“I like how honest you are, Lady Patience,” he said in a low voice.
Gosh, he’s making me blush.
“This is also a calculated move for me,” Percival shared. “A diplomat’s wife must be someone who can be a trustworthy partner.”
He had a point. I’d been worried for a moment when he said that it was a calculated move, but there was no way he was expecting to get rich off the Grangers or anything like that.
“Do you have any interest in the diplomatic service?” Percival asked.
I did indeed have interest in becoming a diplomat. I’d wanted to become one during my previous life, but the exam had been too difficult, and I’d given up before I ever even tried. Once I’d gotten a job, I’d regretted not having even made an attempt.
When he was seducing me to be a partner rather than a lover, it was harder to refuse. Though Klaus was much more my type, as a suitor, Percival was still a million times better than Duke Laforet. The one detriment to being with Percival would be that being by his side would constantly get me that look wondering, Why you? I could even feel people thinking the question at this very moment.
“I haven’t thought about marriage yet,” I replied. “Becoming a diplomat is one of the paths I’m considering. I’d like to take my time to think about it while at Romano University, which my father agrees with as well.”
Even though I’d turned down his offer of marriage, Percival had a satisfied smile. “I have no problem with that. Please consider marrying me as a potential path as well.”
Wow, Percival will make a great diplomat. He’s smiling, but it’s clear that he won’t back down. He’s a strong opponent for an easily swayed person like me.
Once the song ended, Prince Keith invited me to dance.
“I’m looking forward to dancing with you again, Lady Patience,” Percival said. He was smooth even while parting ways.
Prince Keith, my next partner, was a skilled dancer as well.
“What were you talking about with Sir Percival?” the prince asked.
All you had to do was not ask that, Prince Keith. You’re so childish.
“He was suggesting that I join the diplomatic service with him,” I replied.
That seemed to surprise the prince.
“Right, you’re also enrolled in the civil service course. Wait, is Sir Percival going to become a diplomat?”
He didn’t know? He’s so shocked.
“Yes. He’s apparently going to be done with the knight track at the end of this term, so he will be enrolling in the civil service track in the fall.”
Prince Keith seemed completely taken aback.
“But Sir Percival won the match... Aha, this must be why he didn’t become the club president.”
Though his departure would be a blow to the knight club, Percival was going to make a skilled diplomat. Thanks to this shocking news, Prince Keith didn’t ask any more awkward questions. He was probably too lost in thought.
My dance with the prince came to an end, and I thought I would finally get to sit down and take a break, but President Albert came up to me next.
“Why don’t we talk while dancing?” Albert suggested.
I was surrounded by other female students where I was seated, so it would indeed be easier to have a conversation if we were on the dance floor. He probably wanted to update me about Duke Laforet.
“You don’t have to worry about my father, Patience. I told him that I’m interested in marrying you, and he was happy to stand down.”
What the heck?! Also, I think that just created a different, new problem! Yeah, Albert is a hundred times better than Duke Laforet, but I’d rather not live a life that revolves solely around music.
“I’m not thinking about marriage yet, President Albert,” I replied. “Also, I’m planning to attend Romano University after graduating from the academy.”
Though President Albert was on the same page with me about not getting married yet, he had a strange reaction to my mention of attending Romano University.
“What are you going to study there?” he asked.
Apparently, Romano University didn’t have a music department, so in President Albert’s eyes, it was a waste of time to attend. I definitely couldn’t make things work with Albert. He wouldn’t allow me to pursue anything other than music.
“I’m unsure of what I’d like to do, so I want to learn more at Romano University in order to make a decision,” I explained.
“That’s ridiculous. You’ve already been gifted with an extraordinary talent for music!”
I wish I could run away. Oh, perfect! The song ended.
“Let’s dance, Patience!” Prince Keith called out with perfect timing. In that moment, he was like Prince Charming, riding in on his white horse to save me.
“Thank you very much,” I said as we began dancing. Since he’d escorted me around the academy during the afternoon, I figured I should update him on the situation. “It appears that Duke Laforet is no longer an issue.”
“Is that because you’re going to marry Albert instead?”
“My, that would never happen.”
Prince Keith seemed pleased, and though an intense look had appeared on his face for a moment, he was now smiling.
“Can you actually turn down a proposal from a Laforet?” he asked.
Oh, I hadn’t thought about that. I don’t know if the Grangers are in a position to turn down an offer like that. I guess that’s why Princess Margaret is pushing me toward Percival. If I at least had a fiancé, then I could turn down Albert.
“Such matters will be decided much further in the future,” I replied, trying to wriggle my way out of this topic. I really do hope that it’s a looong while before any of this matters.
My next dance was with Caesar, whom I never would have expected to show up to an event like this.
“I apologize for not helping clean up,” I said.
President Caesar was in a good mood and insisted that everything was fine. Apparently, he’d gotten a third-year from the junior division to join alchemy club.
“He was interested in the bicycles,” President Caesar shared. “It’s not exactly alchemy, but he says he likes tinkering with machines.”
Oh, that’s great!
“In that case, I may be able to get his help in making my sewing machine!”
Oh shoot, I’m not supposed to discuss new inventions around President Caesar! Our dance immediately stopped to discuss the sewing machine.
“I see, a machine that can sew fabric! We also need to work on Magius’s cape!”
As we continued our discussion of alchemy projects, Benjamin, Bryce, and Arthur all came over and joined in. We’d completely forgotten about the ball.
“I believe the thread is going to be the key to recreating this cape,” I said. “We must be able to use the thread to channel the mana from the magic stone in order to activate the magic circle.”
Our conversation morphed into a heated debate.
“You must dance, Patience,” Princess Margaret exasperatedly ordered.
Aww, this is way more fun than dancing, I thought, but I did as she said.
I proceeded to dance with some of my classmates from the civil service track. Philips and Russell were both skilled dancers. I wonder if you need to be good at dancing to become a diplomat.
I was surprised to find out that Benjamin was also a good dancer. Then I danced with Bryce, who turned out to be the easiest to dance with. Perhaps that was a result of his considerate personality.
Since I didn’t have much stamina, I was quite exhausted by that point. Princess Margaret and I headed back to the sewing classroom, changed into our uniforms, and returned to the dorms.
Princess Margaret’s eyes were glimmering with anticipation. She’d given up on finding love for herself, since she believed that she would be entering into a political marriage, but she still loved to talk about romance. Once at the dorms, we had tea together, and I updated her on what had happened at the ball.
The princess burst into laughter when I told her about my conversation with Albert, but though she was amused, she still seemed a bit worried too. A jobless viscount couldn’t turn down a proposal from such a high-ranking member of the nobility.
“I think Percival is the best choice after all,” Princess Margaret declared. “He recognizes your talents. Albert does as well, to a certain extent, and in my opinion, the offer to sponsor you and open up a music parlor should get him high marks... You’re undecided though, right?”
I agreed with the princess. Being with Percival would afford me the most freedom when it came to my future. He’d also likely let me study other things on the side, like alchemy and pharmacy.
“Caesar might be a candidate too,” the princess pointed out.
I really couldn’t imagine that happening. Princess Margaret sure does love discussing my love life.