Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a mansion near a walled gate…

Lives a family of five, and one servant. One family triple-timing servant from the Lower City, and a daughter-in-law. 

The family of five in question, is a family of one bedridden father, two sons with a large age gap, a daughter-in-law and adopted daughter.

Their mansion is also…sparsely decorated and furnished, even if it's of high quality in material, but plain in design.

See, this is a family of Laynobles.

There are four tiers of nobility in the society of Yurgenschmidt below the Royal Family. Archduke, Archnoble, Mednoble and Laynoble. And those that govern a province, are given the title Giebe + name of province they govern. But sometimes, it’s just Count, Viscount and Baron.

And the order of status is decided based on their mana capacity. It’s magical power.

Mana nourishes the land, and keeps magic tools functioning in their daily lives. Thus, their worth is solely based on Mana Capacity. And treatment is based on their status + how useful they are. This is also shown in how close one lives near the Archduke’s Castle, and the lower your status, the closer you are to the Gates leading to the Lower City where Commoners live. That living near the Gates, makes you no different in their eyes.

Thus, for the Bernett Family, they are the lowest of the low among Laynobles living in the Noble’s Quarters. They have the lowest mana in the Noble Quarters, thus treated as insignificant.

Lowest of the low they may be, but they are very savvy to compensate for being poor by noble standards that they are willing to do anything to stay comfortable while still within budget.

They studied the ways of Commoners just to DIY most of their needs, but when it came to clothes, they had to get it Tailor and Shoemaker-Made. And make their own magic tools if they can help it. Due to that, they are mostly scholars and its rare for a Bernett to be a Knight due to their mana issues.

And to have a big family by standards, they tend to try for children every twelve years. This is so by the thirteenth year when their child gets their schtappe, their younger sibling is born and can then inherit their mana-draining tool!

The eldest child is Henrik, second child is Damuel, and the third child is an adoptee. The third child was when Henrik spotted a sad family carrying their child to the Temple and she looked very ill, when he went to the Lower City to shop on his own. He just got married to his fiancee Julianne after he saved enough money to be able to support a wife and child as his family has done.

Alarmed as any noble worth their salt would know what goes on in there as long as the current Archduchess is in power, so is her High Bishop of a younger brother in that temple...and what happens to girls in there, he can only imagine her future in there!

Thus, the newly-married Henrik approached the couple; a blue-haired man with gold eyes, and a woman with light green hair and dark green eyes.

‘May I ask what you’re taking your daughter to the Temple for?’

‘Our daughter is too sick. Constant fevers, body pains, her skin sometimes bubbles . It happens every time she is emotional. The last attack is so bad that…we have no choice.’ said the man somberly. His words allowed Henrik to quickly deduce the girl’s situation. 

The daughter is a Devouring. Nobles would be Devouring too, if they didn’t have access to Magic Tools, they’d all be no different from this girl!

‘To the point she dreams of a different world where she can walk freely and live as normally as her sister does. The way she talks about it is like it's a different country yet it's in her dreams…it must be where the Gods live and the Gods want our daughter badly.'

‘The Temple is not good for your daughter the way it is now, mister.’ said Henrik somberly. He warned the couple what goes on in the Temple that got them horrified.

‘I-its a house of the Gods and yet…’ the woman squeaked in horror. ‘That’s allowed?!’

‘Our ruler is a lovestruck, spineless fool to his tyrannical wife.’ said Henrik with a bitter laugh. ‘Perhaps how filthy this city looked is a reflection of their rule.’ he said. ‘And the sickness your daughter has, is a Devouring.’

Henrik explained what a Devouring is to the couple.

Children possessing mana or magical energy, need to periodically drain their excess mana with the help of feystones or magic tools. Because if they are ‘too full’, it causes severe strain and stress in a young body…to the point they don’t live up to seven years old, and die in an explosive death.

To treat this at childhood, regular draining periods must be done. But the magic tools are expensive. To commission a Child’s Magic Tool, it costs 5 small gold.

‘That’s…beyond our ability…’ the poor father whimpered. ‘Had Myne stayed with us for longer, we’d come to her blown-up body and a destroyed house?’

‘Then, shall I take in your daughter so she has a chance to live?’ Henrik offered. ‘I am a noble with resources and we can certainly take your daughter in. She will live a lot longer and get an education only a noble can have. We have magic tools at home to make it happen.’

They do, they just lack the power to keep them on!

‘But once your daughter becomes a Noble, she cannot go back here to the Lower City unless it’s about business concerning her future occupations.’

The couple exchanged looks.

They took the chance for their daughter Myne. So she could live a longer life.

Thus when Myne woke up, she received memories of the adoption process. And it has been a week since, and took her a while to heal from illness after she was drained of her magic.

“OK, so I died from being crushed by books and woke up to memories of this girl…it’s something out of anime!” Myne thought dryly.

But still, her adoptive family of brothers may be kind, but poor by Laynoble standards.

They have a mansion, but sparsely decorated and furnished.

Not a single book at home to her horror as handmade goods are expensive.

Myne was adopted days after her fever was so bad that she heard a little girl’s last words complaining of pain, before she took over this body.

Poor kid died, replaced by a girl who just died in Japan.

She has two new brothers. Henrik, the college-looking guy who adopted her, and Damuel, a guy who was thirteen years younger than him. He is seven years old and she’s five. 

And Henrik has just married his fiancee who would adopt her as her daughter. But thankfully Myne won’t be taking money meant for HER child’s Mana-Draining tool! She instead, would supply the Magical Tools in the house!

And considering she has enough to keep them all full, she was estimated to have the mana capacity of a high-end mednoble. And with her being a Devouring, she has no color, thus when getting married, she would be very easy to dye by her future husband…but would need a Jureve for her well-being. So adopting her is quite the boon. That their ailing father can sleep in a cozy warm house in his remaining years.

The boys have a father who’s sick in bed and their mother’s long gone. But with his blessing, Myne became Myne Tochter Adotie Bernett. Paperwork filed and passed to make things legit. The Bernetts weren’t sure how her original parents spelled her name, Henrik forgot to ask, that his sick father dope-smacked him. How could he forget such a crucial detail?!

So they made their own spelling in a way that it looked fancy enough. That Myne became Maine . 

Thus Maine was drained to activate all their tools at home, so that Damuel can keep his magic tool. 

He also just got baptized on the first Windday of Autumn and would soon prepare for his Winter Debut…which is four months away and he’s nervous. Henrik took extra Music Lessons in his student days, just so he could teach his brother better and tutor him himself for his debut.

And when she fully-recovered, she learned what a noble should know and how a Laynoble lady should behave from her new mother Lady Julianne.

Magic existed.

What led to her adoption. Her poor parents! Maine could only imagine how her parents must have felt before getting desperate so she could live, while losing her at the same time, and she's seen enough drama in TV and anime...and now she's in such a situation herself that she had to adjust to.

The Bernetts and Julianne are Scholars by occupation. Laynoble Attendant life is just asking for misery as higher-ranking nobles enjoy making their life difficult that they’d rather be a Scholar or Knight.

Maine noted that they’re very bitter about it. Treatment towards them must be horrible that they don’t want to be a Retainer any day soon.

They would have been her teachers both, but Henrik must get a job ASAP while being Damuel’s Music Teacher, leaving Julianne to teach her how to be a Laynoble Lady starting…now. She teaches her Etiquette as her first lesson in the household, while Damuel learns from his brother.

Julianne taught her Life Lessons, and about the horrible lot in life Laynobles deal with that Maine must learn to endure, no matter what as fighting back, even if you’re in the right will get you in trouble, unless someone who’s of higher status than your bully speaks up for you. Thus it is crucial to socialize in order to have someone to rely on when in dire need. But in turn, you must act when needed for the one who saved you.

And about the social situation that’s basically a cold civil war, yet the bad guys are backed by their ruler?! And the so-called Veronican Faction are distinguished by the way they dress—the fashion style of Ahrensbach, while those loyal to their duchy wear the fashion of Ehrenfest’s trends like they do. That even if it’s hard, the least thing they can do is NOT scorn their homeland! But these guys do!

That can’t be any good?!

Then Alphabet, Writing, Vocabulary, Spelling, Pronunciation and Grammar. Once she masters this, they would proceed to Theology Lessons, so Maine can understand how Noble Language works. She has a deadline: before she turns seven because she must master Noble Language to write a song to sing in her Winter Debut, an event called Unveiling by Nobles.

The Unveiling is held after the winter baptism ceremony for children who are baptized that year. Each child offers music to their birth season deity in celebration of joining the nobility and prays for God's protection in the future. And this is why she must take music lessons SERIOUSLY...

Then Numbers of 0 to 9, then what’s basically…Japanese Kindergarten Math and Money Math ala Victorian England Style, due to their coinage. That, and prices of products and services nobles must have. Lastly, the DIY knowledge to prepare for Winter.

After that is playing the Harspiel.

It’s basically a half-pear-shaped instrument that’s like a Bandura in Maine’s opinion.

The harspiel is the most popular instrument among nobles because it provides a musical base for learning other instruments. Nobles are required to learn the harspiel. It is quite expensive, so normally no other people besides nobles can play the harspiel.

In Ehrenfest, it is tradition for freshly baptized nobles to perform a song at their winter debut before all the gathered nobles of the duchy. For this they are expected to both play on the harspiel and sing the lyrics all on their own, while their music teacher stands behind them.

Generally, the children of higher ranking nobles tend to perform better, due to their parents having better access to highly skilled tutors and higher quality instruments. Among laynobles, it is not uncommon for the family to lack the finances to hire tutors at all, forcing the parents to teach their children themselves, but naturally they can't afford to devote as much time to this as a professional music teacher.

To perform significantly worse than what is seen as normal for the rank of a young noble is considered a great shame and embarrassment and can even negatively impact the entire family in extreme cases.

‘I had to take additional lessons from Professor Pauline because of finances,’ said Henrik with a wry smile. ‘Because when I marry someday, who will teach my brother and future children? I’m sure my brother and wife think the same.’

‘Little uncle, what do Commoners do? I wouldn’t know, I’m always in the bedroom and unable to go out back then with my former family. I never see what they do beyond the door.’ Maine asked Damuel.

‘I heard from Becky it’s a lot…they’re a lot poorer than us, so they make things they need themselves.’ said Damuel. ‘They don’t have magic tools like us, so unlike us who only gather food, they gather what they need so their winter isn’t dark and cold. It is also the time when housewives make their family’s clothes and children do handicrafts to sell.’

So that’s the life of her birth family in her second life…she just had to be born in a medieval fantasy world!

Thus Maine’s daily schedule beginning from the first week of autumn was:

2nd bell: Wake up, get dressed and have breakfast. After that, it’s her first class of Noble’s Common Sense and Language.

3rd bell: second class in Math and third class in Ehrenfest Geography.

4th bell: lunch of thirty minutes and after that it’s fourth class in Music

5th bell: Magic Basics and Law

6th bell: Ehrenfest History

After that, it’s her free time to do as she pleases, because her new parents need to work. Leaving her and Damuel to spend time with their ailing elderly in the house. To her adoptive father and little uncle, he is their father. To her he is her adoptive grandfather, Marcus Sohn Bernett. 

He is still young, but years of being a Potioneer and trying to create a new potion compromised his health. He had Henrik at age twenty-six. This was because he spent years earning money after graduation to pay off the Bridal Wealth his fiancee’s father demanded. After that, he and his wife worked to save a nest egg to afford children. Henrik was the first child…and thirteen years later, Damuel. 

But during Winter Socialization when Damuel was four years old, a horrible accident occurred. Lady Linnea was assisting her husband in his experiments…needless to say, it did not end well and the horror of it all caused their father to fall ill from both potion damage they could not cure, and grief from losing his wife who got the worst of the explosion. He also aged from terrible stress from pain. And he’s only forty-three at the time. He considered his condition his lifelong penance to his family for his wife’s death that Damuel lost his mother too young.

But considering his condition, he was considered ‘elderly’ out of Potion Poisoning.

She got to know her new family.

Bitterness from mistreatment aside from higher-ranking nobles, her grandfather is a stern, but well-meaning man and treated her kindly, likely seeing her as a daughter he would never have as his wife died young and it’s his fault. But at least he got a granddaughter while he’s still alive.

Henrik is an honest man with a calm, gentle demeanor. Unlike most nobles, Henrik does not appear to look down on commoners and generally treats them with respect. He did to her parents, and genuinely treats her well as his adoptive daughter.

Julianne was someone who clearly suffered abuse — and she did back in her Academy Years, from Veronican Girls in the school dorm. That her teachings were mostly warnings. And clearly hardly anyone spoke up for her, no thanks to the Veronicans’ protection from Chaoscipher and her most faithful servant, the Aub!

She knew what’s expected of a wife, but feared for her children who would suffer as she did. It gave Maine a rather bleak outlook on her future as a noble. She may be Laynoble in status, despite her strong mana. She would still get the short end of the stick.

So she has to earn her keep here in her own way to make her worth adopting.

Other than that, Maine took to spending time with Aunt Becky, the triple-timing Caretaker, Nanny and Cook. So her salary is quite considerable given all her jobs. She earns three large silver for her work. And her money goes to her family. She saves it up, and goes to visit before Pork Processing Day in Autumn to give her money to her husband so her family can have a good winter.

And as long as Maine is too little to do everything herself, too weak from the Devouring while gaining strength, she is to dress and bathe her when needed. Otherwise Becky is always with the bedridden House Head. Unlike Archdukes, Archnobles and Mednobles, Laynobles learn how to be self-sufficient due to inability to afford servants other than one who can triple-time.

‘What do commoners do at home eh?’ Becky mused. ‘We have to obtain in the forests the daily needs we need to survive winter.’ she said. ‘Oil for cooking and lamps. Wax for candles. Plant fibers to spin and make our own thread. We also weave our own fabric and sew our own clothes. We also prepare to make food preserves in winter.’

‘What about eggs? Milk?’

‘Well, eggs are hard to come by in winter, eggs and milk are a luxury for us poor, but for Nobles with Time-Stopping Magic Tools, we could save up on eggs and milk, so we amass it too in this household.’ said Becky.

‘Then what is Ehrenfest Food like? It’s too sour and salty.’ Maine complained. ‘I can hardly eat it even in my old house in the lower city.’

‘I know…been this way since I was young.’ Becky pouted. ‘I learned from my mom who learned from her mom and so on…we just didn’t question it, rather than sleep hungry.’ Becky sighed.

‘Can I try some ideas?’

‘Anything new would be welcome. It's also hard for Lord Marcus in his condition as of late…’

So Maine, wanting better food, asked about vegetables. But she also asked if anyone has ‘food they cannot eat or get sick.’ She described what an Allergy is.

‘Well, nobody told me anything if there’s food they like or dislike, but for now, play it safe.’ Becky advised. So Maine did just that!

She instructed Becky to make a hearty vegetable soup recipe. Becky once wondered why Maine cried to stop when she was about to throw the broth away.

‘Huh? We do it to get rid of the dirty froth on top.’

‘Just skim it off with a spatula! No need for a health hazard just to throw away something so little! Then after washing that spatula, taste the broth.’

So Becky did…and found herself pausing.

‘Oh my…it's sweet and something else I can’t describe, but delicious on the mild side!’ she exclaimed, amazed with the wonderful taste she never experienced before her whole life.

“THAT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE THROWING AWAY NUTRITIOUS UMAMI FOR YEARS!!” Inner Maine cried in exasperation. ‘Then add salt as needed, pinch by pinch until it’s just right. No need for vinegar!’ so it was up to Becky’s judgment until she got it to her satisfaction.

‘Then lastly, put eggs in a bowl and mildly stir it, just enough to break the yellow round thing. And then while the soup is still boiling, stir at a moderate pace while pouring in the eggs so it cooks quickly and we’re done.’ hello Vegetable Egg Drop Soup! Very nourishing for malnourished medieval people no thanks to their dumb way of cooking!

And when that soup was served for dinner…

‘You’ve outdone yourself Becky!’ Marcus exclaimed as he never had such soup in his life. It’s delicious!’

‘It’s sweet and a flavor I can’t describe, but I feel I can eat it for thirds!’ Julianne gasped out, enjoying herself. Is this food the rich enjoyed, she wondered. The brothers were hurrying up in blowing a spoonful just to have more because it was still hot. But they want more of the good stuff!

‘Ohoho! Little Miss asked me to make some changes for this to happen.’ said Becky, beaming at Maine. 

‘You’d make a future good cook, Maine! Your future husband would gladly have you in the house, had you remained a commoner.’ Henrik chuckled. ‘Unlike us nobles, an ideal beauty for commoners is a wife who is great with the needle and the kitchen and is often fought over.’

‘Erm, my former parents aren’t that bad in lovelife drama…are they?’

‘Well, status still matters, when your parents told me about their history for you to learn.’ said Henrik wistfully.

Gunther was the son of Woodworkers but found himself pushed by Angriff to join the Civil Military when rampaging Feybeasts attacked his home village outside the capital, orphaning him early. He could still keep his house growing up and support himself, until he had to sell his family’s property come adulthood to afford the Bridal Wealth demanded by Effa’s father: buying a house in the capital so his daughter is safe within and close to home. No house, no deal! He is currently a Captain in the South Gate, earning one large silver a month.

Effa was a Fabric Dyer. Her family was in the Civil Military for generations, while women of her family worked as the military’s Uniform Makers. So their status was quite high compared to Gunther’s. But Effa was heavily blessed by Ventuchte that she didn’t want the dullness of making the same thing over and over, the only thing changing being sizes! And she didn’t want to dye the same colors over and over again.

She would have become a Seamstress at the Tailor Workshop she applied for come adulthood, but she was very unlucky.

A lot of Fabric Dyers were murdered alongside their families for defying their tyrannical Archduchess for using and selling Ehrenfest Dyed fabrics and clothing techniques when she enforced Ahrensbach Techniques with an iron fist, forcing her workshop to select by raffle drawing Fabric Dyers. Her mother got unlucky to become one and Fabric Dyers earn less than Tailors. Thus would pass her dream to her eldest sister Tuuli, now that the city has enough dyers by the time she hits adulthood.

‘...wow. What a bitchy old hag.’ the adults and other child cringed at her vulgar term, but that very term suited the most hated lady in Ehrenfest well. ‘And my poor mother who got her dream ripped away by bad luck by consequence.’

‘While quite apt , we sadly cannot voice our true opinion lest we be forced to the heights, dear.’ Julianne warned Maine. ‘And no lady should say such vulgar things, even if your target deserved it. We must maintain class in our bearing even if we are laynobles. We must appear a better person than the bully, no matter what it takes even if it’s painful.’

‘Yes, Lady Mother.’ Maine pouted. So their only method of fighting back is to be passive-aggressive eh? She can do that, humph!

But given the ingredients and costs, she asked Henrik for a favor for when he next goes out shopping with Becky for food.

‘...Myne gave us these?’ Gunther tearfully asked Henrik, holding the stack of wooden boards containing recipes as if it were a newborn infant. His youngest hopes for them to eat the same food she does now, to get stronger.

‘Yes. Your daughter has a great gift in the kitchen.’ said Henrik to the tearful father. ‘If not for the bad luck of being born with the Devouring, no doubt you’d have your hands full when she gets suitors.’ he chuckled. ‘With that, she hopes you would eat well without paying a ransom. Each of those doesn’t cost more than two large coppers.’

‘Sniff, when Myne sees us again at some point, she will see we’ve grown stronger as she hopes.’ Gunther swore to Henrik. ‘But she should think of herself first, for she nearly became a star too soon.’ he fretted. ‘We nearly lost her on that day so we are forced to make a decision back then,’ he said bitterly. ‘She should have the same chance as her sister to grow up and live long. Out of our six children…only those girls survived past winter.’

‘...it goes without saying I cannot tell Maine that she lost four siblings before they were born.’ Henrik remarked.

Gunther and Effa married at eighteen. And tried for a child every year...at twenty-one they had Tuuli, and after her a miscarried child of four months, followed by Myne exactly at the end of the same year making the two girls over a year apart in age and both are Summer Babies. And they are currently twenty-seven years old. A few years older than Henrik now.

‘Yes…two before Tuuli, a girl and a boy. Another boy after her, then Myne…and another sister. We couldn’t tell Tuuli either. How can we?’

Chapter Text

It’s weird.

Very weird.

To have a girl who’s your adoptive niece who’s only two years younger than you.

You attend the same tutoring under said niece after specific morning classes ended as there are only things a boy and a girl can learn from a lady and gentleman respectively.

His niece learns fast. She was wasted as a Commoner if she were to die young. He felt he can’t be left behind. No way! And he’s three years ahead of her in lessons!!

He managed to survive his Unveiling.

Then there’s the Playroom.

The current Archduke Candidate, Lord Ferdinand is five years older than him, currently in his second year in the Academy. But a year younger than he should be because his birth season was spring.

He was very beautiful that he mistook him as a girl until he saw the uniform…but the target of Veronicans in the room was that he had to constantly defend himself until it was time to go to school.

An Archduke Candidate! Bullied by his lessers! Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Where else in Erwaermen's garden is this allowed?

He asked that out of bafflement when he was sure he was with his fellow neutrals, but those older than him.

‘As long as the Sixth reigns, he even lets his own family suffer for his precious wife. Heck, he was fine with his own half-sister dying to keep her happy.’ said a neutral sarcastically. 'Nobody wishes to be the pillar of an Archducal Family who delights in killing their own people and ruining their own duchy for one woman. You’ll get used to it but Lord Ferdinand, our sole competent Archduke Candidate yet so unfavored compared to his lackluster older brother…it only happens in Ehrenfest, seriously.’

‘Many want to be his Pillar, but the cost is too high and he lacks support from his own father even though he brought him home…that woman will force her Water Goddesses into our homes and wreck our home lives, if she doesn’t murder them first!’ said another.

‘Well why not do it secretly?' Damuel suggested. 'As in sabotage and ruin them subtly? It's little actions that count, if we can’t support the better one publicly.’

The other kids exchanged looks.

Why not?

And so, in the Academy…after everyone sent reports after the end of month and got replies from family back…

Strange things are happening.

Ferdinand found himself having a lot of free time, since weird things happen around the Veronicans lately.

Oh well, not his problem.

‘...your doing?’ he asked Justus who had to earn his place by his side due to his inability to trust with a dang good reason. Everyone who tries to come near him tries to kill him. Took him a while to sort out enemies and know their faces. All students are allowed one adult retainer each, and then apprentice retainers.

His apprentice retainers, he fired with dishonors for trying to poison him and messing with his belongings and he had proof that he has Justus report to his father on his behalf, and Ferdinand refuses any more so-called Retainers who are in truth, his wannabe murderers.

With hardcore evidence, his father is upset with his wife for her poor judgment and daring to hurt one of his sons, and allowed Ferdinand to choose his pillars without family interference from hereon and allowed him more autonomy and compensated his grief. He merely scolded her, yet no punishment whatsoever as they expected. So Justus' next task was to quickly spread ordoschnelli to ruin their reputations that nobody would be dumb to hire them, much to Sylvester's anger that his little brother was being bullied by his own Retainers whose families belonged to his mother's faction that he did not consider them in his retinue in the future and warned his Retainers with a growl---bully his brother, you're fired. In both the Academy and Duchy-wide.

Sylvester complained with outrage to his father when he got wind of it and when Veronica heard it, she tried to diffuse the matter to her son she still tries to keep naive and trusting of her, but she was pissed with the word that spreads as fast as fire on oil and Sylvester is starting to doubt her people now as they were faster than her in spreading word that Sylvester is keeping an eye on things and now doubts his retainers.

Let it be known that Ferdinand learned how to be cold-hearted, ruthless and cruel from his dear ol' stepmother, she only has herself to blame.

And again, he and Justus endured the typhoon named Veronica as a consequence for humiliating and ruining the prospects of her faction's children and making the Leisegangs happy. But Ferdinand delivered the equivalent of a swift uppercut punch to the Veronicans and damage was done. In retaliation, Justus made sure everybody knew, that Sylvester is in all-out frantic worry, as Ferdinand was the only sibling he has that doesn't hate him. Their older sisters do and nobody's telling him why that he didn't want to lose Ferdinand.

That was also a mystery to Ferdinand but was touched that despite his dysfunctional family, his older brother genuinely cares for him---much to the displeasure of his Veronican Retinue but unable to talk about it or get fired despite their lady's...assignment to them.

‘Nope, not me this time.’ Justus smiled in his admission. ‘But it’s nice to see that we’re not alone. But we still can’t let our guard down. And everyone is an enemy unless proven otherwise.’

‘True…’ and he still is wary of Justus. His family serves the Archducal Family and obeys whoever ordered them as needed. Who knows when he will be told to dispose of him once he was stupid enough to give his full trust to this man?

The most painful form of betrayal is when one you gave your full trust to, betrayed you. If Justus stuck by him for ten years, then he earned his trust.

Thus, out of spite, he shall continue doing his best, for the man who saved him from that room of latticed windows that smelled of sickeningly-sweet stench that muddles his head, it's a miracle he wasn’t born stupid.

And thus, out of spite, he will show these Veronicans. They can never take him down. Be it status, grades, mana. He may not have respect in his own duchy, but he has respect in high places, higher than their precious Ahrensbach.

The Playroom.

His father said that it has a purpose.

1. Due to unfair financial disadvantage to most Laynobles, it’s where they can catch up in their studies. Seasonally-paid for by all Ehrenfest Aubs out of charity.
2. They must socialize and mingle with peers. Make good impressions and friends that will soon later, become allies.
3. Know thy enemy. Despite obvious disadvantages, study them, and master the fine art of making them look bad in public—at the Royal Academy

But still Damuel was wary, as his family’s mana is the lowest of the low. He cannot do number two so easily.

Thus he did well in his studies to catch up to his niece with sheer hard work.

He wondered how to get stronger mana-wise anyway.

‘Lady mother, do we have books?’ Maine asked Julianne after breakfast. Her adoptive parents and uncle are all gussied up for social season.

Her adoptive parents froze with an expression of having put lemon juice drops on their tongue.

‘We do, but it’s not something we can own so easily…’ said Julianne, as if just speaking of books causes her great pain. ‘Just one, is enough to build our house!’

‘What?! Why?!’ Maine gasped out.

The costs are great as her mother would say.

Maine knows how a medieval book is made. Youtube shows it.

But the costs of materials are so insane that labor pay is kinder in comparison!

A sheet of parchment alone for a book page!!

Not to mention book copiers write by hand. That Julianne plans on making that HER job when she’s done tutoring the kids as it pays well. The job pays a good two small gold per copy a Book Copier makes as it takes time and effort to write a book when copying. And the primary requirement is good handwriting, before passing the copied pages to craftsmen who would then bookbind it along with a little bit of art, copying the appearance of the original book.

Both she and Henrik plan to do so. Makes sense as a child's Mana-Draining Tool costs five million bucks or five small gold. And supplementary Feystones for their tools and adult pouches aren’t cheap either. But thankfully, costs depend on quality and feystones for Laynobles aren’t so expensive. Thing is, there’s Maine for at least two years of school that she’d have to be drained dry before going to school.

Which is why Emotional Control Training is very important. Getting worked up stirs up the mana within and harms the person.

Laynobles are poor by standards due to expenses they need to survive, but don’t get good jobs because of their mana level. But given the current climate, they would never serve anyone if they value their lives!
Their residence is considered ‘poor’ by noble standards, but for Maine, what an upgrade!!

She lived in a minimalist space all her life even if her Earth Family owned their own house and lot. But spacing is still a premium. Her second home in Ehrenfest is just as minimalist as they’re a family of four, in a condo-style building.

Here?

Bungalow-style building but looks grand for a fantasy-medieval world, that the architecture is a tasteful mix of what she read about. 

But small for a noble’s standard. 

Even the front and backyard is something she’d expect from a rich family in ancient china’s courtyard homes which is quite big in her eyes, but not enough for these people. But it's basically just a huge-ass lawn, not a single shrub or tree. Maybe she can plant some if she was allowed?

But Laynobles can only have one wife, yet another symbol of poverty as it's normal for man to marry three wives and have many children. At least it’s walled for privacy! The walls are at least six meters tall, completely hiding their home that’s four meters tall, as it has a high ceiling.

Due to this, Laynobles have a strategy. Each family has its own.

The Bernetts adapted the Commoner Way of Life such as foraging once they finish their lessons and acting on Pork Processing Day, clothing, magic tools and education. And a child every thirteen years as children gain Schtappe at age thirteen in school and it controls their mana hence through efficiency and enabling them to spend their mana on even whimsical things just for relief. But now Henrik adopted her as his daughter just to save her from the Temple that’s basically…a glorified brothel.

And unlike on Earth, no Son of God who’d angrily upturn the place in a bid to clean it. She inwardly prayed for righteous justice to come as being a Japanese, she has great respect for Temples, Hallowed Grounds and the like. That what happens is beyond the pale for her, yet allowed to by evil nobles!

May they get karma rightfully coming for them!

It's normal for teens of age to marry even right after graduating from the Academy. That it's normal for a man Henrik’s age to already have a five year old kid!

Thus because Maine earns her keep by giving all she got to the Magic Tools in their house, she was one less expense regarding Mana Draining Tools. That, and she improved their lousy gourmet life. She can do more but needs a great excuse to do so.

It's not like you can stay awake 24/7 to monitor your mana level just to give it to the tools. Mana Draining Tools drain you when you’re 90% full even while you’re asleep. It also acts immediately if you’re emotional. Even with Noble Rings that you get at your Baptism that acts as a ‘training magic tool’ that you can cast weak spells with, still not enough.

The problem is Damuel who gets full once a week, and her future younger sibling. They need the tools. But the feystones are saved up for their future schooling.

‘...it's like that…then do you have school notes?’

‘That, we do. Wooden Boards are technically for free, Henrik just goes out to the forest, cuts trees and dries it. But some prideful ones spend coppers to buy a stack. What a waste.’ Julianne tut-tutted. Well, their problem if they want to spend and lose money.

‘Oh, can I read your and father’s notes after classes?’ Maine lit up. ‘Pretty please?’

‘Don’t wreck those, OK? You and Damuel learn from those as material! It’s in your father’s office where we put it.’

‘Yeeees!’

But by allowing this, Julianne had no idea what she just caused to happen…

Maine saw thankfully-organized stacks by subject and by what year. Helpful!

And she found notes about Mana Flow Control and Compression and how the writer feels about it.

…and she has her own disgusted opinion about what she read. Her parents clearly and justifiably complained about teaching methods in regards to teaching these crucial skills! Are they morons?! This’ll put anyone in the hospital!

This will also discourage people from compressing to grow their mana vessels at this rate, despite it’s a lesson that they must do so to get stronger yet this is contradictory. After all they say, it’s dangerous to!

And considering there’s a Royal Family…they naturally, don’t want anyone below them in status becoming stronger than them.

Vested Interests.

She didn’t just read books, she read light novels too!

Ten years before she died, Isekai genre was in vogue. They were mostly self-fulfilling fantasies by the author. Much of which, ecchi-bordering-on-hentai by horny, but deprived authors without much world-building and things coming too easy for MCs. That she has to find treasures out of trash.

Treasures with an actual plot and level increases per story arcs with increasing stake values in cases, world building, questions answered as you read, the whole package that makes a novel a WOW.

She even chats in online forums for help in that regard.

Thus she has a better method in how you can train magic better and a good understanding of Isekai that she can put to great use for her own benefit. Thanks to modern science on Earth!

And thus, in a span of seconds, she created a way, waaaay better and more effective, more efficient methods. And she can effortlessly Compress.

But she wants to ask Henrik if really, age twenty is the limit?

Nah, winter. Socializing. It began on the first Earthday of Winter. Henrik and Julianne often come home haggard compared to Damuel who dedicated himself to free playroom studies. Marcus it is.

It was good she asked about the notes this morning.

‘So you thought that way with their notes eh? You’re a budding scholar yet, that I can already imagine in my mind the results.’ Marcus approved as Maine told him how she sees their notes of frustration and how she got around it before the old man frowned.

He understood the value of his granddaughter’s quick-paced incredible discoveries and saw benefits, and consequences were it to get known.

‘But Maine, there’s knowledge you can give, and there’s knowledge you cannot. Especially in our situation.’ he warned. ‘And should this go widespread…you will die as you threaten the status quo.’

‘I understand.’ Maine nodded. She knows. That warning is even lampshaded in GATE - Jieitai. That Rory Mercury euphemises as ‘cutting branches that grew too big’. ‘I can teach little uncle right? And can lord father and lady mother try compressing still despite having come of age long ago? Knowledge can be manipulated too, to preserve the status quo.’

The unsaid question was, Is it true that you cannot compress past adulthood? And adulthood here is sixteen due to the high death toll for reasons caused and happening in a medieval world.

‘Mm…let’s bring it up tomorrow at breakfast.’

And so…

‘So as an experiment to see if what we know all our lives is true or false…’ Henrik mused thoughtfully. ‘I’ll try…Julianne, you too until we can only compress for density now.’

‘Alright.’ using Maine’s ideas, they were…still able to Compress and her methods are absurdly easy and comfortable to do. ‘Ah!!’

‘You too? I still can!’

‘Well, the Protections are still a factor but a wild card I don’t know about…’ Maine pointed out. ‘Maybe max them all out while still staying in range.’ she advised.

Nobles can only have children when close to each other in strength called in the range. They must at least be thirty-percent higher or lower than the other in order to have children, and the fewer than thirty, the less painful and less effort in conceiving a child with some having a gap as less than five percent of each other. Any further than that, more painful to the point of ‘selective infertility’. A rather…effective method of Birth Control.

But nobles can’t just have random flings, due to Mana Dyeing when doing the deed. This is why itchy male nobles take out their urges on beautiful commoners with no mana which they call ‘plucking flowers’. Then what do itchy lady nobles do with double-standards going on?

As Laynobles, they have one element for being born weak. Being weak, a noble is unable to contain/obtain more elements in their mana. That they are usually the color of their birth season. But depending on their actions, they can gain elements later in life, from their parents’ birth element that they have closest potential in due to being related by blood.

Henrik is a summer baby like Maine. While Marcus is also Summer, his mother is a Spring Baby. He has blessings from Leidenschaft, Flutrane, Sehweit, Glucklitat, Vermache, and Verfuhrmeer. His mana color is blue-green.

Julianne is an autumn baby, but her father is winter. She has blessings from Schutzaria, Geduldh, Duldzetsen, Grammaratur, Forsente, Jugereise, and Frucherita. Her mana color is yellow-orange.

They can still Compress! Thus, they did so in secret…until their next birthday season at twenty-one, they no longer can…but as a child’s inborn mana capacity depends on the mother, it’s imperative that Julianne is more bountiful than Henrik in mana capacity anyway. Julianne ensured that her gap with her husband is twenty-percent away from him to have it easier on them to have kids.

However, they found that mana output in their schtappe is limited…their output is as much as they had when they obtained their schtappe. It cannot have the maximum output amount as their new mana amount. 

It's basically like when you have the amount of water inside a water dispenser is a gallon, yet the tiny faucet can only cause a trickle to come out instead of that whole gallon at once.

That with that horrifying realization, getting stronger at a young age, is paramount hence, that they want Damuel and their children to have the chances they did not have, due to lack of knowledge from deliberately incompetent teachers due to sinister reasons Marcus suspected but know in their hearts those suspicions are unsaid, but confirmed.

Motivated by their success, Damuel also wanted to be stronger to prepare for his schooling, hoping to be a Knight to cover more ground for the family, and strong enough to gather materials in Noble’s Forest.

He approached his father about his wishes for the future which his father supported, but would train him and Maine in Mana Flow and Control first, before they can even think about Compression!

Until then…business as usual. Studies!

They must master Noble Language and their way of life after all.

Corinna was summoned into the Noble’s Quarters by a new customer. Her older brother Benno naturally accompanied her out of worry.

Even if it's a Laynoble Household, it’s still dangerous…

No telling who’s nice and who isn’t. They’re here for a measuring job to make new clothes for a customer.

Thus, here they are. 

At the Bernett Household.

After seasonal greetings…

It was to look at present trends, and make fashion designs to dress up the daughter who was so tiny…and she’s six, according to the letter. There are specific fashion designs for toddlers, freshly baptized, ten year olds and adults.

The catalogue they have brought with them, is for kids ages six to ten.
But!!

“Six?! She looked four!!”

But when Maine was introduced, her name said it all. Adotie. A commoner adopted into a noble household.

‘Miss Corinna, may I see the latest trends in fashion allowed to Laynoble children?’ Maine asked Corinna. Corinna took out what’s basically…a giant wooden notepad, made of several stacks of flat wooden boards held in place by metal rings. And she can still lift it herself.

‘Yes milady, it’s at the final three chapters.’ said Corinna, turning to the last few pages for Maine to select.

‘Let’s see, for the collars of my clothes in specific seasons, I want type-3 for spring, type-7 for summer…’ she was particular with collars, necklines and sleeves, and skirt hems. And colors. Due to her dark hair and white skin, her colors had to be vibrant and a bit on the darker side to make her skin stand out. And matching stockings and shoes.

Upon making her requests and Julianne limited Maine to having five dresses per season due to costs, measurement began. Damuel also has limited outfits as when they began eating Maine’s ‘cooking’, Damuel grew bigger and taller that his clothes don’t fit him anymore and it’s tight on him he could hardly move around now. He was prioritized first as he is in his time of socializing. He also needed new clothes before Winter hits, with ‘some adjustment for growth’ as kids grow fast.

Once all is said and done, the total amount is four small gold and three large silver.

Chapter Text

Maine, is a budding Scholar.

She was wasted in a Commoner's Household indeed, and how!!

In the short time she was with them, she turned their world upside-down with her discoveries. Delicious food that gave this old man comforting pleasure in his bedbound days. More efficient mana training techniques due to how different she sees the world as she puts it.

Their worlds are so different as are their norms. That Commoners are constantly thinking and innovating just to earn more money to survive winter, while Nobles are bound by so many rules and social norms decided upon by whoever's on the highest seat, that they all obey without question without asking why...or unable to ask why. They just...do.

They may be indeed perhaps, shackled in their creativity that they are lacking in inspiration and innovation. While also aware that sharing too much, it is dangerous that Maine's discoveries are sealed in their own minds. And they will only teach their children in the future.

By the time Henrik cannot increase his capacity anymore after, he was as strong as a 'hair away from Mednoble' and Julianne 'entry Mednoble'. She could have pushed for 'low mednoble' but that would mean being out of Henrik's range, and Laynobles can only marry once. She cannot remarry among their kind and she'd sooner kill herself than marry a Veronican even if there's vacant space.

Thus they had high hopes for their children to be born with mednoble powers, and increase their status in the future through their children.

Maybe they can only do so when Ventuchte cut the threads of Lady Veronica short with Dauerleben's shears. She is fifty-five this year, with her daughters twenty-three and twenty-one, only son sixteen, and in his last year in the Academy next season after a season of yet again, preparing for winter.

Compared to his exemplary younger half-brother who is eleven this year, soon to turn twelve this coming spring, Sylvester was mediocre in his academy performance, until he fell in love with Lady Florencia of Frenbeltag and hard at work in courting her much to Lady Veronica's displeasure that he didn't choose a 'proper Ahrensbach lady'. 

Only then did he work hard to win her favor, but his reputation is damaged already since childhood in his own duchy due to his upbringing and attitude which was maintained by his Retainers' flattering, that even Henrik can see what Veronica is trying to do to her own son as he is four years older than the boy, four years his senior in school.

She is deliberately ruining him to maintain her grip on power, grooming him as her puppet, forever reliant on his mother that should the sickly, spring-drunk Aub found his threads cut, he would be a puppet Aub and all of them, under Veronica's tyrannical rule.

Marcus confided in his fellow laynobles before his and his wife's fatal accident, and Ordoschnelli spread among neutrals of the incoming threat they would soon endure. That the Veronicans ensure that Sylvester is forever given Schlaftraum's Flower to maintain his image of his mother, forever unaware of the poison within yet strangely Lord Bonifatius is not doing anything to correct Sylvester...until Justus spread Ordoschnelli recently about his master's harassments and poisoning from his own Retainers that caused immense damage to the world of lies Veronica created.

He came with hardcore irrefutable proof to that spring-drunk bastard who at least, loves his younger son enough to compensate him and give him more autonomy over his life, including his ability to choose his own Retainers without family influence. But he merely scolded Veronica for her 'poor judgment' when normally, nobles who dared to attack Archduke Candidates are executed, due to how important they are to the duchy through their duties!

'Uselessly worthless bastard!' was the general consensus, seething at the man.

However, Sylvester began doubting his mother now. This was because Ferdinand was the only sibling he has who did not hate him for existing while their older sisters hated him and he didn't know why, and nobody's telling him anything.

Word spread about his outrage, complaining to his father, wanting more protection for Ferdinand as much as Sylvester was protected, hoping to find more trustworthy retainers for his brother. But he was told 'Due to the situation, I left the decision to your brother as your mother made poorly-made selections many times now.'

But the fifty-eight year old father himself won't choose?!

Or is he aware that everyone despises him so that he has no spine to approach his people for what he caused to happen in his over- decade-long marriage? Well then he should damn be ashamed!

Sigh, Lord Ferdinand for all his brilliance, faces Glucklitat's many trials, but he comes out triumphant. But the more hatred he receives that he doesn't even deserve, the tighter he closes off his heart, and wraps his own heart in ice, unable to trust anyone after being betrayed three times in his new home after his father brought him home when his mother, an apparent hidden mistress from who-knows-where, greeted the Supreme Couple after her own thread was cut short by illness.

For now Marcus thought, his family should get stronger in the meantime and make their lives better and richer. He, his son and daughter-in-law regretted not trying things out. How can they say they're Scholars when Scholars research and try things out, yet like anyone else, obeyed what was taught to them in the Academy?!

As they are unable to increase capacity anymore, they can go for density, pushing themselves till the limits of their Schtappes and blessings in order to have powerful children after having earned enough money.

Marcus DID tell them raising children is expensive. Clothing is the main expense here and clothing for nobles is expensive. But reliable little Maine had a way around that to save on money until the crucial age seven...that is, if they can get over noble pride that would never save them and just do it. To save up on money on clothing for little kids, they get clothing made of cheap fabric with plain design and form. Fabrics and fancy clothes for laynobles made of silk, wool and taffeta can wait for when family children turns seven.

For now, he's keeping an eye on Damuel's goal to be stronger before age thirteen, on the day he receives his Divine Protections and his Schtappe. If he has to be a Knight to supply his family materials, he needs strength! He wanted to start compressing young!

So he had to be taught carefully until he got the hang of it and maintained that state. Otherwise his magic tool will react to save him.

Maine's mana was at average mednoble strength. She too, intends to compress wanting a good schtappe for herself someday. And preferably gain many blessings by doing activities gods favor in doing.

Upon hearing that, Damuel pursued such activities. His affinity at baptism was wind. His birth deity Schutzaria. She who brings the winds of change, and symbol of protection. Her subordinates are traits that constantly change.

Ever-changing and developing wisdom.

Ever-developing and improving skill in music and art.

Ever-changing messages and missives and information.

Ever-changing strength of winds.

Ever-changing time, be it slow, fast, backward or forward or changing years.

Ever-changing fashion.

Ever-changing fate.

And more!

But what would never change, was the Wind Pillar's desire to protect.

And there's a chance that he could inherit other elements. He was the family weirdo, as his parents, adoptive niece and older brother are Summer and Spring babies. He was the weird one being an Autumn baby.

Thus he said he'll pursue activities gods favor with sincere dedication to earn their favor and blessing for when the time comes. Activities of a good Knight, while hoping for a happy marriage for his future.

When Maine told him what her birth parents are like, perhaps there's...one good thing about having only one wife. Afterall, Marcus thought, he had a peaceful life at home with his lady!

He wondered if he could juggle two if he had the money for it. But a life of politics just to keep the peace in his house? Uhhh...NOPE!!

Let the so-called superiors have all the headache in dealing with chaos having three wives bring!

Damuel asked Maine for advice while they sat on the lawn on their backyard. Sitting on the lawn is what nobles never do, but they’re laynobles who nobody cares about, thus why should they care what they do in their own walled home where nobody sees what they’re like at home where they can do what’s comfortable for them?

'Advice on how to be a good Knight eh? I have plenty of ideas.' Maine smiled.'In regards to character, Knights should be humble, kind and gentle, dependable, reliable, honorable, virtuous, high in morality, faithful, courageous, gracious, chivalrous and courteous, and merciful to those who deserve mercy...and remain calm no matter the situation, that no matter how unfair, you must have a good eye to judge people and the situation accurately without bias, stick to your beliefs and principles, resilient in body, mind and heart, and you must never show weakness in character and bearing. Would you trust a nervous and jittery knight to save you and protect you when he looks ready to run away from a feybeast?' Damuel shook his head in comical rapidness. 'Right?'

'As for martial prowess, you need dedication and willpower to endure the training to have peak physical condition...by that, I mean have great muscular strength, but aim for quality, not quantity OK? If you have muscles that are too big, good luck finding clothes!' Maine joked as both kids have an imagine spot of Damuel having overly large muscles and tailors having a hard time measuring him for clothes.  ‘And large muscles are just additional unnecessary weight anyway, it will drag you down and you will notice when fatigue comes while under intense activity.’

'For a powerful body, eat well and train well. Because bones and muscles gain strength from the food we eat, and while we train, they build up and grow denser.'

The other demands are speed, durability, agility, stamina, endurance, proficiency backed with great strength in swordsmanship skills and spellcasting, quick reaction time and reflexes, and immense knowledge in survival skills and foraging, camping skills, and field medicine.

Damuel’s mind went into a whirl at the many things his niece spouted out of her mouth. So much!!

Then again, she’d know. Her birth father is a soldier. Her father must tell his family tales based on his job description and expectation…

'With traits like these, they would earn trust of people around them and they would vouch for you. That would reach your superior's ears thus trust you with better jobs and have an easier time in promotion if you earn great rapport. So much to do before earning that armor and a place in the Barracks.'

'But I have to do it all to be a good Knight.' said Damuel in determination despite how daunting all that seems. 'This way, I can support my Scholar family by obtaining materials for free and not spending a single copper.'

'With that as motivation, work hard!' Maine encouraged cheerfully. 'You gotta earn it!' Damuel chuckled bashfully, his face going pink.

'Then Maine, what do you want to do for your future?' Damuel asked her.

'Well, I love to read. But books are crazy-expensive, so any reading material will do, really, until I step into the Academy someday and get into my personal dreamland!' Maine giggled, her arms open wide. Damuel was amused with her rather mundane motives. 

'And getting so much reading material will make me knowledgeable that will be handy in research. Being knowledgeable opens a lot of fields, too so I guess, Scholar someday?'

'Will you be a Pillar to anyone?'

'Uhh...' Maine squirmed at the idea as if he just showed her a bug. 'I think being independent is good. Do you see our current superiors worth it?' Maine scoffed at her question, before frowning. 'They look down on Laynobles for having low mana and low status, but we can be good at many things, but we are unappreciated and laughed at simply for being our rank and mana amount.' she said. 

'I know it's how nobles work. But I still don't like it. Why would I work for anyone who looks down on me for petty reasons, doesn't appreciate me yet exploits me at the same time without giving me my dues? Even worse in our situation now when what reigns in our duchy are evil nobles.’ 

Yeeeaaaahh, Damuel thought sourly, she’s got a point there…

‘So yes, being an independent worker is ideal and creating stuff to sell to Merchants to make Commoner Life easier. I can make trends, but trends unknown to nobles or stuff they won’t care about, but valuable to nobles and rake in the money.'

'Heee...well in the Knight Barracks, you only listen to the leadership of the Knight Commander but he's not my Master so I can work around that.' Damuel mused, considering the idea. 'Since your birth father is a soldier, I'll ask my brother to ask your father if I can start training at seven years old.'

'Ah, it's possible for kids to begin body training at seven. I mean, our apprentices start at seven, but on the easy stuff as children's bones are weak and as frail as twigs.' said Gunther to Henrik. 

'We start them on Stamina and Endurance training by having them run laps everyday at the fastest speed they can, and keep running while forcing themselves to last longer than last time, while carrying a backpack filled with wet sand. That pack grows bigger and heavier when we notice an apprentice getting used to it.'

'By running laps while carrying heavy bags, this trains their lung power to have strong lungs, and with having strong lungs, your stamina increases that you can do work for longer. Running at our fastest speed trains leg muscles to get used to the movement because you need to be fast to reach what needs dealing with.'

'Aside from pressure running, it's push-ups with those same heavy bags.' and Gunther demonstrated how. 'That's as far as children can go. The real challenge comes at age ten.'

'Alright, how is the family since having Maine's new recipes?' Henrik inquired of Gunther whose expression softened.

‘Tuuli gained some weight and grew taller.’ said Gunther. ‘The food is so delicious yet cheaper than what we did all our lives.’ he said. ‘So this is what education can do when we are taught…’

‘Maine is an aspiring scholar…my brother Damuel would tell me what they talk about when spending time together.’ said Henrik with a wistful smile. ‘She hopes to create and spread trends that will improve life for commoners while dealing with Merchants. She’s reading my and my wife’s notes from the Royal Academy after learning how to read and write.’ 

‘She hopes to never work with nobles outside our home due to the current climate. My family would rather work independently than serve anybody as Retainer…for us of the Neutral Faction, it's like walking on needles barefoot. And we have to avoid getting the eye of the tyrannical archduchess and our useless aub who lets her do what she wants out of insane love for her. We can only endure and live our lives our way without anyone noticing changes in our household.’ said Henrik darkly. ‘Maine’s kitchen improvements alone made us feel rich. That we eat way better than even the Archducal Family thanks to her.’

‘We know very little about your world…what’s happening over there…?’

That night, Gunther’s House…

He has a lot to tell his wife and daughter. About the world Myne is in now, and Myne aims to improve their lives in the future rather than give her efforts to evil nobles while slyly living better than they do in their own way.

Heck, Lord Henrik even admitted that their food is more delicious than what is served in the Castle during Winter Socialization Season! That and Myne discovered ‘other things’ that they had to keep quiet or die, as the higher-ups are maintaining certain lies to keep a tight grip on their power. So the truth Myne uncovered will remain in their minds forever to keep the dangerous secret lest they be killed for it.

However, the family and Myne would benefit from whatever heck she found out just by reading old school notes and ‘saw things differently’!

‘I see…so Myne wants to make our lives better and work with merchants than nobles since most of them are bad guys…’ Tuuli mused thoughtfully. ‘She better be careful over there, she spent much of her life in bed that she doesn’t know anything about, literally about our world.’ she said anxiously.

Indeed she grew taller and filled out more, Effa had to make clothes slightly larger than she was for her to fill in over time…while buying Effa time in making more. Tuuli is now seven years old and an apprentice in the Tailor’s Guild.

