Chapter 82

Nasius POV

I am Nasius Granger. I suppose I am the heir to the House of Viscount Granger. Why do I sound so unsure of myself? It’s because my family is so poor that I’m not even certain if we should be calling ourselves a “Viscount’s House.”

My father, Viscount William Granger, used to serve His Majesty at the Royal Palace. I’m sorry, but I don’t remember those days. I am nine years old now, and since it seems my father was dismissed five years ago, my four-year-old self has no idea what happened.

I only have hazy memories of my kind mother, who passed away when I was six. I was left at home with four-year-old Henry at the time, so we didn’t attend the funeral.

Since then, my sister Patience, who is two years older than me, has looked after me and my younger brother in Mother’s stead. It was Sister Patience who taught me and Henry our letters and numbers. Mother was often unwell and we couldn’t see her much. Henry barely remembers Mother at all. That’s why Sister Patience and I tell him so many stories about how gentle and kind she was.

Truth be told, I don’t remember Mother quite as well as Sister does. But that’s a secret. I wouldn’t want to see a sad look on Sister’s face.

A year ago, Sister fell gravely ill. She used to give us a morning kiss every day, but suddenly she wasn’t there at breakfast.

“Where is Sister?” I asked Father, but he only replied, “She seems to have caught a cold.” Foolishly, I believed him. But the next day, and the day after that, Sister didn’t come for breakfast, or lunch, or to say goodnight.

“Big brother, where is Sister?”

I couldn’t let six-year-old Henry be afraid. I am the older brother. I have to protect Henry just as Sister protected me!

“She seems to have a cold. I’m sure she’s staying away because she doesn’t want to pass it to us.”

I answered him, but since I didn’t believe the words myself, I couldn’t brush away Henry’s anxiety.

Then, a doctor was called to our poor house. I peeked out from the nursery and saw the back of the doctor dressed in black; I was suddenly reminded of the time Mother passed away.

Is Sister going to die too?!

I was too anxious to sleep. I thought I would have to raise Henry all by myself from now on. After all, Father is quite unreliable when it comes to daily life. Mother and Sister used to say so. Ah, keep it a secret that I overheard that.

But Sister recovered. I knew it from the bright look on Mary’s face. It was thanks to the doctor. I decided then that I would become a doctor in the future!

After that, Sister was granted lifestyle magic at the church and began to improve our home. Lifestyle magic is a wonderful thing. I wish I could have lifestyle magic too, but according to Father, I will likely have Wind magic like him.

However, Sister has been a bit strange lately. She is so busy that she often seems “forgetful” of things she used to know.

“At this rate, you might be able to become a lady-in-waiting at the palace,” I said, thinking her lifestyle magic would make her a perfect candidate.

“A lady-in-waiting at the palace?” Sister looked puzzled.

“Wasn’t that your wish?” I asked. She replied, “Oh, yes, of course. But deciding to become a lady-in-waiting is something to do after I’ve studied at the Academy.”

She’s right. I was foolish to think Sister would end her career as just a lady-in-waiting. Surely, she is planning much greater things.

“You’re right,” I laughed. With Sister’s brilliance, she might become the first female Minister!

I looked up Wind magic in the library. There are attack spells, but it seems it can be used for healing too. However, the book said that treating illnesses requires Light magic, so I was disappointed that I might not be able to be a doctor.

I also looked up Sister’s lifestyle magic. I don’t know much about magic, but I felt something was off. No matter which book I read, it never mentioned lifestyle magic being able to make old things brand new. Besides, is fixing a broken greenhouse really lifestyle magic? There is no lifestyle magic for growing vegetables, either. But none of that matters. Sister is my dearest sister.

Since she can be a bit forgetful, I have to support her when I grow up. After all, she even forgot that she was supposed to enroll in the Royal Academy!

“In January, you’ll be entering the Academy too, Sister. It’s a happy occasion, but I’ll be lonely,” I said last December. Sister looked genuinely shocked. I don’t think she was acting.

“The Royal Academy is in Romano, so can’t I just commute? So there’s no need to be lonely.”

I was surprised. This was different from what she had said before.

“But you said before that we can’t rent a horse every day, so you’d stay in the dormitory.”

She seemed to suddenly remember. Even when she’s forgetful, Sister is cute.

“That’s true. But I’ll come home on holidays.”

Wait, were you planning to walk home?

“But you can’t do that alone, Sister.”

A noble lady needs a maid to accompany her. But we only have Mary.

“I’ll manage somehow, Nasius. Trust me.”

Of course. I trust Sister. Ever since she started growing vegetables in the greenhouse, there hasn’t been a single night where Henry or I were too hungry to sleep. This winter was cold, but Sister made bedcovers for us.

