, and a light meal was waiting for him when he arrived.

“Is your brother…?”

“He will be well eventually,” Ferdinand answered. “Your poisoner is in the White Tower, and I am glad you weren’t harmed.” 

She beamed at him, “Well, my aides promised me an uninterrupted morning of reading… unless you would like to stay with me?”

“Read,” he said. “I will stay regardless.”

Justus found them a particularly nicely shaded tree that could be protected at a distance, and he and Rozemyne sat there, soaking up some dappled Ehrenfest sunlight, and Rozemyne introduced him to a ‘lap pillow’.

He didn’t think Aub Drewanchel would be particularly pleased to see his daughter teasing her fingers through his hair while he laid his head against her thigh… but he didn’t see, and so Ferdinand dozed in Rozemyne’s lap as she read and stroked his hair.

*

Aub Ehrenfest and Lady Florencia were a famous romance in the academy, and when she and Ferdinand were first engaged the teachers even said Ferdinand and Rozemyne reminded them of the pair. Of course there was no such heartrending romance to begin with between them, and Ferdinand was certainly not trying to sweep her off of her feet with his lady killer voice. 

Their story fascinated Rozemyne regardless, she wanted to make a book out of it. The first time she tried to write a romance novel based on Cinderella, mother Minerva had to drag her to a hidden room for a lecture. Aub Ehrenfest and Lady Florencia were perhaps one of the few different status love stories she had ever heard in this country. 

Unfortunately, the adage of her old world- never meet your idol was proven true. The reality was not as sweet, and there was no happily ever after. When Lady Florencia was courted by Ferdinand’s brother, nobody factored in the evil step-mother who was also evil mother-in-law to Lady Florencia. Rozemyne was horrified because that woman pretty much treated her daughter-in-law as a mere womb to give her son heirs and refused to pass the faction or any power to Lady Florencia. 

Even the faction named Florencian was actually managed by Lady Elvira, who was practically Aub Ehrenfest’s second wife in everything but marriage! Lady Florencia herself was in over her head now as she was never thrusted to a proper first lady’s position in Ehrenfest. It was awful- her romantic marriage was a scam! Return her dream back! 

When her mother Minerva tried to draw Florencia out and perhaps help her step into the place of the newly banished Veronica… it quickly was noticed that Florencia was pregnant, or ‘with Geduldh’s burden’ as they would say. Instead of lectures and learning, mother Minerva had used it as an excuse to lecture Rozemyne . Mother, I am not so flighty and irresponsible !

“Pregnant while her duchy is in a mana drought?! She is lucky you did not have that mother-in-law of hers properly executed and cause even deeper troubles!”

“It… did happen before Aub Ehrenfest was chastised…,” she made a weak excuse, feeling like she had taken the role of Ferdinand as a mindless pamperer before she straightened her spine. “No, it was foolish, but it is done.”

“True enough,” her mother agreed.

In the end, Rozemyne felt bad imposing on the woman Florencia had used to manage the factions of Ehrenfest while doing nothing, but they invited Elvira to tea to gather how to approach Florencia. The woman was very wise, definitely trained well enough to be the Second Lady of an Aub. The banishment of Veronica had also made her tongue a bit loose when it came to discussing what the duchy needed.

Elvira had many recommendations for second wives in hand, something that it seemed she constantly collected as girls grew into adulthood. It meant that whenever the archducal family agreed a second wife could be offered.

“None of these factions supported Ferdinand, did they?” Rozemyne whispered softly as the three of them discussed details.

“Many in Ehrenfest are fond of him,” Elvira assured Rozemyne, “but he was not someone anyone could safely support. Lady Veronica’s hate for him burned beyond any sort of reason and…”

Elvira paused, clearly considering what to say and if she should say it, before finally releasing a breath. “Lady Florencia often had her scholars direct ire from her to Lord Ferdinand. The last years have been more difficult for her without that scapegoat.”

For some reason, an attempted assassination didn’t make her want to turn Ehrenfest into white sand but that did. Instead she powdered a few feystones before returning to some amount of composure.

“Well, Ferdinand will be with me in Old Werkestock soon,” Rozemyne announced what they already knew. “He will not be able to take ire from Aub Ehrenfest or Lady Florencia or anyone else any longer. Mother and I will leave Florencia with firm advice and if she fails I’m afraid it will fall to you to force her hand.”

Elvira bowed her head slightly. “It’s only right,” Elvira said. “Ehrenfest has relied on Lord Ferdinand for far too long.”

The almost depressing state of ladies’ society of Ehrenfest concluded, they asked for a change of tea.

“Lady Rozemyne, if I may?” Elvira began tentatively.

Rozemyne nodded. This was Eckhart’s mother and Heidemarie’s mother-in-law, she was doubtless a wonderful lady and mother and would not be inappropriate or—

“Would you be willing to discuss your first meeting and courtship with Lord Ferdinand?”

… What? Rozemyne hid behind a sip of tea and even glanced at her mother to check with her about what had just happened, but her mother just seemed amused!

“W-well I first met Professor Ferdinand in the library! He helped me with a heavy scroll but of course I was already aware of his excellence since I am a Drewanchel…”

Lady Elvira, the perfect middle territory Second Lady, was a surprise gossipy auntie! The greatest element was that she knew all about the adorable side of Ferdinand who had grown up under harsh circumstances but still knew of the growing legend of the Lord of Evil even when he was a tiny angel!

It was quite fulfilling to hear about the sweet secrets of her fiancé that Justus was too loyal to expose. Elvira also seemed to like anyone who understood exactly how wonderful Ferdinand was as well!

She also spent time with Ferdinand, of course, and thankfully she could ignore Mother and Father aggressively tutoring the Ehrenfest archducal couple.

“I would like to go to Drewanchel too, perhaps next year,” Ferdinand said as they walked through a modest garden.

“Oh?”

“I want to see… somewhere that made you the lady you are today, just like you wanted to see Ehrenfest to know me better. I especially want to meet your uncle.”

Rozemyne smiled up at him and gave him a nod. “Very well. We will do that next summer?”

They fell silent for a long moment before Ferdinand cleared his throat. “I don’t know what I would have done if Veronica had succeeded. I think… Veronica would not have survived. Any attempt to have been cautious and meticulous would have been shattered and I would have destroyed her utterly. Perhaps I would have even attempted to bar her from the towering heights.”

Rozemyne swallowed at his confession. “I… understand. I felt that way often… when I heard about your life here. I think I hoped she would sin unforgivably and allow me the pretext to destroy her.”

“I admire your ruthlessness.”

She flushed. “I couldn’t imagine leaving that wicked stepmother in comfort even in the White Tower. I only wish she could have suffered more. I often… dislike what it means to be noble, I am not a perfect noble by any means, but sometimes I am happy to be able to be so ruthless.”

Ferdinand reached out and brushed his fingers over the back of her hair for a moment. “Thank you. I… I think my father would have wanted me to support Sylvester more and I always felt guilty when I thought I had abandoned him, but… Veronica is defeated and Sylvester and Florencia are even having the lessons my father should have given them long ago. I think I can leave Ehrenfest in peace knowing that it might be able to heal.”

Rozemyne knew how hard that was, especially when Ferdinand had not abandoned her to Old Werkestock. She had won against Sylvester… against the shade of the old Aub… Without thinking she reached up and touched the courtship feystone at her neck.

“Thank you for making me your goddess, Ferdinand.”

He didn’t seem to know what to say, so instead he simply nodded. She knew not to expect much from her fiancé sometimes, so she smiled and enjoyed the summer weather more with Ferdinand.

Dregarnuhr spun her threads smoothly as her parents stepped in as Ewarchlaren. Ferdinand seemed relieved to report that the light of hope returned to Sylvester’s eyes… perhaps having a mentor was what Sylvester needed most right now.

Before she knew it, the day of their engagement was upon them.

Chapter Text

Engagement

Ferdinand had been in all manner of lethal or perilous situations without once losing his nerve. He had withstood punishment from Veronica, had several close calls in ditter with Heishitze, and even confronted a former god twice. Yet he was never shaken.

But why, on the eve of his engagement, did he feel as nervous as if he was facing down a pack of full grown tunisbelfalen alone without a schtappe?

“Milord, why do you look as if a ditter bell has rung the night before your engagement?” Justus said with an amused smile as he was brushing his hair.

“...I am not sure if I am prepared for this… or good enough for it.”

Justus put down the brush, stepped forward to face him, and knelt. “Milord. I have never seen Liebeskuhilfe form a better match. Trust me when I say that like all other battles we have faced, in this moment it is one where you will absolutely win.”

Ferdinand’s brow furrowed slightly. He had only ever thought he would be with someone because of a political alliance to benefit Ehrenfest or to escape from Veronica’s wrath, or else he would prefer to have his thread unencumbered by another person. But Rozemyne… at first she was an interesting student who defied all of his expectations. 

Now she… she had chosen him. Rozemyne has claimed him as family, prioritized his heart, and in the last few days helped set his brother on the right path. For as long as he could remember, everything Ferdinand held precious was viciously robbed from him. So… how could he not be afraid to think of this as happiness?

“Chaoscipher’s curse has been broken, milord. You, out of anyone , deserve to reach out and take your happiness in this weave. As your subordinate, I will fight to ensure it will stay that way. So for now, why not look forward to tomorrow and experience Bluanfa’s dance one note at a time?”

It was not merely nerves, however, it was his life, his fate, his intended destiny as a feystone; Rozemyne repeatedly called him family, but he knew how sickened she was by flower offerings, by the pregnant women who were hidden away in the orphanage…

“I need to speak to her,” he said firmly.

“Milord, don't make me sic my mother on you. I will do it if you do something as stupid as get cold feet mere bells from your engagement.” 

But Justus sighed and did as he was told, Rozemyne was still awake as well, and the two of them met in a sitting room in Rozemyne’s guest quarters.

“You’re having second thoughts,” Rozemyne noted as they sat with just a pot of tea between them.

“I’m not,” he protested, but then he felt his face and shoulders fall. “I want to be your family, I wish to be by your side but I’m not… I’m not worthy of it.”

Rozemyne’s eyes went wide for a moment, and then sharpened into a piercing gaze. “I think I have said many times that you are .”

Ferdinand took a deep breath, and then another.

“There was a secret place in the Royal Academy, a palace where… where… women were kept.”

Rozemyne’s back straightened, and he shouldn’t have been surprised that she immediately caught part of his implication. She had seen the temple orphanage and despite her youth she was obviously well-aware of what could go on there. Justus had even told him she immediately noted a young man had been forced to offer flowers, something that was not even close to the sort of thing a young girl should recognize.

“It is what you think.”

Rozemyne swallowed, and then nodded.

“The girls born there are given beautiful names and noble educations and often the Aubs or Royals who frequented the Palace would take those girls into their homes to be princesses or wives. The boys are born to be turned into feystones and are given only foreign numbers.”

Rozemyne again seemed to mull over this before adding only: “Like Quinta?”

Ferdinand nodded. “Like Quinta.” He turned away, unwilling to look into Rozemyne’s eyes for this. “It… it is allowed for Aubs or Royals to take boys, it is just not usually done.”

There was no answer, just silence. Rozemyne asked nothing, his student - he dared not call her his fiancée at that moment - was smart enough to piece together the rest.

“I… I hate collective punishment,” Rozemyne said, almost a nonsense thing to say, and Ferdinand worried that perhaps he’d misjudged Rozemyne’s ability to follow what he was implying. “It’s part of why Father would not call down collective punishment on my behalf. It’s because… a child is innocent.”

Ferdinand’s breath caught as he realized why Rozemyne had said what she did.

“A child is not their mother or their father or their sister or their brother, a child is a child, innocent. Do you… think otherwise?”

He didn’t answer.

“Ferdinand?”

“I am from that sinful place, I was born to be a feystone, I never deserved to be anything else.”

“Would you think less of me if I was from such a place?” Rozemyne asked softly.

“Of course not!” he responded, finally turning to her and seeing her moon-like eyes glistening with moisture. “You are beautiful and intelligent and wise and have more talent than anyone else I have ever met.”

