Chapter 81

I finally returned from the House of the Count of Northcote. I had intended to spend a fun winter vacation with my brothers, but now there are only three days left. Samuel is cute, too, but he really can’t beat my darling little angels.

Even though I didn’t want to be away from them for a single moment, I received a summons from the Royal Palace. Sob.

I wonder if the Queen found out I returned from the Northcote estate? As I rode in the magnificent carriage sent from the palace, I pondered the various reasons I might have been called. Perhaps she saw through my secret hope of using the reward from the Northcote family to buy a horse?

I wanted to ask Lady Charlotte, who was riding with me, but I knew I’d find out soon enough once I met the Queen.

We arrived at the palace. Still questioning why I had been called, I offered my greetings to Her Majesty.

“Patience, sit here. You’ve skipped a grade to the Middle School, I hear. I had heard as much from Margaret, but you truly are brilliant.”

I’m happy for the praise, but that’s not why I was called, is it? I’m nervous. The Queen handed me a curriculum guide. Once you reach the Middle School, it becomes a credit-based system. I’ve been thinking about what to take myself. However, I hadn’t made any decisions because I couldn’t finalize anything without a timetable or without coordinating with Princess Margaret’s choices.

“Um, is there some problem?”

This curriculum guide belongs to Princess Margaret, doesn’t it? There are circles drawn all over the Home Economics course. Music and Dance are marked with an ‘X’. That’s because she received her certificates and is exempt.

“That girl… aside from the mandatory Cooking and Sewing, she intends to drop all other practical skills.”

The ones circled are Etiquette, Foreign Languages, Childcare, Nutrition, Family Medicine, and Beauty.

“Aren’t Etiquette and Beauty practical skills?”

The Queen smiled. It was scary.

“There is no need to learn etiquette at this late stage. Moreover, Beauty consists of simple contents like light gymnastics, skincare, and how to style one’s hair.”

Well, Princess Margaret has been taught etiquette since she was a toddler, so it might be redundant for her.

“But isn’t that the same for everyone? For me, Mathematics is very simple, yet no one calls that unfair.”

The Queen pondered for a moment.

“That is true. However, I am concerned about her attitude of always trying to take the easy way out. Unlike Richard, Keith, or Marcus, she will one day journey far from my side.”

Indeed, unlike a Prince, a Princess marries away. She is worried about her daughter struggling in her future household.

“I think Dyeing and Weaving look fun, but Princess Margaret likely has no interest in them. Besides, no matter where she is married off to, I can’t imagine she would ever need to do her own weaving or dyeing.”

I didn’t say that she should worry more about waking up in the morning than those things. Surely, it’s just her personal maids who will suffer for it. Once they graduate from the Academy, ordinary noble ladies and noblewomen don’t wake up early. Even the Countess of Northcote ate breakfast in bed.

“You’re right. I may be worrying too much. Let’s leave the matters of the Academy to the girl herself.”

Exactly. After all, even just the mandatory Sewing and Cooking look like they’ll be a handful for her.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to skip grades again soon, Patience, but I ask you to look after Margaret.”

Ah, so I’m expected to take care of her in mandatory Sewing and Cooking. Good grief.

I didn’t see Princess Margaret; perhaps it was meant to be a secret from her. Even though I hadn’t played Hanon for the Queen, the gift basket she gave me was filled with eggs, butter, sugar, and high-quality flour.

“Lady Charlotte, you took the Home Economics course, didn’t you? What level of proficiency is required for mandatory Sewing and Cooking?”

I asked Lady Charlotte as we rode back together.

“In Sewing, we made one-piece dresses and gowns. I was poor at cooking myself, but as long as one doesn’t skip classes, you should be able to receive the credits.”

I see, so for Cooking, you just have to show up. In that case, I’ll make sure she attends diligently. Princess Margaret isn’t clumsy. As long as she has the patience to sew a dress, she should be fine.

“Are there any other subjects I should watch out for?”

Lady Charlotte thought for a bit before speaking.

“The Home Economics course is basically ‘bride training,’ so it isn’t particularly difficult. In my time, Foreign Languages was the subject people struggled with most. However, the first week is orientation; if you think it’s too difficult then, you simply don’t have to submit your registration for that course. Or, you’re supposed to be able to drop it midway through. You’d just need to take other credits.”

It’s similar to a university system. In that case, I’ll try taking Alchemy, and if it seems impossible, I just won’t take it for credit.

“That was very helpful. Thank you.”

In my case, the only mandatory subject left for the general track is Dance. But I also have to take the mandatory subjects for both the Home Economics and Civil Servant courses. Those can’t be skipped. I won’t know exactly what I can take until I see the timetable. I’ll secure the mandatory ones, then Princess Margaret’s electives, then the electives for the Civil Servant course. And after that, maybe Alchemy?

Thinking about how the Middle School timetable will look gives me a headache. At this time, I had forgotten that Lady Charlotte had graduated four years ago. Due to my father’s influence, the Academy had accepted the ability-based class system, and I didn’t know that even the “bride training” Home Economics course had undergone subtle changes.

Furthermore, I am poorly versed in the common sense of this world. I didn’t quite grasp why the Queen felt such anxiety and called for me. Princess Margaret is turning fourteen. While I knew that Princesses are married off for political reasons, I didn’t yet fully understand what that implied. Marriage proposals for Princess Margaret were pouring in from all directions.

Winter vacation ended, and I had to go to the dormitory. I was overcome with grief at parting from my brothers. While I was glad to have improved relations with my relatives, I was in agony, wishing I could have spent much, much more time studying and playing with them.

“Big sister, the riding instructor is now going to come on Sundays as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays. That means you can continue your riding training, too!”

Nasius shared this shocking news with a happy face. Surprisingly, Nasius seems to love riding practice. Furthermore, though he still loses to Henry in swordsmanship, his skill is improving rapidly under Sir Saries’s guidance. It seems he won’t be a dropout in the Royal Academy’s physical education classes.

“I… didn’t know that.” Truly!

“Now you’ll be able to ride a horse too, big sister!”

Henry’s smile is too dazzling. He doesn’t suspect for a second that I hate riding.

“Yes, that’s right. I think it would be good exercise for Father to ride as well, not just me.”

I’ll drag Father into this. Holed up in his study all the time isn’t healthy. The reason for his dismissal was noble, but I still want him to work eventually. To that end, I want to build up his physical strength.

“You’re right! I’ll invite him next time the instructor comes.”

Nasius seemed to understand my meaning. It really is unhealthy for Father to be cooped up in the study all the time.

“Yay! I get to ride a horse with Father!”

Henry, please stay pure-hearted forever.

I kissed them both and climbed into the carriage. Ah, I won’t see them for another week. It’s so sad.