Chapter 39

I managed to go out into the town.

Once that exhausting lunch was over, Princess Margaret headed off to her Art class. Since I’ve already received my Certificate of Completion for Art, I am exempt. It was time to set out for the town at last!

However, the guards at the school gate were a bit intimidating. It’s only natural for security to be tight at an academy where royalty and nobility study. I figured as long as I acted like I belonged, there shouldn’t be a problem.

“Right, I’ve never actually walked through these gates before.”

I’ve always been in a carriage. Even if the horse was a rental, the carriage bore the Granger family crest. That was a free pass, but I worried they might say something if I were on foot. I had even simulated a confident response—“I’m just heading out into town for a bit”—but I passed through without a hitch.

I suppose dorm students must head out quite often.

“Now, I wonder where the shops are?”

The Royal Academy is right next to the Palace. The area immediately outside the gates is the aristocratic district. It’s nothing but massive mansions, and that’s not exactly what I wanted to see. Deducing that things would get more “common” the further I got from the Palace, I headed south. Patience is not used to walking. I really need to work on my stamina. Even as I walked and thought, it was still just mansion after mansion.

“Noble estates are just way too big.”

It takes several minutes just to walk past a single property. I didn’t even reach any shops during the 4th-period window. But after what felt like an hour of walking, the houses started getting a bit smaller.

“Is that a shop over there?”

I discovered my first shop in another world! As I drew closer, I saw it was a bookstore. I have more books than I know what to do with at home, and the library is full of them, too. But since it was my first discovery, I went inside. I wondered if they allowed browsing. Were there any manga, or just serious books? I went in with high hopes, but there were very few books on the shelves, and they all seemed to be technical texts. Disappointing. Onward to the next!

Perhaps because I was wearing the Royal Academy uniform, no one scolded me even as I wandered around looking at books. It seemed I’d be fine in other shops too.

“Isn’t there a shopping district or something? There are so few people walking around.”

I should have been out of the aristocratic district by now, yet there were no people. And I couldn’t find any more shops. Patience isn’t used to walking, so I was starting to get tired. It’s not like she ever spent her days hopping between bargain sales.

“Drat, I should have asked at that bookstore earlier.”

I was just too nervous in my first “other world” shop. Plus, books are expensive so I couldn’t buy anything, which made it awkward to ask. Usually, you’d buy some gum at a convenience store before asking for directions, right?

After walking and grumbling for what felt like thirty minutes, I finally reached a spot where several shops were clustered together.

A grocery store, a liquor store, a butcher, a florist… It didn’t seem ideal for research, but I decided to peek into the grocery store and the florist. As for the butcher, seeing whole carcasses hanging was too much for both Patience and me, so I passed. I can’t drink yet, so I skipped the liquor store too.

The grocery store had strawberries, but the ones in my greenhouse at home were redder and prettier. They were quite expensive. Maybe I should sell mine? But my brothers love them so much… it’s a tough choice.

By the way, eggs and sugar were priced at levels the Granger family could never afford. I really have to thank the Queen.

Since the manor’s garden is so large, maybe I should grow flowers? I peered into the florist with that thought, only to find the prices were sky-high! I see, it’s only just the beginning of spring. If I grow flowers in the greenhouse during winter, I might make a fortune!

If I can stockpile enough preserved food before this winter, maybe I’ll devote half the space to roses? Thinking of this, I headed back to the Academy.

“I wanted to see clothes, accessories, and knick-knacks too. Maybe next time I see those girl students, I’ll ask them for shop recommendations?” While I was thinking these idle thoughts and passing through the gates, Prince Keith spotted me.

“You! Where have you been?”

You really didn’t need to stick your head out of the carriage window and yell. It draws attention.

“I was just taking a short stroll,” I said, feigning innocence as I headed inside. I hope he keeps quiet about it… but Prince Keith isn’t exactly known for reading the room.

“Please don’t say anything in front of Queen Victoria or Princess Margaret.”

I offered a prayer to the God Estena, but then I remembered my prayers hadn’t been answered before.

“Whatever happens, happens!”

No use mulling over it. Besides, there’s no guarantee Prince Keith even remembers who I am.

“And tomorrow, I get to see my Angels!”

I thought I’d be too worried to sleep, but my body was so exhausted from walking that I slept soundly (and elegantly). I’ve finally gotten used to this way of sleeping.

While waiting for Mary, I planned to ask whether the horse is a morning rental or if it’s based on an hourly rate. Finding shops on foot is tiring and inefficient. If it’s a morning rental, I plan to persuade Mary to take a slight detour so I can look at clothing shops and such. But then, that would mean less time with my brothers. I hate that!

“Still, even just seeing the grocery store and the florist was good for understanding the cost of living. And I got some ideas for making money with the greenhouse…”

I had been wishing for a horse so I could leave the dorms and commute from home. But honestly, quitting my job as Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting is likely impossible. If the horse rental is for the whole morning, I could even give Nasius some basic riding lessons.

While I was agonizing over this and that, Mary arrived to pick me up. I felt a pang of guilt, as if I had somehow betrayed her. Even if I broke the “curse” of the lady’s maid system, I can’t betray Mary’s trust.

I can’t just go out to town whenever I feel like it. I have to involve Mary.

And I definitely need to build up some stamina! Spring is here. I need to use my exempt class hours not just for studying, but to train Patience’s body. Fortunately, the Academy grounds are incredibly vast. The roses will be beautiful soon. I’ll think positively—taking walks will be good for me—and I decided to forget all about the incident with Prince Keith.