Rozemyne chuckled. “To think I’m used to ‘very fine’ for praise.” She smiled though. “I am not a noble.”

He frowned. “You are Aub Drewanchel’s daughter.”

She shook her head, little braids shifting as she did. “I am a Devouring commoner left at the temple orphanage by my parents who could not keep a frail bodied child. Uncle Nicholas raised me and convinced his brother to claim me as his own so that my intellect and mana could serve Drewanchel.”

Ferdinand’s mind stumbled through the idea, his own concerns forgotten with that revelation. A commoner ? It seemed impossible: her mana, her intellect, her beauty, her manners… If she hadn’t told him that outright he never would have believed it and even now he was having trouble believing it.

“Does the Aub—?” He could think of nothing else to ask at first.

“Of course,” Rozemyne answered, “and yet Father loves me with all the love an Aub can give his adopted daughter, because I am more than my birth. Just as you are, Ferdinand.”

They both were silent for several seconds, and after a moment he realized that Rozemyne was nervous. It was like when she had offered to break their engagement, she was worried what he would say, as though he was the one who might reject her . How foolish.

“You are… very precious to me, Rozemyne, my family.”

She looked up, eyes still sparkling, but with a huge smile on her face. “ However !” she snapped. “You have been stressing out a very grumpy tree, Ferdinand!”

His fiancée would bring that up… wouldn’t she? “I visited Erwaermen again and obtained all of Grutrissheit, he is far less annoyed now.”

“You have—” Rozemyne stood. “What—?”

“I intend to crush the Zent and grind him to dust for daring to try to harm you,” Ferdinand said.

“Oh…” Rozemyne took a few strides to come around the table and wrap her arms around his shoulders. “To think you were plotting a bloody carnival too…”

“What do you mean, too ?”

“Well I was going to destroy your wicked stepmother and anyone else who got in the way… but yours is much more impressive.”

Ferdinand chuckled and wrapped his own arms around her waist. “Mine might not succeed.”

“You’re not allowed to doubt yourself, Ferdinand,” Rozemyne told him, and she even leaned over and pressed her face against his hair. “My fiancé is the greatest man in the whole country, after all.”

“Rozemyne…”

“But even great men need sleep so they don’t have [panda] eyes for their engagement ceremony.”

His ridiculous out of standard fiancée. “I understand your wish.” He gave her one soft squeeze and then released her.

She gave him one of her beautiful smiles and a little wave that seemed almost hopeful and nervous before she dismissed him.

“Better, milord?” Justus asked as they returned to his chambers.

He took a deep breath, and nodded. Schlauftraum’s weave helped him sleep that night, but it felt like the Goddess of Light ascended the moment he closed his eyes.

Paranoia still gripped him, and he had one of the former grays that Rozemyne picked up go to check that she was well and ready for the day. He was assured she was awake and well, again, and even Justus didn’t seem to have the heart to tease him. After all, Chaocipher’s banishment was only recent, and she had attempted to poison Rozemyne.

He took breakfast with his brother and sister-in-law, although it was clear Sylvester was not exactly in the mood for festivities; he had recovered slightly over the last week under the instruction of Aub Drewanchel and others. 

Politically speaking, Rozemyne’s uncle should have performed the engagement, and Ehrenfest’s new High Bishop was barely elevated enough to do so, but it was Aub Drewanchel who would preside over the ceremony, saying that since he would need to hold the key to the scriptures and the Zent was once a High Bishop it only made sense.

Ferdinand nervously stood still in a nearby waiting room, Justus at his side, when Aub Drewanchel came to check on him.

“You seem terrified, Son.”

Son… when was the last time he’d been called that? It was rare even for his own father to call him that rather than ‘Ferdinand.’

“I am quite well, thank you.”

The Aub chuckled. “Of course. Not regretting proposing to my little girl?”

“Never.” He would regret the roiling emotions, the fear of losing her, and perhaps the trials that had come their way as a result, but he would never regret wanting to be Rozemyne’s family.

“Well, then you should get moving, as my wife assure me Rozemyne is dressed to make Bluanfa dance even in summer colors.”

Right, Ferdinand nodded and headed out in front of the reception hall that was packed full. It was largely Leisegang, with several neutrals and some Veronicans who had been attempting to curry favor with Florencia and Elvira, and at the front he saw Karstedt’s family, with Elvira squeezing her hands together tightly and Eckhart sitting with his family with a recording tool in his hands, all smiles. Sylvester was nearby with Florencia and his smile was more forced but Ferdinand knew it wasn’t the engagement that weighed on him.

He turned to face forward to walk to the aisle, and that was when his eyes fell upon Rozemyne, who looked as if she was a vision finely crafted by Kunstzeal.

Rozemyne’s hair was elegantly dressed as usual with flower pins, but had strings of sparkling feystones adorning her hair. Her moon-like eyes shone with joy, and her cheeks were painted in Geduldh’s royal color as her eyes met his. Had he not noticed it before? When they first met she was a small girl but now… still petite, but with soft curves graced by Geduldh and an elegance that was as if Effloreflume graced her every step. 

Her dress was… stunning, a royal blue befitting of Leidenschaft’s season in a dense material that shined in the light, with exceptional embroidery in Ehrenfest’s ochre color. The royal blue skirt with the soft, shining material went down to her ankles, but just like Mestionora’s garb it parted in the front to reveal a lighter, shin-length cloth in ochre underneath. The bodice of her dress hugged her waist and chest and was adorned with embroidery, while the sleeves had more of that strange, shiny cloth. A sheer blue cloth that could only be from Ahrensbach flowed from behind her shoulders like a cape.

In a word...Rozemyne was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Ferdinand kept walking, feeling his pulse quicken as he approached. 

“Ahem!”

Aub Drewanchel politely coughed, which caught him off guard. Both of them had been staring at each other as if the world did not exist. Ferdinand felt his ears heat as he finally tore his eyes away to focus on the Aub doing the proceedings.

After assuring that he had the attention of both Rozemyne and Ferdinand, Aub Drewanchel began to recite the story of the supreme couple before returning to the couple of the day.

“Today we are here to celebrate the engagement of Lord Ferdinand of Ehrenfest and Lady Rozemyne of Drewanchel, a union ordained here in the duchy of Ehrenfest.”

He went on to discuss the circumstances of the engagement, and finally it was time for them to exchange stones. 

“My dark god,” Rozemyne began. “Our threads were pulled together in this way by Liebeskuhilfe, although her mischief was not the only force that brought me to you.” Erwachleren, Mestionora, and so many others it seemed. “Not even Glucklitat could present us a trial I cannot overcome with my dark god. I hope to illuminate your world brightly, and dedicate this stone to my supreme god.” 

She smiled softly, and her attendant presented the stone to Justus. Justus opened the box for him to see if he would accept it. Inside was a light blue feystone in all attributes, which Ferdinand picked up with care. He poured a bit of mana, and in light gold letters it read:

“Overcoming all trials side by side as your Every Goddess”

Ferdinand felt the now familiar warmth spread in his chest from those words. The words on the day Jugereise almost danced, and they overcame it by confirming they were family. She would be all of his goddesses, his family who would overcome trials by his side. He did not have to worry about what trials came their way that would rob her because… they would face them together as equals. Before he knew it, a smile unconsciously graced his face.

“Milord?” Justus whispered, refocusing him. Ferdinand put the stone back in the box. He would have time to fully unravel his feelings later. For now, it was his turn to say his vows.

“Lady Rozemyne, treasure of Drewanchel, my goddess of light. The darkness that swallowed everything was vast and endless.”

He spoke of how he found her as Ewachlaren, and how spring arrived as Liebeskuhilfe tugged their threads. How she brought light to him in his grief and one of the darkest parts of his life. 

“The goddesses of spring began to dance under the warm light that you have brought into my world. You are my goddess of light that banished the darkness, my goddess of water as we bring change together. You are my goddess of wind who guards what is precious to me, the goddess of wisdom who uncovers knowledge by my side, and my Geduldh who accepts everything. I hope to shield you in my cloak forever, and dedicate this stone to my every goddess.”

When first drafted the words a few weeks back, they were an announcement to signal he did not want interference with anyone else, to ward off the ambitious people who would approach him. Now, in this moment, he meant every word. She was his every goddess to him.

The box exchanged hands, and Rozemyne picked up the pale green opalescent stone he made. The words he wrote were:

“Shielding my Every Goddess wherever we call Geduldh.”

Rozemyne hugged the stone to her chest, hands cupping it close, and Ferdinand could see her hands were very slightly trembling despite her desire to keep her face calm and impassive. Weeks of trials within Ehrenfest had made him eager to reach out and take her hands in his, hold them to him so that she wouldn’t tremble and wouldn’t have to carry the weight of her emotions on her own.

He didn’t know when he had started to understand that about her… she was his Geduldh, the girl who cried at the deaths of innocent librarians but who would viciously destroy the woman who had tormented him for years.

Ferdinand listened to Aub Drewanchel without really hearing him as he continued to speak of the Supreme Couple, their marriage, and their future, and after he had finished, Ferdinand reached out his hand and escorted her away from the disturbance of the crowd. They arrived in one of the small receiving rooms, and Ferdinand sat just beside her, hand tangled with hers.

“Thank you, Rozemyne.”

“Me?” Rozemyne smiled. “You are the one who promised to protect me and… promises to fight for me in ways no one would expect.”

“I can make that promise because you have already destroyed Chaoscipher and the chaos that gnawed on the roots of Ehrenfest.” Ferdinand reached out and placed his fingers near her temple, stroking her hair softly and smiling. “I can freely give my all to you and our future home.”

He let his hand fall, and he found his fingers subconsciously drawn to the shiny and yet fluffy fabric that covered her shoulders, finding it just as comfortable as he’d expected. “How… soft.”

Her cheeks flushed, and a hand covered her face. “Ferdinand, please.”

She giggled very slightly and then captured his hand again.

“Come, we have to assure we are ready for what’s to come,” she continued. 

“As my every goddess commands.”

Final Ditter Bell

The final few days in Ehrenfest were surprisingly peaceful despite all that had taken place. Rozemyne could tell that Ferdinand was worried over the repercussions of imprisoning Veronica, Aub Ehrenfest was completely overwhelmed and his wife was apparently ignoring him if Ferdinand’s  conversations with her were anything to go on.

“He really isn’t very good at this… Aub thing,” Rozemyne noted as she had tea with Ferdinand in his office after they had returned to the Academy. The two of them were casually holding eavesdropping tools just for some privacy.

“Father said he gave Aub Ehrenfest some remedial lessons and with Veronica destroyed, the repairing of the damage caused by the factions can probably start…”

“Isn’t that just the nature of factions?” Ferdinand asked.

“Some,” Rozemyne answered, inwardly cringing at how Ferdinand took this bizarre factional conflict as ‘normalcy’ in Ehrenfest. She had to correct him. “If people are ending up dead so often it’s probably time for a few people to be punished. I hate collective punishment for the sin of one person, but the sin of dozens does not deserve a light hand. I was not very well-educated about such things since I was never expected to be Aub, but I do know the broad strokes.”

Ferdinand seemed to consider his question for several moments. “Were you pushed away from that position by Aub Drewanchel? For… some reason?”

Rozemyne took a moment to realize why Ferdinand was asking. “Because I didn’t want to!” she answered with a little laugh. “Is… there a reason the former Aub Ehrenfest was against you becoming Aub?”

Ferdinand looked away, just for a moment, and Rozemyne knew it was because the former Aub Ehrenfest was a horrible person who didn’t see Ferdinand as his full son. She had no idea how that horrible place Ferdinand survived worked, but whether his father was Aub Ehrenfest or some other Aub or even the Zent, it didn’t matter, it shouldn’t matter.

“I didn’t particularly want to be Aub either,” Ferdinand said with a little smile.

Rozemyne smiled and then laughed and shook her head. “Look at us, two research idiots who don’t want to be involved in politics, but now have to do something political.”

Ferdinand smiled faintly in response. After a few moments to consider, he made a gesture for everyone to turn around and they did. “ Grutrissheit .”

