The First Tea Party at the Noble Academy

And then, the day of the tea party arrived.

I had my hair polished to a glossy sheen with Rinshan and then styled by Brunhilde. The hairstyle and outfit incorporated the latest trends from the Noble Academy, but the floral ornaments were positioned to stand out. Even while drinking tea, they would be visible—I had floral decorations in my hair and at my chest.

The sweets to bring to the tea party were, of course, quatre-quarts. Since I didn't know Solange's preferences this time, I had plain ones prepared.

"There really is no information about Teacher Solange. It seems certain that she hasn't held tea parties with anyone. I myself didn't recognize Teacher Solange as a tea party partner until Rozemyne-sama proposed it, either."

"I would have liked to visit the library and gather information from the person herself if I'd had the time, but there was no such leeway. Still, as Brunhilde says, it must have been very lonely to spend one's time being regarded as someone no one socialized with. I hope this tea party with Rozemyne-sama will be some comfort."

As attendants, both Brunhilde and Lieseleta had tried to gather information about their tea party partner, but it seemed that not only within Ehrenfest, but even the apprentice attendants from other provinces had no information about Solange.

"The quatre-quarts will be served on plates, with cream, honey, lutrebe jam, and Rumtopf, so she can eat whichever flavor she prefers. We should be able to gather information gradually from here."

Once I knew her preferences, I could prepare quatre-quarts to match them. I also had tea prepared to pair with the quatre-quarts this time. I had to casually draw out information during the tea party conversation. Apparently, that was my job too.

Richhilda looked at me while counting off on her fingers the things I was supposed to do during the tea party.

"Your Ladyship, the topics are all set in your mind, yes?"

"Yes."

"Also, you must not use a writing board today. You're bringing along an apprentice official to take notes for you, after all."

Standing with a far more tense expression than mine was Philine. Philine was being tasked with her first job as a scribe. Hartmut was also going to help, but depending on the tea party, some venues would be men-only. I needed Philine to do her best.

"Philine, I know it will be difficult, but I'm counting on you."

"Rozemyne-sama, I've never held this much expensive paper before in my life, and my hands are shaking."

I had given Philine the failed sheets from the workshop that I used as memo paper. I thought it was a perfectly good use of paper that never became a product, but Philine didn't seem to see it that way at all.

"...However, to take notes, paper and ink are essential, aren't they? I could lend you my writing board, but if you're not used to it, you won't be able to control the size of the writing or decide which words to record."

A writing board was held in one hand and used for taking brief notes, so you couldn't write very much on it.

In a normal tea party, an official wouldn't be standing by to take notes, but this time I was planning to arrange measurements for Schwartz and Weiss's outfits, and I was going to bring the draft of the knight story I had been working on to get Solange's feedback—so we were getting down to the main agenda, which meant an official would be accompanying me.

That was the official reason. The real purpose was to give Philine experience as an apprentice official, and, at Brunhilde's request, to record Solange's reactions.

Based on her reactions at this tea party, both the officials and attendants would consider how Ehrenfest's students should present trends going forward, and what would catch the attention of people from other provinces.

I would bring all my retainers, and Rosina as well to play music. Since the tea party would be held in the working room connected to the reading room, whether we would actually have a performance depended on Solange's opinion, but it would be rude not to bring her along.

"...I wonder if I've forgotten anything?"

I checked once more at the entrance. The wagon that Richhilda was pushing was packed with sweets, tea, and everything else needed for the tea party. Brunhilde was checking whether the position of my hairpin and my outfit were correct by looking me over, while Philine was reviewing the stationery she was carrying to make sure nothing was missing.

The knights and Hartmut, who knew I had gone through this check many times already, exchanged glances and shrugged.

Seeing me going through my point-and-call verification, Wilfried shook his head slowly.

"Richhilda is confirming everything, so it should be fine. I'm more worried about whether you can socialize properly than about forgotten items."

Wilfried was watching me with a nervous expression. The tea party with his older female cousins, which he had been decided to attend, would happen after they had completed a certain amount of lectures, so it was still a ways off.

