PS: I just translated this. This is not mine...


"At next year's meeting of the House of Lords, we hope to have Letizia approved as the next Archduchess."

At the debriefing of the Archduke's conference, her moon eyes narrowed calmly and my adoptive mother said so with a smile.

"This is a matter that has been stretching on for some time as the years have passed since the king's order and has been working hard on the reconstruction of Alexandria. It is about time this was realised. I have also spoken privately to Zent Eglantine at the recent archduke conference."

My adoptive father, seated next to adoptive mother, is also smiling calmly, but roughly, I felt the nobles present at the debriefing were upset.

Of course, my heart is terribly disturbed.

"T-to me"

The squeezed voice quivers.

"It would be better to choose an archduke from the children of adoptive mother and father. You just have to wait a few more years. Both adoptive mother and father are still young, and in terms of magic, your children are better than I am."

"Oh, isn't Letizia excellent enough? Besides, we can't break the royal decree, can we?"

My adoptive mother put her hand on her cheek and tilted her head, and with a graceful gesture said the royal decree, but the royal decree was given nearly 20 years ago, before I was baptised.

Besides, what is the royal decree now, when Lord Trauerqual, who issued the royal decree to my adoptive father, is not even a zent anymore, and Ahrensbach, the territory designated by the royal decree, no longer exists?

"Letizia, I think you should accept it."

My husband Hildebrand, who was either completely oblivious to the upset I and my reatainers were feeling ... or pretending not to notice, interrupted in a voice that sounded out of place and cheerful.

"After all, it was the king's order, and you were adopted by the Archduke of Ahrensbach to be his daughter and then to become Archduchess, and you married me, right?"

I gasped and took a little breath. What is he talking about?

"I'm sure you'll be fine, you've served admirably as a proxy during the annual Archduke's Conference. And of course I will assist you as best I can."

Is he serious about this?

And then, up to the throat, a brusque question that is not appropriate for a meeting is asked. Did this person not realize the weight of assuming the office of the Archduchess of Alexandria after adoptive mother and father?

"The two of you should discuss this carefully first. We are not asking for immediate appointment, just that we will get approval next year."

My adoptive father said with a smile.

"Of course, the Archduchess and I will not be withdrawing from all office work, and we will continue to supply magic to the foundation. Lady Rozemyne will be in charge of the library and commercial matters, including the printing situation, while I will continue to be in charge of the research institute."

The mouth of my adoptive father smiled elegantly, but I felt his pale golden eyes staring at us as if he were looking at us with a price. Having grown up under the tutelage of my adoptive father from an early age, I am well aware that there are many different kinds of smile and that each has its own meaning.

"First of all, Letizia and Hildebrand must have a good discussion with each other. Of course, we will be happy to discuss this with you... Currently that agenda is a time-consuming one, so let's leave it for now. Next, we'll report on commercial transactions."

My adoptive mother said pleasantly and moved on to the next matter on the agenda. Thereafter, as in previous years, reports were made on commercial relations and exchanges with the various territories. Alexandria's ranking remains unchanged from the previous year at 4th place.

But the story of Archduchess replacement is stuck in my head, and the rest of the agenda falls on deaf ears. I try to switch over to this, but it doesn't work at all. It is shameful, but I will have to rely on my scholar's records to review it later…...


After the debriefing at the castle, I went with Hildebrand to the detached palace given to us. But along the way, Hildebrand turned down the corridor in another direction with a small entourage, saying that he had other business to attend to.

"Please don't return too late."

A sigh escapes, even as he looks away with a knowing, breezy smile. I know where he is going. Hildebrand would go to his mistress. Hildebrand is trying to conceal…… Or perhaps he think I have no say in the matter, but I am aware of the existence of mistress and the kind of woman she is.

I drag myself away, feeling weighed down from all sides... and I head off.

"...Oh?"

As if to see that Hildebrand was gone, a white bird flew in and perched on my shoulder.

The little bird chirped in a soft, if slightly gravely, boyish voice that was just beginning to change.

"I will return to the Temple tomorrow morning and stay until the baptismal service. If Adoptive Sister is going to be in the Temple for prayer in the near future, I would be happy to see you for a few minutes."

It was Ordonnanz from Meinhard, the eldest son of the Archducal Couple. Meinhard has just finished his second year at the House of Lords and has not yet gained a Schtappe, but the House of Lords is now teaching him how to make Ordonnanz using magic circles and magical tools.

I hit the Ordonnanz, who had reverted to magical stone, with the Schtappe,

"Thank you. I would like to visit for prayer the day after tomorrow at the fifth hour. If you had business commitments, please feel free to prioritize those."

Ordonnanz flew to north residence and soon returned again before I returned to my own residence.

"I have a meeting with the merchants in the afternoon, which will be over by five and a half. If adoptive sister would like to pray, I would be happy to have tea with you for a little while."

I reply again, "That's fine," and exhale a single breath.

"... It was good that Lord Meinhard decided to speak early on."

Fairlese, a side servant, said in a low voice.

She has served me since her apprenticeship around the time of my baptism.

