Chapter 116

At the Earl of Angus’s Estate

Prince Richard decided that we should go to the Earl of Angus’s estate to talk with Ralph and Hugo. However, I am a young noble lady. If we were simply talking in our own drawing room, my father’s permission and the presence of my second cousin, Percival, would be enough. Taking me out, on the other hand, required proper procedures.

Prince Richard obtained permission from my father, and Mary was sent along as my maid. Since I was visiting the Earl’s estate, I also needed a gift. I had George make a bouquet of roses for Mary to carry. Dear me, going out is so much trouble.

Since Prince Richard was traveling incognito, we used the carriage belonging to Percival’s family, the Earl of Moran’s estate. Yes, it was much grander than ours. As for the seating arrangements, Prince Richard took the most honorable seat, and surprisingly, I sat right next to him. Even though I am only a viscount’s daughter, I was given a higher seat than Percival, the son of an earl. They are gentlemen, so ladies come first. Opposite us sat Percival and Mary. Mary’s lips were pressed into a tight line—she was clearly nervous.

“Patience, I am truly sorry.”

You really should be! I was just about to play with my younger brothers.

“Not at all. I don’t know if I can be of any help, but I will try talking to Lord Ralph and Lord Hugo.”

After just that brief conversation, the carriage arrived at the Earl of Angus’s estate. It really is close. Come to think of it, the Viscount Granger residence is in a prime location in the royal capital. If we sold it, we could probably afford to send Nacius to the university. I honestly feel like moving to a smaller house a bit further from the palace.

“Oh, Prince Richard…”

Escorted by Prince Richard, I entered the Angus estate. Since they had sent word of our informal visit, there was no grand reception at the entrance, which was a relief. However, the Earl of Angus, Hugo, and Ralph were waiting in the foyer to greet us.

“Your Highness Richard, Lady Patience, Lord Percival—welcome.”

The Earl was a genial man, looking like an older version of Hugo. Since he knew this visit was about the Knight Club, the Countess was not present. As a lady myself, I honestly wished I didn’t have to be there either. After greetings were exchanged, Mary handed the bouquet to the butler.

“My, Lady Patience, what magnificent roses. Our greenhouse cannot bloom roses like these in the winter.”

I know, that’s why they sell for so much.

The drawing room was nice and warm. I really liked the cozy temperature. I was seated next to Prince Richard, while Mary was taken to another room to be entertained. In that case, was a maid’s presence even necessary?

While the Earl of Angus and Prince Richard talked, the rest of us—Ralph, Hugo, Percival, and I—remained silent. Fragrant tea and a cake coated in crunchy sugar were served. I passed on the cake.

After the usual pleasantries, Prince Richard got straight to the point.

“Earl Angus, the reason I brought Ralph here is to discuss the Knight Club.”

The Earl nodded, having already heard the story from Hugo, and prompted the Prince to continue.

“Captain Hammond is trying to take advantage of Keith’s weaknesses. Keith is desperate to participate in the Knight Club matches at the Aoba Festival.”

Ralph and Hugo both nodded; they had likely warned Keith themselves.

“That is understandable for a young prince. After all, the Knight Club matches are the main event of the Aoba Festival.”

Having attended the Royal Academy himself, the Earl understood the situation well.

“However, elementary students’ bodies are not fully developed. That is why it was decided that only middle school students could participate in the Knight Club matches.”

The Earl knew that, too.

“And yet Captain Hammond is offering to let Prince Keith participate just to use him, isn’t he?”

Exactly. The match itself isn’t the problem—the problem is Hammond taking advantage of him, and Prince Keith allowing himself to be used.

“Um, I know nothing about the Knight Club. I was told elementary students can’t participate because their bodies aren’t ready, but isn’t there anything else they could do? Like demonstrating sword forms or having practice matches against other elementary students?”

Percival frowned. He probably didn’t want to break the Knight Club’s traditions. Right, I’m an outsider, so I’ll just stay quiet.

“Lord Percival, please consider Patience’s suggestion. I do not want Prince Keith to be at Captain Hammond’s beck and call.”

Hugo spoke up. So he really had warned Prince Keith after all.

“If it’s just demonstrating sword forms, wouldn’t that be fine for elementary students whose bodies aren’t fully developed?”

So Ralph had failed to persuade Keith as well, and was now trying to convince Percival.

“Do not spoil Keith so much. I have thought this for a while, but Patience is far too soft on him. And so are Ralph and Hugo.”

Prince Richard scolded us. What a stray bullet!

“Now, now, Your Highness. Lady Patience, Lord Ralph, and Hugo are only doing this out of concern that Prince Keith is being used.”

I thought the Earl was just a larger version of Hugo, but he really is an adult. He gently smoothed things over with Prince Richard. See? I really didn’t need to be here. Yep, I’ll just keep my mouth shut. I hate getting scolded.