‘But by knowing nothing, her way of thinking is different from even ours, and sees the world differently that she ends up…shaking their house as Lord Henrik puts it.’ said Effa. ‘This is why she can see and hear things differently, interpret it in her own way, and then go from there.’

‘She will surely be careful as nothing’s happened yet so far. And she gets along well with her…little uncle.’ Gunther snorted. ‘Lord Damuel is a year older than Tuuli.’

‘Heee…’

Upon gaining information from his brother, Damuel dedicated himself to what he has now, alongside said heavy bags. He runs alongside the walls of their home, with the gate as the ‘lap’ and he counts his laps every time he steps foot on the paved road where their gate was. It was hard at first, but he pushed himself to get stronger before ten years old. 

He begins compressing after mastering his father’s training a month after he supervised training with Maine’s method after his brother proved his success in the third month of spring when he was actually born. So Damuel began compressing in Summer. 

His mana usually refills a week later after his mana draining bracelet drains it off him to offload to his feystones inside his tool. But after a season, the waiting time became two weeks…which means his capacity doubled! His mana organ grew twice its size now!

However, they have to act in Autumn first. They need to store up on food. Flour, Eggs, Milk, Cheese, Cooking Condiments, Preserved Foods, sacks of oatmeal, corn kernels, and dried vegetables and herbs. Then there’s firewood for cooking. Trees had to be culled and cut into the size for firewood before drying. Then they all have to participate in Pork Processing Day, while leaving Maine with Marcus as Maine is still weak from the Devouring and on her road to recovery.

In fact, she took to running with Damuel, but results are as expected. But Maine won’t let Damuel help her and had to explain why, so he had to focus on himself first if he wanted to be stronger before having his Schtappe.

‘Hey Aunt Becky, is there oil?’ Maine asked Becky as she doesn't see oil anywhere.

‘Yes, we get them from crushing certain fruit, like Merill and Rio.’ said Becky. ‘In fact, we have plenty of Merill here for drying later. I usually get the seeds to give to my family for oil-making.’ she said. ‘Do you want the oil for something?’

‘Yeah…and a few things…’

Maine made soap though Becky was the laborer for obvious reasons, and a DIY herbal hair rinse she calls Shamrin. It sounded better than Rinsham and easier to say…

She produces Shamrin in minutes, but her soap takes a while to cure. It would be ready by winter.

‘So this cleans our hair?’ the Bernetts looked at the glass jar of ‘mystery liquid’ Maine made.

‘Yup! I tested it on myself first!’ said Maine, showing off her cleaner, glossier, vibrant hair that also moved with the wind. ‘See? It was something I can easily make myself without fainting, but I needed Aunt Becky’s help with my brand of soap. It’ll be ready by winter.’

‘...you made soap too? But those things are usually greasy…sure you’re clean but you still feel as if…well…’ Damuel shrugged.

‘Not mine.’ Maine grinned confidently. ‘I switched out one ingredient to make that nasty feel go away for good.’ The Bernetts exchanged looks, before looking at Becky who shrugged.

‘She used plant oil, not animal oil. I wonder how different it can be, but it's safe to use before the first week of winter.’ said their servant.

‘Well, due to how sticky and greasy our hair is, we need hot water and many times using the Shamrin and rinsing out with hot water until we no longer feel sticky. This is only for the first time. But weekly use, no need for that hassle afterward, so I made a large batch.’

And so…head-washing with some assistance later…voila!

Shampoo-ad commercial hair, get!!

‘While I’m so happy to have hair so clean and beautiful, this will get the Veronicans on our case!’ Julianne fretted anxiously, looking at how her hair looks now. ‘This is a game-breaking trend Lady Veronica will want to monopolize for herself, and say hello to eternal indentured slavery in her hands!!’

That was a fear that could be made reality.

‘Oh don’t worry, the beauty will be there for three days, but the cleanliness will last longer, so it’s less obvious as the days go by, so before the first Earthday of winter, use the Shamrin at least, nine days before, and then daily hot water baths after that to maintain cleanliness. We can use the Shamrin safely in our home since we never have visitors anyway.’ Maine advised.

‘Phew…we can keep this under wraps!’ Henrik was relieved, not wanting the bleak future his wife accurately foresaw. ‘This Shamrin is safe. But who will you sell it to? Gilberta Company?’

‘Yeah, but for our safety, it comes with stipulations of course…this product cannot be sold in Ehrenfest, but in another duchy as long as Veronica's alive!' Maine declared as due to their stance, they don't want Veronica to benefit off them. 'We’re the producers, but others will enjoy it and due to trading rates, we can jack up the prices!’

‘We plan this well first with Benno.’ Marcus told his family. ‘Send him a letter.’

Chapter Text

Benno was summoned again by the Bernetts, so he and Mark dressed properly for the occasion and headed there. The clothes of the Bernett kids aren’t even done yet! Lord Damuel’s was prioritized as he’s socializing, Lady Maine not yet.

He wondered what the next job would be this time. But they weren’t alone…in fact, old man Gustav is called over too!

Upon arrival…they left the floor to Maine!

‘What can we do for you, Lady Maine?’ Benno asked her after they made the greetings.

‘I would like to start a business venture,’ said Maine, putting a glass jar on the table. Becky put tea and unusual but savory, easy-to-eat snacks on the table.‘I understand that Gilberta Company also sells Beauty Products other than clothing?’

‘Indeed.’

‘This product I name Shamrin will display its worth, after Aunt Becky uses it on your companion.’ Maine’s words made Benno and Mark do a double-take. Gustav now looks curious. ‘Once you see the results, what price would we get from it from the Merchant Guild?’ Becky moved to take away Mark. ‘And I also have other conditions to make afterward.’

After about half an hour…Mark was back, with incredible hair!

‘Whoa!!’

Mark’s hair now looks very light and feathery in appearance and cleanliness. Lustrous, vibrant and glossy!

‘Mark, how do you feel?’ Benno asked Mark anxiously.

‘My head feels a lot lighter and comfortable now, young master.’ said Mark, looking very pleased. ‘And when I rake my fingers on my hair, I don’t see oil on my fingers any longer! So this is clean hair!’ he exclaimed in marvel.

‘Given the lack of truly useful hygiene products in the market, it took a while for Shamrin to work for the first time due to our own sorry state. We used it on ourselves as well.’ Maine began. ‘But after the hair is fully-cleaned as you can see on your man, Shamrin can be used without any more hassle afterwards any day you wish.’

‘And I hear a but, as you said earlier.’ Gustav reminded her.

‘Yes. You and Gilberta Company cannot sell this in Ehrenfest, but elsewhere.’ This was the condition. ‘The current political climate in Ehrenfest, if my product gets out, our future is indentured slavery, or forced to give up MY work under threat of death, and then shamelessly parade it as HER trend!’ Maine snarked in derision. 

‘And that worthless Aub of ours will give her anything she wants, and look at our Lower City…it's the reflection of their rule on our duchy.’

The merchants fell silent.

They did business with nobles over the years. Some treated them well, some in derision that they had to up their political skills and use Magical Contracts just to have it fair for themselves.

‘I feel for you little lady. I am also threatened regarding…Ahrensbach Products at ridiculous rates. Insane extortion rates to Ehrenfest regarding trading tax and market prices but crazy-cheap to almost nothing to Ahrensbach regarding Ahrensbach in turn.’ said Gustav in consternation. ‘It’s a financial sinkhole nightmare.’ he shook his head.

‘And I have no one to complain to! Moreover no knowledge of how to use the products she wants imported here! Nobody would buy products they know nothing about, we can’t even teach them! I tried asking my counterpart in Ahrensbach and he said, ‘-those Lanzanave folk don’t teach how to use their classy wares, it's up to us to figure it out on our own’!’ 

‘We even have no idea how to prepare the weird fish they export! And with such an insane rate of losing money, I’m still expected to pay taxes to the duchy by triple rates I’m barely keeping up. And all businesses here barely earn any money just to meet the quota I have to meet or I’m in trouble.’

‘I guess Scholars have yet to figure that out,’ said Henrik dryly. ‘Our society is still developing after all as Ehrenfest is a two-century old duchy. Much of the old Eisenreich is wiped out and much of the intelligent Scholars fled our duchy.’

‘Well, not much work done then.’ Gustav chuckled bitterly as he went to take the jar and sniff the contents. ‘Given the results on Mark’s hair,’ he envied the guy for having free clean hair just for the sake of showing results, while his own hair is sticky…lucky bastard. ‘For this, it's a little kid-friendly in scent. Men and women would want more fragrant scents for their hair…this will cost one small silver, market price.’ Gustav declared. 

‘And since we will not sell this in Ehrenfest, we will sell it to Frenbeltag and Zausengas for a start. But before we sell this, we need to amass a large amount for export.’ he informed her. ‘As neighbors, the trading tax rate is 10% as they’re next-door neighbors and that’s the lowest it can get by National Law, so Shamrin will be 11000. Nicer-smelling ones will sell higher.’ he told her.

‘But we’ll need to build a workshop and amass enough for sale,’ said Benno. This means while he gets to sell to Othmar Company at its market price, the ol’ geezer who does the heavier workload gets to sell it with the tax so he earns bigger. Painful, and worse, he and Maine will split the sales via commission so he earns less than the old bastard! ‘And make a Magical Contract.’

‘We have a draft ready.’ it was on a wooden board and this got the men nervous as they looked at it. They already have a draft ready!

Maine Tochter Adotie Bernett will exclusively sell the Product named Shamrin
and its future variations, as well as other types of beauty/hygiene products to
Gilberta Company to be exported to other duchies through the Othmar Company.

Both companies shall benefit under the stipulations of:

• Use all means necessary to export in secret. Do not let information leak outside.
• To those involved with the exporting, silence them witha Magical Contract unable
  to talk about the product nor reveal it inall forms of communication techniques
  known to man. This includes Company Owners and Relatives.
• Commission Rates will be at 50% between the Manufacturer and the Merchants
  involved. Othmar Company gets to keep the Trading Tax Rates charged.
• Products developed by Maine Tochter Adotie Bernett is to never be sold in Ehrenfest
  for as long as its true ruler Lady Veronica Tochter Colbrandt reigns in Ehrenfest.
  Family members of the Manufacturer and Merchants involved are allowed to buy
  /freely given and use in absolute secrecy.
• Because Sixth Aub’s daughter is Frenbeltag Archduchess, she is to be informed
  that products in question will never grace Ehrenfest Citizens, reasons explained
  and will be included in the secrecy. But she will never know the identity of the
  Manufacturer.

‘Crikey, you really hate this woman.’ Benno chuckled while face-palming. ‘Then again, so do we, considering what we put up with when dealing with her and her clique! Unfair deadlines yet forcing us to accept ‘discounts or die’ that we sell our wares and services 90% less to them!’ he griped in annoyance. ‘By the way, what type of Contract is this?’

‘Duchy-wide only, only Zent and richer nobles can afford Nationwide Magical Contracts.’ Maine snorted. ‘The way things are going, the idiot Archducal Family is as poor as a bottom-ranked duchy or worse.’ she said. ‘I’m also manufacturing a better brand of soap, the same conditions apply.’ she said as Becky gave each man a bar of purple soap.

‘...it smells the same as Shamrin.’ Benno mused after taking the bar of soap and began sniffing it.

‘No greasy feeling when used on skin in the baths, guaranteed.’ Maine grinned. ‘But due to the sources, it’ll understandably be a seasonal product. As for the Workshop, secrecy rules apply. But I’m not sure if Lord Father will let me venture outside, so it may as well be a warehouse for me instead…’

‘Then how about this,’ Benno suggested. Due to National Laws regarding the Unbaptized, Nobles whose fears are children getting kidnapped for ransom is real, yet if Unbaptized, no help will come for the victim, so children are in a gilded cage until their baptism as by then, they'll receive rights and protection from the duchy and Archducal Family as per the norms. That is why Maine can't go to the Lower City and work, so he has a way around that.

‘Due to Noble Laws about children, I will handle the production on your behalf while still keeping the warehouse and the same 50% commission rates between us. I have new employees as of late, might as well put them to use.’

‘That would be wonderful.’ Maine smiled. ‘Then while I will give you the methods, understand that those in the know are under Magical Contract not to betray me, yes? You will select ten people per product to be put to work, and silenced with the contract.’

‘Of course.’

‘With that, we will write the Magical Contract.’ said Marcus, as he had Becky bring the parchment and magical ink over. He wrote down two contracts. One for Maine, Gustav and Benno, and one for Maine and Benno.

For Magical Contracts, no noble language to be as transparent as possible. Though some use noble language to swindle those who don’t know…

And the plan was, it’ll be the Bernetts purchasing the seasonal ingredient, while Benno handles the other ingredient and production on Maine’s behalf. He and Gustav are then told how Shamrin works.

Due to years of having no way to wash hair properly without a hair care product, oils built up over time, and became grease that caused hair to become sticky and heavy as time goes by that for first-time users, they have to wash scalp and hair as many times as possible with bearably-hot water mixed with Shamrin and non-stop combing until the hair is thoroughly cleaned.

Once cleaned for the first time, the next usage of Shamrin is easy afterwards. The glossy, vibrant, lustrous effect lasts a couple days. Once the cosmetic appearance is gone, Shamrin can be used again.

As for the soap, it’s indeed different from the one sold by Soap Guilds. It cleans the skin better so that the user can forever say goodbye to greasy feeling and actually feel clean post-bath.

And the soap was priced at 16000. However, because for Shamrin, glass jars will be used along with a sealing cork by Benno for product appeal, Gustav raised the price to 20000 or two small silver per bottle. But there will be demerits so what Benno and Maine actually earns will not change. The costs and earnings caused by the ‘appealing containers’ would go to the Glassblower Guild and Woodworks Guild. So the Foremans of the two guilds have to be silenced too!

And so, the plan begins next year.

And for the family to earn more from the products, they need to find materials that…smelled better. Due to the size of the Workshop to be bought as well as how much a warehouse can contain per product…

A wooden case can hold up to 25 Shamrins. And a crate can hold up to six stacked cases. So that’s about 1sg and 5ls per crate in Shamrin’s actual cost of 10000 without the trading tax…but Maine and Benno would earn 7ls and 5ss per crate due to their 50% commission split. Not a bad deal. Considering on the first floor of the warehouse  was just for Shamrin, 500 crates can fit…their profit is still huge, even if it’s an annual profit.

What more, about soap minus trading tax…? In a case, a hundred and seventy-five soap bars can fit in there and in a crate, same six case capacity. That a single case of soap bars is worth 2sg and 8ls.

When they calculated the earnings, it was mind-boggling, though Benno complains to his sister and brother-in-law that Gustav earns more in their secret side business because Gustav sells them WITH the tax! But Gustav intends to use this hidden side business to help Merchants in their duchy have relief in tax so they can actually earn for some time.

However, on Maine’s end, she’d earn less, considering it’s her purchasing the ingredients that Henrik and Benno buys for her with her money, but she doesn’t mind, really…because the ingredients are extremely cheap! She gets huge returns that…thanks to her, the Bernetts will be…secretly wealthy. 

But sadly, they can never show off how rich they actually are. As the Bernetts and Julianne’s family and fifteen more households are known as the ‘lowest of the low’ Laynobles who live close to the gate, compared to other Laynoble Households whose status are above them due to mana amount. A hair away from being Blue Priests with their mana levels that they all live close to the Gate, close to where the Temple is as a reminder of their status in Noble Society.

Thus no one in Noble’s Quarter knows how rich they are now.

And to conceal this, Henrik and Julianne still do their jobs.

‘Wow Maine…you brought so much.’ Damuel was bamboozled that a year later, their first profit was BIG. Doggone big that his father fainted from seeing so much money grace his household for the first time in his life.

Laynobles can only DREAM of owning such money. Maine is easily their biggest earner that she more than made up for keeping her in less than five years, and she’s now seven.

‘Well, this pretty much erased all our problems.’ Maine grinned. Maine’s money is so huge that through Benno, she got him into a minor contract that he would give her birth father 2sg in loose large silvers off her earnings, so she could still look after her birth family in her own way. ‘And the fun part is we can live comfortably without looking the part! How awesome is that?!’ she cackled.

Gunther felt weak in the knees as he received a huge amount of money from Benno.

Apparently, he got Magical Contracted to give him 2sg in the form of twenty large silvers from Maine’s earnings in her business every end of summer for the sake of Winter Preparations, so she could look after her birth family if only through financially and they won’t worry about her anymore, now that she is doing well.

And Maine had her business extremely secretive with good reason, and Gunther received from him ten bars of soap as yet another giveaway from his daughter—for laundry and bath.

‘It’s better than the crap the Soap Guild sells. You’ll actually feel you took a damn bath.’ Benno snorted. ‘Just that you need hot water on a level you can endure, when cleaning your hair and comb over and over until it’s clean. I felt clean for the first time in my whole life when I used it.’

Soaps can clean hair the same way, just that, texture is different, and no cosmetic-beauty results only Shamrin can give.

And with that kind of money, expenses were easier on his small family. They could buy more than just food for winter…they can afford to buy more fabric and thread for homemade clothing and socks, and buy what needs replacing long overdue due to severe financial restraints.

Baby steps regarding that. Baby steps. But it did help. Comfortable Winters are top priority.

Winter came.

And Maine had her Unveiling. For her safety she was baptized at home and Henrik called a priest that’s NOT Veronican-aligned. Because Maine has so much mana that she might show more than one element that they’re able to silence the guy with a Magical Contract.

They were right to be paranoid.

She has many elements already. Her mana is a very pale yellow despite her birth season of summer. She could be either six or seven or too many Life subordinates other than a couple Wind, they can’t tell unless she had her Divine Protection Acquisition Ritual done.

If she had that many…Damuel and Maine are measured again.

Damuel is now into mid-mednoble level to his joy at nine years old. Maybe when he’s thirteen he’d be very strong!

Maine? She’s Archnoble-Class. Because compression aside, she was the one handling the Magic Tools in the house, always keeping them on, so she couldn’t compress as much as she spends much of her mana on the tools for her well-being.

Though thanks to her money, they could finally buy her a Magic Tool, and Maine also now has a Hidden Room of her own as a Hidden Room can only be built by its owner when taught how and helped by their family as a schtappe is needed to cast a spell, and a red feystone.

Maine set restrictions on her room. Her mana level. As she doesn’t know what elements she has until her Third Year in the Academy, this would do. If she knows by then, she would go as far as including her elements in the requirement. Due to her mana, they could hide their secrets in her Hidden Room, like a bank vault of sorts.

But they were still nervous about the coming Winter Debut.

Everyone knows how the Bernetts worked due to financial reasons. A child once every thirteen years. This way their children are safe through a hand-me-down magic tool when older sibling gets their schtappe.

But will everyone be surprised if there’s suddenly an adotie…!!

‘Maine’s already in records in our house, but children are hidden until seven for a reason.’ Julianne stated. ‘What excuse should we use, father?’

‘Well, considering the differences between Damuel and Maine’s Magic Tools…we can say that a Merchant Family noted their daughter’s symptoms and flare ups of mana. Knowing that people with mana cannot have children with normal people, they looked for a good family to adopt her so she could have children.’

Marcus began.

‘They contacted us after investigating where Maine can live peacefully with. Because to them, a peaceful life is more important for a sickly girl’s well-being, so we drew up Magical Contracts. The plan is this…’

The Castle…

Indeed, there’s a lot of raised eyebrows, Maine thought with a sweatdrop, as her parents guided her into the hall with other parents whose seven year olds will have their own Unveiling.

Those of the lowest status will perform first. This way, the better performances are from those of higher status.

Jackasses!

But such is a Laynoble’s lot in life, sheesh!

‘The only good thing about this is that SHE isn’t here, but Aub is.’ said Julianne as they rode on a rented carriage for the castle.

‘You mean the Lady of all people doesn’t show up for Winter Socialization?’ Maine was astonished.

‘Everyone prefers it that way. But she would still know what’s going on, thanks to her spies she planted by force in some households.’ Julianne told her. ‘So she and her Faction can still be out of our way yet still find out the latest details from her Water Goddesses. Some Archnoble and wealthier Mednoble Households are invaded. This is one time being a Laynoble is useful.’

‘You think?’ Henrik snorted. ‘You heard about Lasfam from the Odell Household? Lady Veronica purchased him from his family like she would a slave and foisted him on Lord Ferdinand as a form of harassment by giving him low-quality Retainers on purpose to mock him. Due to that he had to make it work as he can never go home ever again.’

‘And I’m an adotie with iron-clad Magical Contracts so my fictional birth family is safe, but as I’m truly a commoner, I bet my firstborn she’s going to foist me on him as harassment too.’ said Maine dryly.

‘Joke’s on her. She has no idea what you can do.’ Damuel scoffed with an eye roll.

‘Yes, but we prefer to keep those secrets for the time being.’ said Henrik. ‘And Maine, remember to speak in Noble Tongue. We can only dispense grammaratur at home and around family only, as speaking normally like this is seen as vulgar.’

‘Yes Lord Father, I’ll remember but I wish this mumbo-jumbo isn’t necessary.’ Maine pouted. ‘Why do we have to talk like this again? To look and feel classy or something?’ she grumbled as she was still having trouble speaking Noble Tongue.

‘Well, that is connected to why information is the backbone of our society.’ said Henrik. ‘And nobles—-well, the prideful ones who are sadly, also high-ranking ones, tend to get offended easily from even the smallest slight, that our way of language came to being…that left people in turn, guessing what you really mean and imply, so being up to date with information is crucial.’

‘So by talking euphemistically using the pantheon of all things…’ Maine twitched.

‘Yes. So when you want to say someone is stupid and brainless, people are to say they have no blessing or protection from Mestionora. That somehow dilutes the insult you want to actually say as an example when you actually mean worse.’ Henrik chuckled.

‘It’s a miracle noble folk aren’t cursed yet by the Gods with this way of talking…’ Maine shook her head. ‘Poor Flutrane is used as metaphor for husband’s mistress! And why in the world is something as cute as a literal flower on some random plant euphemism for a you-know-what?! Who’s the imbecile who came up with that?’

‘The Royal Family.’ her parents drawled.

Maine groaned.

‘Figures…they write the law after all but this one’s totally dumb…’

...were her thoughts as she sat on the seat at the podium, with Henrik standing behind her as he was her teacher after Julianne taught her the basics and she focused more on General Education and Lady Lessons.

Her birth deity is Leidenschaft, so she took an anime song and...with the melody and guitar version of Flower she worked hard to recreate she got calluses, a PoT opening song, she also sang like an adult with too much karaoke experience, it was a bombastic performance by standards to these medieval folk that her audience was wide-eyed in amazement. "Top that! Beaten by a commoner! Heh!"

"Maine! You're going to make me answer tough questions later on!!" Henrik inwardly moaned with a pained groan. Maine's performance was too good! Professor Pauline can only be a good excuse to a point, but, come on~~!!!

Chapter Text

Maine’s style of music was the talk of that night.

It was very masculine, befitting the birth season of her deity. And she sings very well, lacking the child-like quality of the voice they’re used to hearing every winter debut.

A lot of people were impressed that day. His brother Damuel performed just as good in his time. It seems going to extra classes in Music paid off that Lord Henrik can be a good teacher to his brother and daughter. But it seems those extra lessons paid off for him that the family children did too well for their standing.

After the Winter Debut, children went to the Playroom as usual. Students and literally little kids.

And Maine noted as her brother guided her away, the Playroom is split into three. The Veronicans who were wearing Ahrensbach Fashion. Leisegangs and Neutrals who wore Ehrenfest Fashion. Even the students are split in such a manner.

Lord Ferdinand is with the Neutral Faction with his Retainers. He only has two apprentices by his side. He is now in his fourth year in the Academy despite being ‘a year younger’ due to his birth season.

He reportedly took three out of four courses…as Archduke Candidates cannot be Attendants. He is only home in Autumn. Well would you want to be here when you’re harassed every day?

But still, his performance was stellar as always. People greatly respect and admire him, but unable to go near him out of helplessness they can only badmouth the source of their discontent.

Not everyone is as brave as his Retainers anyway. But they show respect in other ways by sabotage. Unnoticed, but it helped their vindication.

Damuel introduced Myne to his group. They were all Neutrals from all levels, but clearly the kind that don’t look down on them for their rank that it's mostly Laynobles here. Her brother Damuel has many friends indeed, but no one her age…for obvious reasons. Mednobles at least, have younger siblings her age.

But she still had to defer to them respectfully as per the norms.

These kids think they can play her? Hah!

She’s an adult with a lot of books in her noggin’. How many Light Novels and Manga do you think she’s read about stuff like her current life after devouring all subjects in her wake?

She played them. And they have no clue.

Or so she thought…

Ferdinand certainly noticed. And it was his private entertainment before it’s his yearmates’ turn to depart for school.

He found something interesting. But what is her background?

…SHE had better not get any funny ideas. Maine has the colors of the clan…

And he has other worries. His brother asked him to be Ordoschnelli on his behalf as to why Lady Florencia is cold towards him all of a sudden.

…what’s going on?

Thus he passed all his classes as usual. He had to make it in time for Socialization. His free time will only come in Spring and Summer for his two other courses.

Due to their rank, he cannot casually approach Frenbeltag. Ehrenfest is among the bottom rankers as it has no new trends to speak of and Trends hold great power in Ladies’ Society as the other third of Interduchy Politics and Business Trading.

That society looks down on duchies with no trends and the damage is more on its Archducal First Lady whose duty is to create, and release new trends. Heck, dear ol’ stepmother who flaunts her pedigree when offended that the ladies pay her no respect, not even Lady Claramae, the First Lady of her son-in-law through Lady Georgine looks at her.

To them, she was not worth their time.

In fact, Lady Claramae would speak harshly to her for being a worthless First Lady and a loooong line of criticism that she says she brings shame upon Ahrensbach as she uses her lineage to get her way which means she damages the Ahrensbach Family with her shameless actions and she would have her husband cut ties to remove the family shame. That was last year and humiliating Lady Veronica pretty much made the Leisegangs and Neutral students look at Lady Claramae subtly(or so they thought) with adoration like she was a saint!

Those looks did NOT go unnoticed. Gossip spread and people made their own conclusions—thankfully accurate thanks to competent Scholars.

The humiliation made his stepmother even spicier towards the duchy and again, father let her so she could be happy again.

As much as he owes his father, his upbringing at home as Archduke Candidate under his Uncle regarding things they must do for the duchy and duchal traditions and culture he would learn during his year before baptism, he knew in his heart that his father is a failure as Dark God to his children and his duchy. For elevating Chaoscipher who let Wenderelt loose upon Ehrenfest.

Bonifatius knowing this yet can never defy his brother with a pained grimace and bitterness, taught him a list of everything he could squeeze in while he still had time left. He got a long list, before raising him to be a Gentleman befitting his status and teaching him Harspiel after knowing how to read, write and math.

Thanks to the long list, he could self-study by knowing what to look for. And his baptismal mother before she was murdered, left him knowledge too that he kept close so he could self-study it all.

By knowing all that, he was to be Minister to his older brother, to fill him in on what he was made NOT to know. Then his father took his name just to placate the resident monster that he is no threat to his brother’s throne after she made her own daughters’ lives hell to get them out long before he was brought home.

Then there’s this year.

As of late, the Frenbeltag and Zausengas ladies have beautiful hair!

Vibrant, silky tresses flow like smooth curtains. They also swish very lightly as if made of air when before, hair used to be stiff like anyone else’s. Even his own no matter how much time he spent in the baths with hot water until Waschen was his answer.

But his hair wasn’t like theirs. His hair is just clean. That’s it. Their skin even has this ‘glow’ to it that adds to Kunzeal’s charms.

As a Scholar, he used his own means to gain information, and managed to reach an Archnoble Frenbeltag for his brother’s inquiry.

Then his stack of letters went to Lord Maverick, the current Archduke Candidate. He can only wait for a reply, and when it came…

The letters are very cold…though it was not Lady Florencia who replied, but older sister Lady Constanze.

She even had a letter for him, a little brother she never knew or met, but heard of him and his just-as-tragic life in Ehrenfest where excellence and having your own mind is scorned and mistreated while blind obedient puppets get elevated in the land where Chaoscipher reigns supreme…and sent a huge stack of letters in a wooden box just to tell him what life was like, before she and Georgine left through marriage.

She even advised him to marry out as a son-in-law just to have the life he deserved, many duchies would be glad to have him! He deserved better, she says.

As for their other brother, somebody released game-breaking trends, but should Florencia answer his proposal, she would lose access to those trends, as the mysterious manufacturer of the world-changing bathing products refuses to sell to Ehrenfest as long as Chaoscipher reigns supreme!

For now, the mysterious manufacturer sells to two duchies only due to supply issues at the expense of moving secretly: Frenbeltag and Zausengas.

The Ladies of Frenbeltag put their foot down hard and Aub Frenbeltag will tell their father that Florencia cannot marry into Ehrenfest even if Sylvester holds a large, sweet rafel for her and their mana is within range.

For Ladies’ Society, trends are absolute power as it also plays a great role in helping the economy grow under the purview of Archduke’s wives. Getting left behind is social suicide and be ostracized from Ladies’ Society just as how Lady Veronica was scorned by Lady Claramae last year.

It gets better—she is NOT an Archduke Candidate thus has no place to be an Archduke’s First Wife in the First Place! Only Archduke Candidates can marry each other, mana-be-damned as Archduke Candidate Ladies are actually trained to navigate Ladies’ Society and their duties to the duchy! Was Aub Ehrenfest sniffing Schalftraum’s Flower?

That caused quite the controversy that shook the rafters, that Ferdinand was witness to his father trying to smoothen things out, but Zent’s Queens were firm with harsh rebukes. And given Ehrenfest’s notorious reputation as of late given how it treats excellence but elevates mediocres, was Sixth willing for his own duchy to fall apart for one woman in the throes of spring even in mid-autumn?

Too late to divorce Veronica, but they ARE keeping an eye on the two sons, Sylvester and Ferdinand. They at least have Archduke Candidate Education but given Ordoschnelli…because Sylvester was the ‘chosen one’ yet his questionable upbringing surrounded by false pillars ensures a false light goddess’ grip on what is not rightfully hers, yet readily given by her enamored husband he has to be re-educated! 

Ferdinand was at least as brilliant as Lady Georgine was in her time…but given his…just-as-questionable upbringing, he was known to self-study and refused teachers that are not vouched for by Bonifatius, unable to trust anyone, given his history of so-called pillars given to him by his father.

His father is facing severe penalties and the shock of it all got his sickly father bedbound but he was not escaping punishment from all he allowed his wife to do. And a lot of angry people, breaking Gebordnung among them Eckhart, poured out their woes that got Zent Basileus annoyed—to angry when eyebrow raising woes of murderous invasion of Water Goddesses from Veronica saw to deaths of young wives and unborn children to force their way in for household takeover! Corruption in the Government! Anhaltung and Gebordnung scorned many times that Geduldh starved in their reign!

Thus, Lord Bonifatius was ordered to become Relay Aub to re-educate Sylvester in the traditions of Ehrenfest as well as Culture, and restore order before he can be allowed to reign. And he must listen to his people as no doubt he was deliberately kept ignorant of his family’s sins due to his careful upbringing as his mother’s puppet should his father expire from his frailty.

The severe shock from the punishment his father, stepmother and her faction got, made his father severely ill, but forbidden to climb the towering heights. He was medically treated against his will just to make him serve his term by Sovereignty Doctors.

Invaded Households are allowed to Divorce their wives and they and their children who are age five and above(who are given basic Veronican indoctrination by then) deported to Ahrensbach for their relatives to punish, while all they own by crook and children who are below four years old, stays in Ehrenfest for the Temple to prevent clan extinction and mana shortage. Upon reaching Ahrensbach, their Medals are to be destroyed in Ehrenfest. That, Bonifatius did with glee.

The Temple under Bezewanst, is to be purged of Veronican Clergy. While the Blue Priests are deported like their families, Bezewanst’s crimes are so severe via Mana Mismanagement that his new residence is a filthy dungeon made to wear prison garments made of rough burlap sack, and spend the rest of his life knowing the life of squalor in darkness in Temple Dungeons. This the Gray Clergy did with glee as revenge for their miserable lives in his tenure.

As for Lady Veronica herself, she and her husband are put in the White Tower on floors far from each other, and mana drained to compensate for the starved provinces of Ehrenfest. All she owned was taken by force, including an alarmingly large number of Namestones from her Hidden Room. Names of her followers and family members, and husbands of ‘conquered households’.

She had half of Ehrenfest hostage, that she was the picture of Chaoscipher in Human Skin. Not even the Royal Family had that many Namestones! Veronica was magically-forced to free unwilling husbands of her followers by Bonifatius while he could care less about her treacherous Retinue’s lives. 

But he did care for incriminating evidence of her crimes via letters, and money she embezzled for herself, including what was supposed to be Ferdinand’s allocated allowance as an Archducal Family Member as his due, and records of purchased poisons and personal luxuries.

But what Bonifatius did not see coming, was that his brother has his own younger son’s Namestone!! He gave it to Bonifatius who called Ferdinand home to give him back his name…and ordered him to destroy his Namestone and to never give anyone his name without a good reason.

He also had to deal with a grief-stricken Sylvester who was told what was kept from him all his life and how Ferdinand was really treated in Ehrenfest, beginning from when their father took him home, that when turning thirteen, Ferdinand had a good reason to take so many courses to avoid attempts on his life, until autumn when he had to go home. It was a season of murder attempts on him by his mother that Sylvester wore a haunted, broken expression and was inconsolable.

As his brother nursed his heartbreak over the situation more than about Lady Florencia, their people damn celebrated the downfall of the villains, grateful to Sovereignty for delivering Verdraeos with his Uncle as Representative.

And to think Ferdinand thought, all this is started by bath products.

…the power of Trends is scary.

‘You know, since Shamrin and soap is the trigger, do you think the Manufacturer will reveal their identity now?’ Heidemarie wondered aloud as she and Ferdinand are in Hirschur’s lab with Justus, as Ferdinand still took three courses just to get away from Veronica, but he is obliged to finish it all to the end.

‘They are someone in Ehrenfest, but I think not even they saw this coming.’ Justus chuckled. ‘They are among those discontent with the Sixth. Because of that famous scolding by Lady Claramae, Lady Veronica’s actions have gotten desperate as of late, around the same time those products came out.’ he told them.

‘Given her shamelessness, if this person is to be known, who’d stop her from twisting this poor soul’s arm to take their work for herself and parade it here as her trend just to get in Lady Claramae’s good books?’ he pointed out as indeed, they can see that happening with a grimace. ‘This person hence had to work in the shadows and got petty, but they probably did not see this coming.’ Justus snickered.

‘...maybe it’s safe to ask Lady Constanze now?’ Hirschur piped up. ‘It’s still Conference Week…’

Ferdinand made no effort in having to do ‘proper procedure’ which was a hassle for him as luck came his way as he saw a blonde female version of Sylvester whom he found talking to his uncle. So this is Lady Constanze, his second eldest sister.

So uhhh if Sylvester’s a woman and blonde…he’d be this.

…a little jarring…

…can’t unsee that now.

Then there’s also a blue-haired younger Veronica who was sneering in contemptible vindictive pleasure. Taking delight that their parents whom she loathed with her utmost hatred finally got what’s coming as they deserved in her eyes.

She was just sad for Bezewanst as because Bonifatius had his hands tied, Bezewanst was the other uncle who gave a damn about her in her childhood; he was more of a father to her than Adelbert was. 

And she can’t even save him and take him with her home because Mana Mismanagement is a severe felony in National Law. She can’t even go near the White Tower for revenge to avoid accusation of aiding criminals even if she hated their existence for simply being their relatives. But she CAN make requests to the guards…

Veronica Tochter Colbrandt Frau Ehrenfest ruins anyone and anything she has a grip on in her mad grab for power and things she fancies through murder to get what she wants by crook.

But by the end of the conference…the identity of the Shamrin and new Soap Manufacturer was found out…due to Magical Contracts that protected their identity, all the Merchants could say without being forced to the towering heights is they are Ehrenfest Nobles who do not want their products sold in Ehrenfest in fear of being found and forced into Indentured Slavery to Chaoscipher and take their work, and parade it as her trends. That as long as Lady Veronica, the TRUE RULER of Ehrenfest reigns, hell no.

That fear wasn’t so far-fetched, actually…and their identity shall remain secret hence, but at least, origins known? And they can now mass-produce safely and sell within Ehrenfest at long last!

Thus Zent Basileus has many orders to Ehrenfest to heal from their torment.

Sylvester’s training to make a fine Archduke out of him to not repeat past mistakes.

Due to so many murders without justice until recently, to prevent mana shortage, all families must beckon Entrinduge. Those who can afford it, must have three or two wives to have more children in the family.

And their Temple to be strictly watched over to prevent Mana Mismanagement. Provinces deliberately denied of mana must heal no matter what, that Archnobles must contribute their mana for their Geduldh to heal an entire term’s worth of damage.

And because Adelbert set a precedent, Zent Basileus deemed having only one wife for Archdukes in all Duchies, Zent and Royal Family included, is utter criminal as it gave rise to one like Veronica. 

To keep power grabs in check and political security and balance in the duchy, Archduke Candidates and Archnoble Families who are tasked with crucial duties to their duchy, must have three wives and minimum of three children each wife, no matter what. Excuses? The only permissible excuse would be Mana and Color-Matching…or lack thereof. And to succeed the current Family Head is by competition to prove excellence.

And should Family Conflicts happen or if families were found to commit severe crimes or worse, war, only those involved and in the known accomplices and enablers are to be punished/executed. 

Those uninvolved and children below Academy Age spared to prevent Bloodline Extinction and this is to be proven by fair trial in court. The Zent made Aubs, their successors and himself and his princes sign a Nationwide Magic Contract for this to prevent Mana Shortage.

…so yes, Ferdinand signed that too, as did Archnoble Clan Heads with crucial governmental or military duties and their sons who are at least, in the Academy. It gets better…every time the people whose families are contracted whose family members marry, this is to be renewed when more names are added for at least ten generations.

...Nationwide Contracts are expensive...does Zent have such money to shell out...?

‘...who’d have thought our way of doing things led to salvation?’

…was the wide-eyed wonder in Marcus’ words that spring when Ordoschnelli sang songs of deliverance around the duchy.

‘It’s basically a Ripple Effect…but how could we have known?’ Julianne cackled after a face-palm of sheer amusement. ‘Our way of selling products accidentally led to expulsion of Chaoscipher’s Temple!’

The Ripple Effect also exists in this world as a Scholar’s theory in the past, Maine thought in amusement. She really has to raid the school library to find similarities in two worlds.

‘Well, everyone did the work for us, not our problem, our hands are clean…’ Henrik said in a childish cutesy manner in a bid to look innocent and he’s not convincing anybody, but he did this for comedic effect. ‘All we did was sell bathing products!’

The whole family laughed at his antics.

‘Well, we’ll increase slowly. We’ll have to discuss with Gustav and Benno about warehouse spacing.’ he continued. ‘People would now want us to sell in Ehrenfest…and leave the researching of fragrant oil sources for future sales to us.’ he told Maine. ‘Anything else?’

‘Well, soft wood…as in, very soft.’

Maine explained her idea of Embroidery Hoops and Frames and how it’s made. The hoop for small fabric works, and large embroidery frames for large fabrics needed working on.

‘That would make Embroidery a lot easier on us!’ Julianne exclaimed in delight. ‘It was Ventuchte’s Trial to get embroidery work done evenly. Especially the embroidering of Magic Circles on capes!’

‘You can embroider magic in clothes?!’ Maine’s eyes glowed. ‘I haven’t gotten that far in reading notes yet!’

‘It can be done,’ said Julianne. ‘It’s usually a girl’s job for her family, and wives for husbands upon marriage.’ she said. ‘It was quite the trial due to our low mana back in the day though…’ she said with a nostalgic sad smile. ‘But given my new strength level, I’m halfway done with your father’s cape now when before I could only make five percent progress at a time.’ she admitted. 

‘Having a magically-blank cape makes one defenseless from poisoning and bullying.’ she continued. ‘Once the magic circles are complete, it is then dependent on the cape-owner’s mana to keep it powered everytime when going out of their house as their main security. I’m not yet done with Henrik’s, so it’ll be your job for Damuel’s after his first year of school.’

‘Yes, Lady Mother.’ Maine chimed. She'd gladly embroider magic but that's a long way away...maybe on Damuel's closet as practice? He'd go to school this year...

Chapter Text

End of Spring was a time of celebration for the entire Noble’s Quarters and for those who lived in their domains.

Not quite for Sylvester who was in for a rude awakening, and his world turned upside down as Sovereignty Knights who were once Ehrenfest Knights swooped in with a vengeance in their quest for the Purge…as in capturing the targets, and Sylvester had to process a shit-ton of Divorcing Couples, and he had to organize with Aub Ahrensbach who would gather clan heads of their erring relatives to accept these women and children of specific ages, whether they like it or not. Until the time of exile, all of them are imprisoned, fed only food scraps by the vengeful knights.

Not that they told Sylvester that, anyway.

As for younger children, carried off to the Temple. Sylvester had Bonifatius in charge of making them forget about their families so they can live in the Temple in peace.

‘Finally, I’m done…’ Sylvester said wearily, after finishing the last document before taking a swig of Ale.

Bonifatius confiscated everything illegally-owned for gold to flow in their duchy again by putting it back in the castle coffers and the rest returned to vindictive divorcees, and a chunk of it going to Ferdinand as he never got his many years’ worth of allowances, forcing him to either scrape by, or forced to eat poisoned food at the family dining table and unable to Food Test for his safety because of their father’s presence.

Not only that, his child’s Mana Draining Tool was forcefully-taken in the hopes he’ll ‘die by accident’, but instead Ferdinand was forced to compress for his life which was why he was stunted growing up that he was no different from a Devouring. But this also made him very powerful in mana due to Bonifatius’ expectations of an Archduke Candidate.

It was why Ferdinand avoided people whenever he could, that Sylvester, wanting to spend time with him in the past, learned how ‘to hunt’. Ferdinand was very good at hiding himself and Sylvester learned how to be a seeker, which later played a part in his skills in Hunting Events. He even got a blessing from Schlageziel in his third year for it.

Well, Ferdinand no longer needed that tool now that he got a Schtappe.

“And to think I thought he was just shy.” Sylvester thought bitterly. His little brother was hiding for his life all this time as he had no protection whatsoever and nobody by his side, until Justus and later, his nephew Eckhart and a girl named Heidemarie.

Now that he knew the truth, his image of loving, doting parents on HIM, flipped around and became demons who made his siblings’ life difficult. One abused to ideal perfection before being discarded when he was born, and the other a non-entity beyond material provision and education and both grew up unloved and unwanted while also knowing what their parents want. That his sisters resented him for having an easy life without the obligations expected in turn and loved yet they were treated as inconvenient existences not worth the dirt of their soles yet forced to give and give until they were used up.

While Sylvester knew his sisters hated their parents, Ferdinand definitely hated Veronica for all those harassments, bullying and assassination attempts he didn't deserve just for existing, but his opinion of their father is up in the air.

He may have taken his younger son home from an unknown mother—mistress no doubt—but he wasn’t exactly fatherly.

Sylvester did not remember a time he spent with both sons together. Just him alone. He just let Ferdinand be.

…his father only loved one child in the end, because his mother loved him…with a catch. He was her insurance to prolong her cruel grip. It was conditional all this time that made him ill from grief and stress, all at seventeen years old and drove him to drink strong and hard…much to the detriment of his alcoholically-virgin body he needed drastic medical aid, and got a scolding from his uncle and cousin.

He drank Vize straight from the bottle like a champ…because he heard it has a strong kick needed for bad days.

There’s a reason young adults start on Ale first which wasn’t strong enough, but alas, his body isn’t strong enough for even Ale as lifelong excess in spices made his stomach very weak!

He could cry on his uncle and cousin. For what he realized in the end and it was why he chugged down Vize hard in despair. And he was truly all alone; he wasn't even sure anymore if Ferdinand still loved him as family.

He wanted to know, but at the same time, afraid to ask.

He wasn’t even given time to wallow in depression for all his losses and what he never actually had since he was born, as Zent’s Orders was that he buck up, and be better than his father as a Dark God, be an Aub his people need and deserve. And his uncle forced him to Compress and taught him his technique in his Hidden Room.

Every time it’s ‘sacred lessons’, things only an Archduke Candidate must know, lessons always take place in a father’s Hidden Room. In this case, it’s Bonifatius’ Hidden Room.

When Adelbert was stubborn about his marriage, their father moved precious duchy-crucial treasures and books to Bonifatius’ Hidden Room for its safety, and it’s now Sylvester’s to inherit. Truthfully, now that ‘the fools’ are gone, both Sylvester and Ferdinand can compete for the position, but Ferdinand was Namesworn to their father to keep him from dying in Veronica’s hands, that he would never compete with Sylvester for Aub Position. 

Even if Bonifatius forced Adelbert to give back Ferdinand’s name, the mentality stuck that Ferdinand backed off, despite his excellence borne of hard work and effort.

Ferdinand already knew beforehand about things he must know since childhood, whenever he sought Bonifatius to learn his lessons in his Hidden Room. It was where he stays and where he can safely eat food that’s not poisoned. Thus Sylvester was way left behind and he has to catch up on things NOT taught in Royal Academy as different duchies have their own magical mysteries and secrets unique to them, and he has to learn Ehrenfest’s.

And now there’s this.

‘Eh? But uncle, doesn’t adulthood hit at 16?’ Sylvester blurted out. Because his uncle told him to continue compressing! And he’s already 17??

‘...let me tell you what is unspoken of by the smart people.’ said Bonifatius gruffly. ‘I told this to my son and his family. And I allowed Elvira to tell her family. Your other cousin Kindredt has to be under Magical Contract considering WHO he married.’ he began. ‘But I never told your fool of a father when he decided his world was Veronica or nothing back when we were in our late summer.’

‘Gudrun right? Justus’s sister?’ Sylvester mused. ‘What’s so bad about her?’

‘While Justus was the family oddball, the Eisenhardt Family is Ehrenfest’s Branch Family serving staunchly as attendants bound to Ehrenfest’s will when our family began two centuries ago.’ Bonifatius. ‘Or to be more specific, the reigning Archduke and his First Wife who leads the local Ladies’ Society, and navigates Interduchy Ladies’ Society to bring benefits to her husband and marital duchy. Thus their orders always supersedes the rest of the family’s, even if they heed orders from other wives and children. But if it contradicts the will of Archduke and his First Lady…they will always obey the rulers first as per family tradition…no matter what happens.’

‘No matter what…but why?’ Sylvester is stunned by these revelations.

‘Eisenhardt was once Eisenreich.’ Sylvester did a double-take at the name change.

He had a history lesson as a child, but there are things left out in his childhood curriculum by his mother both on purpose and the fact there are things she did not actually know being an Archnoble, not an Archduke Candidate, and was not allowed to know by his grandparents as they never approved of Veronica.

‘I’ll have you self-study the origins of our country later. Origins only we specifically know. But unfortunately only our founding ancestor, and Lady Medina will ever know about Eisenreich.’ Bonifatius told him. ‘The Zent back then was so angry about Eisenreich’s conspiracy with Bosgeiz that he wanted everything about Eisenreich to cease to exist. Knowledge, Culture, Trends, lost to history forever, only the people and nobles remained. So we can only study all about Ehrenfest, and this diary that I will give you will tell you of its origins before I give you the first book of Ehrenfest History.’

‘I have the diary here.’ he said, going to a bookshelf and giving him the book which was basically a diary and gave it to Sylvester. ‘Lady Medina gave this diary to Ancestor’s Third Wife, to secretly pass down to the next generation as Lady Medina still held love for her duchy and did not want Eisenreich to completely vanish.’

The title even lampshaded it. ‘The Final Moments of Eisenreich and the Birth of Ehrenfest’. Written by… ‘the last Aub Eisenreich, Medina’.

‘For now, I’ll tell you why I didn’t trust nor teach Gudrun. She was mostly by Veronica’s side growing up because she was to be Georgine’s aide while keeping an eye if she will ever be a threat to her power, thus feelings of loyalty to her grew, and I noticed.’ he told Sylvester with hard, cold eyes. ‘Your Aunts Luciola and Miranda are in the know as are their children. But I will keep an eye on children raised by Gudrun to determine if they have the right to my Compression Technique.’

Bonifatius has two wives that are on bad terms with each other that this extended to even their children and the women were constantly fighting to the point they poisoned each other. The trouble was only two sons and seven daughters! Thankfully they’re married off to other duchies as Third Ladies to stay out of trouble!

Karstedt has three wives reduced to one, as two were Veronicans to be deported to Ahrensbach soon to be THEIR problem. He only has children with Elvira and none with the Veronicans.

Kindredt has three wives. Luciola and Miranda whom he married not long after graduating as he learned to act quickly to avoid ‘getting planted’ like his older brother who ‘foolishly procrastinated’ in his marriage. Kindredt married only Neutrals to get Veronica off his back, but he was ordered to marry Gudrun to his chagrin as they matched when he turned twenty as they were also the same age. 

But Bonifatius and his family knew Veronica planted her as a spy in his family through marriage, and they barely matched. He has many children with his wives. He has two each with first and second wife, and Gudrun is currently pregnant, after considerable pain and difficulty in trying to beckon Entrinduge. Sure her family’s hair is silver-gray, but she has her father’s brown hair…but from the pain of getting dyed in the act of greeting winter, her hair turned white from stress. Well, Potions can fix her hair color back...

And that is why ‘being in range’ is very important.

Bonifatius then told him…what the Bernetts already long knew of(unknown to Bonifatius), to Sylvester’s shock.

‘I know your full level Sylvester. I would know if you cut corners in Compressing and I would be most…displeased. Each full compression doubles the mana organ’s capacity each time.’ Bonifatius warned him sternly with a glare, thinking he may still hold a rafel for Florencia now that there’s hope. And considering they are in range, her mana is pitiful by his standard. 

Then again, she’s the daughter of a Third Lady which means she doesn’t know how to be a First, and the duties of one! Hell no in his books! His fool of a brother certainly keeps getting closer to the towering staircase by his own foolishness, forcing Bonifatius to pick up the slack. And he didn’t even teach his daughters! He simply takes the feystones from their mana draining tools…that was it.

But considering past incidents of feystones taken yet no increase in Foundation Levels…Bonifatius knew they go to Veronica instead to pay for her Ahrensbach luxuries, so he killed Veronican Knights every Trombe and Winter Lord subjugations to compensate equal to the losses before he took over taking his nieces’ feystones from their tools to help out.

