“You must be referring to Magius the Dragon Slayer!!!”
He’s pretty much screaming. Boys sure do love stories about heroes. I have memories of OG Patience reading them too, but she never got this excited.
Mary held her arm out as if to shield me from President Caesar.
“Yes, that was the name that came up in Mr. Kubrick’s research. However, I’m not sure if the stories about his cape are true. My cousin is in the First Cavalry Division, and he gives my brothers lessons in sword fighting, so I thought this cape might be a nice way to thank him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! This is so much bigger than a mere gift!”
After raising his voice, Caesar sat on the floor.
I hope he isn’t feeling sick or anything...
The next moment, Mr. Powell arrived.
I guess screaming at a noble lady who’s hiding behind her attendant is bound to draw people’s attention.
“You’re causing a disruption, Sir Caesar,” Mr. Powell said reprovingly. “If you could please just continue this discussion in my office...”
President Caesar immediately stood up, exhaled deeply, then apologized to me.
“I’m sorry for raising my voice, Patience. The Dragon Slayer’s cape is something I’ve long dreamed of, so I lost my composure. I caused trouble for your attendant as well. If there’s anything you want, I’d like to get it for you as an apology.”
Since I’d been hiding behind Mary, she’d been the one yelled at by Caesar. I should apologize too.
“I’m sorry, Mary.”
“I am all right, my lady,” she replied, looking a bit pale.
From now on, I won’t hide behind her.
“I’d like to make it up to you by buying a magic lamp,” I said. “It will be a better light source than candles when you’re working with a needle. We’ll have President Caesar buy the magic stone.”
President Caesar insisted that a single magic stone wouldn’t make for a proper apology, so he ended up buying us several stones.
“You’ll be able to use the lamp for a while now,” I remarked.
Mary gave me a look that said Is this really all right?
“This is a gift of apology for causing you trouble,” I said. “Please do accept it.”
After that, I bought a large men’s cape, a magic stone, and lots of embroidery thread. I probably could’ve bought the embroidery floss at a specialty shop, but Mr. Powell said I would get an employee discount, which I couldn’t pass up.
President Caesar insisted on also paying for the magic lamp, and though it was difficult to turn him down, I was determined to buy it on my own. Using Mary as a shield was my own mistake.
I began checking out, and it seemed like Mr. Powell was giving me much too large of a discount.
“Um, this seems like I am only paying for the magic lamp,” I pointed out.
“Well, I believe that this is the start to a long relationship, Lady Patience,” Mr. Powell replied with a smile.
Though I didn’t think he was totally lying, part of the discount was likely as an apology for Caesar’s behavior.
“Thank you very much,” I said, deciding not to argue and accept his kindness.
If we succeed at making water-repellent fabric, I’ll leave sales to him!
Once we were done shopping, we headed home in the Burnses’ carriage. Even after his outburst at the store, President Caesar still wanted to discuss my ideas.
“When are you going to test out the waterproofing, Patience? Also, when are you going to start working on the embroidered cape?”
Mary looked exasperated by him.
“I am planning on doing lots of experimentation at alchemy club to test out waterproofing methods,” I replied. “As for the cape with the magic circle of protection, I believe Mr. Kubrick’s research is enough to design the magic circle itself, but I think I may need to look more into what sort of embroidery floss is necessary. There isn’t much research on the thread used. Magic circles drawn onto paper or stone don’t move around, but a cape will flutter around. The thread may need to be able to conduct mana. I also need to think about how the magic stone will be attached... In other words, I won’t be able to start working on it right away.”
President Caesar listened to what I had to say until the very end, without interrupting me. This is one of his good qualities. I wonder if that mother of his drilled listening skills into him. Although, he did seem to forget about them earlier...
“I wonder why Mr. Kubrick had all this research and never thought to share it with me...” President Caesar remarked disappointedly.
“Perhaps he didn’t share it with you because you never asked about it,” I pointed out. “There may also be the fact that you do not have any experience with dyeing or embroidery. After all, I think the main issue with recreating this cape will be how we process the thread.”
“Dyeing and embroidery... Those are skills I don’t have. Still, I’d like you to show me the research as well, Patience. I’ll get permission from Mr. Kubrick myself.”
I didn’t want to just share someone else’s materials without permission, but I was happy to share if Mr. Kubrick allowed it.
“Of course. I’ve only just started planning this project, so I would be happy to have your help.”
President Caesar’s whole face lit up with a beaming smile. Despite all the time we’d spent together, it was only now that I realized he was actually quite handsome.
“Let’s do our best to make Magius’s cape!” he exclaimed.
Man, we’re going to be so busy. We’ve got the washing machine, the bicycle, the ice cream maker, waterproofing, the magic circle cape, and I also want to make a hair iron. Wow, I guess I’m really into alchemy club.