Rozemyne Perspective


Behind the library is a little grassy area surrounded by tall trees. Even though it's very sunny and very pleasant on sunny days, for some reason, it is a little known spot where no-one enters at all. I was silently moving my limbs according to the music playing in my brain, thinking, 'This is a great place to do some green shade reading...'

"... I see. It's a bit unusual, but certainly a well thought-out move as a preparatory exercise."

…… preparatory exercise, or rather, for me, this is the main exercise!

I have finished my radio exercises and my breath has gone completely out of my body. I was told to take a short break, so I sat down on a rug prepared by the lieseleta and sipped the water that was given to me.

The week following the music teachers' tea party. When my fever broke and I was back to full physical health, I went to the backyard of the library to work on my fitness.With my pacemaker and coach (provisional) Ferdinand.

"It is because of my indiscretion that I have cause Lady Rozemyne's condition to deteriorate. I am truly sorry."

Two days back. When I was finally able to move around, I visited Professor Hirschur's laboratory to have a discussion about our joint research, which had been delayed due to a series of feverish outbreaks, and was left waiting at the door. The reason why we have not been able to go inside, even though the designated time has passed, is that the cleaning by the Lieseleta, who smiled and left a step ahead of us, saying "Please come at your leisure time, Lady Rozemyne", has not yet been completed. Apparently, the interior of the room was in extraordinarily bad condition.

Ferdinand arrived shortly after I arrived, and the first thing that came out of his mouth without even greeting me was an apology.

"As I said in my letter, the main reason my health deteriorated was that I had not fully recovered, and I don't think Lord Ferdinand was particularly at fault as he only bought the fight that was sold to him..."

I was aware that Ferdinand was also a victim, but he shook his head with a grim look on his face.

'No, I should not have been provoked on that occasion. I knew it was the most roundabout way to do it."

"But doesn't that leave Lord Ferdinand's pride behind?"

"I will not be hurt by anything said to me by an outlaw who has no sense of decency. However, when I was frustrated by the arrogant attitude, I was offered the opportunity to retaliate and I couldn't help but think ... I'm sorry I got you involved."

... It was definitely very frustrating. He was fooling around with a sparkling smile I've never seen before, but it was so scary. ...

But I don't think he should have put up with it even if the prince had apologised to him, but even if he had said all that, he still wouldn't have put up with it to make the situation go away. So I just can't bring myself to blame Ferdinand.

... And...

"What did Lord Ferdinand think of that performance?"

" How do you mean…?"

'I was surprised when the Prince suddenly started to be reckless, but it was very pleasant to play with Lord Ferdinand.

So if I accept the apology, I don't want you to feel like I am denying you even that... If Lord Ferdinand insists, I will accept, but please know that I do not regret that performance."

It was only at the beginning that he looked at the music sheet desperately to avoid making mistakes, the rest of the time his fingers moved naturally. I read in some book during my Urano days that track and field athletes sometimes run faster when they run with athletes who are faster than them, and that's exactly how I felt at that time.That's exactly how it was at the time. Ferdinand pulled me up and I played better than I had in practice, and I got goosebumps every time the notes I was nailing overlapped and sounded harmonious and beautiful. If I was the only one who enjoyed the performance in that way, I am very sorry.

Ferdinand, at a loss for words, blinked slowly once, and when he next looked at me his expression was calm. Does he remember what happened during the performance?

"I only took on the performance because of the Prince, but I have to admit that it was exciting to play a new piece of music, and I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to play with someone else... I, too, have no regrets about performing with you Lady Rozemyne."

Thank God, I breathed a sigh of relief, but Ferdinand let out a sigh and looked a little troubled.

"... It seems that I have doubly tormented you, Lady Rozemyne. I am sorry. I wish there was something I could do to make amends."

It was enough to know that Ferdinand also enjoyed the performance. I was about to say he don't need to make amends, but a strange idea suddenly occurred to me and I couldn't help but say "Oh".

"Well, I've been thinking about it for some time now."

" What is it?"