‘The Foundation is hard to fill with low levels of mana like yours. Your level is low by standard. You'll be hard-pressed to keep up with even the basic activations of land protections powered up by the Foundation as well as keeping active Castle Magic Tools powered by that same Foundation!’ he scolded. ‘Each percentage filled activates crucial protections a duchy needs!!’

‘As an Archduke, that is beyond the pale! It is our most important duty to have plenty as we take care of crucial Duchy Rituals and Duties! For now I am supplying the Foundation without overriding you, but before you’re twenty, you better have a large mana capacity by the time you re-register again and set better override limit rates!’

‘Y-yes uncle…’ Sylvester sighed. The Zent and his uncle and nobles are keeping an eye on him for his re-education and training as he was sabotaged since young by a power-hungry false goddess…he really may have to let his rafel wilt… “I guess this is goodbye, Florencia…” he thought gloomily. By compressing till twenty, he will never Match her as after being taught the technique, he was made to sign a Magical Contract as it's his uncle's technique, and knowing a secret the Royals definitely don't want getting out regarding true age of adulthood for Mana Organ Growth to have more time for Mana Compression.

Other than catching up on his education and training as an Ehrenfest Archduke, he also had to undergo intensive Knight Training because while the Military handles all else, it's his duty to protect the Foundation from usurpers incase of an invasion!

But he also has his own desires. One being food, new fashions and innovations as nothing new ever happens.

He began putting out a Hiring Ad for Castle Chefs, having space for Soup, Vegetable, Meat and Dessert Chefs, and he will hire only those who can cook well as he had a hard time eating with hellish spices all his life as Castle Chefs were Veronican Attendants. And had Karstedt call his cousin-in-law Elvira who is always updated on Ladies’ Society regarding Fashion Trends for men and women.

‘There has to be new ones that I know you can’t release while my mother is around.’ he said. ‘We’re stuck with nothing new for years…and Ahrensbach Fashion she enforces. I’m not even sure it's updated.’

‘That’s true…we’re skirting a line here though.’ said Elvira thoughtfully as this is NOT her job anymore on technicality, but she was the closest thing in ability.

Girls are assessed from a young age to determine their place in marriage and who they can marry as long as they get to marry up.

Their Social Skills. Social Navigation. Social Alertness. Mastery of Noble Language. Proficiency in Deciphering intent in conversations. Proficiency in Intelligence and Counterintelligence with her scholars and up to date with everything. Proficiency with Social Cues. High Level Political and Diplomatic Training. Acting According to their Rank around superiors and inferiors. Royal Academy Grades. Mana Level. Reputation. Accomplishments and Demerits. All that, taken into account.

It’s rare for Archnoble Ladies to be Archduke Candidate Brides. If they excel in these fields, they get the rare precious opportunity to be scouted by, and are trained by Archduchess for the role, especially if Archduke Candidate Ladies were found wanting, which is humiliating when even an Archnoblewoman is better than an Archduke’s daughter! 

This is often a source of pride for excellent Archnoblewomen like Elvira who was taken in by Lady Stanilde, alongside Kindredt’s potential First Lady, Luciola who was taken in by Lady Bellavita, Lord Bonifatius’ wives. Though with Veronica around, he never got the chance to get a Third Lady. He only ever had two wives. Lady Stanilde was from Berschmann, and Lady Bellavita was from Ossvault.

Elvira was this by Middle Duchy standards that she was a role model for ambitious women in Ehrenfest as at a young age, she was married to Karstedt for her merits…until their demotion by that good-for-nothing Sixth Aub for his Chaoscipher! This was one of the primary sources of fury of the Leisegang Faction. However, not even Elvira can compete with women in Greater Duchies unless they were bereft of Mestionora, Anhaltung, Duldzetsen and Grammaratur. Those women in Greater Duchies marry into the Royal Family solely for politics she was ‘too soft’ for.

NOPE.

But living in a Duchy with her unwanted cousin in it may as well give her the training anyway to live and survive in the treacherous domains of the Royal Family, but she has no such ambitions. She has her hands full already, thank you!!

‘We’ll go with what the Queens endorse as they promote national unity by mixing this and that endorsed by First Ladies of duchies for each duchy ranking. I’ll spread the designs to Tailor Workshops to practice on before they start sewing us a new closet. This will take a year at most.’ she said. 

‘Unless our local ladies create something new, that is…and whoever this was has heaps of Verbergen's blessing even I have a hard time unveiling who created Shamrin and that soap!’ she sounded impressed, actually.

‘As long as we get something new…right now I’m still single, and yet I’m asking you to be uhhh…shadow First Lady until next spring to update the duchy about latest trends, just that.’ trend endorsement is the duty of Archducal Wives and their daughters, and that is what Elvira is not anymore, but they need updates as to not lose face to prospective brides and their families! ‘...no doubt other aubs will shove their single daughters at my face, urrrggghh…’ he moaned, burying his face in his hands.

‘They will.’ said Karstedt wryly. ‘Who doesn’t wish to be First Lady of a Duchy? But it’s all about Politics and what they can bring to the table. Father will be doing background checks with his Scholars for prospective brides.’ 

‘Given our status as we have no specialty products and trends since our founding as a very young duchy, we’re at the bottom-rung, so he’d want your wives to be useful. And unless the identity of Shamrin and that wonderful soap maker exposes themselves as they hid with good reason that we got from your sister, we can’t legitimize them yet as Ehrenfest’s Specialty, it’s still in limbo.’

‘...what did grandfather demand of wives? I never met our grandparents, but you’re old enough to.’ Sylvester wondered aloud. Karstedt is a good 12 years older than he is, thus old enough to know them in childhood before they’re gone. By ‘accident’ of course. Not illness as his father told him about with a gentle smile on his face.

Bonifatius angrily demolished lies he was told about. They were murdered. When things heated up as they opposed the marriage until they began falling ill, everyone suspected Veronica immediately whom his father vehemently defended.

When his grandfather Lord Castellan was halfway towards the towering heights, he forced Adelbert to sign a Magical Contract to protect Ehrenfest from Veronica’s grab for power. And his three grandmothers Ladies Demetria, Euphemia and Felicia entrusted a book they each wrote about the upbringing of Archducal First, Second and Third Ladies and entrusted the books to Bonifatius who in turn, gave the books to his two wives under Magical Contract for the upbringing of their daughters. But when they died, he took the books back.

Veronica’s Faction poisoned his grandparents who staunchly opposed the marriage, given its background beginning with Lady Gabriele. Grandfather even tried to force the matter with daughters he arranged for a meeting with their fathers, but Adelbert sent polite refusals that made political waters…murky. 

Out of outrage for the trouble he caused, fine! He can be Aub and have Veronica! But he is the curse of their duchy and cursed their marriage to the bitter end, never approving that he never even paid Count Groschel the Bridal Wealth for Veronica and never showed up for the Starbinding in Sovereignty, and considering the situation, Adelbert was abandoned by his Retainers in disgust. And Bonifatius was entrusted with important duties he barred Adelbert from under Magical Contract to protect their duchy.

Count Groschel was fine with that though, as Gabriele and her retainers ruined his family’s lives, so he could care less about his granddaughter anyway.

Sylvester can only shake his head. His parents were scandalous parents even before he and his sisters were born. 

‘Ohohoho! Well, I’ll tell you!’ Elvira chimed happily. She told the men about her past before she was engaged to, before later marrying Karstedt. She would have been an Archduchess if not for the situation. ‘It’s not easy being all that. Potential must be there for nurturing to bring out all those abilities.’

‘But I hope you must marry for the good of the Duchy this time…not even I can help my husband and father-in-law shield you forever from our people’s rage, you must do right this time.’ Elvira reminded him. 'Your reputation is starting to improve when people are seeing how hard at work you are under father.'

‘Right…’ Sylvester sighed. ‘At least I learned what to never do to be a good parent.’ he grunted bitterly.

Training.

Lessons.

Chugging down potions to hasten his progress in Mana Compression.

Those were his days, as well as monthly exams. And he better get 100 in everything.

And because of all that spicy food that Sylvester never ate well, Bonifatius vetted the new chefs hired, and made them cook grilled or steamed meat and soups just to make him eat more.

In the Knight Barracks, seeing Sylvester take his lessons seriously, his reputation improved among the Knights, as ‘seeing is believing’.

But given waterworks that spring due to his many realizations, people also knew he was afraid of what Ferdinand actually felt about him, no thanks to his parents as he hoped he had a sibling that actually wanted him as his sisters hated him for years, and it took years later to find out why, and damages long done. He was never made to know his sisters who despised him until they were just stories to him.

He was actually a different brand of tragedy! So now he was being re-evaluated and working hard to catch up to his much-excellent younger brother.

When Ferdinand came home that autumn to the Northern Wing with his Retainers…Justus and Heidemarie dissected everything their hands could get on before feeling safe for Ferdinand to come home.

Not that it was ever a home in their eyes anyway, Ferdinand thought. For his Retainers, the Northern Wing is no different from the badlands where everything is out to get you.

Justus would tell him what a good home should be like. How parents should treat their children.

But Ferdinand never had that. All his life.

By the time he grew older and learned about the world, he learned what the true nature of his mother’s condition is, when he was old enough to be removed from her…care if he can even call it that.

His life was cold all his life, surrounded by danger and threats. He thought he could have it better with his father, but it was a different brand of danger in his household.

He took a bath after settling down.

But that night, Sylvester called him to their father’s office.

Gone was the carefree boy he knew. Sylvester now has the bearing of a man who faced many trials and weathered it. It showed in his eyes, but also sadness and…anxiousness?

‘Welcome home, Ferdinand,’ he began. ‘A lot has happened since Archduke Conference.’

‘...do tell.’ he said wearily. 'And I will tell you about the kerfuffle brewing in the Academy that you may have to brace yourself for, now that Zent Basileus fell ill.'

Sylvester stiffened.

Falling ill when you're healthy last you were seen, is unsaid Veronican Euphemism for that person is poisoned.

Sylvester whimpered.

Chapter Text

Sylvester sported a grim look on his face as did Karstedt.

Things were still peaceful around Spring when Ferdinand’s Scholar Course Term ended. But come Summer, there was this weird tension. More Sovereignty Knights roaming around as if on the move to hunt someone.

Ferdinand put Justus to task…only to learn Zent Basileus fell ill. But he was still springy and healthy, and blessed by Dauerleben...or so they thought.

To suddenly fall ill when Zent has the highest security known to man? Clearly an inside job. Thankfully, they were left off as who’d suspect them, not when Ehrenfest owed Zent for Justice and Freedom from Veronica and her husband?! Moreover they’d have nothing to gain as one, they were severely damaged by the financial sinkhole called Veronican Faction, as well as her many murders left them in severe Mana Shortage and Brain Drain!

Should what Ferdinand fears happen, they have to be Neutral. Out of necessity.

What Knights they have left is enough to deal with Winter Lord and Trombe, nothing else!

‘My god…looks like someone can’t wait to be on that seat.’ Sylvester groaned in annoyance. ‘Our people are just enjoying newfound liberation too…you’ve got to be kidding me.’ he complained.

‘I wish I was joking.’ and Ferdinand’s expression was so grim. ‘Our former men are furious and leading the hunt in Sovereignty, be they Knight or Scholar. They think highly of Zent and someone wants him to rush up the stairway. They asked me for my opinion as well. Thing is, we don’t know much about the Princes enough to know who has the most motive and we’re all familiar with Prince Trauerqual who’s a Professor in the Archduke Candidate Course. His character and occupation of choice disqualifies him as the culprit to his father’s poisoning, but who knows how he changed this coming winter.’

To the youngest prince, EVERYONE is a suspect, including his own mother and blood siblings. ‘Then there’s the Queens to consider. The three Dowagers are on the Warpath…with each other. Whose son poisoned their father with their mother’s and wives’ help?’

‘And there’s Prince Factions and who knows who supports a Prince.’ Karstedt added. Zent Basileus has five sons and four daughters.

From First Queen Dowager Innocencia, she has eldest prince Balthazar, second princess Hadelinde and fifth prince Trauerqual. From Second Queen Dowager Amarante, she has first princess Marietta, second and third Princes Waldifried and Jonathan. Third Queen Dowager Francesca has third and fourth princesses Sabrina and Zenobia, and fourth prince Pacifico.

All Dowagers are from Greater Duchies—Klassenberg, Werkestock and Hauchletze. And the Crown Princesses are all from other six Greater Duchies and high-ranking Middle Duchies(read: value to Sovereignty) borne from years of politicking, merits of the women in question raised to be Queens — if not First Ladies, and mana levels.

The designation of Greater, Middle or Lesser Duchy depends on a combination of the duchy's size, population, history and value to the Sovereignty. 

If one were to think of those terms, Ehrenfest for its history was Rank 10 in the past…until Sylvester’s Parents happened to plunge them to rock bottom no thanks to Ordoschnelli’s cries of woe and rage, and Chaoscipher giving Erwachleren a hard time that produces mediocre students with no merits and no new accomplishments or trends to speak of and its current trends squashed by Lady Veronica and forcing Ahrensbach Trends on her marital duchy or DIE. 

Yet another reason why the Leisegangs were fuming and seething at Sylvester’s Family for this travesty that Sylvester has to clean up…because there’s an unsaid ‘or else’ hanging above him like an invisible sword ready to pike his head from above if he doesn’t.

The reign of his parents angered the still-young Zent Basileus who was a good twenty years older than his parents around the time Georgine was ten ages ago, and Sylvester had to do better now. The Zent punished them through their duchy, leading to Mass Exodus of their most brilliant, not wanting to work for his parents, fully-aware they would not get their dues. Those who graduate with brilliance, applied for citizenship without bothering with proper procedures in Ehrenfest any longer. That was how disrespected his parents were by the angry non-Veronican nobles..

All sons have their own wives respectfully called Crown Princesses as they all have a chance to be next Queens, depending on which prince is chosen by their father-in-law to succeed him. Heck, they have their own children too!

Which group, backed by a Dowager is the culprit? That’s the thing.

‘But that’s not our problem anyway. It’s the problem of the royals and duchies linked to all of them, those power-hungry lunatics.’ Sylvester decided with a scowl. With Trauerqual out unless proven otherwise, it’ll be Greater Duchies VS each other. ‘Due to our situation that we can now exploit to our benefit, we are Neutral in the upcoming conflict you foresaw, having to focus on healing ourselves, Geduldh and erm, procreate.’ he coughed awkwardly before looking serious. ‘Hey, we’re doing Zent’s orders…’ 

‘But we’ll have to gather information to avoid anyone pinning stuff on us without warning. But we’ll make it clear that we would never do harm to the Zent that gave us our freedom.’ Sylvester told Ferdinand. ‘Since you’re in the Academy most of the time, I’ll have to trouble you to strongly emphasize our neutrality and gather information.’

‘Understood.’

‘Then there’s the Temple…by National Law, someone from the Archducal Family must be the High Bishop…since I don’t know how, I sent a request to Zent to be Ordained as a High Bishop in Sovereignty months ago so I could take charge of the Temple so nobody goes hungry. I got taught what High Bishops, High Priests and Blue Priests usually do. So I’ll be teaching you this autumn, but not do any mana-required rituals just yet, you need mana in the Academy.’

Ferdinand knew that he would be tasked to the Temple when he graduates. It's unsaid there.

‘Lucky there’s already mana in the grails for all domains, but most are used up…based on Uncle Bezewanst’s records, the Veronican Domains get triple the grails every year, while mother’s political enemies get squat. So I had to refill those grails and deliver triple to these domains many times over before I took care of my domain with the Divine Chalice before Uncle Bonifatius subjected me to training.’

‘And I would have to deal with the buck for now as due to the purge…we have seven Blue Priests left…on legal records.’ Sylvester continued, placing his chin on his hands, elbows on the table. ‘There are unacknowledged manaed Grays that are still young kids, illegitimates of the Veronican Blue Clergy, but they don’t know that due to their…unique upbringing.’ he continued with a cringe. ‘While the Veronicans are shipped out long ago, I had to execute their Gray Attendants for being criminal accomplices.’

The Gray Clergy have no concept of family and siblinghood as they were taught that they were born to serve, nothing more. Thus they live as a community, under the exploitative grip of the Blue Clergy who take great advantage and twist order to their benefit. They were a mix of orphans given up by commoners which was rare, and most orphans are illegitimates from years of ahem, plucking flowers. The Grays have no choice but to obey or get executed simply for being annoying!

But some Grays learned too well from their former masters that they learned to take advantage of their ‘higher status’ to bully who could be their siblings and cousins, enjoying their power and benefits. So yes, Sylvester killed them out of disgust, and to set an example.

Sylvester changed the rules, with reinforced Magical Contracts, after some discussion with family and relatives he could trust with the issue. And he talked to the Grays about goings-on, now that the danger is gone.

Well, he had to set an example. Apparently, even those who are not Veronicans are depraved…that he banished Sister Margaret back to her household for plucking young leaves—forcing winter on boys in early summer and running a sickening business catering to nobles that enjoy young buds and leaves! He even destroyed her reputation by having word spread on the sly, and this greatly affected her family’s reputation that they had a predator in the family.

He’s pretty sure they took out their displeasure on her well-deserved, and Sylvester attacked her clientele with extreme prejudice. Some of which, Neutrals! Even better, some of the clients have children at home! Are they even safe from their own fathers and uncles??

That was another whole load of trouble he had to fix, ending in Public Execution in front of only their family members to set an example, earning him gratitude from relatives who are fed up, but helpless and with no one to turn to. 

It was terrifying even if it was ‘mild by standard’ to avoid accidental dyeing that would end their marital prospects and that was what saved their own kids, nephews and nieces, so they do the ‘full force’ in the Temple on manaless children so no mana issues, just physical. And the one who started it all, was the freaking Orphanage Director!

Sylvester also had to clean up his marital uncle’s Human Trafficking Business for Devouring Children for feystones for his mother to sell to Ahrensbach, and beautiful young girls to be Temple Flowers!! By the holy seven, sure Beischmacht is that kind of God, but not even he would condone this sort of thing! So he improved the lives of the Temple Clergy by stealing ill-gained fortune from Bezewanst’s massive coffers and made it the Temple Budget that he controls, so everyone is well-fed and winter-stocked. And as much as he wants the Village and Town Mayors executed for this, they need manaed people. ASAP.

But his new Scholar suggested that they still have to set an example, and appoint new Mayors who will still send Devourings to the Temple. With Education and Training, they can possibly be adopted into families or give mana to their deprived duchy. That’d work and executions on the Mayor, his family and associates, all in the know are done, so the new Mayors now know better if they want to live. 

So now their duchy is secure on the sly! 

So Sylvester cheated the entire spring whenever the Devourings have mana enough to fill the Grails to make up for ‘mana debt’ on deprived domains with careful calculations, while Sylvester overloads his own domain using the Veronican Orphans to his benefit for the filling of the Divine Chalice. He also had to deal with Starbindings! 

95% of Ehrenfest healed in a season. But it’s kept under a tight secret and Giebes are willing to play along! They can talk to their peers in Sovereignty but some of the Sovereignty Knights are spies on their progress. They can report progress, they just will not leak ‘howyadunnit’.

But despite how much mana he gives from the Temple, Haldenzel is still…freezeland…so he had scholars dig into the matter. What is wrong with that domain???

‘.…and I intend to keep them Grays until I’m sure there will be no poaching of resources anytime soon. They are our hidden ace should stuff happen. While Zent Basileus ordered us to heal, whoever succeeds him after some trouble may take from us what we need to heal.’ Sylvester decided. ‘Uncle’s words of listening to gut feeling may have merit when I made that decision for some reason…’

‘Mana Levels?’ Ferdinand inquired.

‘Well, most are low to mid-mednoble level…they don’t need Mana Compression at all as they’ll grow their mana vessels on their own in time. Mednoble-Classes can fill a single Grail or two on their own when not dedicating mana to the seven divine instruments, while it’ll take a whole classroom’s worth of mednobles to fill the Divine Chalice. And the Veronicans have low-Archnoble mana levels despite their Mednoble social status, So I’ll have to twist some traditions in the Temple just to make everything work.’

‘Heee…’

‘Milady, there’s a curious new product in the North District.’ a scholar reported to Elvira.

‘Who’s the producer?’

‘From the same person or clan who made those two. Gilberta can’t say a word.’ the scholar pouted while taking out wooden frames with metal hinges and tension adjustments. She talked about the Embroidery Frames for sale and she was taught how to use it and what it was made for.

‘By the gods! Ventuchte graced us all!’ Elvira exclaimed in delight, her eyes sparkling at the revolutionary tools and the relief they bring for the ability to sew and embroider in a convenient way without fear of things looking bad due to having to hold the fabric with one hand and sewing on the other. 

The sheer joy she felt caused her mana to go wonky that she merely shoved her fingers into her feystone pouch, and not much gold dust there.

‘I have to arrange a Tea Party introducing this trend to the ladies! We need these for our husbands’ capes!’

And when Elvira launched said Tea Party a week later…

Julianne and Maine had to pull their best acting skills.

And it’s because of said Tea Party that word got back to Sovereignty about the new product, and it’s a long wait for Archduke Conference to introduce it as Ehrenfest’s Official Trend, along with Shamrin and the New Soap. ‘Anonymous’, upon hearing Veronica is forever gone, declared they can now officially work and sell in Ehrenfest without fear for their lives from the shameless woman.

Identity still secret though.

And so, that autumn, husbands now sported embroidered capes. Archnobles were the first, while Med and Laynobles understandably took time before getting a whole cape done.

Winter…

Damuel was nervous.

It’s his time to go to the Academy!

He begged his brother for potions so he could cram like crazy before his third year so he can continue compressing in the Academy.

He was also walking controversy with his sister Maine.

They were taller for their age and bigger. To many, Damuel and Maine looked twelve in terms of size and height, not ten! They even had to say WHEN they were born!

Maine was also notorious for her fashion sense that was a tasteful mix of trends that suited her, leading to a new fashion trend called ‘Fashion Blending’ by the older girls in the Playroom, wanting to design clothes that actually suited their body frames as design trends shelled out doesn’t work for every body like Maine had done for herself. Only…specific types yet everyone follows trends like gospel, regardless of whether it works well or not for the wearer and looks worse than previously.

Blindly following trends is not always good.

But being a Laynoble, she favored juliet sleeves in her dresses, ending in a tekko-style wrist that covers the back of her hands with triangle fabric and held in place with a decorative fabric ring on the middle finger. Thus she wears her Noble’s Ring on her fourth digit instead of the middle like everyone else.

‘Wow, that’s a rather unique sleeve, Maine.’

‘Well, I’ll be a Scholar like most. These sleeves are convenient and out of the way for Scholar work while still classy enough for a lady.’

‘Ooh!’

‘It takes some time to get used to though.’

Well, it became known after that.

It was indeed, classy-looking.

However, there was one thing nobles knew Maine, being an Adotie did not understand.

Its high-ranking ladies introducing trends. So it’s usually Queens and Archducal Ladies doing Trendsetter Work. Elvira is an Archduchess in all but rank, if not for Veronica twisting the rules to her benefit. As long as Ehrenfest acknowledges and respects her more than they do Veronica, she can start and spread trends.

But Maine, who was from a Nomad Merchant Family who had to give her up so she could live and marry by becoming a Noble upon graduating the Academy, does not know that, everyone thought.

So they asked her adoptive mother, Julianne, at the next tea party.

‘I just let Maine do where she’s comfortable until she gets used to her new home.’ she would say. ‘Her getting to do what she usually does in her former home gives her a sense of security while easing her into our culture. Just as how commoners do not know how we work, the same applies to them. They don’t know how our world works.’ Julianne began.

‘They have more freedom than we do while we are restricted by rules according to our rank to maintain Status Distinction. Where we live, what style everything we own are, what we can and cannot do, things like that. Commoners have no such restraints as long as they don’t anger nobles. When they come into money, they buy what they feel like buying as long as it looks good or tastes good. They have their own style and culture.’

‘Besides, what she likes doesn’t cost much by Laynoble standards anyway. So it’s no harm.’

‘Even if you say so, you have to set a line…people outside our duchy…well…’ said Elvira and she left what’s unsaid hanging, that others will not take to a Laynoble setting trends kindly. ‘This can pass, as there’s no Archduchesses to offend as of yet.’ she masterfully ignored the ‘whut-you-say?’ expressions on the other ladies in the Tea Party.

Elvira would have been a First Lady Archduchess. Karstedt’s. She has so much merits that she was handpicked and groomed for the position as in her time, Archduke Candidate ladies were lacking in her late summer!

But Veronica happened despite her gross lack of qualifications and spoiled by her indulging spring-drunk husband!!

‘Our seventh is single and father-in-law made him push hard in training and work so that his rafel for Lady Florencia is made to wilt.’ Elvira spoke in a clipped voice. ‘She is not suited to be a First Lady, being the daughter of, and has the upbringing of a Third Lady. She cannot lead our Ladies’ Society no matter how I and Lady Luciola looked at her merits, character, reputation and abilities.’ she began her judgment. 

‘Disqualified even as a Third Lady because she is so timid she probably can’t even be bold enough to do the duties of one! Her mother’s a failure to her daughter she effectively axed her future! Can we trust a little maus to be the Archduchess our duchy wants and needs?’ a golden blonde woman with curled cowlick-style fringe on the left side and reddish-brown eyes declared in contempt with a look of distaste on her expression. This is Lady Luciola, First Wife of Lord Kindredt.

As there’s no OFFICIAL Archduchess yet, Elvira is the lead Trendsetter followed by Luciola, but new sleeve style, and the trend of ‘Fashion Blending’ unwittingly endorsed by a little girl, she can overlook though she has to ask everyone’s concerns to the girl’s mother.

‘It’s so bad even Julianne’s daughter does better in leading the Playroom and introducing trends, things Lady Florencia hasn’t bothered to try for all her wealth and status. Now that is embarrassing!’ Luciola snorted derisively. Julianne went pink and looked sheepish. ‘But still, rules are rules. Freedom can only be afforded so long until Lord Sylvester marries a woman who’ll make him see sense.’

But Maine is just…well…Maine. Too out of standard.

‘...alright. I was hoping that I could wait till she was nine though…’

‘What does Maine do at home other than lessons?’ Luciola asked Julianne curiously.

‘Well, she learns from our only servant skills that a girl needs that I haven’t time to teach like needlework as I was more focused on childhood lessons to prepare for the Academy.’ Julianne began. ‘Henrik and I are saving up money for our own child’s Magic Tool and clothes. We’re just lucky Maine’s family gave us money for her magic expenses and childhood lessons so she has her own Magic Tool and money for her feystones.’ she said sheepishly. ‘That really saved us, so Henrik and I can focus on saving up for our own child while also covering for my little brother-in-law.’

‘I suppose…feystones aren’t cheap…even then it depends on who needs it.’ Luciola sighed, concealing her pout with her fan. ‘Quality is the problem with costs it reflects on.’

Feystones are crucial backbones for the lives of nobles. Siphoning excess mana off for Mana-Draining Tools and Feystone Pouches for nobles who have difficulty in controlling emotions, and power sources of Magic Tools with predetermined functions thanks to Magic Circles engraved into the tools.

There are qualities to be taken into account. That affects the prices.

Archduke-Class : 5 large silver
Archnoble-Class: 3 large silver
Mednoble-Class: 2 large silver
Laynoble-Class: 1 small silver to 1 large silver

And that’s per feystone. So yes, it’s not cheap at all.

Quality is based on size and ability to absorb as much as possible for relief and power supply. Magic Tools are used to determine the quality of feystones before put out for sale.

This is the specialty of Klassenberg, hence they have the arrogance to maintain their rank for years, since the Royal Family was established. Everyone else can only grit their teeth and bow down.

‘But still, while Maine is taken into account being only two years younger than your brother-in-law, is your family still a thirteen year gap?’

‘Well, with those financial sinkholes gone, Henrik and I managed to score good jobs in the Castle so things are looking up at long last.’ said Julianne in relief. ‘We don’t have to wait that long any longer. In two years, we can finally have a child.’

Most jobs don’t even need Mana but still pays well.

But the Veronicans conquered the castle.

But due to lack of Human Resources in Ehrenfest due to Mass Exodus and murders, people would have to do double or even triple the jobs. Opportunities galore. First come, first serve!!

In fact, when Sovereignty Knights came with orders and Veronicans arrested for deportation, Maine had urged Henrik and Julianne to strike while the iron’s hot, and who dares – wins, to grab high-paying emptied clerical positions that don’t require much mana.

They dropped being Book Copiers in favor of these swankier jobs. End result, they now earn 4 and 6 small gold per person. 1 large gold a month that made Henrik and Julianne glad they struck and consulted with Castle Butler Norbert and scored their jobs.

This also revealed that they’re no longer Laynobles in terms of mana though. But things will get official once the government is entirely smoothened over and vacated positions filled.

By earning 1 large gold a month…they can support a child AND winter prep work!

They need to earn a lot as adoption is inevitable for Maine at least! She’s compressing!

Winter…Royal Academy…

To maintain appearances, Damuel shared rooms with three others to split the costs of a room. They were childhood friends, so it’s OK.

He shared with his friends Arvin, Baxter and Carlos.

None of them wanted to be Attendants. They too, pursued Knighthood and being close friends with Damuel got them training at home too, but none of them was as big as he is. Or was it because he had a head start?

He did.

‘Damuel, we’ve been cooking and eating wrong for years.’ Maine would tell him. Scalding weakens us every generation no thanks to the fool who introduced this so-called cooking technique. We’ve been throwing away nutrition alongside flavor when cooking food for generations since this country was founded! People got stunted over the years and became weaker and frailer!’

Thus they must compensate hence.

Maine once left home with Becky clad in servant garments as a costume so she could check on her birth family just to see if they’re improving in health.

She luckily met up with her older sister just to see if she too, changed as they had, as the changes will be more visible on growing children. Her sister who’s now cleaner and fresher-looking, and wearing well-made clothes because she is now an apprentice and looking good is pretty much a minimum requirement to get promoted.

Wearing rags and being filthy will make your workshop look bad to customers that such apprentices are given ‘out of the way’ jobs while cleaner and decent-looking apprentices can go out in public. The more satisfied customers they bring, the faster they get promoted.

Maine would teach what she could in what little time she had with Tuuli and then she got better. That Tuuli now earns four small silver. What a long way for a girl who’s a year younger than him!

And with Maine financially-supporting her birth family, they now live really well, and her birth mother pregnant.

With proof that her family is doing well, Maine can finally settle down peacefully in his household.

And now, he has two years left.

Two years to compress before he gets his schtappe. He’s now high-mednoble in strength. He worked so hard to get to that point, until door for schtappe growth is closed forever!

But they gotta wonder what’ll happen…if he is archnoble in strength by then since everything…doubles? Hmmm…!

His family is thinking about political ramifications, actually…

Chapter Text

Life in the Academy got scary.

Archduke Candidate Lord Ferdinand spoke to them.

‘I have an announcement to make, so listen well.’ He looked like he had bad news.

…understatement of the year, Damuel thought. What the hell?!

A potential Civil War is on the brew started by poisoning Zent Basileus! If he dies…war is not too far off between the Princes and their Factions. Due to their situation, Sylvester declared they’re Neutral out of necessity.

‘...so I expect everyone to be on their best behavior, focus on your schoolwork and normal student activities. Apprentice Scholars, cling tightly to Verbergen’s Divine Protection as you listen to Ordoschnelli’s concerns about the realm of the Dark God infected by Chaoscipher's acolytes. Do not stick your nose where it doesn’t belong, and your head shall stay where it is as Geduldh cannot protect you at a weakened state. Dinner may begin.’

Tense silence ensued as everyone meekly sat down on their dining tables served by their Adult Attendants.

Damuel choked at his first spoonful.

What a blast from the past! This salty-sour garbage and nothing else but texture!!

‘Damuel, wrong pipe?’ Carlos asked him when his buddy choked.

‘...y-yes…’

He misses home cooking already. This is hell!

His buddies smacked his back.

Life was indeed normal for the Academy for now.

Normal Classroom Lessons except for Highbeast Class. Those three magic classes don’t need a Schtappe, as well as Mana Flow Control and Mana Compression.

Their free time is best spent in Knight’s Building where they physically workout to prepare for their Third Year. This is also where they socialize mostly.

But while Damuel was forbidden by his family from talking about their secrets, Damuel still wanted to help his friends out…subtly.

He confided in Maine about it.

‘Yeeeaaahhh…it’ll be weird if you’re Archnoble-class mana out of the blue and yet they’re left behind in the dust in terms of mana.’ Maine mused thoughtfully while frowning. ‘This will create envy and later, contempt. Especially when Mana Compression is discussed in class and then your level is found out two years later. You’ll lose friends and colleagues out of contempt and lose the good will of our fellow Laynobles. There is a way…but we do it at night when everybody is sleeping.’

‘Have you heard of Blessing Magic?’

His niece researches and explores. And because magic exists, she believes Gods and Goddesses may too, not just as myths in a book.

They both have rings and she began testing on her own, if she can pray to gods and using mana as offering.

So Maine tried it out as an experiment…on his father, while praying to Verbergen, Flutrane and Heilschmerz. To conceal her deed, as the two other prayers wash away remnants of potions and its magical effects in his body and to heal him from damages caused.

Name of God and Position, then what you are praying for. And then offer mana as an offering.

But when they both prayed to three gods and offered mana…what was taken was a lot. Damuel was nearly drained dry and Maine immensely weakened.

What you ask for from how many deities, they take the amount needed for the job was their speculation…and next thing they know, Marcus’ condition improved drastically to the point he can leave his bed, but still weakened from a long time of inactivity due to atrophy.

Prayer Magic works, that when Damuel recovered, he prayed for his friends next to avoid…issues his niece spoke of, and lose his friends as a result of it.

The rest is up to his friends now. To get better in mana levels.

That, and doing Crest Work to keep up appearances. Yeesh…

Maine is now eight years old.

And practicing sewing in her grandfather’s room, while Becky is made to supervise her grandfather’s physical therapy. Starting as simple as the latest stationary workout.

As for Maine herself, she’s doing the Kiat Jud Dai workout every winter as she can’t run outside, and prays to Flutrane, Heilschmerz and Efflorelume on a daily basis to heal her body every day after meals for her body to grow and become a beauty using food she eats, and to heal her weakened body because of the Devouring by washing away her hardened clumps…and to Mestionora for knowledge about her condition and how to treat with all ingredients even unknown to man just so she has plenty of options within her means.

To her horror, she needed ingredients her family was not strong enough to obtain on their strength and financial means.

And asking Flutrane to wash away her clumps has progressed by millimeters each prayer. But she still needs a Jureve as doing her own way will potentially dislodge a bit of those clumps, and cause a fatal blockage in a random narrower mana channel…like a clot leading to a Stroke! Nooo! 

But at least she’s done enough damage and healing herself afterward that improved her well-being that her mana flow from her Mana Organ improved! And that was sufficient for her body to grow properly but she is still weak as her clumps interfere with her mana flow which is the same as screwing with her life energy supplying life to her body to develop and grow properly.

Her mana is archduke levels now. Heck, filling the house’s magic tools is now a blink of an eye for her in terms of mana supply, but she has to be careful lest she dusts the feystones on the tools, her family’s gonna make her pay for the replacements…

She would need high-class wares now. But she can’t get the Winter Lord’s feystone…so she has another alternative. A certain tree.

She can do that.

But for now…training, training! Kiat Jud Dai! Complete with a cheap wind feystone designed to repeat an upbeat piece of workout music using drums and harspiel sounds. Along with instructions of ‘Rest for one minute’ when a routine is over then sound stops. Then she has to fill it again for the next routine.

‘...Maine, what are you doing?’ Julianne was perplexed as she took a peek into her room as she was hearing upbeat music in her adoptive daughter’s room, and found her in her underwear doing the same fast-paced movement over and over again.

‘Oh! Exercise Lady Mother! I do this every winter since I can’t run outside!’

‘Exercise like father huh? Well don’t overdo it alright? Remember your condition! It’ll be a while before you can get a Jureve! A long while!’ came the reminder.

‘Yeees!’

‘But exercising with music is interesting…how did you record a piece of music off of drums and harspiel?’

Ingredients of paper:

Fibers from trees.

Glue.

Water.

Bleaching agent.

If she went Fullmetal Alchemist Route, she can easily spam out papers as long as she can calculate before creating.

‘Can I go out to town? I mean, Woodworkers’ Guild?’ Maine asked her family. ‘There’s something I want to try out when the snow’s all gone.’

When making wooden furniture, lumber is stripped of bark, then get working on it. Thus tree bark is discarded. But for Maine? Dead useful.

‘What would it be?’ Henrik asked her.

‘I need materials for it though. Tree bark, Glue, and do we have whitening agents sold anywhere?’

‘Oh, that can be bought in the Dyer’s Workshop.’ said Becky who was serving food. ‘About 1300 copper’s worth is just enough for a barrel of water’s worth for fabrics.’

‘What for though?’ Henrik asked again.

‘I want to try making a new writing medium. Parchment is too expensive with good reason.’ said Maine as considering how it’s made with limited supplies, it's heinous that it's only reserved for Contracts, Laws, important documents and Books. ‘Writing material for kids in childhood classrooms to prevent conflict with the Parchment Guild’s interest, so kids can study without too much expenses when in need of writing materials. Moreover, I estimate the cost of this new medium due to supply surplus would be a whopping 2 LC per sheet.’

‘But given the costs of education, the prices will shoot to the sky as time goes by, it all adds up in the end for so little expense in making it. Tree bark, glue, water and whitening agent…but there’s more?’ Marcus was intrigued.

‘I want what’s in the tree bark…the delicate fibers in it.’ Maine clarified. ‘And then for now before a new workshop can be built, I’ll magically create the papers with my ring. But there are different types of trees and I need to figure out what type of tree is best for writing material…because some are good, some are bad.’

‘...we’ll see with samples first.’ said Henrik. ‘I’ll have Gustav make arrangements for this experiment.’

And so, it began. Maine’s goal to make paper.

Because while she gets her precious reading material…

…WHY wooden boards and a scarcity of books, even for the rich?!?!

The problem is lack of writing materials and material efficiency. Scholars, her lily-white-ass, can’t even come up with what China did back in 105 AD. Then Xuan Paper came to being 513 years later.

However, magic-made paper is different from paper made in workshops by human labor. Magic-made paper is down to the details and quality the magic-user wants, while there’s errors by human hand, and perfection comes in years of experience.

Thus, Gustav has massive orders from Maine for a new venture, and specific types of laborers who are fine with repetitive movements and jobs every day. They will receive paid training before they get to actually start producing in a workshop for paper-sale.

‘Then what do you call this product, little lady?’

‘I call it ‘Classroom Paper’.’ said Maine. ‘Parchment is so expensive that it’s just not practical for use in children’s education that it’s used for Contracts, Important Documents, Laws and Books.’ 

‘And usage of wooden boards is idiotic and a waste of material and space on bookshelves. That's a hindrance to educational upbringing. It also forces us to write huge letters just so ink wouldn’t bleed so much on wooden surfaces if we wrote with small letters.’ 

‘For now we train specific types of men I asked for. Once we hone their skill as soon as we get everything we need, training and quality papermaking training can begin. I’ll start with normal trees for now, and source materials I want and need. I’m still researching what paper made with feytrees can do.’

‘Alright, we’ll begin. Estimation of training period?’

‘That’s up to how fast they learn and master. I will magically-make samples for them to strive as a goal to reach. And a team of ten, once fully mastering the production techniques, can make hundreds of sheets in a day. But I need two teams for specific sizes and thickness.’

‘Specific sizes?’

‘Yes, for writing use, and the other, for drawing and painting use for Art Students.’

‘Maine, we’ll also discuss with Lady Elvira about this alright?’ Julianne reminded Maine. ‘You produce so many trends you put a Duchess to shame and our Archduke isn’t even married yet, but you already set the bar high on trends…that soon, I have to reveal your identity now that Lady Veronica is gone from our lives forever.’

‘That would mean mutual abolishment of the Contract we wrote for our safeties.’ Gustav was nervous.

‘I’m afraid so…Maine is a Scholar whose knowledge produces game-breaking trends in Ladies’ Society, so I’ll have to inform her soon.’

‘Erm, as long as she’s nothing like Veronica I’m good.’ Maine said nervously.

‘Worry not dear. We adults all know Lady Elvira.’

Elvira received a letter from Julianne who wrote her a rather long letter via Letter Ordonnanz. So long that it’s as long as her arm.

As her eyes looked down, her eyes widened before twinkling. ‘Oh my~~~interesting. Ufufufu…’

So Anonymous who guided Gebordnung and Unheilschneide to Ehrenfest by making use of Trends, is a little kid! And because she has too many ideas, Julianne had to reveal her daughter eventually whose mind is on overdrive that cannot be stopped, inspired by Mestionora, emboldened by Angriff and numerous other deities regarding her products. 

Efflorelume and Heilschmerz on Shamrin and Soap that actually cleans during baths!

Ventuchte on Embroidery Frames and Fashion-Blending and new sleeve style!

Her family enjoyed Cuococalura’s Blessings!

And now with this Paper she has in mind on Erwachleren and Kunzeal!

Maine’s concerns regarding education are valid though…

Inspired by Mestionora eh? She already looks like her in regards to her…features. She has the hair and eyes, but no braids and flowers on her hair…she has her hair in a half ponytail with a large ribbon, and her hair is bound at the tip.

She invited Julianne and Maine to a Tea Party. With Sylvester in tow, that got poor Julianne nervous while Maine was eyeing Sylvester as if he was a new specie discovered in the wild somewhere.

Julianne sticks to rules befitting her station in terms of Tea Gown designs, Maine sticks to what she wants in her Tea Gown, that Elvira envies the freedom of commoners, really…

However, Maine grows fast in terms of her vessel. That her getting adopted again, is inevitable before her thirteenth birthday. That soon when they determine her next level, she’d have to be adopted away. Again. Because status affects marriage no matter anyone’s merits and accomplishments.

Maine’s mana is high and she must marry up. Yet her status will cause her trouble which is reality, sadly, even if she is talented and an accomplished scholar with inventions. This means she must be adopted up to improve her status, so she can get married off.

Given her industry, she can pay her own Bridal Dowry.

That’s one thing.

‘So we’re here to discuss Maine’s potential future given her personal production industries and her vessel. She sure stayed a short while in your household Lady Julianne.’ Sylvester remarked thoughtfully.

Maine’s products were the unwitting catalyst that ended his parents’ reign of endorsed tyranny forever because Trends are Ladies’ Serious Business, along with the reason why she won’t sell in Ehrenfest out of fear for her family’s lives, knowing how his mother operates.

This got everyone curious and when the WHY came out…Zent ain’t happy. That his last act before he got poisoned was beckoning Chaosfliehe so that Unheilschneide can grace Geduldh, before Gebordnung sets things right.

‘It may be short, but she brought us great joy in turn.’ said Julianne with a soft smile, making Maine beam at her. ‘She made father-in-law happy and healthier, got along well and encouraged her uncle till inspiration.’ she said. ‘But we are also preparing her for the inevitable. Our tool can no longer endure her as it can only measure up to 'average mednoble'. That we can also no longer hold her back from her dues.’

It got dusted in short, that Maine can replace it at least. She could afford it.

‘Well, I brought our tool.’ said Elvira, taking out a similar circlet used on Maine in the past. A simple golden circlet with plain design as its more of utility than for show, with room for five black feystones. Sooo everyone has the same mana-measuring circlet, except quality is different? ‘Let’s see if she can be a high mednoble or Archnoble.’

But as soon as it shrunk to fit Maine’s head?

Dusted! The feystones burst into gold dust the second it touched her skin, making Maine squeak and cover her eyes to protect her eyeballs, and shrug off dust off her face. ‘Oh my…definitely not Archnoble…’ Elvira’s eyes was wide now.

Maine’s an Archduke-Class. How the hell did she survive before adoption by the Bernetts?! She should have died through gory, painful explosion since young! She must be well-loved by Dauerleben!

‘Eek! We’re sorry!!’ Julianne yelped as she bowed very low in apology with Maine who was nervous, wondering how much she has to pay that back…she’ll have to tighten her purse strings till next payday!

‘OK, time to use this one.’ said Sylvester, taking out a similar circlet that Maine was skeptical about, not after she dusted Elvira’s tool!! ‘This one’s different since we had to modify it a little because of my brother.’

‘Eh? Because of Lord Ferdinand?’ Elvira blinked owlishly.

‘...he dusted our old one not long ago when Uncle wanted to know his level. Even then Uncle still wants him to compress to help with the Foundation other than his future duties after graduation.’ said Sylvester wryly. ‘We had to pay an arm and a leg to obtain high-quality black feystones to measure Greater Archduke Classes.’

‘To explain to the little lady, the weakest level in this circlet designed for the Archducal Family is slow to react unlike typical Measuring Circlets.’ Sylvester explained to Maine. ‘It will go from dark gray if a high Archnoble, a hair away from Archduke-Level. Light Gray Entry-Level Archduke. Cloud-Gray to White on the smallest stones, Low Archduke.’

‘Dark Gray middle stones Normal Archduke. Light Gray Average Archduke. Cloud-Gray to White, Middle-Level Archduke. I am along this level, befitting a guy like me ruling a Middle Duchy.’ His uncle hoped he would go higher though…he was a light-gray in a bid to match Florencia way back. That, his uncle scolded him for due to an Archduke's most important duty.

But given reports on her, unless she improves her reputation, she cannot be a First Lady given her timid character and her upbringing as a Third Lady by her Third Lady mother that Florencia’s a turtle, a big NO for a First Lady. Her mother who should have been aiming higher, failed her in this regard as who’d expect an Archduke to desire her as his Light Goddess, yet her light is too dim for the throne beside a Dark God?

Sylvester at least has a valid excuse in his upbringing. Veronica.

Florencia who has a safe life by standard, has no such excuse.

All Noble Mothers prepare their daughters, and give them education for all potential positions in their future marriage at home, yet Florencia was lacking that her mother herself, closed many doors for her daughter when she could have had potential to do better. What if all spaces for Third Ladies are filled? What then?? Does the woman have any idea girls in Florencia’s social status would have killed to be HER? That she, a Third Lady’s daughter becomes desired to be First Lady to her husband?

That was why Sylvester is annoyed and in contempt of Lady Antoinette, Florencia’s mother. But sadly, can never express it. He can’t even complain to Constanze as his sisters hated his existence.

Ordoschnelli heavily invested in Geduldh’s recovery warned Anhaltung who in turn expressed discontent, making Sylvester sigh sadly. And he cannot be as stubborn as his father in marrying for Love despite political demerits and his position is shaky that he can’t have what he wanted. Unlike his father, he must absolutely put his duchy first…or else Zent will kill him and his brother, and put a new Archduke Clan in place—the Linkbergs or another clan.

Despite their status, they had the education, training and mana of Archduke Levels. His cousin Karstedt would succeed him after killing him and Ferdinand and that is why Sylvester can’t fail if only for Ferdinand who never knew HOW to LIVE, while Sylvester was spoiled and carefree growing up, and enjoyed life.

A First Lady has many duties. Specific duties belonging to a First Lady.

To her Husband. 

His Household. 

His Domain. 

Politicking and Navigating in Interduchy and Local Ladies’ Society to earn great reputation and favor.

Attending events and Tea Parties to spread influence.

Planning, Organizing and Hosting her own events and Tea Parties.

Participating in ceremonies.

Giving patronage to Stores and Workshops that produce high quality products for Nobles and Endorse them.

Up-to-date in information and trends and choosing what would serve her marital duchy well.

Responsible for her children’s matching and scoring the best deals possible in Marriage Deals as well as Business Deals while minimizing losses as much as possible.

And checking on Logistics to supply the needs of their people and military.

All those!!

This is why Noble Language Education and amassing accurate and latest information is CRUCIAL. That a First Lady must have first-rate Scholars and Attendants in her retinue.

His mother and his dear heart had none of those.

Then again, Sylvester is in no position to talk. His so-called retinue was worse and he’s the successor who was carefully sabotaged and manipulated since young. He had to earn the goodwill of his people so he could have retainers of his own who would actually willingly help him with his uncle as his backer, and he had to prove he is worth his support and not embarrass them both.

He would have been fine if it’s Ferdinand. At least he was well-liked by their people. But sadly, his self-worth and self-esteem is severely damaged, and harassment as well as his promise to their father, he would never aim for the seat and support his brother. But he puts up a brave front in public to be a pillar to his brother. Thus Sylvester aims to make it up to him and proved it to Ferdinand in the time he was home.

‘Then for the largest stone, measures Archduke-Classes whose mana are so high they belong to Greater Duchies. Any stronger—dusted. Ferdinand now falls on Light Gray on the Large Stone and to think he’s not even an adult yet...he will dust this real soon I'd have to negotiate with Drewanchel for aid from Klassenberg at this rate for feystones befitting Greater Duchy-class feystones...’ he shook his head. ‘And now for the moment of truth…!’

He put the circlet on Maine, as it shrunk to fit her head.

The smaller stones went color changes, from black turning gray to white. Then the medium stones next…ending in Cloud-Gray color. ‘...she’s right behind me in strength…’ you gotta be kidding, Sylvester thought, he can’t marry a tiny tot should she develop mana-sensing! He has to outstrip her while she’s still at home so she can find her match abroad!

‘Well, with a level like this, you and my future First Lady will have to adopt you now after I get married.’ said Sylvester with a sheepish snort.

‘That remains to be seen after she undergoes education, training and assessments.’ Elvira gave him a dope-slap. Maine wondered how powerful Elvira is to have the ability to dope-slap Sylvester and not get the axe after, leaving her impressed. ‘Maine must undergo a rename befitting her status. Her name is too short!’

‘Then is this OK?’ Maine used her ring to control her mana to create letters and spelled ‘Rozemyne’. For some reason this felt right to her.

‘Oho, very good! That’s a respectable name for an Archduchess!’ Elvira clapped her hands while inwardly twitching at the first half. Many noblewomen are named with a ‘rose/roze’ in their names duchywide so she can’t be biased because of her husband’s thankfully-gone Third Lady… ‘But this is a for-life deal dear.’

‘For some reason it felt strangely right when I thought of it.’ said Maine thoughtfully. ‘I felt egged on in my mind somehow…’ she said, sporting a ‘wondering’ expression. ‘But Lady Elvira, while I learned the ways of being a wife for Laynobles, what does it mean to be in the three positions of wives in an Archduke’s Household?’

‘It’s a lot political and business-like that Lady Stanilde, my mother-in-law said that she was taught by her mother-in-law that you can’t expect a loving, happy marriage if you are Zent or Archduke’s Wife…you, your sister-wives, your children and your husband belong to the duchy first. Her prosperity and wealth depends on your family. And a healthy Geduldh, is equated to happier Pillars who will happily support you as your way of reign affects them and their family too.’ Elvira would tell her.

