Earthday Report

“Lady Hannelore, since it is a rare day of rest, would you care to join me at the gazebo?”

It was after breakfast on Earthday that I received the invitation from Rasantark. I had been told to devote the entire day to studying, and so I cast a hesitant glance at Cordula, hoping to use his invitation as an excuse to step away from my books.

“Um, Cordula… I do not think it would be proper to coldly refuse an invitation from a prospective fiancé…”

“Rasantark, regrettably, a wooden board arrived yesterday from Lady Sieglinde stating that Princess Hannelore’s schedule for today is to be devoted to study. Recovering the delays caused by the goddess’s descent is, after all, necessary for the peace of the world.”

Cordula refused him with a perfectly composed expression.

Rasantark stared at her in astonishment.

“Calling it world peace is rather an exaggeration, is it not…?”

“It is hardly an exaggeration when one considers the cause of this latest meeting.”

The reason Lady Rozemyne conceived of this gathering in the first place was the delay in my lessons caused by the goddess’s descent. My mother, apparently concerned that we might be further tossed about by Lady Rozemyne’s sudden inspirations, had sent word by wooden board that I was not to idle away Earthdays but to devote them to study instead.

…Though I do believe I will finish everything by the final examinations, so I truly do not see the issue.

“Cordula, I did receive Mother’s message, but Rasantark’s invitations have already been postponed many times, have they not? I feel quite terrible refusing him again, and today—”

“Both of you, do restrain your attempts at escaping reality.”

Cordula cut me off sharply. Being addressed as both of you, not just myself, made Rasantark and me alike draw in a breath and straighten our posture.

“Milady, you may believe there is no issue so long as everything is completed before the final examinations. However, with information from other duchies becoming harder to obtain due to matters surrounding the bride-stealing ditter, it is imperative that you act vigorously during the social season.”

“Ugh…”

“If Lady Rozemyne grows anxious and suddenly proposes yet another unforeseen gathering, we would be in quite a bind.”

…That may well be true.

“And Lord Rasantark. If you have the leisure to invite Milady out, I trust you have already completed all your classes?”

“Ah—well, that is…”

Rasantark’s faltering expression made it abundantly clear that he had not. Elusia tilted her head, while Andrea looked at him with visible concern.

“My… Although Lord Kenntrips, who has been looking after you until now, seems quite busy this year, Lord Rasantark, do you truly have the leisure to go out on Earthday?”

“The guard knights among your retainer companions are surely more captivated by the bride-stealing ditter, are they not? Aside from Lord Kenntrips, is there anyone who might instruct you?”

It was well known within the dormitory that, as his half-brother, Kenntrips had been overseeing Rasantark’s academic studies.

“Lord Rasantark, you must achieve results that are not shameful for one who stands as a prospective fiancé to Milady. Until both of you have completed your classes, outings and voluntary training are suspended.”

“Yes…”

Resigned, I returned to my studies, and before long it was time for lunch.

After the meal, Cordula and Andrea departed for the duchy. There was a meeting scheduled for the afternoon, followed by a report session. The two of them intended to prepare the graduation attire and accessories with the castle attendants before the report began.

“Lady Hannelore, you seem displeased at not being able to rest on Earthday, but the same is true for the attendants who serve you. Please understand that everyone is acting for your sake.”

Andrea would be returning to the duchy on Earthday to prepare my graduation attire. Elusia was staying behind to accompany my studies. Even the guard knights, rotating shifts to stand watch outside my chambers, were not at rest. Hearing that, I looked around at my attendants.

”…I shall study today so that I may finish my classes as quickly as possible.”

Though I understood, I could not muster much enthusiasm as I replied. Cordula gave me a look that clearly said oh dear, then nodded once.

“Very well. We shall be off. Elusia, I leave her to you.”

After seeing Cordula and Andrea off, I returned to my chambers and resumed my studies with Elusia, continuing from the morning. Since I had already reserved several examinations, I decided to prioritize those.

“There is no need to look quite so troubled, Lady Hannelore. Passing should not be difficult for you, surely?”

