Ascendance of a Bookworm

"Because I've been told all along.... Wherever you go, Rosemaine is better or Rosemaine deserves the next Aub."

Wilfried said so slowly exhaling, shifting his gaze from his uncle to his adoptive father. The hand being put out on the table is gripped tight to the fist and I can see it trembling in small pieces.

I found the vilfried sitting here swallowing all sorts of emotions. Unlike my uncle earlier, however, Wilfried does not disturb or abhor his voice, but utters words.

"I'm the only Lordship candidate who can keep Rosemaine connected to Aerenfest. It is Aerenfest's duty as a Lordship Candidate to continue this engagement, so your engagement will be dissolved..."

From the pale way Vilfleet put it, I wondered if it was an obligation for Vilfleet to engage me as well. Maybe Aub and his surroundings had stopped him wanting to dissolve.

... So, for Brother Wilfried, is this king's life a ship on the crossing?

If the dissolution of the engagement by the King's Fate will end without much harm, that's best. I thought so cheaply and exhaled softly in relief.

"So, Father. What will become of Aerenfest's next Aub?

"We're still ahead of us in deciding on the next Aub. Not right away."

My adoptive father, who received Wilfried's gaze, also stares back at Wilfried and speaks quietly. There is still so much tension in the two pale narratives that they seem to cut off. It's not a simple atmosphere like this, because I wanted to dissolve my engagement, so I'm glad I could dissolve it with my royal life. Feeling so painfully that Wilfried was desperately trying to contain his emotions, he felt his stomach area squeezed.

"It doesn't matter if Charlotte makes other lord candidates for son-in-law, or if Merhior wants to. I may have a Florence belly child, and I don't mind if I go for it more after I dissolve my engagement with Rosemaine"

"Um, father. That's..."

He stares alternately at Wilfried and his adoptive father, opening his blue eyes like Charlotte is incredible. Until then, my adoptive mother, who kept her mouth shut, smiles nicely and slowly opens it.

"Charlotte, you've been patient. To save Wilfried, the buds that you, the Lordship Candidate, are supposed to aspire to Aub, were picked up by the engagement decided to make Rosemaine's position certain. Still, without standing out and complaining, you would have moved on and supported the two of us and always been in a position to assist us, wouldn't you? How hard you work to put Aerenfest together…"

Charlotte moistened her blue eyes to the words of her adoptive mother. I am reminded that Charlotte's face, who understands her hard work and hardships and rejoices in her hard work, was not thankful enough for Charlotte. Though he was well minded and comforted me or supported me, I felt I had not been able to reward Charlotte.

... I'm a bad sister.

I didn't even think of the possibility that Charlotte might want Aub because the man would take precedence over Aub, and there would be Wilfried on one, and I wouldn't be interested in becoming Aub myself.

... It was my adoptive father who decided to get engaged, but for Charlotte, for me...

If Charlotte had worked hard to be Aub, would I have been very disturbing and troublesome to save Vilfleet, to be engaged to Vilfleet, and to let him take the proviso of the next Aub?

I watched Charlotte. Charlotte is staring at her adoptive mother, and she doesn't turn this way.

"If the engagement of Wilfried and Rosemaine were to be dissolved by the royal decree, I wanted to give Charlotte a choice too. If Charlotte wants the next Aub, make up for her shortage within five years of the marital restriction and find the proper hall for Aub Aerenfest's spouse. If Rosemaine were to go to the center, the environment surrounding Aerenfest would change dramatically again. Look closely at the change and make the choices that seem good to you."

You can go for Aub, you can marry a senior nobleman to stay in support of the future Aerenfest, and if you think going out to other realms will be for Aerenfest, you can go out to other realms by getting married more than five years ahead, the adoptive mother extended a number of options to Charlotte. Charlotte is happy to laugh and nod, listening to her adoptive mother.

"Father, when will you decide the next Aub?

My adoptive father closed his eyes for the first time to Charlotte's question.

"Like I said earlier, it's not a quick story. First of all, a year from now, whether the adoption is really going to be dissolved cannot be said to be definitive at this point either. It is said that there is a good chance that this will happen, but the status quo will be maintained for a year. We won't even talk to the neighbors, and we'll keep doing this. Be careful what you say or do inadvertently."