"Yeah, you're right"

Naturally, Meinhard was also present at the meeting that had just taken place, but he did not speak unless asked, except on House of Lords-related subjects, and quietly just watched the adults' discussions with a childlike gleam of interest in his eyes.

I wonder how did Meinhard react to the proposal at the meeting we just had to formally apply... with me as the next Archduchess? As the current archduchess own son, and the eldest, and naturally a candidate for the Archduke, Meinhard is also a strong candidate to become the next Archduke.

Although we have no intention of doing so ... at least not for me, Meinhard and I are seen by outsiders as contenders for the next Aub. And many of the senior vassals would want Meinhard to become an Archduke.

But I feel relief that the day after tomorrow I will be able to see Meinhard and have a heart-to-heart discussion with him.

A window in the corridor revealed part of the northern residence. The light leaking from the window is warm. The north building is now the living quarters of the Archduchess three older children, and one more is in the process of preparing a room. Meinhard and the other children who have completed their baptismal also serve in the temple, but with four children, the north building is said to be very busy.

Until I got married, that was my main place of living. Because of the archducal couple's educational policy, I, as their adopted daughter, was exposed to their children before their baptism, so all of them are lovely younger siblings to me.

I want to go back there…

The more my heart ached, the more I missed the northern residence

The Archduke's Conference was followed by a very busy day of Archduke Candidate's duties, but I made time for a shortened lunch that day and went to the Temple as planned.


From the time of the archduchess pregnancy and birth until Meinhard's baptism, I was the High Bishop for about eight years. I also spent a year afterwards teaching Meinhard the role of the High Bishop.

So I am so familiar with the temple that I can say it is my second home and I know how to do things. Of course, I also know where to find the statues of the Gods and their subordinates.

Starting with Verdräos, the God of exorcism, Gebordnung, the goddess of order, Anhaltung, the goddess of advice, Unheilschneide, the Goddess of purification Erwachleren, the God of Guidance, Dregarnuhr, the Goddess of Time and the God of trials, Glücklitet...

Pray to the magic stone embedded in the god's statue and go around offering magical powers.

It took quite a while, as I went around to the Gods I wanted to ask for help until I was satisfied, and I also exchanged greetings with the priests and shrine maidens I met along the way in the corridors and chapels.

I thought it was about time Meinhard's business meeting was over, so I flew in Ordonnanz, then,

"I'm rushing to get the tea ready now, so please walk in slowly."

The reply was a bit flabbergasted, so I slowed my steps and headed for the High Bishop's office, as I was told to do.

"Thank you, Sister Letizia, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come here."

I exchange a long season's greeting with Meinhard, dressed in the white High Bishop's costume, who welcomes me in the High Bishop's office ... Still, it is the Temple, so we exchange a few abbreviated greetings.

I notice that Meinhard has grown a lot taller as he stands up. Since it is Hildebrand who escorts me on a daily basis, it has been a long time since I have stood up close enough to be able to compare my height with Meinhard's.

I was surprised at how suddenly he has grown. He must be in a growth phase and I will likely be overtaken next year or the year after.

Meinhard, taking my hand, said.

"Would you prefer it over there today?"

and turned his moon eyes, inherited from adoptive mother, to the door of the hidden room. When I nodded that I would appreciate it more, the retainers of Grey Priests's pushed a wagon with tea and sweets towards the door of the hidden room, as if they had prepared it with that intention.

Meinhard touched the red magic stone to open the door and followed us into the hidden room, one escort knight each and an attendant. The one of the attendants is Grey Priest Fran, who came with adoptive mother from Ehrenfest and has served in the High Bishop's office for many years, and the escort knights are of Ehrenfest and Drewanchel descent respectively, so there is a safe line-up even when talking about in-depth matters.

Fran quietly prepare the tea and served the sweets. I have never seen these sweets before.

"Cocoa cream sandwiched between two layers of pie crust."

Meinhard shows me how to eat the pastries.

"It's different and tastier than putting it in a cookie. It can be mass-produced, so I made a prototype to see how it would be for territorial battles, but it is difficult to eat beautifully. They might not look good in a temple, but in the Royal Academy or at a tea party for noble ladies it might."

"I want your opinion", Meinhard said happily.

In the past, cocoa was exclusively imported, but it is now grown in the southern part of the territory after being bred in a botanical laboratory headed by adoptive father. Since about seven years ago, it has been successfully mass-produced and processed as a specialty product of Alexandria, and has started trading with other territories in cocoa powder and in chocolates.

Adoptive mother and other aristocratic women, as well as commoner cooks, are involved in a friendly competition to create a trend using cocoa, and new recipes are being created one after another.

When cutlery was inserted into the thin pie crust, which was slightly sprinkled with powdered sugar, it cracked with a crisp and promising texture. Two layers of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cream peek out from the cross-section.

When I put it in my mouth, I feel the crisp pie crust and smell the buttery aroma; when I bite into it, the sweetness of the cream spreads on my palate and the savoury taste of cocoa escapes into my nose. The cream is firm and sweet, but there is no sugar in the pie crust, rather a slight salty flavour that complements the cream.

