Chapter Text
The First Starbinding of the Day
It was an exciting morning for Melchior. Today was a bonus temple day and the day of the Starbinding Ceremony. He had travelled with Kazimar to the temple the night before and so was awoken by Lothar’s gentle coaxing.
“Lord Melchior. There is much to do today.” He said. “It is time to wake up.” He continued. After a few minutes, the young lord slid blearily out of the blankets and sat before his attendants to be prepared for the day. Only Lothar and the apprentice Kirk assisted for most things. Sheila was down in the kitchen helping the chefs with breakfast while his two other attendants prepared reports and documents alongside Kazimar’s grey priests. The workload left behind by Hartmut and Rozemyne proved to be more than any normal person could manage so they were on near indefinite loan.
Kirk chirped energetically as he handed Melchior a moist towel then a toothbrush. “I learned how to fold the ceremonial robes yesterday. Lothar said I’m ready to learn all the accessories now!”
“That's great, Kirk.”
“Soon I'll be putting you in your High Bishop’s robes. I'll practice really hard so you can count on me to make it perfect.” This time he received only a nod and a yawn. It was like this most temple mornings. Lothar had attempted to curb his chatty apprentice but Melchior insisted he didn't mind and even that he wanted to know about their work. Now he just shook his head and continued combing out the tangles newly formed last night.
“Do you want me to cut your hair, Lord Melchior?” Lothar asked.
“No. Father said I should grow it longer so we can match.” Once he was more presentable, Melchior made his way to the bath and preemptively shivered. The cleansing with cold water was the worst part of performing religious ceremonies. Lothar poured the bucket over his head while reciting a short prayer then pulled him quickly into a warm towel. Only after Kirk helped him into his underlayers and Lothar began arranging the complicated ceremonial outfit did he start to feel warm again. He looked down at the white clothes and sighed. He hadn't needed them since the summer baptisms. Somewhere in that short time, they had gone from a little short to too short.
“I will inform Lord Zargerecht that you will need new robes as well,” Lothar noted. Melchior wasn't entirely sure how his temple and castle retainers communicated, but they seemed to all know the same things at the same time. His mother was already planning a fitting for his winter clothes when he returned to the castle next week. It was early this year because he needed extra for the Royal Academy. He could only assume ordonnanz were being exchanged but he never saw them and Lothar couldn't use them anyway. “The commoner Starbinding will be complete by third bell. We will then have an early lunch before you head to the castle. Brother Nikolaus will accompany you as guard knight. The high priest will be taking his attendants for the ceremony while we will remain here at the temple.”
“Why aren't my attendants going?” Melchior asked.
“As you are too young to have an estate, and already have attendants at the castle, we would have nowhere to go and nothing to do. Lord Kazimar's attendants are very skilled. You need not worry about any lack of help preparing the ritual.” Lothar continued while fixing the black and gold sashes in place. Kirk handed him the brooch and smiled once it was accepted. In addition to the traditional objects, he also hung a long chain with three large faestones around Melchior’s neck. It was created to hold the mana for blessings by Kazimar after fumbling around with loose faestones one too many times.
“Do you want to go to the castle?” Melchior asked.
“Yes!” Kirk said
“Our desires are irrelevant, Lord Melchior.” Lothar corrected and calmly looked at both boys. Melchior looked thoughtful while Kirk was a little sheepish.
“I'll ask what can be done next year. I'll definitely bring you along.” At this, Lothar could only smile. All of his masters had been stubborn in their own ways. Melchior was unwavering in his efforts to make others happy. Lothar finished adding the last few baubles and stepped away with a bow.
Just then, as though she were waiting for this moment, Sheila came in with breakfast. It was simpler than normal but still sizable in portions. Melchior ate as much as one would expect of a growing boy. He wasn't very picky and all his favorite foods happened to be the least expensive and time consuming to make. Lothar was sure it was an intentional response to finding out how expensive his life was compared to the orphans and other priests but he couldn't bring it up. The boy was a picture of health and insisted he was happy with his meals. While he ate, Kirk left to check on the preparations for the Starbinding and Melchior’s guard knights entered. Fonsel guarded the outside of the door while Nicholas stood inside so Dedryck could eat. After elegantly inhaling his food Dedryck switched with Fonsel. With Kirk gone, it was very quiet. The only sounds were the most polite eating noises and Melchior muttering the prayers to himself.