Regarding books, Richhilda had told Wilfried that his weaknesses were that he couldn't see what was around him when reading, and that he had no social experience due to a two-year gap. For today's tea party and the tea party with the music teachers, Wilfried seemed even more nervous than I was.

"Brother Wilfried, I already know what topics we'll be discussing, so it'll be fine."

"I think you'll be fine, but make sure you really don't let your guard down."

"I know. Richhilda will be there, so please rest assured."

The sweets and tea were all prepared. Once the third bell rang, we would depart.

"Welcome, Rozemyne-sama."

"Thank you for the invitation, Teacher Solange. I was very much looking forward to this."

I was escorted to Solange's working room. The table and chairs that had been used for registration had been rearranged for the tea party. Solange and one other person—a woman who appeared to be Solange's attendant—were already there.

While Solange and I exchanged greetings, the attendants swiftly began preparing for the tea party.

Philine, on Hartmut's instructions, was coordinating where to place the ink and how to take notes. The knights split up, with some positioning themselves near the door and others behind me.

"Your Ladyship, we came."

"Are you reading books today?"

Schwartz and Weiss entered the working room from the door connecting to the work area. Their golden eyes turned toward me, and they tilted their heads.

"Yes, today I'm having a tea party with Teacher Solange. There are also things to decide regarding new clothes for Schwartz and Weiss, so please work hard while I'm busy with that."

"We'll do our best."

"New clothes."

I gave magic power to Schwartz and Weiss as they approached to greet me, and they headed back to the reading room while shaking their heads. Solange watched them go with a gentle smile.

"Um, Teacher Solange. If you're concerned about the reading room, I'd be happy to leave the door open..."

"No, Rozemyne-sama. There are only a few users at the moment, so I'd be more concerned about the smell of sweets and tea wafting into the reading room."

Solange giggled, watching Schwartz and Weiss leave, and then firmly shut the door.

"What shall we do about the music? Won't the sound leak into the reading room?"

The white building was fundamentally well-insulated against sound, but the doors were made of ordinary wood, so some sound was bound to leak through.

Solange, who had been tilting her head slightly upon seeing Rosina and the Fespiele, narrowed her blue eyes with delight.

"You'll be playing a rare piece that Rozemyne-sama composed, I assume? I'd love to hear one. I can't attend any other tea parties, you see."

My heart hasn't fluttered like this in ages, she murmured with restrained elegance, and I glanced at Rosina.

"Then let me unveil for Teacher Solange the piece I was planning to present at the tea party with the music teachers."

"Oh my? Is that quite all right?"

I smiled and nodded at Solange, who had widened her eyes. It wasn't as if I had promised the music teachers an exclusive debut of a new piece.

"It's a hymn dedicated to Mestionora, the Goddess of Knowledge. I believe the library is a more fitting venue for its first performance."

...The lyrics I had originally written were more accurately described as a "Library Hymn," to be precise.

The retainers, who knew the lyrics I had sung in my excitement at being able to visit the library, all struggled to suppress their smiles.

"If Rozemyne-sama is willing, then after we finish our tea, please let me hear that piece."

"Yes."

Solange's attendant brought a chair for Rosina. Rosina began preparing the Fespiele.

Richhilda poured the tea, and Brunhilde arranged the quatre-quarts and accompanying cream and other toppings on the plates one after another.

Solange blinked in puzzlement as she compared the quatre-quarts placed before her with the toppings being set out.

"Rozemyne-sama, what is this? It's rather an unusual sweet."

So quatre-quarts-like sweets really were uncommon in the Central Province. Brunhilde's amber eyes glinted. Keeping the sight of Brunhilde's eager anticipation in the corner of my eye, I explained the quatre-quarts.

"It's called a quatre-quarts. It's a sweet that recently became popular in Ehrenfest. I hope it suits Teacher Solange's palate. It's a bit different in style from the sweets of the Central Province, so..."

If she was accustomed to the overly sweet confections of the Central Province, there was a chance she might find the quatre-quarts bland.

"You can add cream, jam, and other toppings to suit your own taste. I've prepared fresh cream, lutrebe jam, honey, and Rumtopf."

"Rumtopf? Is that another specialty unique to Ehrenfest?"

