Chapter 35

Teatime was over, but Henry had become completely overexcited by what was essentially his first-ever experience with sweets. While Patience and Nasius had lived the life of normal nobles in their early childhood, Henry was born right as Father was dismissed; he has known nothing but poverty. This might have even been the first time he’d ever eaten sugar.

“Henry, you’re being too noisy,” Nasius said, looking up from his book to scold him, but the high-speed sprinting didn’t stop.

“He’s having a sugar high.”

You don’t hear about it much in Japan, but in American family dramas, there were often scenes where kids ate candy at night, acted up, and couldn’t sleep. His blood sugar spiked, and now he’s hyper. At this rate, he won’t be able to sleep tonight.

Then I remembered: there’s a great piece of equipment that allows for exercise indoors even on rainy days. Better yet, it could be made using only things already in the manor.

I had George make six handles and assembled three jump ropes. I took Henry, who was still running circles, and Nasius, who did nothing but read, out into the garden.

“Sister, what is this?”

“Is it a toy?”

The first jump rope in this other world. Patience, of course, had never used one. I hadn’t used one since middle school myself.

“You jump like this.”

However, I hadn’t forgotten what I’d once learned.

“First is a basic jump. Then there’s the running jump. The crossover. And the double-under.”

Huff, puff… Patience needs exercise too. With this little physical stamina, it’s no wonder she died of pneumonia. The cold played a part, but still.

“Henry, you’re good at this! Nasius, don’t give up. If you practice, you’ll be able to do it too.”

I felt that Henry’s talent probably lies in Physical Reinforcement magic. As for Nasius, perhaps he has Wind magic like Father? I need to save money so I can get them an aptitude evaluation soon. I wanted to stay and watch the two of them continue their practice, braving the cold wind, but I had things to do. I had to make other sweets.

I wrote out recipes for cookies and pound cake and handed them to Eva.

“Ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand.”

Since Mary wouldn’t allow me to go near the fire, I could only watch after handing over the recipes.

For dessert at dinner, we had thinly sliced pound cake. Eva is really good at slicing things thin. Well, since it would be a problem if Henry got another sugar high before bed, maybe this amount was for the best.

“It’s Sunday. I have to go back to the dorms already.”

I’ve been feeling gloomy since morning. To change the mood, I sowed the strawberry seeds Mary had bought for me with my brothers.

“Sister, aren’t strawberries harvested in the spring?”

Yes, Nasius is a clever boy.

“Yes, that’s right. But since we have a greenhouse, I think they’ll grow.”

“Are strawberries yummy?”

“Henry, surely you’ve eaten them before?”

I was shocked by his response.

“He was likely too young and forgot. We haven’t eaten them these past few years,” Nasius explained.

I see. Fruit was also a low priority.

“When the strawberries are ready, let’s pick them together.”

While I was spending this precious time with my brothers, Mary came to call for me.

“My Lady, a court lady from the Palace has arrived. Oh! Look at you, you’ve got mud on you!”

I looked at the flustered Mary and said, “It’s fine. Be cleansed!” using my Household Magic to show her.

“Thank goodness. She is waiting in the drawing room. Please hurry.”

I hurried, worried she was being kept in a freezing drawing room, but Wyatt had already made George start a fire. It’s still cold, after all.

“Forgive the wait. I am Patience Granger.”

Even when in a rush, a noble lady must never let it show. I greeted her as if I were accustomed to receiving court ladies from the Palace all the time.

“I am Charlotte Evans, a court lady serving at the Palace. I have come today to deliver a gift from Her Majesty the Queen.”

A gift? But I already received a basket full of eggs and sugar?

“Please read this.”

The letter I was handed said: Please practice the Hanon and let me hear a new song again. Ugh, the thought of having to go to the Palace again made me feel depressed.

“Where shall we place the Hanon?”

I was startled by the court lady’s question.

“Eh? A place for the Hanon?”

“Yes, was it not mentioned in Queen Victoria’s letter? She took a liking to Lady Patience’s performance and said you should practice.”

While I stood there bewildered, Wyatt the butler was already giving instructions to the Palace servants to set the Hanon by the window in the drawing room. From Patience’s memories, I realized that was exactly where the Hanon used to be kept.

“I will write a letter of thanks to the Queen. Please wait a moment.”

In my room, I relied on Patience’s manners to write a thank-you note and gave it to the court lady to take back.

“I’ve got the Hanon now, but… I feel like I’m falling deeper and deeper into a trap.”

I became worried that I might never be able to quit being Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting. Moreover, it was terrifying that the Queen knew we didn’t have a Hanon in our house.

“I thought I wanted to stay as far away from royalty as possible…”

But worrying about the future only gets you so far. After all, I never expected to end up in another world in the first place.

“Now, Nasius, Henry, let’s practice the Hanon.”

I taught them the scales to fix my mood. If I didn’t do something like that, I wouldn’t be able to endure the week at the dormitory.