It was his first time conducting the commoner Starbinding. He’d been too exhausted from doing mana replenishment during the previous year's Archdukes Conference to study. After learning the Spring coming of age and Summer baptism rites only just in time, he only managed to memorize the Noble’s Starbinding. Everyone said he’d done well to learn as much as he had but he couldn't help but feel like he’d let Rozemyne down.
This year was different. He was ready and everything would be perfect. He steadied his heart, put on a noble smile and made his way through the temple.
They walked unhurried towards the chapel. Lothar led the way with the bible followed by Melchior, then Nikolous, then his other guards. Nikolaus was in the awkward position of being both an apprentice priest and an apprentice guard knight. His faestones armor formed over his blue robes seemed tailor made to highlight this contrast. This compromise had come after a surprisingly heated debate between Kazimar and Dedryck. Kazimar insisted that as a priest he had to wear blue robes in the temple to show respect for the gods while Dedryck held that guard knights needed their armor to properly do their jobs and an apprentice needed to wear their armor until it felt like a part of their body.
“A priest cannot irrelevantly flaunt the tools of war before the gods!”
“O God of Fire, Liedenshaft is not going to be offended by a man in armor. Neither are any of the rest of them!”
Kazimar had taken a liking to temple life. He was now as pious as he was knowledgeable about its history and inner workings. Dedryck, who was normally rather timid, was unflinching in all matters related to Sylvester’s son’s safety. No one would cede ground so the squabble had eventually reached the office of said Archduke Sylvester. The scholars in the office were mortified but he looked on with great amusement. Melchior broke the stalemate himself by asking, “Couldn't he wear both?”
“Why do you say that, Melchior?” Sylvester asked. All eyes turned to Melchior and for almost a minute his brain refused to summon an answer. The only thing he could argue in the end was:
“It would look cool, I think.” Kazimar’s noble smiled slipped from his face while Dedryck simply blinked repeatedly.
Sylvester leaned back and very sternly replied “ It's flawless logic. Let it be so,” before smiling broadly and shooing them out of the office. To see them interact now, it would seem like such an argument never occurred but the proof walked behind Melchior with all the vigilance of an apprentice knight. His mana blade looked right at home beside the silver sash and seasonal decorations. The shining chestplate and sabatons gave an overall air of a miniature brown haired Leidenschaft. It did look cool. This was confirmed by the children of the summer baptism who whispered about the warrior priest nearly the whole ceremony.
Kirk was waiting outside the door when they arrived. “Everything is prepared.” He said while crossing his arms over his chest and bending at the waist. They waited a few more minutes until the High Priest called:
“The High Bishop shall now enter.” Lothar handed Melchior the bible. The doors were opened by a pair of grey priests. Melchior walked forward on his own. As he focused on ascending the altar without tripping on his robes, the young couples whispered and smiled.
“Oh how adorable. He's tiny just like my sister said.”
“I'm so proud. He’s back this year. It's like watching my little cousin grow up.”
One woman just squealed and pulled on her soon-to-be husband's sleeve. Melchior did his best to ignore them but a light blush still crept into his cheeks. This of course drew more sequels and whispers. When he reached the top, set the bible on the lectern, and stepped up on the provided riser, Kazimar silenced the assembly and began telling the story of the supreme gods. He wasn't as good at storytelling as Sylvester, and Melchior had heard the story before, but he enjoyed the tale nonetheless.
“They had disagreements about which responsibilities to bestow upon their children but they never descended into bickering or forgot to treat each other with respect”
“It is from their example that we form our own lasting partnerships, that two shall be joined in struggle and thus be delivered from loneliness and solitude to face the great work of building the heavens and mortal realm. Praise be to the gods!”
