Survival Strategy as an Archduke Candidate

“Lady Lungtase, here is today’s report from the Royal Academy.”

From within the Royal Academy, my retainer and apprentice scholar, Kodohanz, sends me a wooden board each day containing reports on the situation there. It seems that with the descent of a goddess upon Lady Hannelore, Lady Rozemyne’s departure to the world of the gods, and Lady Hannelore subsequently losing consciousness, the Academy has been thrown into great turmoil.

Although I am a member of Dunkelfelger’s archducal family, I have not yet entered the Royal Academy myself, so until now I had been able to read these reports with the detachment of an onlooker. But today’s report left me lightheaded.

“It seems that bride-stealing ditter challenges are being proposed one after another to Lady Hannelore, now known as the Second Avatar of the Goddess. Just moments ago, Lord Raufereg was added to the list of suitors. What should we do?” it read.

It must be just like the proposal made soon after the Academy began—Mother must have whispered advice into my brother’s ear. I had suspected he would scheme to forge a connection with Lady Hannelore, but I never imagined he would go so far as to declare his intention to take part in a bride-stealing ditter.

”…I have just realized for the first time that there is no end to such foolishness.”

“Lady Lungtase, that is perhaps a little too blunt,” my head attendant, Delmira, said with a light sigh when I let my thoughts slip out.

“Oh, do forgive me. I was simply far too shocked…”

A bride-stealing ditter against Lady Hannelore is an act of rebellion against Father. Now that Lady Hannelore has become the Second Avatar of the Goddess, the entire duchy should be united in protecting her. For Mother and my elder brother to do something that would divide the duchy at such a time means they can no longer remain as members of the archducal family.

“Delmira, how should I proceed? Please go and obtain Father’s answer for me.”

Delmira is not one of my Mother’s attendants, but the head attendant whom Father assigned to me. Asking her to contact Father is the quickest way to receive a reply.

The response Delmira brought back from Father was: “Do not involve yourself with Raufereg or Reichlene. I will contact you in due course.” With proposals pouring in from other duchies, it seemed that both the dormitory at the Royal Academy—serving as the point of contact—and Father, who was receiving the proposals, were extremely busy.

…It seems I am to remain on standby until Father contacts me.

Several days passed as I skillfully evaded Mother’s invitations to tea, when suddenly Lord Lestilaut and Lady Eineliebe came to visit the children’s room.

Although it happens only a few times each winter, the future Archduke and Archduchess occasionally come to evaluate the attendants. This is to gather information from the Royal Academy and to select attendants they might later take into their service, perhaps even for the children they will one day have. Understanding this, the children of Lady Sieglinde’s faction greet the pair and do their utmost to catch their attention.

“Lungtase, come here and report on the state of the children’s room this year.”

What was different this time was that Lord Lestilaut called on me specifically. A ripple of surprise went through the children’s room. Until now, we had hardly interacted at all, and yet he had directly summoned me—doing so with a rather imperious air.

“Lady Lungtase, you needn’t comply so readily. He is treating you far too much like a subordinate.”

One of Mother’s attendants looked as though they very much wanted me to bristle in return, but I had no such intention. For all I knew, Lord Lestilaut might be the one delivering Father’s reply. Besides, for the sake of my own position, I wish to build even the smallest degree of rapport with Lady Sieglinde, Lord Lestilaut, and their circle.

“Oh my, are you saying you’ll refuse Lord Lestilaut’s order for me?”

“No, that’s not my intention. I only meant that you should consider what Lady Reichlene might say…”

“My, my… Do you really think Mother would openly complain to the next Archduke?”

Even if they did think so, there was no way they could agree out loud here. I suppressed the urge to chuckle and stepped forward toward Lord Lestilaut.

“Tell me about the children who are about to come forward and greet us.”

“As you wish.”

By showing that he was willing to hear my opinion, Lord Lestilaut was making it clear that my report carried weight with him—and that he intended to encourage the children of Lady Sieglinde’s faction, who would be coming to greet him, to associate with me.

In this way, my position as my mother’s daughter would not be greatly altered, yet it would become much easier for me to interact across faction lines, allowing me to mingle naturally with the nobles of Lady Sieglinde’s circle. At the same time, it would give him the opportunity to judge whether I truly had an eye for evaluating people.

…I do not know whose idea this was, but it is splendid.

