Ascendance of a Bookworm (LN) - Volume Short Story-2 - Chapter 16

Rozemyne — Speaking to Lasfam

Description: A previously unpublished short story from the online collection, set right after “She Arrived Immediately” in Part 5 Volume 4. This is one of Rozemyne’s conversations with the layattendant Lasfam, who looks after her new library. He seeks information about his lord, who was relocated to Ahrensbach.

Author’s Note: I elected not to include this conversation in the light novels, as it didn’t have much to do with the plot, and stuck it online instead.

“My apologies, Lady Rozemyne, but may I request a moment of your time? There is something I wish to ask you.”

I had just finished speaking with Clarissa and was about to return to the temple when Lasfam called out to me. “But of course,” I said, turning to him. “Ask away.”

Lasfam had dark-green hair, wavy but swept back, and green eyes. He wore a peaceful smile as he looked at me. The sharp fashion he had worn when serving Ferdinand reminded me of a younger Mark. How they spoke and carried themselves seemed mostly the same, so I’d arbitrarily ended up liking him more.

“I was told that Lord Ferdinand is involved with Ahrensbach’s religious ceremonies and wish to know the details,” Lasfam explained.

“Then why are you so...?” I paused. “Excuse me. It isn’t that I don’t want to answer; rather, your expression seems far too tense for someone simply curious about his former lord.”

Lasfam stopped to think, then handed me a sound-blocker. He covered his mouth, concerned that someone might try to read his lips, and said, “I, too, have given my name to Lord Ferdinand.”

As it turned out, Lasfam had needed to stay in Ehrenfest because he lacked the combat training to stand his ground in a fight. Ahrensbach would have been too dangerous for him as a result. Instead, despite being equally as important as Eckhart and Justus, he had been entrusted with overseeing the estate and other belongings his lord had needed to leave behind.

Well, that explains that.

“Lord Ferdinand promised to relocate me to Ahrensbach when the situation there settled down, but I am told almost nothing of his situation,” Lasfam noted. “If you have any information, I would appreciate the opportunity to hear it.”

I explained that Ferdinand would be performing Ahrensbach’s Spring Prayer, that he was growing more and more frustrated about being stuck in a guest room with no way to do any research, and that he was once again skipping meals and sleep to focus on work.

“He’s being made to perform Spring Prayer?!” Lasfam exclaimed. “Even though he hasn’t been Starbound yet?!”

“Indeed. Cruel, is it not? Aub Ehrenfest intends to protest the decision during the next Archduke Conference... though I would assume that Ferdinand appreciates the workload.”

Even in Ehrenfest, he had used Spring Prayer and the Harvest Festival to circle the duchy and acquire ingredients that took his fancy. I assumed that performing such ceremonies in Ahrensbach would also give him some much-needed respite from being stuck in the castle.

“I consider it a given that Ferdinand will enjoy circling the duchy—especially with Justus—but we would not want his treatment to be considered the norm in Ehrenfest or the same fate to befall anyone else.”

“It warms my heart to hear that Lord Ferdinand was able to confide in you,” Lasfam said, though he wore a terribly conflicted smile. “As I understand it, his demeanor hardened when he first entered the temple, and it remained that way until you joined him there.”

I thought back to the days when he had needed to perform the duties of the High Priest and the High Bishop almost entirely on his own and to all the potions he had depended on just to get by. “There was a time when we were lacking both mana and people to help with the temple’s administrative work. I still remember his relief when we first performed the Dedication Ritual together.”

“Though I do not know how Ahrensbach performs its ceremonies, I doubt Lord Ferdinand has as much control over theirs as he did ours. I worry he will try to bottle up the stress of the burden thrust upon him.”

I could see why Lasfam was concerned. Ferdinand had gained control of Ehrenfest’s ceremonies only after getting rid of the previous High Bishop; he was bound to be more restricted in Ahrensbach’s temple. As for his stress levels, though I was prone to wearing my heart on my sleeve, he was a pure-blooded noble and would never let his true emotions show in front of his Ahrensbach retainers.

“If only I could meet him face-to-face,” I said. “I would know just by looking at him whether he was stretched too thin. Even the letters he writes me are monitored, so he cannot tell me anything of substance.”

Mere moments ago, I had assumed that Ferdinand would appreciate his tour of the duchy. Now I wasn’t so sure. “I hope he writes to me while he’s performing Spring Prayer, but... I doubt he will.” He was so busy that he replied to only one of every three letters I sent him—and in one of his responses, he had explained that he would be educating Letizia alongside the trip. Using my own education as a benchmark, I could guess that he wouldn’t have time for correspondence.

“Still,” I said, “we need only wait for him to marry. Then he should receive a hidden room and stop being treated as a guest. I pray that he will summon you soon.”

“Indeed,” Lasfam replied. “I eagerly await the day he calls for me.” Seeing his small, bright smile, I somehow envied the fact that Ferdinand had promised to reunite with him.

Not that I want him to summon me.

I wouldn’t leave Ehrenfest for as long as my family called it home.

“The next time Ferdinand sends me a letter or notice, I would not mind relaying the contents to you,” I said. “In return, I ask that you tell me what you know about him. For example... did he ever blunder at the Royal Academy? Please tell me now while we have the chance.”

Lasfam looked nostalgic as he thought back to the past. “Lord Ferdinand did not blunder during the school year—I took great care to ensure as much. As for when the other students were at home, however... There might be a few such incidents that would interest you.”

“I look forward to hearing about them.”

And with that, I continued on my way.