It must have been problematic for her to be at the Royal Academy during such a rare opportunity to meet giebes of distant provinces, but as an aub, it was also important for her to unify the Alexandria Dormitory and ensure that those orphaned from the Lanzenave War—Lady Letizia included—were not being mistreated.
“The Royal Academy has its library, and I do enjoy spending time with you,” Lady Rozemyne said. “Even so, I cannot help but miss home.”
“Is that so?”
“Do you not miss your family when spending time here at the Academy?”
Seeing my dear friend cock her head at me, I cocked my own in return. Back home, where everyone had their own duties to attend to, I was used to seeing my family only when we gathered for dinner. My brother had come of age and left the northern building, so most of my time there was spent with Raufereg and Lungtase. Life at the Royal Academy was far more energetic, and mealtimes in the dining hall were always entertaining. Yes, it had its troubles—such as having to anticipate what Raufereg might do next, or how those obsessed with ditter would act outside of their parents’ supervision—but I was never lonely here.
Why would Lady Rozemyne feel differently?
As I understood it, Lord Ferdinand continued to live in Alexandria’s guest chambers, while Lady Letizia was in the temple. I doubted that her life back home was any more exciting than it was here.
“In truth,” I said, “I am relieved to be free of my mother’s grumbling. You live alone in your castle’s archducal living area, do you not? Is it not more lively here at the Royal Academy?”
Lady Rozemyne looked dumbstruck. Was I to blame?
“Under normal circumstances,” I continued, “one might feel a tad lonely away from one’s usual assortment of retainers. But I would imagine most students enjoy being here at the Academy, away from their family—or rather, from their parents.”
“Do you not wish to spend time with your parents, Lady Hannelore?” Lady Rozemyne asked. She spoke cautiously, as if attempting to gauge my reaction, but my answer was so obviously “no” that the very question took me by surprise. “I suppose I did not feel this way last year, but...”
“Ah, yes. This is your first year away from your family in Ehrenfest. Perhaps, being apart from them, you miss Lord Wilfried and Lady Charlotte?” It had felt somewhat isolating being here without my elder brother, especially when he had dealt with any incidents that arose in the dormitory. Lady Rozemyne must have felt lonely due to not having anyone to consult.
“Indeed, that might be the case...”
“In that sense, I suppose I have not truly been separated from my family. A normal archduke candidate only ever leaves their duchy for marriage, after all. Perhaps I will feel the same if ever I am wed elsewhere.”
I wonder what that would be like...
On many occasions, I had spoken to women who had married into Dunkelfelger, but they mostly complained about how hard it was to adjust to our culture. I myself vaguely wished to leave my home, though I had never seriously considered what moving to another duchy would entail. My education had covered how to act in formal situations as an archduke candidate of Dunkelfelger, but I was unsure what my life would be like elsewhere, or how I would truly feel about leaving. Lady Rozemyne’s lonesomeness made me apprehensive about leaping into an entirely new environment through marriage.
“How is Clarissa? Does she miss her family as well?” I asked. We both knew her, and I suspected she was going through more or less the same thing.
Lady Rozemyne thought for a moment, then gave a troubled smile. “She was Starbound in the summer, but I have not seen her yearn for her family in Ehrenfest or Alexandria. Perhaps she reserves those emotions for Hartmut, but the Clarissa I know is always in good spirits.”
“That is to be expected, I suppose. This is the same woman who wished to marry one of your retainers purely so she could join your service.”
I was eager to know the emotional state of women who had married into other duchies, but Clarissa was far from a useful point of reference. My mind wandered, searching for anyone else I could ask about, at which point the teleportation door connected to the dormitory swung open. A student hurried inside, whispered something in Cordula’s ear, and then departed just as quickly. The slight furrow that appeared in my head attendant’s brow meant it had to be bad news.
Despite my curiosity, I could not interrupt a tea party I was hosting for the sake of a personal matter. I tried to suppress my anxiety as I gestured to my drink, asking to have it refreshed. Cordula brought over the teapot and spoke to me in a low voice as she poured.
“Rasantark and Kenntrips seem to be dueling in the training grounds. The student wished to know whether they had permission. Professor Rauffen has been contacted, but...”
Excuse me? What are those two doing?!
Although fighting in the dormitory was forbidden, ditter played with the dormitory supervisor’s approval was perfectly acceptable. Thus, onlookers were unable to tell whether the duel in question was sanctioned, a continuation of training, or a personal clash. Professor Rauffen would normally have resolved the matter, but he must have been absent; I saw no other reason for a student to interrupt an archduke candidate’s tea party.
Whatever shall I do?
“Lady Hannelore, have Dregarnuhr’s threads been tangled?” Lady Rozemyne asked, having no doubt sensed that something was amiss. “Forgive me, but I must take my leave. I have had my fill of tea and snacks.”
“Please wait, Lady Rozemyne,” I said as she got ready to depart.
“Pay me no mind; knotted threads are best undone quickly. Another tea party shall be held at the library soon enough. We may speak again there. Lieseleta, prepare for our departure.”
Before I could insist otherwise, Lady Rozemyne bade me farewell. Cordula whispered in my ear to let her go, her features set in a bitter smile.
“My sincerest apologies, Lady Rozemyne...” I said.
“Think nothing of it. Had you invited more guests, there might have been a problem, but this was a private tea party between the two of us. There is no need to fret about me when a catastrophe might be brewing.” A mischievous smile spread across Lady Rozemyne’s face. “Furthermore, this is nothing compared to all the times I ended tea parties abruptly by losing consciousness.”
On that note, my dear friend departed with her retainers and shumils. I was both moved by her adaptability and ashamed to have needed to rely on the compassion of my own guest.
“Lady Hannelore, there is no time to wallow in self-pity. We must head to the training grounds at once,” Cordula warned me. “Those two are acting without permission, I would assume.”
“Indeed. I did not authorize a duel, and as Kenntrips is an apprentice scholar, I see no reason to believe they are training as knights. Come, Cordula; we must stop them at once. I shall entrust cleaning up the tea party room to Andrea and the others. Heilliese, send away anyone watching the fight or training nearby. I will close the grounds for the time being. Luitpold, prepare a meeting room so that I may interrogate the culprits.”
“Understood.”
My orders given, I promptly departed with Cordula and my knights.