Information About the New Aub

“Lord Bendruk, do you have any information regarding Lady Rozemyne?”

Numerous inquiries have been directed towards me from the nobles of Ahrensbach who attended the engagement ceremony.

I am an archscholar serving at the castle, and it seems people believe that I enjoy gathering various rumors and information.

In reality, I’ve been ordered by archdukes, generation after generation, to covertly gather information on the nobles who come and go from the castle, not disclose it to others. That is why I have a wealth of information at my disposal.

Even after the passing of the previous archduke, I continued the duty itself. Unfortunately, Lady Detlinde struggled to dye the foundation and did not officially assume the position of archduchess. Therefore I never provided her with information.

Previously, my family’s duty was taught to the future archduke during their archducal education. However, after an archduke candidate was caught up in the purge following the political strife and demoted to an archnoble, the previous Aub instructed that; “From now on, do not teach this during the next archduke’s education period. Pass it on verbally yourself only after they have officially assumed the position.”

There are probably no members of the archducal family left who know of my family’s duty.

“There is nothing new in the information I possess. After all, Lady Rozemyne has spent very little time in the castle, and everything she does is something so unbelievable that it’s hard to comprehend even when witnessed with one’s own eyes. Although I thoroughly verify my information as much as possible, there are still things I am unsure I can trust.”

“The people of Ehrenfest are truly secretive. I believe you know that if we are to serve, we need information about our lady…”

I let out a quiet sigh. While Lady Rozemyne stayed in the castle, Lord Ferdinand and her attendants were on alert, wary of nobles from Ahrensbach drawing near. Lady Rozemyne was closely guarded, and the nobility were not allowed near her. I had also kept a distance from Lord Ferdinand to avoid being suspected as someone gathering information, but the information that came to me was hardly worthwhile.

“Everyone among Ahrensbach’s nobility is curious about what the young archduke candidate from another duchy, who suddenly appeared and took the foundation, wishes for and intends to do with the duchy. …Though it’s said to be a glorious library city, it’s hard for us to comprehend, but it seems the nobles of Ehrenfest understand.”

If I were to think about the future, I would need as much information as possible. Yet, the retainers from Ehrenfest often gathered among themselves to discuss matters, and even if we tried to offer our opinions, they merely brushed them aside. Nobles of Ahrensbach were all saying that they felt their views were not being heard.

”…This is troubling. What does Lady Rozemyne think about those who have been captured as criminals? If she decides, with a youthful mind, that they should all be punished without exception, she will earn resentment from many nobles.”

Many castle-serving nobles who had sided with Lady Georgine and Lady Detlinde were arrested. Considering the hierarchy that compelled them to obey commands, there were many who might deserve some degree of leniency. However, even if we wanted to appeal for reduced sentences, Lady Rozemyne, who should be making the final decisions, was absent, occupied with preparations to move.

“We’ve heard that regarding the criminals’ fates, everything has been entrusted to Lord Ferdinand, who is well-versed in Ahrensbach’s affairs.”

“Isn’t that giving too much authority to Lord Ferdinand in itself?”

I, too, sometimes felt the same. However, considering that the Zent would need an explanation regarding the criminals’ sentencing at the Archdukes Conference, there wasn’t enough time to proceed while teaching Lady Rozemyne, who was unfamiliar with Ahrensbach’s factions and Lanzenave matters.

Furthermore, with the country gate closed, trade with Lanzenave had ceased, and the duchy was to become the new Alexandria. Much of the previously compiled documentation would be useless for the Archdukes Conference. These materials would need to be recreated, but Lady Rozemyne, lacking knowledge of the duchy’s geography and industries, wouldn’t be able to contribute meaningfully. While I understood why nobles might feel that too much authority had been granted to Lord Ferdinand, even if he was her royally-appointed fiancé, the reality was that without his leadership, preparations for the Archdukes Conference would fall behind.