"Would you be more comfortable talking to me from now on? We're going to be working together as library committee members, and I've always dreamed of having a casual chat with book-loving friends of my generation."

"Your book-loving friends... have you never had any before?"

" Yes. No matter how much I want to get on with them, it would be a burden on them to want me to talk to them as an equal if we are not disproportionate in terms of status, wouldn't it? It is very difficult to make friends. On that note, Me and Lord Ferdinand are fellow archduke and archduchess candidates, so that shouldn't be a problem, should it?"

" I'm not sure that there are any problems at all..."

Ferdinand crosses his arms, taps his fingers against his temples and ponders. When he eventually lowered his hand, he asked, "Does that really make amends?" He asked me with a semi-convinced look on his face, and I replied with vigour, "It will!". Ferdinand's shoulders relax as he laughs.

"It's far from unexpected, but if that's what you want, then so be it."

"Well then...!"

"Best regards once again to you as a member of the library committee and as a book-loving friend. Rozemyne."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Lord Ferdinand!"

Thus, following his appointment as a member of the library committee, I got the book-loving friend I had longed for.


When the cleaning was finished and we were let into the laboratory, we asked the apprentices to bring tea and sweets to the only empty table in the centre of the room, which looked like a preparation table, and the discussion about the joint research began.

Even though we hadn't worked out any of the details, Ferdinand spoke to me and set up today's meeting after I had said at a book lover's tea party that I wanted Professor Hirschur's advice. When Professor Hirschur found out that she could participate in Schwartz and Weiss's research, she seemed to jump at the chance to do so without a second thought.

In addition to that, he had a meeting with the librarians about the detailed schedule and precautions for showing me the body magic circle, which is the key to Schwartz and Weiss's production methods; he nailed Professor Hirschur, who seemed to be going out of control; and when he heard from his retainers that I had mentioned my desire to jointly research magic tools from the libraries, he started to copy the materials in the closed stacks. Ferdinand had started copying materials in the closed stacks while I was in bed, and he had arranged various things ahead of time.

... Lord Ferdinand, you are seriously talented!

I'm not in the way, am I? But then in Alexandria asked me to provide them with a piece of paper to transcribe the magic circle on the bodies of the Schwartz and Weiss, so I agreed. Professor Hirschur, who had never seen the actual paper properly, was eager to see it, so I looked Hartmut over and presented her with a sheet, which she admired, stroked and looked through, and began an enthusiastic inspection.

"That's all I have to say about Schwartz and Weiss. The only other thing I have to worry about is your physical condition on the day."

Ignoring Professor Hirschur, who was engrossed in the paper, Ferdinand continued his story.

"I'll stay quiet until the end of the day, so don't worry."

"When you collapsed at the ... book-loving tea party, your retainers said it was a common occurrence, but is it really normal for you to have such frequent fevers?"

"It's normal. But even this has been made stronger. It was even worse when I was a little girl."

I used to have a fever more often before I was immersed in Jureve to dissolve the magical mass that was in my body. The mass is said to have completely dissolved, so the rest should only get healthier.

"I suppose there is a doctor in charge. Do you have any remedial measures?"

"The only way to do it is to steadily build up my physical fitness. I'm not sick."

"Hmm… What exactly do you mean by 'ways to build up physical fitness'?"

"Let's see... exercises, taking a walk, you know."

This may be because I was answering a series of questions at a good tempo, but I clearly lost my edge. Ferdinand shifted his gaze to Ottilie as if to check. Ottilie shakes her head, lets out a sigh and replies honestly.

"Since coming to the Royal Academy, her priority has been the library and her physical fitness has been pretty neglected."

... E-everyone's eyes are so cold… I'm sorry, I'm sorry, don't look at me like that ...!

"If you neglect your fitness regime and keep coming down with a fever, won't that eventually cut into your reading time?"

"I have no words to reply..."

The words are so dumb that I shrug my shoulders.