The cream was cool and the thoughtfulness of keeping it in the ice compartment until my visit was also appreciated.

"It's not too sweet, yet it's very tasty and rich... but it's certainly a little difficult to eat beautifully."

"That's right."

Pieces of the pie have splattered all over the plate.

"Do you have any suggestions for improvements, adoptive sister?"

"Yeah, I have... How about having the pie dough baked into bite-sized pieces from the start? Scoop it up with a fork and serve it in one bite."

"Ah, I see, we put the knife in so it splatters."

"It's a lot more elaborate, and it might take a lot more effort for the cook."

"I will consult with them. The dough is stretched, then cut and baked, so it is not much of a hassle. Is it difficult to pinch the cream ... No, if they use a squeeze bag and a mouthpiece of the right thickness ..."

Meinhard was surprised by the words he muttered thoughtfully. Does this child know how to make sweets?

"Do you even know how to make a pie?"

"If I don't know how to make them, how can I suggest new works or new innovations?"

Isn't it obvious? Meinhard tilted his head curiously, as if to say it.

"I read all the published recipes, and if I don't understand something just by reading it, I ask the chef or ask him to show me the actual process in the kitchen."

"Well, does archduke candidates have access to the kitchens?"

Meinhard shrugged his shoulders a little.

"I can't go there in the castle, indeed. Only in the Temple kitchen. Even adoptive sister often visited the orphanage workshop to watch them work while you were the High Bishop, didn't you? It's all the same."

Is it…… the same? It's a bit of head-turning behaviour for a prospective archduke, but still.

"I understand that you are also putting together an instructional book on Gewinnen. I see you're doing a lot of things well."

As a adoptive sister, I am happy to see my adoptive brother's growth and efforts.

"I did that by first organising the rules in an easy-to-understand manner, and then using the Gewinnen records of my father and uncles, then I played several games at the Royal Academy with the archduke candidates from the other territories and selected the moves that I thought were important as a basis from my experience in those games. From there, it's the scholar apprentices who do the clean-up work to put it all together in a book."

Still, I think his planning skills and his ability to understand and remember each move while playing the game are excellent.

Fufu~, Meinhard let out a laugh.

"It's tough being the child of a goddess incarnate and a demon king."

…… I can understand that. I feel it in my body.

Even I, as an adopted daughter, was under a lot of pressure.

But now it was a real challenge, especially during his time at the Royal Academy, when he was expected to match the legendary excellence of the archducal couple. In my case, I was able to do well in the classroom thanks to adoptive father's education, but there were some difficult lectures in the practical skills, and I did not get the best grade.

Meinhard, however, remained aloof and took the best for the second year in a row. I know that, like me, he have had a strict upbringing from adoptive father, so it is not something that is taken lightly, but it seems that way.

"It's not just the Royal Academy results that are required, is it?"

The Archduke of Alexandria candidates are given many tasks immediately after their baptism: managing the temple and carrying out the rituals, disseminating trends, participating in business ventures, improving the children's performance and uniting them, and so on.

There is no doubt that Meinhard is also very busy, as there are a number of documents that appear to be under consideration on the office desk at the High Bishop's office, as well as on the desk in this hidden room.

Meinhard, however, is unaffected.

"I'd like to do a knight course and a scholar course in my specialism next year, so I'd be grateful if I didn't have to return for the dedication ceremony, but, well, that won't be possible until my younger siblings are a bit older."

"You're taking three courses!?"

"As a prospective archduke, it is good to have all the knowledge, so both father and mother are willing to help me with the preparatory work. After all, both of them were the best of the best, and the content of their lectures has changed since the old days, but I think I can manage."

I feel like he'll be able to do something about it... that's the frightening part about this kid.

I educated Meinhard as High Bishop immediately after his baptism, and I was amazed by his memory and understanding. Before his baptism, he was familiar with Temple picture books and karuta with the children in the orphanage and prayed with his parents on a daily basis, which may have contributed to his habitual daily prayers.

He can now read and write freely in the archaic languages that he studied in the process.

Of course, Meinhard also has enough magical power to match his knowledge. This year's prayer ceremony he was able to go around the direct charge without the use of magic stones.

Originally, from the time he was a baby, his magical power was so abundant that his parents borrowed sacred objects from the Temple and had them dedicated to him because the magical tools for children were overflowing, but since he learned compression at the Royal Academy, it seems to have increased dramatically again.

"Adoptive father's and adoptive mother's prodigious achievements are the stuff of great legend in the Royal Academy, aren't they?"

"Yes, it's just, the teachers' expectations of me are just tremendous."

Meinhard lowered his eyebrows, as if he were disgusted.

"I can understand you very well..."

"I would like to secretly take an attendant's course and reveal the meddling of my father and teachers."

"Aside from being knight and a scholar, I don't think an archduke candidate can be an attendant."

I sincerely believe that.

"You really are curious, and you have the brains, energy and magical power to match. ..."

This child is truly the son of incarnation of the Goddess and of the Demon King.

"I think you should be the next archduke in this library city of Alexandria."