“New retainers were recently assigned from among Ahrensbach’s nobles, in anticipation of the Archdukes Conference. My younger sister is among them, so we should gain more information moving forward. I, too, believe that a lack of information would be detrimental for both the Ehrenfest retainers and Ahrensbach’s nobles, creating unnecessary divisions. We need enough information to foster mutual understanding.”

“Then, I’ll rely on you, Lord Bendruk, to gather detailed information focusing on Lady Rozemyne’s connections for the Archdukes Conference. You’re planning to attend, aren’t you?”

I was an archnoble of the neutral faction. Since I wasn’t part of Lady Georgine or Lady Detlinde’s factions, I had been ordered to attend the Archdukes Conference amidst the current shortage of personnel. However, as I had kept my distance from Lord Ferdinand, I hadn’t been entrusted with significant responsibilities, given my rank. For a while, I would likely be observed.

“I will make every effort.”

Even though I had promised to try, Lady Rozemyne wouldn’t be back before the Archdukes Conference. Many of the Ehrenfest retainers were also absent, either returning to their duchy for their own moving preparations or arranging their dormitories and new residences. I had heard that they wouldn’t settle into the castle until just before the conference.

“Well, I’ve made the necessary preparations for now, but will it be in time for the Archdukes Conference…?”

As a scholar attending the Archdukes Conference, I was busy with my tasks. Since I had little prior interaction with Lord Ferdinand, the responsibilities assigned to me concerned not the future of the new duchy but rather the cleanup of past affairs.

…Even so, the extent of these matters was astonishing.

I was tasked with verifying Lady Georgine’s actions, which had been investigated by reading the memories of those convicted in Ehrenfest. She had worked with Lord Raublut, the former head of the Sovereign Knights Order, to make the king of Lanzenave the Zent, manipulating the nobles of the former Werkestock and ultimately leading an invasion into Ehrenfest.

When the previous archduke was still alive and Lady Georgine resided in the western wing or the main residence area, it had been easier to gather information. However, after she moved to the detached residence, it became more challenging. She had engaged in considerable covert activities away from our watch. Just reading through the documents made my head ache. Naturally, her detached residence had also been thoroughly investigated, but with everything prepared for her departure, it was left spotless, without any useful evidence.

“Apologies, but I have been invited to dinner by relatives today, so I’ll be leaving a bit early.”

As sixth bell rang, I quickly tidied up the documents and began preparing to leave. My colleagues lifted their heads slightly and nodded in acknowledgment.

“Ah, just being able to attend the Archdukes Conference means everyone seeks a connection to the Aub or Lord Ferdinand through us, so it’s challenging for us all, is it not?”

Until now, those who held central positions in the castle had been nobles aligned with Lady Georgine. Now that they were removed, those who had served under the previous Aub or Lady Letizia and whom Lord Ferdinand approved were given importance. Only those cleared of any association with the convicted were permitted to participate in this conference. Many nobles sought connections with those newly granted permission to attend, assuming they would eventually be trusted with greater responsibilities.

“It’s hard to make easy promises since things work differently now, but it seems that understanding is hard to come by.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Leaving the rest to my colleagues, I headed to the home of Ekrielle, a medscholar and a relative. While she, too, was likely seeking a connection to Lord Ferdinand, I looked forward to her contact, which set her apart from others.

“Ekrielle, have you managed to improve the magic tool?”

“Lord Bendruk, I’ve been expecting you. I hope it meets your standards…”

Since her mother was an archnoble, Ekrielle, though a mednoble herself, possessed a mana capacity on par with that of archnobles. It was around the time her responsibilities as a noblewoman to raise her children had settled, and she began considering returning to work as a scholar in the castle. At that time, Lord Ferdinand recognized the talent of Raimund, a mednoble who was taken in as his retainer. Raimund’s research, aimed at improving magic circles for mana conservation, was honored at the Royal Academy. Ekrielle, who had a talent for crafting and refining magic tools, was inspired by this research and expressed her desire to speak with Lord Ferdinand about magic tools, hoping to resume her duties.