"It's fruit preserved in alcohol, so similar things may exist elsewhere. It's just called Rumtopf in Ehrenfest."

Solange stared at the finely chopped Rumtopf and nodded several times. In Solange's hometown, it seemed that preserving sour fruits similar to lemons in honey was part of the winter preparations.

"For your first bite, try it plain, and then add whatever toppings you prefer."

I took a sip of tea and a bite of the sweet to demonstrate, then offered some to Solange as well. Solange sipped her tea and brought the quatre-quarts to her lips.

Watching with keen interest how it would be received by a noble from the Central Province, Solange smiled.

"It has such a light texture. Very easy to eat."

The quatre-quarts was a pound cake that used a generous amount of butter, so it wasn't exactly a light-textured sweet. But if Solange found the quatre-quarts light, that just showed how excessively sweet the Central Province sweets were—solid lumps of sugar.

As a result, the tea from the Central Province was slightly bitter. Today's tea had been made with a mild flavor to pair with the quatre-quarts.

"The sweets of the Central Province are very sweet, so if you find the sweetness lacking, you can add jam or honey."

I tried a bite of each topping that had been prepared, then had her try fresh cream and Rumtopf.

"I'd love to try each one and see how the taste changes. I'm very much looking forward to it."

Solange's attendant added cream and jam in small portions. Solange took bites and her face lit up with pleasure.

The Central Province sweets were beautifully crafted, but apparently, once you ate one or two, you had your fill.

"I could eat this endlessly."

What Solange liked most was the honey and jam. For a noble of the Central Province, the quatre-quarts clearly wasn't sweet enough. It might go even better with honey added.

"Rozemyne-sama, you always wear such unique hair ornaments. Is that another trend that recently started in Ehrenfest?"

Solange said she had never seen the students of Ehrenfest wearing them before. I gently touched my hair ornament with my fingertips.

"My personal tailor makes them for me. The first time I showed them to Ehrenfest nobles was at my Baptism Ceremony. Recently, they've finally begun to be used not just as hair ornaments but also as decorations for outfits among the nobility. They seem to be quite difficult to make, so the numbers haven't increased much."

Since Gilberta Company had an exclusive hold on them, even though the trend had started a few years ago, it couldn't be said that the numbers had grown significantly.

"They're so adorable. Many young ladies at the Noble Academy seem to have noticed them."

"If enough people become interested, might it become a topic of discussion at the Lord's Conference?"

We could show the real thing at tea parties or provide a few samples for free—that was all we needed to do to promote them. Actual purchases would follow once the lords had negotiated among themselves.

"It will certainly become a topic at the Lord's Conference. I've never seen three-dimensional floral decorations like these before. I believe everyone will notice the luster of Rozemyne-sama's hair and the floral ornaments. Is there perhaps some secret to that beautiful hair as well?"

"I use Rinshan when washing my hair. This product spread like wildfire among noblewomen with an interest in beauty, so I hope it can become a specialty product for Ehrenfest—which until now hasn't had many notable specialties."

I mentioned that the Aub Ehrenfest was working hard to create something that was different from the Ehrenfest of the past—a better Ehrenfest.

"Of course, as a lord candidate, I intend to support the Aub Ehrenfest with all my strength as well."

Since the conversation over sweets had reached a natural pause, I asked Rosina to play the Fespiele.

A high, clear note rang out, and the hymn dedicated to Mestionora, the Goddess of Knowledge, was played on the Fespiele and sung in Rosina's beautiful voice.

As a result of letting Rosina handle the lyrics, the word "library" had completely disappeared.

...It went from a Library Hymn to a generic hymn to a goddess.

But since it was a song dedicated to a goddess with deep ties to the library, Solange listened with great delight. Her blue eyes glistened with emotion as she gazed at me.

"How wonderful, Rozemyne-sama. There are almost no songs dedicated to Mestionora, the Goddess of Knowledge. I was deeply moved."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Teacher Solange."

There were many hymns dedicated to the Supreme Gods and the Five Great Gods, and pieces dedicated to the Goddess of Art as well as martial songs to inspire soldiers in battle, but songs dedicated to the Goddess of Knowledge were truly rare.