‘First and Second Wives are always foreign ladies. What duchy they came from matters not. What matters is if their parents approve of their match, be it Color-Matching, Political Benefits worth the partner, and if the wife is of great character, repute, and has great merits and accomplishments, making her attractive, and that determines her marital position in her marital duchy. First, or Second. The parents decide that.’ Elvira continued. 

She talked about the First Lady role Sylvester already knew of that got Maine’s eyes as wide as teacup saucers. ‘A First Lady must be a proper Light Goddess as well as having traits favoring Geduldh, Duldzetsen, Dregarhnur, Mestionora, Grammaratur, and Gebordnung to obtain Liebeskhilfe and Griefechan's protections and blessings for her family. Seems daunting no? But alas, such is our jobs…’ Elvira chuckled at Maine’s expression akin to a shumil before a hungry grun. And given the domains of the Deities in question, Maine can GUESS. But she knew there’s more to that.

Thank you, Victorian Era and Jane Austen!! But would it be the same here or a bit different?

‘Second Lady serves as Anhaltung, Ordoschnell, Verfuhremeer, Verbergen, Unheilschneide, Chaosfliehe and Gebordnung to the First Lady and their shared husband. But her work is more on the Economical and Mercantile side when not assisting the First Lady. If First Lady deals with Interduchy Politics, Second deals with Interduchy Business and Trade First Lady secures for their marital duchy. The more wealth the better. Thus they must work as a team. But alas, things don’t always work that way…due to ambitions for what is never theirs, yet beckon Chaoscipher for selfishness.’ Elvira tut-tutted, shaking her head.

Sylvester repressed a cringe, because it’s exactly that in Elvira’s household with Karstedt’s Veronican wives, Trudeliede and Rosemary.

‘Third Lady this time, is a local girl whose mana matched the Archduke. She serves as the pillar and bridge of First and Second Ladies to their Marital Duchy, as it’s important they get along well with the noble clans of their husband’s duchy to get things done for everyone’s prosperity. Thus her social skills must be high-level as well. She ensures the local nobles cooperate with the other Archduchesses, and is responsible for checking on Playroom Quality before Winter, so everyone gets the same quality education in case some families are compromised regarding education due to…affordability issues.’

‘But alas, the meaning of those three positions are…perverted as of late.’ Elvira lamented.

‘Perverted out of personal interest?’ Maine inquired curiously.

‘Yes dear. On the men’s side in the case of Greater Duchies as they scramble for the positions of Queens and Princesses.’ Elvira scowled. ‘And thus it became a twisted trend for other duchies to follow, hence, that very few maintain the knowledge I learned thanks to Father-In-Law’s books.’ she griped. ‘These books came from ancient times, when the First Aub Ehrenfest came to be with his three wives who got along so splendidly.’ she would tell them.

‘The twisted trend as of late, is that education of wives became solely known as Flutrane and Ewigeliebe’s Domain. That nonsense called Art of Bluanfah and Efflorelume, to beckon Greifechan through Beischmacht!!’ Elvira is clearly disgusted by the notion. Julianne and Sylvester turned pink from shame, while Maine was intrigued. ‘Gebordnung wails, crying to the Light Goddess who in turn commands her pillars and Schutzaria to spurn them for embarrassing Flutrane.’

‘Heee…’

‘In turn I am learning how to be a proper Dark God from Uncle.’ said Sylvester. ‘It’s a lesson Ferdinand will soon learn when he is fifteen. This is the world of the Archducal Clan you’ll soon learn from your Aunt Elvira. Do well under her before we can safely announce your change of position…and calling me father will have to wait until I get you a mother. Who your new legal mother will be will depend on your assessments.’

‘Yes, Aub.’ Maine curtsied. ‘Maine will work hard!’

‘...and get used to being Rozemyne while you’re at it too.’ came the amused reminder. ‘That’ll go in your records soon.’

Chapter Text

Lessons began under Lady Elvira.

Starting with Etiquette.

‘Etiquette is a little complicated for Nobles.’ Elvira began, as she eyed Rozemyne who wasn’t really a Merchant’s daughter. 

It was a lie the Bernetts cooked up to make Maine somewhat look and be treated better with fictional origins that she was rich in her past life, when she was actually a Soldier and Fabric Dyer’s daughter. They dare not imagine how immature kids in the playroom will treat her if they find out she’s dirt-poor in origin! And considering how some elitist clans treated Laynobles like them, what more about Rozemyne?

And when this girl reads her former parents’ school notes after getting some education done? She’s actually brilliant, leading to her inventions! Scholar Prodigy in the making indeed!

Goodness knows food at her household improved by miles! Gifted by Cuococalura indeed! She taught their cook how to make fine dishes that balance meat and vegetables in equal portions, alongside bread and a fruity dessert.

Same thing happened in the Castle. Rozemyne overhauled the kitchens that got Sylvester throwing manners out the window when it’s only her husband as his guard as usual, and asking for even fifths as it was THAT good. Since then, they’ve become absolute gluttons. And Sylvester changed Academy Food by sending recipes over for cooks to strictly follow.

This kid was also responsible for improving Knight Barracks Food. And created better Rations that…effectively replaced what every Knight deals with countrywide. Still salty, but more nourishing, more delicious with sour fruits on the side. One thing she wouldn’t change was the black bread that comes with it, but she made it wholegrain, not refined to be more nourishing, as apparently, refining flour causes flour to lose its nutritional benefits same as scalding during cooking.

‘We’ll see the changes in a year.’ she said. ‘They’ll have better training gains when eating well.’

Rozemyne still looks out for her family by helping out financially every annual payday of her products, giving 2 small gold in loose change to help out in Winter Preparations and buying fabric for clothing as life for the poor were…DIY homemade prepwork as buying things are too expensive for her family.

When salaries are investigated and compared to other duchies…their eyes widened.

Apparently due to Corruption and Embezzlement, the people in the lower city had to pay the price by losing half of their monthly salaries as much of the duchy coinage goes to Veronican Luxuries! Sylvester went green before purple. So much to make up for! 

He had Rozemyne’s original father do investigative work, and then prices of market products to determine Cost of Living to determine how much damage his mother and her faction caused to the livelihood of civilians. To the point they’re all overtiming and foregoing cleaning house and bathing that all of them are filthy! Just to make ends meet! And not many children survive to age seven due to skipping meals which is a big NOPE on a woman's part as its her nurturing a fragile life in her cradle that she needs food! Due to that, Gunther and Effa lost many children and only two survived!

In the end, he can see that when Gunther wrote down what people usually spend on just to make it in time for Winter or both freeze and starve to death…and Gunther’s salary…yes, those DIY skills came in handy…because his and his wife’s combined salaries cannot afford everything. That even little kids as young as five forage in the forest for free edibles, that children have great survival skills in turn. That Sylvester really has to do something to restore salaries back to normal as desperation makes people do crazy things and in his mind, parents letting kids in spring forage where beats and feybeasts roam for the sake of free food is crazy. But this is the norm his mother caused!

According to Gunther, in order to afford crucial winter prep, one would need a combined salary of 5 large silver from husband and wife and that’s bare minimum...for a family of four.

Elvira can only shake her head when those come to light.

With their vindictive former relatives and friends among Sovereign Knights around, they exuded pressure that Sylvester has to undo the damages Lady Veronica and her retinue have done to his people.

And with the unholy Merchant Tax Rates, Rozemyne was even aiding the Merchant Guild with good reason until all guilds recovered before letting go of her patronage! That was the final blow to Sylvester. A child doing this!

Beyond the pale. No.

‘How complicated, Lady Aunt?’ Rozemyne asked her curiously.

‘As you know, we duchies are ranked based on a duchy’s contribution to Population Size, Duchy Size, History, Royal Academy Grades and Value to Sovereignty.’ Elvira informed her. ‘Our etiquette is affected by our ranks. We must behave accordingly to our superiors while we can afford to lord over our Inferiors. Well, that was before Lady Veronica happened.’ Elvira sighed glumly. ‘We used to be a happy rank 10 due to how Ehrenfest began.’ she said sulkily, resting her right cheek on her dainty right hand.

‘But with her stamping out our culture and Ordoschnelli’s woes reaching Zent, we were punished to be at rock bottom and we were forced to bow to everyone else. It’s especially hard on Ladies Georgine, Constanze and Lords Sylvester and Ferdinand. Soon, you’ll bow to a long line of Archduke Candidates in school as we are sadly, rank 25.’ she lamented gloomily.

‘Dead last…’ Rozemyne gulped out, causing Elvira to pout even more. Rozemyne could swear she saw gloomy lines with hitodama coming off the woman. ‘And understandably, we can’t bring back the trends she stamped out or we’ll be no better than her, even if it meant Ehrenfest Culture is lost forever…how about wearing lost Ehrenfest Fashion as a statement as if to say ‘we regained our identity’, but we are NOT selling it with good reason?’

‘Well, we’ll have that for discussion before reaching out to the new Etiquette Teacher Professor Primevere for advice at the Archduke Conference,’ said Elvira. ‘We’re getting off topic…I will teach you Etiquette befitting an Archduke Candidate, before teaching you how to be First, Second and Third Lady! We better make it in time mastering Local Etiquette because next year, I’ll drill Interduchy Etiquette for you next!’

‘Yes, Lady Aunt!’

‘We’ll start with Emotional Control. To us it’s fatal which is why we always carry Feystone Pouches as emergency treatment…’

Xxx

Etiquette. Noble Language Training and discerning hidden meanings(this she struggled in for a while). Music. Art(this, Rozemyne struggled in big time and Elvira was appalled with her art sense in embroidery). Interior Decor tests. Tea Party Training. Hosting Training. Organizing. And her self-inflicted physical exercises due to how weak she was, courtesy of her condition.

The exercise intrigued Elvira, but understandably, ‘It’s hard at first…you’re sore for the first few weeks, until training settles in that it doesn’t hurt anymore, and you feel better and stronger in terms of stamina and endurance.’ but for Devourings like Rozemyne, the first few months were ‘an unfair trial from Glucklitat’ with good reason, but she persevered until she could live normally and be strong enough to get Jureve. She took opportunities she could get to be healthier.

That’s…one thing, Elvira croaked. She almost forgot that Rozemyne has Devouring…but it was the girl’s sheer discipline as her goal was a healthy normal life that she has training in her packed schedule…that Elvira’s opinion of Rozemyne went up. Because as an Archduke Candidate, you cannot afford to be weak as competition for the seat is both fierce and deadly. Rival wives would kill her rival's children, and its a cycle of revenge after that! Being weak will get you killed faster.

Lord Ferdinand as an example, learned and forced himself to be strong, or his thread is cut off from his malicious stepmother.

But still it’s jarring to hear her goal in life to live normally. Normal health is what manaed nobles take for granted due to having access to life-saving tools since birth, but Devouring Commoners are doomed to frailty before dying horribly. A normal girl's goal is usually marrying into a good family while having a good career! Yet this girl...!

Elvira supposed good health comes first before pursuing a career and marrying out. You won't last long in both, if you have a weak body after all.

Rozemyne has training alongside her adoptive cousins. Errr lady cousins whose families are informed with her rank-up due to her immense mana.

Sylvester and Elvira have a ton of relatives.

Sylvester through the Ehrenfests, Ahrensbachs, Linkbergs and Colbrandts. Elvira through Colbrandts, Linkbergs, Guttheils, Randfords, Gelderns and Brisgards.

Thing is, there are no ladies on Sylvester’s side who are in two different duchies. So it's her nieces in her…vast family tree.

Luciola and Miranda’s daughters who are of the same age as Rozemyne, five nieces from her brother’s wives, cousins who have their daughters and so on. And the Leisegang Clans. Gudrun, Kindredt's Third Lady can't come as she is nursing her baby son Traugott.

This is the ultimate test.

Rozemyne is to win over her adoptive cousins, to earn the approval of their mothers for her to be recognized as Archduke Candidate in status by showing her full worth.

But still Elvira thought, Rozemyne acts and behaves like an adult. Not merely imitating one.

She even sounds like one, child-voice be damned. It was effectively what won her archnoble peers over—her maturity!

‘You’ve done well raising Lady Rozemyne…how did you do it?’ Miranda exclaimed, impressed.

'It took our girls till age ten to reach that level...' Luciola was sulky about that.

‘Her behavior! Her poise! The way she walks! In just one year?!’ Elvira's sister Elrena gushed out in amazement.

‘I did the lessons but regarding attitude and poise, she already came that way!’ Elvira would tell the ladies. ‘I kid you not! Maybe we should ask Lady Julianne?’

When they asked?

‘Eh?! She already came that way, more mature than her little uncle! She even advises him on his dream career on how to be a good Knight! I hold no credit for her manners and poise!’ she exclaimed in her Ordonnanz.

And when everyone was gone, Rozemyne was glad for a bath.

‘Pheeewww…that’s like a Pressure Interview over there!’ Rozemyne sighed wearily while Richarda gave her a bath. ‘Tea Parties are so arduous! The pressure those dozens of mothers emitted while talking to them and their older daughters who’re mid-summer!’

‘But one of the many duties of an Archduchess, young lady.’ Richarda chuckled fondly.

‘Yeah, this young lady who was once a commoner.’ Rozemyne sighed, sinking into the tub. ‘That full pressure was to test if I can walk the talk no matter the training. Good thing I passed or it’s the social axe for me! If this is the workload of a bottom-duchy Archduchess, I wonder how higher-rankers do?’

‘Well, same local workload, but in regards to Interduchy tasks, well…if you think this is tiring now, wait till you get Interduchy Training…goodness gracious, poor Ladies Georgine and Constanze…’ Richarda sad sadly, shaking her head. 'They had to bow to twenty-four thrones for Archduke Candidates before they can take a seat, and last in line in everything.'

‘Sooo uhhh we’re like Gate Laynobles to everyone else. I’m used to that anyway.’ Rozemyne snorted. ‘But while Ehrenfest Nobles were somewhat nice to me while we all avoided the Veronican Children back then, I wonder how everyone else will treat us from now on, since I’ve been letting out new trends. Combine that with Lord Ferdinand’s leadership, where will we stand before my time to go to school?’

‘Surely things will be a bit better…despite Ordoschnelli’s laments young master brought home.’

‘I hope so…I’ll have to keep releasing trends to make support for his jobs in the Academy half.’ Rozemyne frowned thoughtfully. ‘Oh yeah, Lady Aunt Elvira’s Home Province are Woodworker Specialists, right?’

Academy…a year later after Rozemyne’s adoption…

Ferdinand expected everyone’s best, Damuel thought.

To the first and second years, he was strict on their schoolwork training now that food improved to HIS standard.

He no longer had to suffer that salty-sour crap anymore! But food portions have become bigger for soups and stews to what he was used to and again, one piece of Dinner Roll while for Knights, it’s three due to how they train in the Knight Building. They naturally have bigger appetites. And with a taste of Cuococalura's Banquet, his peers wolfed down the food like animals though few did their best to maintain manners and decorum, while visibly shaking in joy at tasting such delicious food at long last.

They even attributed it to 'No More Veronican Cuisine!' If only they knew the truth!

But one day, new trends from Ehrenfest came out in Archduke Conference, introduced by Lady Elvira.

Other than Shamrin, (new)Soap and Embroidery Frames, this year, it’s now flowery hairpins and haircombs that got the ladies crazy. Then there’s Full-Body Mirrors, Scented Candles, Mist-Spray Perfume Bottles, cushioned armchairs and couches as well as cleaning methods(for wealthier commoners), removable Hand Pumps for Wells, Farming Irrigation System, New Farming Tools, Spinning Wheel, a recipe for better bread and recipes of Fruit Jams Ehrenfest as a whole now enjoys, Classroom Notebooks and Kunzeal’s Paper and…a Magic Tool Massage Chair!

Apparently that last one is for ‘beleaguered Office Workers’ and ‘sore Knights’ who could use help from stiff backs and legs from sitting too long or too much training till soreness. It will warm up the body for one minute, before massaging the shoulders, back and legs.

And the duchy is prepared for massive orders…there’s about 5000 for sale, costing a good 3 small gold per chair! So Children’s Mana-Draining Tools are more expensive?! Sure in the Playroom kids have it more comfortable with a new writing medium to practice handwriting on, but Kunzeal’s Paper?

Lord Ferdinand painted on it in front of a whole audience. It was a large, stiff white large paper at least 5 cm thick. When he was done? Klassenberg snapped up their entire stock of ten thousand!

Needless to say, Ehrenfest earned massive amounts that day and gained a lot of clients in the production of furniture.

And the one behind this, is his former little niece, Rozemyne who had to be adopted off due to her mana, so it’s now him supplying mana to their home’s magic tools when he’s around as his mana is higher than his brother’s and his wife’s combined. But it’s Lady Elvira representing her as let’s face it, who’d believe a kid less than ten was behind all this? He could understand if it’s ladies’ accessories and scented candles but the rest? Uhhh…

End result, combine that with Lord Sylvester's Progress Report on Ehrenfest's Recovery, Lord Ferdinand’s intensive schoolwork training that saw grades rising, Mock Battle Performances and Treasure Ditter, then the grading of Attendants regarding their Tea Room and Hosting Abilities as well as gorgeous-looking food...their Duchy’s abysmal ranking went from 25, to 18. Its a huge leap! But only that far as their population is woefully-low. By that, they mean in terms of Noble Population to the point of Mana Scarcity.

And Zent Basileus declared his second son, Prince Waldifried his successor, the new Zent. Complete with Succession Ceremony!

The Succession Ceremony was exciting with a lot of pomp, but Lord Ferdinand was cynical about it as they talked in the Archduke’s Personal Room in the school dorms with Karstedt and Eckhart present as their Guards.

‘If his father is being poisoned because the unqualified culprit wants the throne for himself, Zent Waldifried will most likely be expedited to the towering heights alongside him.’

‘Little brother, as much as that is horrifyingly real, try not to be so morbid!’ Sylvester was horrified.

‘Speaking, have you chosen from the ladies shoved in your face this week?’ Ferdinand was quick to change the topic as the Zents no longer concerned him.

‘Yes, about nine matched me, but I’ll hold off marriage for now due to the tense atmosphere…I talked with the aubs who are potential father-in-laws during the Tea Party as we are neutral on Zent’s blessing and cannot participate in Faction Forming or worse, War that is sure to happen if the power-hungry culprit assassinates predecessor and successor. We cannot militarily support anyone and what we have left is just enough for the Winter Lord. We got a Free Card for this.’

‘So while they agreed, surely you have conditions…?’

‘Well just a couple.’ said Sylvester wryly. ‘Due to how First, Second and Third Ladies are like in our Duchy, my first requirement is that the girls get along well in their Academy Days with no history of conflict or rivalry whatsoever.’ he said. 

‘I had Elvira explain the lady roles in our duchy. I already have a Third Lady in mind and I’m negotiating with her family so we'll bind our stars next year so I'd have plenty of time to court her before that. Second, the girls are willing to adopt, and be a good, kind mother to Rozemyne. The former Bernett girl. To be nothing like…our mother both to her and my future children.’ he ended that one a bit glumly. Ferdinand’s expression went blank.

To his credit Karstedt thought his son Eckhart did well to stay stoic when his temper at home is known…

‘For her sake, we may need a Magical Contract.’ Ferdinand chuckled hollowly. He had received letters regarding his new niece. Her training and how well-received she was in her ‘ultimate test’ after ‘local archduchess training’ from Elvira that she earned the approval of high-ranking Archnobles. But given his upbringing, he was a justified cynical man.

‘Some nobles have…harsh or cruel treatments towards those they deem their inferiors. Yet this new niece of mine has made many trends in less than five years since becoming a noble, more than any Archduchess in their early autumn who takes years to introduce a single new trend. A child who hasn’t left spring, put them to shame.’

‘Yeah, I thought about that too, so I had to endorse my new kid and swear on a Magical Contract what I said was true about her accomplishments.’ said Sylvester. ‘Hopefully nobody gets any funny ideas, she’s too young for Mana Sensing for crying out loud…besides, she’ll outstrip me in mana strength as she has more time than I do in Compressing. So I gave it one year. If after one year Zent Waldifried is still alive and not poisoned by the same poisoner who poisoned his father, we will begin Courtship through letters.’

‘Uncle wouldn’t teach you you-know-what while she’s still around.’ said Ferdinand. ‘Your personal interest aside, you having enough mana to match with an Ahrensbach Lady is what she’d want so she’d gain more power and influence which is what 70% of our duchy doesn’t want. So it was for the best that your mana back then wasn’t enough to match with an Ahrensbach daughter.’

‘And standards are different in Greater Duchies at that. What’s Archnoble to them is Archduke to us mere Middle-Rankers…hehe.’ Sylvester snorted.

‘...I’m surprised about one thing…not once did you talk about that lady.’ Ferdinand remarked thoughtfully that the change in Sylvester changed from derisively-amused to depressed in a split-second.

‘...haaa…it wilted.’ Sylvester moped sulkily. ‘I’ve way outstripped her now. Not only that, when Verdraeos and Unheilschneide have done their good work, only then did uncle, Elvira, Luciola and Miranda give me a piece of their minds with my lady of choice.’ he said, telling Ferdinand what they honestly think that got Ferdinand cringing at the harsh criticism, but agrees to the very true criticisms as in running a duchy, an Archduke cannot have a useless wife. Useless wives are usually forgotten on the wayside if not scorned or treated harshly for not being of use to her new family. 

Or to marry again, arrange an accident just to vacate space!

‘That Lady Antoinette! If only she did her damn job right! She axed her daughters by making them turtles like her!’ Sylvester growled in anger. ‘From what Scholars got Uncle and his daughter-in-laws, she only gave them Third Lady Education and upbringing, potential-be-damned! She closed off two other doors! What, can’t bear that her daughters might do better than she does? Share the misery?!’ he fumed in grief as the lady he loved is beyond his reach forever.

Not only that, he had to fib to the potential in-laws as to why he didn’t chase Lady Florencia when his pursuit was too well-known. Sylvester cited ‘Mana Growth that made his rafel wilt’ as he could not have her and Aub Frenbeltag wouldn’t doom her to a painful White Marriage with him as he could no longer sense her and both parties confirmed it.

Besides, Sylvester has NOT forgotten the scathing letters Ferdinand got for him from Constanze.

‘No one knows what she is thinking, but she indeed, cost her daughters a potential future.’ Ferdinand can only shake his head. ‘However, nobody can tell within the timeline when Verdraeos will grace us in the form of Rozemyne and the power of trends.’ he said. ‘Suppose you married Lady Florencia with your father's blessing, yet Rozemyne did not happen through adoption. Your mother would still be around.’ Sylvester winced at the reminder of Ehrenfest’s life when she was around. 

‘Would she have a pleasant life in Ehrenfest as she grips her power tightly? For the apparent crime of not being an Ahrensbach Lady? She would suffer worse than I as she has the personality of a turtle, not a First Lady with character and stronger mana to match who can fight with her for her rights and her seat by your side. Remember, your mother is an Archnoble with mana and education to match, and Florencia is an Archduke Candidate with mana and education to match. Florencia by status would be superior to Lady Veronica, but what will lead to her thread cut short is being the way she is.’ 

‘She will not survive in our family, that you will learn the cruel truth about your mother too late while holding her cold corpse as it turns into a feystone, while we get into trouble with Frenbeltag, a duchy of higher status than us by several ranks. You cannot count on our sisters with good reason for help should Aub Frenbeltag demand justice. They’d sooner take advantage of that to sell out our parents to the man as his target of rage out of vindictive revenge, but also a possibility you’ll die too as he'll blame you for pursuing his daughter, while conveniently forgetting he approved of the marriage that shortened his daughter's life. He just wants you to pay.’

Sylvester imagined the scenarios Ferdinand spoke of in his head.

‘...I wish Rozemyne came earlier but given the timeline, it’s impossible.’ Sylvester moped.

‘It’s just not meant to be. You’ll learn to like the other ladies.’ Ferdinand told him. ‘Just be a good Dark God to them while not being overindulgent like our father. Last I checked, Zent Basileus put his foot down hard so that Assessments on sons became the new normal. That any children who prioritizes personal interests over duchy’s well-being interests are disqualified immediately from succession lest the Ehrenfest Situation happen elsewhere. Father set that precedent that we became a laughingstock in the Academy after his and your mother’s arrest. That’s why you have a lot of work to do because all eyes are on us, other than the current royal situation.’

‘Right…’

‘But at any rate, we earned a lot of money and to think production costs are hilariously cheap…you should use that to restore salaries to normal and build new villages with purpose.’ Ferdinand mused thoughtfully.

‘Oh yeah, Rozemyne predicted demands will be insane soon, but given material source limitations, she’ll have trouble keeping up with demand that she jacked up the prices, and she actually purchased land from me quite literally.' Sylvester informed him while slowly going blue at the idea. 'That shocked me so bad when last I checked, it's parents providing not other way around…might as well build villages for…material production to help her out. Yeesh…’

‘That will take time, so she is limited for the time being in supplies. I suppose she is restricted to outsourcing her wares to two duchies for now while furniture customization burdens will be on Haldenzel.’

‘Speaking, can you research Haldenzel’s..uniqueness? We can’t find anything…I threw Large Chalices at it yet nothing happens! Still a Freezeland!’ Sylvester griped. ‘I know knowledge about Eisenreich is burned in Ehrenfest but some records here might survive somehow…that land is such a weirdo we’re at our wits end!’ he complained.

‘Alright, I’ll look into the library about that.’ Ferdinand promised. ‘For now keep Spring Prayer as normal. Maybe if we find a way to bring spring to Haldenzel, all that mana poured will spring to action once conditions are met.’

‘I hope records survived in the library…’

And so…

‘Records on Haldenzel?’ Schwartz asked Ferdinand.

‘We go get it, milady!’ Weiss chimed as the two Shumils left after Ferdinand asked for help while he sat on a table with his Retainers.

‘I hope there’s a record…’ Eckhart moaned anxiously. ‘I heard from my mother that in a bid to pay back mana debt that old bitch owed our family, Lord Sylvester decided pouring the entire Divine Chalice would speed things up, yet nothing! But other domains that were arid are now fully-healed and fertile again!’

‘This is the Royal Library, it should have information on all duchies past and present…’ Justus would say.

But ten minutes later?

‘Haldenzel Records—no find!’ came Weiss’ damning words.

‘W-what?! No find?!’ Eckhart yelped in horror.

‘Yes milady. Shelf on Eisenreich Empty.’

‘Er, our duchy is Ehrenfest, not Eisenreich?’ Heidemarie croaked out. ‘Can you go look into Ehrenfest records about Haldenzel’s condition for Spring?’ she tried changing the order.

‘Will look!’ and the dolls left again.

This time, the wait is fifteen minutes. But the Shumils were frantic and ran for the Librarians while carrying a book.

‘Report! Report! Vandalism!’ Weiss reported.

‘This book has five torn pages!!’ Schwartz held a book. From the spine of the book, it read ‘Ehrenfest Geography’. And Schwartz’ damning words led Ferdinand and his retinue to a horrifying unsaid obvious conclusion.

‘Oh no…’ Lasfam squeaked. ‘Somebody tore out what we need?’ he whimpered as the Librarians looked for the torn pages and began using an unknown spell on the book's torn bits. The Shumils gave a full report and one of the Librarians approached their table with a grim expression.

‘Lord Ferdinand, the dolls said you asked for information about Haldenzel…but it appears someone tore the pages out years back. I’d say a few decades back.’

‘...we can guess who.’ Ferdinand face-palmed. ‘If not her, anyone in her faction under her orders. We will have her mind read and based on what we find, we will leave her fate in your judgment. But Zent's orders cannot allow her to be forced up the towering heights until she repays back her mana debt in full to Geduldh.’

‘We are grateful as devotees of Mestionora.’ the librarian bowed politely, but the lady spoke coldly. ‘This sacrilege must be answered to.’

Thus, Sylvester is not happy when they reported back.

‘MOTHER DID WHAT?!’ Sylvester howled in horror. 'No!'

'Elvira and the whole Haldenzel Region will be furious...we better go home after Elvira's done socializing...' Karstedt shook his head in dismay. 'I'm already dreading her coming back tonight before we go home...'

Chapter Text

It wasn’t just despair.

Elvira was downright furious. She cried bitter, angry tears when her husband and cousin-in-law told her the cruel truth when they got home.

It wasn’t just her.

Her pillars were also Haldenzel natives who had sunk into the same valley of despair as she had.

Their mana dangerously going haywire Sylvester yelled for the Temple’s Dark Cloak at Karstedt as their level of loss of control is beyond feystone management.

‘Verfuhremeer, Goddess of the Calm Seas, subordinate to Spring Goddess Flutrane of the Exalted Seven, I ask for your aid to quell the turbulence within the hearts and mana of your grieving children and grant them serenity.’

Was Rozemyne’s voice as several green lights shot at Elvira and her retinue and the effect was immediate that Sylvester and Karstedt were in utter disbelief. Calming down dangerously-chaotic mana flow reflecting one's anger in seconds is unheard of!

‘Phew, that was close…even if I go to the Temple for the Dark Cloak, the city is gone by then…’ Karstedt sank on his knees in relief. Was Rozemyne being Chaosfliehe this time around just in time to diffuse the explosion about to happen? Sylvester was just as shaky on his desk.

‘I was about to inform Lord Father about the trade plans regarding Ahrensbach to end Lady Veronica’s uneducated idea of trading deals only a lunatic can make, but it seems I came at the right time…’ 

Rozemyne shuddered as she felt that insane swirl before she even left the Castle Library with Richarda at her heels out of frantic worry as Rozemyne willingly headed to danger, her sole interest getting her out of dodge, while Rozemyne’s interest was diffusing that mana bomb before it wrecked more than entire Capital City and everyone in it. So even if Richarda grabbed her to run, they wouldn't make it out in time away from the potential nuke about to blow.

They were pretty sure everyone who was at home in the Noble’s Quarter felt that too and would come here out of worry and urgency to defend against danger. So Ordoschnell’s gonna talk whether they like it or not.

‘Lord Sylvester, what happened?! Why is Lady Elvira and her retinue losing control?’ Richarda yelped as soon, castle employees showed up and some Sovereign Knights who barged into the windows through their Highbeasts.

‘...they are justifiably in the valley of despair and rage.’

Sylvester explained what they found out while Karstedt gave his wife some dignity and put her on the couch, though he had to line up her retinue out of the way near the walls with care to preserve their dignities too.

What Haldenzel needed, Veronica ensured it was GONE back when she was in her Academy Years. Damaging Royal Property even in her wake without a care as long as it’s another way to torment Geduldh by ensuring she’s in ice forever which would have grave consequences on two families as a whole that Ferdinand gladly offered her to the furious Librarians once she served her current sentence in full from the former Zent. 

Sylvester had to quickly draft an apology letter of immense humbleness as well as making reparation offers while ensuring his mother and her pillars pay on his brother’s advice based on what they’ll find in her head and had Ferdinand be Ordoschnelli on his behalf to Zent Waldifried.

Upon hearing at home what they learned, that was when Elvira and her retinue lost control and a kid diffused what’s potentially a massive mana explosion born of anger and grief that Haldenzel is doomed to be frozen when the information is lost forever.

The other nobles were in utter disbelief.

‘To go as far as damaging Royal Property…who the heck does she think she is?!’ a Sovereign Knight choked out in disbelief. ‘Is being related to Ahrensbach making her think she can do what she wants now?! Her, a mere criminal Archnoble?! She thinks even Zent is below her now as long as she’s an Ahrensbach Native that she had the gall to vandalize Royal Resources?!’

‘Last I checked, Ahrensbach is a Rank 6 Duchy, not Rank 1! That’s Klassenberg!’ exclaimed another.

‘Well, we DID give you all we know about that creature.’ griped another Knight who’s a native. ‘Lady Gabriele’s upbringing as well as that of her retinue made her think Gebordnung went on permanent vacation with Schlaftraum so Chaoscipher can dance and prance around.’ he said in contempt.

‘We’ll know what Zent Waldifried will say about the matter soon.’ Sylvester sighed. ‘I imagine I’ll get a summons soon, probably…’ then he turned to Rozemyne. ‘Rozemyne, what did you do that helped us big time earlier? If not for that, the capital and all in it, and nearby villages would be wiped off the map!’ at his words, Richarda paled. It wouldn’t affect just the castle?! Leaving on her Highbeast with little lady is pointless then!

…the combined mana of out-of-control Archnobles and Mednobles are no joke. Combine all that, it’s easily an Archduke-Class disaster. Explosion aside, who knows what will be born out of it when mana twists nature itself, if any survived it?

‘I prayed to Verfuhremeer for help and offered mana in return for a miracle.’ Rozemyne told him. ‘But while it works, it works in ways you wouldn’t see coming while still getting results you hoped for in unexpected ways no matter how you worded your prayers. Not only that, while you did offer mana, what’s taken is equal exchange to what you asked for. It could be little, it could drain you near-empty, it’s always a fair exchange. Well, the Pantheon is beyond our logic anyway…everything that happens is a miracle whenever I pray when I find myself in a tight spot.’

‘Prayer…huh.’ Sylvester frowned thoughtfully. ‘But how did you come up with this though?’ He was impressed by yet another one of her inventions, but the potential is both great in good or bad…and that worries him as High Bishop. Especially as in a way, his new kid proves the gods truly exist, not just as theological myths in their religion. 

Especially as non-natives saw this and he wasn’t sure which duchy the others are from…while ensuring the Sovereignty Ex-Natives don’t go too far in their desire for revenge that they’ll effectively cut the sentences short of the Sixth Generation Ruler and his wife.

This is gonna get around.

‘I thought if magic existed, why not Gods when I started my lessons? And don’t you make offerings while you pray to them in time of need?’ came her innocent opinion; nobody could bring themselves to say anything to a child’s innocent way of thinking, lessons-be-damned as an Archduke Candidate as a child still in spring. 

‘Sincerity and offering grants blessings which is the answer to prayers. Goodness knows I prayed a lot considering my…health. Been better off since. They like mana more than they like flowers and incense anyway, it's a senseless waste of nature’s beauty off some random shrub and it's not even useful to wherever gods live anyway.’ came the shrug.

‘I see…leave your research results on my desk and off to bed you go.’ Sylvester told her kindly as Rozemyne did so, though she handed her paperwork to Richarda who did it in her stead as is proper for nobles. ‘Kids should greet Schlaftraum early to grow properly! Leave staying up late and problems for us adults and we’ll talk with the officials on how to proceed with your research.’

‘Then I bid lord father and everyone else good night.’ Rozemyne curtsied before leaving with Richarda.

‘Karstedt, still go get the Dark Cloak. We need to drain Elvira and her retinue as a precaution in case they get angry again.’ Sylvester instructed his guard. ‘Their Feystone Pouches are brewing ingredients by now.’ Karstedt then ran off to do the errand.

‘That’s an impressive child, Lord Sylvester.’ a knight commented. ‘She kept her cool while diffusing the understandably-upset ladies.’

‘I just hope my future wives out of nine potentials for First and Second Lady would take good care and be a good mother upon adopting Rozemyne.’ said Sylvester with a weak smile. ‘She’s a sweet, brilliant kid who had to work her way up who loves books, so her education goes too smoothly, things I never knew with my own upbringing. Goodness knows my potential Third Lady is nervous already.’ 

‘Rozemyne’s abilities make her a good First or Second in her future, so a mother who is in the right position must adopt her. But alas, mana dictates who we go to when a match is found, and Rozemyne’s assessment is in Elvira’s hands so we can organize her adoption by one of my future wives.’

Thus after discussing the conditions of the Haldenzel natives, next was Rozemyne’s investigation on various trading businesses with Ahrensbach…

‘Aub Ehrenfest, did Greifechan retire with no successor while Gebordnung went on vacation?! What are these records?! And Aub Ahrensbach and that worthless thing agreed to this?!’ Sylvester repressed a wince as that worthless thing was his father whom the former natives despised.

‘...it gets better. That was done when mother sold Georgine. It wasn’t an engagement nor has the dignity of one despite what she told people in Sovereignty.’ Sylvester said hollowly. ‘Georgine’s hatred is well-known and she did not leave the borders quietly, cursing our parents while lies are fed to Sovereignty in the Archduke Conference. Again, I found out all those years way too late as nobody tells me anything when my parents are around.’ said Sylvester bitterly. ‘When my parents were arrested, I made Richarda talk upon becoming Seventh.’

‘Why didn’t she before?!’

‘Her family are oathbound to obey only the reigning Aub absolutely since Ehrenfest was founded.’ Sylvester grumbled. ‘As a result they also have authority over other castle servants to enforce Aub’s Will. Unfortunately father ordered her family to obey mother’s orders too, that my sisters are helpless, that Richarda suffered under unreasonable heartless and ruthless orders, that she is aware of my sisters’ hatred and resentment.’

‘…Justus managed to get away by not being at home to avoid being Ordered by father to obey mother by being in the Academy, though he did get a passed-down order from father to Richarda back when they tried to make him Georgine’s Retainer. Didn’t work out…and he got away by being Namesworn to Ferdinand, so only Ferdinand can order Justus, free from the Family-Bound Contract.’ he explained. ‘And I am terminating the Magical Contract as well to prevent this family from further exploitation as my parents had done. They absolutely abused the contract and the loyalty of their family. I fear it might repeat generations from now, so might as well end it for their sake.’

‘That was reckless, young lady…’ Richarda whimpered as even if she fled with the girl, they would still die from massive mana explosion anyway…that Rozemyne’s way was a lot better.

Perhaps she was getting old…but she cannot retire. Not yet. Not until she was sure the family was secure. That of Ehrenfest’s and that of her own bloodline’s. Her son has yet to marry, after divorcing his Veronican Wife and disowned and disavowed her granddaughter through that girl!

‘Thankfully it paid off or we’re all dead.’ Rozemyne deadpanned. ‘And the truth is buried forever in that, as to how and why. That would be bad and the big uncle would inherit that epic mess to clean up without his head getting under a chopping block.’ Richarda shuddered.

If the city and nearby villages blew up, what is there for Ferdinand to inherit, if Elvira and her retinue lost control?

‘Well, we’ll know what happened tomorrow if we were allowed to know…because sometimes, there’s things that are ‘need not to know’ basis.’ Rozemyne mused, recalling that statement in a Detective Conan movie. ‘Ah well…as long as nobody’s dead tonight, I’m good.’

‘Bed now after a bath, milady.’ Richarda sighed. ‘I’m just glad things went as you wanted. I still want grandchildren from my son before I greet the Supreme Couple.’

‘Yeeesss…’

Life went as normal for Rozemyne that spring.

She occasionally gets Feystones from Karstedt for her to fill as her part of contributing to the Foundation of Ehrenfest which is the job of ALL Archduke Candidates. So far it's the two brothers, Bonifatius and her.

For now, it’s her and Bonifatius contributing as Sylvester is under training. But they can only give ‘so much’ because he is under intensive training and needed his mana to survive Bonifatius’ training as both as a Knight, and Ritual Duties he didn’t know about as Aub.

At least, that was the excuse fed to everyone.

Reality was Knight Training, and Compressing his mana before he hits twenty! He’s now 19! One more year to go! By the time he can no longer increase his capacity, he can reset the Foundation at will to his mana level so family can contribute more without overwriting him by accident! That was the plan. And right now, Set Levels are too low because of him and his father. His setting was no better than his in a bid to match Florencia back then.

But now, he can increase the limit by giving it all he's got by performing the ritual only an Aub can do to change the settings, by performing a specific ritual dedicated to the Dark God.

From a quarter into the gigantic Foundation, to about five yards more in increase. Almost half, actually!

'Good! Almost perfect for Middle Duchy standing!' Bonifatius was approving. 'This way other family members can easily help in with less stress! Just like back in my father's heyday! But increase your limits more until you're 20! By then you can fill 70 or 80% all on your own!'

'But that's Greater Duchy standards by now!' Sylvester exclaimed.

'Who cares? As long as its easier on your back as Archduke!' Bonifatius grinned. 'As long as you won't match with an Ahrensbach Girl, we're safe!'

Sylvester, is suffering.

Trying hard NOT to puke. He just had dinner and yet, had to Compress his mana. He compresses every half year when his vessel is fully-refilled. This was because he drinks potions to be fuller sooner.

He does the latter at the end of Summer. For now, au natural on his bed in his room. Potions can wait.

“I wonder how strong I’d be by the time I hit twenty and can no longer increase my capacity…” Sylvester wondered to himself. Last he checked, Rozemyne is right behind him in level as she is also compressing.

Then he got a personal visit from Justus who cast Rott…in his office!

‘Justus! What’s the meaning of Rott in my office?!’ Sylvester squawked out. There’s no danger in his office for crying out loud!

‘I’ll say it when everyone’s present!’ Justus gasped and pale-faced. ‘This is serious!’

Sure enough in minutes, Knights came rushing to the office.

‘What the—’

‘There’s nothing!’

‘There is!’ Justus cried. ‘Zent Basileus greeted the supreme couple this morning and tonight, Zent Waldifried and his family are forced to the heights with a tainted banquet! There’s chaos in Sovereignty as the First Prince and Third Prince are now at war as the First Prince is the kinslayer, and the Fifth Prince locked down the Academy from two warring forces!’

‘WHAT?!’

“Shit! Ferdinand’s prediction came true!” Sylvester was horrified.

Chaos ensued in his office hence.

‘Those posted in the Ivory Tower guarding the prisoners remain!’ Sylvester barked. ‘Everyone else returns to Sovereignty to help maintain order and keep the Academy out of trouble! Ehrenfest is declaring Neutral Status from the beginning of this Civil War, effective immediately!’ He meant that to the foreign knights as the Sovereignty Knights left his office in haste. ‘Awww man, Ferdinand may as well be blessed by Sehweit…my stomach hurts…’ Sylvester groaned, face-planting on his desk.

‘At least our stance is clear.’ Bonifatius shrugged. ‘From here on out, not our problem.’

‘Yup, lucky us.’ Sylvester chuckled ruefully. ‘We can focus on ourselves without worries. Justus, return to the Academy and keep an eye on Ferdinand, and force to the heights any who messer-points him. You are also to act as Ordoschnelli, coming back and forth as necessary.’ he ordered.

‘Yes, Aub.’ and Justus dismissed himself to go back to school.

And so, it began…the war.

‘War, huh? And we’re under Neutral Status as we are healing from severe damage and Mana Shortage. What with the last zent ordering families to be fruitful and multiply.’ Rozemyne mused after Richarda served her dinner. ‘How are the other families? Any new babies?’

‘If any, nobody’s talking as per tradition with good reason.’ said Richarda. ‘But it would be good to know if everyone did start having children.’

‘But still, it has to be planned. Planned pregnancies.’ Rozemyne said wryly. ‘A cycle of needing mana from both parents to grow the baby in the cradle so they’re powerful upon birth. Careful handling to prevent mana contamination until toddlerhood. Then postpartum recovery of the mother by eating well and plenty before trying for a child again. A three year period.’

‘Normal for us, unless the mother is really healthy.’ Richarda smiled. ‘Then they have kids every year.’

‘Magic Tools are an issue though…seriously, 5 small gold and supplementary feystones?’

Richarda’s smile fell.

‘Ah, there’s that. For now, focus on studies, milady. You’re almost there in mastering Etiquette befitting our new station.’

‘Yeah, thanks to my trends and big uncle leading the Academy, we’re now 18!’ Rozemyne chimed cheerfully. Her trends are mostly pro-farmer and pro-women. ‘We have to work harder!’

And so, she did. But Rozemyne noted Elvira to be struggling to maintain her professionalism in teaching her Etiquette – updated edition that she was determined not to make trouble for the woman.

Reason she lost control? Haldenzel’s Spring is lost forever because someone destroyed the methods in the Royal Academy Library!

So in a bid to help the woman, Rozemyne asked for books related to Haldenzel from Richarda. There could be something they’re missing?

‘Humm…so Haldenzel is a land that worships Verdrenna huh?’ and she closed her book and sent an Ordonnanz to her father as in the world of nobles here, you can’t just barge in and say hello. You have to always ask permission to meet during work hours which is nigh impossible, so sending letters is a must.

Which she does through Richarda with Letter Ordonnanz.

‘...anything Haldenzel does related to Verdrenna huh,’ Sylvester mused, putting the letter down. ‘Karstedt, any idea?’

‘Well, I was told that there’s an annual Spring Dance to beckon Verdrenna at a festival,’ said Karstedt. ‘It’s usually done by ladies, but due to…many murders that it’s impossible to dance on stage anymore, men began dancing on stage, too.’

‘And Verdrenna is subordinate to Flutrane who swore off men…’ Sylvester looked thoughtful. ‘And mother…killed ladies in the past? Then what happens when ladies dance on stage?!’ Sylvester demanded. Karstedt, doing a double-take at his cousin’s sudden bout of inspiration, quickly answered.

‘They say a miracle happens on stage,’ he said. ‘A magic circle appears to summon Verdrenna…well, not happening anymore from the past murders, so men began dancing on stage…’

‘THAT’S IT!! GET ELVIRA!’ Sylvester cried, slamming his palms on his desk, sending documents toppling over. ‘That’s what we’re lacking! How can we miss something so damn obvious?!’

From Sylvester’s realization, Elvira is all for trying it out, but right now, everything is wrong timing, especially for grains. But at least enough time for quick-growing crops. There’s also the matter of where does the mana Sylvester gave to Claudio go, despite nothing happening?

That was still a mystery Scholars can’t answer to this day…

‘I guess we’ll know on that big day…it’s a long wait.’ Elvira sighed. ‘All ladies dance on stage and at the end of it, dedicate mana on the stage, huh…’

‘We'll have all the ladies help out. Ladies who are in their late autumn not worrying about Geduldh’s Burdens,’ said Sylvester. ‘And ladies who just graduated from the Academy. Mana levels don’t matter, it has to be a Noble.’ he told her. ‘As long as we have enough lady dancers for that ritual dance, we’re good, so I’m counting on Haldenzel to train willing volunteers this winter to help out, if Haldenzel hasn’t enough noblewomen.’

‘Right. I’ll have it arranged for upcoming Tea Parties.’ Elvira’s mood went better.

‘Good thing I’m High Bishop Interim, otherwise I’d miss this…’ Sylvester looked thoughtful. Due to Temple stuff he had to study on and about, he picks up stuff easily related to Theology and because Rozemyne proved Gods exist, why not their rituals! ‘Rozemyne gave me the idea thanks to her Blessing Magic months back. She believes gods exist if magic exists thanks to her personal magic style she invented.’

‘Karstedt did tell me about that…she stopped us from losing control…’ Elvira went pink at having to lose control which a noble must not ever do, but can you blame them and their rage? ‘She did it with Blessing Magic?’

‘Yes. And it worked. She taught me when I asked. It has helped me a lot in work since.’ said Sylvester with a grin.

He survives his workload by praying daily for office and political wisdom, growing his mana vessel faster, scoring good wives who will NOT bring him and his duchy trouble and grief as his mother did, and healing from stress after a day’s work.

Due to lacking wives, his work and doing the jobs wives should be doing in regards to certain office work that he had to shoulder is way too much for him, dammit! For now it’s Rozemyne taking some of those jobs --- the easy ones at least, leaving the hard stuff to him --- and she’s eerily capable as part of Elvira’s training as First and Second Wife jobs! Those jobs aside, she still thinks of what Trend to spit out next!

OK, she cannot be a mere Second Lady, a First Lady has to adopt her.

…should he be glad she’s a book junkie that doesn't mind desk work as long as she can read??

Well, boons aside, she also brings him…problems…

Maintenance Problems she finds.

Castle Logistics issues she finds. And redesigning the castle by drawing blueprints to impress his future wives as current castle design with Elvira's help? Because the current design is all Ahrensbach-Based Architecture! They have to change it soon before then!

He had to calculate budget for that...

Good lord, there's also spies who came to apply as maids!

She finds them all without fail!

Well…security is good at least?

His kid finds him stuff to do he keeps getting busy. At least he has the money for it now, yeesh...by winter, he has to do re-designing! But hey, his rep in Haldenzel went up...with that, came aid in getting in Leisegang's good books...

Chapter Text

‘Humm…’

Sylvester had huge teams mow down specific spots near large rivers to build farming villages in, dedicated to farming oil-source crops for Rozemyne’s Rinsham to keep up with demand from nobles. That, and she gained new sources of oil from other duchies through her ties to Merchant Guild, and the Bernetts helping her research. She pays them obviously, but she is...biased when it came to paying them. Especially now that Julianne is nursing her newborn Edward.

Given their finances, they can afford to have children with a gap of one year apart just for this generation. And due to the parents being promoted to Mednobles upon Edward's birth, they had to change mansions. Especially as Damuel's mana is...higher than it should, from compressing so much. He is now mid-Archnoble in level and he had to stop lest he reach Archduke Levels by adulthood, and caused a stir in the Academy during Divine Protection Acquisition.

His birth element of Wind aside, he gained Blessings from mostly subordinate gods, but gained many elements. His blessings are from Schutzaria, Steifbrise, Duldzetsen, Grammaratur, Angriff, Schlageziel, Anwachs, Liebeskhilfe and Sterrat. Thus he now has Wind, Fire, Light and Dark elements which is unheard of for a Laynoble he sparked quite the controversy in the Academy as a rare talent.

But when Mana Sensing kicked in? He matched with plenty of archnoble ladies, causing quite a stir. And because of his mana level, chances are he'll score a high-ranking position in the Knight Order and given his Ditter Performance under Ferdinand's lead, there are people eyeing him, that his future is bright. So some girls ARE considering him.

Dealing with Damuel's Controversy aside, they also found floral scents sources enough to appease royals and higher-ranking duchies for both Rinsham and her soap and naturally, prices rose by smell based on Gustav’s judgment. 

They also have to build new villages as their city is cramped, no room for new married couples. So youngsters have to move out, and begin ekeing a living in new villages. This is doable for several siblings, with the youngest siblings staying to help out aging parents.

Rozemyne’s focus crops aside to meet national demand, they still need to farm livestock, food, and fiber crops as well as production to sustain citizens, as well as medicinal plants on her insistence. Facilities are also constructed, not just housing, and she designed the villages to make it all quaintly-eye catching. But still, houses big enough to have at least, many kids. 

A cottage with a large living room, a large kitchen and Winter Storeroom and bathing area on the first floor, second floor are parents’ bedroom and sons’ bedroom, and third floor daughters’ bedroom. All homes are insulated with natural materials for warmth against cold! Each house can easily room a family of eight.

So now, newly-married couples must move out and be given jobs immediately to make these villages functional asap. And each village has needed facilities for production purposes. A Pottery, Three Blacksmith Workshops, a Brewery for Wine and Beer, Food Processing, Masonry, Woodworking, Ladies’ Handicraft is easily the biggest building as each floor is dedicated to specific fields, and a small Hospital to employ Laynoble Doctors and trained Commoner Nurses, and needed farming facilities.

