54 — Chapter 54

I was utterly defeated by Princess Margaret’s mental attack, but perhaps because I’m in a ten-year-old’s body, I’ve recovered quickly. Yes, lately I feel like I’m gradually becoming younger—mentally, that is. I really don’t want to experience puberty twice… Ah, thinking about that just reminded me of all my failures from my previous life.

These wild mood swings might also be a symptom of adolescence. Wait, why am I thinking about such stupid things? It’s obviously because Prince Keith just barged into our carriage.

“Sister Margaret, I don’t know why Brother Richard is so angry, but I simply cannot stay in the same carriage as him anymore.”

When the carriages stopped for a break after lunch, Prince Keith forced his way in. Now, Court Lady Charlotte is stuck in the same carriage as the furious Prince Richard. My condolences to her.

“Keith, I have meant to tell you this for a while, but you often make remarks that upset people. Brother Richard is particularly sensitive to slips of the tongue, so do be careful.”

Yes, exactly. But please, do something about the grumpy Prince Keith yourself. Wait, don’t look at me to fix it!

“Princess Margaret, I heard the Summer Palace is near the ocean, but I have never seen it before. Is it truly filled with water as far as the eye can see? And is it also true that the seawater is salty?”

Acting like an innocent ten-year-old is tough when your mental age is twenty-five.

“You’ve never seen the ocean? Don’t tell me you can’t swim, either?”

Prince Keith’s mood brightened by making fun of me, but if he doesn’t fix that habit, he’s going to trigger Prince Richard’s wrath again.

“Oh, Patience can’t swim? That won’t do. Keith, you must teach her.”

“Yes, Sister. Even Jane can swim a little. Besides, if you fall into the water and can’t swim, you’ll die!”

I’d rather avoid taking swimming lessons from an over-eager Prince Keith, but since I could swim in my previous life, I’m sure I’ll manage.

“Oh, I can smell the sea! Look, Patience, you can see the ocean!”

Mary, please don’t scold me for leaning out of the carriage. It’s Prince Keith’s fault!

“Ah, is that the ocean? Isn’t it a bit small?”

“Don’t be silly, it only looks small because it’s far away. You’ll be shocked by the size as we get closer.”

Prince Keith’s mood is soaring now that he can brag about the ocean to me. Good for him.

The ocean was huge. I knew that. But this is my first time seeing an ocean in another world. Plus, it’s just so beautiful.

“The ocean isn’t going anywhere, even if you don’t stare at it so intensely. Look, we’re arriving.”

I had been focused entirely on the sea, but I was startled when I turned my eyes toward the Summer Palace. It’s massive!

The procession of carriages stops, and the Queen enters the palace. Naturally, we follow. Mary hurries off with the other court ladies and maids to their respective rooms along with our luggage. Princess Jane and Prince Marcus are accompanied by their tutors and nannies here as well.

We wait in the salon until the rooms are ready. Of course, the Queen’s room was prepared immediately, and she headed there with her ladies. Left behind are the grumpy Prince Richard, the high-spirited Prince Keith, and Princess Margaret. Please stop gesturing with your eyes for me to “do something.”

“The ocean truly is vast. But is it really salty? Ah, so that’s why salt is made from the sea, then.”

Three pairs of exasperated eyes turn toward me. Ah, was I being too obvious?

“Patience, salt comes from rock salt, obviously. You really are sheltered.”
Princess Margaret scolds me.

“Eh? Can’t you get salt by boiling seawater? I know about rock salt, but I heard sea salt is mellow and delicious.”

Prince Richard suddenly took the bait.

“Where did you hear that salt can be obtained from seawater?”

“Um, well… I feel like I read it somewhere. Is that not the case?”

Prince Keith mocked me.

“Salt is mined at the rock salt quarries of Mount Halla. You may be good at your studies, but you lack common knowledge.”

Ah, I see. I didn’t know about Mount Halla.

“But the reason you can find rock salt on Mount Halla is because it used to be the ocean a long time ago, right? The seabed rose to become a mountain, and the seawater there solidified. Therefore, you should be able to make salt from seawater.”

Prince Richard began to think seriously.

“I see… seawater is salty. If you heat it, the water evaporates and leaves the salt behind!”

Wait, did they only use rock salt in this world? Oops.

“Patience, let’s try an experiment.”

Well, I suppose it’s fine since Prince Richard’s mood improved, but this doesn’t seem like a simple matter. Salt monopolies are usually a matter of national interest. There’s likely a huge profit to be made, but if the Granger family—who has already been dismissed—gets involved, we’d be blown away. So, I’d just like a tiny bit of an “idea fee.”

Ah, I want money. I can’t do my side jobs at the Summer Palace. Plus, I’ve left the backyard garden entirely to George.

Wait, if I make salt and take it home, I can save a bit of money. Salt is necessary for preserved foods, after all.

My motivation is so stingy compared to Prince Richard, who wants to make salt for the good of the country, but the Granger family is poor!

Princess Margaret’s room was finally ready, the Princes left, and Mary finally came to fetch me.

“Milady, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“There was no need to rush. I was just watching the ocean from the window.”

Yes, I was watching the seawater—the source of my future wealth. At the very least, I want to make enough salt for the Granger family to use. The problem is how to bring it back. I wonder how much I can fit in my trunk?

My worries really are petty. Even though I’ve come to another world, I have no connection to grand adventures or making a fortune. I guess it’s because I can only use lifestyle magic.