43 — Chapter 43

On the morning of the Aoba Festival, I wake Princess Margaret as usual. I offer a prayer to the God Estena that one day she might wake up and get dressed on her own. I’ve started praying a bit more lately, ever since my prayer that Prince Keith wouldn’t get “snitched” on for his solo outing came true. It feels a bit like visiting a shrine for New Year’s back home.

Our morning routine is well-established now, so things move quickly.

“It’s the Aoba Festival; would you like a different hairstyle today?”

The students who commute from home usually have their hair in ringlets or fluffy styles even on normal days. For the festival, they’re likely to wear flashy ornaments.

“You’re right. Since there’s a recital, let’s add a little decoration.”

She handed me a green ribbon hairpiece from her vanity, the color matching her eyes.

“What a lovely ribbon.”

I usually just do a half-up style, but I decided to try adding a bit of braiding, the way Mary does.

“My, Patience, you are quite dexterous. You could become a court lady.”

Since “court lady” is one of my potential career paths, I’ll take that as a compliment. Though, I’d really rather not be the official “Princess waker” forever.

Our Music Club performance is first on the schedule. After that is the Chorus Club, then the Music Club’s second slot. After the lunch break, it’s the Drama Club, Chorus Club, Music Club’s third slot, and finally the Chorus Club again. I really want to see the play; there’s no TV or radio in this world, after all.

“How shall we spend the rest of the day?”

Normally we spend meals and after-school time together, but during class hours we go our separate ways. I asked for her preference since she’s usually in class with her own schoolmates.

“We perform in the first slot, so we’ll head to the auditorium right after breakfast. Catherine and the others will likely be watching the Knight Club matches this morning. We could listen to the chorus, and I’d like to hear the second Music Club recital as well.”

In other words, since her friends aren’t around in the morning, I’ll have to stay by her side the whole time.

“You’re free to go see other clubs’ presentations in the afternoon.”

Princess Margaret truly loves music, so she probably won’t leave the auditorium all day. I want to see the play, but I also want to scout out the other clubs. I saw “Alchemy Club” in the pamphlet; I’m dying to see what that’s about. There was no alchemy in my previous life. I’m incredibly curious.

A Hanon had been set up on the auditorium stage. Albert was busy bossing around the school servants. The program stand listed the pieces to be played. During my turn, President Melissa will flip the pages for me, but for the rest, it’s my duty as an underclassman.

“Let’s leave him to it.”

Princess Margaret sat toward the back with President Melissa, keeping her distance from the noisy Albert. As her lady-in-waiting, I sat in the row behind her.

“Albert is certainly enthusiastic. He’s always a bit odd, but today he’s at a dangerous level,” Melissa remarked.

Her bluntness nearly made me burst out laughing. He really is at “max tension.” Just watching him is exhausting.

Clang! Clang!

The bell for the start of the first period rang. That meant the Aoba Festival had officially begun. Students and parents began to trickle into the auditorium seats.

We moved backstage. My heart started thumping. As a second-year, I’m the first to play. Some club members had complained that people wouldn’t come because we overlapped with the Knight Club, but to me, it looked like a full house.

“Patience, go out on stage once my greeting is finished.”

President Melissa gave a very dignified greeting and flipped the first page of the program stand on the wing of the stage.

Amidst the applause, I walked out, gave a graceful bow, and sat at the Hanon. I’ve loved “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations” since my previous life. I love the way the notes start flying around like actual twinkling stars halfway through.

“Minute Waltz” is such a cute piece, too.

And “Träumerei”… that’s a song they used to play for me during naps when I was little. It always makes me feel nostalgic.

I managed to finish playing and stood up to bow.

“Splendid!” A voice boomed out even over the sound of the applause. One parent was standing up, looking quite excited. I quickly flipped the program page and retreated backstage.

“My, the applause won’t stop. How troublesome,” Melissa said, looking pleased at the reception. There were even shouts for an “encore.” That booming voice from before was likely that parent—they were wearing very flashy clothes, so perhaps a high-ranking noble?

“Of course it won’t stop. These are brilliant new songs. But my new song is brilliant too,” Albert declared.

By school year, it should have been the third-year Princess Margaret next, but Albert, as a fourth-year, went first (despite our official “status doesn’t matter” rule). His new song was incredibly technical. It reminded me of a “Transcendental Etude” from my previous life. After such an intense piece, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” felt very soothing.

I went out during the applause to flip the program. It’s a bit embarrassing. Next was Princess Margaret. Her new song was refreshing and perfect for the Aoba Festival. She played the “Turkish March” with great vigor, and since she had practiced the “Minuet” thoroughly, it received a huge ovation.

Finally, I flipped the program for the last time. The closer was President Melissa. Her new song felt grand; it made my heart feel liberated. The “Für Elise” that followed actually highlighted a surprisingly maidenly side of her.

“This concludes the first Music Club recital. The second one will take place after the Chorus Club. We will be announcing different new songs then, so please come and listen.”

The first recital ended with thunderous applause that made the auditorium shake. My part is over, so I can finally relax. Time to enjoy the Aoba Festival!