Chapter 32

I sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace, reading through the course requirements.

“I always hated filling out course registration forms,” I thought, as memories of my university days in my previous life resurfaced. But more important than nostalgia was deciding on a course.

First, the Knight Course was a definite pass. You can’t be a knight if you can’t even ride a horse.

“Can I take the Mage Course even with only Household Magic? Wait… alchemy?”

Since coming to this world, I’d known that magic existed and had seen it used in practical exams, but I hadn’t known about the scientific side of things.

“I see. Creating magic tools that use magic stones to boil water, clean toilets, or provide light… that’s all alchemy.”

The Civil Servant Course had law classes, but there were also interesting subjects like economics and foreign languages. Since I’d ended up in another world anyway, I wanted to travel. Monsters are scary, but I’m sure I could hire guards.

Winter in the Kingdom of Lawrence is freezing. When I get older, I want to live somewhere warm. This might be trauma from my first experience in this world when I nearly died of cold.

“But I’m also interested in alchemy. It’s so romantic.”

“And what exactly are you interested in?”

I jumped out of my skin.

“Lady Margaret! Why are you here?”

I was shocked to find Princess Margaret sitting on the modest sofa right in front of me, looking around the room with curiosity.

“I waited and waited, but you never came to my room. I knocked several times and there was no answer, so I let myself in. Now, what are you interested in? Oh, the Middle School course requirements. Are you actually planning to skip a grade into Middle School?”

“No, it’s still a long way off… I was just thinking about which course I might take once I get there.”

Princess Margaret smiled. I had nothing but a bad feeling about this.

“You know, Patience… I suspect you could skip ahead to Middle School as early as next year.”

I felt like a frog being stared down by a snake. Does Princess Margaret have the same “Intimidation” aura as Prince Richard?

“If possible, I would like to…”

I’m an idiot! If I do that, I’ll become classmates with Princess Margaret. I’m truly a fool.

“However, I still have much to study, and I am quite poor at dancing…” I stammered, breaking into a cold sweat as I tried to explain why it was impossible.

“Oh, dancing has nothing to do with skipping grades. Besides, if you’re bad at it, you just need to practice. Now, what was it you were interested in?”

At this point, it seemed I had no choice but to be honest.

“I was planning to take the Civil Servant Course, but I found myself drawn to the alchemy classes in the Mage Course.”

Princess Margaret beamed. Her smile was terrifying.

“You can still take alchemy classes even if you’re in the Civil Servant Course. Besides, I’ll be in the Brideship Course, so you should just take that as well.”

I felt like crying as she made this suggestion with a bright, cheerful face.

“That’s impossible! Taking both the Brideship Course and the Civil Servant Course? I wouldn’t have any room left for alchemy.”

“Now, Patience. You’ve already basically secured Certificates of Completion for Magic Practicum, Home Economics, and Music, haven’t you? And aren’t you planning to get one for Math, given that you’ve already borrowed the textbooks from the teacher?”

Letting her into my room was a massive mistake. She’d seen right through me because of those Middle School math books.

“Besides, people do take two courses. My brother Richard is taking both the Knight Course and the Civil Servant Course.”

I’m starting to get annoyed by how perfect Prince Richard is. I actually felt a tiny bit of sympathy for Prince Keith.

“This is wonderful. Mother’s intuition truly is amazing. This means we’ll be classmates next year! And since you’re skilled enough to get a certificate in math, you must teach me.”

The delighted Princess Margaret dragged me back to her special suite and made me practice the new song on the Hanon for an eternity.

With my mind in a muddle, I tried to calculate how many subject certificates I’d need to take two courses, and when I made a fingering mistake, Margaret scolded me. I felt like I was being kicked while I was down.

“You must practice properly, or you’ll embarrass yourself in front of Mother on Friday.”

I learned that it’s actually possible for your breath to stop out of pure shock. I felt like I was about to die a second time.

“What exactly do you mean by that?” My “Patience Manners” remained perfect. Even though I wanted to scream, “Whaaaat?! I haven’t heard anything about this!” it was translated into an elegant question.

“Oh, did I not mention it? Mother sent a letter saying she wished to see the face of the Lady-in-Waiting she chose. You will be accompanying me when I go back to the Palace this Friday.”

Margaret’s words about “showing off the new song” barely registered.

Nasius, Henry… seeing you two this weekend was supposed to be my only support—my oasis.

“Um, but I really must return to my home…”

My wish to avoid the Royal Palace was completely ignored.

“I shall see to it that you are sent home properly afterward.”

I don’t know exactly when that will be, but at least it sounds like I’ll get to see my brothers. I had no choice but to accept it for now.

From then on, I practiced desperately. Perhaps because the original Patience was cheering me on with a “Do your best!” I was soon able to play the Mozart sonata smoothly. I’d finally gotten used to the Hanon, too.

Dinner that night proved that when it rains, it pours. I ended up at the same table as Prince Richard.

“Brother, Patience is aiming for Middle School next year! We shall be classmates.”

Ugh, I haven’t even managed to skip the grade yet; I really wish she’d stop burning my bridges for me. But as a Lady-in-Waiting, I could only listen in silence.

“I see. Patience truly is exceptionally gifted.”

Even his words of praise felt like dirt being piled onto my metaphorical grave.

“Thank you very much,” I replied, doing my duty.

“Furthermore, Patience intends to get a Certificate of Completion for Mathematics. She plans to take two courses in Middle School: Brideship and Civil Service!”

Great. Not only were the bridges burned, but the moat had been filled in, too.

“I see. You have a grand ambition. Work hard.”

I don’t have a “grand ambition.” I just wanted to skip a grade so I could have more time with my brothers.