And there is also a small school built. Basically just a two-floor building that will teach basic classroom lessons for children. Four years’ old kids too young to do foraging work will come here to learn Language, Basic Math, and Good Morals and Right Conduct for classroom lessons, and the rest of the day, P.E to prepare kids for physically-demanding tasks of foraging and knowledge of edibles and what’s NOT. It’s a one year stint beginning in spring, ending in Autumn. Little kids occupy the first floor classroom for safety reasons. Classes begin at eight am, ending at four pm, with free lunch and dinner provided.

As for the second floor, it’s for seven year olds who will learn Etiquette, Theology, Advanced Math related to Occupations and Money-Math, then P.E. Then kids can get working immediately when turning eight!

Then the final year of school come age sixteen will be dedicated to teaching how to be good husbands and wives, family planning, parenting, and basic Medicine. To be taught in spring only, and one can’t Starbind without a certificate that they took this class!

The Carpenter Guild is certainly overworked. But hey, money matters!

Then came a problem.

‘Rozemyne, your village designs are gorgeous yet our own capital city’s lower town area is lacking in turn that it looks boring!’ Elvira exclaimed as when the Archducal and Branch Family paid a visit to a newly-finished village that’s indeed gorgeous to look at with landscaping to match. ‘It’s building up for disappointment after a flashy show for visitors in these newly-built villages!’

The villages in question? Straight out of Rozemyne’s fantasy in video games!! Of course it’d look gorgeous!

‘Ahhh that’s for lord father to worry about?’ Sylvester sputtered at her for throwing him under the highbeast. The Linkbergs felt sorry for him because of it. ‘But logistics about that is a financial pain in the rear…we’ll do it slowly at a time when we get money by earning from our industries! At least places close in public eye to see, then slowly work our way inward as everyone deserves to live in fresh, new swanky buildings!’ 

‘As it’s a long-term plan, we’ll plan which buildings, and where to start to deliver lasting impressions in years to come, and we’ll have to talk to a lot of people to make it work. We’ll start with the Northern District where Nobles Frequent for shopping and Entertainment.’

‘That’s workable at least! I don’t breathe gold coins out of my nose, you brat! We just recovered from mother's hedonistic spending!’ Sylvester grumbled with a pout. ‘I also have to do citywide cleaning with large-scale Waschen due to how crazy-filthy the lower-town looked…how your folk survived it is a mystery to me!’ He cannot imagine living in a filthy city and it was where Rozemyne once lived before in her sickly short years with her birth family. It stinks downtown, horse poo everywhere, and the alleys stink to high heaven between buildings!

Rozemyne had to explain the whys that left the nobles in shock.

Though if you ask her, she is more shocked with their ignorance of the world outside theirs…

‘Well, we built resistance over time…’ said Rozemyne sheepishly. ‘Well, we’ll decide on laws next…absolutely fair Village Laws and a good Penal System…and choosing a good Mayor using the Golden Crown in the Temple.’

‘Up for discussion in our office…’ Sylvester sighed. She sure loves to keep him busy does she?

So much to do, so little time…that, and courting this Third Lady whom he’d soon marry next year.

Changes are becoming visible.

Starting with the Archduke’s Castle, and the landscaping and sizes of offices and facilities within. That one is easily visible from afar! And it’s now new architecture, very unique, with no trace of Ahrensbach Architecture in it! But they had to hold back due to their rank, so the renovations can’t be TOO opulent for a Rank 18 duchy…from a Rank 25 to 18 is a massive leap already!

It’s a clear sign that the Archduke has indeed changed, and his mother no longer has a grip on him. While the buildings changed, the Northern Building for children, not yet as Sylvester can’t touch it yet for renovation, as his brother has a Hidden Room that may disappear if he did. Rozemyne also lives there! She’s ready to move out her stuff, he’s not due to his schedule!

And now comes Autumn…he’s home.

‘Oh, hey there uncle!’ Rozemyne greeted Ferdinand and his small retinue upon returning home. ‘Pack up your Hidden Room so Lord Father can renovate our Northern Building! This is the only place that hasn’t gotten an Architectural Renovation yet!’

‘Hmm, I did note that the castle looked different…’ Ferdinand mused thoughtfully as when he got home, the castle’s interior has greatly changed indeed, in tasteful color accents here and there, but the layout hasn’t changed so getting lost is never a worry. Just design that got tastefully classier, with higher ceilings with a lot of lighting in strategic places. ‘What brought this on, Rozemyne?’

‘To impress his three wives in the future of course, and as proof that he’s breaking free for good from anything Ahrensbach-related, so his reputation went up real good!’ Rozemyne grinned. Ferdinand and his group did a double-take.

Supposed that IS a good thing, that Sylvester is no longer in political danger inside their own duchy. ‘The castle in and out, and wives’ buildings are a real looker now! Once you emptied your Hidden Room, we can tell Lord Father to begin!’

‘All right. Have you packed up?’

‘Loooong ago!’ In other words, they’re all waiting for Ferdinand before they can renovate the Northern Building!

‘It appears so much has happened while I was away.’ said Ferdinand as he had a drink with Sylvester after dinner.

His older brother changed a lot. He gained weight and muscle as he noted from his sleeves, and new clothes. Looks more stylish now! Who’s dressing him? And he strangely looks younger! How?! He didn’t look twenty!

The castle changed in style.

Fashion changed, because work uniforms certainly did for all castle employees! Looks nicely fancier! Morale is clearly visibly high! The paintings remained the same and in their same locations though.

‘Way many I lost count thanks to Rozemyne. If not for some things, I’d be swamped down under.’ Sylvester chuckled dryly. ‘New fashions are in vogue too, you might want to update your wardrobe while it’s still the beginning of autumn.' he recommended. 'She let loose new fashion trends while still mindful of our rank. It’s the only thing restraining her otherwise she’d go wild with her many ideas like a flash flood, rank-be-damned.’ he said snarkily. ‘I have called Gilberta Company so they’ll be here to help you get a new wardrobe. And fashion-blending is still a thing as you can see.’

Rozemyne taught that blindly following fashion trends isn’t always a good thing. For some or most isn’t for anyone. Thus you pick what you like and create your own style that suits your hair and eye color, skin tone and body frame and height and what you personally like in your clothes. Things to take into account. Hence, Fashion-Blending. She also pushed to the limits what’s allowed in society and their rank to look stunning in future events.

This teaches nobles how to develop their creativity and their own personal taste and style. This also gives Attendants new ideas in advising their lieges in regards to fashion.

In other words, only Ferdinand and his clique are still wearing outdated clothes now! As an Archduke Candidate, that’s a big flat NO. And he has to make it in time for Tea Parties…

…that by Spring next year, Sylvester married his Third Lady, Lady Nicolette Tochter Faima from a neutral family whose mana matched his by 11%. Almost far from his strength, but at least it’s a lot better so beckoning winter won’t hurt her. They’re no Kindredt and Gudrun at least. Ferdinand also graduated from Archduke Candidate Course, but not yet in his Scholar and Knight Courses upon turning sixteen in Spring.

Many eyed the youngest controversial Aub who clearly changed a lot since the Downfall of the Veronicans. He grew taller and manlier with the bearing of an Aub of his rank, and his clothing eyecatching. But he also matched with high-ranking ladies in mana, further proving that he no longer matched Lady Florencia of Frenbeltag and weirdly enough, she is now eyeing him because of so many changes going on in Ehrenfest, beginning with their Tea Room, Uniforms and trend after trend! Somehow, Ehrenfest became a fountain of trends favoring Agricultural Developments and Women! There's even a new product called Notebook so students can write notes and still organized with ease in classes! Also useful for Scholars!

Ironic that she spurned him before out of fear of losing trends, his duchy is now spewing out trend after trend, and they no longer Mana Match! Then again, she is now Third Lady to an Archduke Candidate in Berschmann...but she is also sulky that Sylvester's Third Wife had a prettier Starbinding Dress than hers and to think they're both Third Wives and she is of higher rank! How is that fair to her and ladies only marry once!

Nicolette has copper hair color with upturned amber eyes, and pinkish-fair skin. She has an oval face with a snub nose and heart-shaped lips. She favored clothes that flattered her figure while still within her status as a Third Wife. That in Tea Room, her Tea Gowns are still eye-catching and for the time being, filling roles as she is currently the only wife.

Her hair stood out even more due to Rinsham, and she was a bit older than Sylvester by four years.

She was the last to marry out due to being unable to find a match, being from a distant Branch Family that had to remain anonymous when Veronica was in power. That their daughters married out as trained Third Wives for Archduke Candidates they mana-matched with, without having to take Archduke Candidate Course and took Scholar and Knight Courses for survival, while their sons had to hold back to still be able to marry local.

He was also able to compress one last time when he was full. He also has to meet with other prospective wives he had to have a Tea Party with with whom he matched now with his newfound strength together with Nicolette who stood out with her Starbinding Gown, a result of Fashion-Blending.

He now matched with high-ranking Middle Duchy daughters. Since he needed a First and Second Wife, he had to interview fathers with crafty questions to decide who gets what position due to his duchy traditions, and certain requirements he wants, if he wants a peaceful home life while balancing duties harmoniously. And their assigned duties…strongly discouraged what usually happens elsewhere as all wives are equal in power despite different roles and duties!

He chose two ladies willing to be good to Rozemyne; a Jossbrenner lady and an Immerdink lady.

With negotiations, a Starbinding can be done next year between three of them, giving them time to save up on Feystones needed to supply the Foundation while nurturing growing children in cradles at the same time.

That, and Nicolette can call her husband the Aub by name now, now that they are equal in status.

‘If this is what the Western Building looks like, I wonder what Central looks like now…’

She would be sharing this building with Sylvester’s Second Wife, Lady Emeraude of Immerdink. The Western Building is divided into two, each girl has all three floors for them both, their children and retainers. And it’s due to this that they’d know each other more than they’d know the First Wife and her children who’d live in Central Building until Baptism!

That, and she cannot invoke Entrinduge yet. The First Wife must be the first to have a child! Welp, more time for her to save up on Feystones!

She moved in with her Retainers. Due to lack of nobles with good reason, her family had to make do with trained Devouring Children privileged to go to the Academy to be Attendants, Scholars and Knights for her family. They became Nobles upon graduating with a Schtappe, but they don’t have enough money to have their own mansions…yet. It’ll come in time.

Soon, they would gain family names when negotiating with her husband. They really need new nobles, OK?

She also got to know Lady Rozemyne, her husband’s adoptive daughter…who was responsible for breathing out trend after trend, and the unwitting trigger to change due to her condition when she first sold her first-ever products back when she was a Bernett.

To be fair, she had good reason, but not even she knew the fallout her action wrought out of wariness and fear that she soon learned how scary the power of Trends were. She learned that even small actions generate huge waves depending on who it affects. In this case, nobles!

Lesson learned the hard way and Elvira taught her more about that!

And Rozemyne is rich by herself. Independently wealthy, all she actually needed was political support due to her new position she gained due to her mana levels and her own merits. Financial support? Not really needed. Nope!

And yes, she flatly told Sylvester, ‘I hope Lady Athanasia can successfully manage Lady Rozemyne…she herself is her own dam trying to stop herself from gushing out, being conscious of politics and our rank. The higher we rise, the more ideas will seep from those cracks.’

‘And I asked her to hold back while war is ongoing.’ said Sylvester. ‘Last thing I want now is eyes on her…and using her to drag us into what-prince-faction.’ he said. ‘I’m having my hands full with Classroom Paper, Notebooks and Kunzeal Papers as it is. I had to have her make twenty more workshops to make things sustainable. To be fair, this solves a huge aspect of our education problem. Particularly Literacy Training. And I know we can relate to what a pain in the rear it is to write on…these.’

He said as he gave stacks of wooden boards an irate look, before letting out a long sigh.

‘But alas, Vested Interests can threaten businesses.' he said with a long sigh, resting his chin on his laced fingers, as his elbows are on his desk. 'Rozemyne respects boundaries when most nobles would ruthlessly mow down competition consequences be damned.’ he continued. ‘But by doing so, this is where her kindness comes out, she didn’t want hundreds of people losing jobs and being driven to the poorhouse as she knows what it means to be poor. This is why she sets target market limits to be fair.’

‘And due to interest in a cheaper product that can be massively made…we had to take security up a notch, to prevent spies from other duchies from finding out how these papers and Rinsham are made.’ Sylvester chuckled darkly. ‘This is where…she’s harsh. No scholar worth their salt wants their work stolen, so she’d get along with Emeraude about that. Goodness knows I get reports from Gustav on their…interesting methods in keeping spies out, as it’s Gustav who hires men in this industry. Nobody can just come in and apply like the usual. It’s that exclusive. And Gustav is laced to the nines with mental-protection and anti-drug charms as a precaution. Needless to say we made a couple arrests and I had to deal with them.’

‘Oh my…so it’s all secure then. But the little lady has no Retainers yet which worries me…nobody’s applying?’ Nicolette asked him anxiously.

‘Well, she won’t accept my help in getting her Retainers…she would rather people choose her willingly, than them forced on her and risk betrayal later. She is wary of that.’ Sylvester would gripe. ‘The reason nobody comes near is due to her former commoner background, not of noble birth, even though they benefited a lot from her Trends that was the Verdraeos we needed from mother. Yet rose to the top with her massive mana levels alone, and has a hand in industries she outriched everyone. Even me. That ruffled a lot of feathers.’ 

‘At least I know her former little uncle chose to be her Knight as they were close in their younger years and still keeps in touch with the Bernetts who was good to her with no prejudice towards her background. She is also still close to some Laynoble friends she made before her rank-up. But unable to be her Retainer due to politics as you know Ferdinand…mother used Lasfam to harass him. They don’t want a repeat history so childhood friends couldn't go even if they wanted. Damuel at least, has an excuse, Laynoble-be-damned. But as a gentleman, he can’t follow her everywhere, we need a lady!’ he would gripe.

‘Oh…so it’s loyalty.’

‘Yeah. And right now, it’ll be her turn to go to the Academy soon and she hasn’t a single Retainer…!’ Sylvester moaned, burying his face in his hands. ‘This is worrying…but she’s stubborn!’

‘But I somewhat agree with her.’ said Nicolette softly. ‘She is against…prejudice. This way, she smokes out people who truly chose her for herself, then with loyalty of their own free will, they would treasure each other. It’s like Lord Ferdinand when She was still around…nobody was brave enough to choose him. Until those four.’

Those four being Justus, Lasfam, Eckhart and Heidemarie.

‘Yet even with our freedom, more people who wish to serve him are still spineless.’ Sylvester sighed. ‘Those who want to serve me are a lot braver. Nothing wrong with my little brother, right? Good looks, academic excellence, he puts those Ditterheads to shame as of late…is there something nobody is telling me?’ he asked, looking at his wife and their respective Guard Knights before looking at his cousin. ‘Karstedt, surely Eckhart is talking at home?’

‘Well…he did,’ said Karstedt awkwardly. ‘Eckhart was beaming with pride that Ferdinand would tell him those who only want to join him when the weather is good, yet when things are turbulent-deathly, nobody stepped up and said that he’d rather keep who was brave enough to stand by him, than keep cowards at his side. Thus to make up for quantity, those four made sure to be quality.’

‘There’s that, too…both my brother and daughter are petty in their own way~~’ Sylvester complained in exasperation. ‘They’re Archduke Candidates! Yet having tiny and non-existent retinues I had to explain our situation to concerned Aubs about Ferdinand, what more when Rozemyne comes all alone?!’

‘Well, there’s one way…what about ‘those orphans’?’ Nicolette piped up an idea.

‘...those orphans?’

‘Yes, the Veronican Children left behind when unbaptized.’ said Nicolette. ‘How are they behaving as of late?’

‘Well, justifiably bitter given how their families treated them at home. Be loyal to mother or nothing or else.’ said Sylvester gloomily. ‘They were afraid of me because I am her son, and I realized many things during my part-time job as High Bishop for three seasons.’ he said ruefully. ‘I’m handling traumatized children. Not just mother, two boys have parents loyal to Georgine. And pressured older siblings to give their name to her! Looks like Apfelsige doesn't fall far from the tree and to think Georgine hates mother more than she hates me!’ he exclaimed. ‘At least when they got deported, they can no longer use Schtappes and we’re no longer hemorrhaging information to her.’

‘That would be great as we changed so much as of late thanks to Lady Rozemyne.’ said Nicolette, beaming. ‘More farms means more food for everyone and this means supply is more than demand causing prices to go down in our duchy for everyone so everyone can buy more food. She improved our dining lives and innovated our craftwork, and made innovations one after another!’

‘Thanks to that we’re really raking in money now that I predict we’ll rise by two more ranks during war by our own merit, until the war determines the fate of Duchies who supported a Losing Prince. We’ll rise again through our neutrality then.’ said Sylvester wistfully.

‘Well by that time nobody can make wisecracks at us. We rose through merits before rising through neutrality.’ said Karstedt optimistically. ‘And by also declaring Neutral Status, wives and kids will survive collective punishment.’

That felt like ice water down Sylvester’s back.

Collective punishment!!

‘Dang, nearly forgot about that…looks like Georgine and Constanze owe me for this, but in turn they also can’t support their husbands if they favor a prince.’ Sylvester looked thoughtful. ‘This will affect relationships in their marital duchy in turn.’ and he knew his sisters will be annoyed with him again! Aren't their lives and that of their children's more important right now than politics?

‘That’s not your problem anymore. You worry for your own duchy and your people, and give yourself to people who truly cares for you. Don't spend yourself on people who don't, yet will gladly take you for granted.’ said Nicolette firmly. ‘At least upon seeing how well-developed we are despite our rank, I’m sure Athanasia and Emeraude won’t mind marrying down.’

Jossbrenner is Klassenberg’s vassal duchy, serving as its Breadbasket. Immerdink is a self-proclaimed rival to Drewanchel. Both are among the top ten duchies in Yurgenschmidt.

‘Our sole problem now is downtown,’ said Sylvester, cringing at the memory of the very filthy Lower City. ‘We have to clean up at least the North District and nearby houses just to look good, as well as roads.’ he mused thoughtfully. ‘I’ll soon have time to Waschen the entire city when I finish this last pile of desk work because a large scale waschen will bedbound me for a whole day. Haaa….’ he sighed at the notion. That is tiring, as well as spending mana from the Foundation to make it easier on him, but first impressions LAST.

He’ll do it soon!

Ferdinand explored the new changes with his retainers…by asking Rozemyne come Autumn before doing double-duty as Knight Commander and High Bishop in Sylvester's place. He made Justus High Priest and Heidemarie Orphanage Director. Eckhart still remains his Guard Knight and Lasfam his Attendant.

She was the Spearheader of numerous changes.

‘Hey, at least leave some jobs for your father’s wives!’ Justus would joke.

‘Their problem, not mine!’ Rozemyne scoffed uncaringly and smugly before looking serious. ‘We are hilariously outdated and I have to do a lot to make our duchy more appealing to live in while matching our duchy rank, you know! So much work needs to be done yet so little time before our Aub marries two more ladies next year! The first thing they’ll do is explore and scrutinize us! Especially as by standard, they’re marrying down.’

‘So we have to show that ahem, it’s not so bad in here.’ she would tell them with a grin. ‘I imagined beauty and comfort my mind can come up with, all the while praying to Kunzeal, Gebordnung and Mestionora. It helps that food is delicious now.’ she said. ‘We’ve had high praises in our Tearoom in school so we’re having great reviews from visitors who are jealous of us for having delicious food. Our rank will go up again next year by one.’

This kid is a wellspring of ideas…enabled by the Linkberg Wives who act as ‘Ghost Archduchesses’ to help Sylvester run the place in turn, pressure Sylvester to make all these changes possible. Then Nicolette joined the party when she got married to Sylvester.

Rozemyne’s a First Wife in all but name. Yet she has trouble gaining Retainers due to her background! Sylvester is even contemplating foisting former Veronican kids on her, he was that desperate as Rozemyne is now ten, she can’t go to the Academy naked! Hence he made her socialize with the Veronicans every playroom. But she also has a way of ‘bashing through’ social barriers, creating a unified playroom, effectively leading the Playroom, creating board games with many players to involve everybody. So Ferdinand has to vet them all before letting them serve Rozemyne!

But Rozemyne is very stubborn.

She wants Retainers who willingly chose her as their master, not people forced to serve her by pulling rank, as that is detrimental for her in the long run through building up resentment and potentially---betray her later. She was paranoid about that when she never did anyone wrong, yet that can and will happen whether she liked it or not! She didn't want to suffer petty fools simply for being born of noble pedigree compared to her, yet her accomplishments are eye-popping and what do they have to compare to that?

All updates matched their current rank. New Uniform Styles even for school for all hierarchies.

And dare Heidemarie say it, his Archduke Candidate Uniform emphasized his handsomeness. That was before he graduated this year in all three courses.

‘Oh…t-then Lady Rozemyne, from whom will I learn to make new dishes for my lord?’ Lasfam asked her. ‘Attendant Course in the Academy doesn’t teach our level of dishes. It’s still the salty-sour bland thing with tough, dry meat. Compared to the meat in our dorm, I cannot serve such heresy to Lord Ferdinand!’

‘You’ll learn under Lady Maribel, our Head Chef in the Northern Wing.’ said Rozemyne. ‘You will learn dishes worthy of serving Archduke Candidates from her.’ she said kindly. ‘Goodness knows we’re way ahead in the Way of Cuococalura by miles! All who hope to be Attendants learn from Lady Maribel for three seasons, then just play-pretend in the Academy later just for grades. But I bet the Culinary Chef in school is at their wits end trying to figure out how we did it...’ she cackled deviously, causing the quintet to sweatdrop at her antics.

Indeed, they are the envy of all duchies in regards to food.

Ever since the Veronicans are gone, a lot in the Academy improved.

But in the Academy Dorms, there’s a separate table for Knights and even then, it’s divided into Sirs and Dames! The food they eat is high in energy but different in cuisine. Because the bodies of men and women are different. Would you want to marry a woman whose body is as muscularly developed as a man’s due to food?

Dames’ Muscle Training is thus different. While strong, they are at peak physical condition with just ‘the right amount of muscle’ in the body. Dames thus compensate in speed, agility and accuracy.

Hence Sirs are very sculpted without having to look unnecessarily large. Bigger isn’t always better.

Quality is and Rozemyne espoused quality in all they put effort in.

'Sigh...you're incredibly petty in your own ways, just be mindful.' Ferdinand reminded her.

'Of course~~' Rozemyne chirped. 'Been mindful since forever! I wish we don't have this ranking nonsense, it's such a bother!' she huffed with a pout. 'I have so much stuff I want to do and yet!'

'Yes yes, if you want to do more, then increase our rank.' Ferdinand snorted. 'It's your turn to lead the dorm. I'll be teaching you this autumn so you're prepared.' he offered to mentor her.

'Oh yeah, was there any news in the Academy?' Rozemyne asked him. 'I'm not allowed in Central Building so I can't get any gossip and Richarda won't leave me to get any for me and my office for my businesses is here!'

'Well...here's one.' said Ferdinand as Rozemyne got eager for details. 'Because Prince Trauerqual's eldest son Prince Sigiswald will be attending soon, he changed the Schtappe Acquistion Rules...to First Year.'

Rozemyne's horror was visible. Why?

'HE DID WHAT?! NOOOO! WE'RE SCREWED!' Rozemyne freaked out, her eyes shining dangerously with mana Richarda had to act quickly.

'Calm down milady!' Richarda exclaimed, quickly putting a dark feystone on the freaking out ten year old. Dusted!

'Rozemyne calm yourself and explain! What exactly is screwed? Is this some way of your saying it's bad?' Ferdinand chided her first before demanding an explanation.

Needless to say, what Rozemyne knew...was horrifying to say the least. And this caused Sylvester another headache.

Chapter Text

Sylvester had his brother barging in into his office without notice, looking like he had bad news.

‘Alright, what happened?’ he asked quickly as his brother looked furious.

‘Rozemyne had a bad reaction when I told her Prince Trauerqual changed Schtappe Acquisition Rules.’ said Ferdinand as his expression can make water freeze. The newly-married couple, Guard Knights and Scholars and Attendants on duty stiffened and meeped at his expression, but they did wonder about his words. ‘I didn’t realize it until I remembered Lasfam. I thought Lasfam was lucky, then Damuel happened,’ said Ferdinand grimly. 

‘I ordered Lasfam to keep compressing to be as strong as he can before adulthood.’ He left it ambiguous to nearby Retainers on purpose who still believes adulthood is sixteen, not twenty as his uncle taught them, but he knew Sylvester understood anyway.

And his Namesworn will take secrets to the grave. Heidemarie is also Compressing to stay matched with Eckhart.

‘By the time he got his protections, he gained two more elements other than his birth element of Earth. He gained Life and Fire and some subordinates. Then upon getting his schtappe, he gained access to magics related to those elements when he thought he's stuck with one for life being a Laynoble. I thought about Rozemyne's freakout and indeed, she's right. He would also have mana efficiency in those three elements as we know, and his schtappe’s maximum mana output will be his mana level at the time he acquired it.’ and that means Lasfam was average Mednoble in maximum power output if he wanted to give max power to a single spell he wanted to shoot.

He also checked Rozemyne’s claims in a certain book he has and she was right.

‘If Schtappe is acquired first before increasing Mana by Compression and gaining the Protections…our schtappe will be limited. The next generation of students will be crippled!’ those were damning words.

This was to Sylvester, Karstedt and Nicolette’s horror as well as that of nearby Attendants and Scholars.

‘And sadly, we can’t speak of this unless we want our heads to roll with good reason.’ Ferdinand stated wearily. ‘Can we really refute a royal and tell him he made a terrible mistake he wrought upon us all and embarrass him in public just for being a well-meaning father, because Prince Sigiswald is attending this Winter?’

Their queasy expressions clearly said ‘No, we can’t!’ some employees even comically rapidly shaking their heads!

‘Then this means we need a way to gain the Magic Circle for Divine Protection Acquisition.’ Sylvester swore grimly and urgently, his fists clenching. ‘All kids going to the Academy must undergo it first starting this year before stepping foot in the Academy…I hope you got it?’ he asked Ferdinand hopefully, counting on his abilities.

‘I do, but it’ll take me a while to magically embroider it onto a large carpet, and I need to magically-create statues of all gods and those stairs. I’ll need Hirschur’s help without her getting caught.’ Ferdinand griped. ‘I won’t make it for Rozemyne’s batch in time. As you know, that magic circle when you did it years ago is huge and I’m just one person who bothered to remember what it looked like.’

Sylvester winced.

‘Dear lord, poor Rozemyne’s Batch…who won’t have time and chance to grow their vessels and gain more colors before getting their schtappes!’ he exclaimed in dismay...but he strangely felt he doesn’t have to worry about Rozemyne since she uses Blessing Magic on a daily basis since creating it. He's sure she has acquired Protections somehow by unwittingly dyeing herself in elemental colors when she prays for her own sake if she did, if that can actually happen somehow by sheer luck. 

She's a Devouring after all.

Her unlucky lot gets dyed more easily compared to Nobles who are saved by Mana-Draining tools since infancy and gets to naturally-develop their elemental potential as they grow.

Getting her Jureve will have to wait a bit though...next year. By then she can defend herself better with a Schtappe, not with a Noble's Ring kids get at baptism. At her strength now, it'd be dust before she can even cast, and she'd be a sitting duck!

‘I want an emergency meeting with all noble fathers in this Duchy! This is a duchywide emergency!’ he exclaimed. ‘We will meet on Earthday this week, and nobody is allowed to skip out, not if they want their ten year old to be magically-crippled!!’ he barked at his Attendants who began sending out Letter Ordonnanzes one after another.

‘I’ll need to borrow the Mirror for an acquaintance.’ said Ferdinand. ‘He would want to know this. He’ll be furious but at least we’ll earn their good will that we told him at least.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘The now Aub Dunklefelger, Lord Werdekraft. He took over as soon as he graduated back when I was in third year. But since his father is too angry for some reason to even think straight before I graduated, it’s all gossip we got, so we thought it’s because of the senseless war they may get dragged into despite neutral status. He is one of the nobles in school who has great respect for me so he would hear me out.’

‘Go!’ and as predicted when Ferdinand told Werdekraft of the unwitting order that will cripple the magical potential of future students, Werdekraft was indeed very angry and cursed to high heaven and was of the mind to tell his father, but his First Wife Sieglinde warned him NO as he’d probably cough up blood next!

‘This’ll be up for discussion when father is graced upon by Verfuhremeer to pacify the flames in his soul.’ she would say. ‘Sister-in-law is bereft of Mestionora, blinded by Bluanfah for a Cloakless God, father and husband’s been angry for weeks since your last year in the Academy…things are tense as of late.’ she fretted out.

Did Magdalena choose a man beneath her to tie her threads with and insists despite no approval? She's a typical Headstrong Dunklefelger, but given her social status, an Archduke Candidate's destiny is tied to politics whether one likes it or not. Their lives are for the duchy's. They can only hope for the best.

‘Very well…is there anything you’d like to ask me?’

‘We’ll send a Scholar to copy the Magic Circle from you next week, we have to choose the best among our crop,’ said Werdekraft. ‘And anything else we’ll need for our children’s Divine Protection Acquisition before getting Schtappe. I never dreamed we'd have to encourage little kids to compress at a young age to not axe their magical futures and Mana Compression is dangerous!’ he swore, clenching his fist in rage.

‘I’ll count on you to warn Drewanchel. I’m not of high enough rapport with its Archduke Candidate Lord Gellerheit to even speak with his father.’ understatement of the year, the man is annoyed with him for ahem, doing better than his little brother Balterheit. That he, a man of the bottom-of-the-barrel duchy put his little brother to shame by outperforming him!

At least their father has more sense as Drewanchel is a Meritocratic Duchy like Dunklefelger!

The reason Ferdinand hopes for Dunklefelger and Drewanchel to be warned, is because of Klassenberg’s immense political power and influence. He hoped to put them on the leash using two neutral, but powerful duchies that have where Klassenberg lacked.

If Klassenberg is all about political power, prestige and lineage due to its history of constantly marrying daughters into the Royal Family, Dunklefelger is the Sword of Zent, giving their loyalty only to a Zent with Grutrissheit. Drewanchel will follow suit as it is a duchy of intelligence, counter-intelligence, magical tools and weapons, and constantly researching and creating. Grutrissheit is the symbol of their Patron Deity Mestionora thus is also loyal to a Zent with Wisdom.

These two duchies were no joke when they acted in full fury when Zent Basileus was confirmed to be poisoned, and when his son Waldifried was killed alongside his family that the war against the First Prince’s mother and his family were said to be vicious. 

When the Grutrissheit was lost forever, they stepped back, refusing to act until a True Zent was born, or if the country was in real danger. In Heisshitze's crass words of contempt before he graduated when Ferdinand was fifteen, 'Let everyone else bash each other in the head for a Zent without Wisdom, they are not worth us!'

‘Understatement of the year, what crawled up Gellerheit’s trousers anyway? He better be grateful you’re willing to share information with him through his father! Hmph! I’ll inform them on your behalf as gratitude for warning us about this disastrous mistake! I'm dreading telling my family already!’

‘Richarda, what exactly is Rozemyne doing during the day?’ Sylvester asked Richarda at night when Rozemyne is confirmed to be sleeping. ‘She knows too many shocking things. And when we talk to build relationships as parent to child, all she ever talks about is her wish to explore potential for better quality of life, she's got so many ideas in her head that she'll raise our ranks more to break past our rank-induced restraints, she could use Verfuhremeer's Blessings to calm down!’

‘She spends most of her time in Sourthern Wing’s Library.’ Richarda reported. ‘If not researching for future products for sale or reading about magic and pushing magic to limits on what it can and can’t do as she believes magic can make miracles so she could wish for effects she wants I had to teach her logic as the world doesn’t work that way as she innocently believes,’ Ferdinand pinched his nose hard while the others looked exasperated with comical blue faces. 

‘--she would read any genre we have available…but she complains we have no Horror Stories or any Romance Stories when she looks at the genres we have available. We also don’t have fiction works for entertainment. She felt she’d write stories in the future when she has time just to make up for the lack.’

‘Heee…’ guess she hasn't heard of Elvira's books yet, Karstedt thought. He'll get word to his wife that her student bemoans lack of fiction works. Maybe she'd give Rozemyne copies of her novels then? Besides, it's educational as Elvira would tell him her Noble Language mastery is Mednoble-Level now...but still prefers to talk casually when she can get away with it.

‘If she has information she wants, she is in her Hidden Room she crafted into a rather unusual laboratory after purchasing materials from Knight’s Order by pinning her requests like one would giving Crest Work in the Academy so Knights do get them for pay as she’s a generous payer they'd gladly take work from her.' Richarda chuckled. 'I’m allowed in there as her Attendant, but she needed an eternal reminder when to eat and sleep or she’d starve and thirst away buried in books or her research. She loves reading more than she loves creating things and called the book room her personal dreamland with sheer joy on her face, and I used up three feystones to calm her when I first took her there when she asked me to.’ Richarda sighed wearily.

Rozemyne may not be blood-related to Sylvester, but she was on the same level of exasperation-giver to the old nanny.

“Somehow, that reminds me of someone.” Sylvester thought with a twitch. Justus was no better with a forced smile on his face, both men thinking about Ferdinand.

‘And asked me to remind her of her before-dinner exercises since she sometimes forgets. Something about needing her blood to flow after sitting for hours.’

‘Then how did she figure out the new problem we have now? Was there something in our library about Schtappe?’ Ferdinand asked the old nanny.

‘Well no…but she began thinking deeply when she got a letter from Lord Damuel about his Schtappe not long ago. That their hard work compressing since little paid off, and praying every day to Gods who could help them with life goals while staying out of trouble and not get forced to the heights at a young age…but not even Lady Rozemyne saw coming the immense boons he gained from daily prayers with mana offerings so she’s been researching…and came to that conclusion.'

'She even ran to the Temple for its book room, using wind magic blessed by Steifbrise to enhance her running and even temporarily fly by herself as her physical strength is barely enough. I’m pretty sure other people saw her fly towards the temple while basking in the glow of Schutzaria at high speed.’ several jaws dropped at the old woman’s words. 'And her noble ring dusted, so I report for a replacement be made for her.' that was noted upon, that Sylvester would have to buy a high-quality feystone for that...

‘I was barely able to chase after her on my highbeast…she stayed there for days until she got to the Bible, but a Gray Priest told us only the High Bishop can give permission to read it. But for now she put it on the back burner and decided to read the others first to get more magical knowledge and sort out what can and can’t be done.’ Richarda sighed in fond exasperation. ‘She is both a Manufacturer and a Scholar at heart.’

‘I see…looks like if she remembers, she’d ask me as she doesn’t know Ferdinand succeeded me in my part-time job.’ Sylvester snorted with a rather impish grin. ‘Ferdinand will have to give permission to read the Bible now if she remembers she wanted to read it for research…but some pages are blank as what you can read depends on your elements as a warning, learned that the hard way and I have six. Who knows what she’s got, so Ferdinand will look at her medal for me later.’

Thus days later, Sylvester held a highly-secure meeting with all fathers while younger Knights guarded the makeshift Conference Room to discuss the matter, the trouble their children are all in for the next upcoming generations.

And this year’s batch is in trouble, because the huge circle can’t be embroidered in just a season. They can’t make it in time.

All family heads aren’t too happy with the latest revelations for their current ten year olds.

‘...so as a former High Bishop, I strictly and seriously emphasize that the children must sincerely pray for blessings, and dedicate mana per prayer to a god or goddess they pray to from their rings as it’s the only thing they can offer. Gods have no use for typical altar offerings since those are just for show.’ said Sylvester seriously. He had to word it well without giving away the true nature of his daughter’s technique. 

‘Mana for blessings and protections they need for their potential to grow. I hope even with this, their schtappes will still gain more colors even if they have Protection Acquisition at Third Year. I’ll take all the chances I can get through this until Ferdinand completes the carpet for the ritual for younger children. They must sincerely pray this whole season before Schtappe Acquisition! And dispense grammaratur while teaching Mana Compression with great care so nobody blows up!’

They also hosted the Archscholar Werdekraft sent to study under Ferdinand to master the Magic Circle and the whole setting needed to be able to do it at home.

Doing that, and along with Mentoring Rozemyne who’s who and who to watch out for in the Academy from ALL duchies. Especially as it’s war and she must avoid any factions. She can socialize with neutral duchies he knew. Her classes are in the Temple due to Ferdinand’s many jobs as High Bishop. Her classes with him are during mornings, so he and the Dunklefelger Scholar can work on what’s needed after that.

He calls it Social Studies!

She can socialize with Jossbrenner even if they had to follow what Prince Klassenberg chose to support, being a Vassal Duchy and all—she needed to earn good will from her future adoptive mother Lady Athanasia and no doubt Jossbrenner Students will spy on her for the woman. Its current Archduke Candidates are Claudius, Ladomir, Tiberius, and Ladies Adelheide, Artemisia and Rosalinde. They’ll be related via marriage, so it’s vital to get along. Ferdinand did so and he gained good rapport.

But that did not mean she can be bullied into being pressured to choose a side. She has to maintain her duchy’s stance and interests thus she is grilled further in Noble Language, and all information they gleaned so she can catch up with conversation and not get tricked into making deals she can’t afford to keep regarding politics.

They can’t keep their guard down against Jossbrenner. Sylvester also is learning from his Lord of Evil brother who was better-versed in ‘detect bullshit’ than he is. And he had to be careful with his First Lady hence. They can’t afford to get exploited again!

Immerdink, like Drewanchel, is Neutral. They have been working on surpassing Drewanchel for four centuries now and the mystery is WHY, but nobody bothered to know anyway! It’s mostly ladies now as they are struggling to have sons for some reason. Thus its most capable is being groomed to be an Archduchess, Lady Jezebel. Its other Archduke Candidates are Lilier, Arsinoe, Victorique, and the youngest in Rozemyne’s year, Cattleya.

She has to see if the current princes are worth supporting. The current princes fighting are Princes Jagenacht and Trauerqual. And they all have their children and Princesses. Which Prince wins becomes Zent and Princesses become Queens.

‘...and what about Zent Basileus’ Queens? What do they say about this?’ Rozemyne asked Ferdinand who twitched.

‘Forced to the heights. Two were in their own personal wars, after First Prince killed Second. Fearing her sons are next, Second and Third Queens had a momentary truce against First Queen since her son started it, and accusations flew around as to who poisoned Zent Basileus to pressure him to name a Zent Successor. It’s Waldifried as we all know as he is Omnielemental, a minimum requirement to be Zent but clearly, some did not take that well.’

‘Three sons are Omnielemental but two are unfit for the throne.’ he continued. ‘The other two sons aren’t Omnielemental, yet weirdly enough, these sons survived and continued this senseless war despite never qualifying.’ Ferdinand scoffed in contempt. 

‘What Dunklefelger is griping over is that they will only support a Zent who is both Omnielemental and has Grutrissheit so they never sided with anyone after they waged war with the murderers of Zents Basileus and Waldifried. Drewanchel also never sided with anyone as both Duchies are powerful in terms of Military and Magic Weapons. One of them alone is enough to turn the tide. But they both don’t want a Bookless Zent. They gave full support to Zent Basileus and Waldifried, so they were the most angry with their deaths.’

‘Heee…but you said Dunklefelger is furious with something a relative did?’

‘It has to be Lady Magdalena…she’s in my year and we graduated.’ Ferdinand mused thoughtfully. ‘Lady Sieglinde implied she started trouble by insisting on binding her stars to some unworthy man the Dunklefelgers can’t forgive that Aub Dunklefelger Emeritus was so angry he coughed up blood. I leave it to you to find out in your time in school.’

‘Alright.’

‘Next is…’

Mentoring Rozemyne aside, he had to vet the Veronican Children left behind.

The youngest unbaptized ones who lived up to ten years old. The parents and older siblings are deported. They can inherit their families’ estates and properties provided they never act against Ehrenfest, and never make contact with their exiled families. A Magical Contract to be reinforced. Loopholes, all covered as a precaution.

But they have yet to choose a master. Him, or Rozemyne if not an Archnoble as all of them are from Mednoble Families.

Because they’re too afraid to speak up for some reason, even if their lives and curriculum improved by miles. They got used to people treating them well and away from insane unrealistic pressures of their zealous families insanely loyal to Veronica or Georgine, and now have the freedom to pursue what they really want and believe in, enjoying a life of no longer worrying about being made a feystone 'just for being honest'.

But while Rozemyne designed the Playroom and Temple Curriculum as she found it lacking, she left Noble Language ‘to the pros’ while Ferdinand was still in school himself. These kids have high-level childhood education regardless of status as Rozemyne wanted equal opportunity for everyone in terms of childhood education to prep all children in all factions for Academy Life.

That, and for those wanting to be Knights, subjected to her brand of Physical Education. Run Laps around the largest building in the temple…while carrying a young orphan on their backs as her idea of playtime for little kids before becoming Gray Apprentices! Run 30 laps, before push-ups—with those same kids sitting on their backs, and later, squats! Then 20 rounds of Sword Forms with Ambidexterity Training while wielding sticks as long as swords and after that, Hand-To-Hand forms she hired Lamprecht to teach.

Those wishing to be Scholars are gruelly-trained too. In Record-Keeping, Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence by being given training to have the skills to do so, and Word Problems in how to deal with scenarios Elvira cooked up as Earthday Exams! The other skills will be taught in the Academy, so skills crucial to masters are taught for now.

Attendants? Fashion Training. Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Training. And basically covering some Hospitality Industry Jobs that exist here. And take turns bathing each other to get used to bathing future lieges! And at nine years old, learn how to cook—starting with mastery of Ingredient Preparation Methods and Techniques, before Baking Classes.

His niece isn’t joking around.

But through this, she had the most contact with the Veronican Children other than Sylvester that she had better relationships with than she does with even Neutrals who weren't Damuel and her childhood Laynoble friends. This was because she asks them about their concerns and worries, and she gives them the help they need. Functioning as Counselor and Therapist due to their former home lives, that they have a very good opinion of her and ‘seeing her as hope’ that she would be a master who won't mistreat them due to their backgrounds as being a former Merchant Commoner background is more pleasant than Children of Criminals in the eyes of the local nobles! Dare to work under them? Its like having danger near and be in for misery!

Problem? POLITICS that may endanger Rozemyne.

Ferdinand had to talk to the family about political ramifications if all of them chose Rozemyne as master and she accepts just to not be naked in the Academy. Yeah, tricky issue there!

And now, Rozemyne is making a list of Food Trading Ventures she wanted to open up to Ferdinand before gaining Sylvester’s approval.

This world’s ingredients are so rich in Umami that Dashi was never a problem for her. Vegetable or Mushroom Dashi? No problem! Mirin? Dry Wine + Sugar! But Mirin is a rather expensive condiment due to sugar being priced in silvers in weight. To be specific---500 grams = 1 small silver. OUCH. Dry Wine? Double that. That not everyone can afford cooking with mirin, so she avoided introducing Japanese Dishes that required Mirin, that it became her personal condiment alone as she was rich enough for that.

To this day, most chefs are still learning how to use condiments and spices properly. More isn’t always better!

She began writing cookbooks for sale using Kunzeal Paper that serves as Book Covers, and Classroom Paper as pages.

Naturally, this costs a lot. So many pages!

She has written a book focused on Ehrenfest Local Ingredients plus what they get from Trade. 

Through Georgine's marriage into Ahrensbach - Certain Fabrics, specific types of Spices and Sugar. Sylvester cut away their mother’s senseless excesses—most of which not even Ahrensbach knew how to prepare well anyway, and focused only on what they can actually use with ease! Hence fabrics for new fashion trends, mostly easy-to-use Spices and mostly—Sugar.

Through Constanze's marriage into Frenbeltag - Beans! She found substitutes for what she knew and pursued her greed there. Soy Sauce, Tofu and Miso Paste! Chocolate! Coffee! Bean Dishes! There’s also Pumpkins, Corn, and dare she say it, Buckwheat! SOBA!!

Sylvester still has bad relations with Constanze, but thankfully, Aub Frenbeltag is Professional. He also looks upon Sylvester favorably that he changed for the better considering what he heard from Constanze that she was his main source of opinion about him.

Facts were proven in his youth, but he changed that he was fine with opening trade products when before, Ehrenfest didn’t bother—because of Veronica. Well, because Sylvester got stronger way late, he truly no longer matched with Florencia. He is way too strong now.

Through Athanasia - Dairy Products, Legumes, Honey and Beef! Honey and Beeswax is a Klassenberg specialty, but produced in Jossbrenner with good reason...no bee and no flower field will survive Klassenberg's freezelands.

Through Immerdink - Medicinal Cuisine Ingredients, Culinary Aromatics, and Fragrant, Flavorful Teas! Sure Ehrenfest has Tea, but no thanks to Veronica’s Mana Mismanagement, the local tea production suffered to the point of ceasing to exist, they had to buy elsewhere…and Immerdink is everyone’s tea source. Blenrus Tea is a long way away in the future since thanks to Sylvester's eureka moment, Haldenzel gained its spring back. But Blenrus Population needs time to recover.

And she now created new condiments and foodstuff and recipes out of these, and she has to teach how, through Gustav who owns a Food Company thus has control of Eateries in Ehrenfest. She sold him recipes that commoner folk can afford, while keeping knowledge of Haute and Nouvelle Cuisine solely for nobles. The latter of which, INSANELY POPULAR in Noble’s Quarter…

…Rozemyne became known as Cuococalura’s Agent who came in a quest to deliver deliciousness to people as a result…and Sylvester rolled with that for her reputation and hopefully, GAIN Retainers?!?!?!

She also showed she was no Ahrensbach Trader that Gustav and Benno complained about that Rozemyne told Ferdinand about. She actually teaches about what she makes for sale, and espouses Healthy Eating for Wellbeing.

Such was information Ferdinand gained about his niece from Justus.

She was too…impossibly capable for one who’s just ten!

This is a level of sheer impossibility that Rozemyne is not normal at all no matter how he looks at it.

‘With your infamy, you’re not normal either that you put even Greater Duchy Archduke Candidates to shame.’ Sylvester would snark back when Ferdinand brought that up. ‘You could have let loose as she did, only back then, you had no control over your money because of mother and our shared father indulging her. Had you had your allocated budget on the get-go, you would have gone far as she had. Rozemyne was free to go wild with the Bernetts in her younger years, so she’s now insanely rich. And she’s still building more businesses! She’s obsessed with what she calls Chocolate and Coffee she got from Frenbeltag! Is that even good?’

OK, he got him there.

Days later?

‘Lord father! Lady Nicolette! Taste test for me~?’ Rozemyne came in, dressed like a cook, but she’s a mess and behind her is exasperated Richarda who’s just as messy. Brown splotches on them even.

On the plate are brown things that are cutesy animal-shaped.

‘Lady Rozemyne!!’ Nicolette was horrified as her ingrained teachings were that ladies should not show up in a state of disarray! ‘You could have tidied up first!’

‘In the name of food research messy casualty is a given!’ said Rozemyne cheerfully, not really caring about how she looks now. ‘It turned out really great!’

‘Those are the chocolates she is talking about.’ said Richarda with fond weariness in her sigh. ‘There’s Milk Chocolate for those who like it sweet, and Dark Chocolate for those who like it on the bitter side.’ Sylvester, Ferdinand, Nicolette and Karstedt exchanged looks before tasting.

They like it!

‘Oh my!’ Nicolette gasped out, liking the unusual taste and sweetness. 'Delicious!' and it's not overly sweet! Rather, the small amount of sweet in it brought out the flavor of this unknown chocolate thing! "So this is chocolate! Marvelous!" she moaned at the treat's pleasure-inducing taste that makes her feel happy.

‘Now this is sweets! This is better than what’s served in Sovereignty’s Fellowship Gathering!’ Sylvester exclaimed, eyes sparkling like stars as he popped another in his mouth before choking. 'Gak! I like milk chocolate better, I can't stand dark one!' he choked out, quickly chugging his tea.

‘...I like this dark one better. Very fine.’ Ferdinand favored dark chocolate, clearly liking it. ‘I hope for less sugar though. Lesser by 35% from its current recipe.’

Sylvester gave Ferdinand a WTF look. Its yucky for him as it is, Ferdinand wants yuckier?! "Is his tongue dead?! He likes it gross!"

‘You’ll have to ask for custom order for that though. I don’t think anyone can handle your taste level.’ Rozemyne sweatdropped. Is this man's tongue dead, she wondered. ‘Too bitter for most people!’

‘This will sell like crazy…just like Rinsham and Soap so I hope you’re prepared for the upcoming insanity this winter Rozemyne.’ said Karstedt worriedly, tasting both Milk and Dark types. He likes both just fine.

‘Yeah, I’m stockpiling…’ said Rozemyne sheepishly while twiddling her fingers when the plate she had was rapidly emptied. ‘This is a groundbreaker for girls. My target market is girls, you see? Boys are too prideful to admit they like sweets, thinking it's unmanly, which is stupid as everyone can eat sweets, they’re totally missing out on fine treats in life by having stupid pride over stupid things, but alas, its their free will.’ she complained with a pout.

She earned deadpan looks for this.

‘Excess is better, or Ladies’ Society will eat you alive, Lady Rozemyne. Perhaps its for the best that ladies are indeed, your target market.’ Nicolette warned fretfully. ‘I predict massive orders already. This Chocolate is delicious!’ she gushed out in sheer approval. ‘Sky's the limit in stockpiling! Release the chocolates come Interduchy Tournament so you’re better prepared for the upcoming madness!’ she advised. ‘Any sweets you make! Stockpile!!’ she emphasized with utmost seriousness, making Rozemyne meep. 'And I expect a full report on your progress on your projects for our perusal in Parchment for documentation in the Record Room, but you can keep recipes locked in your Hidden Room.'

‘Y-yes, Lady Nicolette…’

‘Get some rest now kid, further exploration into Unknown Tastes can wait.’ Sylvester chuckled. The chocolate greatly improved his mood he also felt strangely happy and cheerful it affected even Ferdinand who sported an unusually-gentle expression on his face. ‘You’ll overwork at this rate, don’t be like us adults and enjoy being a kid for crying out loud! You’re the only work-crazy kid I know!’ he scolded jokingly.

‘In the name of food and magic, that's enough reason!’ Rozemyne huffed smugly, hands on her hips. ‘Food and the pleasure of tasting delicious food come hand in hand!’

‘And take a bath already! You’re covered in chocolate!!’

Needless to say, Ordoschnelli spread that night, that Rozemyne did it again in her quest for Gourmet Delights that she really earned her moniker in Ehrenfest that people are anticipating this confectionery she was ordered to stockpile to prepare to satisfy Interduchy Ladies’ Society.