Despite Ferdinand already having implied he had it, and even Ewaermen having said Quinta had part of it, there was still a sense of awe and shock that couldn’t be contained. It was the book, the wisdom, the Book of Mestionora, the cause of an entire civil war, and it was just sitting in her fiancé’s hand, casually.

“It looks just like the statue,” she said, not sure how else to describe it, “and with that you can…?”

“It describes all the information needed, mechanically, to run the country and histories spanning back thousands of years.”

Rozemyne tilted her head, deciding the book was actually quite small for such a tome, but it was probably in tiny font, or entirely magical… She wanted a magic book, too! “I want to read it.”

Ferdinand gave a fond sigh. “You’ll have to get your own.”

She immediately went to ask the questions of how only for Ferdinand to stop her with a raised hand. “Later,” he promised. “For now… the issue is how we will win our ditter.”

“What… what are the stakes?”

He looked at her for a moment, confusion apparent. “We stop the zent’s order, of course.”

So forthright for someone she knew was such a great tactician. “You were so focused on me you’re forgetting to think about what happens after the final bell.”

A processing error crossed his face for a relatively swift moment, and Rozemyne couldn’t help but chuckle at her adorable fiancé. Officially now!

“Well, we are both archduke candidates!” she said cheerfully. “The rules are old but this is really just a treasure ditter. The zent’s order is destroyed if we take their treasure!”

“That would…” She watched Ferdinand’s face scrunch in confusion. “You don’t want to be Aub , I’m trying to save you from that. Becoming the wife of a zent would be even worse, wouldn’t it?”

She flushed faintly… “Well, no , I don’t want to be Aub or Zent or anything but a librarian to have more books than I can read in a lifetime… but… we could stay here, right? We could move some aides from the Sovereignty and get more aides and even Aubs get leisure. More than anything I want to be with you , Ferdinand, my family.”

Finally she bit her lip to try to think of something else, anything else, because she didn’t want to be Zent or a Zent’s wife, but… “Wait! Um, Ferdinand, can I see it?”

He gave her a firm look.

“It’s important!” She even stood and moved her chair - propriety be damned, and sat down just next to him. “Do you remember…” She shook her head. “No, you weren’t there, Father said you couldn’t come. We went to the Sovereignty and did the analysis on their soil and there was something… strange. Do you know what attributes Trauerqual has?”

Ferdinand sighed, closed and then opened the book. Rozemyne gasped as it revealed the information from the life of Trauerqual’s father and it revealed his son was baptized with six attributes, missing the life attribute. It meant little since the life attribute seemed to be a popular one to be lacking due to how temperamental Ewegeliebe was, but… “In the Sovereignty there was an Aub layer.”

Ferdinand tapped the book for a moment and flipped the page only for there to be a beautifully drawn map of Jeurgenschmidt. Rozemyne realized then that the book was like an infinite card catalog of every book and possibly even every noble in existence. It was shocking when she realized what the map showed. Juergenschmidt was divided into six perfect pie slices, each one with a gate in the middle of the slice but with a tiny circle at the center, no ‘Sovereignty’ made up of land surrounding it, just the Academy.

“The Sovereignty is a territory,” she gasped.

“The Academy is completely locked off from the rest of the country,” Ferdinand explained. “If you try to fly off the edge of the Academy you can’t get into the Sovereignty proper, it’s sealed off, locked away from the rest of the territory.”

Of course Ferdinand had done that… “The Foundation is accessible through the statue on the second floor.” She said, immediately linking it to the temple book room passage. “The… this is a temple, the temple, where the Zent lives not as some petty king but as the High Bishop of Jeurgenschmidt.” Rozemyne laughed. “You don’t even collect taxes, the local Aubs do it for you… originally the Zent would just administer the Scriptures, Grutrissheit, and the Book of Law! Just like so many other power hungry idiots throughout history some Zent stole land and didn’t even realize he’d become some Aub as a result!”

Ferdinand followed along effortlessly and she was impressed as he flipped through the book while she talked, probably using it almost as some sort of research journal search to look for whether or not she was right. After she finished he made a few more flips in silence before finally closing the book and dismissing it.

“It seems good that I’m already a professor and you’re already a Deputy High Bishop,” Ferdinand said with a wry grin. “That is all the Zent was: the High Bishop of Jeurgenschmidt and the professor of the Archduke Candidate course. Drewanchel is even the closest thing there is to a territory that practices the old ways, adopting candidates and allowing them to pass back down as Aubs and giebes. The reorganization will take some time, but…” 

It was still work , plenty of work, probably, but even dealing with Harvest Festivals and Spring Prayers and baptisms cut into her reading time and experimenting time, but Rozemyne was from a well-organized duchy with plenty of strong human resources, even her father had time off to experiment and socialize and relax! She looked at Ferdinand. “Treasure Ditter?”

“A good Treasure Ditter takes time to prepare… but… if a territory just leaves itself open…” He shrugged. “Your father will support us?”

“He already has agreed,” she confirmed. “Dunkelfelger?”

“They support whoever holds the book as the Zent’s Sword,” Ferdinand confirmed. “Klassenberg… they will want me to marry Prince Siegfried’s daughter.”

Rozemyne found herself making a reflexive whine. Ferdinand was hers !

“Perhaps they will be content with… with…” Ferdinand hung his head and Rozemyne had no idea what had changed but she stood and wrapped Ferdinand in her arms. “A son from the Klassenberg branch of the Royal Family instead.”

Rozemyne managed to catch her gasp. Ferdinand was… He had explained some of how he had been conceived, but it seemed the book had confirmed that a Klassenberg brother of Trauerqual was Ferdinand’s father.

“They will fall in line regardless,” Ferdinand said with assurance. “I do not know her true disposition, but Aub Ahrensbach’s wife is my brother Sylvester’s sister.”

“And my uncle is married to his daughter!” Rozemyne added. “My baby cousin Leticia is their future Aub!” Rozemyne laughed, realizing a supreme irony. “An uncle of mine is now Aub Werkestock, Zent’s orders! The lesser territories… we will treat them carefully but as unfortunate as it is to say, they will not protest. All the greater territories will play for our side in the ditter whether they realize it or not!”

“It’s hardly even a ditter,” Ferdinand said, almost sounding disappointed. “We will speak to your father, make a copy of the Scripture key, steal it under the pretext of your prayer research and you can leave it open, and make our moves until the very end… and if Aub Trauerqual finds the way from the Sovereignty locked when he attempts to come to the Archduke’s Conference…”

“Oh well!” Rozemyne said, amused. 

She stood, moved her chair back to a place of propriety, and then dismissed the eavesdropping field.

“Harriette, I believe Ferdinand and I would like to have tea with Father next earthday, please arrange it,” she announced.

“I’m going to the library,” Ferdinand announced. 

Rozemyne arched an eyebrow at him, and Ferdinand simply gave her a faint smile. “I will let you know when Father approves to meet us.”

Two and a half seasons to prepare for ditter? Rozemyne could have done it in a day!

To say that the meeting with Father was impressive was an understatement. Father was no fool and was well aware that any meeting with her would be momentous but this…

He grasped his hair, but seemed to recover nearly immediately. “You have Grutrissheit and the Foundation.”

“Once I explained the issue to the tree he gave me a circle to transport directly to the Foundation which I have also duplicated into my hidden room of my quarters,” Ferdinand explained. “Whenever needed I can perform Foundation magic and open or close any transportation circles, including the one between the duchy known as the Sovereignty and the Royal Academy.”

“His Holiness Erwaermen accommodate you that far?” She was pretty sure Father did his best to refrain from pointing out Ferdinand’s disrespectful way of addressing Erwaermen. It was actually milder, Ferdinand had called the former God a ‘temperamental shrub’ before. 

Ferdinand didn’t seem perturbed that he made the God do that work for him. “He calls for me to be his gardener, he should do that much.” 

Father winced. “You’ll move… at the Conference?”

Rozemyne smiled. “We believe with Aub Drewanchel, Aub Werkestock, Aub Ahrensbach, and Aub Dunklefelder we should be more than poised to do so safely.”

It seemed despite the dire circumstances it was more a time of laughter than fear because Father burst out laughing. “Oh, is that all? What about your reading time?”

Rozemyne felt her cheeks heat slightly. “Well I asked Ferdinand if the new Palace could be next to the library, so…”

“Well, as long as you have a plan.” The sarcasm was almost impossibly thick in Father’s voice.

Chapter Text

Ditter Preparations

Ferdinand often said that he would not fight a ditter he was not sure he would win, and months ago when he had conceived his plan in desperation he had thought this would be one ditter he was not sure he would win. Now, however…

He did not feel like he was playing ditter, it was more like a bizarre version of gewinnen. When he had served as Knight Commander of Ehrenfest for a season he had sent little boards back and forth to Hirschur, each sending a single move over the board and each holding an image of the board in their mind rather than sitting across from each other. He had played two such games before he and his master had been reunited and now again played gewinnen face to face. These preparations felt like that.

First, he borrowed Aub Drewanchel’s scripture key, something his future father in law was only too happy to do for the man he recognized as Zent. Ferdinand and Rozemyne both poured over the key for several days along with Grutrissheit before reproducing it and crowning it with a life-aspected feystone for aesthetics.

Rozemyne requested an opportunity to see the Sovereignty scriptures for comparison ‘for her blessing research’, a request Trauerqual never should have allowed even without knowing the importance of the book and key. Rozemyne brought the Drewanchel scriptures along with the fake key and there was more than enough back and forth for Rozemyne to ‘innocently’ fiddle with the lock of the Sovereignty scriptures and trade keys.

“The High Bishop will likely not notice, I transferred some of his mana to the fake key’s stone and left it unlocked. He can only read what his own mana and attributes show so me owning the book won’t make it any more readable,” Rozemyne assured him afterward.

Ferdinand didn’t know if it was trust or foolishness or… perhaps something else, but the key stayed with Rozemyne on a bracelet he made for her while he retained his transport circle to the Foundation instead. Their ‘dates’ flying around the Academy mapped out the places that would need to be built, and at least one very specific place that would be completely torn down.

It was during such a trip when Rozemyne again caught sight of one of the greater shrines littered across the grounds and even made a swift attempt to enter one. His curious and pious fiancée was not amused when he caught her just before entering. “After you receive the names of the Supreme Couple and the Archduke’s Conference.

Understanding dawned a moment later. “They’re just… sitting here?!”

He made up for her not being able to enter the shrine by hugging her to him as they continued to soar over the Academy.

Aub Drewanchel ensured that Ferdinand and Rozemyne had a deep conversation with Aub Drewanchel’s brother - the future Aub Werkestock - before he left for his cross country trip. He was supposedly Rozemyne’s future adoptive father and Ferdinand’s future father-in-law, such a meeting was hardly unusual. The man did not receive anything close to a full explanation, just that Ferdinand and Rozemyne would be trying to soften the Zent’s ire and get more support for the duchy. Aub Ahrensbach he made a simple and firm statement to: if he expected Rozemyne to support Leticia in the future as a neighbor and a cousin, he would do well to offer support when they needed. Neither territory knew he was Zent, but both would hopefully make wise choices when the time came. Rozemyne was the Aub Werkestock’s niece and the future Aub Ahrensbach’s cousin, they would be fools not to support her.

Aub Dunkelfelger was one he approached boldly in some ways; Ferdinand was not able to grasp a full understanding of the political circumstance in Dunkelfelger, as the previous Aub had not yet climbed to the heights and left his memory in Ferdinand’s book. He was able to confirm that the Sword of the Zent was not supposed to take sides in a duchy conflict and especially not for someone who did not possess Grutrissheit.

The lack of firm support for Magdalena and the old and new Aub’s desire to marry him to Magdalena now made sense. The main issue was that Magdalena was First Queen now and pregnant… If nothing changed, that child had a claim to the throne through the corrupted way that the crown had passed down through the last centuries.

Rozemyne frowned over the pages of Grutrissheit with him under an eavesdropping field in his office. “We could offer to adopt the child? It would be best to explain that the book was never intended to be passed down father to son first.”