No matter how much one enjoyed the stories of the gods, it was still a long sermon. By the end, Melchior felt a little unsteady on his feet. He persisted though and delivered the prayer solemnly in his high pitched voice. “O mighty King and Queen of the endless skies, O God of Darkness and Goddess of Light, hear my prayers. May you grant your blessings to the birth of new unions. May they who offer their prayers and gratitude to thee be blessed with thy divine protection.” He touched one of the faestones and channeled their mana into his ring. Gold and black light shot into the air and rained sparkles over the newly weds. They then offered prayers to the gods and turned to leave the temple.
The men and women both pumped themselves up. Some pairs seemed ready to face the coming taus together while some husbands made grand promises of keeping their new wives dry on the run home. Melchior made his way down the steps with the bible. He breathed a sigh of relief and placed a hand to his forehead to calm his woozieness.
“Are you alright, Lord Melchior?” Kazimar asked the moment his hand reached his head.
“I’m just a bit dizzy is all.”
“Did you get good sleep last night? Did you eat enough for breakfast? You don’t seem to have a fever.” At the word fever, Lothar walked through the still parting doors, his face full of concern.
“I think I’ll be ok. I’m starting to feel better.” Melchior put on the smile his mother tended to wear to put him at ease and tried to walk on as though he felt perfectly fine.
“If you feel unwell, you must let us know. We cannot allow you to faint, Lord Melchior.” Lothar didn’t seem reassured by his smile and knelt before him to stare into his face.
“I bet he just forgot to bend his knees during your long sermon.” Fonsel said. Kazmiar shot him a glance but didn't deny it. Melchior tried to think about what he’d been doing during the whole ritual. He often had to remind himself to bend his knees and allow blood flow while standing for a long time. He couldn’t remember giving himself those reminders since he’d been listening and reviewing the blessing. He placed his fist into his palm.
“That’s it. I did forget to bend my knees.” He said this mostly to Lothar who looked like a great calamity had passed him by as he took the bible from Melchior’s hands.
“Well, that’s alright then. We must return to your chambers for lunch. There isn’t much time before you must head to the castle.”
Lunch was much like breakfast, but Melchior couldn’t eat nearly as much. It hadn’t been very long since then and he knew he was destined for an early dinner with his family as well. Nikolaus seemed to have no such reservations as he ate quickly then returned to his chambers to change out of his robes.
“Did you have fun, Lord Melchior? What is the Starbinding Ceremony like in the castle?” Kirk chattily served lunch and the tea Lothar had prepared while Lothar and Sheila carried the ritual implements to the carriages. By all rights, Kirk should have been on porting duty but he was neither as strong or as fast as the adults. Melchior also seemed to be in better spirits whenever he was around.
“I was too nervous to have fun, I think. The Starbinding in the castle is mostly the same except father tells the stories and a ton of extra people are in the hall at the time.”
“Extra people?”
“Single people and their chaperones or friends mingle to try to find wives. Our Dedryck will be trying his luck tonight too.” Fonesl broke in loudly while eyeing the door. “Be sure to give him Liebeskhilfe’s blessing today.” He whispered. Both boys nodded. “He’s sure to be a bit nervous.”
Melchior thought Dedryck did indeed seem nervous as they made their way to the Noble’s Gate. This time Nikolaus carried the high bishop’s bible. He handed it to Kazimar outside the carriages and returned to his place beside the other guards.
“I entrust the temple to you in my absence, Lothar.” Melchior said, as he’d been taught, before climbing into the carriage. He received a rare bow from all five of his attendants since Kazmiar was with them.
“Wasn’t Sigsnyr supposed to meet us here?” Dedryck quietly asked Fonsel.
With none of the same discretion, Fonsel replied, “Was he? Wouldn’t we normally meet at the castle?”
“Yes, but Nikolaus is already here. We could perform the hand off and I could go get ready.” Dedryck was looking more worried by the second.
“Well, as you say, Nikolaus is here with me. You can leave if you must.” Dedryck looked intently at the 12 year old apprentice knight.
“It's not enough protection with just you two.” He then opened the carriage door and gestured to Melchior inside. Kazimar also entered with them. Before getting in himself, Dedryck instructed Nikolous to go ahead of them to the castle. “Be sure that Sigsnyr is there when we get there.” The boy summoned his winged wolf with a sharp nod and flew off quickly.
