Chapter 109

On Tuesdays, the schedule consists of Geography, Foreign Language, Sewing, and Weaving. Since I am still not used to the Middle School timetable, I check it every morning. Besides, it feels like skipping grades happens easily in Middle School, which leads to frequent changes and makes things rather complicated.

Come to think of it, a week has already passed since that big commotion. Princess Margaret is currently making an effort to wake up early in the morning. Well, she hasn’t actually managed to wake up yet, but she is trying to. That is the important part, right?

While eating breakfast, we check each other’s schedules.

“Geography and Sewing are classes I am taking for the first time.”

I am particularly looking forward to Geography. I want to learn more about this alternative world.

“Sewing is a lot of work. Also, we can take Foreign Language together today.”

Foreign Language is fun too. This foreign language feels a bit like Classical Studies.

“Do you think Prince Keith truly intends to take both the Knight Course and the Civil Servant Course?”

Princess Margaret doesn’t seem to quite grasp the implication.

“Is there some kind of problem with that?”

“No, it is just that the foreign language, which is an elective for the Civil Servant Course, feels quite similar to Classical Studies.”

Princess Margaret tilts her head. She doesn’t seem to see any common ground between Classical Studies and the Dane language.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Classical Studies focuses on the old Imperial language that preceded Emperado. The Dane language feels quite similar to that old Imperial language. Since Dane is located further north than our kingdom, the Imperial language might have been preserved there.”

Princess Margaret ponders this for a moment and agrees, “The grammar might indeed be similar.”

“But the foreign language in the Civil Servant Course is just an elective anyway. If he finds it too difficult, he can simply choose not to take it.”

That is true. More importantly, it’s time for Sewing.

“I heard that the assignment for the spring term is a dress for the Aoba Festival, but what will we be sewing for the autumn term?”

“Oh, you didn’t know? After the Harvest Festival, the Middle School students hold a graduation dinner dance. Therefore, during the autumn term, we sew a dress for that event. Everyone is fussing about how difficult it is because winter fabrics are thick and require a lining. However, some formidable girls say it’s much better than attending a dance in school uniforms.”

I see. Last year, Princess Margaret was still in the Elementary School, so she didn’t participate. At any rate, it seems one cannot pass the Sewing class without making six dresses in total. That is quite a grueling requirement.

The Geography lecture is highly enjoyable, just as Lord Rupert promised. Besides, looking at a map of this alternative world while listening to accounts of its lands is incredibly useful. I would love to travel abroad someday—once I have plenty of money to spare, that is.

For Foreign Language, I paired up with Princess Margaret to practice self-introductions.

“I like music.” Yes, that is completely true.

“I love my younger brothers very much.” This is absolutely true!

“Oh, Patience, is that so?” Ah, speaking our native language has been forbidden during this class.

“Princess Margaret, speaking our native language is forbidden.” See, Professor Morse just cautioned her.

“Yes.” She replies simply. We will need a lot of practice before we can hold more complex conversations.

During lunch, Prince Keith and the others were talking about something regarding the Knight Club. Well, I have no desire to get involved in that, so I shall talk with Princess Margaret about our Sewing class instead.

“Is the fabric for the dresses already provided?”

This is crucial. Though Aunt Charlotte gave me some silk fabric, I don’t want to use it up for six entire dresses. I want to save as much of it as possible to sew shirts for my younger brothers.

“Yes, ribbons and lace are provided as well. Patience, you must first sketch a design and then make a paper pattern from it. Actually, it is much better to look at the available patterns before deciding on a design. At first, I created a wonderful dress design, but I found myself utterly unable to make a paper pattern for it.”

I see. The teacher must have realized that forcing us to create a dress starting from a paper pattern right away was reckless.

“So, we can simply choose a design from the existing patterns and then alter it with ribbons and lace.”

Princess Margaret looks at me in exasperation.

“You make it sound so easy when you say it, Patience. Ah, but there might not be any good fabrics left. Since it is for the Aoba Festival, everyone immediately snatched up the green and blue fabrics.”

