Chapter 73

I’ll play with my younger brothers during winter break.

I wanted to ask Mary about the marriage proposal, but there was only one maid in the house, so I couldn’t just barge in. Besides, it wasn’t the kind of conversation to have in the maid’s quarters, so I decided to wait until she came to help me get ready before dinner.

So—let’s make the most of today. I’ll study in the morning. My dad helps me a lot with my lessons, so I plan to teach Hanon, art, and dance.

“I’m going to teach you Hanon, so please light a fire in the fireplace in the reception room.”

The Granger family can’t afford to keep a fire burning in an unused room, but they light it when necessary. We let the children draw in their room until the living room warms up. It’s easier to teach dance when music’s playing, after all.

I wish I had more paint.

I do piecework at home, painting miniature pictures on tea sets, but I only have a tiny amount—hardly enough to practice. Paint is expensive!

“Sister, are the practical subjects at the academy art, music, magic practice, and physical education?”

Nasius, who’ll enroll next year, sounded curious.

“Yes. In first-year art you can pass by drawing, but to get a completion certificate you have to be proficient with paints. For music you can pass if you can play an instrument. Dance is tough—you usually need to be good at leading. And physical education includes equestrianism and swordsmanship, so you’ll have to work hard.”

Nasius nodded, accepting that passing the horsemanship and swordsmanship exams would be unlikely. He looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, big sister. I’m so inadequate. I can’t get a horse or a tutor yet.”

“So it seems you won’t be able to skip a grade.”

I tried to comfort him; he looked disappointed.

“No, if you pass the magic practical exam you can skip a grade. Get your abilities checked at the church soon so you can start practicing. Let’s talk to Father about it.”

My father acted like he didn’t want to talk about marriage prospects and retreated to his study right after breakfast. That’s just how he is. I told Nasius I’d speak to him, but since there’s also the matter of the donation—gold coins—it might be quicker to talk to Wyatt.

“The reception room should be warm by now. Let’s practice Hanon and dancing.”

Thinking dancing first might warm us up, the three of us started downstairs, but the reception room was occupied. Mary bustled about, cutting roses from the greenhouse and decorating the room.

“Are you a customer?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, but the reception room is unavailable.”

The reception room is for receiving guests, so there was nothing we could do. The three of us went back to the children’s room.

“Do you really have guests coming to your house?”

I’d thought the Granger family, having been dismissed from their jobs, wouldn’t have visitors.

“Lately we’ve had guests occasionally. Every time that happens, my studies with Father are interrupted, which is a problem. I can’t study subjects like math without his help, so during those times I study Japanese instead.”

Nasius is so serious. If I were a kid I’d take it as an excuse to have fun.

“I don’t like it when guests come because it puts Father in a bad mood.”

“Hey, Henry. You shouldn’t say things like that. Speaking ill of customers is bad manners.”

After Nasius scolded him, Henry apologized. “I’m sorry.” He’s truly an angel.

But I couldn’t help wondering who the customer was who’d upset Father. They wouldn’t come to the poor Grangers just to borrow money, would they? Mary was decorating with roses that were clearly for sale, so whoever this was had to be a person of some standing. Maybe a relative who brought Father’s old uniform? Maybe they’d sneer at him for being fired? I wanted to say something sharp too, but I held myself back—sarcasm toward your father isn’t done in this world.

I kept playing with my younger brothers while my mind wandered. This time we were making beanbags to play with indoors. You can make them from scraps of fabric; I’m stuffing ours with rose hips since it would be a waste to use red beans. I dry a lot from the garden for rosehip tea. I’m not putting in beans or anything edible—what a waste that would be.

Beanbag juggling might seem like a girly game, but there are lots of ways to play. You can juggle several at once, or pick them up one by one from a pile on the floor.

“This is how you increase the number.”

Nasius watched with wide, amazed eyes like someone watching a magic trick—so cute. Henry couldn’t wait to try, bouncing with impatience—also adorable.

While we juggled, I heard a commotion downstairs and guessed the guests had arrived, but my little brothers mattered more to me.

Surprisingly, Nasius managed two balls quite well and was reaching for a third; his serious gray eyes were utterly endearing.

“Oh, I made a mistake. Sister, could you show me how to do it again?”

If anyone asked me that, I’d happily demonstrate a hundred times.

Even two is difficult for Henry. He kept trying and failing and looked discouraged. He’s probably a physical-enhancement type, but he can’t seem to control it for fine motor skills. He managed to jump rope right away, but juggling requires more precise control.

I managed to use everyday magic by mimicking the tingling I felt when I touched that disc at the church, so I want to get those two tested as soon as possible. I need to talk to Wyatt about it!

We could play jump rope over winter, but I’d like something all three of us can play. Stilts might be fun, but we don’t have bamboo—maybe a rocking horse? We don’t own a horse yet, but a rocking horse would help develop balance. Still, my little brothers would probably beat me right away; their patience doesn’t last long.

That’s right, a classic from light novels. With round pieces painted black and white and a wooden board, you can play Reversi. Even I can win at that—I know the tricks. Oh, could I make money with it? Reincarnated protagonists always seemed to profit from schemes like this. I was punished for thinking such things.