Dinner and the Castle
Melchior looked out the windows at the large white buildings and manicured gardens. He was always amazed by how small the laynoble estates were compared to the castle. A particular enjoyment of riding through the Noble’s Quarter was searching for the discrete signs denoting the small stores some people had in side buildings. He’d always wanted to visit one but merchants came to the Archdukes family, not the other way around. His favorite sign was a metal bird with a chain in its mouth supporting a plaque. The plaque was unreadable from the road but he was sure it must be a wonderful place to have such a sign.
As they passed the mednoble and winter estates, there was less to be excited about. Only after the buildings gave way to crop fields and forest was his interest captured again. He had only been to two hunting tournaments so far and since he was going to the Harvest Festival starting this year, he was unlikely to visit another one until he came of age. They’d been a lot of fun, though he’d noticed that his family seemed less excited about the event. Wilfred, in particular, looked upset when he thought no one could see him. Since he went to so much trouble to hide it, Melchior didn't ask him about it.
Thinking about Wilfred's worries reminded him of Dedryck. Fonsel said he would be nervous too and looking at him in the dim carriage, it was clear to see he was stiffer than usual. Melchior thought about Liebeskhilfe’s blessing. He hadn't seen such a blessing in any of the bible’s transcriptions but he hadn’t found Angriff’s blessing either and he knew from stories about Rozemyne that it was effective. Perhaps it was in the High Bishop's bible. He didn't get very many opportunities to read it since his father only lent him the key on rare visits to the temple. He wondered when he would be fully entrusted with it like Rozemyne had been. In the meantime, he read the transcriptions in the book room and memorized the wooden boards. Just because he had never seen it didn't mean it didn't exist. Heilshmertz’s healing and Angriff’s blessing were almost the same. You said the god’s name and asked for their divine protection for whoever needed it. Surely Liebeskhilfe could be entreated in the same way.
He was lost in these thoughts as he went through the rote greetings to Zargerecht and watched his guards change over. He was only stirred by seeing Dedryck kneel and give his farewell
“Oh wait, Dedryck!” He said as the man was halfway between kneeling and standing up. Dedryck kneeled back down and recrossed his arms.
“Yes, my lord. Do you have parting instructions?”
“I just wanted to say good luck and to give you a blessing. O Goddess of Binding Liebeskhilfe, of the Goddess of Light’s exalted twelve, we pray that you grant Dedryck your divine protection.” He pushed a bit of mana into his ring and a bit extra seemed to come along with it to send a mote of golden light which burst and rained sparkles over the knight. Dedryck looked first stunned, then confused, and finally turned a bright shade of red. Fonsel held a hand to his mouth and failed to stifle a hearty laugh.
“Um… thank you.” He stood shakily and summoned his highbeast. “Oh… umm… Lord Melchior.'' In the blink of an eye he all but disappeared into the sky. At this, Fonsel broke down even more.
“Goodness, you actually did it.” He cackled. Nikolaus’s eyes were wide in amazement while Sigsnyr looked on with curiosity.
“What does that mean, Fonsel? What have you been telling Lord Melchior?” Zargerecht began to guide the party inside.
“I only said he should bless Dedryck for luck at the Starbinding. I’m just as surprised as you that such a blessing actually exists. Ah, the look on his face was a blessing in itself.” He filled the entire hallway with this speech so it was no surprise to receive a question from Kazmiar as he rejoined the group.
“What are you on about? And keep your voice down.” Fonsel took the opportunity to loudly recount the previous scene.
“I know of no such prayer or blessings, but if you saw it then it must exist. Where did you find it, Lord Melchior? How does it go?”
Melchior was once again distracted by thoughts of his retainer’s obvious worry. He repeated what he’d said as asked and hoped in his heart his blessing had helped at least a little. He made no effort to push mana into his ring but a small bit was sucked out anyway and flew off through the ceiling.
“Fascinating.” Was the only response from Kazmiar. Meanwhile Fonsel was struck by a new laughing fit.
