Chapter Text
"I’m Going Back."
The Grutrissheit is right before my eyes, and yet I’m told I have to wait three years to obtain it...
Even though there is only one year left until Ferdinand’s Starbinding...
What should I do?
Standing frozen before the entrance, which had turned back into a plain white wall, I stared at my hand, which was throbbing with heat. The part of my fist that had struck the magic circle was swollen a dark, bruised red, as if burned. It seemed even Ferdinand’s charms couldn't fully protect me.
"It hurts..."
While I was looking down at my wound, Schwartz and Weiss closed the passage, trotted over, and stood before the wall. The moment Weiss passed through, the wall became transparent, revealing the faces of everyone waiting on the other side with bated breath.
"Rozemyne!"
Hildebrand rushed toward me, but Anastasius stopped him, saying, "The rest of you stay back," and entered the library alone.
"Rozemyne, you..."
"It was no use. Without Royal registration, the inner door won't open. I was repelled by the magic circle."
"...I see. Then it cannot be helped. I shall have the Aub Ehrenfest dissolve your adoption immediately. That will make you an archnoble. The moment you are adopted by the Zent, you will become Royalty."
It seemed Anastasius had been considering a transfer method other than a Starbinding. Perhaps he had actually taken my earlier words to heart... I decided to press the point one more time.
"I have no desire to become Royalty. I have things I hold dear in Ehrenfest. However, if you uphold the custom that a fiancé is exempt from communal punishment, I will obey. As Prince Anastasius, who loves Lady Eglantine so dearly, surely you understand my feelings? If Lady Eglantine were made a sacrifice for the country... could you remain sane? Would you want to save such a country at the cost of your own soul in a way you never desired? You couldn't, could you? No matter how bound we are by noble duty, we still have emotions... Is that not only natural?"
Guh... A sound came from him, like a voice squeezed from the back of his throat.
"Regarding that... I cannot answer. May the healing of Lungeheime be upon Rozemyne."
"Thank you very much."
"However, I understand your feelings. Certainly, sacrificing Eglantine... I could never allow that. I would sooner offer up my own life."
I thought so. If it’s Anastasius, he surely would.
"The reason I am alive today is thanks to Lord Ferdinand. He is like family to me. That is why, if anything were to happen to him... I could not remain in my right mind."
I looked straight at Anastasius and declared my stance.
Anastasius said, "I must report to the Zent. You, continue your work here. Regarding the depths of the underground library—do not tell anyone yet. Do you understand?" With that, he left.
I felt a wave of exhaustion, as if all my willpower had been drained, and I couldn't move from the spot. Hildebrand kept asking me what had happened, but I could only offer a vague smile. Your older brother told me to keep my mouth shut, I replied only in my head.
I continued working after lunch, but Anastasius's words from earlier kept swirling in my head, making it impossible to focus. I felt like the searching gazes of Hannelore and Magdalena were physically grinding away at my spirit.
After a while, Sylvester came to get me and led me straight to the Royal tea room. Inside, Anastasius and the Zent were waiting. I felt a wave of relief that the Sovereign Knight Commander wasn't among the Zent's guards. That man is far too suspicious.
Once it was confirmed that the wide-range soundproofing magic tool was active, the Zent began to speak.
"I have heard the story from Anastasius. Rozemyne, you are to register as Royalty immediately and obtain the Grutrissheit. This is a Royal Decree. We can no longer maintain this country without it. Is that understood, Aub Ehrenfest?"
By the time I thought, "Wait, what?" Sylvester had already replied.
"Understood. I obey the Royal Decree. However, once she has handed over the Grutrissheit, will you promise to return Rozemyne to Ehrenfest? What the Royal Family needs is the Grutrissheit, not Rozemyne herself."
I couldn't say a word, staring blankly at the exchange between the two.
"Yes, that is fine. For that reason, we must handle this matter in secret."
The Zent said this and held out a contract. When I instinctively looked at Sylvester, he gave me a stern look. Do not resist... I knew that was what he meant. A Royal Decree... Disobeying a Royal Decree was not permitted. With trembling hands, I had no choice but to sign the contracts for the dissolution of my current adoption and the new one.