Ferdinand frowned down at the book but nodded a few moments after. “I don’t particularly want to raise that woman’s child, and Aub Dunkelfelger is fairly forthright…”

In the end, Ferdinand invited the Aub and First Lady back to see a new soil sample. It was obviously a bizarre suggestion that no one would really need to do, but the Aub was quite enthusiastic regardless. Lady Seiglinde at least was a new component and even Aub Dunkelfelger was sharp enough to know that such an invitation was not just to see some soil spin around. This meant they had a very private tea while the dirt was analyzed.

“Has there been some new information?” Aub Dunklefelger asked.

“Certainly, I wished to ensure you were aware of it swiftly Aub Dunklefelger,” Rozemyne said in her usual happy tone. “You were so kind as to offer a soil sample and it would be rude not to show you our progress!”

Seiglinde smiled indulgently at Rozemyne and the two made conversation on the topic of the cookies and other sweets that Rozemyne had brought. They even discussed little pies that the First Lady was especially enthusiastic about.

Rozemyne had the stone brought out and her aides left them alone within the barrier. “In the areas that are directly controlled by an Aub there is no ‘giebe’ layer,” Rozemyne explained to Lady Seiglinde as she tugged the Aub layer out into a stone and then passed the Zent layer off to Ferdinand as though it was casual. Rozemyne then began an explanation that this would be Seiglinde’s husband's mana.

Ferdinand took the Zent stone and rolled it casually between himself and Aub Dunklefelger, leaving it to rest there. The Aub looked at it for a few moments before he seemed to realize the obvious change from what he had seen a season ago; Ferdinand’s mana was a well known outlier among nobles, flawlessly balanced seven attribute mana with an opalescent sheen that was usually described as unnatural and the stone was noticeably fuller than a season ago as well. The foundation was still only at perhaps twenty-some percent, but Ferdinand and Rozemyne both were exclusively using their mana for the Foundation now. 

“It—” The Aub was at a loss for words.

A few moments later Ferdinand saw Sieglinde look over and then catch sight of the opalescent stone as well. “This—” she began.

The First Lady recovered first. “This would show the mana of the Zent? Whoever holds the country's foundation?”

“That is correct!” Rozemyne said enthusiastically, as though she was simply sharing a research finding.

“May I?” Ferdinand held his hand in the traditional gesture used to request permission to summon a schtappe in close quarters.

Aub Dunkelfelger glanced around them completely, and Ferdinand joined him just to check what the Aub was: none of their aides had disobeyed and turned to watch. “Please.” The Aub’s voice cracked.

“ Grutrissheit .”

The Aub rose from his chair and took an almost immediate knee, arms crossed, head bowed, and Lady Sieglinde followed barely a moment later. “Zent Ferdinand.”

“You may raise your heads,” Ferdinand answered.

The couple did, and then when he gestured again they returned to their seats, and Ferdinand waited a few moments more. “As you can see, I hold the book and the country’s foundation. I have no desire for further bloodshed and… my fiancée does not like sweeping collective punishment and I am afraid I am like Ewegeliebe in spring when it comes to many of her desires.”

“When will—?” Sieglinde trailed off, perhaps realizing she had no real right to directly question him.

“The Archduke’s Conference,” Ferdinand said simply. “You may wish to have your… best Sovereignty knights arrive before the Zent the day it will begin.”

Ferdinand waited, and waited, and even waited longer. He didn’t even balk when the archducal couple passed a sound blocking tool between them and began a swift exchange. After a moment, Rozemyne reached out and patted his hand.

Finally the Aub released the tool. “It seems clear that you are unlikely to become a consort to Aub Werkestock any time soon, but there is still always a need for a Knight Commander for any territory. Might Sir Heisshitze attempt to convince you of his merits?”

The request was far less than he’d hoped to need to offer, even if it meant having to put up with that ditterheaded idiot. “Has he expressed such an interest before?”

Sieglinde sighed softly. “He had certainly hoped that none of Lady Rozemyne’s family was inclined to become her Knight Commander upon her move. So… yes, he wishes to offer his services even to the future Aub Werkestock’s consort.”

Rozemyne glanced his way and gave him a little shrug, leaving it up to him.

“My uncle Bonifatius is far too deep into his autumn to take up such a position and my cousin Karstedt is already Knight Commander of Ehrenfest.” Those were the traditional relations who might have been offered up to someone like ‘Zent Ferdinand’ as Knight Commander. Eckhart was the most obvious choice after that, but although he trusted Eckhard with his life this was a simple request that would gain him immediate goodwill and cement the alliance. “So, yes, he may attempt to convince me of his merits as a temporary member of my fiancée’s entourage. She is currently the future Aub Werkestock after all.”

Rozemyne tilted her head in that cute way she often did. “I actually have no adult member of my entourage for this year. I do not believe there is any rule that says the adult must be an attendant.”

The Aub crossed his arms and bowed his head in agreement.

“My thanks, Aub Dunkelfelger,” Ferdinand said after that had been agreed.

“Please, you must call me Werdekraft,” the Aub said, “and Seiglinde.”

“Well, Werdekraf, if you have any concerns that require my attention before the Archduke’s Conference, please do not hesitate.”

“Myself as well, Lady Seiglinde!” Rozemyne added. 

Aub Dunkelfelger sighed. “I will have to offer a few more lamentations for losing you to Aub Drewanchel, it seems. I am a poor brother for saying so, but it seems Dunkelfelger truly could not offer you a bride with a blessing from Mestionora, Zent Ferdinand. My… niece or nephew?” He asked, perhaps just for one clarification.

“I am certain he will make an excellent archduke candidate in whatever territory his mother may come to live in.” The intel was extensive, indicating that he had no immediate plans to execute a complete collective punishment on Trauerqual - depending on his response - and that Ferdinand might even allow Magdalena to return home to Dunkelfelger if Trauerqual was executed.

The Aub and Lady bowed their heads one last time. It almost felt bizarre, turning off the eavesdropping field and returning to tea topics. It seemed so at least, but Lady Seiglinde had one final shot, not at Ferdinand himself but at Rozemyne.

“I see you and Drewanchel have abstained from importing or using much sugar, the new Ahrensbach commodity. Do you not believe it will be a solid trend moving forward?”

Ferdinand had no idea if Sieglinde knew how pronged that inquiry was, but Rozemyne took a moment to collect herself. Ferdinand was very curious about her answer.

“Well, of course my cute little cousin, Leticia, is Aub Ahrensbach’s granddaughter. She will be going to Ahrensbach in another year or two to become heir after Aub Ahrensbach’s only remaining son climbed to the Towering Height, so there is some desire to support the duchy.” I am the future Aub Ahrensbach’s cousin , the point was firmly offered. “However my understanding is that the import price is paid in mana, something that the country is not in any position to spend capriciously.” The obvious point landed there. Rozemyne straightened. “I am not fond of sending any extremely precious resource away during such times.”

Ferdinand saw Aub Dunklefelger flinch, just a fraction, although he could tell Sieglinde simply took it as a way of emphasizing that spending mana was unacceptable. The Aub glanced in Ferdinand’s eyes and he gave a placid nod: she knows.

“Now that Jeurgenschmidt can begin to return to normalcy, my hope is that some of the culinary trends pioneered in Drewanchel will rapidly spread into various territories and there will be no need to chase expensive novelties when there is much innovation to be had in all duchies.”

Ferdinand didn’t resist the urge to reach out and place a hand against hers.

“Ferdinand prefers savory food anyway,” Rozemyne finished with a conspiratorial note in her voice.

Aub Dunklefelger barked out a laugh at that, seemingly completely charmed by her firm and fair response to the question mixed with the nod to their compatibility on the topic.

“I had not known the Archduke Candidate who would be returned to Ahrensbach was your dear cousin,” Sieglinde said, drawing obvious attention to the connection.

Rozemyne took a moment but quickly followed. “Oh, yes, I got to see her almost immediately after her birth and spent over a week getting to know her!” The two would be close , Rozemyne’s answer assured.

Their coalition was placed firmly before the archducal couple: Drewanchel, old Werkestock, and Ahrensbach through Rozemyne’s immediate family and Dunkelfelger directly through Ferdinand. Rozemyne thus stood firmly as a Shield of Schutzaria against most territories trying to gain a marriage tie. Klassenberg would be an unknown that Dunkelfelger would gladly see stumble due to their purging and Rozemyne’s various ties made her politically valuable enough to block Klassenberg alone, and it was a simple truth they would give little direct care to the movements of middle and lower duchies.

Heisshitze, the enthusiastic annoyance, arrived a week later with a Drewanchel dormitory badge. He was either unaware of the movements around him or very good at acting. Perhaps Ferdinand would need to assign Eckhart to serve as the brains of his entourage’s knights…

Countdown to a Ditter

Rozemyne greeted the various Drewanchels who came to the dorm now that winter had started and the whole thing almost made her forget they were drawing ever closer to what Rozemyne hoped would be a bloodless coup.

I must win the next generation, for Ferdinand! He had many older allies, people in the school classes just above her, especially Dunklefelger, but while they wouldn’t be as important as the ones currently running the country she had a duty to make sure the upcoming generation held her in as high esteem as Ferdinand.

“This year, because of my changing position, I want to make sure that the others of my generation think of me as a reliable political partner!” she explained to her aides as well as the dorm at large.

Most would think this was because of her ironclad position as the future Aub of Old Werkestock, but she knew it was because of her future position as First Lady of Jeurgenschmidt.

Later she was having her own private tea with Heisshitze nearby. “Heisshitze, I do not have the social time to take all three courses like my exceptional fiancé, but please advise me on courses I can take to ensure I am prepared to defend territory. Tactics, military history, and anything else.”

Her first several weeks were quite busy finally obtaining her schtappe, taking basic classes, archduke classes, scholar classes, and then tactics and history classes while she also practiced light sparring in knight courses. Still she managed to finish before most of her peers and missed no tea parties, not even the early music tea party.

“How will the old Werkestock territory even send students again?” a teacher asked. “Without holding the Foundation transfer to the old dorm is impossible.”

The truth was that the secret way to the Foundation was known and so they would be more than capable of taking the foundation when necessary, but that could not be revealed just yet. It was true Drewanchel could have used it to win any stealth ditter they wanted but her father refrained since making political enemies for his daughter and son-in-law was a bad move at the moment.

“For now we have been allowed to send them through Dunklefelger, but I am certain things will work out,” Rozemyne assured them. 

It didn’t comfort them, but ‘I can get any Foundation’ couldn’t be something that came out any time soon.

“We will also be holding a full tea for all the middle territories as well as another for all the small territories,” Rozemyne explained to her aides after she was finished with her classes.

They would take place deeper into the season because lower territories finished their classes more slowly. It was not a usual thing for an archduke candidate of an upper territory to do, usually socialization was kept to the same rank, but Rozemyne wanted to assure the message of ‘Rozemyne is thinking of us too’ came back to each territory. She was also in an era of few archduke candidates, many suspected the war had curtailed many families from having children, so the recovery would be slow. Winning the hearts of the most prestigious archnobles was not as important, but the messages they sent back home were of paramount importance.

When the time came, they would know there was an exceptional First Lady waiting to think of them. Next year they would be hopefully be Zent and fiancée, so the politics would be even more nuanced.

Sigiswald, or more likely his aides, recognized that she was being a bit bold politically, and her own aides were subjected to careful prodding about the reasons for her maneuvering. Most were not aware of anything untoward and could deflect such suspicions with perfect innocence. 

“I feel guilty,” she confessed to Ferdinand as they sat side by side, backs to their aides at the moment, discussing plans they could make without drawing out Grutrissheit. “I should be able to explain to my aides, but…”

Ferdinand nodded in understanding. “I have always kept my aides' names, but my understanding is you do not like that method.”

She shook her head. “Father says that swearing loyalty by a contract is not unheard of, and I do have several contracts to protect my businesses… I suppose it just feels different.”

He placed a gentle hand on hers and Rozemyne flushed faintly. They were… close. Finally he squeezed gently and then released her hand. She’d been embarrassed to realize he was shedding just a fraction of mana whenever he did that and the cool, pleasing sensation that accompanied it was an indication of their compatibility.