“If that makes it, he’s going to think you don't believe in his chances.” His mirth did nothing to slow their pace towards the Northern Building. They reached Melchior’s room quickly and began preparing him for a bath. Once he was washed and dressed in a light blue formal tunic and dark blue breeches, his hair was brushed and pulled into a tiny ponytail in imitation of Sylvester. Nearly all his clothes were blue. It matched his hair and eyes and men weren't obligated to follow seasonal colors. He was a little jealous of Wilfred's gold and yellow wardrobe in all honesty. He was also sad that Ferdinand wasn't around anymore so they could match.
“Do you think Mother will order me other colors this year?” He asked Zagerecht. His head retainer was serving tea while he and Sigsnyr continued their long running game of Go. They could only play in the pauses between other things for the most part and Sigsnyr was the only one of his retainers still willing to play against him. There were still his friends in the temple orphanage and Kirk to compete with at least.
Zargerecht didn't pause his work to ask, “Other colors of what, Lord Melchior. You must be specific.”
“Do you think Mother will order me different colors of clothes this year. I only seem to wear blue.” He placed down a piece and flipped over a line of tiles. It was rather annoying to flip tiles when many squares were close together. He thought it would be nice if they were smaller or a different shape.
“Do you not like blue?” Sigsnyr asked. He had grey hair and golden eyes and, though Melchior rarely saw him in anything but a Knight's uniform, he had never seen Sigsnyr in the same color twice.
“I do but I want to wear something else too.”
“You’ll get your cloak this year. Then you can wear ochre.” Sigsnyr played with the tile in his hand as though not putting it down would give him the stroke of genius needed to overcome his inevitable defeat.
“Men only need one good color anyway. I wouldn't sweat it.” Fonsel said from his place guarding the door. This earned a frown from everyone in the room.
“Don't listen to him,” Sigsnyr whispered then said at full volume, “He’s the least fashionable knight in the dorms.”
“That's not true. I'm plenty fashionable. We can't all be pretty boys like you.”
“That's enough, Fonsel,” Zargerecht interrupted. “It is inappropriate to speak that way before Lord Melchior.”
“My apologies. What I meant to say is we don't all have the clothes budget of an archnoble scion.” He said this with a smile and without a hint of jealousy.
Whatever Sigsnyr was going to say was cut short by a light knock followed by Nikolaus opening the door. Haldis came in and bowed. “It is time for dinner, Lord Melchior.” Haldis and the knights followed him out. The strawberry blond attendant had only recently joined his retinue and Charlotte always seemed surprised to see him. It was no different this time when she descended the stairs from the girls level and glanced into the hall. Her attendant nearly ran into her when she stopped abruptly. The smile returned to her face mere moments later and she greeted her brother.
“How wonderful to see you this evening, Melchior. How was the Starbinding in the temple?” She waited for him to catch up before they walked downstairs together. He told her that it had gone well and he had remembered all the prayers and gave the blessing without issue. “That is most encouraging to hear, dear brother. I have to say, if their hair wasn't a different color I would be sure Hartmut had returned for a visit. He looks just like Hartmut.” There was an unmistakable tinge of fear carried with that name. Melchior had only met Hartmut a few times and he was always very kind. He wasn’t sure why the thought of him made his sister shiver imperceptibly.
“If you would excuse the presumption of a mere attendant to speak, my lady,” Haldis said after a moment.
Without turning around Charlotte answered, “Yes, Har… Haldis?”
“Thank you, my lady. As Hartmut is my younger brother, I believe it is more accurate to say that he looks just like me though he wouldn't be happy about it.” Both archduke’s children missed the side eye from Charlotte's retainers but Fonsel laughed silently.
“Yes, that is true. I suppose the wording would be important. Older siblings do have their pride.”
“I would be happy to look just like you, Charlotte.” Melchior said. Charlotte gave him a radiant small and patted his head.
“You are growing into quite the flatterer.” She cooed but to Melchior it was not flattery. It was his honest opinion that Charlotte was the most beautiful girl in the world. He had never left the borders of Ehrenfest, but this didn't diminish his certainty and no one could really say he had poor taste. With her crown of large golden curls and ever smiling indigo eyes, she was rather eye-catching. Her delicate facial features in contrast with her towering height painted a picture both divine and powerful. However, it was her poise and grace, somehow exemplary in a world of well bred women, that set her apart. She seemed to have the right word and gesture for every moment. Some people still held that Rozemyne was the more beautiful of the sisters, but in Melchior's opinion they were beautiful in different ways and thus could not be compared.
