Chapter 27

Clang, clang!

Language class has ended. This subject is a breeze for Patience, but it seems I personally still need to study. By the time I become a third-year next year, I want to be able to skip grades without relying on her! …Though, indulging in such escapism is probably pointless.

With a heavy heart, I head toward the High Hall (Salon). I catch myself thinking about how this is my first time climbing these stairs, but the stares I’m receiving are painful.

“Patience, you’re late.”

Princess Margaret beckons me over, but isn’t that the royal table? I had assumed I would be eating with the other high-ranking noble daughters who are her classmates. Since it’s my first time in the Salon, I had no idea!

“I am terribly sorry for my delay.”

“Come, sit down.”

I see the tables here actually have tablecloths. The lower dining hall and the dorm cafeteria didn’t have them. At home, we lay out a tablecloth for dinner, too. As I was escaping reality to distract myself from the tension of sitting with Prince Richard and Prince Keith, the server presented a menu. There’s actually a menu!

“I’ll have the steak.”

Prince Richard made an immediate decision. Prince Keith followed suit just as quickly.

“Steak.” I guess he’s copying his big brother?

Princess Margaret is reading slowly. Even though it’s a “menu,” it seems you only choose the main dish. Wait—there’s fish! My first fish since being reincarnated. I’ve decided on it, but I’ll wait for Margaret to choose first. A Lady-in-Waiting shouldn’t choose before her mistress.

“I shall have the guinea fowl poêlé. What will you have, Patience?”

“I will have the fish poêlé.”

As I handed the menu back to the server, Prince Keith made a strange face.

“I can’t believe there’s someone who actually eats fish.”

Wait, is fish not good here? I knew Romano was inland and fish was hard to come by, but I didn’t know it was considered unpalatable. I felt a wave of disappointment, wondering if I’d made a mistake with my choice.

“Patience, is it a day of mourning or something?”

Princess Margaret was also making a puzzled face.

“No, I simply haven’t had fish in a while and thought I would like to try it.”

I felt a bit embarrassed. Even when I “Google” Patience’s memories, there’s only a faint scene of her mother teaching her how to eat it.

The appetizer was a vegetable aspic. Very stylish. However, it seems Prince Keith hates vegetables too. He tried to leave them, but Prince Richard scolded him.

“Eat your vegetables. Mother asked us to eat together specifically because she was worried about your pickiness.”

Ah, I see. I doubt Keith’s sycophants would ever correct him. The responsibility has been left to Prince Richard and Princess Margaret.

The soup was a consommé. Unlike at home, they have appetizers and main dishes here, so the soup doesn’t need to be chunky. I drank the soup with the elegant poise ingrained in me by Patience.

“Keith, follow Patience’s example.”

Scolded by Prince Richard, Keith began making noise with his spoon in a fit of pique, earning a sharp look from Princess Margaret. Please, don’t drag me into this. He’s acting like a total brat. If he keeps that attitude up, Richard is going to start using his “Intimidation” aura. I ate my lunch in a state of constant trepidation.

Steak for Prince Richard and Prince Keith, guinea fowl poêlé for Princess Margaret, and finally, in front of me—fish poêlé!

Ah, the etiquette for eating fish is so tedious. Relying on Patience’s instincts, I took a bite.

“Delicious!” I could almost cry. It’s been a month and a half since I came to this world, and this is my first taste of fish.

“Is it truly that good?”

I gave Margaret a firm “Yes” and took a second bite. It really is wonderful! The saltiness of the butter and the lemon are a perfect match.

“Weirdo!” I completely ignored Prince Keith’s insults.

“Perhaps I shall try the fish tomorrow,” Margaret mused.

Prince Richard looked at her in surprise. “Indeed. If one eats with such apparent relish, it does pique one’s interest.”

Prince Richard… was I eating with that much “relish”? I thought I was following Patience’s etiquette to the letter.

“Brother, Sister, do not be deceived. Surely Patience finds anything delicious.”

He was backhandedly mocking me for being a poor noble. But since it’s a fact, it doesn’t bother me. I’m poorer than he could possibly imagine. However, at this rate, Richard’s aura is going to flare up.

“Yes, that is quite true. This is many times more delicious than the fish I have had before.”

I smiled at the server coming to clear the plates. “Please tell the chef that the fish was excellent.”

“Was it truly that good? Then tomorrow, I shall order the fish as well.”

Good grief, I’m glad Prince Richard’s mood has shifted. This is my first dessert since coming to this world; the last thing I wanted was an aura of intimidation being released right next to me.

We have dessert at home for dinner too, but we haven’t reached the point of having “sweets” yet. When spring comes, I’d like to grow strawberries in the greenhouse. Wait—with the greenhouse, maybe I can grow them now?

Filled with buoyant expectations, I quietly closed my mouth and waited. A Lady-in-Waiting must not overstep.

The dessert arrived at our table before the others. A square block sat regally in front of me.

The menu said “cake.” The appetizer, soup, and fish poêlé were all so delicious… but the sweets in this other world definitely need improvement!

It’s sweet! I had been starving for sweets since my reincarnation. But this thing is just a solid block of sugar. Nevertheless, I persevered and finished it all while drinking my tea. Patience is skin and bones, so I really need to put on some weight.

“I don’t know how anyone can eat something so sugary.”

Ah, so even in this world, this cake is too sweet. I wonder if I could make money by opening a confectionery? But I have no money for sugar or eggs, let alone the capital to open a shop.

Not just Prince Keith, but even Prince Richard hadn’t touched theirs. It’s definitely too sweet, but what a waste.

“Do you want it?”

Honestly, I wanted to take it home to my brothers. If it’s this sugary, it would definitely last until Saturday. I almost blurted out “I do,” but I suppressed the urge. The Granger family may be poor, but we are proud. If it’s a souvenir, I’ll just leave some of my own to take home.