“How have the upper territory parties gone?” he asked.

“Well!” she answered with enthusiasm, glad to shake the worst of her ill-cheer. “The music party they asked about the Werkestock foundation and I demurred. We will be telling the Aubs at the conference, right?”

He nodded. “The only reason for the delay is due to our moves against the Sovereignty. And… I suppose it allows me to shore up Sylvester and Ehrenfest’s descent in the ranks.”

Rozemyne bit her lip. “You won’t be able to make many maneuvers to aid your brother when you are Zent…”

“I know…”

Rozemyne wanted to help, but she also knew Ehrenfest didn’t have the industry to support a Zent and Ferdinand was functionally standing up as Zent with Drewanchel backing, not Ehrenfest. “I might be able to help expand the paper industry there, Ehrenfest has large forests, but I also think I must consider the other territories that already produce paper… and I still have to experiment on magic paper in general. Drewanchel doesn’t have many pest feyplants that might make magic paper.”

After a moment of thought, Ferdinand chuckled. “That was how you first approached me, wasn’t it? Magic paper.”

Rozemyne found her own giggle welling up in her throat. “Two years and it feels like a lifetime. I remember how excited I was to get to work with you… my idol.”

“ Idol ?” Ferdinand sounded skeptical.

“You were a brilliant research professor who lived with one of the greatest libraries in the country and had a massive personal library. That was basically my ideal.”

Ferdinand looked at her with a soft smile. “I… suppose I’m glad your life won’t be too different from that in the end with a palace near the library.”

“Maybe I’ll become an assistant librarian and ask to rearrange the shelves!”

“You’ll have a few duties of state before that,” Ferdinand reminded her. “Thankfully with the slowly reducing duties, taxes, and administration we should be able to add some free time, however.”

That was her most important wish, and she gave a big nod to that. “I want to make sure you have free time and good food no matter where we call Geduldh.” She thought back to his engagement stone and grabbed it and pushed mana through it to recall those words to the surface.

“It is a supreme irony that we are perhaps one of the few couples who will gladly cut down the role of the Sovereignty back to its historical roots because we want reading and research time.”

Rozemyne nodded. “There is this idea that the one who doesn’t want the job of leadership is the one most suited for it. I don’t think I always agree, but it is an interesting idea.”

Ferdinand frowned faintly. “I don’t think I’ve heard of that idea. Aubs are trained almost from birth in the rules, laws, customs, and magic necessary for rulership. If you gave the throne to someone who didn’t want it you’d get…,” he trailed off, and Rozemyne could almost hear him thinking before he finally sighed, “Sylvester.”

She smiled faintly. “A ruler serves the people! [Noblesse oblige]!”

“Another strange term… Is that an idea from commoners?”

Rozemyne flinched. They had not really talked more about that day and what they had confessed outside of Ferdinand having Grutrissheit… 

“Not commoners,” she answered. “I—” She fell silent again. Finally, she sighed. Perhaps it was time, perhaps Ferdinand would know how to cultivate her wisdom just like Father had when her mind was younger.

“I don’t know exactly how, but I have the memory of a grown woman from another world, a world with no magic where I wanted to be a librarian more than anything and loved books more than reason. Then I… died and woke up as a four year old Myne. That’s my commoner name.”

“Another world… with no magic?” Ferdinand shook his head, probably trying to understand, but it was almost a testament to how much time they had been together that he didn’t even have a long processing error in response - just a short one. “Can that help us now?”

Rozemyne shrugged. “The world foundations are very different, because there is no magic, there are no nobles who run the government because there’s just no need for them.”

“No nobles…” Ferdinand was obviously trying to imagine such a world and coming up blank. “That’s where your inventions come from?”

She nodded.

“Although to adapt such things with such different principles is a feat on its own…” Ferdinand nodded. “To think you have so much knowledge that can’t even be found in Glutrissheit… I’m sure it will be invaluable.”

Rozemyne sighed in relief at that. “I’ll do my best to help.”

Ferdinand gave her one of his smiles, a true one, not the scary glittering smiles he gave when he was uncomfortable, and Rozemyne relaxed. It would all be fine.

*

Forging a new political order from the shadows was hardly something Justus had expected to be his life, but now they were in that circumstance.

“I had expected to someday move against Veronica,” he confessed to the gathered aides that winter, “but Lady Rozemyne tended that swiftly instead…”

Eckhart crossed his arms, still obviously annoyed at being sidelined for Sir Heisshitze even though they all knew it was an important political move. “Right now it just feels like a lot of waiting.”

Heidemarie shrugged. “It is. Milord holds the foundation, Milady holds the youngest generation, Milord holds the book and two Aubs know it while two more expect to support Milord out of duty and necessity… changing the state of politics now would just cause confusion. I do worry about not courting Klassenberg… they are the highest ranked territory.”

“Lady Rozemyne says there is a princess of the Third Prince in Klassenberg baptized under the old Aub,” Justus said. “If Milord asks for their support it is likely they will make her a condition of their support. Instead he is standing with Drewanchel and Dunklefelger as strong backing and Ahrensbach and Old Werkestock as weak backing. It is almost certainly enough.”

“I don’t think Milord will stomach taking another wife,” Lasfam said what they all were thinking. “Will it be enough, though?”

“It seems so,” Justus answered. “We know Milord has extensive mana and Milady has loosened her compression because of how stunted her growth was. They can compress more rigorously as they age and they will need to hold back on having children for some time, but Milady is only twelve now.”

They all spent a long moment of silence considering that issue. Lord Ferdinand was also still quite young, he would be nineteen when he officially became Zent. The country would apparently take years to recover but Justus had every confidence that it would recover.

“Aub Drewanchel asked some aides to bring back news of a few documents from the Sovereignty, taxes from other duchies versus taxes from the controlled territory,” Heidemarie shrugged. “It seems likely maintaining just the Academy with those taxes will be reasonable.”

Justus agreed with that, at least. They would need gold dust, something that they had a decent supply of due to Rozemyne, in order to make changes but hopefully that would be reasonable.

So many problems faced them but they were stuck in a state where there was a ditter ready to start and yet they were simply waiting and waiting for the bell to ring so they could start . “We will need to vet every aide.”

The four of them slumped in what felt like defeat.

It wasn’t like Lord Ferdinand and Lady Rozemyne weren’t working hard, but they definitely felt overworked as well. Justus even found himself posing as ‘Gudrun’ to go to Rozemyne’s middle territory tea many weeks into the season.

There was an odd beauty to the tea. Justus had long gotten to know his master’s lady as competent and yet free-spirited and open. The Lady Rozemyne on display for the middle territories was nothing like that; she was beautiful and poised and confident and it was in that moment that Justus really believed that Lady Rozemyne could be a First Lady. 

He kept an ear on all the tables, but Lady Rozemyne moved between them asking softly casual questions about their exports and imports, things that weren’t really the business or purview of Aubs but weren’t completely out of line. Lady Rozemyne had expressed some desire to ensure the lesser territories were not left unattended and Justus knew that they now held the sort of information that would at least make sure they were thought of.

“I can’t really help them yet,” Lady Rozemyne explained to him as he cleaned up and Lady Rozemyne relaxed with a final pot of tea. “There will also not be room at the Conference for deeply exploring their struggles, nor do I think they’d reveal them incautiously, but I think it’s possible to help economically in the future…” Lady Rozemyne sighed, seemingly loosening her ‘upper territory lady’ guise as she did. “Did you note anything?”

Justus mentioned the various things he had noted that had slipped his lady’s notice while she focused instead on tea and specific territories while he could listen more across the tables. 

“In the end, I think the goal is that the middle and lower territories react to the news with ‘oh, that won’t be so bad’.”

“Some seemed a bit antagonistic, especially Immeldink, but I believe that message will make it home from most territories,” Justus assured her. That was a Drewanchel antagonism, he knew, but he had no doubt they would realize Lady Rozemyne was a good choice once it was presented.

“How did the tea go?” Lord Ferdinand asked as Justus scrubbed his hair that evening.

“Milady was as competent as ever,” Justus assured him. “She will make a fine lady.”

His lord smiled faintly. “She hates parties, at least ones like that. It’s good to know she can suffer through them.”

“She definitely does it for your sake,” Justus said, perhaps channeling a touch of his mother to make sure his lord was not neglecting to appreciate his fiancée.

“I know,” Lord Ferdinand said with obvious fondness. “She has also been training with Lady Minerva, Aub Drewanchel’s first wife, for the Conference. I can only imagine how difficult it will be for her to hold up the weight of all those meetings… Thankfully Aub Drewanchel will be loaning Hrosvita back to Rozemyne for the Conference, but I worry it will be too much.”

Justus wanted to say that a few teas would not make or break their reign but he also knew how much their society rested on appearances. “I believe Lady Rozemyne will rise to the occasion.”

“I believe so, too,” Lord Ferdinand agreed with softness in his voice. “She’s… perfect, isn’t she?”

Justus smiled to himself. Lady Rozemyne was far from perfect, although definitely lacking any real flaws as a noble beyond her youthful membership in the temple. She was loose with her words in private, she was deeply focused on books and learning over politics, she was completely enamored with children, and she easily lost track of time just like his lord. Still, Justus knew that was not what Lord Ferdinand meant. Lady Rozemyne was perfect for him , and truly to Justus and the rest of Lord Ferdinand’s aides that was the only thing that mattered.

“Indeed she is, Milord. Do make sure she knows you feel that way.”

*

Every day left Seiglinde feeling as though she were truly Verfuhremeer, perpetually cooling the passions of the men around her. Werdekraft did his work, thankfully, but she often caught him staring into the middle distance with a look that screamed that he was mentally preparing for ditter.

“Are you going to be disappointed when there is no bloodshed?” she asked when her husband visited her one evening.

Werdekraft sighed and it was enough to tell her that yes, there would be some disappointment, but there had also been enough bloodshed finished just recently that they had to cool their tempestuous nature. “My concern is less general resistance, the middle and lower territories will bow, and Zent Ferdinand assured me they have all but Klassenberg behind them. The trouble will be Klassenberg and then those most loyal to Trauerqual personally. He did hold some admiration for his work in battle, and of course Magdalena supports him unquestioningly…”

Her husband sighed again and Sieglinde brushed a hand down his shoulder. “She is the First Wife and so she might come to the Conference even with her newborn, but she did also just give birth to her son and might remain in the Sovereignty.”

“I hope she stays,” Werdekraft grumbled. “That woman is a Dunklefelger through and through but in this case I don’t know if I can approve.”

Even he, a hot blooded Dunklefelger, had caved to the necessity of a local wife when the Civil War raged. Dunklefelger’s strict neutrality was kept in place by their marriage and Seiglinde knew she was very lucky to hold the position of First Lady while also being a native.

“I do hope Magdalena doesn’t do anything foolish,” she said softly.

Werdekraft snorted. “She’s been nothing but foolish. I cannot warn her in advance… so I only hope she realizes the futility and does not antagonize Zent Ferdinand. I think Trauerqual may not live…”

Sieglinde had to agree with her husband’s assessment. The rumors were also that Sigiswald was useless and Anastasius would soon be presented as a first year, but he might also be foolish. If he picked up his sword, he and his children by his once-First Wife would be killed, if he bowed his head… Sieglinde didn’t know. Zent Ferdinand was a cold man, but his fiancée was young and had some softness to her that might temper him.

Children her age were usually aware of the needs of duchy management, but she also knew neither Zent Ferdinand nor Lady Rozemyne had received the dedicated heir training as they grew older and the older Aubs selected who would follow them… Doubtless Drewanchel would push Lady Rozemyne hard now that circumstances had changed but that had only been a handful of seasons. For all his faults, Trauerqual was older and steadier in his position while Zent Ferdinand and Lady Rozemyne were young… 

“She’s a fierce girl,” Sieglinde offered, “Lady Rozemyne.”

Werdekraft nodded in agreement. “She has the fire of a Dunklefelger.”

“Also the wisdom of a Drewanchel. I think that’s why she’s so suited for Zent Ferdinand.” Finally she broached a topic that she knew had been passing through their thoughts ever since they learned that Zent Ferdinand held the foundation and the wisdom. “I don’t think Hannelore will be suited to be a wife of Zent Ferdinand.”