By now they were crossing the bridge into the main building. Melchior took the moment to ask how her day had gone.
“Oh it was very normal. I practiced the harspiel then helped father with his paperwork. Then it was time to prepare for dinner. I'll do some studying this evening.”
“Can I study with you? I have to leave early from the Starbinding Ceremony so I’ll be back by this evening.” This would be a rare opportunity when they were both almost free so Melchior tried to seize it.
“It will be rather late and we won't be studying the same things. Perhaps another evening. We can plan a time for one of your castle days.” At these words, whispers began between Haldis and Charlotte’s attendant. Melchior could only nod mournfully. They had a sibling tea party every Sproutday but it always felt too short. Finding any other time to spend with his brother and sister generally required several days if not a week of preparation as well as a good reason. They weren’t even always at dinner. It couldn’t be helped though. Charlotte was always busy with socializing and administrative work. It was slightly easier to track down Wilfred only because he was always in and around the knight’s training grounds. If Melchior made the mistake of going there though, he would inevitably be roped into running until his legs hurt. He knew it would be rude to try to press and he didn’t get a chance. They had reached the dining room.
All three of his guard knights lined up along the wall behind his normal seat while Haldis pulled it out for him. He didn’t settle a napkin on his lap just yet since the arrival of his parents would force him to stand up again shortly. Wilfred arrived very soon after and took his seat across from his siblings. Beside Wilfred would sit Lady Florencia then Aub Ehrenfest at the head of the table and Charlotte on his other side. Melchior wished to sit closer to his mother but as the youngest he was of the lowest standing and so was placed farthest from the seat of honor. When Brunhilde ate with them he was often placed next to her since WIlfred wanted to be neither next too nor across from his father’s second wife. Melchior didn’t mind having her at dinner if only because it meant he could sit in a slightly more central location. She would also talk to him about how her and Charlotte’s faction was doing and what trends were becoming popular in the Sovereignty. He wondered what she would say about him wanting to wear other colors than blue.
Just as the siblings were finishing their greetings, Sylvester and Florencia entered arm in arm. The children stood and bowed in their direction and gave words of greeting in unison. Sylvester waved them off then helped Florencia with her chair himself. Dinner was served and everyone began talking about the varied business of the duchy. A paper workshop was being established in Gerlach. They couldn’t seem to make too much Ehrenfest paper to sell to Alexandria but there was growing concern about the effect on forests. Charlotte’s knight training was going well. She was ready to start learning highbeast maneuvers. Wilfred would be ready to take over teaching the youngest apprentices soon. Their little sister was healthy and enjoying her picture books from Rozemyne and miniature brewing tool replicas from Ferdinand (but also from Rozemyne they were sure). Melchior reported that the commoner Starbinding had gone well and the blue priests had left dinner at the temple for the orphans.
Just as the food was cleaned away Henrietta was brought in by her wet nurse. The little girl had dark gold hair, much like WIlfred, and the strong features of Sylvester. Everyone smiled at her and Melchior promised to visit soon.
“Melchior, you are returning to the temple for the next few days. You won’t be able to visit for a while yet.” Florencia said.
“It's only a couple days. Then I’ll be back and can visit.”
“A few days is an eternity for a small child. Don’t you remember how you were devastated when Charlotte said she wouldn’t talk to you for a week because you pulled her hair.” Sylvester chuckled. “You cried so hard she only lasted two days.”
Melchior tried to smile through his embarrassment but as his face turned red. He had to raise his voice a little when he responded, “You don’t have to keep bringing that up.” This only earned a look of greater amusement from his father.
“Father, Melchior is always so sincere. It isn’t right to tease him.” Charlotte came to his defense.
They shared a few more giggles at his expense before Haldis stepped forward half a step. It was the signal he used to tell Melchior it was time to go. This time it meant he needed to go put his robes back on for the ceremony.
“Please excuse me, Father. I must go prepare for the Starbinding. I bid you all a good evening” Sylvester excused him and he rushed back to the Northern building.