However, Lady Detlinde heavily favored Lanzenave, and Lord Ferdinand’s treatment deteriorated. This was partly due to Lady Detlinde’s inability to fully dye the foundation, which delayed the marriage, and many nobles waited cautiously to see what would happen until Lord Ferdinand formally became part of Ahrensbach’s archducal family.

…There had even been subtle hints that the royally-ordered starbind might be annulled in the event of Lord Ferdinand’s death.

Uncertain of how the situation would unfold, I had not wanted my relatives to become too close to Lord Ferdinand. I advised Ekrielle’s husband that it would be better to delay her return to work. To buy time, I provided Raimund’s research materials and encouraged her to pursue magic tool refinement within their household.

But circumstances changed. When I learned that Lady Rozemyne had obtained the foundation, I commissioned Ekrielle to improve a magic tool for eavesdropping. I promised that if she succeeded, I would introduce her improvements as an accomplishment to Lord Ferdinand upon her return to work after the Archdukes Conference.

“Lord Bendruck, here is the improved eavesdropping magic tool.”

Ekrielle presented a box containing items that appeared only as decorative accessories. There were pieces with small feystones resembling beads, connected by thin threads, and others with a series of curved metal and feystones. At first glance, they looked nothing like eavesdropping magic tools. I examined them closely.

“I’ve miniaturized them to the extent that they shouldn’t appear as eavesdropping tools,” Ekrielle explained. “As you requested, they can be hidden within a hair ornament.”

“Yes, indeed. They don’t resemble eavesdropping devices at all.”

“I applied Lord Raimund’s research,” she continued, speaking a bit quickly as she explained the modifications. “I broke down the eavesdropping magic circle into smaller parts and connected them with thin threads commonly used in embroidered magic circles. Additionally…”

Ekrielle elaborated on the improvements. Traditionally, eavesdropping tools operated on the mana contained within the feystone itself, but she had modified it to draw power directly from the person wearing the hair ornament. This allowed her to reduce the size of the feystones, as they would continuously be supplied with mana from the wearer. Furthermore, by using the wearer’s mana, the creator’s was concealed, making it difficult to trace the tool back to the creator or the one who had set it up.

“How is it used?” I asked.

“The sending feystone here has a small pin attached. Secure it by attaching this to the hair ornament,” Ekrielle explained. “Then, hook the thread onto the rainbow feystone of the hair ornament. I understand that this feystone has a protection magic circle inscribed on it. Even if it can’t absorb mana from the scalp or hair properly, it will draw mana from that tool.”

“Well done. It’s been improved significantly.” I could see the ingenuity in her work—drawing mana from the target, miniaturizing the magic circle by dividing it into parts, among other adjustments.

“This curved metal piece here is the receiving device. Wear it over your ear like this. If you let your hair down on the side, it will be hidden from view.”

“Does the receiving device need to be on both ears to hear clearly?”

“It’s harder to hear with just one, but it will still work,” Ekrielle replied.

With anti-eavesdropping devices becoming more common, the use of eavesdropping tools had declined recently. With such a small, inconspicuous design, the target wouldn’t even notice.

“Lord Bendruk, will this be enough to catch Lord Ferdinand’s eye? Do you think I could secure a position in his research facility?”

Ekrielle’s eyes sparkled with hope as she questioned the merit of her work. Naturally, it was certain to catch his attention.

“Due to the Lanzenave affair, the castle has faced significant personnel shortages, and an increase in staffing is expected after the Archdukes Conference. You’ve met my expectations well. I’ll put in a word for you.”

…Assuming, of course, this eavesdropping device isn’t discovered.

Adding that silently in my mind, I took the improved device and left Ekrielle’s manor.

Upon returning to my estate, I immediately wrote a message using a magic communication letter to my sister, Meludine, saying, “What is the new Aub like? I’d like to hear about her.” Meludine had recently been appointed as one of Lady Rozemyne’s attendants. She likely anticipated my contact for information gathering, as her response arrived soon after: “I’ll come by during tomorrow’s dinner.”