“There are several I could recommend to serve as attendants for you, Lord Lestilaut or also Lady Eineliebe. If possible, I would even like to take them as my own retainers.”

At my words, spoken with a friendly smile, a tension ran through the children’s expressions. I could tell that those from the faction with whom I had little prior contact were concerned about what kind of evaluation I might give them.

“Oh my, and who might they be?”

“Hmm, that is interesting. However, it would be better if that evaluation were not yet made known to others.”

Lord Lestilaut said this as he handed me a magic tool to prevent eavesdropping, which I took in my hand.

“As for those whom you consider excellent, put it into writing later. More importantly, this is a message from Father. What I am about to say is for you and your head attendant alone—keep it to yourselves. Also, no matter what you hear, do not let it show on your face. For now, you are supposed to be giving a report about the children’s room.”

While keeping my gaze on the children greeting us with tense expressions, Lord Lestilaut informed me that “due to Raufereg’s proposal, the dormitory within the Royal Academy is now divided into two factions.”

…Why would it come to that?

I could not make sense of it. All I could manage was to maintain a smile, doing my utmost not to let my surprise show on my face.

“Surely you must be joking. I can’t imagine there being enough people willing to side with that foolish brother of mine to split the dormitory in two. At most, it should only be his retainers trying to give the appearance of supporting him, should it not…?”

“Some of Hannelore’s retainers seem to be taking his side. Since Raufereg is the one involved, they appear to have gone rogue, thinking they can make their lady the next Archduchess. I’ve been told it’s unlikely to settle until Hannelore regains consciousness.”

I forced myself to maintain a pleasant smile. Even if it was only a portion of them, the idea that Lady Hannelore’s own retainers would side with my brother was far beyond anything I had anticipated.

“Could this be some sort of trap? Or… could it be that the two fiancées candidates who are from among your retainers, Lord Lestilaut, have some disadvantage compared to that brother of mine?”

“Status,” he replied bluntly. “With only the rank of archnoble, they cannot make Hannelore the next Archduchess.”

It was a brutally straightforward answer, but I found it convincing. Status was something that could not be changed—and without it, my brother had no other advantage to speak of.

“I do not believe there are that many nobles who wish for Lady Hannelore to become the next Archduchess, but… will her position be alright? Would it not be seen as a lack of leadership if her retainers run wild the moment she loses consciousness?”

“That will depend on how she handles matters after she wakes. More importantly, should you not be appealing to Hannelore’s retainers to refrain from supporting your brother?”

The brief glance Lord Lestilaut cast my way carried a sharp red gaze that strongly resembled Father’s whenever he was testing me. In both thought and bearing, he exuded the presence of an Archduke. Faced with the look that explained why, even with his flaws, Father still treated him as a potential successor, I instinctively straightened my back.

“I had intended to consult Father first, then quietly lay the groundwork with Lady Hannelore’s retainers. However, hearing that her retainers are running rampant while their lady is unconscious makes the thought of approaching them unthinkable. We cannot know in what form they will report to Lady Hannelore when she awakens.”

Since I cannot go to the Royal Academy myself, there is no telling how accurate any information would remain. I cannot help but imagine it being warped—whether by my brother’s interference or in some baffling manner that would leave Lady Hannelore wondering how it came to be. If I avoid approaching carelessly, at the very least the outcome should not worsen from its current state.

“At the very least, had I been able to enroll in the Royal Academy, things might have turned out a little differently…”

“Indeed. If you and Raufereg were not brother and younger sister, but elder sister and younger brother, the situation would be quite different.”

With a sly grin, Lord Lestilaut raised his hand slightly toward one of the children offering their greetings—an archnoble relative whom he likely intended to take as a retainer, given they occasionally met at social gatherings.

“Father’s message is this: from now on, have no dealings whatsoever with Raufereg or Reichlene. However, until matters move, do not let them suspect a thing.”

It seemed the decision had been made to cut Mother and my elder brother from the archducal family. If Father was taking action to shield me from the fallout, I could breathe easier. Still, I would have to be mindful of my distance with my attendants so as not to alert those around Mother.

“And one more message from Mother: prove your usefulness, and I will become your mother. Apply yourself.”

I had not expected such words from Lady Sieglinde. If she were to stand as my mother and future support, life as a member of the archducal family would become far easier than I had ever imagined.

“I am most grateful… Please do convey that I certainly shall.”

