About a month had passed since Big Sister Therese left.
In the mornings, I walked back and forth along the corridor supported by Mira, and in the afternoons, I practiced walking with crutches in the Great Hall. I couldn't walk for long yet, but my legs were gradually starting to obey me.
Katia also visited once a month. With every visit, her former brightness seemed to return a little more. Seeing her smile so lightheartedly made me feel that protecting her in that carriage had been worth it.
Since my body had recovered, I told her once that she no longer needed to take responsibility for me. Katia turned red all the way to her ears.
"A member of House Laufen cannot take back their word once it's been given....That is why I will marry you," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper at the very end. Then, she peered up at my face with an anxious, upward glance.
"Do... do you hate the idea...?"
The momentum she’d had a moment ago vanished, and her shoulders hunched in.
"...Not particularly. I don't hate it."
When I answered, Katia’s face instantly brightened.
The corners of her mouth relaxed, and though she hurried to tighten them again, they softened once more. Her ears remained red, but her eyes sparkled with joy.
"I-I see. Then it’s fine. It’s only natural, after all."
After a single cough, Katia puffed out her chest as if to compose herself. She remained in a good mood for the rest of the day.
However, it seemed the talk of an actual engagement wasn't progressing.
"Father won't nod his head at all! He keeps saying it’s 'premature'! When exactly is it going to stop being premature?!"
Every time she visited, I would listen to her complaints about Lord Georg. This side of her hadn't changed at all in four years.
I found myself smiling, happy that we could talk in the same way we used to. This earned me a scolding from a beet-red Katia.
◇◇◇
Gaps of free time began to open up between my rehabilitation, meals, and sleep. I alone had lost three whole years of the things children my age would naturally have built up. Now that my body was healed and I had leisure time, I wondered if it was okay to stay like this. When I was in the basement, I was so consumed with just surviving that I didn't even have the luxury to think.
Perhaps unable to bear seeing me with such a troubled expression during my free time, Elder Sister Heide entered my room one afternoon carrying a book.
"Rein. Shall we try exercising your mind a bit?"
Normally, this kind of study would be handled by a tutor. However, my parents seemed to have a policy of not exposing me—who still couldn't walk—to anyone outside the family. Thus, having my sister look after my studies was perfect for me.
But then, a thought occurred to me. In my previous life, children my age attended school. I wondered if such places existed in this world. Come to think of it, while my sister was home almost every day like this, I hadn't seen my Elder Brother at all lately.
"Hey, Sister, are you always at home?"
Sister Heide stopped her hand as she opened the book.
"Not always. I also attend the Academy depending on the period."
The Academy. It was apparently a place where noble children of similar ages gathered to learn reading, writing, magic, and how to govern territories. It wasn't that different from the schools in my previous life.
"At the Academy, the 'Gathering Period' where everyone attends together and the 'Independent Period' where everyone returns to their respective territories alternate. During the Gathering Period, exams, practical assessments, and joint exercises are concentrated, so attendance is essential. In the latter half of that period, there are also events like tea parties and balls; it serves as a place to meet other noble children and build relationships between families. I'm at home right now because it's currently an Independent Period."
"Then, is Elder Brother also in an Independent Period?"
"Elder Brother has already begun being entrusted with work in the territory. He is the heir, after all. He follows Father around the domain, learning how to collect taxes and mediate disputes through practical experience rather than from books. He's often away from the manor for days at a time on inspections... that's why you keep missing each other."
Sister Heide told me that there was the Central Farden Royal Academy in the royal capital, as well as several regional academies. However, our family had a policy of not sending us to the capital. There was a trend of the central nobility looking down on those from the regions, and Father and the others disliked that. That was why both my brother and sister attended a regional academy while continuing to learn from tutors and through territorial work.
"I can still look after your studies like this, but our brother, the heir, doesn't have that luxury. You, too, are truly almost at the age to attend."
Sister Heide’s voice softened slightly.
"Once you're healthy, I'm sure you'll enroll as well. Think of this as preparation for that....Now, that’s enough chatting."
At first, we started with simple calculations and reading and writing as a review.
The moment I saw a string of numbers, the answer popped into my head. Even after a three-year gap, I could easily handle basic arithmetic. It seemed I hadn't forgotten my letters either, as the meanings flowed into my mind naturally. It wasn't as if I had been in the middle of learning from ages four to seven; I had mastered the basics by four and used them regularly for reading and shopping. There was no way I could have forgotten them.
"...Rein. You remember everything quite well, despite being away for three years."
Sister Heide said this, sounding surprised.
"It seems you're already perfect at reading, writing, and arithmetic. Well then, let's try this next."
She pulled over another book with a look of slight enjoyment. It was about the history and taxes of this country, as well as how trials were conducted.
"I might be seeing this for the first time."
This time, it wasn't just a matter of remembering. These were all pieces of knowledge I was encountering for the first time in this world. However, it seemed that human nature was not all that different between that world and this one. Cause and effect often led to similar results, and if I followed the logic, I could easily understand even subjects I was hearing for the first time. I did, however, struggle a bit with memorizing years and specific terms.
"...It’s not quite as fast as your reading and math, but you're remarkably quick. Is this really the first time you've been taught this?"
"I just sort of understand it if I think about it."
"That’s amazing. Normally, one doesn't understand it that easily."
Sister Heide laughed, appearing half-amazed. Even though I was studying, I felt happy and enjoyed myself for some reason.
While undergoing rehabilitation, I gradually made up for lost time. The three lost years wouldn't return, but I worked as if to fill that void. The afternoons spent with my family were peaceful and warm, like the fire in the fireplace.