Chapter 93

Back at the dormitory, I sit down to have a thorough discussion with Princess Margaret.

“Are you absolutely certain it was for the best that Lady Catherine and her group quit the music club? Your Highness, you didn’t happen to use any pressure against them, did you?”

It might come across as a bit rude, but if I don’t get a straight answer, I can’t bring myself to continue with the music club in good conscience.

“My word, Patience, don’t say such scandalous things! I merely informed them that they were being removed from my entourage. Catherine and the others got angry and tried to threaten me, saying, ‘Well then, we shall quit the music club as well. Will you be quite alright with that?’”

Ah, so they tried to exploit Princess Margaret’s weak spot—her intense love for music. Too bad for them, they completely miscalculated the depth of that passion.

“I told them I had no desire for people to remain in the music club out of such calculating, superficial motives. After that, they went on a long rant complaining about high society being far more important and aired out all their previous grievances. I was genuinely disappointed to realize how dreadfully lacking I am in judging character.”

From there, the two of us re-examine our schedules. I look over the note Senior Rupert gave me for guidance. Since Monday and Tuesday’s classes are already over, I have no choice but to trust Rupert’s judgment and fill out my course registration form based on it.

I had arranged my courses like this, though it looks like I need to adjust it for Etiquette II.

Day 1st Period 2nd Period 3rd Period
Mon Diplomacy World History Etiquette
Tue Geography Foreign Language Sewing
Wed Business Management Magic Arrays Cosmetology
Thu Administration Cooking Penmanship
Fri Law Economics Embroidery
…

Since Princes Margaret declared that weaving and dyeing are entirely impossible and completely distasteful to her, I expanded her hours for Penmanship and Embroidery. However, she still has to take that ridiculous Childcare class and choose one more elective.

Day 1st Period 2nd Period 3rd Period
Mon National language Childcare Etiquette
Tue Domestic Math Foreign Language Sewing
Wed Classics ? Cosmetology
Thu Magic Theory Cooking Penmanship
Fri History ? Embroidery
…

“Domestic Mathematics requires a two-period block,” Princess Margaret notes. “Everyone said it was an easy credit, but it seems they drastically overhauled the curriculum. The upperclassmen are currently in an absolute panic, crying that they’ve never had to create an annual budget allocation before.”

It seems a wave of change has finally hit the domestic science track, which used to be notoriously hollow. Thank goodness. It would be incredibly pathetic if the academic track my father risked his very livelihood to protect turned out to be nothing but fluff.

“Furthermore, Sewing also looks to require a two-period block. I skipped it, but the other girls were making a huge fuss during Art class. Apparently, we are required to wear the dress we sew to the Aoba Festival dance party. No one told me anything about this!”

During last year’s Aoba Festival dance party, every single student wore their uniform. Even the middle division students wore uniforms. If I recall correctly, the assignment for the fourth year was supposed to be a regular dress. A formal gown was for the fifth year, and a long evening gown was the assignment for the sixth year.

“My word, that sounds like quite a daunting task for everyone.”

“Oh, look at you, Patience, completely unbothered! I know you are exceptionally gifted at sewing, but this is a formal dress. On top of that, we have to wear it ourselves!”

Yes, having your seams burst open right in the middle of a dance would be an absolute catastrophe.

“So Sewing and Domestic Math require two blocks each… That leaves either Nutrition or Family Medicine for the remaining electives.”

I stare intently at the schedule guide while making the final decisions. Both options seem rather mediocre.

“I shall choose Nutrition on Wednesday. That means I must take the Domestic Math block on Friday. I will fit the second block of Sewing into the fourth period on Wednesday—though I have a feeling I might end up needing three blocks for it.”

Now that our schedules are finally finalized, I brew some black tea for us to enjoy.

“Patience, you are truly going to take Alchemy and Magic Arrays, aren’t you? The mage track is notoriously full of eccentrics. I hear there are a few prodigies, but only a tiny fraction ever make it to becoming royal court magicians. You must not allow yourself to get caught up with any strange students.”