About ten days after the goddess’s descent, Lady Hannelore awoke.

Along with the news of her awakening came reports that she had reprimanded the retainers who had sided with my elder brother, rejected his proposal with the power of the goddess, and given him instruction. The moment Lady Hannelore awoke, the atmosphere of division within the dormitory vanished, leaving my brother and those around him isolated.

…Even if the nobility whispered that her personality was somewhat difficult, she truly was an archduke candidate of Dunkelfelger. The results of that “special instruction,” however, were unfortunate…

It seems that instead of feeling ashamed after coming to understand his position, my elder brother’s feelings for Lady Hannelore only burned hotter.

I had not expected her to so easily defeat my brother—who possesses aptitude as a knight—and make him take her seriously. Since I lack Lady Hannelore’s martial prowess, I greatly admire her in that regard.

Furthermore, I received reports that after being summoned by the Zent and holding discussions, Lady Hannelore managed to secure benefits for her duchy, such as causing numerous participants to withdraw from the ditter. I cannot help but be impressed—she truly is an archduke candidate raised under Lady Sieglinde’s tutelage.

I, too, must earn Lady Sieglinde’s recognition.

I ordered the retainers under my mother’s influence to gather intelligence—specifically, to identify the nobles feeding my mother unnecessary notions, those supporting my elder brother, and the factions attempting to promote Lady Hannelore as the next archduchess.

In the midst of this, Lady Eineliebe suddenly extended an invitation for a tea party. It was to be held tomorrow, on Earthday, and—most astonishingly—at the third bell.

“Lady Eineliebe, surely the third bell tomorrow is far too…”

My retainers reacted with clear displeasure at such an abrupt invitation, but Lady Eineliebe merely lowered her brows slightly in mild concern without retracting it.

It was likely, just as when Lord Lestilaut and Lady Eineliebe had visited the children’s room, that she had some important matter or message to convey. There must also be a reason she wished to restrict my and my retainers’ movements and keep us under observation. I had no intention of declining.

“I would be delighted to accept. Delmira, as my head attendant, you can prepare even on such short notice, can you not?”

“Of course.”

Delmira nodded with a smile, as if to say I had given the correct answer.

“I would like to speak with you a little about the evaluations in the children’s room the other day. At that time, Lord Lestilaut summoned you, did he not? This time, however, I am thinking of coming to the northern wing myself. What do you think?”

Because Lord Lestilaut had summoned me, some of my retainers—resentful that I had been treated as beneath him—were whispering among themselves, saying things like, “If Lady Eineliebe is the one to come, then that should be fine,” or “We must report this to Lady Reichlene…” I ignored their murmurs entirely and turned a smile toward Lady Eineliebe.

“I will be waiting for you at the third bell tomorrow. I will prepare a summary of what we were discussing that day.”

Not long after Lady Eineliebe left, an ordonnanz arrived from my mother, who had been informed of the sudden tea party by my retainers.

“This is Reichlene. With Raufereg proposing to Lady Hannelore, such a sudden tea party is far too suspicious. Either cancel it, or request that I attend with you.”

My father had told me to “have no dealings whatsoever,” but replying to this would already count as getting involved, would it not? I gave a hand signal to my head attendant, Delmira, to have her pass me a magic tool for preventing eavesdropping.

“Delmira, I believe my reply will be necessary, but should I confirm with Father first?”

“It will not be a problem as long as you are declining. He also instructed you not to let them catch on.”

“I understand. Then, the ordonnanz, please.”

As I have not yet enrolled at the Royal Academy, I cannot send an ordonnanz myself. Delmira prepared one for me.

“This is Lungtase. Mother, it is far too late to cancel now. Furthermore, since the tea party will be held in my room, if you wish to attend, you must first obtain Father’s permission.”

Only the Archduke and Archduchess, the next Archduke couple, the Archduke candidates residing in the North Wing, and each of their retinues are permitted to enter the North Wing. My mother, the second wife, has her chambers in the West Wing and cannot enter the North Wing without the Aub’s permission. When meeting her children, it is decided that she must either invite them to the West Wing or meet them in the main building.

“This is Reichlene. Eineliebe must have chosen the North Wing specifically to exclude me. Lungtase, demand that the location be changed immediately. I cannot bear the thought of you handling this alone when you have not even entered the Royal Academy yet.”

…At the very least, she is capable of sensing the suspicious nature of a sudden invitation and worrying for her daughter.