Still, it was hard when she finally left for the dormitory. I didn’t want to worry her, so I made Henry promise not to cry.

“Take care, Sister.” That was all I could say while trying my best to hold back tears.

“Sister, will you really come home on the weekends?” Henry looked anxious. I gripped my little brother’s hand tightly.

“You two stay healthy and be good,” she said, and then she left for the dormitory in the carriage. I wouldn’t see her for a whole week.

“Big brother, will she really come back?”

Henry was crying. I have to look after him now.

“I’m sure she’ll come back.”

I hugged my little brother to comfort him. I thought I would be the one teaching him, but Father actually looked over our studies for us.

And then, on Saturday a week later, Sister came home.

“Sister!”

Henry and I ran down the stairs.

“Nasius, Henry, have you been well?”

She gave us a big hug. To me, Sister is just like Mother. On top of that, she skipped a grade to the second year in just one week!

“You’re so smart, Sister!” I am so proud of her. The Granger family is a house of scholars. I have to work hard too.

Then Sister became a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret. It’s such an honor, but Sister looked a bit troubled. I wonder if something is wrong?

Around this time, the mansion began to change. First was the toilet. I didn’t even know there was a toilet in the house. I was truly happy. I wonder if Sister did something? I’m not a baby anymore, so I thought using a chamber pot was embarrassing.

She also received a piano (Hanon) from the Queen. I’m learning it from Sister.

Sister also received eggs, butter, and sugar from the Queen, and she made sweets like the ones Mother used to make. Actually, I don’t remember the sweets Mother made. But were they really this delicious? Even Father had a look of wonder on his face.

The three of us picked and ate strawberries grown in the greenhouse. Sister told us we could only eat five each. It’s a shame because they are so delicious.

“Strawberries are so yummy!”

Sister and I were both startled. Ah, right, Henry only knows a life of poverty. He was loud and excited when he ate those sweets earlier, too.

I don’t remember much either, but I at least have a memory of eating strawberries. I decided then that when I grow up, I’ll become a high-ranking official and let everyone eat their fill of delicious things. And I’ll buy Sister many beautiful dresses.

Sister is not only smart but also very good at the piano. She’s in the Music Club and performed a new song at the Aoba Festival. She even wrote fun exercise songs for me when I got bored of the tedious Hanon exercises. I wanted to go to the Aoba Festival, but children aren’t allowed. So Sister held a mini-concert for us. She played her wonderful new song, and Henry and I played nursery rhymes. Father looked happy, too.

For my ninth birthday, Sister baked a wonderful cake. It was a pure white cake decorated with red strawberries. There was one candle lit on it. I had never seen a cake like that before.

“Now, Nasius, make a wish and blow out the candle.”

I didn’t know what Sister was talking about.

“It’s popular among the girls at the Royal Academy. Go on, blow it out!”

I see! I made a wish—I hope the whole family stays healthy—and blew it out. Clap, clap! When Sister started clapping, Henry, Father, Mary, Wyatt, Eva, and George all clapped too. I was so happy!

“Sister, this is the best birthday ever.”

I kissed her. Lately, I felt it was a bit childish, so I only kissed her during greetings, but at a time like this, I wanted to.

Henry and I were looking forward to summer vacation because we could spend time with our dear sister. But she was invited to the Summer Palace as Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting. I was disappointed, but since Father said it was a great honor, I had to be patient.

Mary went with Sister, so she was gone too. But Matthew was hired as an apprentice for George. Matthew works in the backyard garden. George manages the greenhouse. Since they grow vegetables there that sell for a high price, Matthew isn’t allowed inside. Matthew is young, and he let us help with the garden work. In the morning we studied with Father, and in the afternoon we practiced swords with George and helped Matthew in the garden. That’s how we endured Sister’s absence.

Sister finally returned from the Summer Palace.

“Sister, welcome home!” Henry and I ran to her.

“I’m home,” she said, hugging us tight.

“I have souvenirs for you two.”

She gave us beautiful seashells. I have never seen the sea.

“I’ll look them up in the encyclopedia, Sister.”

So these kinds of shells are just lying on the beach.

“This shell is so cool!”

Henry was running around with a white, spiky conch shell. Don’t trip!

“We helped Matthew pick tomatoes and eggplants!”

Sister didn’t know Matthew. She seemed surprised, but I’m sure she’ll get used to him soon.

We spent the rest of summer vacation together.

“When Sister is here, we get to eat delicious food,” Henry said, obsessed with the sweets and soft bread Sister had Eva make. He’s so cute. Henry still doesn’t realize the problems the Granger family faces. He thinks Sister painting designs on tea sets in her room is just a hobby.

I am the heir of the House of Granger. I can’t let Sister be the only one struggling. But I can’t do anything yet except help Matthew in the garden. I want to skip grades and start working as soon as possible.