“Passing alone would be enough… ordinarily. But having become the second avatar of the goddess, Mother told me that I must achieve results befitting that title.”

“Elusia murmured softly, “An avatar of the goddess… meaning on par with Lady Rozemyne…?”

“Yes. When one is expected to achieve results comparable to Lady Rozemyne—who earns perfect marks in essentially every class—does it not make you wish to protest that there are simply things one can and cannot do?”

In our first year, when Lady Rozemyne finished her lessons with remarkable speed, people said, “For a Dunkelfelger archduke candidate to lose to one from a lower-ranked duchy like Ehrenfest…” However, when she surpassed even Lord Ortwin—the archduke candidate of the land of knowledge—at the awards ceremony and was named best in class, the whispering died down.

By our second year, it had become widely known in Dunkelfelger that she was the beloved disciple of Lord Ferdinand. People began to pity me instead, saying, “It is unfortunate that she and Lady Rozemyne are in the same year. Lady Hannelore will never take top honors.”

“I had finally found relief in not being compared to her anymore, since everyone said Lady Rozemyne is exceptional. I never imagined that in my fifth year I would be told to stand beside her as an avatar of the goddess… This was not how it was supposed to be.”

When my shoulders slumped, Elusia let out a wry smile.

“Lady Hannelore, it is not that you fail to understand the material. You simply make small mistakes due to assumptions or mishearing the questions. If you take care with those points, you will be perfectly fine.”

“That is precisely the difficult part…”

I muttered my complaints under my breath as I continued studying. A little before the fifth bell rang, Andrea returned, carrying wooden boxes containing my attire.

“I have returned, Lady Hannelore.”

“Lady Hannelore, since we will be taking a break at the fifth bell, shall we receive Andrea’s report at the same time?”

“Yes. Andrea, please tell me of the castle’s situation while we have tea together.”

At Elusia’s suggestion, I nodded and had the younger attendants prepare the tea. Andrea took her seat, offering them guidance as they worked.

“From what I have heard from the attendants who remained at the castle, it has been exceedingly chaotic.”

Ever since this meeting was decided so suddenly, the castle had known no peace. Andrea relayed what she had learned from those who stayed behind, describing the confusion in vivid detail.

First, they had been informed without warning—via a water-mirror transmission from Alexandria—about the Earthday meeting. Moreover, it had already received permission from the Zent; it was a matter of after-the-fact approval.

Then, the Aub activated the teleportation circle to move the castle attendants to Laitoa, where the border gate stands, so that they could prepare the conference room and the knights’ waiting chambers.

And in order to keep the nobles—who were clamoring to witness the opening and closing of the country gate—from flocking there, a game of ditter was being held at the castle today to keep them occupied.

“It seems the castle staff have had quite a time of it, the Aub insisting he would rather attend the ditter than the meeting, and Lord Lestilaut sulking because he wished to go to the meeting but was instead ordered to coordinate the ditter.”

Just hearing about it made me feel utterly drained. I would not wish to be in such a castle. Compared to soothing Father and my brother’s tempers when an unexpected meeting with the Zent disrupted the height of the winter social season, or listening to Mother’s near-displaced complaints, studying seemed far more worthwhile.

I found myself sincerely grateful to be at the Royal Academy.

“I wonder when Cordula will return. Has the meeting already concluded?”

“Just before I left the castle, an ordonnanz arrived announcing the end of the meeting, and preparations began to receive the archducal couple and hold the report session. I believe Cordula will return around the sixth bell.”

As the sixth bell drew near and I began to fidget, thinking Cordula should be returning soon, an ordonnanz arrived from the knight stationed in the teleportation hall.

“This is the teleportation hall. A message has arrived from Lady Cordula for Lady Hannelore. She requests that a meeting room be prepared and that all her retinue be gathered.”

“Let us hurry. Andrea, prepare the meeting room. The rest of you, divide up and send ordonnanz to all my retinue. The sixth bell is near, so even if they had prior engagements with other duchies, they should be returning to the dormitory by now. However, if anyone is still outside, it may be difficult for them to assemble in the meeting room before Cordula returns.”