Since Solange was so pleased, I wanted to quickly settle the matters that needed deciding during this time.

"Teacher Solange, regarding the measurements for Schwartz and Weiss's outfits—when would be most convenient for you? Earlier would be better, I think?"

"...If you're willing to consider my schedule, then sooner would certainly be helpful. Recently, young ladies have been visiting the library specifically to see Schwartz and Weiss."

"It was like that in the old days too," Solange said with a nostalgic, gentle smile. Schwartz and Weiss had apparently been popular figures at the library for a long time.

"Where should we hold the measurements? If it's better not to move Schwartz and Weiss around too much, I considered doing it in this working room, but..."

"Schwartz and Weiss have many expensive magic stones embedded in them, and they're fitted with numerous talismans to prevent them from being removed. I think it would be better to conduct the measurements in an environment that Rozemyne-sama can properly manage, rather than here."

Solange's words left me momentarily at a loss. I was afraid of taking Schwartz and Weiss out and about, but if I was being told to do it under proper supervision as their master, that was a fair point.

"Then would it be all right if I took them out to the Ehrenfest dormitory?"

"Yes, of course. You are their master, after all, Rozemyne-sama. Please have beautiful new outfits made for them."

"As it happens, I have a few outfit designs prepared. Teacher Solange, which ones do you think would suit them?"

When I looked at Lieseleta, she smoothly produced the papers with the outfit designs.

"I plan to dress Schwartz in boy's clothing and Weiss in girl's clothing. They'll both wear floral ornaments like mine and an armband, which is decided, but..."

As Solange looked at the designs, her lips curved into a smile at how adorable they all were. Solange said that they should be careful not to overdo the accessories, to make sure the two could work comfortably.

When Solange had first been appointed, the previous master had revamped Schwartz and Weiss's outfits, and the first time she saw them, they had been quite over-the-top with hats, brooches, and other accessories. Apparently, the sleeves had been long and flowing like their master's, simply because it was cute.

"However, every time Schwartz and Weiss moved to do their work, their hats would fall off, and during the lending procedures, they once caught a large gold coin—the deposit—on their sleeve and lost it. It was quite a disaster."

"Oh my!"

"Until the new outfits could be made, Schwartz and Weiss refused to take off the clothes their master had given them, so we had to rush to create new ones. In the meantime, we even needed a librarian just to keep an eye on the two of them. Ever since that incident, their sleeves have been set to elbow-length."

I was told to keep in mind that the clothes should not interfere with their work, so I reviewed the outfit designs again. Since the emphasis was on cuteness, they probably needed to be reworked.

"That reminds me—I asked Teacher Hirschur whether it would be all right for someone other than their master to touch Schwartz and Weiss. Will it be fine to take their measurements?"

"If their master is present and gives permission, then touching them is all right. However, you should carefully judge who you give that permission to. Being able to touch Schwartz and Weiss means being able to steal or damage them."

"You're right. I'll be very careful."

...Especially with Teacher Hirschur!

I scheduled the measurements for Schwartz and Weiss three days later, then changed the subject by taking out the knight story draft I had been working on.

"I've been compiling stories told by bards and passed down from mother to child. I'd love to hear Teacher Solange's opinion, having read so many books."

When I handed over the bundle of several dozen sheets of paper, Solange exclaimed in surprise, "You've compiled this many!" while following the discussion with serious interest.

"It must have been difficult to gather so many stories? How did you manage it?"

"I had everyone help me. Children grow up hearing stories, so if you ask each person to share, you can quickly gather quite a collection."

I certainly couldn't tell her that I had lured them in by offering to lend teaching materials. I smiled and deflected.

"Would stories like these sell?"

"Well... they are the kind of stories young children enjoy, but for the older students at the Noble Academy or adults, perhaps different kinds of stories would be more appropriate."

"It might be about time to start thinking about books for adults as well. I'll propose it to the Aub Ehrenfest."

Until now, I had been creating picture books to match Kamim's growth, but to produce students at the Noble Academy who could say, "My hobby is reading," we would also need books that children of this age could stretch a bit to read—more adult-oriented works.