If even Nicolette claims such, how good can it be? It has high praises that she predicted massive orders!

Dunklefelger got wind of it through their Archscholar.

'...Lord Ferdinand, Aub Dunklefelger hopes for Lady Rozemyne to make special orders for Aub Emeritus as getting angrier as of late over Lady Magdalena may expedite his ascent to the towering heights...the Chocolate has unusual properties that elevate one's mood it may work on him. He says he'll come get it personally and pay Lady Rozemyne well.'

'...a box of twenty pieces of milk chocolate costs 2 small silver due to production costs and labor work.' Ferdinand informed the man. 'Dark chocolate is a special custom job as not many people have the same fondness of it as I do.' he warned. Yet Rozemyne is willing to take risks to sort out who's into the Milk Chocolate Faction and Dark Chocolate Faction...

Business is high-risk, high-rewards if successful after all.

Chapter Text

After the Chocolate Incident, Sylvester had to practically order Rozemyne to be reinforced by Richarda to TAKE A BREAK BEFORE SCHOOL.

No more work until at least, spring! And actually do things befitting a girl her age and RELAX!

‘Her Noble Language Level is still not up to par, needs more work. It’s her sole difficulty while her other subjects are excellent.’ said Nicolette in concern. ‘Lady Elvira says so, may as well chuck Lady Rozemyne to her for further training in Noble Language till it's passable by Archduke Candidate Standards. She's still way 'too honest', unable to bring herself to speak euphemistically as is proper.’

But due to what chocolate can do, Ferdinand dissected a custom job he ordered.

‘From what I understand, it's made of Kakaw Beans Rozemyne ordered in massive bulks, along with other things.’ said Justus, delivering a set meal to his master on a tray, cooked by Lasfam. ‘We don’t know much about it as it’s not our crop…yet weirdly, it's unpopular in Frenbeltag and used as Livestock Feed that Lady Rozemyne screamed in aghast, calling it a tragic sacrilege when she got wind of how they use what she sees as sweet gold she once told her foster father what heathens they were.’ he snickered.

‘They say one man’s trash is another’s treasure.’ said Ferdinand dryly. ‘Kakaw has slight Life Element property and as it can elevate positive emotions in its consumer, it must be attributed to a certain god under Ewigeliebe, the god Sinneswande of the Heart. But in raw form, Kakaw is originally a fruit fed to Livestock during winter in Frenbeltag’s northern half as it’s very fatty, oily and sweet while the seeds inside beans which Rozemyne actually wants don’t taste good, but she somehow manages to make something so fine out of it.’ he said, impressed. 'She indeed deserved her sobriquet.'

‘She also noted that its oil is also sweet in taste which affects cooking of food, giving any cooked dish a sweeter version of its original flavor without chocolate influence. If used as lamp oil or cooking oil, it gives off a mild sweet scent when heated that also elevates the mood when inhaled…but it’s also powerful enough against a certain dangerous drug.’ he said, his eyes glinting.

‘It’s powerful against what drug?’ Heidemarie asked her master anxiously.

‘Trug.’ Heidemarie, Eckhart and Justus inhaled sharply in horror. Even they knew that’s illegal! Just being caught owning some, forget the Tower, you’re executed on charges of treason immediately! During Criminal Interrogations, you need permission from Zent for its use, if the Synchronization Crowns don’t work because of Mana Issues. Even then, interrogate said criminal before Zent!

‘In Archduke Candidate Class, we are all warned about that drug considering we are potential rulers of our duchies, but scheming spouses may try to make puppets out of us by mixing it with perfume or toss it in a fireplace or put it in incense, so we all smelled it with antidote at hand to know its smell and how it affects our minds if controlled by the druggist.’ said Ferdinand darkly. ‘Those were the days. It was hard smuggling away some up and analyze it thoroughly till I ran out, before working on a cure using all known resources we have in the Academy’s grounds to no avail...until now.’

‘But this gamebreaker that the gremlin unwittingly brought into Geduldh in her desire for gourmet cuisine…she damn well unknowingly saved us all from future drugging attempts.’ he grinned viciously as Sylvester will never be a puppet in another form in his tenure.  ‘Let’s make a lot of Kakaw Oil and it will be Lamp Oil from now on…a little precaution against the two foreign wives who’ll never know. I think we’ve had enough of being oppressed by a higher-ranking duchy if they dare to try.’

‘Right! And to think Frenbeltag never knew what treasure they have!’ Eckhart exclaimed. ‘In this case, Ignorance is a Sin, not Bliss! The Frenbeltag Duchy never knew they had the cure for the country’s worst drug!’

And so, they became Rozemyne’s customers for her…other things as she cared more for chocolate than other gains off Kakaw.

‘About the fatty fruit huh? Yep, I knew about the oil part…dear lord we need more of that for winter and I planted and magically grew 10000 trees in the new farming village I named Ferrero a week away from the city on a carriage as fallback supply incase relations with Frenbeltag soured in the future. And it smells nice too.’ Rozemyne chimed in delight. ‘With so much oil squeezed out on the second floor to be put in barrels, it costs about 5 LC a pint. The pulp and skin that I dried using magic tools went to Farmers as Livestock Feed.’

‘Prioritize the Castle and the Western Building. I will warn Nicolette about the moodmaking oil, but for obvious reasons, we can’t tell Sylvester yet, so his behavior around Athanasia and Emeraude will be natural and not guarded and forced.’ Ferdinand informed her. ‘It will be Lamp Oil from now on in the Archducal Clan Residences since it smells good. This should give us a good impression.’ he told the still-clueless child who is still unaware of the treasure she unwittingly brought in just because she wanted sweets.

‘Prepare for the Bill OK? A Barrel of Kakaw Oil costs 5 large silver so adjust the Castle Budget and Lord Father won’t be in a snit on surprise expenses! I’m also saving up oil as a resource for my products! It’s good Kakaw is very cheap but Frenbeltag’s mind might change if they find out what I make out of it.’

They did just that.

‘Ohohoho! This is wonderful~~~’

Elvira swooned in sheer delight as Karstedt purchased for her chocolates while carrying a new burden. When she taste-tested samples, she favored the Dark Chocolate.

‘Mother! Let me have some! Don’t be greedy!’ Cornelius whined, trying to reach for some from the plate she held, but Elvira went NOPE and held the plate away playfully, wanting it for herself.

‘Dark Chocolate is a little bitter for children, so I’ll bring home the Milk Chocolate for you.’ Karstedt promised his youngest whose mood improved from the promise. ‘Not many can endure the Dark flavored one.’

‘You mean it father? I can’t wait!’ Cornelius gushed out, eyes sparkling at the promise of sweets. He is currently ten years old this year and is in the same year as Rozemyne.

Due to the cuisine Rozemyne promoted, it was so tasty and fragrant people couldn't help but eat a lot. Especially men. Ladies had to work on immense self control with good reason. Waistlines!

Well, it was good the cookbooks are aptly titled isn’t it?

Entrinduge Cookbook - to support pregnant mothers while carrying children in their cradles, as well as post-partum recovery.

Wiegenmilch Cookbook – for growing children in spring till early summer. Cornelius and Rozemyne classifies as this from age four till ten years old. It also helps mothers keep producing milk until their infants are weaned.

Karstedt noted ever since Cornelius ate Wiegenmilch Cuisine, he was bigger and taller than his older brothers were back when they were his age, that they were runts compared to him!

Anwachs Cookbook - for children in early to end of summer. Age 10 to 16 as Yurgenschmidt Knowledge was adulthood was 16…but very few people believe otherwise with good reason...his older sons have been enjoying this since it was published and they damn shot up as did Ferdinand when Lasfam learned in the Castle’s Northern Wing.

Leidenschaft Cookbook - for Male Knights to develop strong bodies with quality bones and muscles that they can safely eat in bulk and bulk up in muscle.

Schutzaria Cookbook - for Dames. Strength and durability without losing beauty in form.

Efflorelume Cookbook - for Ladies who still want to enjoy plenty of food, without fear of losing shape and waistlines. It’s also a bunch of effective weight loss recipes after indulging periods.

Mestionora Cookbook - for Scholars to improve memory-retaining powers in their brains.

Kunzeal Cookbook - for Social Season Banquets and Tea Parties. Delicious while also artfully appealing to the eyes! This is where Haute and Nouvelle Cuisine came in…as well as Pastries and other types of Dessert…

So yes, these books became a hit in Ehrenfest using Kunzeal and Classroom papers. But Rozemyne will cunningly sell it in traditional books Yurgenschmidt-wide to other duchies to bring business to Parchment Guild and Bookbinder Workshop to rake in gold. She taught the Parchment Guild a skill to make parchment paler and ‘more beautiful’ to use for books. Therefore, jack up the price to foreign buyers through Gustav!

The Parchment Guild and Gustav is all for it!

Sylvester was in on the conspiracy to squeeze gold out of his richer neighbors by his cunning daughter. They need money dammit, after his parents’ period of hemorrhaging money to Ahrensbach!

But out of good will, give it to his foreign wives' families for free...and they were the first to get copies actually!

Needless to say, his rep for his 'thoughtful consideration' went sky high in his wives and in-laws' eyes who gets to enjoy delicious food, and the books are even tailored to their duchy's natal ingredients! Rozemyne's rep also improved as their Scholars proved she was behind prodigious culinary innovations going on in Ehrenfest and truly earned her Sobriquet at home.

Dunklefelger…

‘Oh! Three boxes in artful gift-wrapping!’ Lady Sieglinde’s inner Kunzeal approves as the Archscholar Randall Sohn Augus delivered boxes by two wooden crates. Inside the crates are chocolate boxes wrapped in a wrapper material she knew not, but the ribbons are silk fabric!

But on top of one of the crate is a large rectangular box about an inch in width in a light blue wrapper with gold-colored ribbons.

‘The brass-colored boxes are the Milk Chocolate. The copper-colored boxes are the Dark Chocolate. And the blue-colored box is…what little Lady Rozemyne dubs as Ferdinand’s Uniqueness.’

Those within hearing range sweatdropped. The Archducal Family adults and their Retainers of the Swords present.

‘Why did that little kid call it that?!’ Werdekraft’s eyes popped out in disbelief at his Scholar Envoy.

‘W-well, Dark Chocolate is not for everyone. It’s for those who likes it slightly-bitter. Heck, Aub Ehrenfest can’t stand it while Milk Chocolate is very well-received and adored so Dark Chocolate is an acquired taste…’ Randall explained. ‘...but Ferdinand’s Uniqueness is because he likes it 35% more bitter than the original recipe and requested a constant supply of custom orders from his niece. She wondered at some point if his tongue is dead…’ said Randall in feeble sheepishness.

Werdekraft really wondered how bad it can be, yet his young rival likes it truly bitter? Bitter…sweet? It’s an oxymoron!

‘Then again, he is known for his highly-potent, but horrid potion inventions…that opinion is certainly credible.’ Werdekraft shuddered at an old memory. ‘Just one box of that…thing? Not in crates like the two others?’ he said, receiving a small parchment from Randall which was the bill.

Oddly enough, Ferdinand’s Uniqueness is the cheapest of the lot while Milk Chocolate is the most expensive! He suspected it’s the ingredient cost.

And because it’s sweets to begin with…he supposed it’s because of Sugar.

‘And she wasn’t sure which was Aub Emeritus’ taste, so she sent all three of her flavor list while the rest was for the family to enjoy. We keep it cool in magically-ensorcelled crates because they soften, and eventually melt in warm temperatures.’ and Dunklefelger’s a warm duchy, and at its hottest in summer!

‘Right…we better get three boxes to father and determine his taste level.’

Due to his mood, Aub Emeritus grabbed Ferdinand’s Uniqueness first!

‘I’ll taste this first as it reflects what I’m feeling right now.’ said the bedbound middle-aged man grumpily and popped one in. He winced at the bitter taste that assaulted his taste buds first, before tasting the chocolatey flavor with minuscule sweetness, before sighing in bliss upon swallowing and he took on a blissful-dreamy expression. 

‘Ahhh…bitter as my rage and contempt indeed, but its effects are powerful that my foul mood is improved…as if Sinneswande came to personally take my tormented heart and gently cradle it in his hands soothingly! What a powerful treat!' he exclaimed as the changes in him is visible as day, Werdekraft thought as his father looked blissfully happy! 'And the target market are ladies only due to the stupidity of young boys these days? I cry foul!’ he snarked at his son with a cheerful scoff, smacking his lap with his left palm before popping in a chocolate square in his mouth again. ‘I’m ordering more of Ferdinand’s Uniqueness so my anger at your imbecile of a sister temporarily quells until the potions heal my condition and maintain my health!’

Unfortunately for Rozemyne, Ferdinand happened to be in Sylvester’s Office when Randall came back with a letter from Aub Emeritus as well as money from the sweets delivered…and Sylvester read aloud a letter from the old man without revealing Dunklefelger’s affairs…high praises from the chocolates but he made wisecracks about a certain thing.

Retainers on dayshift tried hard not to laugh. Their faces were slowly turning red from holding it in while sporting goofy expressions in effort not to laugh.

She named a type of Chocolate after Ferdinand, but did it have to be…that?!

Justus has no such shame and was wheezing, weakly leaning on the wall in laughter.

Sylvester unrepentantly cackled like a Hyena, tears down his cheeks and pounding a fist on his desk and his wife shook hard while giggling. Her large fan hid her mouth as is proper for ladies.

Ferdinand is not amused and his expression made it all the funnier for everyone else! Ferdinand got famous that day as a comical figure.

Needless to say, when Rozemyne came for lessons the next day, she got the cheek-pinching he felt she deserved.

Winter came.

‘Alright, let’s check on your luggage!’ said Nicolette as she checked Rozemyne’s luggage. ‘Rinsham and soap to last you an entire season, four changes of uniforms, enough unmentionables…’

‘Kyaa! Don’t mention that out loud!’ Rozemyne squeaked, embarrassed. A ladies’ unmentionables is underwear which for any lady in all walks of life is a camisole and what may as well be fancy bubble bloomers, nightgown, and dressing gown. And no good lady will be seen without stockings and a petticoat under skirts during day and nighttime before bed!

‘It’s us ladies here, not a single lad in here so don’t be embarrassed!’ Nicolette snorted with an eyeroll in amusement while checking her luggage. ‘How many Tea Gowns did you bring? No telling how many Tea Parties you’ll get invited to and you cannot be seen wearing the same Tea Gown in two or more parties, that’d be embarrassing!’ she shuddered at the idea. ‘A stain on a Lady Archduke Candidate in Ladies’ Society!’ she fretted out. ‘And that is barely acceptable and understandable if you’re a Laynoble and that’s the only exception excused because clothing is expensive for us nobles!’

Nobles’ clothing…are very pricey…especially a lady's collection of gowns for all occasions.

For Rozemyne who was used to a convenient life, found being a Noblewoman A DAMN HASSLE and a Money Sinkhole!! She had to own many closets for a Day Gown, Tea Gown, Dinner Gown and Evening Gown!

Even better? Replace them every year! Auuuugh! Waste of money, fabrics and labor that went into those dresses! This was easily her most expensive expense, as she never used her Mana Draining Tool not even once, in favor of annual compressions to get stronger for a powerful magic wand she can use like a firetruck's hose when needs must!

And come adulthood? Add Evening Gowns during Social Events.

But thankfully for kids at age ten, less trouble. For now.

As a kid after baptism, she began owning Dinner and Evening Gowns even as a Laynoble before being drastically promoted. Because on first Earthday of Winter in Archduke’s Castle, it’s Formal Dinner, then change clothes into Evening Gowns, then watch Winter Debut before kids are chucked to the Playroom where they are until age ten just for every winter so all nobles know each other as peers by age group.

Age ten till graduation, kids wear mostly uniforms, and wear Tea Gowns or Sack Suits only on designated Socializing Periods for all ranks scheduled by the Royal Family all winter. But unlike Sack Suits in Earth, Sack Suits here are a lot fancier and gorgeous to look at due to the fantasy bits here, making men more handsome! By adding certain Earth bits to current trends here, she improved Mens' Wear via Fashion-Blending!

And in Spring and Winter Social Seasons, the hierarchy of events as goes:

Archducal Family and Archnobles’ Social Period — starts at the first month of spring, and ends after the last day of that same month. They are served by their Retainers until their own Social Events. Archduke Hosts these events.

Mednobles — starts at the second month of spring till the last day of that month. The five highest-ranking Mednoble Families take turns hosting.

Laynobles — starts at the third month of spring till the last day of that month. Most Laynobles have Commoner Servants, so on social events when not working for their masters, they could taste being served while technically, on vacation in just this period during social season. The two highest ranking Laynoble Families take turns hosting --- who is usually Barons Blon and Glaz who were 'rich enough' to host.

This enables all nobles from all ranks to socialize and circulate to gain information, gain ties and businesses if any, and matches for children. While the adults dance with Grammaratur, their children play in the Host's grounds!

‘I brought thirty with matching accessories and shoes just in case!’

‘Good!’ Nicolette approves. ‘You are also the last to go, due to your massive luggage. All Archduke Candidates are always the last to leave as older students make sure everything is in order.’ she beamed. ‘And I’m just glad some people stepped up to be your Retainers…it took some serious negotiating while avoiding backlash for you!’ she said tiredly. ‘The Leisegangs and Neutrals are on a wait-and-see basis with good reason!’

‘I did my best to treat everyone fairly in the Playroom every year though…I never showed bias, not even once to avoid that very backlash.’ Rozemyne would tell her with a pout.

‘Good to know. Eyes will be on you, so be careful!’

‘Yes, Lady Nicolette…’ Rozemyne sighed gloomily. 'Politics...auuuughhh...why drag us kids into it too?' she groaned.

Her Retainers are the Temple Veronicans, and Damuel and his Knight friends who were strong despite their status to avoid the 'Lasfam Precedent' caused by Lady Veronica in a bid to harass her stepson.

The Veronican Children left behind are Kiellant, Patricia, Erkhardt, and Barthold. Then a year younger than Rozemyne’s initial group is Isidore, Cassandra, Matthias, Laurenz, and Muriella. And a year younger than the second group is Gretia, Roderick and Bernold. The youngest Veronicans who were five years old, was Laurenz’ half-brother Bertram, and Barthold’s youngest sister Tiberta who was four.

All of those old enough to make the decision willingly signed up to be Rozemyne’s Retainers, but only four can come with her this year due to age issues.

Reasons for choosing her as their master?

• Those who hope to be Attendants and Scholars can’t find employment anywhere due to their situation and she was the only one who would take them in without a catch. Knights are at least, welcome in the Knight's Barracks no matter the faction!
• They can never sign up for Sylvester’s Blood Children as people would think they’d want to revive the Veronican Faction through his kids which for them is social suicide! They would refuse even if asked!
• She was absolutely fair with no bias and prejudice, and treated them with kindness and decency while everyone else treated them like a disease.

They all clung to Rozemyne.

Kiellant, especially. And how.

His father committed political suicide and dragged their family down with him when his grandfather died, and switched flags much to the fury of Count Leisegang as Kiellant’s Family was once of good prestige in the faction, yet his father threw it all away just to ‘have it good’ and avoid Veronica harassing the family.

He thought it'd be that easy to switch flags. Joke's on him.

His clan suffered from his father’s foolish decision. He was the eldest son in his grandfather’s four sons and six daughters all of whom married out. And this severely affected his aunts who married into Leisegang Families as is proper due to their lineage.

If not divorced in anger, thinking they are spies for Chaoscipher that the divorced-in-disgrace sisters hurled their rage at his parents that ruined them all, some of his aunts were killed, alongside cousins, and their feystones sent back. Veronica then ‘took in with grace’ his surviving aunts and pressured his family to marry them to Veronican Families.

His father’s two other Leisegang wives divorced him in disgust for his decision and ran back to their maternal families with their children in tears, hoping for sanctuary and safety. His half-siblings’ family names were changed and he and his older blood siblings are forbidden by them to talk to them ever again. Ostracized!

His uncles on the other hand, were so furious with their eldest brother and cast him out of the family alongside his remaining wife and children. And the second eldest brother took the family headship so as to not ruin the family name and prestige any further. 

This forced Kiellant’s parents to buy a new house and start from scratch. They got poor because of this, and lived in a Laynoble-sized house at the end of Archnoble's Street in Noble's Quarter. His older siblings found bridges burned and no friends left, that they were furious with their father, and engagements canceled that they sought matches outside the duchy, unable to stay in Ehrenfest any longer due to hostility they didn’t even deserve nor earned aimed at them because of their foolish father.

But while his mother did not agree with his father’s decision, she has no say in the matter when asked in Ladies’ Society thus she survives and still remains safe in her career. His father? Has a hard time because his friends dropped him like a hot poker and ostracized him viciously, and his fellow Veronicans are enjoying his situation. Alone and friendless, he realized he made a big mistake too damn late. That to survive, ‘he has to do unspeakable things’ Veronica asks him to do and his first job? Kill his brothers and their families and ‘reclaim his estate’ as proof of his loyalty, before 'she grants him outstanding ladies' as a reward to his mother's horror!

His family was horrified, but they have nowhere left to go…and to survive, his parents had to do it.

At age seven, the Winter Debut, the Leisegang Faction gave him and his family the stink eye. That they were a family ‘of traitors’ and kinslayers.

After two seasons, Kiellant’s parents were banished to Ahrensbach as a result, leaving him behind that he was all alone and that he had to live in the Temple as there was no way he could live on his own. His relatives didn’t bother to take him in as a ‘child of traitors’.

And his older blood siblings can’t take him in as they have yet to get married by Border Starbinding, thus have no protection yet from their marital family. But they did leave him the family home and furniture at least, as they managed to scrounge ‘enough’ to be able to marry out. Because of their engagements and innocence proven, they managed to escape banishment as criminals to Ahrensbach. They married out, leaving him all alone.

Kiellant hoped, with support, he can redeem his family name but he would have to reinforce the Neutral Status on his descendants as due to his father earning the family name the unlucky title of Traitor to Geduldh, they can never join any faction ever again to redeem his clan name.

He was pretty sure his aunts were unhappily unwillingly banished to Ahrensbach with their new husbands alongside his parents, and infant cousins as his aunts were pregnant before getting banished. They even doing well over there or treated horribly given how the Veronican Faction operates, that they brought massive stink-eye to Ahrensbach that the nobles there are making their lives miserable as revenge?

So yes, the Veronicans have a bad ending over there with being responsible for bringing Political Trouble to Ahrensbach, banished to their relatives with just the clothes on their backs thus financial burdens to them, and Schtappe-less for the adults, while Academy Students and younger children are to be adopted in by their distant relatives.

But his parents have no Ahrensbach Relatives. Maybe they joined Lady Georgine or die, he would never know.

But Ferdinand was of the opinion that they’re dead for the crime of ‘being a Veronican’ and given Georgine’s hatred of her mother and anyone related to her, she would sooner kill them than take them in.

At least, Matthias’, Laurenz’ and Barthold’s parents are alive, being actually Georgineans.

The other kids knew by default their parents aren’t doing well in Ahrensbach for being a Veronican if they weren’t taken in by Georgine with good reason.

Kiellant chose to be a Knight, Barthold and Bernold chose to be Scholars, and Patricia an Attendant to Rozemyne.

But even then, Sylvester made them all sign Magical Contracts for all their sakes, as well as Rozemyne’s just to reassure the Leisegangs because they only have word, but not physical proof that Ferdinand who was the most harmed by Veronica, ensured they are innocent and trustworthy with no ill intent. The other factions want physical proof that they will never act against Ehrenfest and their clans to never betray Geduldh for Chaoscipher ever again.

Other kids in their year level are Leisegangs and Neutrals.

From the Leisegang Faction, it’s Cornelius, Hartmut, and Leonore. Nope, not Rozemyne’s Retainers unless they chose her.

The Neutrals are Angelica and Kathleen. Also unaffiliated.

Sooo in Rozemyne’s year level, only a total of nine first year students. Ouch!

So few children from so much…blood that flowed from Veronica’s solution to her problems; murder.

At least, families are making an effort to have more children now to bolster numbers. Many wives since the End of the Cursed Chaoscipher's Reign and yes, they called it that, began having children with their husbands. One or two babies are around since, and working on baby no. 3!

Due to all that going on, Sylvester is thus, pressured to have many kids too with his wives. At least, three per wife that he'd have nine or more than that!

Chapter Text

In Dunklefelger…

…Rage became SHEER HAPPINESS and JOY.

The Chocolate gives one immense positivity even in the face of countless trials that the local Ditterheads are pushing themselves that the mindset now, is Attempt the Impossible and ‘as long as they feel happy and carefree’, they can do anything!

Logic went into Toilet Slime now…

…and proof of manly spirit?

…eat and swallow Ferdinand’s Uniqueness chocolate brand.

The cost of this heavenly feeling is a horrid bitterness before in comes the taste of chocolate with mild sweetness.

For Dames, Milk Chocolate is crazy popular, while Dark Chocolate is indeed, an acquired taste. Dunklefelger ordered heaps and a lower-ranked duchy can only comply. Money is no object!

It made Sylvester and Rozemyne richer, enabling them to fund what they wanted to build and fix!

However!

Detox occurs.

Daily privy times ensues.

And chocolate eaters find themselves with a clearer mind, enabling them to think clearer and have a better, deeper comprehension and understanding of information and logic, and things once forgotten, resurfaced.

It’s more prevalent in those who gorge on Ferdinand’s Uniqueness out of admiration for the Lord of Evil who always defeats them in Ditter in school!!

That Werdekraft and Aub Emeritus…became more political savvy in the face of trials Magdalena brought upon them as emotions aren’t influencing their decisions anymore, and are able to stick to their swords about Dunklefelger’s beliefs and core values.

‘Good grief, we who were once poor, are on our way to becoming rich.’

Sylvester is very happy and cheerful. Earning money by the large golds from Ditterheads.

Rozemyne would tell them the medicinal benefits of chocolate for blood flow, moodmaker, brainpower and clarity and blood pressure for the low, low price of enduring increased visits to the privy.

For those who are very active like Knights, the effects show even more and increased blood flow means stronger health and increased strength.

Sooo yes, the Archducal Family is also eating…Ferdinand’s Uniqueness.

Cringing from bitter flavor while Ferdinand happily has a huge stash of the stuff, they could indeed, feel the benefits.

‘Well, at least for working the Chocolate Factories overtime with compensated pay, free dinner and extra off-day, we can make it in time for both Interduchy Tournament and Dunklefelger’s requests.’ said Ferdinand.

Royal Academy, Ehrenfest Dormitory…

It also underwent Architectural Re-designing that it’s the exact same as the castle in design. But with the facilities befitting a school dorm.

If to nobles, the Castle Playroom serves a political purpose for local nobles in their home duchies, the Royal Academy aims to have Archduke Candidates get along, not make enemies unless they’re morons, establish rapport and increase one’s political influence and reputation and most importantly—FIND MATCHES!

Failing to meet desired Color Matching levels, it’s a doomed White Marriage. That, is a big NOPE.

The continued running of the academy is funded in part by the Sovereignty itself and in part by the duchies, with the latter generally contributing according to their size. By that, they mean noble population. They’re a damn Lower Duchy in terms of population now, that they really have to pop out as many babies as financially possible!

Despite the differing amounts of money that the duchies provide, the education is still the same for all attending students, regardless of their place of origin. Equal opportunity is great, Rozemyne thought.

And befitting a dorm, it has three floors, and a basement.

Ehrenfest Dormitory was once big in the time of First to Fifth. But in the time of Sixth…it had to be shrunken due to their small population that got smaller via Brain Drain Exodus and Murders. It also cut costs by shrinking the dorms by adjusting the number of rooms based on number of attendees.

The clans that left never returned despite the End of Veronica in Humiliation and Disgrace. Not like Sylvester has the face to invite them to return back home as just merely looking at him will remind them of the most hated ruling pair in the history of Ehrenfest and he knew it. Thus to bolster Nobles’ numbers, it had to be through Nicolette’s Family of Noblemakers. Most of their kids were around Ferdinand’s Generation thus it’s solely small numbers left in Rozemyne’s time here…

The Basement contains living quarters and facilities for servants.

The First Floor contains the meeting rooms for inter-duchy socializing and is thus not protected by the barrier that keeps people from other duchies out of the student facilities. Renovated using a tasteful mix of Earth Architecture and Ehrenfest Symbols and Murals! On the white walls, are gigantic, framed Kunzeal Paper paintings Ferdinand made of nature in gorgeous, carved-and-polished wooden frames with furniture money can buy—but designs within rank as to not upstage duchies higher-ranking than them.

The Second Floor contains the room with the teleportation circle she is in now, as well as an exit to the outside. Both are guarded by a pair of adult knights each.

The first room one enters after exiting the teleportation circle is the common area on the second floor, where all students, regardless of rank, gender, or grade can socialize together. Apart from several communal rooms for studying, socializing, or spending free time, this area also contains a common dining room. While each student is free to eat in the privacy of their own room, most Ehrenfest students seem to prefer eating together in the common area as she was told by Ferdinand—who eats in his room for his safety in the bad old days, and the habit stuck till graduation.

And furniture? Unlike downstairs where what they own must be according to Rank, upstairs is different — Rank-be-damned it’s GORGEOUS AND COMFORTABLE! Besides, no foreigner is allowed in Students’ Dorm Facilities anyway! This is their dirty secret, so to speak…welp, Athanasia and Emeraude will find out soon anyway, even if they are bound by Duchywide Magical Contracts later as per the norms in Archducal Starbinding to keep secrets of their natal and marital duchies…

But! Not a single Bookshelf! Urrrgh! It’s a painful sight to the Bookworm in her as back home, she always has access to the two libraries in the Temple and in the Southern Wing! “I gotta change that soon!” Rozemyne swore to herself.

Further back are the living quarters for boys and stairs leading to the third floor. The boys' rooms are exclusively on the second floor, while the girls' rooms are one level up. The third floor is strictly off limits to males. To assure that everyone follows this rule, adult  guard knights are at all times stationed at the staircase, taking shifts to never leave the post unattended.

The quarters closest to the common areas are traditionally used by laynobles, with the status going up the further toward the back one goes. The rooms furthest toward the back are reserved for archduke candidates. Attendants currently employed by higher ranking students are exempt from this, staying instead in rooms directly next to their master's, so they can stay near to their charge.

The final room is reserved for the exclusive use of the archduke or the husband of the archduchess, and barring very unusual circumstances, it only sees use during the Interduchy Tournament and Archduke Conference.

Students can choose to share rooms with others to save money or if they like the company. Laynobles usually do this for financial reasons…

And the Third Floor contains the living quarters for girls. 

Any male, be it boy or grown man, is strictly forbidden from going up to this floor, and to ensure everyone adheres to this rule, adult guard dames are stationed at the bottom of the stairs. Even male retainers of female students are forbidden from entering the rooms of their lady, requiring their female co-retainers to pass messages to her when she's on the third floor. As a result, female students use exclusively female retainers at the Royal Academy this hassle and likewise, boys stuck with each other.

As with the boys' quarters on the second floor, the highest status students have their quarters the furthest in the back with the final room being reserved for the exclusive use of the archduchess or the archduke's first wife.

The Ehrenfest Dormitory also has at least one large room fitted out for brewing potions accessible to all students. It has all tools, equipment, and pantry containing catalogue-updated supplies of gold dust, common and feyherbs, feystones by element and common and feybeast parts and magically-purified-and-treated water.

But Rozemyne would gripe, ‘But not a room for Brewing Magical Tools, Weapons and Devices?! Why don’t we have one for that too for practicing Scholars? What about our personal Study Room where students can come and go research and do homework in peace and quiet without the hassle of going to bedrooms for that?’ it was an idea Ferdinand backed her up with, so yup, it was added and supplied.

But there is one good thing about Veronica being…a psycho serial-killer with her band of killers.

Ehrenfest pays the least in funding, and it does NOT help that they are super-poor no thanks to her, that they barely manage to make it as it was a set fund not even she can dip into with her grubby fingers, or affect her faction’s children too…until Rozemyne’s goods became their Verdraeos, Unheilschneide, Greifechan and Heilschmerz.

Despite her background, noble clans in Ehrenfest, particularly those who suffered under Veronica, has immense gratitude to the prodigious girl, though their children, 50% of which gave their family elders some issues out of their ‘Noble’s Pride’ taught since young that none of them wanted to be the retainer of a commoner-born girl even if she changed life as they know it.

Cue immense scolding for their ingratitude. They say:

‘Ungrateful wretches! If not for Lady Rozemyne, we will be killed one by one till we cease to exist, our Geduldh starved till she becomes white sand and all that’s ours will be usurped and taken by that Old Grun from Ahrensbach! If not for her, her reign of tyranny and blood will never end, Lord Sylvester will remain her puppet and never see sense, and we’ll never enjoy the changes that brought us so much good! Do you not eat the delicious food she designed so we can be healthy? Do you not wear the clothes she designed so that we may look good?! And who was it who warned us about our Schtappes?!’ to these clans, she was ‘sent by Verdraeos’, not just Cuococalura’s Agent.

She was also Greifechan’s Golden Hands. She never needed the duchy’s money, she was independently wealthy long before Sylvester adopted her that all she needed was Family and Political Support, and got along well with her two noble adoptive families.

The other 20% are on a wait-and-see basis to see if she was worth their lives according to intel as they held scars from what was done to their families by the Archducal Clan’s inaction to their Archduchess’ crimes and they are wary of serving anyone there as of yet. The rest were her Laynoble friends who are timid for obvious reasons.

Ehrenfest is on its way to being very wealthy. That they have the financial power of a 13th Rank Duchy through Rozemyne’s Businesses via Merchant Tax.

She has so many businesses that it’s a very big deal.

The regular education takes six years. 

The first two years consist of courses common to all nobles and serve as a base for the later specializations. From the third year onward, the education splits off into courses specialized toward the field of the future career of the noble students.

In order to graduate, one of these courses must be successfully finished. 

While it is uncommon, students can voluntarily take more than one course should they wish it. Generally each student may choose their course according to their own will, with the only exception being the archduke's children - including adopted ones. 

For them, the Archduke Candidate's Course, where they learn how to govern a duchy and support the current archduke politically, economically and magically, is mandatory, even if they have no intention of competing for the position themselves.

When attending the Royal Academy, only a single adult retainer is allowed to be taken along. However, other students can be hired as Knights, Attendants, and Scholars. Apart from the wages they receive, the students chosen as retainers also profit from this by being able to gather experience in the future careers, while still studying.

Thus in Ehrenfest, that is a problem for the Temple Veronicans who have no adult noble Retainers, that Sylvester, through Hirschur has to negotiate for exceptions…to use Gray Priests as Attendants to the spared orphans.

That took a while to gain approval despite raised eyebrows as the Princes are constantly bitching at each other alongside their factions.

At least Adult Retainers don’t leave the dorms, students do, so the safety of the Grays from discrimination outside is assured.

And so, Rozemyne’s Adult Retainer is one of Nicolette’s ladies, Lady Nelsha Tochter Candore, one of her Devouring Retainers lent to her.

Her Family who searches for, and takes in powerful Devourings outside the capital to keep them away from Bezewanst’s Human Trafficking business to Ahrensbach when they got wind of it back when he was young and newly-promoted High Bishop by crook, uses them as Retainers and through political savvy before the Fifth Aub and his wives died, they can go to the Royal Academy and granted Noble Names, but must start as Laynobles and work their way up through mana. Hence Ehrenfest has ‘plenty’ of Laynobles that become Mednobles eventually. Becoming Archnoble will take time—and money for that!

They could not search within the Capital or risk being found out.

But when Fifth Aub and his wives are….forced to the heights, the current Devouring Nobles had to adopt the new younger ones into their families in turn to conceal the secret and prevent Veronica setting sights on Nicolette’s Family.

And to conceal oodles of adoptions, there’s no adotie in their names. And the ‘Branch Families’ under Nicolette’s Family, are so many and huge they’re the size of clans they may as well be their own faction if they bothered to try!

Nelsha is a lavender-haired woman with dark purple eyes, straight but thin eyebrows and bow-shaped lips on her round face. She wore a typical Attendant’s Uniform. As a mednoble-class lady, she earns basic Attendant pay for one of her rank unless she proves herself.

And now, clad in a black dress uniform with gold embroidery with a cut just to show the white box-pleated skirt beneath, and ochre-colored cape and brooch set, with an ochre belt where her Highbeast Feystone is(hers had to be specially-ordered when she got measured). On her feet are students’ brown boots with inch-thick, flat soles.

In various duchies, an Archduke Candidate’s uniform style is based on what they agreed upon in their fashion sense in the duchy, while for Attendants, Scholars and Knights, it too, is customized for movement convenience while still looking fashionable and the exact same for all year levels…oh, and within one’s rank. It can be ANY style to set them apart.

However! In Ehrenfest, Ladies’ Shoes change! If you’re a Dame in the Knight Course, your childish boots will become reliable and durable Combat Boots tailored to one’s comfort for optimal battle performance. But for Archduke Candidate daughters, Attendants and Scholars in third and fourth year, their shoes becomes cute chinese doll shoes that are embroidered with gold thread to match uniforms, and designed for ‘silent footsteps’. Still flat of course! But come fifth and sixth year, it will start to sport inch-high but safely-elegant heels, and patent-leather heat-printed shoes! And these shoes are ankle-strap.

The ankle-strap shoes became yet another trend due to how elegant it looked on younger ladies, particularly when Whirling!

Thus Rozemyne enjoys a flashy uniform dress just enough for an 18th rank duchy, and her favored sleeve style.

‘Lady Patricia, Lord Damuel, I leave Lady Rozemyne to you while I prepare her room.’ Nelsha informed the pair who waited for Rozemyne in the Teleportation Room before excusing herself to do so.

‘Damuel, situation in the Common Room?’ Rozemyne asked Damuel as they walked out of the Teleportation Room.

‘Things got tense when everyone saw the Veronican Kids.’ said Damuel anxiously. ‘I know you vouched for them and physical proof to match from Lord Ferdinand, but bad blood doesn’t go away that easily.’ he would tell her. ‘It’s years and years of bad blood like a stain on fabric hard to wash off without soap.’

‘Kiellant is especially nervous around the Leisegangs because of his father’s stupidity. And his actions were very recent four years ago; nobody will forget that any day soon!’ Patricia fretted out and Rozemyne winced.

‘Damn his fool of a father for ruining his family’s lives…they shouldn’t be made to pay for the idiocy of a fool but considering how noble laws work, the actions of one in a clan paints a whole family in a bad brush which is totally unfair.’ Rozemyne swore as she picked up the pace. 

She too, has a stain of being a known adopted Commoner Charity Case, but at least, she wiped it off through her Trends that brought Zent’s anger upon the Sixth Ruling Pair, and she played a key role in Agricultural and Economic Growth, and Financial Increase. The adults adored her for being Verdraeos and they overlooked her origins with cheer and during Socialization, she had better relations with them than with their kids.

Or to be more specific, better relationships with young adults and older adults. Well, it’s easy for her to, being a 21 years old woman in the body of a 10 year old.

‘Nobody is exempt from this, not even me when my origins are known, unless by some miracle like Lord Father and I, made significant changes and effort enough to earn forgiveness and even then it’s a colossal effort on his part considering who his parents are while mine was minimal effort in earning good will!’

They had to reassure Kiellant simply by being present and for Rozemyne to emit her ‘Leader Presence’ ingrained in her by Ferdinand.

In the Common Room, everyone sat on round or rectangular tables based on friends’ circle or childhood friends trope as Rozemyne observed. Attendants served their Scholar and Knight peers, handing out bite-sized snacks and pouring tea. Her two Retainers led her to the Head Table meant for her. There was her Knight Group standing behind her chair.

Damuel’s closest friends Arvin, Baxter and Carlos, and Cornelius — the sole Archnoble. Cornelius knew her for years because she goes to his home to get lessons from his mother and has a good opinion of her, thus becoming her Knight too.

Her adoptive cousins are a bit on the fence even if their mothers were Neutrals. They are here too.

‘You may have taken them in, Lady Rozemyne, but we wish to see genuine and sincere opinions that they do not share the same evil beliefs as their family’s. Kiellant we understand at least, and pity him. Those Leisegangs can really be too much…and this is why Neutral Archnobles like us, if mana is high enough, marry into the dukedom.’

Welp, she thought, this is it as she took her seat, her presence reassuring the poor kid behind her.

She may be born commoner in her two lives, but it’s not like everyone is born a noble either. In terms of character, that is. There are Nobles who give to the people with character and personalities admired and loved for, and there are Nobles who only take and take, living hedonistically while not doing their damn jobs. Basically, the Veronican Faction considering what she heard of them through many people.

A woman then arrived. She seems to be around mid-twenties. She wore simple black robes so simple and plain they can’t tell what her rank is. Her black hair is styled into a simple bun with a cowlick, and wore a monocle over her left eye. And in place of a Highbeast Cage, it’s a potion belt.

Ferdinand would tell her any good noble would keep three types of potions on their person. A Healing Potion, a Mana Potion and if deadly injuries happen — Jureve. Basically the Comatose Version of Final Fantasy Series’ Elixir while marinating in a bathtub. 

‘We will gather your Jureve Ingredients next year.’ said Ferdinand. ‘Given your mana level, you would need high quality ingredients.’

He would get for her the Winter Lord’s Feystone. The rest will be a Seasonal Field Trip. Besides, her Jureve aside, they need to gather plenty anyway as there are people with no Jureve. That, and some ingredients would go to the new wives as Sylvester’s idea of Welcoming Gifts to make his intentions clear that their well-being is paramount in his duchy. Nicolette already has her own stash, given to her upon getting home post-starbinding.

She told him about a certain tree, but he and Heidemarie would have to study it first and see if its level matches that of the other high-class Ehrenfest Ingredients!

'My name is Hirschur. I will explain the dorm to the newcomers.' the woman began. 'This dormitory has girls' rooms on the third floor, boys' rooms on the second floor, and shared rooms such as a hall and dining room on the first floor. It is forbidden for boys to go up to the third floor, and knight apprentices will take turns guarding the stairs.' she said sternly, giving pointed looks at the boys.

'The innermost part of each floor is the room of the lord and his wife, and is said to be used during lord meetings. If you do not pass the exam and remain in the Academy in the spring, your face and name will be remembered by the lord and his wife in a negative way. Everyone, please be careful.'

'There are three rooms for archduke candidates on each floor, and the rooms around them will be used by their aides. The rooms in the back are for higher-ranking nobles, and the rooms near the stairs are for lower-ranking nobles. Rooms for lower-class and middle-class aristocrats are shared rooms that can be used by multiple people, but it seems that if you save up enough money, you can turn them into private rooms. You have tonight to discuss this before bed.'

'The promotion ceremony and social gathering will be held in two days, and the lectures will begin the next day. By then, new students should get used to life in the dormitory and prepare for the lectures. Preparation is important for everything. So, do you have any questions?' silence. 'None? Good. Oh yes, before I forget...the Library opens at the beginning of classes.' Hirschur continued. 'In order to enter the library as well as borrow books, you need to Register for 1SL. The Librarian prefers to register many at once, so it’s best to organize when the newcomers will come to register. That will be all.' and she left them as swiftly as she came.

Awkward silence ensued.

‘...strange lady…’ Cornelius croaked out.

‘...Ferdinand told me about her.’ Rozemyne began her tale about Hirschur. She was among those whose families fled Ehrenfest because of Veronica and became a Sovereignty Noble.

As the overseer of the Ehrenfest Dormitory, it would usually be expected of Hirschur to live in the Dormitory that she is nominally in charge of. She, however, chose to live in the room in the scholar building of the central complex of the Royal Academy, where she had been living during her schooldays, to have fewer potential distractions for her research. 

Her experiments also at times produce foul smells, making the residents of Ehrenfest's facilities somewhat glad Hirschur chose to deviate from the norm in this case in her younger years.

Initially after her graduation, there was a period when she lived at the Ehrenfest Dormitory, but this came to an end once she chose to take on Ferdinand as her disciple. Due to Lady Veronica's paranoia and spite, she did everything she could to mess with Ferdinand and anyone who would associate with him. 

This not only caused Hirschur to receive regular insulting messages from Veronica herself, but Veronica also had the students of her faction and their adult attendants mess with her in any way they could get away with, which caused her to often sleep in her laboratory and eventually to move entirely to the scholar's building.

The people of the former Veronica faction also intercepted and either stole or redirected the funds meant for Hirschur. Thus as a result, as nobody will work for no pay, she in turn doesn’t do anything as Ehrenfest Supervisor and as Ferdinand noted, doesn’t bother to do reports other than ‘nothing of note happened’ even if something did because she knew full well Sixth will never do something, so why bother?

That, and her research breakthroughs and discoveries are credited to Sovereignty instead. Why benefit the evil ruling couple?

But since Sylvester proved he’s different, Nature VS Nurture with him going both ways towards the good, working hard to be an Aub they all want and need, Sylvester began by paying back Hirschur her dues…using Veronica’s ill-gotten funds so debt is paid with extra, in the form of ingredients and Mana-Conducting Metals!

‘I hope she has been reliable to the seniors since she got compensated?’ Rozemyne called out to the seniors hopefully.

‘We did note that she was a no-show after typical welcoming orientation like tonight for the First Years when we were your age, but as of two years ago she began being reliable.’

This was Olliswald, Hartmut’s eldest brother.

‘That’s a relieving reassurance.’ Rozemyne smiled in relief. ‘We would need her support now. Now then, who can inform me about Ahrensbach’s Archduke Candidates and what to expect? Since Trends became our Verdraeos and the Dark God summoned his eldest daughter for us all, Ahrensbach’s shiny star got stained and they earned a lot of stink-eye so I hope none of them pulled rank to bully you?’ she asked in concern with a frown.

‘Thankfully considering the situation as it’s their fault in the first place through their Ehrenfest Relatives, they don’t have the face to!’ said a cheerful older girl before going serious. ‘As for Archduke Candidates, plenty from all three wives.’

From First Lady Claramae, the admirable woman who scorned Veronica, all her children married out, having only daughters so nope, none of her kids here.

From Second Lady Plautilla has two sons. Blasius who is currently in sixth year and his younger brother Darius who is in fourth year. Blasius is a proud and arrogant man who got annoyed with the ‘disgraced Ehrenfest relations’ staining Ahrensbach’s reputation that he was scornful of his younger half-siblings for having criminals as relatives. 

Darius would tell his older brother that they weren’t their mess to clean up, but that of their Ahrensbach Relatives, thus ordering Alstede and Wolfram to tell their mother to ‘take responsibility’. This showed irate hostility towards the Third House. Both inherited their mother’s red hair and purple eyes.

From Third Lady Georgine, she has Alstede who is in her fourth year, and Wolfram who is in his second year. Alstede is a gloomy, quiet girl and clearly nothing worth of note despite having high grades. She seems to ‘just be alive’ that they find her creepy! They weren’t sure if she’d be even a Third Wife as she’s worse than useless despite great school records and never hosted a single Tea Party.

When invited to one, people noted she is being a spokesperson on behalf of her mother. She also simply takes abuse from her older brothers with calm acceptance, making her pitiful that her Retainers, her younger brother and his Retainers had to defend her because she wouldn’t defend herself. How the heck did her mother raise this kid? Succeed in her daughter where Veronica failed with Sylvester?

Hearing the female scholar’s report on Alstede, the students in the common room shuddered and their imagination ran wild.

As for Wolfram, he is very outspoken and opinionated, clashing with his older half-brothers when the disgraced nobles were banished to Ahrensbach. He is exasperated with her that she was a living doll most days and was relieved that after age seven, he was made to live with his father to begin his upbringing as Archduke Candidate and clearly, had the better parent between him and his sister and was reportedly avoiding going back to his mother if he could help it given how his sister turned out…and their mother is pregnant, currently two months along.

‘Pregnant, two months along eh…and a season from now, Lord Father will marry First Lady Athanasia and Second Lady Emeraude, with the First Lady becoming my adoptive mother.’ Rozemyne looked thoughtful. ‘...this timing is giving me a bad feeling.’ 

‘Sure Lady Georgine’s third kid will be a bit older than her brother’s first children. We better hope it’s not a daughter and considering we’re rising in rank lately, she may have plans for Ehrenfest later if she did have a daughter. Alstede’s too old for that, so that leaves the poor soul in her cradle as a potential Gewinnen piece if the kid is a she.’

By the looks on her peers’ faces, they caught on to her worries.

‘...Nelsha, send a letter home.’ Rozemyne ordered her Adult Retainer who quickly scurried away. ‘Then we can begin dinner. We will talk more after dinner, everyone.’ she told the students as they stood up to go to the Dining Hall.

Chapter Text

‘...looks like somebody slipped when pregnancies are supposed to be kept secret to protect children until baptismal day…’

Sylvester sweatdropped upon finishing Nelsha’s report.

'I wonder what Georgine did to the poor kid...'

‘Your nephew slipped when angered enough for Alstede's sake.’ Ferdinand clarified. The younger girl was only two years younger than him. ‘I reckon Aub Ahrensbach Georgine didn’t let him off for that. There’s a reason pregnancies are secret until birth that they would be under tight protection then.’

‘And for all she hated mother, she succeeded in poor Alstede. She got a puppet. Good thing Wolfram is raised by his father at his house so any brainwashing is diffused after he turned seven years old. He’s headstrong and has his own mind and he had to, with brothers like those.’ Sylvester shivered, putting the report down. ‘She didn’t deserve a mother like mine and hers.’

‘Apfelsige did not fall far from the tree.’ Ferdinand shook his head, tut-tutting. ‘I hope children from Constanze aren't the same.'

‘Well, her children are too young for the Academy right now…she’s five years older than me and all.’ said Sylvester with a shrug. ‘Aub Frenbeltag told me through a letter he gave me that little Rudiger is five years old and he’s a breech baby. She is severely hurt; she is awaiting Jureve from the Duchy Knights to heal and let’s just say they haven’t time for that, after backing Fourth Prince. So for now Rudiger is her only child.’

‘...she doesn’t have Jureve from her time in Ehrenfest?’

‘Dumb question when your parents are around. I couldn’t get her materials.’ said Karstedt with a scoff. ‘There are Veronican Knights in the Barracks at the time. One time I tried to get a Ruelle Fruit for her? Veronica showed up when we got back to the city, sweetly asking me for it with a sickening smile on her face! So I lied that it’s mine and dyed it in front of her to spite her.’ he grunted in disgust. ‘Father protected me from her after and luckily because he is powerful in mana and political power and backing, Aub and that woman can’t do anything.’

‘Constanze gave up when she heard from me and cursed her parents with all her hatred before marrying out! Sylvester already has a Jureve, to whom that fruit was intended for is up in the air since then.’