…It was unusual for her to make the trip to my home.

Previously, she often said, “I can’t leave the house alone with the children here. Please come to me, Brother.” Then I remembered that Meludine’s youngest daughter was close to graduating from the Royal Academy. She likely no longer had a reason to remain at home constantly. I informed my wife of the arrangement and asked her to prepare an extra place for my sister at dinner the following day.

Meludine arrived as promised. We shared an unremarkable conversation about recent events with my wife and children over dinner. Afterward, we moved to another room to discuss the real matter at hand.

“Meludine, I understand that Lady Rozemyne will remain in Ehrenfest until the Archdukes Conference, but do her retainers here still have communication with those on the other side?”

“Yes, retainers from Alexandria and Ehrenfest are coordinating through the Royal Academy’s tea party room. The Aub’s belongings are arriving one after another, and there’s frequent movement among the scholars. The Aub has been considerate in fostering connections between the old and new retainers, and it seems that the basic color formulations have also reached a turning point.”

Every time Meludine, with a hint of excitement, called Lady Rozemyne “Aub” or referred to the duchy as “Alexandria,’ I felt a subtle resistance rising within me. Until the Zent officially approved her and she completed her inauguration as the new Aub, she was not yet truly the Aub, and this was still Ahrensbach.

“Brother, is my life as an attendant the main topic here?”

“No, I was hoping you could attach this to Lady Rozemyne’s hair ornament before the Archdukes Conference.”

Meludine looked down at the box I offered, her brows knitting in displeasure.

“No, Brother. I cannot possibly add something unknown like this to the Aub’s hair ornament. Given that you brought it, I assume it’s some sort of eavesdropping device. Isn’t this disrespectful to the Aub?”

“This is our family’s duty.”

“Oh, I know that gathering information on nobles for the Aub is part of our family’s duty. However, gathering information on the Aub herself is not our duty.”

Meludine lifted her chin and turned her head away in a show of clear refusal. Her stance was resolute, and I couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath, surprised that my own sister would reject me so firmly, even under the pretext of family duty.

”…Information on Lady Rozemyne is necessary. There are nobles who view her as an invader who seized Ahrensbach’s foundation.”

“Oh, Brother. Lady Rozemyne is no invader; she is a savior. Show more gratitude to the goddess who saved this land from someone unworthy even of the title of archduchess, who would hand over her own nobles to the barbarians of another country.”

“Don’t speak as Hartmut or Clarissa might,” I replied, a bit exasperated.

Meludine’s words, dismissing Lady Detlinde as beneath an archduchess, revealed not a trace of loyalty to Ahrensbach’s archducal family. She spoke with the same fervor as those retainers from Ehrenfest who had devoted themselves to Lady Rozemyne. I exhaled slightly.

“It’s true that Lady Detlinde lacked what was needed to become Aub, but our family has been…”

I was about to admonish her for her lack of pride as a noble of Ahrensbach, but Meludine fixed me with a sharp glare, her blue eyes flashing with hatred. This unexpected emotion silenced me, leaving me bewildered by the sudden hostility from my sister.

“As a mother, it’s only natural that I feel gratitude and pledge my loyalty to Lady Rozemyne for saving my daughter. Who would have expected that my daughter, an apprentice attendant working in the castle in broad daylight, would be abducted with the archducal family’s permission and handed to the barbarians of another country?”

I realized, to my shock, that Meludine’s youngest daughter had been taken by those from Lanzenave. Lady Detlinde had permitted such actions, showing no concern as long as it didn’t affect nobles loyal to her. Our family, responsible for gathering information for the Archdukes, had maintained a neutral stance, keeping an appropriate distance from all factions, including Lady Detlinde’s.

…This was the first I’d heard of the abduction.

