Chapter 77

Aunt Amalia sent over hand-me-downs from the Royal Academy, including uniforms and children’s armor.

“Now I see why the only thing I received at first was a girl’s uniform.”

Since uniforms are worn every day, the cuffs and hems were frayed or shiny from wear. While Racine’s hand-me-downs had been old, the boys’ versions had plenty of snags and loose threads. But I have lifestyle magic! I restored them all to brand-new condition.

“My Lady, your lifestyle magic is truly useful. It seems to me your power has grown even stronger than before.”

Well, that’s because I’m waking up Princess Margaret every morning and helping her get dressed. Plus, I use it for my side jobs… I’m using it constantly! Really!

The children’s armor came in various sizes. The wooden swords also came in small, medium, and large, so I polished them up until they looked new.

“Nasius, Henry, let’s try on the armor.”

I had the two of them suit up. Since they are adjustable with leather straps, it looks like no alterations are necessary.

“Hey, Henry! You mustn’t swing that wooden sword around inside the house!”

Nasius scolded Henry, who was swinging the sword around as if he were already a knight.

“You mustn’t. This isn’t a game.”

That said, boys do love playing at sword fighting. I called George and had them practice in the garden. Good luck, Nasius!

In the meantime, I have to talk to Wyatt. I need to get the two of them their ability checks as soon as possible.

“Wyatt, do you have a moment?”

As always, Wyatt seemed to know exactly why I was there.

“Yes, My Lady. Is there something you require?”

Despite knowing, he asks with a straight face, which makes him seem quite the crafty character.

“I wonder what Father thinks about Nasius and Henry’s ability evaluation. There are practical magic classes at the Royal Academy. They must begin practicing soon.”

Normally, this is something a father should be mindful of, but Patience herself only received her check at the very last minute. Well, I suppose it couldn’t be helped since she was on the verge of death from illness? No, I think other noble children receive theirs much earlier. Prince Keith, for instance, was brimming with confidence. His attitude suggested he had been practicing for a very long time.

“Indeed. I shall inform the Viscount and contact the church.”

Two gold coins is a painful expense, but it’s a necessary one. I suspect Henry is the Physical Enhancement type, so it’s better if he can use his magic before starting formal swordsmanship training.

Two gold coins really is a lot, isn’t it? Wyatt quietly presented four broken antiques. I’ll restore them to brand-new condition. Sell them for a high price, okay! Honestly, aren’t there a lot of broken antiques? I wonder if he’s buying broken things cheaply at flea markets. If there’s a flea market, I’d love to go.

The next day, Father took my brothers to the church. Apparently, boys don’t need a lady’s maid to accompany them. Mary and I had already prepared their formal clothes.

“Now, we must celebrate!”

We even celebrated during last year’s poverty. There’s no way I wouldn’t do it for my darling little angels.

“Nasius loves pears, so a pear tart.” That’s decided.

“Henry loves meat, so I’d like to splurge on a big steak, but…”

Eva shook her head. A big steak is impossible. But it’s fine. We just have to increase the volume.

“Eva, mince the meat finely with a knife. Also, finely chop some onions and sauté them. Tear up some stale bread and soak it in milk.”

Yes, it’s Salisbury steak (hamburg), where you bulk up a small amount of meat with onions and bread.

“Mix the ingredients in a bowl, divide them into portions, round them out, and flatten them. Fry them in a pan, and they become Hamburg Steaks. For the sauce, use a tomato base and reduce it with the juices from the pan. I’ll leave the side dishes to you.”

Leaving the cooking to Eva, I cut some roses in the greenhouse. They are roses that could sell for a high price, but this is a celebration.

A tablecloth was spread over the dining table. I arranged the roses in a low centerpiece. I saw this in a table setting in my previous life. Apparently, if you arrange them too high, you can’t see the person across from you. I want to be able to see my brothers’ faces clearly.

I also had Mary help me change into a dress. It’s an occasion, after all. Now that Patience is getting proper nutrition, her cheeks have filled out and she’s become quite cute. Before, she was skin and bones and her eyes were the only thing that stood out. Her eyes are still large, but they don’t look gaunt anymore. Yeah, I look pretty good.

The carriage returned. I went to greet them at the entrance.

“Welcome back.”

I headed to the dining room with Father and my brothers.

“Nasius, Henry, congratulations.”

Henry looked at the roses and said, “They’re beautiful,” with joy. Nasius looked worried and asked, “Big sister, is this alright?” He knows I sell the roses for a high price. I’m sorry for making you worry about money at such a young age. Father noticed the roses, but he doesn’t seem to know about the money situation. He was raised as a pampered son of a Viscount, after all.

“It’s a celebration for the two of you.”

Once we were seated, Father spoke, which was rare for him.

“Today, Nasius was granted Wind Magic and Henry was granted Physical Enhancement Magic by the God Estena. Congratulations.”

He usually doesn’t seem very devout, but he seemed happy that they successfully received their magic. I was relieved too. Almost all nobles receive magic, but there are always exceptions.

“Now, let us eat.”

The appetizer was a vegetable pâté. The soup was a cream of turnip soup. And the main course was the Hamburg Steak.

“Big sister, this is delicious!”

Henry, eat until you’re full, okay?

“This is soft and easy to eat.”

It seems Father likes it too.

“Big sister, what region does ‘Hamburg Steak’ come from? It sounds like a place name.”

Oops, Nasius, that’s tricky.

“Oh, I just imitated a dish I ate at the high-class dining hall (the Salon).”

I talked my way out of it. Sorry, the Granger family doesn’t have the money to eat at the Salon yet, so he won’t find out. Sob.

Dessert was the pear tart. The pears were poached in syrup (compote), sliced thinly, and arranged beautifully. Eva is truly skilled at thin slicing.

“Wow, a pear tart!”

It’s Nasius’s favorite. If I don’t serve it now, when would I?

“Big sister, it’s so yummy!”

Henry, no one is going to take it away, so you don’t have to eat so fast. Nasius is savoring it slowly. Sweets are still a luxury for the Granger family.

“I shall teach you both how to use your magic.”

Nasius, who has Wind Magic like Father, should be fine. I wonder if Father can teach Henry at least the basics of how to use his. Perhaps because he was lectured by his sisters, Father is being quite proactive. It’s a good trend. I just hope he keeps this momentum and finds a job.