Her husband was visibly disappointed. “I don’t want Klassenberg to get their claws into him.”

Klassenberg had been responsible for much of the damage that followed the war and so they were both not of a mind to like the top territory, but there wasn’t much they could do.

“His First Wife is very young,” Sieglinde offered. “Even if they had children quite young it would be nine or ten years before another wife would be required. I also doubt Zent Ferdinand would allow Lady Rozemyne to be demoted to Second Wife even if Drewanchel doesn’t overtake us and Klassenberg. Klassenberg may be first, but he holds three upper duchies' loyalty through his marriage to Lady Rozemyne.”

That seemed to calm Werdekraft at least. “Zent Ferdinand will also not be easily convinced to take another wife. That man’s tolerance for women is quite low, and a wife he will not claim fully is a useless proposition.”

Sieglinde nodded and finally her husband’s concerns were cooled enough for them to fall asleep.

A few days later, she had tea with Heisshitze’s wife, Mathilde, who was still in Dunklefelger while her husband worked to gain Lady Rozemyne’s trust, unknowing that he’d been selected as the future Knight Commander of the country. 

“I do worry that I don’t know Lady Rozemyne,” Mathilde explained. “Obviously as a female scholar and her as a future Aub that would make the most sense to serve her… but I’m also surprised that she accepted Heisshitze as a potential guard and commander based solely on Lord Ferdinand’s recommendation.”

Sieglinde nodded with understanding, a faint smile on her face. Mathilde had no idea how things would change in just a few scant months… It also felt quite strange to hear her say ‘Lord Ferdinand’ instead of ‘Zent Ferdinand’. Sieglinde considered how to respond to the young woman who was still just at the cusp of her career that would bring her to great things.

“I am not sure which is more difficult, being a scholar of a Drewanchel or being a scholar of Lord Ferdinand,” Sieglinde answered.

“The girl will be the Aub,” Mathilde considered aloud. “She is also still properly considered an archduke candidate, unlike Lord Ferdinand.”

That was why Heisshitze was serving Lady Rozemyne instead of Zent Ferdinand at the moment. Zent Ferdinand, although technically still just a professor, would have again been raised to the rank of archduke candidate to become an Aub’s consort. Still, as far as she was aware he held the loyalty of three archnoble aides despite technically only being an archnoble himself at the moment. They were the sort that would be truly loyal in the coming months.

“Lady Rozemyne will need a variety of aides in the coming years,” Mathilde said, a look of introspection on her face. “Was she not recently elevated from a basic archduke candidate to the heir apparent to Old Werkestock? She may not even have the sort of entourage needed to be anything more than a minister at the moment.”

“I believe she does not,” Sieglinde said. She had of course used the various young scholars of Dunklefelger to look more deeply into Lady Rozemyne’s background after Zent Ferdinand had approached them. “My understanding is that she trained some of the aides of her father, Aub Drewanchel, to run various projects at the duchy level while maintaining a more simple entourage herself. We cannot compare Drewanchel to Dunklefelger in this since they field dozens of candidates a generation while any other duchy might field five or six.”

“Hopefully she continues to innovate. I would hate for her to leave the economic benefits solely in Drewanchel and leave her new territory bereft of the same innovation.”

Sieglinde reflected on that as well. She did not know what sort of changes Zent Ferdinand and Lady Rozemyne intended for the country, and barring disaster they would have at least twenty years to shape the country before a child of theirs came of age.

In the end, she did something near unthinkable and had an invitation for tea passed to the young lady who would become the First Lady of their country. Such a decision was beyond unusual, especially since it was much more likely that her Lestiraut would be the one to serve as Aub for a large portion of Zent Ferdinand’s reign.

It was only a few weeks before the Interduchy Tournament when the two of them could finally meet.

“I thank you ever so much for inviting me, First Lady Sieglinde,” Rozemyne greeted her with both the perfect deferential nod and the perfect winter greeting before joining her.

They exchanged various pleasantries to begin, Sieglinde asked the more innocuous questions that would be asked of a young lady still in the academy. She asked after courses and even the research that she intended to present since she was also taking the scholar course.

“I am embarrassed to say it as a Drewanchel, but socialization was my primary focus this year,” she said. It was a touch inappropriate for Lady Rozemyne to reveal such a clear weakness, but they also both knew she was doing that because of the upcoming political change. “Professor Ferdinand did help me finish up a project we had been working on since my first year and so I will be presenting a new version of magic paper that uses feyplants instead of feypelts, so that will have to be sufficient.”

“Is that all?” Sieglinde asked, letting a small amount of an amused older female figure through. She was by no means Lady Rozemyne’s mother, but she did hope that the future First Lady would come to see her as reliable.

Rozemyne flushed cutely. “I think it will be enough for an award but I’m not sure.”

Finally Sieglinde called for the tea to change, an eavesdropping tool, and for the aides to turn around. She could tell Heisshitze was beyond confused by the order, but the older gray haired female attendant of Lady Rozemyne was clearly much more aware of the current goings on and urged the order to be followed.

“Is there something you hoped to discuss before the Conference, Lady Sieglinde?” Rozemyne asked, some of her soft and youthful cuteness falling away in an instant.

“You are aware of the Dunklefelger scholar, Mathilde, who also wishes to join the entourage of either Zent Ferdinand or yourself?” she asked. 

Lady Rozemyne nodded. “Sir Heisshitze’s wife, correct?”

“I think she has been concerned for what the most pressing needs are for the future scholar in service of an Aub or Aub Consort,” Sieglinde explained, her eyes firm on Rozemyne’s to assess her response.

“Ah.” The future First Lady frowned very faintly. Sieglinde allowed her the long moments of consideration given she had pressed a delicate topic of national policy. “I think the most important will be personnel assessment and management, evaluation and identification of magic tools, and taxes…”

Personnel management made sense, there were dozens of Sovereignty personnel who would need to be vetted with the rapid change in rulership; evaluation and identification of magic tools… she had been to the Sovereignty on more than one occasion and there were dozens that needed to be fueled by mana so that made sense; and taxes she supposed were also logical. “You have many personal projects yourself, do you not? A new method of making magic paper is but the first?.”

Rozemyne sighed delicately and tilted her head. “Ferdinand and I will continue to use our scant free time to work on projects, but I’m afraid there will be little way to expand such projects into industries immediately. Ensuring the smooth operation of the country must come first.”

Sieglinde almost felt sorry for the young girl in that moment. She did not know Zent Ferdinand well, but it was clear he enjoyed research, exercise, and perhaps even the work of a minister. Unlike Trauerqual, he had the education to be more than a minister but that didn’t change his natural inclination. It seemed Lady Rozemyne wasn’t dissimilar; to Sieglinde’s knowledge she had been a happy and willing future minister herself.

In the end, she gave Mathilde advice both obvious and carefully pointed: “Prepare to help your future lady and lord in the extensive reconstruction necessary after the recent tragedy and know that you will cement close ties between Dunklefelger and Lady Rozemyne.”

If Mathilde noticed she said ‘Lady Rozemyne’ and not ‘Old Werkestock’ she kept it to herself.

*

Sebastian circuited the Interduchy Tournament with a sort of deliberateness that he didn’t usually require. Minerva was gently holding his arm and the two of them walked, glancing at each of the research projects as they passed. It was unusual for him, an Aub of the research duchy, to be so passive in his examinations but there was something far more important to achieve this year: security for his daughter and her fiancé.

He had no doubt that his daughter and Zent Ferdinand held the power to crush their opposition, even if it came to war again, Ferdinand would emerge victorious especially with Dunkelfelger’s support, but the question was simple. He needed to know if Klassenberg would bow first; all the other territories were lesser than Klassenberg in that way, Dunklefelger held second, Drewanchel third, but when the time came it would be up to Ferdinand and Rozemyne to demand the first ranked territory bow before the territories they held firm.

Sebastian knew his son-in-law’s concern was that Klassenberg would demand a marriage for their support. It remained to be seen if the pair could remain monogamous as they hoped they could but if Klassenberg forced the issue it would be… troublesome. Thus Klassenberg was kept out of the initial stages of planning but Sebastian worried it would be a mistake. The great tactician Ferdinand might misstep for something so ‘trivial’ as Sebastian’s daughter; as a father he could be impressed even if as an Aub he was concerned.

There must be an attempt to prepare Klassenberg without resorting to full negotiations…

Minerva squeezed his arm gently. Right… he needed a solution.

Rozemyne had withdrawn from them slightly, that was only natural as she intended to take her place on such an elevated stage, but she had given him one piece of information that might suit: Ferdinand was the son of a Klassenberg prince. He had admitted as much to Rozemyne and Sebastian could admit there was a touch of resemblance.

Now, he had no doubt Klassenberg would want him to also marry his half-sister or cousin, Eglantine, but that would hardly be the case when Ferdinand was ‘merely’ a professor and future spouse to an Aub. At the moment Ferdinand was just an interesting curiosity, a hidden royal seed, but when he stood as Zent that would change.

That was something he could reveal that would change Klassenberg’s opportunistic stance in an instant. Why support a Zent without Klassenberg blood when there was one with that blood? That would be the stance to take…

Minerva squeezed his arm, urgent this time, and he saw they were actually approaching said Aub swiftly.

“Aub Klassenberg,” Sebastian greeted him with a deep nod that Minerva copied. “Might I pray in appreciation of this meeting ordained by the God of Life?”

It was not, strictly, required to greet the Aub as they passed, but the Klassenberg Aub nodded and they exchanged greetings.

“You seem to just barely graze your fingers over second rank before the pillar that might have supported you was snatched away, Aub Drewanchel,” Aub Klassenberg said. The rudeness was expected, not even surprising, and yet Sebastian wanted to grin at this arrogant idiot. “A pity you did not proclaim Rozemyne your heir sooner.”

“Drewanchel prides itself in measuring the worth of all candidates fully before selecting one,” Sebastian retorted.

It was a perfect mirror on the stupidity of Klassenberg, they had gone to Trauerqual’s side simply because the Prince existed and was not a Werkestock. Drewanchel had attempted some level of neutrality, as had Dunklefelger, and both of them only supported the former Zent Trauerqual because he was now zent and had been poised to beat the fourth prince, nothing more. In another life without Klassenberg and Magdelena rushing to Trauerqual there could have been another outcome to the civil war.

“She is exceptional, however,” Sebastian continued. “She is even presenting new research with her fiancé Lord Ferdinand.”

The Klassenberg Aub sniffed in reproach. “I heard he has merit, blessed by Kuntzeal, but he is now just a professor and future spouse, is he not?”

Sebastian shrugged amicably. “I believe they are well-matched in their quality, but perhaps you wish to take their measure now that my daughter is officially declared heir by royal decree?”

“Old Werkestock,” the Aub said with a dismissive tone. “Rank tenth now and not even in possession of their foundation… Why would we even consider such a territory?”

Sebastian gave little more than a mysterious shrug. “They have much innovation to their names and now that Rozemyne is beholden to Old Werkestock their economic merit will soon become clear.”

Sebastian willed the arrogant Aub to take the bait, but he has no assurances he had until late into the evening…

“ Father-in-law ?” Ferdinand said through gritted teeth as he visited Drewanchel late that evening. “How pleased I was to see you pointing Aub Klassenberg toward Rozemyne’s research today.”

Of course Sebastian invited Ferdinand for some liquor to ease the irritation of the future Zent.

“You must know you need some support from Klassenberg,” Sebastian reasoned as he took a long sip of his drink. “You have decided revealing the fullness of your planning and sitting for full negotiations is unwise, but you must show some benefits to the top territory.”

Ferdinand slumped back in his seat. “Rozemyne told you.” There was no betrayal in his words, but there was some irritation there that was impossible to miss.

“Because she seeks me for guidance and has since she was baptized, as a tactician, although not a ditter one. I was worried for Klassenberg and whether they would foolishly decide to continue to support Trauerqual.”

“I don’t consider them blood,” Ferdinand answered without a hint of hesitation.

