Chapter 119

On Sunday morning, I studied with my younger brothers. Usually, Father seems to look after their studies, but I also need to study law and administration.

Henry already seems bored with studying. Yeah, my concentration is dropping, too. Nacius is still focused. Yep, he’s a smart one.

“Alright, let’s get a little exercise.”

It’s cold out, but we jump rope in the garden. After all, Patience needs to build up her physical strength. But Nacius has gained a lot of stamina. That’s thanks to his horseback riding and swordsmanship training.

“Ah, I completely forgot.”

That’s right—even though they’re relatives, I wanted to give something to the Viscount Satisford and Earl Monteracide families as a token of thanks. That said, the Granger family has no money to spare. I try to picture the faces of Aunt Amalia, my cousin Racine, Aunt Charlotte, and Aunt Liliana. Yeah, unlike our house, they have everything. Being so poor, I just don’t know what they’d want.

“Right, Samuel is coming this afternoon, so I’ll ask him.”

Well, a 10-year-old boy probably doesn’t know what his mother wants. By the time Samuel arrived at the house, I had completely forgotten about it anyway.

“Samuel, welcome!”

Samuel’s eyes light up when he sees the Hanon piano in the drawing room.

“Patience, this Hanon is beautiful.”

He actually has quite a good eye.

“Yes, I received this Hanon from the Queen.”

“I see. You rarely see a Hanon this beautiful.”

Ah, right. Let me ask him.

“Samuel, you wouldn’t happen to know what Aunt Liliana wants, would you?”

Ah, Samuel pouts his lips.

“Of course I know that much. Mother loves beautiful things. She’s never satisfied no matter how many jewels or beautiful dresses she has.”

That sounds impossible for us.

“I see. Well, Aunt Liliana is very pretty, after all. Now then, Samuel, I’m going to play, so please help me transcribe it into sheet music.”

Gathering my thoughts, I play a new song for the Glee Club.

“Patience, that’s wonderful.”

Samuel is completely spellbound listening to it.

“Samuel, I’m happy you’re praising me, but I need you to write down the sheet music.”

With that, Samuel smoothly begins writing the music down.

“My, Samuel, aren’t you a total genius?”

He finishes writing one song in no time at all.

“If I memorize it, I can write it. Are you different, Patience?”

“Just because you can do it doesn’t mean others can. In that case, I’ll play the next one.”

I play a few more songs, and he writes down the sheet music for them.

“Let’s take a short break. They’re 9 and 7 years old, but do you mind if we have tea together with my younger brothers?”

Samuel tries to act cool, saying, “I suppose that’s fine,” but he has a happy look on his face.

“Nacius, Henry, this is Samuel from the Earl of Northcote’s family. Greet your cousin.”

When Nacius and Henry greet him, Samuel returns the greeting.

“Now, let’s have tea.”

The tea is made from fine leaves Wyatt procured from somewhere. For the treats, I arranged the gift Samuel brought us. I cut the crunchy-sugar cake into small cubes, mixed them with diced strawberry and pear compote, added yogurt, and served it in small bowls. Yep, if the yogurt were custard cream, it’d be a trifle.

“Wow, what a pretty treat!”

Henry is so honest.

“Hmm? Isn’t this the cake I brought?”

Samuel really is sharp.

“Yes, I arranged the gift you brought us, Samuel. It’s easier to eat this way, right?”

“Well, it looks cute, I suppose.”

Is that his way of complimenting it? I scoop up a spoonful and eat it.

“Yep, delicious.” Dear me, what a relief.

After that, I let the three boys play together.

“Jumping rope is fun. You can play this by yourself, too.”

“Don’t say such a lonely thing. You can come over anytime, you know.”

He turns his head away with a “Hmph,” but Samuel’s ears are bright red. Yep, even a prickly boy is cute.

Ah, wait, the riding instructor is coming, too! I completely forgot.

“Now, I have to get ready to head to the dorms. Nacius and Henry, do your best in your riding practice.”

I tried to run away, but Samuel caught me.

“Patience, it’ll be trouble if you can’t at least ride a horse.”

Both Nacius and Henry are staring right at me. Oof… I shouldn’t run away just because I’m bad at it, right?

“I’ll practice just a little bit.”

From then on, Samuel strictly pointed out all my flaws. I definitely don’t regret letting him play with my brothers instead of making him write sheet music the whole time… well, maybe only half-regret it.

“Nacius, if you try a little harder, you can join the Riding Club, too.”

“Oh, did you join the Riding Club, Samuel?”

“Yeah, since we don’t have to take care of the Knight Club’s horses anymore. Daniel, Bardish, and Klaus joined, too. The Music Club is fun, and though I just joined the Riding Club, it seems fun, too.”

I’m glad he seems to be enjoying his academy life.

Henry eagerly asks what they do in the Riding Club. Samuel is actually pretty good at taking care of others. He’s enjoying riding horses with Nacius and Henry. I really need to get ready for the dorms soon.

“Samuel, I’m heading to the dorms, but could you teach Nacius and Henry a little more about riding?”

It seems Samuel actually wanted to play more, too.

“Nacius, Henry, I’ll teach you how to jump obstacles.”

“Yay, I want to jump, too! Sister, have a good trip!”

“I’d like you to teach me, too. Sister, please take care of yourself.”

Ah, their goodbyes are gradually becoming so lighthearted. As your big sister, I feel a little lonely!