Wait, the Earl is smiling at me. Did he read my mind? Noblemen in parallel worlds are terrifying.

For the next few tens of minutes, Prince Richard, Percival, Ralph, and Hugo argued back and forth.

My, these tea leaves are top quality—just like the ones in Princess Margaret’s private room. Where did our house get the high-grade tea leaves we served earlier? Yes, the Earl and I were peacefully drinking our tea in silence. I just want to go home and play with my brothers.

The Earl has it rough too, I thought, but then he rang the table bell to summon his butler.

“Prince Richard, would you care for another cup of tea?”

He was trying to reset the conversation after it kept going in circles. Ah, the Earl seems good at negotiations. I should learn from him.

“Lord Percival, I was also a member of the Knight Club during my student days, so I understand your desire to uphold its traditions. At the same time, I recall the longing and impatience I felt as an elementary student. How was it for you, Lord Percival?”

Aha, so the head of the Angus family was in the Knight Club too. I thought Hugo joined as the eldest son just to act as Prince Keith’s lapdog.

“That is… I certainly wanted to participate in the matches back then, but I believed enduring that frustration was also part of a knight’s training.”

Oho, Percival isn’t just handsome; his mindset is quite austere.

“Then I suppose we have no choice but to leave the management of the Knight Club to Captain Hammond. In that case, let us focus solely on preventing him from taking advantage of Keith.”

Since Prince Richard was the Student Council President, he had said he left club management to the discretion of each club’s captain. Wait, couldn’t we use that?

“Prince Richard, wasn’t there a rule in the Student Council regulations prohibiting forcing or coercing other clubs?”

Prince Richard’s eyes lit up.

“That’s right! When I was elected President, I read the regulations from cover to cover. There was a strict rule stating that any club forcing another would be disbanded. It was meant to respect the independence of each club. With this, the Knight Club will be disbanded!”

Gasping and protesting, Percival, Ralph, and Hugo all shouted at once.

“That’s absurd!”

“That is far too cruel!”

“No way!”

I have no interest in the Knight Club, but that really is too harsh. On the other hand, the Magic Club and the Riding Club have suffered actual harm—failing to recruit new members, or having existing members quit.

“Percival, President Rufus must not have read this rule carefully. We shall inform him and have the Knight Club disbanded.”

Prince Richard looked relieved, thinking this would free Prince Keith from Captain Hammond’s control. Um, you just made the problem bigger. Plus, at this rate, it’s going to turn into a fight between brothers.

“While I do not agree with Captain Hammond’s methods, I cannot assist in disbanding the Knight Club.”

For some reason, even the Earl of Angus nodded in agreement with Percival. Prince Richard’s suggestion was clearly stirring the pot, and everyone fell for it. Wait, Prince Richard, please don’t signal me with your eyes. Dear me.

“Well, Prince Keith would be terribly saddened by that. Ever since he enrolled, he has introduced himself by saying he would major in the knight course and join the Knight Club. Please, let us all think of a more peaceful solution.”

From there, the debate continued back and forth, eventually settling on making Captain Hammond take responsibility and resign to avoid disbanding the club.

“I will pass that along to Student Council President Rufus myself. Percival, Ralph, and Hugo, it would be best if you stay out of this. Hammond comes from a military family, so getting on his bad side will only cause trouble later.”

Ralph and Hugo worried that if Captain Hammond resigned, Prince Keith might throw a tantrum.

“Under Student Council rules, the club should technically be disbanded. You must convince him that settling for Captain Hammond’s resignation is a compromise. If you can’t even do that much for a schoolmate, what good are you?”

The Earl is surprisingly strict with Hugo.

“Indeed. Let us have President Rufus announce the disbandment first. Then, we will tell him to submit a petition from the Knight Club along with Hammond’s resignation, making it look as though they barely managed to avoid disbandment.”

Imagining Prince Keith’s huge uproar amidst that impending storm, Ralph, Hugo, and I all held our heads in our hands.

“Patience, I leave Keith’s follow-up to you. You eat lunch with him anyway, don’t you? Listen to his complaints.”

Wait, you’re dumping the whole thing on me?

“I shall leave that to Lord Ralph and Lord Hugo. I am merely accompanying Princess Margaret for lunch as her lady-in-waiting.”

Running away is the best option. Ah, Prince Richard’s smile is deepening. That’s terrifying. Isn’t that intimidation?

“No, I am asking Ralph and Hugo to support him during class, so I will rely on you during lunchtime, Patience. It would be troublesome if he got into a fight with Margaret.”