I guess I have a lot of thoughts going on in my head while I snort. Charlotte looked at his adoptive father but seemed immersed in his thoughts.

"As far as I'm concerned, I think deciding the next Aub is good after me or Bonifatius dies. To keep Rosemayne in Aerenfest, I had to rush my engagement and next Aub decision to contain the Risegang plotting to Aub Rosemayne, but it doesn't matter if it's slow next time. Bonifatius is educated to be a relay aub, so you'll have to spend that much time choosing"

"Okay," Charlotte replied, shining her eyes brightly. With such a glaring stare at Charlotte, the adoptive mother turns her gaze to Merhior.

"Melchior is the same. If you're going to be the next Aub, you're going to do what you deserve."

That's what my adoptive mother told me. Merhior thought about it for a while, then shook his neck to the side.

"The next Aub... I'll think about it when I grow up. Because it is the temple chief that I will be first. I have a lot to remember right now, and I'm very busy. And yet, Sister Rosemaine is gone in a year. I can't think of the next Aub."

The adoptive mother smiled gently after looking lightly at Merhior, who wanted to prioritize the work of the temple chief over the next Aub.

"Yeah, that's right. It will also be necessary for Aub from now on to pray as temple chief and increase your protection. You just have to take the time to think about your future until you're an adult, while fulfilling the role you've been given."

"Yes, Mother. Sister Rosemaine, thank you for your guidance for the year."

I felt my expression loose when I relied on Melchior, my determined face, to strive to be the head of the temple.

"It's okay, Merhior. You cannot take my side to the center, so you will leave it in the temple. Talk to them and they'll be sure to help. Besides, the Kanfel and Fritak and the blue clerics I've educated so far should also support Merhior. I am supported by everyone and I have managed to be the head of the temple."

"... they may be in charge of the Deacon, but even though he is the most important service as Temple Chief, he is the hardest to give me a blessing like Sister Rosemaine"

As Merhior swelled a bit, his adoptive father waved gently with a bitter smile.

"Rosemaine has so much magic that she is wanted by royalty. It's good to stay on target to aim, but it's still not possible for Melchior to do the same. Try to be like Rosemayne and be careful not to corner yourself."

It is to learn magic compression in the House of Lords and to be able to do it gradually by increasing magic, the adoptive father teaches Merhior.

"Over the past year, Rosemaine has had to take over the work she has had so far, including temple work, printing work, etc. In the meantime, get ready for a new life. It's going to be pretty tough. Help Rosemaine as much as you can."

"Yes!"

Vilfleet's complexion is dark as Charlotte and Merhior look full of hope. He sits still in a stiff position with a noble grin on him, but without a word.

"Charlotte, Merhior, Bonifatius. The fact that Rosemaine will be the king's adopted daughter is useless. Known to other territories, the danger of rosemaine in the House of Lords jumps"

"Okay."

"Then leave the room here.... This story is not over yet"

That's what my adoptive father said and turned his gaze to Wilfried. After looking at Vilfleet in a carefree manner, the three return their anti-bugging magic equipment and leave the room. My adoptive father, my adoptive mother, Vilfreet and I were the only ones left in the conference room.

"You put up well, Wilfried"

Wilfried distorted his face regrettably to the words of his adoptive father.

"I'm the only lord candidate raised like an aunt, besides, a criminal in a white tower, in a position that shouldn't be strange to be disposed of in collusion, as should the old Veronicans, in the solemnity of winter. He's the least deserving lord candidate for the next Aub, so he can't be the next Aub if his engagement to Rosemaine is dissolved. If you were bad, you wouldn't even be a Lordship candidate, Father said then. What would I be treated like if my engagement with Rosemaine were dissolved?

"... I don't know. That's what I told you then."

"Father!"

Don slaps the table hard as Wilfried yells. I was unintentionally freaked out by the unexpected anger and the loud noise.

"Um, what do you mean you don't know how to treat Brother Wilfried after the engagement is dissolved? When was that? What happened?

The adoptive father, the adoptive mother and the three of Wilfried seem to know, but I can't see the story at all. I even feel out of place to be here.

"By this solemnity Wilfried lost the old Veronicans, who were the backshield. If Risegang's momentum gets stronger and his engagement with Rosemayne is dissolved, it's not surprising that Vilfleet is closed to the white tower by public opinion to pick the buds to become the next Aub. I have no idea how much Risegang can be suppressed in a year of status quo maintenance."