Even though I had resolved to cut ties with my mother alongside my elder brother to avoid being dragged down with them, hearing the tone of her voice in the ordonnanz and sensing genuine maternal concern caused my heart to waver slightly.

“Lady Lungtase, what will you do?”

Delmira’s voice brought me back to my senses.

She was the retainer my father had personally assigned to me—someone who reports to him, not my mother. Having already declared that I would sever ties with my mother’s faction, I could not afford to show any half-heartedness before Delmira. I had her prepare another ordonnanz for me at once.

“This is Lungtase. After the next Archduke’s first wife has so graciously offered to come to me, I cannot possibly be the one to request a change at this stage. Besides, please do not worry. I have merely been told we will speak a little about the matters discussed in the children’s room.”

My mother should already have heard from my attendants that the two of them came to the children’s room to assess potential attendants and that they sought my opinion there. I ended my message with, “If you absolutely must attend, then please make your request directly to Lady Eineliebe,” and had it sent back.

“This is Reichlene. Lady Eineliebe is surely trying to obtain information about Raufereg from you. Be extremely careful about what you reveal. Also, your brother needs as much information as possible. You must report exactly what was discussed at the tea party. Do not, under any circumstances, let your guard down.”

…So in the end, my mother’s concern is entirely for my brother.

I let out a single breath, clearing my mind.

“Delmira, do you think my mother has accepted my refusal?”

“Yes, I believe it has,” Delmira replied.

“Then, could you report to Lady Eineliebe that my mother had a request? She might be approached by my mother…”

Since there was a possibility of being accused of something, it would be best to at least make the report. After that, I spent the rest of the day busily preparing for tomorrow’s tea party.

At third bell the next day, Lady Eineliebe arrived—bringing with her a large retinue of knights and attendants.

“What is the meaning of this?!?!”

“This is by order of the Archduke. We’ll be detaining them for a while.”

The only ones flustered and panicking as they were chased down by the knights were the attendants placed by my mother. My father’s appointed head attendant, Delmira, and a few others continued the tea party without the slightest sign of concern. I too showed no particular surprise in my expression as I offered Lady Eineliebe a seat. She smiled warmly as she sat down.

“My apologies, Lady Lungtase. Did I startle you?”

“It was such a sudden invitation, I did expect something to happen. Though… this turned out to be rather more dangerous than I had imagined.”

I glanced around at the attendants being taken away.

While I hadn’t anticipated they would be detained, I had expected some form of action—such as replacing them with attendants chosen by my father. So it wasn’t all that shocking. More importantly, as the host of this tea party, it was vital that I conduct myself without any lapses in proper etiquette. I tasted the sweets and tea for poison before courteously offering them to my guest.

“In fact, Lady Hannelore has just returned from the Royal Academy and is currently speaking with Lady Sieglinde in her chambers.”

It was clear that Father and Lady Sieglinde did not wish to allow any contact between Lady Hannelore—freshly returned—and either Mother or myself, given Mother’s tendency to side with my brother. Lady Eineliebe must have been acting on Father’s orders.

“In that case, this may prove useful. Here is a list of certain nobles who are especially close to Mother and are scheming to make my brother Lady Hannelore’s husband. Please deliver it to Lady Sieglinde. After all, I was told to prove my usefulness.”

“Well… hehe, I will certainly take custody of it.”

After briefly glancing over the list, Lady Eineliebe handed it to her head attendant, then took the tea Delmira had prepared. She drank it slowly, then rose from her seat.

“I will leave these attendants here in place of the ones who were taken into custody. Lunch will be brought, so please remain here until the results of today come in, Lady Lungtase. I must also check on the situation in the western wing. Once Lady Hannelore has returned to the dormitory, I will come here to see how things are.”

With a smile that was friendlier than her usual, Lady Eineliebe looked at me. No doubt, these actions were part of the trials she faced as someone who had joined the archducal family through marriage.

“As a member of Dunkelfelger’s archducal family, I promise to remain here without losing my composure. At the same time, I pray that you will be able to carry out your duties safely, Lady Eineliebe.”

While praying for my mother’s downfall, I saw Lady Eineliebe off with a smile.

“Hannelore has returned to the dormitory. Tonight will be an intra-dormitory ditter. Until a query comes from the retainers in the Royal Academy, you are not to make any moves. I have not informed my own retainers of anything, either.”