Perhaps I should have made ‘Become a woman who can say NO!’ my New Year’s resolution for this year. Here is a clear and simple English translation of the story:

At the Earl of Angus’s Estate

Prince Richard decided that we should go to the Earl of Angus’s estate to talk with Ralph and Hugo. However, I am a young noble lady. If we were simply talking in our own drawing room, my father’s permission and the presence of my second cousin, Percival, would be enough. Taking me out, on the other hand, required proper procedures.

Prince Richard obtained permission from my father, and Mary was sent along as my maid. Since I was visiting the Earl’s estate, I also needed a gift. I had George make a bouquet of roses for Mary to carry. Dear me, going out is so much trouble.

Since Prince Richard was traveling incognito, we used the carriage belonging to Percival’s family, the Earl of Moran’s estate. Yes, it was much grander than ours. As for the seating arrangements, Prince Richard took the most honorable seat, and surprisingly, I sat right next to him. Even though I am only a viscount’s daughter, I was given a higher seat than Percival, the son of an earl. They are gentlemen, so ladies come first. Opposite us sat Percival and Mary. Mary’s lips were pressed into a tight line—she was clearly nervous.

“Patience, I am truly sorry.”

You really should be! I was just about to play with my younger brothers.

“Not at all. I don’t know if I can be of any help, but I will try talking to Lord Ralph and Lord Hugo.”

After just that brief conversation, the carriage arrived at the Earl of Angus’s estate. It really is close. Come to think of it, the Viscount Granger residence is in a prime location in the royal capital. If we sold it, we could probably afford to send Nacius to the university. I honestly feel like moving to a smaller house a bit further from the palace.

“Oh, Prince Richard…”

Escorted by Prince Richard, I entered the Angus estate. Since they had sent word of our informal visit, there was no grand reception at the entrance, which was a relief. However, the Earl of Angus, Hugo, and Ralph were waiting in the foyer to greet us.

“Your Highness Richard, Lady Patience, Lord Percival—welcome.”

The Earl was a genial man, looking like an older version of Hugo. Since he knew this visit was about the Knight Club, the Countess was not present. As a lady myself, I honestly wished I didn’t have to be there either. After greetings were exchanged, Mary handed the bouquet to the butler.

“My, Lady Patience, what magnificent roses. Our greenhouse cannot bloom roses like these in the winter.”

I know, that’s why they sell for so much.

The drawing room was nice and warm. I really liked the cozy temperature. I was seated next to Prince Richard, while Mary was taken to another room to be entertained. In that case, was a maid’s presence even necessary?

While the Earl of Angus and Prince Richard talked, the rest of us—Ralph, Hugo, Percival, and I—remained silent. Fragrant tea and a cake coated in crunchy sugar were served. I passed on the cake.

After the usual pleasantries, Prince Richard got straight to the point.

“Earl Angus, the reason I brought Ralph here is to discuss the Knight Club.”

The Earl nodded, having already heard the story from Hugo, and prompted the Prince to continue.

“Captain Hammond is trying to take advantage of Keith’s weaknesses. Keith is desperate to participate in the Knight Club matches at the Aoba Festival.”

Ralph and Hugo both nodded; they had likely warned Keith themselves.

“That is understandable for a young prince. After all, the Knight Club matches are the main event of the Aoba Festival.”

Having attended the Royal Academy himself, the Earl understood the situation well.

“However, elementary students’ bodies are not fully developed. That is why it was decided that only middle school students could participate in the Knight Club matches.”

The Earl knew that, too.

“And yet Captain Hammond is offering to let Prince Keith participate just to use him, isn’t he?”

Exactly. The match itself isn’t the problem—the problem is Hammond taking advantage of him, and Prince Keith allowing himself to be used.

“Um, I know nothing about the Knight Club. I was told elementary students can’t participate because their bodies aren’t ready, but isn’t there anything else they could do? Like demonstrating sword forms or having practice matches against other elementary students?”

Percival frowned. He probably didn’t want to break the Knight Club’s traditions. Right, I’m an outsider, so I’ll just stay quiet.

“Lord Percival, please consider Patience’s suggestion. I do not want Prince Keith to be at Captain Hammond’s beck and call.”

Hugo spoke up. So he really had warned Prince Keith after all.

“If it’s just demonstrating sword forms, wouldn’t that be fine for elementary students whose bodies aren’t fully developed?”

So Ralph had failed to persuade Keith as well, and was now trying to convince Percival.

“Do not spoil Keith so much. I have thought this for a while, but Patience is far too soft on him. And so are Ralph and Hugo.”

Prince Richard scolded us. What a stray bullet!

“Now, now, Your Highness. Lady Patience, Lord Ralph, and Hugo are only doing this out of concern that Prince Keith is being used.”