"But I can build up my fitness after I return to my territory. The Royal Academy has the only nice library here, and I can spend so much time just for myself, you know? Wouldn't it be a shame if I didn't spend a little time on reading?"

"Doesn't Alexandria have enough books to warrant a library?"

"It doesn't quite measure up to the Royal Academy's library, but it's there. But the contents of the collections are completely different and, above all, I don't have much time to read them. Because in Alexandria I also have temple work and paper manufacturing work to do."

There are a lot of good people working as hands and feet in both jobs, but there are also matters that require divine affairs and my direct confirmation and approval, so I am quite busy.

" I heard a bit about the paper-making business at the tea party, but what is temple work? "

" It means exactly what it says. I'm the high priest in Alexandria."

"... I've heard that in Alexandria an archduke's family holds a position in the temple, but was that true?"

Ferdinand's surprise suggests that this is unusual for other territories. Nevertheless, I thought that it would have already spread in the Royal Academy that I was chief priest, but apparently it was still not well known. Recalling what I had been told, 'You may have some bad feelings about temple-related matters, but don't worry about it', I explained to Ferdinand that the temple in Alexandria was not a place to be avoided. Ferdinand nods and listens to me without any hint of disgust.

" Incidentally, it has been decided that the high bishop of the temple has been an archduke's role for generations. I'm told that this used to be the case in all territories. Alexandria is just following its ancient custom."

Although it has been forgotten in the long history of the temple, my father said that it meant a lot for the Archduke to be the high bishop of the temple. As this is a matter of such importance that it is not easy to talk about, I am not supposed to be told the details until I eventually take the archduke's seat.

" That's why I don't have time to read so carefully when I return to my territory. Besides, there's no one at the Royal Academy who can take care of my physical condition in detail, so I can't deny the possibility of inadvertently collapsing while building up my fitness."

"No one to take care of your physical condition? Didn't you bring your doctor with you?"

…Ah. Shit... maybe this is the one I shouldn't have mentioned...

I glanced at Ottilie, who was standing behind me, and as I expected she had a difficult look on her face. I was inadvertently told by my mother not to give out too many details about my physical condition, as I never know where, by whom or how I might be targeted. Everyone knows that I'm frail, so I don't need to hide it now, but I guess I shouldn't have talked about my doctor. I was thinking about how to fool around when Professor Hirschur, having finished her paper review, suddenly entered the conversation.

"Then why not let Lord Ferdinand see you?"

"Eh?"

... What do I ask him to look at?

When I tilted my head, Ferdinand shook his head and rejected Professor Hirschur's suggestion.

"Professor Hirschur, no amount of that will be tolerated by her retainers."

"Would it be? She must have had three fevers already when she came to the Royal Academy. So why not turn your back on it?"

"Professor Hirschur, what does it mean to be examined by Lord Ferdinand?"

It was Ottilie who asked with a serious look on her face. Professor Hirschurdoes not answer herself, but urges Ferdinand to answer with a glance.

"... I have a medical background. I'm self-taught."

The retainers were buzzing, and indeed I was surprised too. Medical practice is a very difficult field and there are very few doctors in Alexandria. That is why I too refused to bring them to the Royal Academy just for myself. I can't believe he has taught himself that.

... Hey, Lord Ferdinand. How versatile are you?

I was told by Hartmut in additional information that he is so oppressed that he sometimes fear for his life in Ehrenfest, but maybe that is the reason? I don't really want to think that the treatment he is receiving is so bad that he need to learn medical skills on his own. Ferdinand in front of me looked healthy, so it didn't quite hit me, but the words 'life threatening' suddenly became heavy and real.

"... I don't mind if I come along with you for physical fitness as an apology for what happened at the music tea party. I would be able to adjust the amount of exercise you do while monitoring your physical condition... If you can trust me."

I was grateful for the offer, as I trust him completely, but I decided against an immediate response based on the lessons I had learnt so far. Looking behind me, Ottilie shows signs of being distressed. If absolutely not, I would have been urged to refuse immediately, so it would be worth considering. Deciding that this was a matter to be discussed back at the dormitory, I decided to ask Ferdinand for some time.

