Chapter 85

Sophie opened the door to Princess Margaret’s special suite. She was also the one who notified me beforehand, saying, “The Princess has arrived.” I suppose she noticed I was lost in a daydream about making a fortune through weaving and alchemy.

“Patience, you’re late.”

Oh? Princess Margaret’s hairstyle has changed.

“Princess Margaret, your hairstyle is wonderful.”

Margaret smiled, looking quite pleased.

“Yes, it is, isn’t it? Mother finally gave me permission to tie my hair up.”

Come to think of it, I recalled that schoolmates like Lady Catherine used to tie their hair. They would tie back parts of their curls. They didn’t put it all up, though.

“Patience, do you think you can manage this style? If not, I want you to ask Sophie how to do it.”

The hair was swept up and gathered into a bundle, with curls trailing down the sides. Yes, I think I can do that.

“No, it’s fine. I can do it. However, it takes quite a bit of time to style.”

She seemed to understand the silent pressure that meant she’d have to wake up early.

“I understand. You just have to come earlier, that’s all.”

Ah, Sophie sent me a look of pure sympathy. She must have struggled to wake the Princess up during winter break.

I had Sophie brew tea for the two of us and then sent her back to the palace.

“I’ve finally escaped Mother’s surveillance. She was incredibly strict during winter break, and it was quite troublesome. How were things with you, Patience?”

It sounds like she was dragged out of bed every morning. Of course, the Queen wouldn’t do it directly, but the ladies-in-waiting and maids must have had a hard time. Unlike other noblewomen, the Queen makes a point of eating breakfast properly in the dining hall.

“I was visiting a cousin’s estate. Samuel Northcote seems to want to join the Music Club.”

Princess Margaret, with her deep love for music, saw her eyes light up.

“My, and does this Samuel have talent?”

“Yes, he is a genius. He remembers and plays music immediately after hearing it just once.”

Her face brightened instantly.

“Patience, bring Samuel to the Music Club. We mustn’t let the Glee Club snatch him away. I heard that club was even doing recruitment activities during the winter break.”

Oh dear, Louise’s Chorus Club might be in trouble. The Glee Club seems to have much more momentum.

“Yes, I’m sure Samuel would be delighted. He wanted to join the Music Club but was worried that he might need a recommendation.”

Princess Margaret pondered for a moment.

“True… it would be best to have Samuel practice your new compositions. He will almost certainly be asked to play.”

At times like this, Princess Margaret is truly helpful.

“Yes, I gave Samuel several of my new pieces as a gift, so I’ll make sure he practices them.”

Ugh, Princess Margaret’s smile is deepening. It’s scary!

“While I was living a cramped life at the palace, it seems you enjoyed yourself quite a bit, Patience. Spending all your time immersed in music with Samuel.”

It’s a misunderstanding! But I can’t tell her that Samuel was there because he couldn’t study.

“Oh, it wasn’t like that. Samuel is enrolling this year, you see. My aunt, the Countess of Northcote, asked me about the Academy. When I found out Samuel was interested in riding and music, I played some of my new music, and I was just surprised because he played it right back on the lute.”

Princess Margaret has no interest in riding, so she let that part slide.

“I see, so Samuel is skilled at the lute as well. You must work hard too, Patience.”

More importantly, the timetable. If Princess Margaret doesn’t decide hers, I can’t decide mine.

“Princess Margaret, I received the timetable at the staff room. Shall we decide on our schedule?”

“Let’s see,” Margaret said, peering into the timetable.

“I’ll take the mandatory subjects for A-Class. I’m sure my schoolmates will do the same.”

Hmm? Looking closely at the timetable, the classes are listed next to the mandatory subjects. I thought there were an awful lot of mandatory lessons.

“Are we not allowed to take classes from other sections?”

Since I’m taking two courses, I’ll be in trouble if they overlap with other mandatory subjects.

“I think it’s fine. In Middle School, it seems some students only see their classmates during homeroom. But you only have Dance left, right?”

“No, I asked the teacher, and it seems I still have to take the mandatory Sewing and Cooking for the Home Economics course.”