By blood, Ferdinand was the nephew of the current Zent, even if that Zent was a false one. Sebastian had no true understanding of what it must be like to be from that place and he didn’t push Ferdinand to explain, but Ferdinand held thick royal blood as a result. That was one of his strengths, at least when it came to Klassenberg.

“But they consider you blood,” Sebastian reminded him. “You can dispense with the connection immediately, but you must know Klassenberg would stand for you over Trauerqual as a result. They can assume you did not approach them due to simple caution and once it becomes clear you have courted all the other upper territories it will be too late for them to realize how little weight you place on that blood.”

Ferdinand’s jaw took in a mulish set. Sometimes it was so clear that he was only a young man. It was almost endearing.

“As a father I must be pleased with how much you care for my daughter,” Sebastian again assured him, “but do not become like your brother as a result.”

The chastisement hit home, he could tell immediately. Aub Ehrenfest had not considered a second wife until it bordered on too late, and Ferdinand could not shut his eyes to the potential necessity out of love either. “I have at least a decade…”

Sebastian nodded at his assessment. The hidden princess was younger than Rozemyne and no one expected a Zent or Aub to deeply consider a second wife until the first had produced a child or two. As Zent he could also avoid an early engagement based solely on the weight of his position and how many other territories would support him. In short, he had a decade before things would begin to move.

“I… thank you,” Ferdinand said after that. “I never expected to become Ewegeliebe.”

He smiled at his son-in-law’s admission. “It is good that my daughter is as accepting as Geduldh then… and do not think my wife hasn’t noticed how much you’ve slowly covered her in ice.”

Lord Ferdinand, future Zent and current Foundation holder of Jergenschmidt, flushed and looked away from the tacit accusation from his father-in-law. Sebastian couldn’t help but be amused and touched. His daughter had somehow cause the well known lord of evil and statue made of ice to thaw, helped him rise to the position of Dark God, and turned him into Ewegeliebe; truly his daughter was exceptional even in love despite what he and his wife had once worried.

Chapter Text

Surprise Zent Ditter - Sylvester 

Sylvester entered the Archduke’s Conference that year with a mix of pride, shame, and trepidation. His future sister-in-law had descended on Ehrenfest with all the might of Verdraeos and purged the land of Chaocypher but he also knew he had made choices the little Mestionora would not have fully approved of. Bonifatius had been particularly infuriated by Florencia becoming pregnant around the time of Rozemyne’s visit and he knew the girl had all but snubbed Florencina because of it.

Other than that, he felt as though he had been making progress as an Aub. He had begun to emotionally let go of his mother and trimmed many of the useless advisors she had placed around him, and he had even made a few overtures toward Leisegang to find another wife as much as he found it distasteful.

Someone please tell me I’ve been working hard and doing a good job ! Maybe he could have a drink with Ferdinand and his brother would praise him.

Sylvester arrived at the huge meeting area where the Conference took place and looked around. Perhaps a bit more than half of the duchies’ Aubs had arrived and were sitting while the table that held the Zent was currently empty. That was odd; the Zent himself usually arrived late but it wasn’t unusual for a few aides or the First Wife to arrive early. He didn’t think much of it at first, instead waiting with Karstedt and a few aides.

The rest of the duchy representatives all arrived and still no one from the Sovereignty had arrived… and Sylvester was fairly certain Justus, his brother’s lead aide, was circulating among the upper territories. Sure Ferdinand was marrying into Drewanchel and Werkestock but that didn’t explain talking to Dunklefelger so extensively, did it?

It was perhaps a fraction of a bell after Zent Trauerqual should have arrived when an announcement finally came: “Announcing the arrival of the Zent!”

Sylvester and pretty much everyone else rose, as was appropriate, but after a moment he realized the announcement had come from… Justus?! Far more than that, it was not Trauerqual but Ferdinand who had entered, trailed by a modest entourage who took the seats traditionally held by a Zent’s advisors.

Ferdinand, much to the relief of Sylvester’s stomach, didn’t sit where the Zent would, but instead stood before the table. He was in stunning clothes in cloth and jewels and embroidery that were visible even at a distance, but instead of the ocher inner lining of his cloak it was instead pure white while the exterior remained black. There was no white territory, right?

There were many murmurs that spread throughout the conference area, but he also noticed that almost everyone, including Klassenberg, was glancing toward Dunklefelger, the Shield of the Zent who was also the brother of Trauerqual’s First Queen. The Aub stood implacable, however, making no indication he disapproved. No knights from any territory moved, even the ones that Sylvester saw wearing Sovereignty black. What the heck was this?!

“Announcing the arrival of the High Bishop!” Again the cry came from Justus, but rather than anyone Sylvester would have vaguely recognized as High Bishop, his little Mestionora of a sister-in-law entered, dressed in white with the symbol of their country blazoned across the chest of her robes.

Rozemyne came to stand next to Ferdinand, which was also a bit terrifying, but what followed from her was even more so: “O King and Queen of the Endless Sky, I beseech you do bear witness to the crowning of the true Zent, your emissary on this land, Ewearmin’s Garden!”

What… What?! He was suddenly very glad Florencia wasn’t here and was home with Melchior; this was far too stimulating for a new mother!

“Ferdinand zon Ehrenfest, present the proof of your claim as Zent!” Rozemyne announced loudly.

Ferdinand raised his hand and said the word that had haunted Jergenschmidt for almost a decade now: “ Grutrissheit !”

If the murmurs had been soft before, they quickly rose into outright shouting as Aubs made cries of shock in response to the book and aides who had been still with shock now began to dart around toward duchies like Drewanchel, the domain of Rozemyne, and Dunklefelger, the duchy that should protest this most. He didn’t know if he should be offended that only a few lower territories came to Ehrenfest despite Ferdinand being Ferdinand zon Ehrenfest . He unfortunately had nothing to tell them.

“Ferdinand zon Ehrenfest,” Rozemyne continued after the shouts had slightly quieted. “Do you swear before the gods that you hold the Foundation of Jergenschmidt.”

“I do swear,” Ferdinand answered. 

The murmurs rose in volume again, but instead of waiting, Rozemyne raised her voice and commanded simply: “Kneel!”

Ferdinand did so, but more than that Aub Dunklefelger and Drewanchel circled their tables and did as well. Many lower territories scrambled to comply immediately, some middle territories too, and of course Sylvester did. Ahrensbach and Old Werkestock took a moment to comply and after several moments it was only Klassenber, a few under their asylum, and the two middle territories who birthed or married the current Zent who had not yet done so.

“Kneel!” Rozemyne ordered again. Aub Klassenberg complied and with his acquaintance the fight left the rest of them. After that had been done, Rozemyne called forth a pair of spells only for a gleaming crown of light to be summoned to her head and a cloak black as night to rest on her shoulders. Sylvester gaped and it seemed the shock had been beaten out of the territories as there were only a handful of murmurs in response.

Again she beseeched the gods, the King and Queen of the endless sky, and all the gods before she began to recite a prayer about growth, change, and other things that reminded him of the oath he had taken to become a blue robe and High Bishop of Ehrenfest. During her prayer she slung the cloak around Ferdinand’s shoulders and placed the crown atop his head, and then finally Ferdinand bowed his head and answered in his own obvious prayer to safeguard and shepherd Jergenschmidt before a cascading seven color blessing rained down on him, the cloak of the Dark God flapping in wind that wasn’t present.

Ferdinand dismissed Grutrissheit, the cloak and crown faded, and Rozemyne went to stand before him. Sylvester flushed slightly as she unclasped Ferdinand’s cloak and then flipped it, revealing the white side that Sykvester could now see was embroidered white on white. He had no idea the symbolism, but had to assume it meant something .

Deafening silence stretched across every corner of the room only to be broken by Rozemyne’s: “Rise, Ferdinand Zent Jergenschmidt!”

Ferdinand did so and he walked to the seat of the Zent and stood before it. Rozemyne followed after him and sat where the First Lady of Jergenschmidt would be expected.

“I have claimed Grutrissheit, claimed the Foundation of Jergenschmidt, and sworn myself to the King and Queen of the Endless Sky as their emissary. I stand as true Zent, a Zent who holds the key to every door within this land.”

Sylvester suddenly realized what had happened, Ferdinand had closed the portals between the Sovereignty and the Academy and basically locked his opponent in a bottle that couldn’t be escaped. He shuddered, wondering what had happened to those locked within, or what had already happened… Ferdinand was terrifying.

“Now,” Ferdinand said, casual as you please. “You may make your introductions and we will begin the Conference.”

Again all eyes turned to Klassenberg, and again the Aub seemed deep in thought, but after a few glances that seemed to be gauging Drewanchel and Dunklefelger, the Aub rose from his kneeling position and went to make his greeting to Ferdinand, Zent Ferdinand.

It took quite some time for Ehrenfest’s time to come, as each Aub seemed to be having some more extended conversation as part of their greeting than was usually expected. Sylvester did eventually rise from his position, walk to where Ferdinand was seated, and made his introduction. 

“It is a pleasure to have your support and loyalty, Aub Ehrenfest,” Ferdinand accepted the greeting with a great deal of coldness, and Sylvester was almost hurt by that. “Do things go well within your borders?”

“Y-yes, Zent Ferdinand,” Sylvester answered in a stumble. “By the end of the year I hope to ask your permission for an engagement to my Second Wife.”

“And your First Wife?” Ferdinand asked, clearly noting Florencia’s absence.

“She… has recently been released from Geduldh’s burden,” he answered with a bashful note.

He saw Rozemyne’s face close enough to see her quite literally roll her eyes while Ferdinand at least had the grace not to say anything. “A second wife cannot come too soon, then.”

There were a few pleasantries afterward, and Sylvester returned to his seat while the rest of the territories made their introductions.

Ferdinand!! At least warn your brother when you’re going to commit a coup!!!

*

Ferdinand

Ferdinand finished the opening ceremony and then announced he had important information for the ears of Aubs only before dismissing the conference for the day. It wasn’t unusual for that to happen, the opening ceremony would come and go, and then tea party and meeting invitations would fly.

“Thank you for your support today,” he greeted once the Aubs had all arrived, simply making it obvious this was expected.

“What is the disposition of the Sovereignty, the former zent, his family, and his aides?” Klassenberg asked with a firm voice almost immediately.

Ferdinand gave the Aub a sharp look. “That is one of the topics I will discuss, Aub Klassenberg. It is of secondary importance to what I brought you here for, however. Please consider that I hold a broader understanding of the needs of this country than you.”

The chastisement was firm but clear. Ferdinand waited until the Aub nodded in deference. “Now. The matter of foremost importance, especially to those who hold abandoned territories, is that with the collaboration of Aub Drewanchel and Aub Ehrenfest a universal path that can be taken to the Foundation has been discovered.”

The Aubs talked swiftly among themselves and in obvious disbelief, and Ferdinand waited a few moments. “This will be revealed when I dismiss you and you may take the rest of the day to secure this route.”

They quieted. “Now, the disposition of the former Zent and his aides. The former Zent and his family will be allowed to surrender, and if he so chooses will be allowed to return to what amounts to his home territory through his maternal line. If he resists, harsher punishment will be afforded. Currently he sits with little more than the knowledge that I have taken the Foundation and possess Glutrissheit. His ignorance has been shown in full due to the fact that he never held the Foundation of Jergenschmidt, not even through the supply, as the country Foundation does not rest in the territory called ‘Sovereignty’ but in the Royal Academy.”

Ferdinand waited for that information to sink in. “All Sovereignty aides will be swiftly vetted and largely returned to their home territories where they may choose to return to similar positions under my reign as they see fit. Personnel will be requested after positions have been filled voluntarily.

“Are there any other concerns?”

He waited. No one dared ask more than that, the assurance that punishments would occur only as necessary was made. Finally, he revealed the final piece of information: the Foundation was accessible through the house of god.

“I now dismiss you,” Ferdinand said. “You must swear yourself as a blue priest or you will not be able to enter the library. You are welcome to ignore this warning but I will not be responsible for your damaged pride. Dismissed.”