Shortly before the fifth bell, the ones who came to the northern wing were Lord Lestilaut and Lady Eineliebe.

I was informed that, during the discussion between the Aub and Lady Hannelore, it had been decided to hold an intra-dormitory ditter, and that my mother was currently unable to leave the western wing.

“My mother hasn’t been taken into custody? I was certain…”

“They’ve only stationed knights in the connecting corridor. If she attempts to force her way through, they’ll apprehend her, but for now she’s free to spend her time in her own chambers. The Aub wishes to see how she learns about the intra-dormitory ditter, and, once she knows, how she will act as the Aub’s second wife.”

“Even if it was for the sake of self-preservation, Lungtase has been able to act this much. If she were to forget her position as the second wife, she would be unfit to be a member of the Archduke’s family.”

Lord Lestilaut then lightly waved the list I had entrusted to Lady Eineliebe.

“That is…”

“Mother has said that if you handle tonight’s dormitory ditter well, she will acknowledge your usefulness.”

Just as I swallowed nervously, I received a wooden board from Kodohanz, my apprentice scholar stationed at the Royal Academy, asking, “What stance should we take in regards to the dormitory ditter?” I immediately sent back the reply: “Do not get involved. Neither side with my brother nor his potential fiancée—just wait for the results.”

“Lady Lungtase, another letter has arrived,” my retainer informed me.

It arrived so quickly that I could not tell whether my first board had already reached Kodohanz or whether he had written the second before receiving it.

“It is no longer possible to remain neutral and simply watch the situation without getting involved in the ditter. Our apprentice guard knights have been entered among the participants at Lord Raufereg’s sole discretion. I protested, but he refused to listen, saying it was only natural since you are his full sister.”

“This is absolutely unacceptable, isn’t it? For him to give orders to my retainers without my permission…”

I could not help but turn to Lord Lestilaut and the others to confirm whether it was truly natural for my brother to use my retainers entirely on his own authority.

“Of course it’s unacceptable, but if things stay as they are, it will look as though you’re siding with Raufereg. What do you intend to do?”

Lord Lestilaut sipped his tea, watching me with an amused smirk as the blood drained from my face. Lady Sieglinde’s words—“If you handle tonight’s dormitory ditter well”—weighed heavily upon me.

“I’ll write at once to say I am not siding with my brother… Ah, but if the wooden board is hidden or burned, there will be no public proof that I ever refused, will there?”

Since I cannot go to the Royal Academy, my words can only be proven by the board I send.

“My, my, Lady Lungtase. Your face has gone quite pale. What do you think Lord Lestilaut and I are waiting here with you for?”

…So they have some duty other than keeping watch over me?”

The moment I blinked, an ordonnanz from my mother arrived.

“This is Reichlene. Lungtase, I hear a ditter will be held at the Royal Academy today. You must ensure that Raufereg wins at all costs. Order your retainers to give their utmost effort. Is that understood?”

Before me, as I furrowed my brows at these entirely unacceptable words, Lord Lestilaut’s scholar was already recording the contents of the ordonnanz.

“Raufereg and Reichlene—now we have proof. That means we’re prepared on our side. It would be ideal if the archduke candidate’s retainers at the Royal Academy could also provide evidence…”

It seemed that Lord Lestilaut and Lady Eineliebe had come here to gather proof of my brother’s and my mother’s folly. My own testimony alone might not hold weight in public, but if three people—including the next Archduke—and their retainers all bore witness, it would be credible.

“And perhaps, Lady Lungtase, you should seek the protection of Lady Hannelore?”

Lady Eineliebe gave me a warm smile as she offered a solution.

I immediately wrote one wooden board for my retainers: “We will not support my brother. Do everything in your power to place me under Lady Hannelore’s protection.”

On another tablet, I penned a request to Lady Hannelore herself: “Please allow me to come under your protection.”

Even as I wrote, troubling news kept arriving from the Royal Academy: my brother was trying to take the apprentice guard knights for “joint training,” and he had even received a letter from my mother instructing him, “Lady Lungtase’s retainers are to give their utmost as well.” The situation was growing worse by the moment.

“If we send Lady Hannelore the second board tablet Kodohanz wrote—the one showing that my brother is trying to use my retainers without permission—she should be able to grasp the situation correctly.”