I swallowed hard. I hadn’t imagined my own family would become a victim. I had been focused on gathering information, obtaining three critical pieces: “Lady Letizia would likely be used in some way to remove Lord Ferdinand, which would prompt action from the Lanzenave people,” “mana attacks were ineffective against Lanzenave’s forces,” and “nobles in Lady Detlinde’s faction were instructed to draw symbols on their gates and remain inside until the following day to avoid being targeted by those from Lanzenave.”

So, when I saw Lord Strahl and his group urgently calling for evacuation within the castle, I immediately sent an ordonnanz to my relatives: “Return home without delay. Draw the symbol on your gate as instructed beforehand, and do not leave until the next day.”

“Did my warning not reach you in time…?”

“No, thanks to you, both my husband and I escaped unharmed. But my daughter was captured even before the knights had given any warning. She was abducted from her workplace by the barbarians, saw her superior, who tried to protect her, killed before her eyes, and was locked in a narrow cage on a ship, only to be thrown into the sea for her rescue. She experienced sheer terror.”

Meludine mentioned that Lady Rozemyne’s care had helped her daughter gradually recover, though she had yet to fully heal. That was why Meludine couldn’t invite me to her home.

“Even if Lady Rozemyne were an invader, the fact that she used the foundation to protect the people makes her worthy of loyalty as Aub, in my view. Conversely, I lost all loyalty to the previous archduke when he failed to see through the ambitions of his first wife and appointed such a foolish daughter as his successor.”

With Meludine’s words, I finally understood why she, despite limited past interaction with Lord Ferdinand or Lady Letizia, had been appointed as an attendant. Likely because she was an archnoble of the neutral faction, distanced from both Lady Georgine and Lady Detlinde. Moreover, after her youngest daughter was rescued from the Lanzenave forces, Meludine’s gratitude had turned into reverence for Lady Rozemyne, much like Hartmut and Clarissa’s devotion.

…It seemed I would need to adjust my approach to persuade her.

I exhaled slowly, contemplating. I needed Meludine to place the eavesdropping device to gather information on Lady Rozemyne, but it was clear she would not agree with my usual persuasive approach.

“I see. The fact that there are so many nobles who feel gratitude and loyalty toward Lady Rozemyne implies that there were many victims,” I said thoughtfully.

“Yes. All those appointed as Lady Rozemyne’s attendants come from families affected by Lanzenave’s actions. It seems the status of being in the Aub’s service provides security for the futures of the daughters who were abducted.”

“Was that Lady Rozemyne’s decision?”

“Ultimately, yes, but it was Lord Ferdinand and Lord Hartmut who initially vetted the candidates.”

There had been a preliminary interview with Lord Ferdinand and the retainers, followed by Lady Rozemyne selecting who served from among those brought before her. So, it was likely that only those approved by Ferdinand or Hartmut had been chosen. If her retainers were all devoted to her, their unity would be strong, making it challenging for outsiders to gather information.

”…I see. If that’s how the retainers were chosen, their loyalty will indeed be high. But I can’t help but worry about their quality and abilities. We should test the competence of Ehrenfest’s retainers—whether they are capable of protecting the Aub, especially being young and inexperienced.”

Frankly, the qualities required of retainers differ significantly between a rural duchy like Ehrenfest and a large duchy. Meludine seemed to ponder this point, and sensing an opportunity, I leaned forward, feeling that this approach could lead to success.

“Meludine, I still need you to place this device on Lady Rozemyne’s hair ornament,” I pressed.

“Brother?”

“For reference, when it was placed in Lady Georgine’s western wing, it took two days to be discovered, and when set in Lord Ferdinand’s guest room, it was found within half a day. Now, how long will it take for Lady Rozemyne’s retainers to detect it? Depending on the outcome, there may be a need for replacing or training retainers. Past Aubs have done the same to reinforce the inner circle around the archducal family and instill a sense of vigilance in their retainers.”

After all, Lady Rozemyne wasn’t the first target. I had placed devices on several members of the archducal family over the years to gather information.

“It’s crucial for the new Aub to take an interest in her retainers’ qualities. While I understand the desire to prioritize long-standing retainers, relying solely on them to manage a large duchy would be unwise.”

