Chapter 84

The rented horse pulled the carriage energetically, and we arrived at the Academy in no time. Since I’ve built up a bit of physical strength, I feel like I could almost make it here on foot now. Well, that might be thanks to the equestrian training I did during winter break. I was forced to do it every single day at the House of Northcote, after all.

Mary headed back to our mansion after organizing the clothes I had brought back for the break. Princess Margaret will likely arrive at the dormitory by dinner.

If I had the timetable, I could decide which subjects to take… but I’m sure it’s already been finalized. I wonder if I can get one at the staff room?

I still don’t like the staff room. However, without a timetable, I’ll be in trouble. Most students only take one course, but I’m taking two. In other words, it’s complicated. I enter the staff room hoping I’ll be lucky enough to get one.

“Oh, if it isn’t Patience.”

Mr. Kepner, who was my homeroom teacher for Class 2-A, called out to me. He really is easy to talk to.

“Is the timetable ready?”

Mr. Kepner thought for a moment and smiled.

“Ah, right, you’re taking two courses, aren’t you? I’d say that sounds difficult, but since you’ve already received certificates of completion for all mandatory subjects except Dance, you should be fine. I plan to distribute them during homeroom tomorrow, but I’ll give you one now.”

I received a timetable that summarized several pages. I took the opportunity to ask a question.

“I have already received a certificate for Home Economics, but do I still have to take the mandatory Cooking and Sewing classes for the Home Economics course? Also, if I have time, I’d like to take Embroidery, Dyeing, and Weaving, but I’d be troubled if I were granted certificates for those too easily. Is it possible to create a lot of works?”

Mr. Kepner, a History teacher, wasn’t well-versed in the Home Economics course. He looked around the staff room and spotted Mr. Jefferson, the Lifestyle Magic teacher.

“Mr. Jefferson, Patience’s questions are beyond me. You’re quite close with the teachers from the Home Economics course, aren’t you? Please enlighten her.”

Mr. Jefferson, a robust noble lady with white hair, wore a kind smile and patted the chair next to her, urging me to sit.

“Yes, I would be delighted to tell Patience Granger anything she needs to know.”

Mr. Kepner returned to his seat, leaving the rest to Mr. Jefferson.

“Mr. Jefferson, this is a presumptuous request, but please help me. I’ve received a certificate for Home Economics, but I want to know if I still have to take the mandatory Sewing and Cooking for the Home Economics course. And if I have time, I’d like to learn Embroidery, Dyeing, and Weaving, but I have a habit of using lifestyle magic unconsciously, so I feel like I won’t truly learn anything if I get the certificates right away.”

Mr. Jefferson gave a refined chuckle.

“You really have mastered lifestyle magic, haven’t you? Even if you have a certificate for Home Economics, I believe you still have to take the mandatory Sewing and Cooking for the course. You’ll likely get the certificate for Sewing immediately. As for Cooking… well, the content has changed a bit, so I wonder.”

That’s somehow different from what Lady-in-waiting Charlotte said. I’ve been ordered by Queen Victoria to look after Princess Margaret. I should come clean here and get more detailed information. I’m confident I can manage on my own, but I’m anxious about looking after Princess Margaret.

“I am also good at cooking. So, even if the content has changed, I think I’ll be fine. However, I am Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting. And I have been commanded by the Queen to help her pass Sewing and Cooking. I think Sewing will be fine as long as her patience holds out, but I thought for Cooking, she just had to not miss any classes. Has it changed?”

When Mr. Jefferson heard that I was Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting, she chuckled again.

“Queen Victoria truly has an excellent eye for people. Yes, Princess Margaret will likely struggle with the practical cooking lessons. As for you, you’ll probably get the certificate immediately, which is a bit of a problem. Now, don’t you dare try to act like you’re bad at it; the teachers will see right through you. But don’t worry, the teachers won’t let the students get injured.”

It seems I’ll have to leave Princess Margaret to her own devices. Though she’ll probably vent her class stress on me. Heaven help me.

“Also, if I have the time, I want to try Embroidery, Dyeing, and Weaving. But if I use lifestyle magic unconsciously… I want to create many works, so I’m worried.”

Mr. Jefferson grasped the hidden meaning behind my words.

“Viscount Granger has been out of office for a long time, after all. The Royal Academy provides educational materials for free. That is for students who cannot afford the material fees. No teacher will scold you regardless of how many works you make. However, there is a limit. Due to the balance with other students, you will eventually be given a certificate of completion.”

My plan to do side jobs using the school’s materials has been thwarted. What a disappointment.

“If you’re interested in weaving and dyeing, you should join the Handicraft Club. You can get an inexhaustible supply of materials there. Graduates donate materials left and right. Usually, students who are interested in dyeing and weaving marry into families related to those fields. They don’t skimp on donations for the sake of the next generation of brides.”

I’ve gained some great information. But I also have the Music Club, and I’m interested in Alchemy. I feel like lifestyle magic and the Handicraft Club are a perfect match.

“Ho ho ho, enjoy your school life. Looking after Princess Margaret will be hard, but this is your school life too. You might not realize it now, but school life is a precious time in your life that you can use for yourself. Don’t forget that.”

She’s right, I should enjoy school life more. The food situation at the Granger house has improved, and I have a clear path for my brothers’ riding and swordsmanship training. I should find my own fun. It would be even better if it turned into money.

This is where I differ from the original Patience, who was a noble to the core. I can’t escape the values of my previous life. I naturally think that labor should be compensated. I come from a world where handicrafts are sold on the internet, after all. Besides, the check I got from the House of Northcote won’t last forever. I want Nasius to go to university. Tuition isn’t free there. I wonder if there are scholarships?

School life, which I hated so much before, isn’t so bad now, except for being away from my brothers. Plus, Middle School looks like fun. There are so many things I want to learn, like the geography and world history of this world, and management.

And I’m also interested in the Embroidery, Dyeing, and Weaving of the Home Economics course. Plant-based dyeing was incredibly expensive in my previous life. I’ve always wanted to try it. It might be good to head in that direction, but I wonder if that’s impossible unless I marry? It would be nice if I could have my own workshop. A life of dyeing and weaving. It’s like a slow life. Well, that will have to wait until my brothers are independent.

If I could use alchemy, that would also be fun. It would be great if I could get patents, but that was difficult even in my previous life. But it would be nice if I could at least make convenient kitchenware. I want a refrigerator and a thermal heater, too. This seems to be something I can’t do without the right abilities, so I’ll put it on hold. But if I can do it, I’d really love to build a workshop in a corner of the garden. Our mansion’s grounds are wastefully large, after all. The backyard is busy with the orchard, garden, and greenhouse, but the front yard only has roses. It should be fine to use a little corner.

While I was counting my chickens before they hatched, and before I even had a chance to look at the timetable I had finally obtained and think about my enrollment, Princess Margaret arrived at the dormitory. I’ll think about it tonight!