Princess Margaret’s eyes sparkled.

“My! Then let’s take the same classes. A-Class Sewing and Cooking.”

That secures two slots. I can fit Dance into whatever time is left later. I was thinking optimistically since there are so many lesson slots, but Princess Margaret intervened.

“Take the A-Class Dance. You can’t let your guard down around the boys in the lower classes, and many of them are poor dancers.”

I understand they might be poor dancers because many students from lower nobility can’t afford a dance tutor, but I “can’t let my guard down”?

“My, Patience, you really are naive. You’ll be caught by some ambitious social climber trying to win over the daughter of a Viscount.”

Ah, Princess Margaret doesn’t know how poor the Granger house is. I realized she would think such an ambitious person would run away barefoot if they knew.

“You really are easygoing. Viscount Granger is currently dismissed, yes. But that won’t last long. Father thinks very highly of Viscount Granger.”

Ah, that makes me happy. I’d be grateful if they even gave him some minor administrative post.

“I asked why I was ordered to enter the dormitory. He told me it was because he didn’t want me to become steeped in noble supremacy. That’s how I learned about your father as well.”

King Alfred hadn’t forgotten about my father. It makes me feel a bit emotional. My feelings are fickle, considering how angry I was at the Summer Palace.

“But I wonder why it started from last year. Prince Richard is only there for one year, and your starting from the third year, Princess, is a bit of a halfway point.”

Princess Margaret shrugged.

“Who knows? Perhaps he just thought of it on a whim. Now, make sure you take the A-Class Dance.”

Three slots decided. Next are the electives for the Home Economics course.

“I’ll take Etiquette, Foreign Languages, Childcare, Nutrition, Family Medicine, and Beauty. That’s six subjects.”

I’m not surprised, as I had heard this from the Queen beforehand.

“I’ve heard Foreign Languages is difficult to master. It might be better to listen to a lecture once before deciding.”

I gave her a word of caution just in case. Personally, it’s a win-win for me since the Civil Servant track also has Foreign Languages.

“Yes, I’ve heard that from Brother Richard as well. But there is a possibility I might be married off to a foreign country.”

I was shocked! So that’s how it is.

“My, Patience. Your eyes are wide circles.”

“I’m taking the Civil Servant track as well, so I intend to take Foreign Languages too. It’s killing two birds with one stone.”

I covered up my shock. From there, we decided on Princess Margaret’s six elective slots.

“Patience, your schedule is full of holes. You’ll be able to compose plenty of new music like that.”

“No, the mandatory and elective subjects for the Civil Servant track will be added to this. Besides, your schedule is also quite open, Princess.”

I tilted my head while looking at Princess Margaret’s timetable. I know she has certificates for Music and Dance, but it’s even more open than that.

“But this is just the beginning. I’ve only taken one slot for mandatory subjects. I plan to get certificates for Literature and Magic Theory, so this is fine. I might have to increase History and Classics, though. And if I find Home Economics Mathematics difficult, I’ll have to take two slots for it. I also heard that if the teacher judges that a dress won’t be finished in Sewing, the hours will be increased.”

“And I suppose you’re prohibited from taking your Sewing projects home.”

Indeed, sewing a dress might be difficult with just one slot.

“In that case, let’s get certificates for Literature and Magic Theory. And let’s work hard at Classics and Art.”

Unlike Prince Keith, her grades in Classics aren’t that bad.

“Yes, if Sewing takes up too much time, I’ll have to get exemptions for other subjects. You work hard to get your certificates too, Patience.”

If I add the mandatory and electives for the Civil Servant track and even take Alchemy, I’ll only have two slots left. If I take Dyeing and Weaving, I’ll be completely full.

“Yes, I’ll quickly get certificates for the boring lessons. There are so many things I want to do.”

Princess Margaret was surprised by my sudden burst of motivation.

“Patience, I’m happy you’re so fired up about new music.”

Ah, it’s not that I’m fired up about music; I’m fired up about making something I can sell through dyeing and weaving, or making something convenient and valuable through alchemy. But I’ll keep that a secret.