As for the knight story, what if I incorporated the monster information I had recently obtained to add more detail to the battle scenes, wove in information that could serve as strategy hints for Ditter, or even created a romance-focused version for girls?

While I was turning these ideas over in my mind, Solange returned the knight story manuscript she had finished reading. I came back to myself, took the manuscript, and handed it to Lieseleta who was standing beside me.

"Rozemyne-sama, Ehrenfest certainly has a great many unusual things."

"As this is the first time I've traveled outside of Ehrenfest, I'm not very familiar with it myself. But if Teacher Solange, a noble of the Central Province, says so, then perhaps there are unusual things here. What do you think is different?"

When I pressed her for opinions from other provinces, wanting to know how to promote Ehrenfest going forward, Solange looked me over slowly from head to toe.

"The luster of your hair, the floral ornaments, the sweets... there are many things, but what caught my attention the most was the paper that the apprentice officials of Ehrenfest carry. It's not ordinary paper, is it?"

"Yes. It's made differently from parchment, which is crafted from animal skin. We're currently developing it as a new industry to support Ehrenfest's future. Its feature is that it can be mass-produced in greater quantities than parchment. This year, I want everyone to know that this new paper exists."

Of course, my role was limited to promotion. The sales contracts would be left entirely to the Lord's Conference. For now, all I needed to do was make people aware that paper other than parchment existed. My adoptive father had said he wanted to see what kind of response it generated. I would inform them about Plant Paper and ink, but the existence of printed materials would remain secret for now.

"The new paper can be produced more cheaply and in larger quantities than parchment, but since it requires a different ink as well, it's not all that inexpensive yet."

"Oh my? The ink is different too?"

"It's not that you can't use the ink meant for parchment, but if you're thinking about long-term preservation, it's better to change the ink. For informal notes, either ink would work without any particular issue."

Since Solange seemed interested in Plant Paper, I remained silent about the manufacturing process and materials, instead explaining the advantages and disadvantages of introducing it. Solange's eyes widened in astonishment.

"You use paper for memorandums?!"

"Well... I receive failed sheets of paper from the workshop that the Aub Ehrenfest operates, so I use them for various things."

Fran, of course, and Richhilda and the others had been quite shocked at first, saying, "What a waste!" But since I used them without concern, those around me had eventually gotten used to it. It had been a long time since someone had reacted with such surprise, and I was the one taken aback.

"For formal contracts, we use parchment. This new paper serves as a replacement for wooden tablets. If you write on this instead of wooden tablets, you can free up an enormous amount of shelf space."

"That's wonderful. Securing shelf space is one of the library's biggest problems."

"If Teacher Solange is interested, I'll give you a few sheets. As long as you're not thinking about long-term preservation of several decades, regular ink will write on it just fine."

I handed Solange a few sheets of paper. She touched them with evident interest. I thought to myself that she seemed more interested in the Plant Paper than in the sweets or hair ornaments, when the fourth bell rang.

"Oh," Solange looked up, turning her gaze to her attendant.

"Goodness, the fourth bell has already rung?"

"Yes, Solange-sama. It's time."

"The Thread Spinning of Dreafanggua, the Goddess of Time, has proceeded very smoothly today. Though it's a pity to part, I must take my leave."

The tea party was over.

We needed to clear up quickly and return to the dormitory, or the retainers would be late for their afternoon lectures. While the attendants packed up elegantly but swiftly, Solange and I exchanged our farewells.

"It's been so long since I had such an enjoyable time. Thank you, Rozemyne-sama."

"I also had the valuable opportunity to learn about Schwartz and Weiss. I consider it a most productive time. Though it may be difficult to find time, I would be delighted if we could have another tea party."

"Yes, indeed. ...Perhaps I can hope that next year, Rozemyne-sama will once again finish her lectures early?"

Solange was delighted that our tea party after so long had been so enjoyable, and I was satisfied.

The retainers also each had their thoughts on how Ehrenfest's trends had been received. But there was no leisurely time for discussion, so we agreed to hold a detailed meeting at the report session and hurried back to the dormitory.

The tea party with Teacher Solange ended on a harmonious note.

Teacher Solange was more interested in the new paper than in the sweets or hair ornaments.

Next up is the tea party with the music teachers.