56 — Chapter 56

In the morning, after having Mary help me get ready, I head over to wake Princess Margaret. This is because Queen Victoria told me last night, “Patience, please make sure Margaret isn’t late for breakfast.” Good grief.

I had already instructed Princess Margaret’s maid, Sophie, to have tea ready last night.

“Princess Margaret, please wake up.”

Sophie and Court Lady Charlotte are both trying to wake her, but the Princess is in a deep slumber.

“Please wake up.” I cast lifestyle magic to stimulate her blood circulation while waking her.

“Good morning.” To the finally awake Princess Margaret, Sophie offers the freshly brewed tea.

“As I thought, Patience is gifted at waking people. I wonder if you know of any other court ladies who are skilled with lifestyle magic?”

To the tea-sipping Princess, I cast another lifestyle magic spell: “Become beautiful!” I figure I can leave the rest to Sophie now.

“I shall head to the dining hall ahead of you.”

As I leave the room, I am intercepted by Court Lady Charlotte.

“Lady Patience, how exactly did you wake Princess Margaret?”

“With lifestyle magic. It is the only magic I can use, after all.”

It’s a slightly specialized version of lifestyle magic, though. Honestly, I really want to resign from being the Princess’s alarm clock. Charlotte looks quite desperate—she must have struggled to wake her over the weekend.

“I can use lifestyle magic as well, but I cannot do what you did. Please, show me how.”

I really want Charlotte to be the one to successfully wake her.

“Professor Jefferson said that lifestyle magic can achieve anything. Therefore, Lady Charlotte, you can do it too if you try your best. I believe the reason Princess Margaret struggles to wake up is due to low blood pressure.”

Does the concept of low blood pressure not exist in this world? Ah, it seems Charlotte doesn’t understand. Her eyes are darting around.

“Um, it’s similar to how women with poor circulation get cold hands and feet on a chilly day, making them hard to move. While sleeping, the flow of blood becomes sluggish, making it difficult to wake. That is why I cast lifestyle magic to improve that flow.”

Charlotte mutters, “Improve the flow of blood?” still looking confused.

“You can improve circulation even without lifestyle magic. Using hot steamed towels or massaging the legs should also help stimulate awakening.”

Finally, Charlotte’s face brightens.

“Oh, I can certainly arrange that! So I just need to massage the legs? Maids often do that for ladies who are exhausted from dancing at balls, so Sophie should be used to it.”

Please, do your best! If this works, I’ll finally be liberated from wake-up duty.

After breakfast, while relaxing in the salon, the nannies brought in Princess Jane and Prince Marcus. Oh, they are so cute. Princess Jane is like a miniature Margaret, and Prince Marcus is like a tiny Keith.

“Good morning.”

They greet the Queen and politely receive their morning kisses in turn.

“Jane, Marcus, this is Patience, Margaret’s lady-in-waiting. She will be with us at the Summer Palace, so do get along with her.”

Ugh, Princess Jane and I are almost the same height. I’m only slightly taller.

“Princess Jane, Prince Marcus, my name is Patience.”

Wait, is that it? The nannies are already taking them back to the nursery. For the first time, I felt glad that the Granger family is poor. Well, I don’t like being poor, but only getting to see your siblings for a fleeting second like that is far too lonely.

“Margaret, Keith, I believe you should study this morning. Margaret, Mathematics and needlework; Keith, the Classics.”

The Queen is strict even during summer vacation. While I was observing this like it was someone else’s problem, the sparks flew my way.

“Patience, you must also learn the lute, dancing, riding, and swimming.”

Just as Princess Margaret’s “misery loves company” plan was set in motion, Prince Richard called for a halt.

“Leave that for later. Patience, about the matter we discussed yesterday—I wish to try it immediately.”

Oh, am I saved? But Queen Victoria looked a bit skeptical.

“Richard, what do you intend to do? Patience is Margaret’s lady-in-waiting.”

Even Prince Richard, the future King, seems to have a weakness for the Queen. He has to follow proper protocol with her.

“Margaret, I wish to test with Patience whether salt can be made from seawater. Would you lend her to me for a short while?”

It seems Princess Margaret decided to let Prince Richard owe her a favor.

“Very well. I shall lend Patience to my brother while I am studying. But remember, we have lute practice in the afternoon!”

The Queen nodded, “That is fine.” Good grief—I wonder which will be more exhausting: lute practice or salt-making?