That makes sense. Everyone wants to wear colors that look refreshing.

Having safely finished lunch without getting involved in the seemingly troubled topic of the Knight Club, we headed to class.

Just as Princess Margaret had predicted, none of the cool-toned fabrics were left.

“Patience, this is because you missed the first lecture. Just pick one of these.”

Only dark-colored fabrics remain: brown, dark yellow, and a blackish red. They would be perfect for a Harvest Festival, but they are entirely out of place for the Aoba Festival. Just then, a deep navy-blue fabric catches my eye.

“Professor Cameron, are patterned fabrics forbidden?”

“No. For a formal ball, a patterned dress might look a bit too casual for an unmarried young lady, but it is perfectly acceptable for the Aoba Festival. However, patterned fabrics are expensive, so they are not included in the materials for the Sewing class.”

I have just come up with an excellent plan.

“May I use a bit of white fabric as well?”

“Yes, many students use white fabric for the collars or hems, so that is perfectly fine.”

I take the deep navy-blue fabric along with a small amount of white fabric and sit at the table next to Princess Margaret.

“Oh, were those the only colors left? It is a beautiful navy, but it feels a bit heavy for the Aoba Festival.”

Princess Margaret is currently pinning her pattern to some light green fabric and cutting it out. Yes, that color is a perfect match for the Aoba Festival. However, if you don’t pin the pattern down securely, it will slip.

“Princess Margaret, let us pin the pattern down like this before cutting. Furthermore, you will be in trouble if you don’t mark the positions of the darts with tailor’s chalk first.”

Ah, she doesn’t even seem to understand what darts are. I am sure there was a brief explanation during the first class, but I suppose Princess Margaret skipped that lecture too. I feel a slight twinge of guilt.

“Ah, come to think of it, I believe I recall hearing about that.”

Since Princess Margaret takes a two-block slot, she must have been present for the explanation. In that case, it is her own fault for not listening properly. However, as her lady-in-waiting, I cannot allow her to embarrass herself at the Aoba Festival. I must carefully check everything Princess Margaret does!

I decide on a design resembling Christian Dior’s New Look from my past life, since there is a paper pattern that looks highly similar. I will make a slightly wide neckline and attach a large, white boat-neck collar. Then, I plan to turn the fabric into a navy-and-white polka dot pattern. I will do this after cutting out the fabric using the pattern. If I am going to align the pattern, it is much easier to do it after the pieces are cut.

“My word, have you already finished cutting it out?”

“Yes, but the hard part begins now.”

Using lifestyle magic, I cut dozens of tiny circular shapes out of the white fabric. It is a grueling task, but having more white polka dots will make the dress look much cooler.

To sew them on, I need seam allowances. I create a paper mold that is a fraction smaller than the cut-out white circles, place the fabric over it, and use an iron to press the edges into shape. The irons in this alternative world are filled with hot charcoal, making them incredibly heavy.

“My, Patience. This looks like it will become a wonderful dress.”

Professor Cameron praises me as she makes her rounds, noticing my intention after watching what I am doing.

“Yes, I certainly hope so… Professor, should I attach the polka dots before sewing the dress together, or after?”

In my past life, fabrics came with patterns printed on them from the start. I have no idea which method is correct here.

“Normally, it is correct to align the pattern before sewing, but since you are creating the pattern yourself, you will likely achieve a better balance if you attach them afterward.”

In that case, I shall attach the polka dots after sewing the pieces together.

“My arms are shaking.”

Patience truly has no physical stamina. The heavy iron has completely exhausted my arms.

“Oh dear, and to think you have the Music Club today. You must rest your arms during the next class.”

Princess Margaret’s devotion to music knows no bounds, but our next class is Weaving. I keep quiet about the fact that resting my arms will be entirely impossible. We will be weaving with the deep yellow yarn we dyed during our previous coloring class. I am incredibly excited. I would love to weave a pattern that looks like traditional Ki-hachijo silk.