“This is probably good for the bicycle seat,” Caesar remarked. “You’re really good at coming up with ideas for commercial products, Patience. I bet those seat cushions will sell well among nobles who travel back and forth between Romano and their distant territories.”
“While I agree, I’m worried about the durability of the slime,” I replied.
President Caesar thought for a moment, then smiled.
“Slime powder is pretty inexpensive. After all, commoners use it for their bathrooms. I believe refilling the cushions when they deflate would suffice.”
“In that case, we could also sell this squishy slime wrapped in thin sheets of fabric, ready to be used as refills,” I suggested.
“You’re strange,” Benjamin commented. “You don’t know a lot of things that everyone knows, but you come up with amazing ideas.”
Benjamin had technically complimented me, but I agreed with his point that I lacked knowledge about common life in this world. Collecting all the chamber pots in a home to dump them out into a cesspit seems like a lot of work. They probably solidify the waste using slime powder to easily dispose of it. Well, that solidified waste still needs to be dumped in the cesspit.
Toilets that ran on magic stones also were connected to the cesspits, but they required additional construction to install in a home, like adding sewage pipes.
I know it’s more work, but I definitely want toilets to become a common part of homes.
Such thoughts weren’t getting us any closer to making a tire.
“It’s time for herbology, Sir Benjamin,” I pointed out.
All the unfinished projects were calling Benjamin’s name, but I shooed him out of the club.
“You don’t need to go, Patience?” President Caesar asked, looking confused that I’d stayed.
“Yes, I’ve passed the practical portion of herbology,” I replied, and he stared at me with intense envy. “Wouldn’t it be better for you to choose a different elective, President Caesar?”
Herbology just might not be a good fit for him. Not in terms of magical ability, but just that he might not have an interest in or fondness for herbs.
“Nope. When I enrolled in the mage track, I made a decision to complete every single course!”
In that case, all I can do is wish him luck.
We spent the rest of the day working on the bicycle tires. Today had turned out to be a hectic start to the week.
I didn’t have any free time on Tuesdays, so I woke up early the next morning as well. This made it the second day in a row that I’d visited the greenhouse in the morning.
My morning classes were geography and foreign language. I’d already returned the Dehn song books I’d borrowed from Mr. Morse. Princess Margaret and OG Patience were both talented in music and had good ears, so we’d both made a lot of improvement in our Dehn skills.
After lunch was sewing. My plans for my gown were to sew the main pieces together, then to sew on the polka dot pattern.
“I’m going to be in trouble if you get a certificate of completion,” Princess Margaret remarked during lunch.
Neither Prince Keith nor his friends would speak up when we were discussing the home ec track, since they didn’t know what might incur Princess Margaret’s anger.
“I may end up finishing my gown today, but I may have to sew as many as six gowns in total before I can pass the class,” I replied.
Neither the princess nor I had details on how the curriculum for sewing had changed.
“That may be true. After all, it would be sad if you were the only senior division student dressed in your uniform during the Festival of Verdure and the Harvest Festival.”
Actually, I think there are a lot of students who would prefer to attend in their uniforms, including you, Your Highness. I don’t want to even attend the dance in the first place; I’d at least be slightly more comfortable if I got to wear my uniform.
“It sounds like you’re forbidding her from getting a certificate of completion.”
Prince Keith and his friends had obediently stayed out of our conversion, but President Albert decided to chime in while passing by our table.
“My, of course not,” the princess responded. “Please refrain from saying things that would cause a misunderstanding.”
I don’t think there’s any misunderstanding here.
“Really? Then I guess all is well. I want Patience to get all the certificates of completion that she can, so she can keep writing new songs for us. I feel like she’s been directing all of her efforts toward the alchemy club these days.”
As usual, President Albert was annoying to deal with. Please don’t say stuff like that in front of Princess Margaret.
“You’re mistaken,” I said, nipping the allegation in the bud to prevent Princess Margaret from nagging me later.
“Am I? Ever since you joined the club, Caesar has been in a good mood.”
“Isn’t that because the alchemy club avoided dissolution?” I pointed out.
Also, he’s obsessed with making washing machines and bicycles. I guess his excitement is obvious to others too.
“Well, I’m sure that’s a part of it... Just what are you doing there, Patience?”
President Albert was the leader of the music club, so he had no right to order me around in regard to alchemy club matters.
“You’ll have to ask President Caesar,” I replied.
President Albert just huffed and walked away. For some reason, Prince Keith seemed surprisingly displeased by all this. I could understand Princess Margaret being upset, though her objections would be unreasonable and motivated by her love of music. But why was Prince Keith of all people annoyed? He had nothing to do with this.
Ralph and Hugo began talking to the prince about various things, trying to take his mind off of whatever was upsetting him.
Wait, is this my fault? No, that doesn’t make any sense.
During sewing class, I gave Ms. Cameron two needle threaders as a sample of the upcoming product.
“My, these are quite useful.”
Ms. Cameron immediately understood how they were meant to be used, and she seemed pleased. I knew it. People who do needlework understand how useful these are.
Of course, I gave some to Princess Margaret as well. I taught her how they were used, and she was incredibly pleased.
“You made this using alchemy as well, Patience? That hot water bottle is so warm, and it’s been very nice. I’d love to give both these needle threaders and some hot water bottles to my mother and Jane as well.”
It seemed that Princess Margaret was now slightly more willing to forgive me for double-dipping into alchemy club.
“I’d be happy to,” I replied.
I was visiting the palace this Friday, so I planned to make the hot water bottles and needle threaders by then.
Princess Margaret and I continued to chat as we worked on our pieces, and I managed to finish my dress.
“I’d love to buy these needle threaders through the academy, Patience,” Ms. Cameron said. I’d called her over to check my work, but somehow we were discussing the needle threaders. “Where can I get these?”
I agree that everyone in class probably needs one. Ms. Cameron was lending her needle threaders to the particularly clumsy students. I wonder who those people could be...
“This is something I made, and it will soon be sold by the Burns Trading Company.” Ms. Cameron seemed passionate about getting her hands on them as soon as possible. “Are you looking to purchase them for the embroidery classes as well? If it is only a handful, I could make them myself, but if a large quantity will be necessary, I must ask that you urge the Burns Trading Company to begin production and sales as soon as possible.”
Ms. Cameron said she would speak to Ms. McNally and the other home ec teachers before bringing the discussion to the Burns Trading Company.
Promoting your products is an important part of business.
“Oh, I see that you’ve finished your gown, Patience. Yes, you sewed it very well.”
It’s time to find out whether I’m getting a certificate of completion or if I have to sew six whole gowns. My heart is racing a bit.
“If this were last year, I would’ve given you a certificate of completion for your level of skill. I’m sure you’re aware that the curriculum got a bit stricter this year. Unfortunately, I’ll need you to also sew a winter gown before I give you a certificate of completion.”
Though it wasn’t a total of six garments, I did still have to sew another piece. I could hear Princess Margaret quietly letting out a sigh of relief. After all, she always managed to do crazy things when I wasn’t looking. I’m going to try to teach her the basics while I can.
“I’ll have the fabrics for the winter gowns ready by next week,” Ms. Cameron informed me, so the rest of today was going to be spent on making sure Princess Margaret sewed as much of her gown as possible!
“It looks like you’ve completed most of the skirt portion,” I remarked. “Next is sewing the front and back bodice pieces, then you’ll sew that onto the skirt. Once you do that, the basting will be complete.”
I used some tailor’s chalk and drew the same symbol on the pieces that were meant to be sewn together. With that, the princess would know where to sew to be ready for next week.