I wonder if that “strange student” she’s referring to is Caesar? Ah… come to think of it, I told her I was quitting the music club, but I didn’t end up doing it. It feels like I told a lie, which leaves a lingering sense of guilt in my chest.

“Regardless, your ‘Tristesse’ was absolutely magnificent. Have you written down the sheet music for it yet?”

And there is the demand for a new piece. That’s all well and good, but she hasn’t forgotten her promise to do her best to wake up on her own when she begged me not to quit, has she?

“Please do your very best to wake up on your own starting tomorrow.”

Princess Margaret pulls an absolute ‘Eh?!’ face.

Clang—! Clang—!

“Patience, it’s time for dinner! …Well, I shall put in the effort.”

Ah, she completely brushed it off at the end. Still, a willingness to make an effort is a step forward. Let’s leave it at that for now.

Come Wednesday morning, it seems she actually made an attempt to get out of bed. I use lifestyle magic to snap Princess Margaret out of her daze as she sits blankly on the edge of the mattress, then serve her some tea.

“I went to bed early last night, you know. Yet, it feels entirely the same.”

I listen to Princess Margaret talk about her struggles while tying up her hair and letting a cascading curl fall elegantly to one side.

“You were already sitting up on the bed this morning, Your Highness. We are making progress, step by step.”

You really have to praise her efforts to keep her motivated. I’ve grown increasingly used to this hairstyle, so I can put it together in a flash now.

“Patience, you look poised to test out of Cosmetology as well. It feels rather lonely that we won’t be able to share the same classes.”

Well, that’s only natural since she cut ties with her entourage. Still, she has plenty of classmates. I’d like to believe there are at least a few decent students among them.

While the two of us are having breakfast, Prince Keith joins us. Oh dear, it is incredibly embarrassing to remember that he heard my entire screaming rant.

“Please forgive my discourtesy yesterday. Thank you very much for lending me your jacket.” I make sure to offer my proper thanks.

“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, Patience, you drastically need to build up your physical stamina.”

My gaffe-radar detected that he was right on the verge of saying ‘You walk slower than a turtle,’ but Prince Keith bit his tongue and stayed quiet. It seems he’s matured a little bit. Thank goodness.

“I was thinking of having lunch with just my sister today. Patience, would you prefer to sit at a different table?”

Ah, so he thought it would be pitiful to force me to join a royal family meal. Does this mean I get to eat down in the student cafeteria? Brilliant!

“Nonsense. Patience is my personal attendant, so she shall eat with me. Furthermore, your friends shall join us as well. The five of us shall share a table.”

Princess Margaret flatly refused to eat alone with Prince Keith. Without a mediator around, they’d only end up in a massive sibling brawl.

“Where is your entourage, dear sister?”

“I have removed them from my circle.”

“I see. That is excellent news.”

It’s a remarkably casual exchange, but it sends a shiver down my spine to see how easily one can be cast aside by royalty. Listening from the side makes me break out in a cold sweat.

Wednesday’s schedule consists of Business Management, Magic Arrays, Cosmetology, and Alchemy. Business Management is taught by the teacher Senior Rupert recommended in his notes, so I’m thoroughly looking forward to it. Plus, Magic Arrays and Alchemy fill me with pure excitement.

“Patience, make sure you come up to the upper salon for lunch. I absolutely will not tolerate any strange pests latching onto you down in the lower cafeteria.”

Even though the lower cafeteria is mostly filled with lower-ranking nobles, it’s not as if there are actual insects crawling around down there.

“Sister is trying to tell you to watch out for lower-ranking nobles who might try to use you to get close to her,” Prince Keith clarifies.

Ah, so that’s what she meant. I’m only eleven years old, so there’s absolutely no way any “strange pests” would be chasing after me in a romantic sense anyway.

“Honestly, Patience, you might be brilliant at your studies, but you are entirely naive to the ways of the world. Do be careful.”

I just got lectured by Princess Margaret. Is eleven years old seriously considered a marriageable age in this fantasy world? Is this place a lolicon paradise?!