I thought the Earl was just a larger version of Hugo, but he really is an adult. He gently smoothed things over with Prince Richard. See? I really didn’t need to be here. Yep, I’ll just keep my mouth shut. I hate getting scolded.

Wait, the Earl is smiling at me. Did he read my mind? Noblemen in parallel worlds are terrifying.

For the next few tens of minutes, Prince Richard, Percival, Ralph, and Hugo argued back and forth.

My, these tea leaves are top quality—just like the ones in Princess Margaret’s private room. Where did our house get the high-grade tea leaves we served earlier? Yes, the Earl and I were peacefully drinking our tea in silence. I just want to go home and play with my brothers.

The Earl has it rough too, I thought, but then he rang the table bell to summon his butler.

“Prince Richard, would you care for another cup of tea?”

He was trying to reset the conversation after it kept going in circles. Ah, the Earl seems good at negotiations. I should learn from him.

“Lord Percival, I was also a member of the Knight Club during my student days, so I understand your desire to uphold its traditions. At the same time, I recall the longing and impatience I felt as an elementary student. How was it for you, Lord Percival?”

Aha, so the head of the Angus family was in the Knight Club too. I thought Hugo joined as the eldest son just to act as Prince Keith’s lapdog.

“That is… I certainly wanted to participate in the matches back then, but I believed enduring that frustration was also part of a knight’s training.”

Oho, Percival isn’t just handsome; his mindset is quite austere.

“Then I suppose we have no choice but to leave the management of the Knight Club to Captain Hammond. In that case, let us focus solely on preventing him from taking advantage of Keith.”

Since Prince Richard was the Student Council President, he had said he left club management to the discretion of each club’s captain. Wait, couldn’t we use that?

“Prince Richard, wasn’t there a rule in the Student Council regulations prohibiting forcing or coercing other clubs?”

Prince Richard’s eyes lit up.

“That’s right! When I was elected President, I read the regulations from cover to cover. There was a strict rule stating that any club forcing another would be disbanded. It was meant to respect the independence of each club. With this, the Knight Club will be disbanded!”

Gasping and protesting, Percival, Ralph, and Hugo all shouted at once.

“That’s absurd!”

“That is far too cruel!”

“No way!”

I have no interest in the Knight Club, but that really is too harsh. On the other hand, the Magic Club and the Riding Club have suffered actual harm—failing to recruit new members, or having existing members quit.

“Percival, President Rufus must not have read this rule carefully. We shall inform him and have the Knight Club disbanded.”

Prince Richard looked relieved, thinking this would free Prince Keith from Captain Hammond’s control. Um, you just made the problem bigger. Plus, at this rate, it’s going to turn into a fight between brothers.

“While I do not agree with Captain Hammond’s methods, I cannot assist in disbanding the Knight Club.”

For some reason, even the Earl of Angus nodded in agreement with Percival. Prince Richard’s suggestion was clearly stirring the pot, and everyone fell for it. Wait, Prince Richard, please don’t signal me with your eyes. Dear me.

“Well, Prince Keith would be terribly saddened by that. Ever since he enrolled, he has introduced himself by saying he would major in the knight course and join the Knight Club. Please, let us all think of a more peaceful solution.”

From there, the debate continued back and forth, eventually settling on making Captain Hammond take responsibility and resign to avoid disbanding the club.

“I will pass that along to Student Council President Rufus myself. Percival, Ralph, and Hugo, it would be best if you stay out of this. Hammond comes from a military family, so getting on his bad side will only cause trouble later.”

Ralph and Hugo worried that if Captain Hammond resigned, Prince Keith might throw a tantrum.

“Under Student Council rules, the club should technically be disbanded. You must convince him that settling for Captain Hammond’s resignation is a compromise. If you can’t even do that much for a schoolmate, what good are you?”

The Earl is surprisingly strict with Hugo.

“Indeed. Let us have President Rufus announce the disbandment first. Then, we will tell him to submit a petition from the Knight Club along with Hammond’s resignation, making it look as though they barely managed to avoid disbandment.”

Imagining Prince Keith’s huge uproar amidst that impending storm, Ralph, Hugo, and I all held our heads in our hands.

“Patience, I leave Keith’s follow-up to you. You eat lunch with him anyway, don’t you? Listen to his complaints.”

Wait, you’re dumping the whole thing on me?

“I shall leave that to Lord Ralph and Lord Hugo. I am merely accompanying Princess Margaret for lunch as her lady-in-waiting.”

Running away is the best option. Ah, Prince Richard’s smile is deepening. That’s terrifying. Isn’t that intimidation?

“No, I am asking Ralph and Hugo to support him during class, so I will rely on you during lunchtime, Patience. It would be troublesome if he got into a fight with Margaret.”

Perhaps I should have made ‘Become a woman who can say NO!’ my New Year’s resolution for this year.