Finally he was mostly alone, Sylvester and Aub Drewanchel had stayed and Rozemyne had entered now that the politics was handled. She was dressed in a pretty and seasonable dress now rather than her High Bishop robes. Sylvester seemed intensely tentative about his presence before finally saying: “How… long?”

“I claimed the Foundation in response to Trauerqual attempting to banish Rozemyne to Werkestock. She had been performing research that reflected badly on the Royal Family and didn’t accept Drewanchel’s help.”

Sylvester swallowed down a nervous gulp and nodded. “And… Grutrissheit?”

“I found it in my fourth year,” he answered with casual assurance. “Without backing like I have now through my fiancée, this move was pointless.”

“Yeah…” Sylvester said. “Uh, yeah. I’ll… go? Just to take the news back to Ehrenfest.”

Ferdinand dismissed them. After a moment he sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Well, the Sovereignty has had its two bells to stew on the consequences of their decision. Shall we see what they have chosen?”

He saw Rozemyne tense.

“Would you like to avoid seeing the answer?” he asked his delicate fiancée. She had sobbed over two librarians, how would she respond to what might be the extermination of many including children? Of course she had also brutally destroyed the mind of Veronica, so perhaps he failed to understand both sides of his fiancée’s resolve.

He watched emotions flick across her face and he knew she was thinking in great detail about her answer, weighing the pros and cons, before finally taking a deep breath. “I’ll go with you.”

Ferdinand held out his arm and Rozemyne took it and then they finally exited the small conference room and found Heitsshitz waiting for him. “Zent, the various Aubs have returned to their dormitories.”

Ferdinand nodded his approval. “As expected. Let’s go see what has happened in the Sovereignty, then.”

They walked to the portal to the Sovereignty and Ferdinand stood before the closed portal for long moments as he tried to decide what to do. Finally he held out his hand and Justus gave him a paper to write on and a firm board to steady it.

Clemency will be granted to those who surrender and hold no malice toward me and my reign . He felt it necessary to reiterate that. Knights will be sent to oversee surrender .

Justus then placed the paper on the circle, and Ferdinand looked at the various knights, largely Dunklefelger, many even technically in service to the Sovereignty who Aub Dunklefelder had summoned ‘early’ in the day to become the start of Ferdinand’s knights. After a signal from Heitsshitz, a dozen or so drew swords.

Pale Royal Family

Trauerqual’s morning had started poorly, with news of the portals between the Sovereignty and the Academy closing coming as he had just finished his bath. It had been open all night, at least it was supposed to have been, to allow aides and knights to enter and leave and prepare for the Conference. He dressed and headed to the portal, using his mana to open it again only for it to… not open.

“What?” Trauerqual stared at the door in horror, and then tried to open it again, and again, and again. This was his duchy, he couldn’t be locked out !

He was still staring in stunned confusion when the transfer circle did seem to open, light up, and a single sheet of paper rested gently at the center like reports might sometimes be delivered. One of his aides rushed to retrieve the paper and again Trauerqual tried to open or activate the circle only to be denied.

After long moments, a shaking hand offered him the sheet of paper.

Trauerqual zon Hauchletze , the paper read. Trauerqual son of Hauchletze, his mother’s duchy. It didn’t address him as zent, or even the Aub of the Sovereignty, just a son of the archducal house or Hauchletze, it was an obscene dismissal.

I, Ferdinand Zent Jergenschmidt, have claimed both the Foundation of Jergenschmidt and Glutrissheit. Your inability to enter the Royal Academy or leave the Sovereignty Palaces should make this more than clear.

Can’t leave the Palace? “Is there something wrong with the doors? Raublut, Loyalite, check that we can leave the Palace.”

The answer came before he could even return to the letter.

“Zent…,” Loyalite reported barely a minute later. “There is some sort of duchy border carved around the Palace in a dome. I… have the men searching but there does not seem to be a door at all, much less an open one. The dome also bisects some of the gardens haphazardly…”

The only way to draw a duchy boundary was from the country Foundation with Grutrissheit… His hands shook as he raised the letter again. 

Ferdinand… that fruit of Adalgiza that Raublut had recognized… Lady Rozemyne’s fiancé… When he had assigned the girl as heir to Werkestock he had not even known who Ferdinand was beyond Magdalena's former potential husband. Magdelena had not described him in good terms but he hadn’t thought he was more than a bastard from a midrank duchy.

In spite of your attempts to hurt my fiancée and ignore the warnings she provided, your life and that of your family is not yet forfeit. I hold the Sword of the Zent in hand and the backing of my fiancée in Drewanchel and Werkestock. Surrender without malice in your heart and you will be allowed to live out your days as a minister in Hauchletze.

This… arrogant… Trauerqual felt his fury rise at this… child .

“Get me my knights!” he shouted.

Again it was Loyalite, his Vice Commander, who delivered the news: “The majority of the knights provided by Dunklefelder… left for the Royal Academy in the early hours before they were expected to go.”

One of his aides, a Klassenberg scholar, added the damning pen stroke across that news: “Most of Drewanchel’s scholars similarly left early this morning.”

The loss didn’t gut the personnel of the Sovereignty, most of his aides were from Hauchletze and Gleissenmeier, but it did gut an extensive portion of the quality of his personnel, leaving him only with Klassenberg as an upper duchy who had provided extensive human resources who were still there. 

Those from Klassenberg seemed to realize this and Trauerqual watched, helpless, as some of them gathered, doubtless to discuss what had happened. The fact that a Zent who had the Foundation and Grutrissheit was the only one who could have sealed them in such a magic trap was not lost on him, and doubtless those Klassenberg aides knew or would quickly figure it out.

Raublut and Loyalite rallied what knights remained to him, the scholars from his most loyal middle territories closed ranks as well.

“ What has happened ?!” A screech came from his former First Wife, Ralfreida. The news of the closed portal doubtless having reached her. Sigiswald and Anastasius trailed in her wake, then must have gotten in through portals that connected the palaces… 

“The…” Words failed him, and yet after several moments he continued. “A former Ehrenfest lord has stood claiming he holds Grutrissheit and the Foundation.”

“Lord Ferdinand?!” Magdalena asked, now having arrived and looking similarly shocked.

Finally, Trauerqual remembered the letter in his hand and looked at it again.

Your aides will not be harmed and will be allowed to return to their home duchies as long as they hold no malice toward me and my reign . Again the talk of malice… Perhaps he meant to force them into contracts of loyalty. Failure to convey this to them will seal your fate as a loser of a civil war. Regardless, I wish to accept your entire family’s complete surrender, so you may be assured I do not want your head.

The consequences of this dawned on him. As soon as Trauerqual conveyed such terms, all but the most loyal to him would immediately abandon him, anyone from a territory other than Hauchletze and Gleissenmeier could be lost in an instant. Klassenberg… he didn’t know. And the threat, a loser of a civil war would be executed, his family destroyed down to the man, instead his note made it clear he didn’t want the wolves Trauerqual was surrounded with to kill him, yet.

Ferdinand had locked him in a jail with the vicious wolves of Klassenberg and left surrender and supplication the only salvation. When he had fought the civil war, none had held Grutrissheit; how laughable, there couldn’t have even been a war with it in someone’s possession. No wonder Waldifried had been assassinated swiftly.

“Raublut!” Trauerqual hissed, drawing his Knight Commander to him. “You said… that lord, Ferdinand, he’d have Klassenberg blood?”

Raublut nodded. “He is almost certainly sired by Late Zent Waldifried or Prince Siegfried, the look is faint, he more firmly holds the Adalgiza looks… but even without that blood he could claim it with no records to contradict it.”

“I… have to surrender,” he realized with a trembling voice, barely a whisper.

“Your Majesty, you can’t!” Raublut answered.

Magdelena ran up to him and grabbed the letter, eyes raking over it now that some amount of quiet had fallen, however uncomfortable. “My traitor of a brother, and that man. He’s just a midterritory bastard!”

“He has royal blood,” Trauerqual admitted softly to his wife. “Royal, Klassenberg blood.”

He must have been heard, because a flurry of chatter passed among his Klassenberg aides and then a few drew schtappes only for his knights to immediately respond in kind and then the rest of the Klassenberg aides to respond with drawn schtappes. A stand off between the two sets of aides snapped into being in a moment.

“He wants us alive!” Trauerqual shouted, shamed by his need to hide from his aides behind a piece of paper.

One of his lead Klassenberg aides gestured and Trauerqual let the letter be passed between them. He watched with frayed nerves as that single sheet of paper that protected his family’s life left his hand…

“Zent Ferdinand says those who surrender without malice will be spared,” his once-loyal aide said. “Bring Queen Clementine and that child.”

Trauerqual watched his First Wife’s eyes go wide. “Hildebrand is a baby!” Magdelena cried out. “That bastard !”

Ralfreida also seemed to realize what was happening and was shouting that Trauerqual could not do such a thing to Sigiswald. He winced at the blatant favoritism of his now-Second Wife, and even some of the knights from his home duchies had now grabbed the Second Queen and her children and began to form a line, his wife and her two sons shoved to their knees.

“Father?” Sigiswald said, chin raised. “What is this nonsense? I am the First Prince! I do not kneel!” His son, now being held loosely in check by some of his aides began to struggle and even drew his schtappe, trying to slice a sword against one of the Klassenberg aides nearby.

He managed to leave a deep knick to his leg and the response was an instant backhand to the boy’s face and schtappe sealing cuffs being brought to clap his son into submission.

“Your Majesty,” Raublut said, voice just for his ears. “We could feign a surrender—”

“And attack with what army?” Trauerqual hissed in response. “Barely two dozen knights remain loyal enough to not push my family to their knees. They won’t lift a sword for me.”

In the end, even if he hadn’t wished to surrender, his aides forced it on him. The entire royal family had been forced to its knees, including his infant son Hildebrand being cradled by his nanny and his oldest son being bound in cuffs. The entirety of his aides had closed rank, largely by their territory, and many had even flipped their capes so the internal color that marked their origin territories was displayed rather than Sovereignty black.

His defeat was absolute and that bastard hadn’t even had the grace to draw a sword.

Trauerqual had no idea how long they waited, watched closely by his various aides who had once been loyal to him, forced to kneel until the Zent came. He was at the Archduke’s Conference, Trauerqual realized. He would have stood there as Zent and conducted business for bells while Trauerqual knelt. Even as he felt galled by the treatment, he was almost impressed. Had all the territories knelt? Had Klassenberg? Had Hauchletze and Gleissenmeier?

The truth sunk in as Dregahnuhr weaved slowly. Attempt to harm my fiancée , had this all been for her? He had no idea how long that bastard had been able to move but this could not have been the work of a single year. A child of royal blood, Magdelena’s age… he could have had the book for years, unable to stand without support; Dunklefelger support, Drewanchel support…

He had done this. He knew that with certainty.

Finally the transfer circle shone and a single paper arrived again. An aide rushed up and grabbed it. “It reiterates the demand for surrender and the safety of those who do.”

Knowing what was coming, the aide retreated from the circle, took his place, and the variety of aides who made up the Sovereignty crossed their arms and bowed their heads. A few knights entered first, wearing Dunklefelger cloaks.

“Traitors,” Magdelena hissed, and from the lead knight’s glance Trauerqual knew he had heard.

When no fight came, the circle flared again and Ferdinand along with his miniature Mestionora, Rozemyne, came through. He was… resplendent, there was unfortunately no other word for it, dressed in the finest clothes, dripping in the finest feystones, and wearing the crown of light and the cape of the dark god. Trauerqual’s heart was filled with absolute fury at the demeaning treatment.

It was made even worse when the young man, not even twenty, walked up to him and glanced down at him with a gaze that could have arrested even Ewegeliebe in ice. “Trauerqual.”

He lifted his head.

“Your surrender.” It was not a question.

He had no choice; he had lost a daughter already to war and he would not lose any of his three sons. He began. “As the former Zent of Jergenschmidt—”

“Coward!” Trauerqual gasped and glanced around only to realize it was Raublut who had spoken. He even dared to rise to his feet and draw his unsealed schtappe. “Where were you when my master fought for Jergenschmidt?!”