The only lord candidate raised by Veronica, with a single stomachache from a criminal entering a white tower to become the next Aub, etc. Dispose of it, I hear there's a Risegang nobleman who's vociferously saying.

"Yes? Are you telling me to dispose of Brother Wilfried, Lord Candidate of the Outstanding, when Lord Ferdinand and I may not have enough magic to support Aerenfest by leaving Aerenfest? What a fool...... Risegang doesn't see the reality of Aerenfest."

"... the way you say you have no body or lid, but you're right"

That's what my adoptive father said and sighed, but Wilfried turned his swordswallowing eyes to me.

"Isn't it the role of those who are princesses of Risegang to suppress that Risegang inherently? What are you saying when you give up your job and they're swallowing it?

"Huh?"

My adoptive father breaks in between me and Wilfried, who glances at me instantly.

"Wilfried, stop. I grew up in a temple. I have a faint sense that Risegang is a blood family to Rosemaine. Rather, in the role of Bonifatius and Calstead and Elvira, from now on it will be the role of Brunhilde"

"But, Father! I was told by Risegang during the prayer ceremony that Rosemayne and I are the same age, that I am just being molested by my father because I am more of a man and a real child, that without me Rosemayne would undoubtedly have been the next Aub, that I have a single stomachache from being the next Aub, etc., and that I don't even have the insight to the extent of resigning from myself. If you were my fiancée to draw Risegang's blood, Rosemaine could have kept it down a little bit."

Other than that, he takes the best every year, so he was told that competently Rosemaine was the best of the Lordship candidates, or that she couldn't compare them because she had no scratches at all on her blood muscles or her background.

"Why do you have to tell me so much that I'm Aub? So much hatred. You need me to mount a Risegang system of cooperation? Do I have to endure this way of being told for the rest of my life? Do you have to keep telling the nobles to be thankful that they kept being compared to them and that they were able to be Aub because they had more, and back to miss even the memories of their childhood?

Veronica, who has done so many troubles to Aerenfest and persecuted Ferdinand, but is a sweet grandmother to Wilfried, the one who raised me at an early age. Sometimes you'll miss being put in a white tower.

I think that's probably the same feeling I admire Ferdinand for going to Arlensbach. "Don't worry. Don't think about it," but it's not like you can stop it.

"Rosemaine, I worry more about my uncle than I do, and I have no desire to live as the husband of someone who prioritizes help over my uncle over help over me. By standing next to them, nobles continue to compare to them, and their lives are perfect for them to continue to compare to those of their uncles. No matter how many engagement magic stones you tell me to make, or how many fiancée-like gifts you tell me to make, I can see you being compared to your uncle. I couldn't do it very much."

I look down upon the many amulets Ferdinand has given me. These are apparently objects that significantly stimulate a man's pride.

... but you can't take it off because it's an amulet.

"When I thought I didn't want to continue my engagement with someone who cared only about my uncle, I thought it would be better if they were Aub, who already had Risegang's support.... and I spoke directly to my father"

In the words of Wilfried I saw my adoptive father.

"I don't think I've heard that..."

"Naturally. If you let them ask, they'll try to dissolve your engagement to Wilfried? However, they are not aiming for the next Aub, so it is visible that if they dissolve their engagement, they will be taken by the royal family and the upper realm. There's no way I'm going to put a story in my ear that I know is detrimental to everyone just to confuse Aerenfest. The two of them must have conspired to stop us from dissolving our engagement."

That's what I was convinced. I do feel the proximity was interrupting my contact with Wilfried.

... did I send worried Ordonanz at such a time? When you want to dissolve your engagement, but you're told to be patient because it's your duty, it would be depressing if worried Ordnants flew in every day.

"He wouldn't listen to me no matter how much I said if my father would just order Rosemayne to be the next Aub. You can't turn Rosemaine into the next Aub. I'm the next Aub, he said. And you can't dissolve your engagement with me to keep them in Aerenfest. I was the one who chose, so he told me to be responsible."

Though I don't know about Wilfried, neither my adoptive father, nor your father, nor Ferdinand are going to aub me out of civilian origin. That would be unacceptable.