"As soon as the medal transfer is complete, I will head to the library as well. You go on ahead."
With that, the Zent left the room. Because Anastasius was there, I couldn't even talk to Sylvester; we simply moved to the library together. It felt like I was being watched... no, I was definitely being guarded. For the first time, I truly felt the terror of the Royal Family. My will didn't matter at all. I finally understood what people meant when they told me not to get close to Royalty... even if it was too late.
But with this, perhaps—just perhaps—I could save Ferdinand.
While waiting in front of the underground library, the Zent arrived and urged me to enter.
"Princess, transcribe."
"Princess, here."
As Schwartz and Weiss prompted me, I moved further in. I timidly touched the magic circle that had repelled me earlier, and this time, I was able to go inside.
In the center of the room, on a desk, sat a single book. Next to it was a bracelet.
"Princess, produce schtappe."
"Princess, touch book with schtappe."
Following their instructions, I touched the book with my schtappe. Seven-colored light erupted from the book and was sucked into my schtappe. I felt a massive amount of information being taken in all at once. It’s like I’m downloading it into my schtappe... I thought, but then I realized:
How do I hand this over?
If I can't hand it over, what will happen to me?
When the light faded, Schwartz spoke: "Princess, finished."
"What should I do? About the Grutrissheit..."
Suddenly, my schtappe turned into the book. Is "Grutrissheit" the spell?
Isn't this getting even more dangerous?
Nnoooooooo!
Pulling myself together, I opened it. Rather than a book for reading, it was filled with magic circles and how to use them... yeah, it felt like an instruction manual. It was a book, certainly, but... how should I put it... it didn't feel like something you read for fun. What a disappointment.
I didn't know what the bracelet was, but I decided to take it anyway. I didn't want to have to come back here ever again. I checked the room, but there was nothing else.
When I returned to the underground library, the Zent entered. He led me to a spot hidden from outside view and asked, "How was it?"
I had no choice but to tell the truth.
"I transcribed it, but it isn't something I can hand over."
The Zent’s voice turned sharp. "What do you mean! Explain!"
"The Grutrissheit... was a spell to transform one's schtappe. I will produce my schtappe and show you. Schtappe. Grutrissheit."
"Wh-What! So that was it..."
I held out the bracelet to the stunned Zent.
"This was next to the book. Since it was in that room, I thought it might be related to the Grutrissheit and brought it along..."
"Th-That! That is the bracelet my father used to wear!"
The Zent put it on his arm and chanted, "Grutrissheit."
"Oh! This is it! This is the Grutrissheit! You have done well, Rozemyne! With this, I have become a true Zent!"
The Zent was so overcome with emotion that his eyes were tearing up.
Hm? In that case, you don't need me, right?
...Wait... A chill ran down my spine, so cold it felt like I was freezing, and my body began to tremble.
"Ro...my...ne, Ro...ine! Rozemyne!"
I jolted, realizing the Zent was calling my name.
"Ah, my apologies! It seems I am a little tired."
"No, it is fine. Does your Grutrissheit list the location of the Foundation?"
The location of the Foundation?
When I brought out the Grutrissheit, the page with the necessary information opened on its own.
"It’s here. Eh? Ah, excuse me. The Foundation of a Duchy is in the Temple. The Foundation of the Country is in the Royal Academy, the statue of Mestionora on the second floor of the library. The key is the key to the Bible in the Sovereign Temple. After dyeing the Foundation, it seems the Zent sets up a teleportation circle themselves to enter and exit."
Cold sweat broke out as I spoke.
Now that I know all this... will I be safe?
The trembling in my body grew worse.
I’m scared!
The Zent stared at me intently before speaking.
"It seems the amount of information in yours and mine is different. Rozemyne, keep the fact that you have a Grutrissheit secret. At a later date, you and I will enter into a magic contract. You will not use it without my command. Otherwise, I cannot protect your life. You have handed the Grutrissheit to me, and you do not possess one. Is that understood?"
"I understand."
I knelt to show my submission.
It seems I won't be disposed of immediately... but I don't know what lies ahead.
What am I supposed to do from here on?
Will Lord Ferdinand be saved?
...Left alone in the underground library, I was at a complete loss.