Since it was Earthday and I had been ordered to study in my chambers, I had no idea how the male attendants were spending their time. At my words, Elusia gave a soft chuckle.

“Even without Your Highness going to such lengths, everyone is aware of today’s meeting and that Lady Cordula would be attending the report session. They are all waiting in the dormitory.”

Just as Elusia said, they had anticipated that a report would be given once Cordula returned and had remained on standby. Acknowledgments came back from everyone almost immediately.

Though we hurried our preparations, our arrival at the meeting room was nearly simultaneous with Cordula’s return.

“I have returned, Milady. My apologies for rushing you, but there is not much time before dinner.”

With that, Cordula began her report.

“Under the pretext that Lady Rozemyne, having returned from the realm of the gods, bears important news, it has been decided that all archduke candidates and archnobles from every duchy will be gathered once more. The Zent will then issue an official proclamation to all duchies. The exact date will be conveyed later by the dormitory supervisor.”

It seemed that, just as I had requested, Lady Rozemyne would inform everyone that the male gods desire ditter. I quietly let out a sigh of relief.

“And what of the current situation, where the Royal Academy’s social season has been so greatly affected?”

At Luitpold’s question, Cordula gave a small nod and began to explain.

“That placing the bride-stealing ditter under the Zent’s supervision and deciding to hold it at the Royal Academy has heightened the anxiety and tension of those from unrelated duchies. That Dunkelfelger’s future response to the discourtesy of applying for bride-stealing ditter based on half-baked knowledge and assumptions is unclear, giving rise to suspicion and unease… These were cited as the causes for the stagnation of social activities.”

“But that is—”

“Luitpold, it is also true that without the Zent’s intervention and recommendation, it would have been difficult for the aubs of other duchies to formally request a withdrawal. In a different sense, there would have been various complications.”

The applications for ditter, swayed by Korinthsdaum, had multiplied beyond anyone’s expectation. The consequences for those who applied without truly understanding the event, and the resulting effects on Yurgenschmidt, would have been immeasurable. Had Dunkelfelger’s lands faced more than half of the duchies in combat, there would undoubtedly have been significant damage to its land and populace. In that sense, the Zent’s intervention certainly brought advantages.

“The reason the students at the Noble Academy are growing anxious and uneasy,” explained Cordula, “is that the customary understanding within Dunkelfelger, that the ditter between the bride and the grooms houses concerns only those families, without affecting others, has not been shared with the other duchies. Added to that, they cannot know in advance which duchies will actually participate, and they are unsure whether declining to enter would be considered disrespectful to Dunkelfelger.”

“Why, that makes it sound as though Dunkelfelger is at fault, does it not? It was the other duchies who applied for the ditter and who are now making such a commotion… Could it be that the Zent and the others are unaware that Lord Sigiswald is maneuvering behind the scenes?”

At Hailliese’s words, the retainers nodded in agreement. In truth, the greatest cause of this entire uproar seemed to be Lord Sigiswald.

“Of course, it was brought up in the discussion that Korinthsdaum—being of the former royal family—has been swaying public opinion and acting in secret,” Cordula replied. “In addition, there was apparently an opinion that Blumenfeld’s decision to sever ties with duchies involved in the ditter has also contributed to the current breakdown in social relations…”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“Blumenfeld?”

A stir ran through the meeting room at Cordula’s words. As for Blumenfeld, I could not understand it at all. Noting our confusion only briefly, Cordula continued before we could press her further.

“It has been decided that the Zent and Lord Anastasius will reprimand Lord Sigiswald regarding his maneuvering. As for Blumefeld, Dunkelfelger—being their principal supporter—will issue a formal warning.”

A murmur swept through the room once more. I, too, could not grasp what Cordula meant. Korinthsdaum was one matter, but Blumenfeld had merely kept its distance from the bride-stealing ditter. They had done nothing beyond that.

“What is Dunkelfelger to caution Blumenfeld about? In what way were Lord Hildebrand and the others mistaken in their response?”

