Melchior’s Baptism

Melchior’s Baptism

Melchior’s Baptism

The feast celebrating spring was due to be held several days after the book sale. Melchior was going to have his baptism ceremony, so Lieseleta and Brunhilde had gone to the temple to fetch the clothes and other things we needed.

“Fran and Monika had everything ready for our arrival, Lady Rozemyne,” Lieseleta said with a smile once my ceremonial High Bishop clothes and such were looked over. Apparently, when they had reached the temple, Ferdinand’s and my attendants had already sorted everything into boxes and carried it all to the entrance to be collected.

“This is a gift for you from the children of the orphanage,” Brunhilde added, showing me a small jar. “I am told it is parue juice.”

“A winter sweet, then,” I replied. “Please give it to Ella.”

Brunhilde nodded and made her way to the kitchen.

“Fran was worried about your health and whether you’ve been working to increase your stamina, so I said that you’ve been doing light exercises at the knight training grounds,” Damuel explained, having accompanied the girls on their trip. I asked about Monika and everyone else in the temple too, and thankfully, it seemed that they were all doing fine.

That was when Ottilie returned, holding two letters of invitation. “Lady Rozemyne, Lady Charlotte and Lord Wilfried have invited you to a tea party,” she said. “I appreciate that this might seem quite sudden, but they wish to introduce you to Melchior before his baptism.”

Charlotte’s invitation included a note saying that she had cherished the opportunity to have a tea party with me prior to her own baptism ceremony. In truth, it wasn’t a very pleasant memory for me—I mostly remembered how Wilfried had interrupted us, turning everything on its head.

At the very least, I suppose that tea party was when I found out just how adorable Charlotte really is.

I had never spoken to Melchior before, so I wanted to meet with him at least once before his baptism. After sending out replies accepting the invitations, I waited for the tea party while transcribing books with my scholars.

I need to work hard so that I can be a good big sister to Melchior too!

“Good evening, Sister.”

“I was overjoyed to receive your invitation, Charlotte.”

I exchanged greetings with Charlotte, who was hosting the tea party, and then looked at Melchior, who was beside Wilfried and waiting for an introduction. He had the same purplish-blue hair as his father, and the same blue eyes and soft facial features as his mother, which made him look kind and peaceful. But there was one thing I noticed that was more important than any of that.

I win!

He was shorter than me.

It may only be by the smallest amount, but I’m taller! Even if we look the same age, people are more likely to realize I’m his older sister! Bwahaha! For the record, I’m not on tiptoes either!

The very real possibility that I was shorter than Melchior had worried me to no end, but with that fear out of the way, my excitement shot through the roof. Everything was bound to go swimmingly.

“This is our little brother, Melchior,” Wilfried said. “I hope you get along with him as well as we do. Now, Melchior... This is Rozemyne, your older sister and the High Bishop who is going to bless you at your baptism.”

“Rozemyne. I haven’t been baptized yet, so I can’t give proper blessings... but please let me greet you,” Melchior said, stepping forward with a tense expression. He knelt down, bowed his head, and intoned, “I am Melchior, son of Aub Ehrenfest. May I pray for a blessing in appreciation of this serendipitous meeting, ordained by the harsh judgment of Ewigeliebe the God of Life?”

“You may.”

“May Ewigeliebe the God of Life bless you, Rozemyne. May our relationship be long and prosperous,” Melchior said. He then looked up at Wilfried and Charlotte with the satisfied grin of someone who had recited the lines they were taught to perfection. They watched him with gentle smiles.

“Well done, Melchior,” Wilfried said.

“Indeed,” Charlotte agreed. “I, too, was nervous during my first greeting. You did well.”

It was adorable to see the young Melchior so over the moon about receiving such praise from his older siblings. His education was clearly proceeding exceptionally smoothly under Florencia’s guidance, and seeing him smile made me smile too.

“The children’s room has been ever so lonely since you went to the northern building, Charlotte,” Melchior said. “I have been hoping to join you there as soon as possible. I’m glad we can have tea parties together now.”

“Yes, I am likewise glad to be spending time with you after so long apart,” Charlotte replied, gently stroking her little brother’s smooth-looking hair.

“Hm? You know, you and Rozemyne look like actual siblings, what with your hair being so similar...” Wilfried observed, touching Melchior’s hair and comparing it to mine. It certainly was the case that we both shared the same purplish-blue hair as Sylvester, while Wilfried and Charlotte had light-golden hair instead.