“I agree that it’s important to demonstrate they possess the necessary abilities to serve Lady Rozemyne effectively,” Meludine admitted. “But I still don’t see the purpose of placing it specifically on her hair ornament.”

Although I had managed to stir her thoughts about testing the attendants, Melidine still seemed unwilling to use the device I had brought.

“It’s Ahrensbach’s nobles… no, it’s Lord Ferdinand that concerns me most. I acknowledge his administrative skill, but isn’t he a bit too secretive and prone to acting unilaterally? I understand it’s necessary under the current circumstances, but I have doubts about the way the new duchies structure is progressing toward the Archdukes Conference with the Aub essentially sidelined.”

“Lady Rozemyne has stated she’s entrusting everything to Lord Ferdinand,” Meludine replied.

“That may be, but I’ve heard that Lord Ferdinand was once Lady Rozemyne’s guardian. Doesn’t it seem likely, then, that Lady Rozemyne has become overly accustomed to accepting his instructions without question—unable to oppose his intentions, or at least too accustomed to quietly acquiescing to whatever he says?”

Meludine closed her mouth and looked down, as though deep in thought, recalling various exchanges between Lady Rozemyne and Lord Ferdinand. With his age and vast experience in governance, it was naturally difficult for Lady Rozemyne to challenge his opinions.

“Did Lady Rozemyne truly choose to return to Ehrenfest until the Archdukes Conference of her own accord? Or did Lord Ferdinand perhaps steer her to prioritize preparations for the move? I can’t imagine Lady Rozemyne willingly leaving a troubled duchy behind…”

“Well…”

Meludine’s gaze wavered as if something had struck a chord. I sensed that I might be able to persuade her if I continued down this path. I stroked my chin thoughtfully.

“It seems Ehrenfest’s retainers often hold discussions among themselves, excluding Ahrensbach nobles. Do you and the other new attendants face this exclusion as well?”

Meludine’s slight frown and tightened lips indicated that even the newly appointed attendants were being kept out.

“What concerns me most,” I continued, “is the speed with which Lord Ferdinand moved during the engagement ceremony, particularly the kiss. For the nobles of Ahrensbach, who witnessed how easily Lady Detlinde was seduced and ensnared by a Lanzenave man, it’s not impossible to imagine that they see Lord Ferdinand as using similar tactics to control Lady Rozemyne.”

“Please don’t compare Lady Rozemyne to that foolish woman beneath even the title of lady,” Meludine replied sharply.

“It’s not enough for only the attendants to understand this. The issue lies in that young Lady Rozemyne, in her romantic idealism, might be perceived by the nobles as being beguiled by Lord Ferdinand’s charms, swept into his influence. If we are to dispel this notion among the nobility, we need concrete information. This, ultimately, serves to protect the Aub.”

Meludine’s expression grew frustrated at my point. I could tell she understood but still hesitated to take action. Exhaling, I searched for the words that would push her to make the decision.

“You’re a mother with a daughter of similar age. Rather than getting swept up in romantic stories like other noblewomen, can’t you look at the Aub through a mother’s eyes?”

“A mother’s eyes…?”

“Yes. Lady Rozemyne is of the same age as your youngest daughter, yet, as a minor, she’s away from her parents, taking on the role of Aub. She has no mother to advise her, nor any elder attendant who could offer a mother’s perspective. It would be difficult for her young attendants to provide guidance from such a viewpoint.”

Meludine’s eyes widened as she looked at me, understanding the unspoken implication—particularly in regard to Lord Ferdinand, her former guardian.

“It is our family’s duty to gather information to protect the Aub. I want you to observe how Lord Ferdinand interacts with Lady Rozemyne, especially when Ahrensbach’s nobles aren’t around to see.”

Meludine accepted the eavesdropping device I offered.

“It is done.”