The Noble’s Starbinding
He had done this perfectly last year so by all rights he shouldn’t have been nervous. Yet the longer he waited before the doors to the Grand Hall, the more his knees tried to shake.
“Just take a few deep breaths, Lord Melchior. You will do just fine.” Fonsel said with a few pats on the shoulder. His hand was slapped lightly by Haldis when he attempted to flick the mini ponytail too. Melchior's robes had been set in mostly the same way as this morning but a length of golden string had been added to keep his hair back. They also left a few hairs in the front free to heighten the similarity to his father’s hairstyle. Even though it wasn’t quite long enough yet, Melchior was sure it would please Sylvester.
When the door’s finally opened he did receive a genuine smile from the Archduke. He would never know that this was not because of his hair but because Florencia had whispered that he was just as adorable as Sylvester had been when they first met. She was not the only one remarking in this vein and Melchior wondered when he would outgrow such comments. “Some time in your late forties.” Sigsnyr would say when he brought it up later. It would be a crushing blow but for now he made it up the dias and sat down without tripping on his robes. Them being a bit too short was a boon in this respect.
Once they were all sitting and comfortable the single nobles and their chaperones began to mingle. Melchior looked for his attendant. He found Dedryck after some good searching. He was near a wall and would have looked every bit the dashing knight if he didn’t look so ready to bolt at the first whiff of rinsham. There were still a few women taking turns to speak with him.
“It looks like people like Dedryck. Why was he so nervous?” Sylvester was speaking to Lord Bonifiatus on his other side so Melchior directed his question to his mother.
“Finding love is always nerve racking. You’ll understand when it’s time for your own engagement,” she said then pointed out Wilfred. He was striding about like a golden Blaunfah, passionately shilling his friends and retainers and earning nervous glances from Brunhilde. Melchior thought he looked rather dashing but his growing admiration was cruelly struck down. “Wilfred is trying so hard to set up his friends because he’s nervous about his own prospects. I wonder if he even remembered the list Charlotte gave him.” She placed a hand on her cheek.
“Why would he worry, I’m sure any girl would want to marry him.”
Sylvester caught this stray comment and chimed in, “That’s part of his problem. The other part is that it isn’t his decision in the end. We will decide who he marries based on what’s best for Ehrenfest.”
“That sounds sad. Didn’t you choose father, Mother?”
Sylvester was caught between a smile and outrage. “I chose her,” he said quietly as he quailed under his wife's gentle smile. “It's the same for you so don’t go falling in love. And the five year moratorium will have elapsed by then so be prepared to marry into another duchy.”
This was fresh and terrifying information. Melchior’s voice cracked as he said, “I don’t want to live in another duchy. I don’t want to leave. Mother, you won't make me leave. Will you?” His parents exchanged a look but before they could reassure him that the sky was not falling, one of the blue priest's gestures indicated it was time to begin the ceremony. “You want me to stay don’t you?” His strangle cry was drowned out by the call for the engaged couples to enter. Florencia rubbed his back and reminded him to smile. He choked down his worry and took a few deep breaths. His emotional turmoil was causing his mana to shift about in disarray so he closed his eyes for a moment and imagined gathering a shattered faestone into a ball and squeezing it together. It was his standard method for calming himself down. Something about setting the imaginary problem right was soothing. He would think about this later. He had to perform the ritual and do the blessing. It was the responsibility left to him. He felt calmer once he opened his eyes.
The Archduke stood before the assembled nobles and began an elaborate speech while flashing worried glances at Melchior. He’d spent too long righting his emotions and failed to get up on cue. Melchior did his best to hide his panic and rose gracefully from his seat. He joined Sylvester at the lectern, the bible was already resting there. With a gesture disguised as part of his speech, Sylvester slipped him the key. He opened the bible quietly and began flipping toward the section for the Starbinding rituals. This was one of the pages with a few blank spots but the relevant prayer had been written in the margins. He couldn’t help but be a little cross when he considered how long he’d spent memorizing. Who had scribbled in the holy text anyway?