When the fall term started, Sister went back to the dormitory. But for some reason, I wasn’t as sad as before. I want Sister to enjoy learning at the Royal Academy. When she’s at home, she’s so busy working for our poor family. Even though she’s only ten. That’s right, she’s turning eleven soon. And Henry is turning seven. I want to do something for them. If only I could use lifestyle magic like Sister. All I could give her was a letter filled with my gratitude.

For their birthdays, we had two cakes. Henry’s was like the one from my birthday. Sister’s birthday cake was a pear tart. I love pears. That’s why Sister had it made. I was so happy!

Henry had a very serious look on his face when he blew out his candles. I wonder what he wished for? Sister also made a wish and blew out her candles, but she seemed to have decided on hers long ago. I’m sure it was about our family.

When autumn came, I often saw Sister asking Wyatt or Eva if we had enough firewood or preserved food. Last winter was harsh, so she was worried. She even knitted warm vests for me and Henry.

On a Friday as winter approached, Sister came home from the palace. As a lady-in-waiting, she goes to the palace once or twice a month to see the Queen. After summer vacation ended, she started bringing home two baskets of reward eggs. Sister tilted her head, wondering if it was a reward for helping Prince Richard make salt. This time, there was a large wooden box. It was filled with monster meat. Even the usually calm Wyatt looked happy, saying it was Father’s favorite. Maybe this was the reward? The monster meat was delicious.

Winter arrived, but it’s warmer than last year. And the fireplace is lit. In the morning, Father looks over our studies, but he stops when visitors come. I still can’t do first-year Academy math without Father teaching me. So I studied Literature on my own instead.

I thought it was rare for the Granger house to have guests, but they finally left. When Father came back to the nursery, he seemed to be in a bit of a bad mood. I wondered what happened. Matthew actually told me; he heard it from his aunt, Eva. Apparently, the guests yesterday were Father’s older sisters. I wonder if they aren’t kind like my sister? Or maybe they were angry at Father for being dismissed.

Sister actually skipped a grade to Middle School! She finished the entire Elementary course in just one year. Incredible!

I’m so happy I can spend winter vacation with Sister.

“I’ll teach you Hanon, so light a fire in the drawing room fireplace,” she said. She told us we should study Art in the nursery until the drawing room warmed up.

“I wish we could afford more paints,” she said. Our family can’t afford to buy paints. Sister looked sad. She paints miniatures on tea sets in her room, but Wyatt told me she’s doing that as a side job because the pottery workshop ordered them. I wonder if Father knows?

“Is it true that the practical exams at the Academy are Art, Music, Magic, and PE?” I asked, interested since I’ll enroll in a year. I want to skip grades like Sister.

“Yes. In first-year Art, you pass just with sketching. But to get a certificate, you have to master paints. In Music, you pass if you can play an instrument well. Dance is hard to pass unless you’re good at leading. And PE has riding and swordsmanship, so that takes effort.”

It looks like I won’t be able to pass riding and swordsmanship.

“Then I guess I won’t be able to skip grades.” I was disappointed because I wanted to graduate and start working quickly.

“No, you can skip a grade if you pass the practical magic exam. You need to get your ability check at the church soon so you can practice. I’ll talk to Father.”

Maybe because Sister talked to him, Henry and I received our ability evaluations at the church. I was Wind and Henry was Physical Enhancement. That day, Sister had a feast made to celebrate for us.

After that, for some reason, Sister ended up going to Aunt Northcote’s house, which was a shame since it was winter vacation. But Lady Racine, our cousin and the Viscountess Satisford, started sending an equestrian instructor twice a week, and Sir Saries, our cousin, started coming for swordsmanship training because Aunt Amalia asked him.

Henry is as happy as a fish in water. And it looks like I won’t have to embarrass myself in PE at the Academy next year.

Wait, could it be that this is all because Sister went to the Northcote estate?

Sister said she would teach our cousin Samuel about the Academy since he’s entering this year, but something felt strange. Maybe she was actually tutoring him? Because Sister is so incredibly smart.

Just when I thought Sister had finally returned from the Northcote house, winter vacation ended. That’s right, there was a change in the riding instruction while she was away. I have to tell her!

“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!”

“I didn’t know that,” she said. Sister, aren’t you happy?

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

Sister smiled at Henry’s beaming face.

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

She’s right. I had been neglecting Father’s health.

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

“Yay! I get to ride a horse with Father!” Henry rejoiced innocently.

Sister kissed me and Henry and got into the carriage.

As I watched the carriage go, I thought to myself: It’s been exactly one year since Sister fell ill and was bedridden. It’s been one year since she was granted lifestyle magic at the church. I don’t know which one was the trigger, but I feel like the Granger family has been changing bit by bit ever since that day.