As we passed each other in the dining hall after moving to the dormitory in preparation for the Archdukes Conference, Meludine murmured to me in a low voice. However, she had previously mentioned that Lady Rozemyne’s accessories changed depending on her schedule and whom she would meet that day, so there was no guarantee that the hair ornament with the eavesdropping device would be worn daily. I would need to wear the receiving device and check each day.

…Let’s see, how about this morning?

The day after Lady Rozemyne’s inauguration at the Archdukes Conference, I finished breakfast and placed the receiving device in one ear. If the sending device on the hair ornament was active, I should begin hearing voices. While discussing the day’s schedule with other scholars in the common room, I suddenly began hearing Lady Rozemyne’s attendants speaking.

“My, the beads shimmer like morning dew. They’re so beautiful. Tuuli has improved her craft once again.”

“Gretia, please check if she has all her accessories and charms.”

“Aub, shall we? Cornelius has notified us that he is waiting on the staircase.”

With only one ear equipped with the receiving device, the voices were a bit faint, but I could understand the attendants’ conversation. The sound of cloth rustling indicated that Lady Rozemyne, wearing the hair ornament, was beginning to move.

“Good morning, Ferdinand”

It seemed that not only her male retainers but also Lord Ferdinand were present on the second floor. Lady Rozemyne’s voice was bright, unable to mask her delight.

…Initially, I had only used those words to persuade Meludine, but could it be that Lady Rozemyne truly was enchanted by Lord Ferdinand?

Lady Rozemyne seemed so genuinely happy speaking with Lord Ferdinand that it raised suspicions in my mind.

“Aub, your hand. The meeting room is ready. Details will be discussed there,” Lord Ferdinand said.

“Understood.”

”…Aub.”

“Oh, right. Those who are not from Ehrenfest, please step back,” she replied.

Escorted by Lord Ferdinand, she followed his instructions, heading towards the dormitory’s meeting room, and without question, dismissed the attendants not from Ehrenfest when prompted. Despite having officially become Aub Alexandria, her treatment of her attendants hadn’t changed. She seemed too willing to comply with Lord Ferdinand’s instructions, without even questioning them, which struck me as a bit unsettling.

…So, what could they possibly intend to discuss with only those from Ehrenfest?

“What do you think of this order, Ferdinand?” she asked.

“Just because everyone is familiar doesn’t mean we should be too informal. Honestly… The order of engagement is acceptable. Dunkelfelger will also be present at the Zent’s invitation.”

I focused closely on the conversation in the meeting room. Although the tone was fairly casual, the discussion itself seemed to revolve around the tea party to be held during the Archdukes Conference. They reviewed the duchies and guests they would be hosting, discussed the order of invitations for Alexandria’s guests, and exchanged opinions on the rationale for certain seating arrangements. While Lady Rozemyne and Lord Ferdinand spoke the most, I could also hear the voices of their retainers, as well as the sound of writing on paper and the rustling of fabric, as if they were laying out documents or perhaps a cloth map.

“Cornelius, can you coordinate with Strahl?”

”…I’ll go speak with him.”

I heard the sound of Lord Cornelius and another guard knight leaving the meeting room. Was the conversation in the room ending? If other retainers were allowed in now, it would make little sense why the Ahrensbach-born attendants had been asked to step out.

…Even if Lady Rozemyne’s manner was slightly more informal, would that really be an issue? Wouldn’t it be more valuable to conduct such discussions openly so that even the attendants and nobles from Ahrensbach understood the rationale behind these decisions?

These thoughts ran through my mind until, suddenly, Lord Ferdinand’s voice reached my ear, startling me.

“Rozemyne,” he said, without any honorific, in an unusually close and oddly gentle whisper. The proximity of his voice made me flinch.

…W-What’s happening? Isn’t he too close!?

The delicate, shimmering sound of the rainbow feystone hair ornament reached my ears. Just as I began to suspect that Lord Ferdinand might actually be touching Lady Rozemyne’s hair, his deep voice resonated quietly.

“You are my Geduldh.”