I... May I have a few moments to think about it? It doesn't seem to be a decision one can make alone."

"It's a fair point."

After our talk in Hirschur's laboratory, I returned to the dormitory and discussed the matter with my retainers, and we decided to give it a shot, as I am not sure if Ferdinand is really able to keep up with my fitness while keeping an eye on my condition.


"Has your breathing settled down?"

"Yes."

Just as he had done before the radio exercises, Ferdinand would check my physical condition by placing his hands on my wrists, neck and forehead. His hands are cool and feel good on a burning body.

"There doesn't seem to be any particular problem. Do the exercises alone ever make you feel sick?"

"It's not often that I just do radio exercises."

"Right… Now that you mention it, do you know yourself what caused you to collapse during the book lover's tea party?"

I'll try to remember what happened when I collapsed at the tea party. I must have felt a surge of magical power, delighted that Ferdinand had agreed to collaborate with me.

"At that time... I was so happy to have a fellow book committee member that I just exploded with joy..."

"So you're saying that the excitement increased the magic, making it harder to control."

"Well, that's pretty much about it."

Ferdinand let out an exasperated sigh.

"... I knew you had a lot of magic, but it's more than I expected... Can you think of anything else, other than book-related matters, that might cause emotional disturbance?"

"'Except in relation to books... More important than books, though, is my family."

"Family?"

Ferdinand asks back with a dubious look on his face. I pictured in my mind the faces of the people I cared about.

"Yes. I can't stand to see my father, my mother, my sister... and anyone else close to my family being hurt or made to feel bad."

"Sister...? Aren't you the only biological child of the Archduke of Alexandria?"

"Yes, Letizia was baptised as the child of my father and mother, when she was adopted, so by blood she is my cousin."

"... You're not even sisters of the same mother, but you're pretty close."

Ferdinand crossed his arms and tilted his head as if he did not understand.

"We exchanged letters frequently before she was adopted and I had thought of her as a sister since then, so I didn't feel particularly strange when she actually became my sister. I was an only child, so I was happy to have a younger sister."

In this world of aristocratic society, where polygamy is the norm, it is said that people often have a bleak relationship with anyone other than brothers and sisters of the same mother, but my father, who has not the slightest intention of taking a wife other than your mother, has no second or third wife. If Letizia had been the second wife's child, I might have had mixed feelings, but as she was adopted, there were no such conflicts.

Above all, Letizia is a good girl who is honest, pretty and loves books. There is no reason why we cannot get along.

"That's how it is. I am not sure I understand it. Aside from... it seems that your mental health has a lot to do with your condition. You have to be careful not to overuse your physical strength, but always try to maintain normalcy on a regular basis."

"Yes."

"Then, starting from here, go for a quick roundabout. Take your time. As soon as you feel unwell, stop and give a signal."

Start walking slowly around the square as instructed. It's not that big of a place, but at my speed and slow, it's going to take an awful long time. Ferdinand, checking me from time to time in the distance, began to talk about something with Hartmut and Justus. Hartmut's hand holds a medicine that restores my strength.

... If we're even talking about medication, does that mean that Lord Ferdinand has decided to coach?

"Brother Cornelius."

"What is it?"

I called out to Cornelius, who was walking a little behind me as my escort. Cornelius is the son of my father's brother, which means he is my cousin. Normally, I call him by his name because we are master and servant, but when were alone, I naturally call him by his old name.

"Can I really be healthy with this?"

"I'm sure if you keep at it properly. A day or two won't help."

"Continuity is power, isn't it... Huh..."

Blurting out that I can't wait to read, I finished walking the first lap and returned to Ferdinand at the starting point.

" How are you feeling?"

Ferdinand asks as he checks my pulse.

"I'm still okay, but I'm getting a bit tired. The second lap can be hard."

"Well, that's enough for today then. Incidentally, can you fully recover the strength you've just lost with the restorative you're always taking?"