Fighting back the urge to cry, I finished writing the tablet and sent off the letter. I let out a small sigh of relief… only for Lord Lestilaut’s red eyes to glance at me and his hand to wave dismissively.

“You’re still too soft,” he said.

“Hannelore has experienced believing words in the moment, being swayed, and paying the price for it. She would sooner choose to cast you aside than be made a fool by you. You’ll need father’s backing as well. Send an ordonnanz.”

Following Lord Lestilaut’s advice, I had Delmira prepare an ordonnanz and pleaded desperately with my father.

“This is Lungtase. At the Royal Academy, my retainers are being used by my brother without my consent. Please, Father, order him to stop. And also… please request that Lady Hannelore take me under her protection.”

An ordonnanz arrived from Father granting his consent, and at last I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Lady Eineliebe quietly handed me a wooden board.

“Wouldn’t it be wise to write down the reason you seek Lady Hannelore’s protection, rather than mine or Lord Lestilaut’s? Lady Hannelore, who is at the Royal Academy, likely knows nothing about you.”

It was only after winter began that I resolved to sever ties with my brother and mother, and began strengthening my connections with Lord Lestilaut and the others.

“True, I have had far too little interaction with Lady Hannelore,” I admitted, “but surely she is aware of the situation within our duchy and will make a sound judgment, will she not?”

At my words, Lord Lestilaut’s expression twisted in displeasure.

“Do not overestimate someone you barely know. Lay as many careful measures as you can.”

”…My apologies.”

Although Lord Lestilaut’s words and manner were rough, I felt oddly pleased that he was pointing out my naivete and instructing me on what should be done. My elder brother, as we know, is utterly unreliable in anything outside of brute strength, so this was the first time I had been taught from the perspective of a senior member of the archducal family.

“To keep a suitable distance from Lady Eineliebe. To make it known that Lady Hannelore has no intent to treat the entire second wife’s faction coldly. Because there is far too little time before the dormitory ditter match… Would these reasons suffice for requesting her protection?”

“Ah. If she can’t understand it when written out this clearly, then Hannelore is a fool.”

His words were harsh, but I could tell that he believed Lady Hannelore would understand. As I smiled faintly at that, Lady Eineliebe tilted her head slightly, a testing sort of smile playing on her lips.

“Since remaining neutral in the ditter match will be difficult, would it not be better to entrust the handling of your retainers to Lady Hannelore? It would give your request for her protection a greater sense of urgency.”

“It will give a sense of urgency, yes—but are you prepared to place your retainers under Hannelore’s command?”

When the two of them pressed me for my resolve, I immediately wrote out a wooden board. Better to entrust them to Lady Hannelore than have my elder brother use them without permission.

After handing the wooden board—granting Lady Hannelore authority over my retainers during the dormitory ditter—to the attending scholar, Lord Lestilaut held out another tablet for them to deliver.

“Lord Lestilaut, are you giving orders to your own retainers as well?”

“That’s right. I told them to hear out Kodohanz’s account. You’ll need it, won’t you?”

Lord Lestilaut’s sly grin was so reassuring that I couldn’t help but feel a deep, aching envy toward Lady Hannelore for having such an elder brother. He was far too different from my own.

”…I wish I had an elder brother like you, Lord Lestilaut.”

Hearing my words, Lord Lestilaut seemed to recall something and gave an “Ah,” his eyes narrowing with amused interest as he instructed his retainer to prepare a wooden board.

“Lungtase, while you’re at it, write and send one more thing.”

“What should I write?”

“That once Hannelore’s protection is granted, you wish to call her Elder Sister. She’s long envied the relationship between Rozemyne and her younger sister. If you address her that way, she might try to emulate Rozemyne and become a kinder elder sister to you.”

I swallowed the words “You should have told me sooner” that nearly escaped my lips, and instead wrote to Lady Hannelore, “May I have the honor of calling you Elder Sister?”

I also prepared a wooden board for Kodohanz, instructing, “Please deliver this to Lady Hannelore only after it is confirmed that I will be under her protection.”

…May I truly gain Lady Hannelore’s protection.

May I survive tonight’s ditter without incident, and secure Lady Sieglinde’s backing.

Some time later, the wooden board returned with the words, “I shall protect you as your elder sister.”

Relief washed over me, and I felt the strength drain from my entire body. I had succeeded in securing my safety. From here on, I would be able to continue living as an Archduke Candidate of Dunkelfelger.