Sylvester got gloomy at that. ‘That explains why she didn’t heal so she can have another kid after Rudiger…’

‘That woman is depraved. Selfish. She is Selfish in human form.’ Karstedt shook his head in disgust. ‘I couldn’t help Constanze. Not even Georgine had a Jureve before leaving. But I suppose Grausam and Sidonius did the work when nobody’s looking so she has some no doubt.’

‘...’

After a large Dinner…

‘Now then, everyone can go to bed but Knights stay for a few more minutes.’ said Rozemyne as everyone stood up. ‘Line up, Graduating Seniors to the front! I’ll check you first.’

She checked their health status, noted their dietary lackings for a set period of time and had Nelsha forward the information to the kitchens.

‘Erm, how are our bodies connected to the food we eat, Lady Rozemyne?’ a knight wondered, totally confused.

‘Everything.’ Rozemyne tut-tutted. ‘Ingredients have specific types of nourishments they give to certain body parts in our bodies when I researched food with Lord Ferdinand’s Scholar, Lady Heidemarie since her family’s specialty is Fauna. As we are all healing under the grace of the Dark God before Chaoscipher had Lebeneme taint Cuococalura’s banquet, I am to increase Angriff’s gifts through Heilschmerz and that means eating well.’

‘We have the fewest number of Knights in our duchy that we only have enough to deal with the Winter Lord. Thus we aim for quality through nourishing the body and better training methods.’ Rozemyne continued. ‘That is why we have made changes for your relatives in the Castle Barracks and the Dormitory Dining Hall. Quality over Quantity.’ The Knights found themselves astonished.

‘Lastly…’ Rozemyne looked like she began praying. Her noble ring’s feystone glowed and next thing they know, blue and green little balls of light shot out at them. ‘I will grant you blessings of Anwachs and Heilschmerz every night to heal and develop through the food you ate every day until your bodies have fully recovered from malnourishment. To this day, I wonder who in our history tried being Erwachleren in a bid to spread Cuococalura’s Blessings, but Felinora’s voice is louder than his teachings. Our people must heal.’

‘So by eating well, is that why you and Damuel are so big and tall for your age?’ another Knight asked her.

‘We had to tell people he really did just step into Summer, not someone who got pranked by Dregarhnur!’

Damuel looked sheepish at that.

‘Ohoho! He and I are proof of my research’s results!’ Rozemyne beamed happily before she wore a solemn smile. ‘I hope we all grow strong into our autumn…as proof we all recovered from the Reign of Chaoscipher as our late Dark God hoped for, before Chaoscipher expedited his ascent up to the heights. Time for us to retire now and May Schlaftraum bless you.’

That’s a dismissal and yeah, a heavy meal can make you sleepy…

Next day…

Breakfast is as follows: a thick slice of rye bread with choices of fruit jams preferred, two cm thick slices of ham and two fried eggs as protein as well as steamed fish with delicious sauce, and a light, but nutritionally-potent vegetable soup.

The food given changes per day, but the pattern never changes. Carbs and sugar through bread and jam, a protein dish and oily fish, and vegetables through soup. But all are highly-nourishing now that they are made the RIGHT way.

Once breakfast is done, Rozemyne has announcements to make.

‘Now that we are fully-sated, I have announcements to make.’ said Rozemyne as she got off her chair and stood up. ‘You all have brief reprieve since Lord Ferdinand graduated, but now that there’s an Archduke Candidate again, we may have to discuss our Ditter Tactics.’ the whole dining hall gulped.

How would she be as Field Commander of Ditter? Indeed BECAUSE there’s a new Archduke Candidate, Dunklefelger, emboldened by Lord Ferdinand’s talents, may challenge them because of Rozemyne!

‘If Big Uncle is the Lord of Evil to compensate for our…abysmal numbers, I shall compensate through our combined talents. All of us must shine and no one is to be left alone. And we will all work as one! Status and Factions must end here. There is no letter ‘I’ in teamwork. Thus we will have a long discussion today on how we can all contribute in Mock Battles and Ditter.’

‘And to juniors who have trouble with curriculum and homework, feel free to ask your seniors or even me for help in comprehension. In studies, no one is to be left behind as well. We will all walk forward together from start to finish, gain merits befitting your talents and receive honors with pride without boundaries of hierarchy in the Academy! Am I clear?!’

The students of all ages gasped as one when she made that declaration after that Ditter Warning.

She’s different not just because of her commoner origins. Her way of thinking is also different, as she wants them all to progress without worries about status nor factions.

‘L-Lady Rozemyne, will that go well with duchies ranking higher than us?’ another archnoble squeaked out.

‘Lord Uncle didn’t care about trivial matters, their problem, not ours. Meek, submissive attitudes will just empower bullies to pick on you by pulling rank on you because you let them. Hence we must all have a passive-aggressive dance mastery with Grammaratur to deal with them, and walk with confidence because you are accomplished, so nobody can look down on you. And because we are a backwater countryside duchy that everyone thinks of us as lowly bugs beneath their shoes, it is more reason we should all work harder to gain respect from everyone.’ Rozemyne snorted with an armfold. 

‘I agree with him that we should never hold back just to soothe frail egos of people not worth our notice and you will see who’s who when we sit in the classrooms. So what if they are of higher rank? It’s their duty to set an example, but Ordoschnelli would talk in disdain that they are lacking, too comfortable in riding the tailcoats of their accomplished predecessors without shame and that is contemptible!’ she barked in derision before she gave the nobles a serious glower with the attitude of a Sergeant before Military Academy’s fresh meat.

‘Thus we shall not be foolish, shameless freeloaders like them, that Lord Uncle and I will set a good example to you all! We will excel, and I expect you all to follow and excel! Shine in where you’re strongest, and work on improving where you lack! Merits are everything! The more you shine, the more your prospects look brighter be it career or marriage! Aim for a future you know is worth you! With many merits, you damn well earned the future you truly wish for yourselves and never let anyone say otherwise just because of status and factions! We are children of Geduldh as a whole, and ignore Chaoscipher keeping us split!’

The nobles stood as one and bowed in reverence to her convictions and hopes for their healing duchy after suffering for over three decades.

‘Now then, for the unlucky generation of us First Years…’ Rozemyne now sounded calm, but this time, put on dramatics with mock swooning. ‘I hope you all compressed before you stepped foot into this academy…and you will keep compressing until it’s time to get our Divine Will.’ she continued. ‘Normally our mana replenishes over time depending on our capacity, but we have a way out around that.’

And because she’s a commoner-born, her emotions are veeeery open, but she has great control over her mana that she has no flare-ups nobles normally suffer WHEN emotional. Is it that easy for her?

‘Our…cheat for this week is painful, it'll make Vantole cry in despair…Lord Ferdinand will send a supply of his personal brand of Mana-Recovery Potions for our sakes. Very effective! A few sips or bottles depending on your mana capacity, is enough to make you instantly full again after compressing! But the cost is Vantole’s Anguish! Cuococalura will gladly pray for our palates for mercy!’ 

Vantole isn’t just a god of Alcohol…he’s the God of Brewing. Anything that can be brewed is his domain as most people forgot. And Rozemyne implied an impending nasty headed their way…

The First Years are now terrified. How bad can it be that Cuococalura’s Agent herself says it’s anguish to the palate?!

‘The taste, no words can describe other than sheer anguish…but Lord Ferdinand happily sacrificed taste for effect! We must face the trial of Glucklitat every after dinner, so this week, we shall drink that horrid thing before dinner, so that horrible taste will be cleansed off before bed.’

‘Our anguish shall end after we acquire Schtappe…and I shall give you all chocolates for enduring such hardship before classes officially begin.’

Gasps rang in the Dining Hall. Chocolate when it’s going to be released in Spring next year?! And First Years get it as ‘comfort’ after one week of anguish?!

The first years looked excited now, Cornelius noted. As a Linkberg, he gets the privilege of having the ability to secretly purchase from her so yep, he knows the pleasure chocolates can give~~~

‘Chocolate?!’

‘We get to taste that first?!’

‘Lucky!!’

'For free! Oh wow!!'

Second-years onwards pouted. They get to taste that newest sweet that got high praises from the Linkberg Ladies and Lady Nicolette? No faaaair! 

Then again, they weren’t subject to Trauerqual’s New Law…they were late for that, thus, got to have Schtappe in their Third Year…

‘Looks like Lady Rozemyne has everything covered.’ said Hirschur with an amused smile, while impressed with the new Archduke Candidate when she eavesdropped. ‘But still, keep in mind that we are Ranked 18. While indeed we can all excel above others in grades and school merits, politics is still at play. Sooo we can put them to shame in academics while still being well-mannered.’ she advised. ‘Balance things well and we’ll be alright.’

‘I understand professor. I have heard from Lord Ferdinand how he sailed the turbulent waters smoothly, we will act accordingly.’ Rozemyne promised. ‘But I will not compromise on our journey for excellence.’

‘Of course.’

Thus, that day was spent on planning and discussions, with a ten minute tea break in between. But just sipping tea and the privy. No food to spoil lunch and dinner.

But that sundown before dinner…

Adult Knights came with wooden crates of…potions!

The First Years paled in horror.

‘AAAAHHHH!’

‘It’s here!’

‘Vantole’s Despair is here!!’

‘I don’t want to die!!’

The Knights sweatdropped, but they pitied these kids…alas, sacrifices must be made for a good schtappe…

‘Remember the chocolate people! Remember the chocolate for being strong this week! We must all endure!’ Rozemyne called out to the terrified fellow first years.

Rozemyne set an example and snatched a bottle from a random crate, making a Knight hand the crate to Nelsha.

Rozemyne looked at the bottle like she was holding a slimy slug, and chugged down the bottle that’s about 100 ml.

Once she’s done…

…she dropped the bottle…

How she showed her anguish in a way that will make Japanese Anime Studios inspired by the black comedy she showed in her anguished reaction to the potion was a scene of horror to her peers before ending in fainting.

‘KYAAAA!’

‘LADY ROZEMYNE DIED!!’

‘DOCTOR! WHERE’S THE DOCTOOOR?!’

…needless to say, the First Years have their first night of despair and responsible adults had to deal with nightly anguish till time to get those Divine Wills…

‘Poor kids…’ Sylvester looked queasy at the tales of horror the Guard Knights reported after delivering the potions to the Dormitory. ‘This is all Prince Trauerqual’s fault…thus while the nine year olds still have time so they won’t suffer as much, they must make full use of their time well if they don’t want Vantole’s Despair when the time comes.’

The goal of Ehrenfest’s mana level for all their children is high.

Due to hierarchy, everyone can’t all be archnobles or archdukes in terms of mana levels, otherwise the Greater Duchies and Royal Family will be threatened by all that power.

So the compromise is this:

A year before graduation before teachers measure everyone’s mana for one last time…Laynobles will compress till ‘five steps away’ to Mednoble Levels. Mednobles will compress five steps away to Archnoble. Then after that final recording of mana, keep compressing till coming of age!

THEN find marriage matches after that. For the sake of powerful descendants each tier.

That was all their goals, other than having as many children as they can financially afford.

‘Well, all for our goals. We don’t get things we want for free…we have to pay to balance the books.’ he sighed. ‘Our children will pay in mana growth for their children’s bright prospects, we adults deal with political, economical and military dues.’

Next day…

Was time for the Advancement Ceremony.

All kids are fresh from the bath, hair glossy from Shamrin, uniforms pressed and girls wearing hairpins.

Rozemyne wore her hair Chibiusa-style after figuring out how to do it. But as those puffy pigtails are impossible as it’s ANIME for a reason, she settled for layered ringlets like Elizabeth Midford to compensate with the tips of the ringlets barely reaching her ears. And she has shades of yellow and orange flowers on her tsumami-kanzashi on her hair, a tasteful mix of bonten and bira-bira-style on her left bunny bun.

‘Lady Rozemyne is this alright? One would think you’re a shumil…’ Nelsha sweatdropped as beside her, Patricia watched to learn how to do Rozemyne’s Academy Hairstyle.

Indeed, those two semi-pointy buns would resemble bunny ears…Patricia felt faint from the adorableness as her lady has the blue hair like the fur of shumils…and her eyes!!

‘That’s the point. It’s weird I know, but the point is to be so cute people would think you’re unassuming and harmless…until the nasty claws come out.’ Rozemyne giggled. ‘Everyone in Archduke Candidate Course has statements to make through fashion and lasting impressions, this is my impression.’

‘Heee…’

‘So yup, if men carry swords and shields to war, us ladies wear our beauty as our weapons to war, so let’s walk the walk!’ and they left her room.

Everyone gathered in the first floor’s large hallway that led to the stairs. And led out by a male graduating senior.

‘Alright everyone, don’t forget we are Door 18 on our Dormitory Door.’ he would say. ‘Trying too many times to enter the wrong door will get you detained and interrogated! Our Ranking affects the Order Greeting and Placement of Seats, and give way to those higher ranking.’

And while the other students headed for the Auditorium, Archduke Candidates are led to the Small Hall with their Retainers after the Advancement Ceremony, and orientation to new First Years.

What’s important is what comes after this, Rozemyne thought. After all, she’s an Archduke Candidate with the fewest Retainers with good reason!

‘Lady Rozemyne from Ehrenfest the eighteenth has arrived.’

The other students from the other duchies looked at the newest candidate from Ehrenfest. Too tall for her age. And her hair!!

Is she shumil in human form, was the collective mental opinion.

For her duchy Rozemyne thought, the boy whose attendance cut short the magical potentials of many first years is at front.

Prince Sigiswald. Wavy blonde hair parted from the left by 7:3 ratio with green eyes and thin, arched eyebrows clad in Sovereignty Uniform. Looks arrogant already as if he himself is on the throne, war-be-damned between his father and surviving uncle. He has no guard on himself when he and his half-siblings have a Sword of Damocles above their heads!

He sat with the children of Fourth Prince, in order of age — Princes Leandre, Chadric and Kheldar from their First Crown Princess the Fourth Mother Lady Nerissa, Prince Donovan and Princesses Sabrina and Cordelia from Second Crown Princess the Fourth, Lady Cattleya and Princesses Annerose and Dorothea and Prince Alphonse from Third Crown Princess the Fourth, Lady Almiria.

He doesn’t even know it, but his schtappe’s magical potential is also axed. For now he and his blood brother Prince Anastasius through First Crown Princess the Fifth Ralfrieda and their half-sister Princess Macaria through Second Crown Princess Clementine the Fifth are the youngest royals.

Her mission is to study the reactions of Duchies 2 and 3 as requested of her by Ferdinand since they are in the know.

Greetings have begun.

Klassenberg stood up, greeted the royals and sat down. Then Dunklefelger stood up, greeted Sovereignty and Klassenberg…

…and so on…and she has to greet 17 duchies!! Aaaaargh!

And they all have something to say, befitting the arrogance of superiors towards their inferiors.

Thankfully, her outrageous reputation didn’t leak past Ehrenfest…

Dunklefelger is, at least, friendly.

‘Lady Rozemyne, owing to friendship between our respective Lord Relations, we shall enjoy the Banquet of Leidenschaft and dine on Ferdinand’s Uniqueness together!’ said the current Ditterhead Candidate, Lord Waltraner with cheer.

‘Indeed, may we dance together on a stage prepared by Angriff out of friendship, Lord Waltraner.’ Rozemyne smiled demurely. ‘May we have the same friendship between warriors as our lord relatives before us.’

WHAT WARRIOR?! – the other duchies wondered, bamboozled.

This shumil against a Dunklefelger? Is she for real?!

Then again, she has big shoes to fill left behind by THE Lord Ferdinand, her Uncle!!

But a shumil is a shumil.

Beneath the fluffy cuteness ladies adore them for, they have poisonous claws! How will she fare indeed!!

Then there’s Ahrensbach the Sixth.

Alstede wore a melancholic smile, and wore her hair in braids ala Kanroji Mitsuri. Blasius and Darius were derisive of her, but Wolfram was at least, polite to her.

After greetings, is lunch.

But…

…compared to Ehrenfest Food, this was lackluster. Still salty and sour crap with no ingredient flavor whatsoever…not much texture beyond sogginess, tough and chewy…despite the presentation of dishes passable enough for Haute Cuisine.

Her spoiled retainers who enjoyed delicious goodies for years are also not impressed. They ate with BOREDOM.

The last is dessert. A small cake with two cute birds on it…

…but it was a sugar bomb. YUUUUCK!!

Endure! Endure!

Her Veronican Retainers looked used to this. Then again, they must be eating this insane levels of sweetness till their families’ arrest…

…it clearly was something NOT missed at all.

Chapter Text

The battle has begun for the Exams.

Because Rozemyne insists they all progress equally and fairly while aiming high---or the best they can do as long as they pass, but she didn't say that anyway to trick them into working for high grades, study sessions began which have the intensity levels of College Entrance Exams, the exams students take when trying to get into a College they like, back-up schools included.

And so…it’s time after a break on their first two days. It’s now Leafday, the official beginning of the school year.

Introduction will now begin. Professor Primevere spoke aloud with her magic tool. Listen well as it will be very useful for your Academy Life. There is an Exam on the First Day for every subject. Only students who do not pass, will attend the class.

Every year, many students pass on Day One, but practical classes take much longer. Practical Lessons are taken based on Mana Capacity, though the classrooms will change if class size is reduced.

Aaaaahhh, Rozemyne thought in weariness. Her duchy’s numbers are the fewest in the land…how’re they gonna do this then?

Now begins an explanation about the Library. Now THIS, Rozemyne paid excited attention to. She wants new material dammit! It is open from today onwards, so you can use it after Registering. Make an appointment with Professor Samantha, our Chief Librarian to Register.

“I need to schedule that meeting as soon as we get back for lunch!” Rozemyne swore in determination.

…a Registration Fee will also be required. Primevere continued. The fee is often too expensive for Laynobles, so we ask that Archduke Candidates and Archnobles employ them so that they may save up for it.

“Aah, for new material in exchange for money, we can copy books!” say hello to Crest Work as Book Copiers, folks! But still, isn't 1 small gold highway robbery? Library Registration/Card Fees back in Japan is just a mere pittance compared to that! SWINDLEEEERS!!

…socializing is encouraged between duchies, so please make sure you mingle well. Since you can’t enter another duchy’s dormitory, there are rooms for Tea Parties in the Main Building for your use. Register for rent is five large silver for the minimum of two hours, and price goes up every additional two hours.

However, for the ones who are hosting, you will foot the rental expenses, and you can only access types of rooms befitting your rank, and you are responsible for the refreshments. That will be all, and good luck for your exams.

Ugh!

Rozemyne does NOT care for Tea Parties, she cares more for her precious books! And her precious reading time! Work makes it harder for her to have both because she has duties as Archduke Candidate, not just her many businesses.

But Elvira delivered unto her the might and weight of Ladies’ Society ever since she accidentally saved Ehrenfest through her first two products. She must mingle and socialize! Being a ruined woman in Ladies Society will axe not just her future, but also the future of her children! It’s that bad!! Especially as in Ehrenfest, she’s the lead trendsetter!

She has no choice! She must host parties, and excel enough to be invited by her superiors and deliver favorable impressions. She can’t just ride on Ferdinand’s goodwill with Dunklefelger and rely on it.

She said it herself—-set. an. example.

Upon being dismissed, it’s time!

The First Years of Ehrenfest looked determined to pass on their first day.

First up! Math Exam!

When Ferdinand grilled her, Rozemyne felt INSULTED.

The Academy Curriculum for TEN YEAR OLD KIDS is something she studied…at age seven! What the heck!

She felt faint.

“Aaaah, the way education levels here insults my hard-earned intelligence, I feel my own braincells die…” 

They all lined up to get parchment at the front from the Math Teacher, again in order of duchy ranking.

Once everyone was seated, he spoke.

Write down the questions as I state them after I’ll give you time to write your name, status and duchy origin and corresponding rank on the left side of your parchment. I will repeat the questions three times. You may think of your answer upon writing them all down.

When he fell silent, everyone took that as their cue to write down their info.

“...we need a Xerox Machine for this stuff, or at least, Mimeograph Printing…but the problem here is jobs. Tons of people will lose their jobs.” she thought with a frown. And given how nobles work, they easily discard people like a worn-out shoe when convenience is at hand. So copy-paste magic is at hand through Hirschur.

She’ll have to talk to Hirschur later and a neutral professor. But she has to create the spell first in Ehrenfest. So Laynobles whose jobs are Book Copiers, will NOT lose their jobs and still have time for their kids.

So Rozemyne wrote on the top left of her parchment:

Rozemyne Tochter Bernett Adotie Ehrenfest
Archduke Candidate
Ehrenfest the 18th

Soon, questions began. All of which, repeated three times.

*13 + 6…

21 + 34…

68 + 19…

…and so on…

“Fuuuuck…I can already envision my neurons wailing at the indignity of this…I, a woman who died at age 21, must do basic addition and to most people here, this is hard??? It’s good I ain’t joking around in Ehrenfest Playroom and Temple Lessons for my retinue!” Their math is insanely advanced thanks to her by the way!

Just how dumb are people here, that this is an exam for TEN YEAR OLDS?!?! She knows Noble Upbringing is important in society here, but that’s no excuse to neglect Math to this insane extent! At age 10, she was learning numbers of three-digits, Subtraction with Borrowing and two-digit numbers involving Comparison, Multiplication Tables, 4-digit numbers, Place Values, Problem-Solving, Division, Measurement, shapes, lines and angles, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages!

Next was Theology.

But passing two times in a row, garnered them attention because apparently, the lower the rank, the less resources one supposedly has, thus they get passing grades without faltering when even in Ferdinand’s time, some students were called out for failing…

And so, after Lunch Break…

It’s time for Hirschur’s class. Mana Control.

Simple task really…direct mana into the feystone, fill it up, then empty it.

But Rozemyne is aware that her mana is too powerful from all her compressing. Right now she is empty beyond what’s needed. She had asked for high-quality feystones to drain herself dry just to pass this class, or any cheap stone in class she touches is dust.

Besides, with Ferdinand’s hellish poisons, she’ll make it in time for her schtappe.

After Hirschur’s class is a short break for now.

‘Nelsha, did Professor Samantha say anything~~?’ Rozemyne asked her Temp Help hopefully upon returning to the dorms with her Retainers.

‘She replied to your letter milady.’ said Nelsha with a soft smile. ‘As well as prepared something so everyone can register, though they’ll have to pay it back…’

‘That’s what Crest Work is for.’ said Rozemyne with a beaming beatific smile. ‘They can pay me back in a short time.’ she said nonchalantly but her smile is impish. ‘Besides, our Castle Library is outdated, it could use some updating~~~’

Nelsha and Rozemyne’s retinue choked.

Their lady. LOVES BOOKS. And she wants new material now before she exhausted the current Castle Library!

They pitied the poor Laynobles already. Her charity for now will definitely be charged back with sore wrists!

If not working to create new trends, she reads in the library for hours and hours, time-be-damned she had to be reminded to eat and sleep! She needs a firm minder if their master is to not starve herself to death! Goodness knows Richarda had her ‘Rozemyne Rules’ down pat and grilled both Nelsha and Patricia in…Rozemyne Management 101.

In terms of Guard Duty, she’s low maintenance. Just her residence, library and her laboratory just to make sure she does her duties as Archduke Candidate, eats, bathes and sleeps other than enjoying her hobby or research work. Though she sometimes makes them do errands for her to help her finish efficiently so they don't stand around all day, and those who applied to be her Scholar knew the true terror of how much is her workload that good thing she was strict with working hours or her workload can make even adults CRY.

The upside was for all the misery, the salary even for apprentices is high.

They need only worry about staying in shape, so they’ll take shifts guarding her and working out.

Besides, fortunately for them, Rozemyne also worked out with what she calls ‘Repetitive Stationary Movements’ for girls that she roped Patricia into as it makes girls fit without gaining muscle, but more on stamina and endurance. Patricia for her work, and for Rozemyne, so she can maintain her health until she gets a Jureve.

Hello? Devouring Commoner and the ills that came with it?

‘Now then, after dinner I’ll put a notice on the board regarding Crest Work…’

Rozemyne has cataloged ALL titles of books and authors in the Castle Library. Thus even if she only read 10% of it due to all her jobs, she looked up all their titles, after asking the staff to sort out the books per subject matter to be easier to find for anybody, and it’d be easier to know what’s missing.

After that, cataloging got easier.

She’ll make Laynoble kids and some poorer Mednoble kids earn their keep. She had Nelsha mail home for materials for usage.

Besides, don’t you retain knowledge better by writing it down according to psychological studies of some sort? They read while copying down? They gain both knowledge and money!

‘The rest of this day is a break to prepare for exams, right? That means I can announce it after I learn more about the rules for this.’ she mused. ‘Nelsha, Letter Ordonnanz for me?’

‘What should I write?’

‘Inquire about the rules of Crest Work. When can we begin? Difficulty Levels based on tasks usually given by employers and Matching Pay. The work difficulty must match the salary otherwise nobody’s going to want to do it after all…so I want Hirschur to come up with five difficulty levels, and for each level, minimum to maximum pay per level that also has its own Risk Level, so students who wants to hire has an idea of how much to pay with the maximum amount being 1 small gold for the toughest jobs experienced seniors can do in terms of Material Gathering and Brewing Work. Time is also a factor in affecting salary prices. The longer it takes to do, the higher the pay must be.’

‘This way, no jerk can short anyone on purpose when the rules are so clear and you cannot refute when your employee complains that you shorted them on their pay and shamelessly pulled rank in doing so.’ Rozemyne continued. ‘That affects Trust and shows people what kind of employer you are, that nobody’d be dumb enough to work for that kind of person ever again. Who’d want to work for an employer who exploits and financially-abuses employees?’

And Rozemyne is a generous employer—because she is a hard boss herself, but absolutely fair. And she has standards in cleanliness and sanitation of the workplace, quality of products made by employers to even how they look in terms of grooming. Especially their hands when making chocolates!!

She knows all the costs of products in the city that she pays accordingly as well in all workshops she’s owned to enable her employees to be able to save up for winter and annual taxes while still managing to pay for personal needs such as new clothes, shoes and furniture or tools that need drastic replacement. Goodness knows her Retainers have a rundown on that when she told them about herself and what a typical commoner house has and their needs, so they’d know what to expect from her as their Employer.

That said, she’s an easy-to-understand Master as a result that the Temple Veronicans are very grateful about. Damuel had vouched for her to his friends since his family also works in Shamrin Research and other things for her and she pays VERY WELL. She also had a hand in knowing when to strike, thanks to the chaotic upheaval in the past that saw bountiful job vacancies in the castle, she pushed his brother and his wife to secure the best office jobs they could get, the highest post for Mednobles!

Strike while the iron is hot indeed! Thus for newly-minted Mednobles, their family is on its way to being rich!

‘...I can see that happening back when Lady Veronica’s in power…it’s why when they post up Crest Work back in the day, nobody’s dumb because we know your fears too well.’ said Nelsha sardonically as she wrote the letter down in her Ordonnanz after getting what her little miss wants done, and formatted the letter as properly as possible. Then sent it off. ‘We're waiting for word now…’

In her office, when Hirschur got the Ordonnanz…after reading the letter thoroughly, she wrote down a reply and sent it back.

So Rozemyne prepared a large Crest Work Rules poster using Kunzeal Paper that she’ll have Nelsha put up in the Common Area right beside a Crest Work Bulletin Board she ordered from the Woodworking Guild, to be delivered as soon as it’s done. That, and a letter to Sylvester regarding what she’s up to.

‘So Lady Rozemyne, everyone can take on Crest Work?’

‘Of course, even you guys as long as you agree on shifts.’ Rozemyne shrugged. ‘But do take care as I do not encourage overtiming in Crest Work in the Academy as you have your studies and grades to consider. Every employee working for me works nine hours a day in my Workshops, I don’t run a freaking sweatshop, and I expect the same of my Retainers. Take shifts.’

‘For that to be possible you need more Retainers.’ Damuel pointed out. ‘So we’d really be overtiming even if you don’t want us to, that I really recommend recruiting, but I know you since childhood…’ he said in resignation with a sweatdrop. ‘You would never force anyone to work for you in the Noble Society.’

And that is a problem!

‘You know me too well, little uncle.’ Rozemyne smiled before sighing wistfully. ‘I don’t want resentment from anyone after all if they are forced to work for someone they don’t like, yet forced to put up with that person. In such a situation, that annoyed employee will do the bare minimum when in a good mood or when annoyed, deliberately do malicious compliance, purposefully interpret instructions maliciously and yes people do that to annoy employer, or downright bad quality on purpose and have excuses at the ready.’

‘I’m sure they’ll come to regret not working for milady when they discerned her nature enough.’ said Arvin cheerfully. ‘We’ve got a really swell boss! Their loss!’ because as Apprentice Knights, their salary is already 1 small gold working for her and that’s already a huge deal! What more if they are adults?!

…and Rozemyne’s severe lack of staff is what Nelsha complained about in her report.

‘Ahhh…stubborn as heck and yet despite her wishes, she’s understaffed by these standards…’ Sylvester groaned, face-planting on the dining table, complaining to Nicolette after he read Nelsha's report while munching on his dinner. ‘And still so is Ferdinand and they’re both stubborn!’ even HE gained Retainers owing to his stunt in saving Haldenzel's Spring that he now has a normal Retinue!

‘Blue haired and golden eyed, workaholics, research freaks…’ Nicolette listed off while raising a finger from her left hand starting with her pinky. ‘...stubborn as mules, very picky with people, thus both are severely understaffed…if not for blood they could be related at heart and mind.’ she chuckled as she shook her head. ‘And that thing Rozemyne asked Ferdinand to look up…is there any result?’

‘Not yet…he hasn’t left his lab yet with Justus and Lasfam.’ said Sylvester.

There was a Feytree commoners knew about that Nobles don’t know about because they hardly go out in winter unless it’s to each other’s mansions in Socializing. And they enjoy it as free annual sweets!

However, due to the high life element, it was also what keeps very poor commoners alive from poverty-induced malnutrition, and induces fertility. Thus Rozemyne asked if it’ll be good Jureve material for her in case getting a Winter Lord feystone is a tall order due to their Order’s pitiful numbers.

They know how bad Rozemyne’s condition is and they have to match it with the materials.

‘There’s a thing as too much and too low.’ he said. ‘Overdosing and underdosing is bad in any case. Rozemyne did what she could by recklessly experimenting on herself till she stopped due to one bad thing if she continued, thus needs a Jureve. We’ll wait what Ferdinand has to say and I have to deliver many things to her since she made some requests.’

By casting Healing Blessings, she basically described ‘ice shaving’ to him, shaving off her hardened mana until she found a dangerous point that made her stop that is life-threatening. But at least she ‘did enough’ to be able to live normally but she can’t withstand Knight Training until she gets it.

She is already proficient with Mana Flow and Control far beyond her years. Just that no feystone lower than Archduke-Use-quality can withstand her that she had to drain herself just to pass that class. 

She compressed that she is now Ferdinand’s level back when he was ten. She is that strong.

Sylvester learned Ferdinand is so strong out of necessity…no thanks to his mother. Rozemyne did hers to rise in status, so she can sell her products without offending high-level noblewomen who’d kill to be a Golden Trend Mine yet they don’t have her ability to their shame…and what do petty nobles do??? So yes, Rozemyne exploited the system to survive and make money!

She rose with her mana to become an Archduke Candidate by being adopted in. And she’s easily Greifechan Incarnate with all the gold she’s amassing, thank goodness for Merchant Taxes!

15% of earnings from her businesses made Sylvester actually FEEL rich that he won’t lose face to his two new wives in terms of wealth, at least!

And Rozemyne?

…wanted those dairy products off her adoptive mom, why?? “Oh no, a new trend again?? Rozemyne! You’re too fast! Give poor Gustav a breather! He can't just make the Carpentry Guild spit out buildings!”

Next exams are History, Geography and Music exams.

Problem?

‘Lady Rozemyne! It’s Angelica!!’

What now, Rozemyne wondered as she saw one of the girls outside her door. No idea who this is, they were students when she was seven…

‘What about Angelica?’ Rozemyne asked in wonder.

‘She refuses to study!’

‘Ehhh?!’

‘She just smiles like an idiot when we ask why!!’

Oh boy, problem child so soon!! They rushed to the Common Room where the center of attention is the blue-haired fairy in looks, but…something’s up.

‘Angelica, I hear you refuse to study?’ Rozemyne asked her. ‘Can we get a reasonable reason as to why, when you did well this morning?’

Angelica passed with all of them in Arithmetic, Theology and Magic.

Angelica smiled sweetly.

‘Ehhh they’re useless for Knight Course, why do I have to bother?’

‘You have to because we must pass all our classes to be allowed in the Specialty Courses you know.’ Rozemyne would tell her. ‘The Professors will never let you in even if you’re a Third Year Student.’ Angelica looked like she was struck with her words. She then put on the stock flashlight-on-face scare tactic using her ring as said flashlight, and spoke in a deliberately spooky deep voice, ‘You’ll be on…eeeeteeernal remeeeeediaaaalll….neeeever be a Kniiiiight…’

“She’s laying it on thick!” came the collective sweatdrops as Angelica is now deeply horrified. “But it works?”

‘E-ehhh?! Nooooo!! I don’t want to be barred!’

If it was that easy, they should’ve thought about that…

Well, out of fear, Angelica studied. ‘But these subjects are so useless, why are they needed to get into Knight Course anyway?’ she would whine.

‘Not totally useless Angelica.’ Cornelius chided. ‘History on locations so we know what to expect incase we end up there. Geography so we don’t get lost on the job! And Music…’

‘That’s even worse~~’

‘Music is a vital part of our society! Any noble worth their salt must play instruments or you’ll land in trouble in society! So yes, study music too! Especially as you’re a lady! Mother who mentors Lady Rozemyne would say Music is one of the Pillars of Ladies’ Society other than Trends…! Us boys learn music too because no lady would deign to look at a suitor who can’t even play properly…’

Nag nag nag nag nag nag…

…nag Cornelius goes as Angelica is helpless from all that nagging.

‘...he’s like a mother hen isn’t he?’ Rozemyne squeaked, finding newfound terror in her knight.

‘I don’t feel sorry for Angelica one bit, where is her brain?’ Barthold huffed. ‘She damn earned that nagging.'

And so, the next day…exams time again!

They were all nervous with Angelica though…but thankfully, she pulled through!

‘Alrighty! We all made it!’ Rozemyne announced in relief over dinner. ‘Now that the exams are out of our hair, I have an announcement for you all.’ she said as Nelsha and Damuel put up the large poster for Crest Work and rules. ‘Crest Work will officially begin next Leafday! Please follow these rules accordingly, future employers, for your part-time employees!’ she said as the Nobles looked at the Crest Work rules on the Kunzeal Paper pinned up on the wall. Complete with border art!

‘As for those who need help in having Library Registration Fees…you can pay me back through your first Crest Work with me as a client.’

Patricia put out another Kunzeal Paper containing a catalog of Castle Library Books separated by field, and put up by the taller boys next to the Crest Work Poster.

‘This is the list of all books we have in the Castle Library…my Crest Work is for you to copy what books we don’t have, to update the outdated library back home. The pay is 1 small gold per copied book as a Permanent Task from me. Consult with other Book Copiers so you won’t end up copying off the same book, and submit your finished work to Nelsha.’

‘Sooo who needs help with the Library Fees?’

Chapter Text

This is it, everyone thought.

What they all tortured themselves for.

Today, is Schtappe Acquisition Day!!

Last Night, Hirschur measured everyone's mana before Schtappe Acquisition after they obtained a box of chocolates for enduring Ferdinand's Potions.

The Laynobles are now on the highest they can be, that Hirschur estimated 'a hair away from Greater Duchy Laynoble strength'. But they can never be as strong as Damuel and his friends.

The Mednobles are now on the high-end. A Level away from Archnoble.

The Archnobles are now on the high end as well. That they are close to the levels of Archducal Branch Families.

As for Rozemyne who compressed three more times, she is now Ferdinand's level in mana that should she be at the right age, they can sense each other. That she really has to stop compressing or she can never marry! (When Ferdinand got wind of this, because Rozemyne is still growing to Sylvester's horror as she'd be in a doomed lonely adult life, he had to keep compressing.)

This way, they'll get a high-quality schtappe at least on Mana Level terms, even if they are compromised regarding Divine Protections that Ehrenfest is a little annoyed with the Royal Family but they are unable to act on it, lest their heads roll. After all, they all owed the late Zent Basileus who delivered them from Chaoscipher. Thus can't act against his family. They are also Neutral because they are super-poor and what money gained from Lady Rozemyne's many businesses goes to aiding in rebuilding the duchy!

Considering what she did to provide jobs by building beautiful and quaint villages for people to move into, the Lower City needs drastic renovations.

Their mothers heard from Lady Elvira about the villages Rozemyne built for the sake of farming crops her businesses needs.

Hygiene. Education. Cuisine. Threadcraft...and rumor has it she's still researching.

Rozemyne was a dam starting to crack. A dam holding back her ideas, not water.

She was a walking dam of trends with the cracks symbolizing what's leaking are trends within their ranking can afford to release for now. Only then can she release more if their duchy is promoted again by whoever the next Zent will be. Only then can she create new trends befitting the higher ranking.

She set the bar high for future ADC girls as she made trends before even attending the Academy, but for her young age, Lord Bonifatius' daughters'-in-law act as front face for her until she is at least, 13 to participate in Ladies' Society.

Last night they earned their chocolate after a week of torment...DELICIOUS! Their older siblings looked on in envy as its not for sale yet until after Introducing it first...

And now, high-quality schtappe, at least in Mana Output, here they come! They hoped their hard work will amount to something as they'll never get the 'proper procedure'!

Everyone assembled in the Auditorium.

'It looks like everyone has gathered. Now, I will guide the archduke candidates to the innermost room, but before that, there is something I want you to keep in mind.' she began. 'Today's practical skill is to find the 'divine will' that is the raw material for schtappe, collect it, and return.' she instructed before looking serious.

'There is only one thing you should be most careful about. After you finish collecting, be careful not to touch others.' she warned. 'In order to make a high-quality schtappe, you must dye it with your own magic. And please make sure to keep a safe distance on your way back so that you don't bump into each other, and tomorrow, fruitday, please make sure to pour in your magic power all day long.'

When the archduke candidates lined up, Primevere stood first and started walking. There is a door at the back of the auditorium that leads into the back room.

It was a pure white room, with cylindrical pillars lined up at equal intervals on the left and right. The wall at the far end has intricate patterns drawn with colorful mosaics from the ceiling to the floor, and in the center of the wall at the back is a staircase of about 40 steps that extends from the floor to about the third floor height.

The stairs were decorated not only with offerings to the gods, but also with statues of the gods. At the top are the supreme deities, the married couple, and a little further down are the earth goddesses holding the holy grail, and further down are the water goddesses, the fire gods, the wind goddesses, and the life gods.

'This is the innermost room, closest to God. Each person has only one chance to collect. After collecting, please be extremely careful not to collide with others.'

There are two roads so that those going and those returning don't collide, so while telling them to always take the left path, Primevere touched some kind of magic stone. The next moment, there was a sound like something moving, and part of the altar steps moved. A dark hole opens wide, allowing entry into the altar. 'I pray that the gods will bless you and guide you.'

At Primevere's urging, the first archduke candidate steps forward and enters, looking nervous. 

The altar seemed to be made of the same white stone as the Academy and the dormitory, and the entrance was neatly arranged in a square shape. They walked one after another, making the sound of their footsteps echoing. The path wasn't that narrow, and it was wide enough for about three people to walk side by side. After about 5 meters, the square path suddenly stopped. Only the white path they walked on was the same as before, but the surrounding area looked like a natural cave with exposed rugged rock. Only the white road leading to and from the area seems to stand out, emitting a faint light.

The cave was a white road that curved in a wide direction, and seemed to gradually ascend upwards. There are some stairs along the way, and after a while there are more stairs. In this way, one can feel their position gradually rising.

Archduke Candidates first, starting with Prince Sigiswald...each Archduke Candidate was given a five minute gap, but they must walk very quickly and find theirs quickly to avoid bumping into Archnobles after a certain allocated time!

Rozemyne knew she has to hurry because who knows where hers is and how far! She can't stand out!

How long they come out will tell everyone how much mana they have, the Archduke Candidates!

When it's her turn, she walked swiftly. But carefully due to her health condition.

The farther, the more mana you've got so its also here young Archduke Candidates judge each other. The first to come out, are at the bottom of the pecking order!

Prospects rise and fall based on your mana levels!!

That was what she was taught.

In Yurgenschmidt, there's hierarchy for a reason. Based on mana.

Duchy-rankings are separate from how an Aub is regarded by his peers.

But right now, things are different.

'Listen here Rozemyne,' Ferdinand began in her classroom which was his office, 'Normally, the Zent has the highest mana in all of Yurgenschmidt. In fact, Zent Basileus and Zent Waldifried have more than I do due to their onerous duty of feeding the Country's Foundation which is larger than ours.' he said. 'Thus while technically an Aub, they are the King, too. Then after them are Aubs who get by with both mana level and political skill. But still, this is a Mana Monarchy. And because our Aub compressed enough to be at least, stronger than Nicolette, but manages to match with high-ranking middle-duchy women, he is around their level the Middle Duchy Rank, gaining him some respect since as he could match with ladies from Jossbrenner and Immerdink which is a huge deal for one of his standing.'

'But as the mana of the child depends on the mother, its a woman's duty to be magically stronger than a man for their child's prospects.'

And now, everyone will judge them.

Luckily for her, Hirschur has a fib for her to keep her away from schemers. But said fib, is also her reality in another form.

'Lady Rozemyne of our duchy might be the last to come out for health reasons, she can't move as normally as her peers without running out of breath too soon due to her illness, so she's careful with her movements.' she heard Hirschur say to her fellow teachers. 'My old disciple amassed Jureve Ingredients for her so after first year, she'll immediately use it and depending on the situation...might lag behind her peers, so she's willing to do Remedials to catch up.'

'That's a shame to hear. No wonder you're wearing a specialized suit instead of your usual uniform.' said Jossbrenner Supervisor Justhur as Hirschur wore a Mana-Blocking outfit, complete with long gloves. 'What's the illness in question?'

'A damaged mana channel near the heart caused by an uncontrolled outburst gone wrong in her spring years as a sprout.' Hirschur lied convincingly. But the problem is actually worse than that, that they need it sooner the better. Three elements and some other ingredients already amassed under Mana-Blocking Gloves, the challenge was the last one.

'If she overdoes it, she'll pass out after agonizing over chest pain, so next year's spring is crucial for her, but she can still attend the Starbinding with family and meet her new mothers before Lord Ferdinand takes her home to her Hidden Room.'

'Yet she still manages to make so many trends...she set the bar pretty high for Archduke Candidate girls.' said Prince Trauerqual who came to personally escort his son, impressed.

'She is the brain, and her workers her arms and legs and Aub's old nanny carefully monitoring her health...because whenever Lady Rozemyne gets too emotional she needs quick first aid and she's easily excitable when she hits breakthrough in her work. Hopefully after brewing, her Jureve will sort her out.' Hirschur snorted. 'She's an Unconventional Scholar like my disciple, but she is to daily needs if he is to magic and medicine.'

'Never felt cleaner till her wares came out.' said Primevere with a smile. 'It feels better and smells wonderful~ I'm glad she tackled what we're in dire need in. Those old days of stickiness are long gone.'

'I'm glad about that massage chair too!' exclaimed Rauffen brightly. 'Nothing beats a massage after a tough day in the training field!'

And so, after the Archduke Candidates are in, it's an hour long wait before someone came out eventually.

Once at least half of them are out, the Archnobles are allowed in by Duchy Rank.

Sure enough, all ADCs came out, except one...due to medical reasons.

Because it's quite a while, the Professors had to go in to check on Rozemyne and sure enough, she was on the path back, but peaky and on her knees, leaning onto a wall.

'Lady Rozemyne!' Rundolf exclaimed. 'How bad?!'

'Dizzy...barely air...' Rozemyne wheezed out. 'I got it but...'

'Keep it inside to prevent Mana Contamination.' Hirschur instructed as Rozemyne made a gesture of pushing something into her body before she picked up Rozemyne. 'And away we go!' and the professors had to be careful in not bumping into returning Archnobles. Once out, Hirschur made a mad dash, entrusting Cornelius to lead the students back to the dorms once everyone has their Schtappe.

That caused quite the rumor mill. Who'd have thought she was sickly from near-fatal mana damage? 

Sure duty is duty but step down when you have to!

And so...

Ehrenfest Dorms...

'Report.' said Hirschur as in Rozemyne's Room, Rozemyne swallowed a drug and she's normal immediately.

'Phew, that was some ruse I had to pull and Heidemarie's Potions are kinder than Uncle's.' Rozemyne sighed as she recovered from her drugged state of misery. 'I needed to fake out incase of an inevitable he warned me about.'

'Inevitable?' Nelsha asked her nervously.

'It wasn't just cavey-tunnels in there...at the very end which is super far from the entrance is a pure white stairway in the middle of the end of the paths.' Rozemyne revealed. 'My Schtappe isn't anywhere...so I thought I'd go upstairs.' Rozemyne as the two women shuddered at the physical representation of a euphemism. 'Upstairs is a pure, bright-white tree...and at the roots is my Divine Will. I guess for people with crazy-high mana, we'd find ours there.'

'That's new...so its you and Ferdinand who found theirs there huh.' Hirschur mused thoughtfully. This is a new discovery but she has to keep quiet for her two students.

'At any rate, that was quite the workout...it took me 20 minutes to climb upstairs, and down! I wished I have a Feybeast...I was on a time crunch to hide my mana level too from outsiders!' Rozemyne said wearily. 'Nelsha, to keep up our ruse, I'm ill so don't let anyone in, not even Patricia.' she said sheepishly. 'And I'll skip school for two days or three depending on which sounds better to Hirschur to sell our fib because it'll be too weird if I healed on exactly end of required absorption time.'

'Yes.'

'Well, we wait for next orders from Father and Uncle...wonder what they'll say?'

The orders were that Rozemyne's and Ferdinand's case is to be a forbidden topic to keep unwanted attention away because as things are now, Sylvester is powerless to even protect one of them from a royal whim the way things are now. So yes, utilize acting skills to the utmost!

As for Parue...

'It'd work for an Archduke Candidate at a certain mana-level, but you're nearing Ferdinand's level so a feystone from Parue is too weak.' was Sylvester's letter. 'So the stone of the Winter Lord it is and we'll get it as soon as it shows up.'

Ferdinand has a headache.

Headache named Rozemyne Stress.

Considering what he knows, getting a Schtappe THERE means you're Omni-Elemental and mana high enough for that blessing.

So there was another path to that tree and the path in the Divine Protection Acquisition Hall is just a shortcut, incase anyone who prayed there is also an Omni-Elemental.

Rozemyne as Maine prayed for many years, and dedicating mana every prayer for a safe, prosperous life for herself and her two families at the time before her adoption.

And doing all that, made her gain all colors.

To those who are all seven, can only get their Divine Will from that tree. And that makes them a candidate for Zent.

Rozemyne doesn't know right now. Then again, she's too busy making more trends, too focused on improving daily life with conveniences. And as long as she doesn't get curious about it, she won't pursue it at least.

Small mercies.

Nelsha had forbidden Rozemyne's Retainers from going in her room to disturb her recovery. And she takes meals in her room and Hirschur made a convincing fib. But she's stuck in her room for a while but at least, she can do minimal work by checking on reports she has to see and give advices out on, while pouring all her mana and suffering the potions for at least, four times until it was all gone and became her Schtappe.

'They say we can change forms of our schtappe as long as we have control over it.' Rozemyne mused. But she figured she'll have to be careful as to not be too flashy as one from 'a mere 18th Duchy'.

Everyone will remind you to 'Know your Place'. So nope. Le sigh. Back to Harry Potter wands she is.

In the movies, the wands are kinda cool. Even in websites like 'most beautiful Harry Potter wands' are on display, and she likes Narcissa Malfoy's.

But again, her social standing...!!

By ranking 18th, she's no different from a 'high laynoble' right now!

Frustrating.

More trends to get promoted in rank permission?

Her answer?

Not for now! Don't get the Unwanted Attention
we can't afford to say no to! After war, we'll get
bumped up through our Neutrality as your Uncle
predicts. For now, focus on maintaining and
mass-production for sales countrywide.

You already got too much intrigue for being the
brain behind all those products, I get letters from
your two new mothers that their younglings are
getting intensive creativity training at home, even
they are not spared so yep, HOLD BACK!!

"D'oh..." the Aubs meaning to say, are pressuring their ladies back home as she, a low-level ADC, outshone them all at having so many trends a foot into her summer. She hurt many prides so yeah, Ladies Elvira , Luciola, Miranda and Nicolette will protect her for now.

Gudrun is still an outsider in the Linkberg clan due to her known loyalties which is an OUCH as for a girl to have a comfy life in her marital home, she must gain acceptance from her in-laws...and she screwed the pooch since her teens so she is not trusted with duchy affairs and even Lord Bonifatius' Mana Compression Technique, designed to keep her and her children weak. Richarda worries for her daughter's marital life, aware of the chill she gets and Justus is outright frosty with her for choosing Chaoscipher over Geduldh and her children as is their family's duty even when serving the Archducal Clan.

Even in Ladies' Society back home, she's an outsider. Right now, Lady Miranda double-duties the roles of Second and Third Ladies until Lady Nicolette relieved her from overwork to which she was GRATEFUL.

Even Lord Kindredt deals with her like he would a distant acquaintance. Sure she's treated right, but its not exactly a happy marriage. Her poor son will most likely be neglected out of being deliberately ignored. Surely this bad treatment will make Gudrun see that still staying loyal to Veronica will just make her life miserable and by consequence, that of her child's. But Rome isn't built in a day and she burned bridges since she was young, so this'll require a Herculean Effort on her part if she gives a damn about her child's future.

For five days, Rozemyne was a no-show, and after that, Nelsha had to escort her everywhere in classes, carrying a small bag which was 'emergency supplies'. Considering her state, they have to leave early to catch up and make it to classes on time. And she takes remedials that her dinner tends to be late at night for classes she missed in her absence.

Well, they sold the narrative her state of health and their show back at the Auditorium sold it. They even got a letter from Dunklefelger stating, 'Please be in good health before we Ditter for a glorious honorable battle!' in a nutshell.

As for Crest Work, she has eager workers~~~ufufufufu~~~

Chapter Text

Rozemyne caught up to missed days, but she was forbidden in physical classes out of precaution by Professor Trauerqual who still teaches despite leading his own faction in war.