”…Y-Yes, that’s true, isn’t it?” Lady Rozemyne’s hesitant agreement indicated she didn’t fully understand, but she answered affirmatively regardless. However, this was precisely the kind of situation where she shouldn’t have agreed so easily. The God of the highest heights is the embodiment of a rightful, rational union, but the winter deities are symbols of unrestrained passion. It seemed clear that Lord Ferdinand was implying not just a marriage of duty but a personal, affectionate bond.

…The correct response here should be, “I am the Goddess of Light,” Lady Rozemyne!

“If I cover everything in snow and ice, no one will see,” Lord Ferdinand murmured.

…Was he suggesting she accept him, hidden within the concealment of his cloak, away from others’ eyes?

Just as doubts began to form in my mind, the sound of a cloak spreading out with a soft “whump” reached my ears. My suspicions were likely correct. The hushed tone of Lord Ferdinand’s voice, with a hint of an echo, suggested that Lady Rozemyne was pressed against a wall.

…Attendants! Are the attendants there!? What are you doing!? Stop Lord Ferdinand!

I screamed inwardly, but of course, those attendants standing outside the meeting room couldn’t hear my thoughts. What I had initially proposed as a mere pretense to persuade Meludine now appeared to be the alarming truth. It dawned on me that perhaps the real reason for dismissing the Ahrensbach-born attendants was precisely this, and I felt a chill run through me.

“You understand, don’t you, that this can only happen now, with both our retainers and Schutzaria far away?” came Lord Ferdinand’s voice, ominous and suggestive.

“Huh? Um… mmph!?”

The unmistakable sound of a kiss reached my ears, and I leapt to my feet in shock.

“Lord Bendruk, is something the matter?”

The nobles gathered in the common room turned their attention toward me. As much as I wanted to seek help, there was no way I could reveal that I had placed an eavesdropping device on Lady Rozemyne’s hair ornament.

“Apologies. It’s nothing,” I muttered, glancing once toward the direction of the meeting room before sitting back down. With so many eyes on me, I couldn’t simply remove the receiving device from my ear. I tried to focus on the conversation among the other scholars around me.

But my attempts were in vain, as Lord Ferdinand’s kiss seemed to deepen, its intensity unmistakable even from the sounds alone. It was clearly more than a mere touch.

“Rozemyne, accept my mana,” I heard him say, his tone low and compelling.

Amid the sounds of both their increasingly unsteady breathing, there came a soft rustling, as if hair was being disturbed. The sound of the hair ornament slipping out became evident, and the voices and sounds began to fade away. A faint snap seemed to indicate that the thread connecting the feystones had broken, and suddenly, all sound in my ear ceased entirely.

…Wait, wait, wait! What is he doing with the underage Lady Rozemyne!?

I considered contacting Meludine, possibly to mobilize the Ahrensbach-born attendants. This seemed to be a situation where Lady Rozemyne needed to be rescued immediately. Just as I hastily reached for the ordonnanz feystone, a hand suddenly clamped down on my shoulder.

“Huh!?”

Caught entirely off-guard, I let out an undignified yelp, unbefitting a noble. I quickly clamped a hand over my mouth, turning to look up at the person who had placed their hand on my shoulder.

“Lord Bendruk,”

In front of me stood Lord Cornelius and Lord Strahl, both smiling in a noble, courteous manner—yet their eyes held no warmth. A chill ran through me, and a cold sweat broke out as a mix of surprise, anxiety, and fear gripped my heart.

“We need to talk. Would you mind coming with us?”

…How much did they know?

I swallowed hard, wondering if Lord Cornelius had already been aware when he left the meeting room. My mind went blank, unable to piece together the situation. Grasped firmly by the arms, I was led by Lord Cornelius and Lord Strahl to a different meeting room. Lady Rozemyne’s guard knights and the Ahrensbach-born retainers were present, but both Lady Rozemyne and Lord Ferdinand were absent.

“Well then, would you care to explain in detail what you were doing?”

…Shouldn’t you be stopping Lord Ferdinand first!?