"It's not entirely possible. I'm sure I'll recover enough to get through the day quietly, though."

The medicine I always take is a further improved version of the one I learnt at the Royal Academy in Alexandria, which is more effective and works well enough for ordinary people, but not enough to dramatically restore my physical and magical strength. Improvements are still being made at the General Research Institute, but they have not yet succeeded in producing such high quality products. I hope the researchers will do their best, because I think such a drug would help people recover a little quicker from fever.

"Is that still the extent of it? Shouldn't you tell the research institute in Alexandria that there is an urgent need to improve the quality of the recovery drugs? As I told Hartmut earlier, the restoratives for magic will not be very effective on you either."

"We're already making keen improvements. But we have yet to see results."

"I'd like to see results as soon as possible. As you might expect, we can't even prepare the medicines ourselves."

"Yes, we can't afford to inconvenience you that much."

Ferdinand is helping me with my fitness, saying it's atonement for what happened at the tea party, but I can't feel sorry for him if he has to prepare medicines on top of this.

"... It doesn't. The preparation of medicines is either left to your own trusted scholar officer to prevent poisoning, or you do it yourself. You can't be so careless as to put medicine made by someone from another territory into your mouth."

Ferdinand, with a dazed look on his face, instructed me to take a strength-restoring medicine. Receive and drink down the usual medicines brought by Ottilie and wait patiently for me to recover.

"I realise I'm not very careful, but Lord Ferdinand wouldn't give me something dangerous to drink, would he?"

"Isn't that obvious? What's the point of doing that?"

Ferdinand looks at me as if to say, 'Don't be ridiculous'.

"Then is it not okay? Oh, I'm not begging for medicine. We're talking about something that there's no point in doubting."

"... really you are..."

"What is it?"

"That's enough."

Ferdinand, with a strange expression on his face, got up and staggered off. As I craned my neck to see if I had said something offensive, Justus, who remained on the spot, let out an unbearable laugh.

"Justus? Is there something wrong?"

"No, Lady Rozemyne. That look on Lord Ferdinand's face is just embarrassment, so you don't need to worry about it."

... He was embarrassed!?

"How confusing it is..."

"I got to see some very unusual things. I owe it to Lady Rozemyne."

Justus looks happy. Ferdinand's entourage all love him as their Lord! It's so funny to see them like that. I think they must be very trusting people because Ferdinand, who is very wary, keeps them by his side.

"Justus, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

Justus bent down to look at me as I was sitting down.

"I would like to thank Lord Ferdinand for all he does for me, but what would you like me to do for him? Could you tell me if he have any preferences or interests?"

"Hmm... In that case, how about some new music scores?"

" Music scores? There are a number of songs I haven't played anywhere yet, and I could make new ones, but... would that please him?"

" I think he'll be very pleased. Between you and me, he also sometimes play that song that he played with Lady Rozemyne in his room."

I'm surprised he liked it that much. And what a good memory it is to be able to remember a song after just one performance. It's not too much to be envious of.

"Lord Ferdinand really likes harspiel."

"Yes, very much."

"I hope you're not speaking out of turn, Justus."

Ferdinand, who had returned before I knew it, glared at Justus with a grim face. Unlike me, who nearly let out a gasp, Justus smiles back at me in a familiar manner.

"It's just small talk. Right? Lady Rozemyne?"

"Eh, yeah! It's nothing, just some small talk!"

Ferdinand looked alternately at me, who shook his head vigorously, and Justus, who kept smiling, with a wrinkle between his eyebrows.

"... Well, it's good. Rozemyne, if you've recovered your strength, we're done for today. Can you be here tomorrow at the same time?"

"I think it's going to be alright. What were the plans for tomorrow, Ottilie?"

I can continue to have Lord Ferdinand to coach, can't I? When I asked Ottilie what he meant by "the same time", she replied that "the same time is fine". Ferdinand appears to have been given a pass by his retainers.

"So I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Lord Ferdinand."

Thus my first day of physical fitness at the Royal Academy ended successfully.