Chapter 25

I thought I’d been saved by the dinner bell, but boy, was I wrong.

“Oh, it’s dinner time. Well then, let’s finish our talk after we eat.”

It seems I’m expected to be her conversational partner even after dinner. I’m terrified of just how many more demands she’ll make. The thought of being stuck together for club activities after school is painful, too. Club activities aren’t every day, right?

I followed Princess Margaret down from the third floor, walking diagonally behind her. I was mimicking the way Mary always accompanies me.

There’s a proverb that says, “Step three paces behind and do not tread on your master’s shadow,” but if I stay that far back, I can’t exactly hold a conversation.

As soon as we reached the dining hall, Prince Richard invited us: “Margaret, eat with me.” The hurdles are high from day one.

“Thank you, Brother. This is perfect timing. This is Patience Granger, my lady-in-waiting whom Mother chose.”

Wait. Those words sounded a bit different than they did earlier.

“I see. If Mother chose her, then I am at ease. Patience, see that you serve Margaret well.”

“I am Patience Granger. It is an honor to meet you,” I greeted him. Prince Richard accepts a lady-in-waiting chosen by Queen Victoria without question. These social rules are hard for me to grasp.

I lined up with my tray behind Prince Richard and Princess Margaret. Ugh, I’m standing out. Royalty is used to being the center of attention, so they probably don’t mind, but it’s exhausting for me.

Just when I thought we’d finally sat down, Prince Keith joined in. “Brother Richard, Sister Margaret, I’ll join you.”

“What are you doing here?”

Princess Margaret explained, “Patience is my lady-in-waiting, chosen by Mother.”

“Make sure you take good care of her,” Keith said pompously, though he didn’t seem to object. Well, I suppose he has no interest in his sister’s attendants.

I felt like I didn’t even taste my food during that royal dinner.

After eating, I asked Princess Margaret about her club schedule in her room.

“Tuesday and Thursday. On those days, come to my classroom. Oh, that’s right. Play the Hanon for me a bit.”

She wanted to check my skill level. I wondered if playing poorly would shorten my “on-call” hours? But Patience is far too diligent to slack off like that.

“My, you really are talented. With this, you won’t bring me shame in the Music Club.”

Since it was late, I got away with just one song, but I have a feeling I’m going to be the background music provider on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays when there are no clubs. Sigh.

Finally, the permission came: “You may withdraw.” I can’t even leave without permission. I want to cry.

Patience is screaming that it’s a breach of manners, but I flopped down on my sofa.

“I’m so tiiiired…”

I had zero energy left to read my second-year textbooks. I’ll just take a bath and sleep.

Clang! Clang!

I usually wake up before the bell, but I must have been dead to the world from yesterday’s mental exhaustion. Even in a deep sleep, the “Patience habit” of sleeping elegantly is honestly impressive.

“Wait, do I have to go pick up Princess Margaret?”

Patience insisted, “Naturally,” so I quickly washed my face and changed. I’ve trained myself to be fast at this.

I hurried to the third floor and knocked on the grand door of Special Suite No. 1. I waited for a response, but there was none.

“Surely she isn’t still sleeping… right?”

Last night, Margaret gave me the key to her suite in my capacity as her lady-in-waiting. Is this why?! Eating breakfast together is a duty she requested of me. I timidly opened the door with the key. Princess Margaret wasn’t there. Is she still in bed? No, she must be changing.

“Good morning,” I called out, but there was no reaction.

My hope that she was awake was betrayed. I knocked on the bedroom door.

“Lady Margaret, good morning. It’s Patience.”

I raised my voice quite a bit to wake her.

“Good morning…”

It seems she’s finally awake. Good grief. Did she not hear the bell? I hope she can change before the breakfast bell rings… wait, it’s quiet again. Did she fall back asleep?!

Even when I knock, it’s silent. Is waking her up part of the job too? If I don’t get her up and dressed, we can’t eat breakfast together.

“Lady Margaret, excuse me.”

Wow, she really is asleep. Is she so used to having maids and court ladies around that she can sleep even when someone enters? This is no time for idle thoughts. The breakfast bell just rang. At this rate, I’m going to miss out on food too.

“Lady Margaret, please get up!”

I shouted to wake her.

“Good morning! The breakfast bell has already rung. Please get ready quickly!”

I hurried her as she sluggishly climbed out of bed.

“Patience, my hair, please.”

After washing her face and finally putting on her uniform, she sat dazed in front of her luxurious vanity. It seems she has low blood pressure.

“Would last night’s hairstyle be acceptable?”

I quickly brushed her hair with a brush featuring a delicate miniature painting on the back, pinned it in a half-up style, and secured it with the clip that was on the vanity.

“Now, let’s head to the dining hall.”

A lot of time had passed since the bell. Since I usually head to the hall immediately, I was worried if there would even be food left.

“You don’t need to rush so much; it’ll be fine,” Margaret said airily.

We managed to make it in time, but most of the students had already finished. I made a mental note to go to her room even earlier tomorrow. If I was expected to wake her, I wish she’d told me last night.

Princess Margaret left most of her breakfast untouched. I ate mine in record time.

“Now, we must head to class,” said the ever-graceful, ever-leisurely Princess.

I’ve been breaking out in a cold sweat since morning. While walking up the stairs, I chanted “Be cleansed!” with Household Magic, and immediately felt refreshed.

“Oh, Patience. You have such a convenient spell. I’ll be counting on you starting tomorrow.”

Wait… so you have no intention of waking up on your own tomorrow either, do you? And you plan to make me help you get dressed every day. I didn’t know being a lady-in-waiting would be this exhausting! I curse you, Queen Victoria!