"Even for me, if Vilfried had said no when I diagnosed the engagement, or if it had been before Ferdinand received his royal decree a year ago, I could have dissolved the engagement. But when Wilfried wanted the engagement dissolved, it was too bad."

My adoptive father said that with a tired face. If I dissolve my engagement, I will be assured that I will be taken to the royal and superior territories, and that I will be in danger of Wilfried in a state where Solemnity and Risegang are gaining momentum. Because of this, I was able to save him from obsolescence, and I made an effort, and now he's an excellent candidate for lord, but I'm not going to put Vilfleet into the white tower now, either. Neither do I want Wilfried to be treated like that.

"Father, as Aub Aerenfest, cannot choose to let go of Rosemaine. You said then that you would accept engagement as a duty?... What do you mean Rosemayne will be the king's adopted daughter, even though she tried to put up with me that far? And you're asking me to play the fiancée role for the next year in maintaining the status quo? Spending the year with a face like nothing, Rosemayne becomes royal and abandons Aerenfest, but I'm not even the next Aub, and you mean standing again on the leftover Risegang arrow?

Wilfried's sad scream hurts my chest.

Don and I slapped the table again after Wilfried, who shut his mouth once, devoured Giri and his teeth once.

"... don't be ridiculous! If Father had made up his mind, Rosemayne would not have become the king's adopted daughter or anything!

If it were the next Aub, the royal demands would have been dialed out, Vilfreet exclaims. This time, however, it would have been difficult to repel the royal request, as the acquisition of Gluthris Heights was involved.

"If Rosemayne could be the next Aub and disengage, I would have been free. Risegang was satisfied that his wishes had gone through, and whether I lived or died, I would be a lord candidate but whatever, but I shouldn't have cared. But if Rosemayne is not going to be the king's adopted daughter, Aerenfest will be rough no matter what. What am I supposed to do!?

It's terribly disturbing to not see ahead and possibly even lose one's position and life. I can see that. My adoptive father stares at Vilfleet with a deep green eye that looks at him.

"... you just have to live any way, Vilfried"

"Huh?"

"If you're not going to be the next Aub, curbing Risegang is not Wilfried's job. You don't have to go out of your way to stand on the arrow. You just have to leave it to me, Brunhilde, and then, whoever wants to be the next Aub. If we don't forget our responsibilities as a clan of lords, we'll have to assume extra responsibilities as the next Aub, etc."

Such baggage was thrown at the person in charge, and what my adoptive father said made Wilfried look like a pigeon ate a bean cannon.

"A year later, Wilfried is free if his engagement to Rosemayne is dissolved. You can support Aerenfest as a Lordship Candidate, like Bonifatius, or you can leave for son-in-law to another realm if you're five years away. You can be the geebe lacking in Aerenfest right now, or you can create a new industry in Aerenfest like Rosemayne. Take your favorite lectures within the Knight Course and also be a Knight Commander, like Bonifatius and Ferdinand. Of course, if you want to go for the next Aub without being compared to Rosemaine, you can go for it."

As my adoptive mother showed Charlotte the way, I will show her the future that my adoptive father can still come up with for Wilfried.

"What does Brother Wilfried want to be?

"... I... to what?

"We are supposed to maintain the status quo for the past year. Why don't you spend some time thinking about how you want to live after your engagement with me has been dissolved in the meantime? You need to be ready to do anything. What about using the year effectively?

To my suggestion, Wilfried turns a skeptical eye to "I can't have my fiancée."

"Neither could I see Brother Wilfried as my fiancée, as Brother Wilfried could see me as my fiancée. I don't even know how it's right to treat your fiancée. Because I'm your fiancée, and to be honest, it was very painful."

It was never in a good mood to be forced to talk about love from around you, even though it wasn't the engagement you wanted, or to behave like your fiancée even though you didn't know how.

"But I think I can spend the next year as a brother and sister."

My fiancée can't, but that's what I would have done if we were brothers and sisters there. I said, "Brother Wilfried, do you not like brothers and sisters?" Give me your hand.

Wilfried, who had been staring at my hand for a while, loosened his expression and held my hand.

"... right. It is painful for me to be with her as my fiancée, but I would not expect anything from her as my sister. Let's try to explore the way ahead while making it look like it's going to stay the same."