It was the second round of the same stories and though the Archduke told them with great panache, Melchior struggled to be excited this time. But he smiled as instructed and remembered to breathe and bend his knees. The couples walked forward one by one to sign their contracts. Sylvester and he gave words of congratulations as each sheet of parchment burned up in golden light.
When the moment came for him to offer the blessing he touched the second faestone on his chain and recited the prayer. The black and gold sparkles descended to a chorus of oohs and aahs. It didn’t feel like it took very much mana. He wondered if he would be strong enough to do the blessing himself next year.
Once his role was complete he bowed to the Archduke and the assembled nobles and made his exit. He returned to his room and took his third bath of the day. Fonsel sent Nikolaus back to the temple since he would be in his room for the rest of the night. Zargerecht was not there but his harspiel tutor was waiting.
“You were planning to study tonight, Lord Melchior?” Haldis gestured toward the chair prepared for him. Melchior couldn’t help but sigh.
“I’m glad we had this time, Lord Melchior. It's important to practice instruments everyday to maintain your skills,” said the kindly middle aged man. They began with a few warm up exercises and some basic scales. After becoming High Bishop, Melchior’s harspiel training had transitioned to follow Ferdinand’s plan for Rozemyne with a few minor changes. The principle change was that he was taking it at approximately 2/3rds the speed. He’d tried valiantly to keep up the same rigor but it briefly made him dread his lessons and also meant he had to practice alone. At the current pace, there were a few orphans and grey shrine maidens as well as Nikolaus and Gerianne who could join him for practice. The harspiel always sounded a bit sad when it was just him. Tonight was no different. The second change was that he was never asked to produce his own compositions. He’d also attempted this but found it more tedious than anything and also impossible to do within the given time frame to the level of quality Rozemyne had done. It was another one of his failings which no one faulted him for.
Once his lesson ended it was time for bed. Haldis turned off all the lights and left him to his thoughts. It was his practice to do a little bit of mana compression every night. He’d been hearing about how important it was for years and that it was one of the first things taught at the Royal Academy. At the same time everyone refused to teach him saying it was too dangerous and you had to push yourself to near death to make a lot of progress. His father said that he was developing mana at a good pace and would make plenty of progress once the time was right. But compared to the rest of his family, he felt very weak.
Thankfully, it was a constant topic of conversation between his knights. Only Dedryck had managed to learn Rozemyne’s mana compression method but he wasn't able to tell anyone else about it. Sigsnyr had his own method which centered around the particular use of an obscure magic tool. His explanation was full of whooshing and popping sounds and completely useless. Rozemyne had explained the first stage of her method to Nikolaus since he was her half-brother. It involved visualizing stuffing fabric into a box and shutting it. That was easier to grasp but Melchior wondered why you wouldn't just get a second box once the first one was full and how you could fill a box with so much liquid in the first place.
Everyone seemed to have different ideas and were more than willing to discuss them in the abstract but no one would give him an exact lesson on how to do it. Thankfully Fonsel had been willing to say what it felt like. “It's like lifting something real heavy. You use your whole body and all your muscles accept it's all in your head. Your imagination muscles. It's just as tiring as using your meat muscles too.” It was also helpfully referred to as compression so Melchior figured that meant he had to make his mana smaller somehow. It was just that mana didn't really have a shape and wasn't in any sort of ready made container other than his body. It floated free and formless and trying to squish it was like trying to grab water. But it had to be possible if other people could do it.
He reached a breakthrough when he saw some grey priests drawing water. They normally used a metal contraption called a “pump” but on this occasion they were also lifting out buckets. No matter how much water they drew though, the water level never seemed to go down. When they returned the water from an unneeded bucket the water didn't get any higher either. It didn't make sense unless the water was being compressed by its own weight and only had enough strength to stand at a certain height. Perhaps mana was the same.
Now he imagined pouring water into his imaginary well. He liked to imagine the liquid getting more blue as it grew more condensed. The priests had allowed him to carry a full bucket a short distance and moving his mana made him feel similarly tired. Since his mana was taking up less space despite not being spent he decided he had succeeded in developing a mana compression method. Once he achieved this, he took up the habit of compressing a little before bed. He didn't want to endanger his life for more mana just yet.