Ehrenfest is Neutral oweing to Zent Basileus freeing them from Chaoscipher and healing from her torment that they will never act against the man's sons as Sylvester declared that Ehrenfest will not side with any of his only sons in war to harm the other out of respect to the man's memory as their Verdraeos and Unheilschneide.

Lady Claramae also has the Leisegangs' immense respect as she was also key to Ehrenfest's salvation and she ended up receiving ten crates of freebies off of Ehrenfest's new products to the woman's surprise after the end of the Veronicans. Though for informations' sake, Sylvester asked how things fared since the deportation.

'Well, we needed mana really badly! Ahrensbach is huge and we hardly have any Blue Priests, that we and our shared husband act in Spring Prayer! Most nobles here kill off younglings who don't meet the benchmark as soon as they're born that these Schtappeless Sinners of yours came in handy! Your sister asked for some of the sinners though. They're her Retainers apparently who voluntarily stayed to watch over Ehrenfest for her and act if the Family Shame goes too far and those two men and their families are taken by her. While these two families are luckily saved by her, husband made everyone else pay for bringing sin upon our duchy. With interest!'

That was what she said.

Which means, they are living Mana Batteries forbidden to die. Well, they are wealthy through Mana Mismanagement, they will pay back what they stole and crimes they committed!

Naturally, their Ahrensbach Relatives washed their hands off them for daring to bring a stain on their records! The deported Veronicans were children and grandchildren of Lady Gabriele's female retinue from many Mednoble Clans in Ahrensbach who are beet red from shame and humiliation their relatives brought with them.

Rozemyne thought Gudrun would have been deported with them as she is known loyal to Veronica since young.

But out of consideration to Richarda, Sylvester allowed Gudrun to stay. But she felt its also a Cruel Mercy to Gudrun as well as bittersweet for her due to her life's choices.

And considering how Elvira taught her about pregnancies, Rozemyne knew Kindredt did NOT do his part in Gudrun's pregnancy. Her son Traugott was thus born on the lower Archnoble scale in terms of mana and he's currently two this year, while Edward, her adoptive brother is four now, born after her short time with the Bernetts. They still help her out and she still pays accordingly. After Edward was two, they have another son Oscar who is now two this year. Grandpa Marcus is happy to have a full house again with the boys inheriting their parents' old Mana Draining tools. That's as far as they went now that their sole worry is Feystone supplies.

Rozemyne laid low as ordered. Besides, she wants a peaceful life anyway!

Schoolwork aside and leading the Academy with fairness, she juggles with reports back home too, and Nelsha with a large black stone is a common sight as 'impromptu first aid' as her getting too emotional is bad for her as public narrative right now. Only Damuel and Cornelius knows she wasn't an out-of-control girl, but Cornelius knew to keep quiet when he asked why.

'Very few are allowed to be in the know.' said Rozemyne to him, causing Cornelius to gulp. 'Ask your mother for permission for that knowledge because my safety is on the line, that we should not get the wrong sort of attention from the Royals right now that I'm masquerading as a sick girl who needs a Jureve as our narrative because I supposedly collapsed in the cave. But in a way, I really am sick. But the truth is a little different.' she said with a sheepish smile.

'Alright.' he nodded. He'll ask when he gets home.

But...

...what is she really sick with? Does Damuel know?

'...of course I know. I will say what you are allowed to know as her Retainer.' said Damuel softly. 'She read my brother and sister-in-law's school notes, tested stuff on herself recklessly she gave my family gray hairs in a path to make herself healthier. Even better, her methods actually worked, but her methods are hair-raising that she decided to take Scholar Course alongside Archduke Candidate Course.' he shuddered. 'But she fell one step short as she found a fatal...thing in her body that should it dislodge...it will cause a fatal mana block that will kill her.' Cornelius' pale horrified expression let Damuel know he understands now why Rozemyne needs Jureve.

'As you know, Rozemyne was once a rare unlucky commoner...suffering the Devouring. Heck, if not for magic tools, we'd be no different.' Damuel snorted. Yeah, Cornelius thought, they just have money and can make magic tools. 'Having mana attacks when your vessel is full, causes solidified mana formations within our body. Mana blocks. Blockages in mana are different from blockages in the body itself. Mana is life but also death. Her mana flow is severely compromised that even a short activity period tires her no matter how she tried physical training. But her reckless methods got her better that she can walk around here without collapsing after three minutes and bedbound for almost a day with painful fevers and full-body muscle cramps that even her own heart hurts.' Cornelius choked at that. He could not imagine himself having it.

Very little is known about the Devouring. But this was one thing not known in books.

'That's the horror of Devouring, even more worse for one who was born strong. That what's a boon for us nobles, is a curse for commoners.' said Damuel grimly. 'That's also the fate of us Laynobles if we couldn't afford Magic Tools. In a way, when my brother reached his hand to a family heading for the Temple that day out of misguided, but desperate belief it would save their daughter, Rozemyne in turn, saved my family.' he said. 'Father could live his last days truly happy.'

'Oh...Lord Bernett is...?'

'...yeah. We're letting him live happy by seeing his family prosper at long last in our generation after generations of being too poor that we lived close to the gates.' well, the Bernetts are recently-promoted Mednobles. They managed to raise their mana levels just enough for promotion, solidified by the birth of his nephew Edward who is as strong as his mother. But given how things work, Damuel is family successor to Henrik unless something happens to him in his choice career.

At home...

Due to many babies being conceived...

Sylvester and Nicolette are under pressure now to have children to have an heir around the same age as their future pillars. They can't wait for the new wives any longer, OK?

Thus upon doing the deed, Nicolette conceived and began using their savings to feed the Foundation in their absence in order to nurture their child who would be born in springtime as each season has four months. With the combined efforts of Sylvester, Bonifatius, Nicolette and Ferdinand, their Foundation is always full now when Rozemyne is in school.

And Ferdinand giving Chalices, not Grails to 'mismanaged' territories quickly healed these lands as a Chalice equals 240 grails' worth. Four Chalices every single damn domain. That's more than enough to heal the lands with the excess for nourishing fertilizer, restoring the land's mana levels to full that got all Giebes very happy that by next year, back to normal grails it is for them. Haldenzel's uniqueness required duchywide feminine cooperation just to save it as its not like other domains. Just a couple Grails that's it. Haldenzel on the other hand, is a Temple to Verdrenna where prayer to her is a Dedication Dance by ladies, as Verdrenna is a subordinate to Flutrane and they don't like men.

Rozemyne's past offhand trigger-hint led Sylvester to connect the dots, that relatives of Haldenzel from even Sovereignty came to save their home province from being frozen forever. They all danced with a Chalice on stage. Their numbers numbered 79 ladies available to dance, and it was the equivalent of two dozen middle duchies' Archdukes' worth of power, and a full Chalice from Ferdinand at autumn. Well, planting grains in spring is good, but then it'll be a rush to place warming tools and barrier tools in the farms just so crops won't die in Winter. It was a rush project.

The mystical rain considering Haldenzel's situation and everyone's contribution? Lasted the whole autumn. Ice melted. Bodies of water filled and began flowing. Lifeless land is thus saturated with mana-rich waters. And from rivers in Haldenzel, some of that mana will flow down south, but consumed by nature itself for nourishment. Now that spring returned to Haldenzel, things will return to what it once was. Fertile, and many towns and villages will rise in a few decades. And Blenrus population is saved. There's a few saplings found near remaining parent trees that was once on its last legs before dying for real, rendering a specie extinct.

Mana levels of Haldenzel and nearby lands shot off the roof quite literally as mana-rich water flow spread past Haldenzel to nearby provinces too, causing immense fertility power that flora...grew beyond management that needed trimming. And with all this food up in the north, everyone knows there's a huge price to pay for this later!

As for Central Province that Sylvester governs, he also had to deal with making mana overflow for bountiful harvests for trade and bring in income. And his daughter's newly-formed quaint villages that appealed to Kunzeal are especially important to their economy and the archducal family's safety. VERY.

Ferdinand is usually empty that it takes time for him to recover at home, which he spends in intensive muscle training and 'eating right', and pushing himself hard in swordsmanship and archery training as the title Knight Commander belongs to anyone next to Aub in status. Karstedt happily foisted the job on him as being Sylvester's Guard Knight is Full-Time work in the Veronican Era that juggling both was the main reason for his hairline's decline.

Well, Ferdinand now juggles Knight Commandeering and unlike Karstedt...he was Lord of Evil for a reason, that the Knights secretly begged Karstedt to come back and be their boss again.

'Unfortunately, we need his brand of evil to raise our levels. Due to the Veronicans killing us off and most of our evil knights kicked to Ahrensbach, we're barely a skeletal force that we must compensate with quality. Endure as a good Knight should. Heck, I'm also training!'

But when Winter Lord came calling?

He downed his hellish potions to be full instantly.

The goal was a Winter Lord's Feystone for Rozemyne.

'Listen up.' Ferdinand spoke to his forces that was so meager before, that he called back Retirees and they all joined 'The Evil Crash Course'.

'I prepared you all because the horror we'll soon face is different from the usual you're all familiar with.' he began. 'Geduldh is no longer emaciated. She is fully healed and sated that it will raise the levels of Feybeasts and Feyplants and sadly, so does our annual calamities, the Trombe and the Winter Lord.' the Knights paled and shuddered at the idea. 'Will it be bigger or smarter or take more time to beat, we can only pray for Griefechan, Dregarhnur and Angriff to be on our side. Move out!' they all conjured their Feybeasts and took off.

And as he ominously foretold much to everyone's whimpers, the Winter Lord is twice as big with twice as much Mana. Its an even worser battle of attrition than last few years ago!

...that the nobles suffered Ferdinand's potions just to be instantly full and restored to full stamina.

Vantole's Despair as coined by poor ten year olds!

Endure, endure or they're Pome Paste under those huge paws!

...it took until sunrise that when it died, the blizzards ended that they could harvest its meat and fur at last. At least for all the trouble it caused, ingredients are superb as food and fabric, that nobles preferred it over preserved meats in winter, usually distributed to all nobles till storehouses are full. Even better, as a feybeast of winter, it is perpetually-cold until cooked, that it's preserved perfectly even without Time-Stopping tools. As usual, the feystone goes to the Archducal Family for Jureve use. Its too much for everyone else.

But the discovery of Parue's potential as Jureve material gave Ehrenfest Nobles an easier time in brewing Jureve at least. No more 'scraping up' and gathering little bits of Life mana in other ingredients to brew into Jureve!

It's an Ehrenfest secret for now...

And in the Academy...

Winter breezed by.

And regarding Mock Battle classes, Rozemyne gave Cornelius a Ditter Commander-Regency in Mock Ditter as she can't lead until she had her Jureve. She gave him Authority in Public Hearing so no one can dispute the matter. And next to her, Cornelius has the highest authority anyway! And due to 'avoiding excitement' and cause fatal flare-ups, she was forbidden to watch Ditter by the Faculty and she cooperates to maintain the narrative!

And she's strict on Angelica and supervising troubled students in Math.

'Math is number-one enemy of any student but alas, its needed in life, so we have to push ourselves!'

She impressed the nobles with her supreme prowess in Math. "Muahahaha! Ore-sama no bigi ni yoi na!" Inner Rozemyne cackled while tutoring with lady manners...complete with a carrot---she promised anyone who gets a 'line of 9' scores in all their subjects...with a chocolate cake.

While everyone is motivated just fine, lit on fire, Angelica needs pushing still.

'Angelica, if you pass all the way into Knight Course with Perfect 100 in all subjects, I will give you a reward.' Rozemyne decided on the carrot-and-stick approach. 'It can be anything as long as it's within reach. Buuuut if you fail any subject in these two years with a line of 8 grades?' she signaled Patricia who looked green to come forward with a box. 'You will eat Punishment Cheese in front of Aub Ehrenfest.'

'Punishment Cheese?' Hartmut blinked owlishly. 'How can eating cheese be punishment?'

'Yeah, it's tasty.' said Alexis, just as baffled.

But Rozemyne's 'Anya Smile' got them nervous.

'Patricia, open it.'

The order from her lady made Patricia whimper with dread and looked ready to cry and her expression alone got the nobles wondering what's wrong with the cheese and when she opened it, a nasty odor wafted about in seconds!

And eating that in front of Aub Ehrenfest where a lot of people will be subject to that stench?!

'HIII?!' as one, the nobles pinched their noses hard from the nasty they can't describe in words.

'GYAAAAAA!'

'IT STINKS!!'

'CLOSE IT! CLOSE IT!!'

Patricia closed the box quickly while Rozemyne was still smiling as she caused quite the carnage. The ladies fainted from the smell while the boys looked nauseous, except for the forewarned adult attendants who had wind barriers on their heads.

'R-Rozemyne-sama...' Angelica whimpered. 'That's too cruel!' she wailed, scrambling to glomp Rozemyne's legs begging for mercy while the adult attendants waved their Schtappes to get rid of the smell while looking at the kids pitifully. At least their charges won't taste that smelly thing! 'I'll work hard! I don't want that cheese!'

'Ohohohoho! That's why the reward I offered is big because the punishment is just-as-big~~' Rozemyne, despite smiling sweetly, the dorm can see horns on her head and it's not her shumil buns.

She recreated Vieux-Bologne, but the materials of this world made the stench A LOT WORSE and the stench fills a room in seconds, that she was forbidden from making it, let alone sell it.

'You'd kill the diners before they can eat it even if you say its delicious in a sandwich!' Sylvester howled, gagging from the smell. His more-sensitive Retainers rushed to the windows to slam them open, desperate for fresh air and one barfed. 'Just---no way!! It smells so bad I might have bad breath from eating it!'

Thus, the project is scrapped, but she made some just for Angelica. Until then, the cheese is sealed away for two years, before she disposes of it.

However, she got approached by Ivory Tower Wardens, asking her to make it for their High-Profile Prisoner so she makes them a batch, to Richarda's horror. Naturally, Sylvester got wind of it and he can't do squat as his people wanted revenge on his mother for all she and her retinue had done to their families and to their duchy. So yes, they were her sole customers of her 'Evil Cheese' that costs 3 large silver a wheel due to the process of making it stink.

Not only that, Rozemyne read aloud a letter from the Schleichs to Angelica. They heard of the carnage at school from friends working as Attendants...and has great support as long as she studies well that Angelica gave up the ghost.

Meanwhile, Rozemyne socialized as she effortlessly passed her classes. She would invite ladies from lower-ranking duchies, while answering to invites of superiors.

Because she has to socialize, her Retinue are obliged to study to pass their classes. She also allowed them to socialize by changing shifts.

She never fails to equip herself with blessings whenever going out as the Academy is a Battlefield. She couldn't even go to the Library due to all her jobs and Nelsha's her minder and leash. Job first, play later, she would say.

As for Crest Work, she is rich on her own, and Book-Copying became the hardest 'quest' but also the highest-paying job. Good thing school amenities are free...poor Laynobles were quick to throw themselves at her, because the reward per book, is a heinous 1 large gold. She was THAT rich.

Neat, legible handwriting skyrocketed in worth hence in Ehrenfest Dorms.

"...I can't make printing technology if a book here is enough to make a living to make a noble household happy!" Rozemyne choked inwardly while wearing a happy beaming smile in obtaining new books for the library at home.

She did remember that GATE novel where Arpeggio ranted about how she despairs 'quick printing' as she would lose her lucrative job that nets her five gold coins per book. And given the price of goods in the market, 1 large coin will come a very long way for a Laynoble Family. They can afford Mana Draining Tools, Feystones and other needs.

In short, she's handing out lifesaving money they drastically need.

'Lady Rozemyne, why do you wish to copy the school library?' Patricia asked her while learning how to do her shumil buns on Rozemyne with Nelsha's guidance.

'I loved books as long as I remember, but heinously expensive. My love for books requires...intensive efforts to reach.' said Rozemyne with a sigh. 'Learning new things to help you make things leads to a lucrative life in the end so my hobbies aren't meaningless in the end.' she explained. 'Besides, I ended up helping out dozens of families out of that love. Not only that, writing things down helps retain knowledge, so my copiers also learn from books they're copying off of, and we're starting out with books about Feybeasts and Feyplants from other duchies, a core, crucial knowledge for both Ditter and Brewing. Well, Mana-Draining Tools are expensive and little siblings are on the way...ahahaha...'

'Well, everyone's on repopulation mission...everyone except us.' Patricia croaked out. The Veronican Clans are now Mana Batteries for Ahrensbach, unable to use Schtappe ever again, while their leader is now being bullied by her previous victims while her mana is drained for the duchy she tried to destroy in painful sadism she could get.

'Well, you guys are still young...no rush.' Rozemyne snorted. 'And choose a partner who sincerely wanted you as a lifelong partner they can spend a happy household with as good parents to your children. Never trust a flatterer who would want something out of you and dump you later when they used you up and never go for a guy. Appeal to Schroanthus, Liebeskhilfe, Jugereise and Ventuchte.' she lectured gently. 'We don't deserve scum as lifelong partners!'

'Yes, milady!' Patricia beamed before deflating. 'B-but how do we sort out junk from jewel?' she croaked out.

'Easy...they pursue you and only you. Eyes don't stray which is what we really want.' Rozemyne told her. 'And always think of what makes you happy so they would take you to places you like, give you gifts that show they think of you and really made an effort to get to know you, that gifts they chose for you will be the kind that would make you really happy. And listen to what they say when they imagine a relationship with you. As for mana level...well, while still young we can force the matter by compressing to match the rafel we desire no? I have a song just for that! It dispenses Grammaratur though.'

'A song?'

'Yep.'

Rozemyne sang the song by Carpenters, 'Love me for what I am'. She sang like an adult, but by this world's standards, a ten year old singing that way is very high level that deeply impressed her Attendants. "And to think I haven't a harspiel to play with and they're already starstruck!" Outside, her Guard Knights were just as stunned.

'Wow, what made milady sing in there?' Kiellant wondered, his face flushed from the choice lyrics and the skill level in singing.

'Who knows what they're talking about in there.' said Cornelius. 'Well...ladies are uh...' he went awkward. 'Thinking about prospects way sooner than we do anyway if she sang a song like that!' he exclaimed, pink-faced.

'It also clued us in on what milady expects out of her match.' said Arvin. 'Damuel any idea? She was your niece before she got kicked upstairs as she puts it.' Rozemyne would always joke about that, that getting promoted so soon for what she deems as 'ridiculous reasons' instead of actual merit, she calls it 'being kicked upstairs'. Awfully close to a death euphemism, by the way, but in this case, a noble's life isn't easy...so she may be not far off the mark. For now she's safe, but what are the other archduchess wives like? 

'She has tales of her parents before Henrik adopted her.' said Damuel. 'Her birth parents are the picture of happily-starbound couple, supporting and joking and playful with each other and their only living children. Rozemyne and her sister are the only surviving children out of six pregnancies.' his fellow guards gulped at the casualty level stated.

'...some became stars too soon that they cherished their daughters, and showed them good examples to seek in marriage. Those deaths were why Rozemyne was pursuing healthy eating. In hopes that by eating carefully as she researched every ingredient and what role they play in the body, there would be less...stars. As children get nourishment from the mother in the cradle, yet our wrong way of sustenance actually slowly kills over time by starvation.' he croaked out. 'And considering results seen, one really can't argue...'

'Yeah, look at us. Since eating milady's idea of Gourmet Cuisine we're indeed bigger and stronger.' said Baxter, looking at himself. 'We're taller than anyone our age in the Academy!'

'We would grow big if we're encouraged to eat as much as we wanted...'

'This will come in handy at home soon.' said Cornelius. 'Because after term, we will all be at the Knight Barracks to physically train.'

Age 10 is old enough for 'easy training'. The hardcore part will come by age 13 out of consideration for still-developing bones and joints.

...but nobody took into account the effects of malnutrition...which is why Rozemyne targeted Medical Books in the Academy Library from anyone having her as Crest Work Client --- she pays 1 large gold on books the Castle Library didn't have yet.

There was a list on what the library has that she bemoans as 'outdated for three decades'. The cause is pretty much obvious and she's in the Ivory Tower.

Chapter Text

Indeed, life went on, but things were so tense that it took Rozemyne a while to accomplish her mission with the help of her people. Scholars had a hard time gleaning information without raising suspicion, that Rozemyne trained Barthold in new skills to help him do his job better.

The reason for Dunklefelger's foul mood? Lady Magdalena.

'Ouch...and with differing cultures in every duchy, she pretty much screwed up.'

Was Rozemyne's words when her scholar Barthold reported to her and her Retainers present to be in-the-know.

'The Sword of Zent is Oathbound to a Zent WITH Grutrissheit, a magical royal tome that controls the borders and gates, and helps the Zent with magical rituals only he or she can do to keep our country alive...and she just Messer-Pointed Professor Trauerqual?! In broad daylight with witnesses?!' she pinched her nose hard in exasperation at her grim-looking scholar. 'That big moron!'

Ferdinand is a hidden bookworm as far as she's concerned as when Veronica was around, the library was his refuge that he spent it productively, and learned how all duchies work, that she really understands how Dunklefelgers feel at this point, which she taught to her retainers that by the time she was done, they all went green, and agreed with her dismayed exclamation that Lady Magdalena is a moron.

'Marrying out of love would normally be OK but Sovereignty and high-ranking duchies don't have such carefree lives unlike us! Everything about them and their lives is bound by politics and business, but in this case, it's an Oath...and we're not even sure if its like a Magical Contract or not  as it's not elaborated in books because duchy secrets are exactly that so Dunklefelger's in a snit with her Aub Emeritus ordered a ton of chocolates from me to keep his blood pressure and emotions stable. And worse, we're at war so she put Dunklefelger in a veeeery difficult position...and worser still, Professor Trauerqual didn't know the Bride Task Tradition he initially thought she's an assassin so he fought back until she got to explain! Thoughtless! Utterly thoughtless!'

The whole room winced.

Yep, that did not go well in politics.

'Why didn't Professor Hirschur report this in the beginning?' Cornelius was baffled. 'Everyone knew except us! We're probably the only ones blind till now!'

'Don't forget, older students knew and didn't bother to report too you know.' said Erkhardt dryly. Cornelius groaned. His brother are a bit older than him, and they didn't bother to report on thiiiis? 

'Well, she's not up to date, being a laboratory shut-in, only getting gossip scraps from other professors. And she could care less what happens to the country since technically, they're screwing themselves over, over what she deems as unimportant and irrelevant unless its drastic enough worth reporting, as in, Ehrenfest getting-throat-slit drastic.' said Rozemyne wearily. 'To Professor Hirschur, another duchy's issues and screw-ups isn't any of our business. But Dunklefelger being forced to choose a side will affect everyone because of a lovestruck girl, so it falls to us...mostly our Scholars to get what we drastically lack in.'

In Rozemyne's Veronican Retainers, it's Barthold, Isidore, Roderick and Bernold are her Scholars as they can't be her Attendants and they weren't suited to be Knights due to their mentalities. And all are magically-contracted by Ferdinand regarding their Information-Gathering and Compounding abilities. Damuel would have been a good Scholar, but as one from a financially-woeing family that recently got better, he chose being a Knight to supply his family materials for free than pay for any.

'How will Dunklefelger affect everyone as a whole?' Patricia wondered aloud.

'Nation's strongest military, that's how...that even a ten year old from that Duchy can easily toss and whoop our sorry rear ends on the floor. For a Prince having them on their side is guaranteed instant win.' Rozemyne drawled and her retainers had interesting mental images in their own heads. 'And given that we're on a Skeletal Force with good reason, I'm strict with Quality in the Academy while Lord Ferdinand is being his evil old self at home. I got wind that knights are begging Lord Karstedt to be their boss again!' Cornelius went pink. Yeah, his father laughed about that over family dinner...

'...and if Dunklefelger sides with a bookless prince, whatever holds their Oath might compromise them in turn that I'm praying its not magical or ritual-bound...nobody envies Lady Magdalena now but she brought this idiocy on herself. And worse, she's the daughter of her father's First Wife that poor woman will be undeservingly criticized because of her spring-drunk daughter for getting opportunistic royal eye on them in hopes of scoring a throne they don't have the right to as neither prince has the Book.' she sighed. 'Different circumstances, same results with our Sixth. Duchywide Pariah. Archduke Candidates must think and constantly think for the betterment of their duchy, even making painful decisions! You cannot be selfish unless it benefits the duchy but this one heck of a blunder tossed out Gebordnung and Anhaltung and invited Chaoscipher in!'

Her people winced.

'Yeah, stupid for nothing...besides, how is she sure Professor Trauerqual will find the royal book first before his brother?' Kiellant wondered. 'Where is she getting that confidence? Didn't it vanish after Zent Waldifried has his thread snapped?'

'Beats me, I couldn't get anything. Only she would know that as stating why she's confident might land her in hot water again.' Barthold stated in derision. 'If its a convincing reasoning, I can get ahold of that information like any Scholar. But it's so secret! Not even her annoyed former pillars had any idea.' he grumbled. 'Lady Magdalena is now without pillars that she now has Commoner Attendants to care for her daily needs in her last year here.' wince again! This is Adelbert Aub Ehrenfest all over again! For a lord or lady to be abandoned by their Pillars means their master has committed an incredibly unthinkable crime that they lost what loyalty they had and ditched her than get punished by association for what they had done, that they didn't even do.

'If its stupid, its best to stay silent indeed.' Calvin agreed. 'She already axed herself, no need to get politically decapitated next! She better be sure Professor Trauerqual finds that book, or she can never take back what she lost. If there's Ditter Shame, what do we call what she earned for this stunt?' Rozemyne then looked thoughtful and made a sign language that she quickly got paper from Patricia and ink, changing her schtappe to a stylo.

'Let's keep our ears peeled while being careful still.' said Rozemyne. 'She became a living lesson to us Archduke Candidate Ladies. A symbol. I have to write a report home now as it requires all our opinions, so everyone is free to speak their minds. Just no swearing as I can't write that down to Aub. Insults OK.' the retainers sweatdropped.

"And how??"

Ehrenfest, Sylvester received a report regarding Rozemyne's mission that took a while to accomplish due to the atmosphere of the Academy. It was what Ferdinand asked of her as not even he can get Randall to talk.

Sylvester wondered if he should change Dorm Supervisors dammit. Hirschur may have been passive-aggressive because of his mother that she didn't give a damn about the duchy dorms, but the country is split in half! Information is a crucial need incase they got yanked in against their will that they can prepare for it, but no they're blind to everything! Not even reimbursing her for unpaid salary and abuse since she took her post made her do her work properly.

Thankfully Rozemyne sends weekly reports home, aware she can't count on Hirschur. She was still chilly towards the duchy that Rozemyne recommended Sylvester look into her background and the level of harm Veronica inflicted on her family. Because Loyalty, Forgiveness and Reconciliation isn't freely given, it's earned which is why Rozemyne would rather her pillars choose her than the family recruit on her behalf.

Just because Sylvester began doing a great job now doesn't mean he earned Hirschur's loyalty. And she's now a Sovereignty Noble that she's not obligated to report to him anyway. Not that she reports to anyone, she's a Brewing Shut-In, only going out if only to eat, bathe, sleep and teach her classes!

Groaning, he summoned Ferdinand and confided in him about Hirschur after giving him his opinion about the report.

Ferdinand armfolded while tapping his temple, a habit he gained in his academy years.

'Hirschur did what she could back in the day, protecting us, especially me from the Veronicans.' said Ferdinand. 'That she came to great harm many times and she cannot even retaliate because of father's cloak that eventually, by my last year by the time Zent Basileus sentenced our parents, she became apathetic when too much became too much that what little she had left, was for me, that she felt she can only protect one person.' his words caused Sylvester to further deflate in his seat in his office.

'Out of practicality, someone must take over her post.' Ferdinand recommended. 'We should look into who will volunteer to be our Dorm Supervisor come Spring Feast.'

'...right...' Sylvester sighed. 'Next, ask Randall. Rauffen doesn't know about a crucial detail Rozemyne couldn't get as she is pious to the gods as they are central in her Blessing Magic. She's wondering if that Oath is a Magical Contract or a Ritual Contract bound to Leidenschaft and his kin. Barthold got told by Professor Rauffen that he's a mere Archnoble, he wouldn't know Duchy Secrets. Randall might have an idea as he's a Castle Scholar.'

'But not for now, it's not safe.' Ferdinand stated. 'I'll test the waters with Randall first. I also heard a rumor that Heisshitze and his band of fools nearly got me engaged to Lady Magdalena once, that could be a good conversation starter.'

The Temple...

'I'm not sure what they were drinking or smoking when they got that idea.' Randall scoffed. 'Just because you're both Archduke Candidates doesn't mean it's a done deal. Mana alone makes their hopes a bust!' he chuckled while making notes in his temporary office in the Temple. 'I doubt you can sense Lady Magdalena. You probably won't even if she's in front of you. Next is merits. Even if she's a lady from a Greater Duchy, she hasn't had much to offer in reality that the duchy must compromise on her behalf if she marries. You on the other hand, have a crate's worth of merits if we symbolize each accomplishment as items.'

'That makes things worse as she's stubborn about her marriage to our teacher.'

'Yes. It's glaringly obvious that the Trauerqual Faction is in a snit with her, calling her a Crownless Goddess. And even more foolish of all, she wants to be Flutrane to not cause a conflict with the two wives whose from a lower duchy than hers and she from a Greater Duchy? In what universe does that logic work??' Randall ranted in annoyance. 'Queens Ralfrieda and Clementia got in by politics and the fact they had Open Gates when Zent Basileus was alive thus had lots to offer, bring great riches to the country. But when Zent Waldifried's thread was snapped by tainted banquet, those gates closed shut in months. Sure they lost their worth now and just clinging to past merits to stay Queens. They're lucky fifth Prince cares for them. Had it been the likes of Fourth Prince, they're divorced long ago!'

By rule, there's Elvira's lessons to Rozemyne, but it must be balanced by status too, and what can the bride bring to her marital home. Essentially, Magdalena's got nothing to show other than her lineage and pedigree. No substance all else. And stupidly chose to be Third Queen when she could easily be First? That alone shows she's lacking wisdom, and her actions by far, gave her a ton of flaws as a lady. She also brought criticism to her mother in turn that First Lady Emeritus Legarda was very upset with her as she never lacked in raising her daughters that Magdalena was an outlier as her other sisters never blundered horribly so.

'Dunklefelger's Gate...was it open? Ahrensbach's Gate is still open despite losing our Zents.'

'Ahrensbach's Gate remains open because of the founding Zents, that Zent Tolkienheit with his own Grutrissheit created his own kingdom in Lanzenave when he couldn't have Yurgenschmidt.' Randall snorted in derision. 'It's probably what maintains it open even with Zents here gone and someone maintaining that Gate on the other side somehow. We'd never know, not like we can ask. As for our Gate, it too, shut close that we were on a rush to travel back and forth to obtain and farm resources from the other side in our soil. So it's no real loss to us in the end and we maintained our rank that way.'

'But now we're in danger unless Aub comes up with something great to get us out of the mess Lady Magdalena got her family in...Losing Faction gets culled afterall...for now it's Fourth Prince losing that the Archlibrarians sent us a Dying Will, but that can change easily if Prince Trauerqual's thread got snapped.' Randall sighed. 'She essentially became our version of your father.'

Ferdinand wore a bitter, yet amused smile.

'...funnily enough, that was what Rozemyne thought too in her letter home. The comparison is too uncanny if only through end result of earning Duchywide Pariah status.'

'Oh my...'

'It's one thing for a male Archduke Candidate to commit hair-raising blunders, it's worser on women. Ladies' Society is a lot crueler than Gentlemen's Circle as I've come to learn at a young age.' said Ferdinand. He would know as he hears things post-baptism from Richarda and her pained frustration. 'And it shines now with Lady Magdalena's blunders. I already dread the coming Archduke Conference and Interduchy Socializing. We don't even know if Sylvester can marry Ladies Athanasia and Emeraude, it's a wait-and-see basis since we can't tell if they'll be lucky to live or not.'

'Yeah, and playing tug of war with Scholars too.'

Two months into term, is Socialization Time.

Gentlemen's Circle, and Ladies' Society are two things entirely. There's a scheduled time for socialization.

Separately for both genders, then co-ed come Archduke Conference, when families gather in hopes of finding matches abroad if trying for local didn't work out.

It's the boys socializing first, that the third month belongs to them. It's why nobles have large luggages when going to school as wearing the same outfit twice unless you're a Laynoble, is Social Suicide.

However, Ehrenfest and Ahrensbach are forbidden to interact. EVER.

Archduke Candidates first, then the lower ranks come after.

And now, Rozemyne has to check on invitations she got from higher-ranking duchies.

Well, they who decided Ehrenfest is worth a glance, that is. But they made waves because of trends she spammed out.

She sorted out everything by date of meeting and accepted the invitations, before she can go to everything.

She met up with the Jossbrenner and Immerdink ADCs that she went full force with first impressions. Getting to know each other and gaining information about each other.

Just that, these guys are vexed as Rozemyne set a precedent...really, who spams out trends in their spring?

Because while Elvira endorsed her wares, her name was stated as creator, so Rozemyne was grilled good to prove it was she who was the mastermind, and she proved herself with cheer that she got respect.

'...oh yes, I came up with something new, but respected father forbade me from selling it. It ended up becoming prison food instead.'

'Now what can be so bad Aub Ehrenfest forbade you from exporting it?' Lady Rosalinde wondered aloud. In this Tea Party, the Jossbrenner Ladies called her to get to know her for Lady Athanasia, her adoptive mother.

'The ingredients I asked of Lady Athanasia, combined with local fare in Ehrenfest, created a brand of cheese with savory-sweet, creamy texture it was delicious, but the problem was the smell; a smell so horrid it can fill a ballroom in seconds. And the longer the windows are closed, the worser it gets with the smell getting concentrated over time.' the Jossbrenner girls went blue at the notion, looking queasy. 'And the worse it smells as it cures, the more delicious it was. That was if you stayed conscious long enough to partake they thought I created a feycheese! I have a sample with me but its best to study in open space.' she said as poor Patricia carried a small wooden chest big enough for two hands showed it to the ladies.

'Prison food huh? I bet Lady Veronica is having a good time...' Lady Adelheide smiled darkly in her sarcasm.

'The Sovereignty Guards respected father assigned to the Ivory Tower were my only customers.' Rozemyne shrugged. 'They're enjoying her screams of rage.'

The ladies can guess WHY.

'Let's see...dairy products are our livelihood after all. How bad can it be?' Lady Artemisia wondered aloud. 'Let's just take a quick taste!'

Patricia opened the box...and as expected, nobody can stand the smell to even sample a small piece, that the Sovereignty Attendant was quick to take the box from Patricia to close it and wind spells are used to get the smell out without terrorizing other tearooms.

'Wow! That's indeed a feycheese! Not even all cheese in our duchy is as pungent!' Rosalinde wheezed out, glad for fresh air again. The others were wheezing for air. 'And this is prison food now?! Punishment worth the Disgrace of Ahrensbach indeed!' she exclaimed.

Having this cheese as prison food is another brand of punishment deserved by the worst criminals in Yurgenschmidt!!

They did take the cheese from her and paid her for it.

But it was hard to figure out the process back in Jossbrenner as Scholars faint too many times. As far as they got, it was tasting it that it was indeed, very delicious, which, combined with it's texture is to die for.

With Immerdink, talking to them may as well be conversing in a Science Conference that they were a lot easier to deal with and Rozemyne gained their immense respect. The Sovereignty Attendant there thought, "Are we still in a tearoom for a tea party? Its more like a research symposium!" she thought, sweatdropping.

After those two duchies, Rozemyne talked to the ladies of other duchies, getting to know them all, but all whose families chose a prince are nervous as they know they may not live to adulthood.

Such was the price of war, Rozemyne thought, feeling sorry for them that she had an easier time talking to the Neutral Duchies, and she sends lengthy reports home.

She frankly can't wait for this year to be over. The Academy is a simmering pot of stress that would come to a boil.

Chapter Text

In the Faculty Room...

'It's four months now. Soon, Flutrane will come.' said Professor Primevere. 'Anyone standing out other than Drewanchels and Immerdinks?' she asked her fellow teachers. 'I have few outstandings this year, but then again, Royal Etiquette is the hardest subject in this Academy as ranks rise and fall all the time, that people constantly have to adjust how to address their superiors and inferiors.'

'Well, Ehrenfest is blessed by Erwachleren in my subject at least.' said the Math Teacher Enandart. 'After Lord Ferdinand, their calculation ability got faster! They have their own method of calculations which was shorter, faster and more efficient and I double-checked the answers, same correct results!' he exclaimed. 'I watched how they did it...Hirschur, who taught them that technique? I'll have to implement it!' he gushed out. 'I've lost count how many students fall behind or worse, fail in my class it's just too tragic!' he wailed. 'Math Levels are so bad I'm still teaching in Scholar Course as no Scholar must be horrible in Math of all things or Brewing will be their end!'

'Oh that? I swear on Gebordnung it's Lady Rozemyne.' said Hirschur. 'She grilled the students good. She took after Lord Ferdinand as our duchy hopes to get back our former rank before Lady Veronica happened and ruined our duchy. But due to politics beyond our power right now, they understand that they can only get what they can possibly get without offending a superior duchy.'

'From what I understand, Ehrenfest has been Rank 8 for two centuries since the downfall of Eisenreich.' said Gerhardt, the History Teacher. 'But Gausbuttel has it now and Gausbuttel has gained great support since becoming a Main Trade Route from Klassenberg to Sovereignty...I can see what you mean.'

A duchy's rank is based on how useful you are to Sovereignty first and foremost which is left unsaid, only for the smart ones to figure out but unable to speak of it. What's publicly known is one's rank is affected by Land Size, Noble's Population, Merits and Academic Accomplishments last. No thanks to the Sixth Supreme Couple of Ehrenfest, their duchy fell to utter disgrace, losing their high status gained by their Founder.

'What with Lord Sylvester marrying Ladies Athanasia and Emeraude soon, he can't annoy his in-laws.' he said with a snort.

'Pretty much.' said Hirschur. 'That, and we know ranks will go up and down when war ends soon. But Lady Rozemyne hopes we rise on our own merits as we are War Neutrals as our people owed big the late Zent Basileus for freeing us all. By rising on our own merits, nobody gets annoyed and accept with grace. So raising our grades and Ditter we go for fairness' sake that is irrefutable.'

Yep, that's the safest way out that even superior duchies can accept with grace over educational defeat.

'Speaking of Lady Veronica, how soon can we have her from Ehrenfest?' Professor Samantha asked Hirschur with chill. 'She vandalized one of the books, a royal property as well as source of knowledge just to destroy Haldenzel by letting it encased in misery over time until it turns to dust. Preferably before we go to the towering heights.'

'What do you mean before you climb?!' Hirschur yelped, eyebrows up high. 'Last I checked, the Academy is neutral for the sake of education!'

'Hirschur, leave your laboratory once in a while so Ordoschnell can reach you in these trying times.' said Professor Gundolf with a wince. 'Fourth Prince Faction is losing. And Werkestock supported First and Fourth Prince! And from Aub Klassenberg's rage from losing his daughter by murder, he's pressuring Professor Trauerqual for a Cleansing in exchange for being his pillar! The losing faction will all be forced to the heights!' he exclaimed.

'By the gods...I'll see what I can do regarding the Royal Vandalism.' Hirschur promised Professor Samantha who justifiably has little time left in the world.

In war, Losing Prince Faction will have their Archduke and Archnoble Clans CULLED.

The Archlibrarians are all from Werkestock, a duchy specializing in Magic Tools if Drewanchel is to Magic Circles and Research.

'Our thanks before we go.' said Professor Samantha gratefully. 'We swore ourselves to Mestionora alone. We don't belong to any faction, but by simply being from Werkestock, we shall depart. But at least, our goddess will welcome us into her library after years of faithful service. That alone fills us with joy that being executed doesn't mean a thing to us at all. Delusional Fools will just expedite our journey to our true Master.' she giggled and she was genuinely happy.

The faculty was mum, unable to comment as the Chief Librarian could care less and clearly doesn't care who wins, who loses, or about anyone wanting their loyalty in exchange for their lives when they were Oathbound to begin with. 'We just want the transgressor to pay for her crime before we go or we may be barred from Mestionora and her Divine Sanctuary if we fail in that last duty in this garden.'

'An oath...Professor Rauffen, given your duchy's current issue, is the Dunklefelger Family oathbound to a deity as well like they are?' Gundolf asked Rauffen in worry. 'They are oathsworn to serve a Zent with the Holy Book and yet...they're angry towards Lady Magdalena to such an extent that Aub Emeritus fell very ill Lord Werdekraft had to take over so quick!'

'H-how would I know, I'm an Archnoble! I'm not privy to duchy secrets!' Rauffen sputtered out, his hands raised in surrender before looking thoughtful. 'But while Lady Magdalena shamed us all, I also find it odd about the clan's level of rage...that might just be possible.' he speculated. 'Not like I can ask, I don't have that kind of privilege. They're ordering Ferdinand's Uniqueness in bulk until Aub Emeritus heals from Blood Surge Disease(Heart Attack). Chocolate apparently grants Sinneswande's Grace, the darker the better! Milk Chocolate is more favored by ladies though.'

'Hope he gets better. I heard its very bitter but Milk Chocolate will be popular for ladies. I have yet to try some as its not presented as a trend yet.' Professor Pauline pouted. 'How come you got it first? No fair! Lady Rozemyne was said to be its producer.'

'Well, some of our students are close friends with Lord Ferdinand and their Scholar of the Sword heard of it...not like Ehrenfest can turn Dunklefelger down, can they?' lower-rankers cannot refute higher-rankers. That is a fact of life for nobility. So yes, Dunklefelgers gets some first!

'Ah...'

'Hirschur, will chocolate debut soon, preferably before I retire?' Herbalism Teacher Professor Amante asked Hirschur.

'Yes, it will debut this spring.' said Hirschur. 'As it's Lady Rozemyne's brainchild, she will present using a recording Magic Tool she had Ferdinand make, while Ladies Nicolette, Elvira, Luciola and Miranda will endorse it on her behalf while she heals in Jureve. But just incase, I have the price list.' she took out a wooden board with the price list on it.

Chocolate Market Price

• Milk Chocolate - 1 large silver
• Dark Chocolate - 5 small silver
• Ferdinand's Uniqueness - 3 small silver

'Ahahaha, sugar and milk is probably the reason for the expense...' Professor Clemens sweatdropped. Then he raised an eyebrow. '...Ferdinand's Uniqueness?'

'...he likes it bitter. The brand was Lady Rozemyne's joke.' Hirschur stated. 'It's an...acquired taste for an occasional oddball. But it has the strongest blessings from Sinneswande. Good for people with Blood Surge Disease and Mental Illnesses. Not that anyone will admit it for the latter, hehe.'

Ehrenfest...

Sylvester had to deal with the Sovereignty Guards regarding...the dying will of the Archlibrarians of the Academy. Hirschur sent a letter as did a long letter signed by Professors Samantha, Charibert, Melissandre, Iremia, Gregorio, Wilhelm, and Philomena. The Archducal Clan was present with the Guards regarding the matter, alongside clan heads of Ehrenfest Families.

'The war is ending, and the purge is nigh.' said Bonifatius. 'So the Archlibrarians sent us this request or rather, their dying will. They want to end her themselves.'

'We also learned the method for Haldenzel's Spring Ritual. We can copy and add information to the book she destroyed.' said Ferdinand. 'I'll go to the library to make a new book for them.'

Thus by unanimous vote, Sylvester endured the cheer of the whole office with a sigh.

The next problem? Who gets to inform Sixth?

'Not our problem!' Count Groschel sneered. The Groschel Clan was the most sore with Sixth. His father made the ultimate sacrifice and yet, his nephew ruined everything! They were almost free! Almost!! 'Let him see that Trombe get culled as she deserved. Her ultimate ruination as our land deserves!'

He is still in the Tower, but on the bottom floors so Sovereignty Doctors can treat him with ease and swiftness as he was forbidden from the heights by aggressive treatments and he was on suicide watch just incase. As part of his punishment, he gets informed of his family's activeness for change for prosperity.

Bonifatius training Sylvester as he should have been trained. All the while nursing his heartbreak that was his and his brother's life, and enduring his sisters' hatred of him because of their mother's actions. It was so bad he drank Vize when he never touched wine in his life, resulting in Liver Damage he had to get treated! Adelbert can't help but feel guilt and remorse over his children, as he always chose his wife first and foremost. Bonifatius visits him in the beginning, if only to berate him over Georgine, Sylvester and Ferdinand. Constanze in comparison, 'got away with some scrapes' compared to the severely-harmed others!

Sylvester's Marriage to his Third Wife.

Ferdinand graduating with honors and boosting Ehrenfest's rank. Later serving as High Bishop, pouring out chalices for starving domains.

Sylvester discovering the way to save Haldenzel because being High Bishop was his part-time job since Bezewanst's arrest before Ferdinand got the job.

Adopting a daughter from Commoner stock but too powerful she had to be adopted for her protection as well as benefit for Ehrenfest. And how! Mana aside, she was a cracking dam of trends, simply restrained by politics and their rank she needed constant reminders to hold back, thus acts as Greifechan with business savvy, keeping Forsente's baskets full as well as immensely blessed by Cuococalura she made Ehrenfest Cuisine delicious and created a high-class confection Dunklefelger was her top customer, and revolutionized Ehrenfest's Tea Party fares.

All in her Spring years.

She also discovered a terrible mistake done. But sadly, the current ten year olds will suffer and are compromised that Sylvester tried another tactic in hopes for alternate solution until Ferdinand completes the magic circle by embroidering it in a Mana-Enriched Carpet made out of  Winter Lord Fur!!

She was First Wife material she was set to be adopted by Lady Athanasia as her mother to be raised as one.

But alas, Adelbert wasn't allowed to leave in his sentence that he can never see grandchildren, adopted or not to prevent his foolishness influencing the next generation. At least he gets to partake in his granddaughter's medicinal cuisine simply because he wasn't allowed to die unless Dauerleben himself cut his fraying thread and Lebeneme takes him. Until then, his adoptive granddaughter's food is nourishing his body.

(He also does not know that his beloved wife was taken out to be taken to the Academy to be personally executed by the Librarians. The news might just kill him out of shock and he wasn't allowed to die too quickly. Blissfully ignorant and lied to about her presence in years to come.)

Royal Academy...

'UGGGHHH!'

Sovereignty Knights came, dragging Veronica to the Library without giving her any dignity whatsoever.

Since her imprisonment, she can only eat and sleep while stewing in her rage at the world, but she stinks of Punishment Cheese.

She is clad in a simple burlap sack dress, her hair loose, but very greasy-looking, and she's barefoot.

'She stinks!!'

A lot of students quickly fled their seats away from the entrance. Veronica fumed at this humiliation, but her voice was silence by magic tools as she struggled hard under the rude grip of these knights! She's still a lady dammit, an Archduchess!!

'We present the Disgrace of Ahrensbach to the Disciples of Mestionora!' they declared. 'She who sinned against Mestionora herself by damaging her treasures in her own sanctuary!'

The Librarians came, stony-faced.

'I suppose you remember this book?' Chief Librarian Samantha showed Veronica a certain book after speaking coldly. 'Either you or your Retainers sought out to emaciate Geduldh till her thread is cut by tearing out precious knowledge regarding Haldenzel's Spring Ritual, preventing Flutrane from hearing the cries of her sister. Who do you think you are?'

'We have all agreed on a sentence.' said Archlibrarian Charibert, just as cold. 'Schwartz! Weiss!'

The two Shumil Dolls responded to his call.

'Milady calls?'

'Punish this Vandalizer before her holiness Mestionora! Execute Judgment! They who damaged a book for the purpose of Geduldh's Suffering by Emaciation!' Professor Samantha commanded. The dolls' gems glowed eerily.

'Death!'

'Death!'

Veronica choked, wailing something but she was silenced. She clearly didn't want to die, but she was vaporized by the mana beams from the dolls, leaving behind only dust and her feystone.

'Present her filthy feystone to milady so that it is her turn to punish the sinner.' Schwartz piped up.

'Sinner's filthy feystone to be presented  to milady for punishment.' Weiss piped up as they cleaned the dust and the dolls took away the feystone.

'We hereby acknowledge that the sinful disgrace has been penalized.' said Chief Librarian Samantha. 'Our thanks to Aub Ehrenfest for giving us the sinner.' she told the knights gratefully before giving them an order list. 'We would like to order many crates of Lord Ferdinand's mana potions. Still unnamed to this day I hear?'

'Ah, our kids called it Vantole's Anguish in Ditter aftercare. It tastes awfully horrid.' said the left Archknight with a shiver.

'Very apt name, our relatives suffered it while dealing with Winter Lord last week! They say it bothers Grammaratur to speak of it!'

'By the way, why does the sinner stink so bad?'

'Ah, Lady Rozemyne tried her shot at making cheese. But while admittedly delicious, its...pungency bothers Grammaratur as you have experienced that it is a suitable punishment for criminals, alongside stale bread. Daily exposure to the pungency made it stick to one's vessel and there's no antidote to neutralize the pungency as of yet. Aub Ehrenfest won't allow it in the market even then. Oh yes, Lord Ferdinand will come to make a copy of the vandalized book, and add back what was torn off as we rediscovered how to bring spring back to Haldenzel. It finally tasted spring after three decades.'

'Oho! Lost knowledge will be restored hence!' the Librarians were delighted.

'We'll have a space and stock of materials for him ready! Inform him he can come at Dregarhnur's convenience!'

The people choked. If eating it can make a consumer eat so much of it that they become stinky themselves, no wonder its not allowed in the market.

Naturally, gossip spread throughout the Academy!

The Librarians punished Veronica harshly for damaging a book just to commit a heinous crime in Haldenzel that she was executed by the Librarians through the dolls, and her feystone given to Mestionora so that the Wisdom Goddess can punish her herself by putting it before her statue in the Library. And the Lord of Evil will make a restored copy of the vandalized book after figuring out how to save Haldenzel.

And the Disgrace of Ahrensbach was presented to the angry librarians without a shred of dignity allowed to her while reeking of...Punishment Cheese!!

'P-Punishment Cheese...' Ehrenfest students looked queasy at the memory recall and Angelica shuddered.

The sentence that awaits Angelica if she even has a single Line of Eight in her subjects before her third year in school. But to think daily exposure makes the smell cling to your skin while no antidote for it yet?!

'Aiyaaa, not even I knew that, I had a short time with it since respected father made me scrap my project, making just enough for Ivory Tower! I didn't get to discover a hidden side effect!' Rozemyne exclaimed to their horror. 'Oopsie! I'll have to think of an antidote for that after Jureve!'

And Jossbrenner got wind of those words that horrified scholars at home quickly checked themselves if they got cursed by the Feycheese...not yet, but they took a hot bath and avoided the lab for a month while sealing away their sample.