“From Dunkelfelger’s perspective, Lady Magdalena—being well-versed in bride-stealing ditter—did not respond incorrectly. However, it was deemed necessary to caution them for failing to consider how greatly a declaration of severed ties from a former royal house would influence the other duchies.”

It seemed that, much like us, many at the castle’s report session had struggled to understand. Father had apparently explained it thus: “Korinthsdaum is overusing its position as a former royal house, while Blumenfeld is underestimating the influence that status still holds. That imbalance is the problem.”

…It seems I truly do not yet grasp the differences in common sense between our duchy and the others.

Though Father loves ditter so dearly that I have often wished he would consider the inconvenience it causes others, it seems he is far more mindful than I of the differences in perception between our duchy and the rest—and of the wider repercussions.

“It will be made known that archducal families of duchies which have already issued apologies will not be pursued further. Furthermore, since this bride-stealing ditter is a contest between the corresponding bride’s and groom’s archducal families, even in duchies that have applied to participate, it does not concern general students outside the archducal house. Therefore, there is no need to take it into account in socializing or personal associations.”

If that is so, then the anxiety among the students of the Royal Academy should ease, and Lord Ortwin will no longer be singled out with hostility by those entirely uninvolved. I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Furthermore, in order to limit the impact on social relations, it has been decided that rather than formally declaring withdrawal to the Aub during the Interduchy Tournament, a deadline will be set for submitting withdrawal requests via the emergency water-mirror.”

“If that is the case, then the duchies that are entirely uninvolved will quickly become clear. I also believe the use of the emergency water-mirror for withdrawal is wise. Even if Lord Sigiswald attempts to interfere, withdrawal can be decided solely at the Aub’s discretion.”

Lady Luzinde had said that one cannot easily defy an order from a former royal… yet if the Zent encourages discussion directly between Aubs, then even Gilesenmeyer and Hauchletzte should be able to withdraw without difficulty.

…If only the Aub would resolve to sever this ill-fated bond.

“Cordula, when is that deadline?”

“It is said to be three days after the Zent’s official notice.”

Upon hearing Cordula’s answer, Luitpold visibly relaxed. “That will make Dunkelfelger’s socializing and information gathering much easier.”

We do not yet know when the Zent’s proclamation will arrive, but since it will also announce Lady Rozemyne’s return, it will likely be timed to coincide with the beginning of the social season.

“Your Highness, there are words for you from Aub and Lady Sieglinde.”

”…What might they be?”

Being singled out in the report of such a meeting gave me a very unpleasant premonition.

“Lady Rozemyne is apparently looking forward to the social season. You are therefore to complete your classes as much as possible before it begins…”

“Surely, that is—”

…No matter how one looks at it, that is impossible. This is dreadful, Mother!

“Everyone believes that unless we demonstrate to Lady Rozemyne that there is no cause for concern regarding your studies, there is no telling what she might propose next. According to Lord Ferdinand, of the several options Lady Rozemyne put forward, the meeting at the country gate was the most moderate.”

…Oh dear, Lady Rozemyne…

I am grateful for her consideration, yet I can no longer fault Mother. All I can do is be thankful that Lord Ferdinand restrained her.

“For the sake of Yurgenschmidt’s peace, you are to complete your lessons above all else… so it was said.”

As I slumped forward in dismay, Elusia tilted her head thoughtfully.

“Lady Hannelore, why not inquire of Lady Sieglinde which should take priority—achieving grades befitting an incarnation of the goddess, or finishing in time for the social season? If she says ‘above all else,’ perhaps the constraint on your grades might be eased.”

“Elusia, that is a splendid suggestion!”

Overcome with relief, I raised my voice in delight. It had never once occurred to me to negotiate with Mother. As I had said while studying, if I am only required to attain results befitting an archduke candidate rather than an avatar of the goddess, then surely I can manage to finish before the social season begins.

With Mother’s permission secured, I set my sights on completing my lectures and began taking examinations one after another, submitting applications in rapid succession.

In the midst of this, an ordonnanz arrived for the dormitory supervisor from one of the Zent’s scholars.

“All archduke candidates and archnobles from every duchy are to assemble in the auditorium at the third bell tomorrow.”