Chapter 2: To the Academy
‘First of all, I read through a book about this Academy while riding in the carriage.’
Patricia, who had thought it was simply a place of learning, realized how shallow her thinking had been, thanks to that book.
If she had thought it over carefully, she should have noticed sooner, but the days leading up to her Academy admission had simply been too overwhelming.
“…………Well, it can’t be helped.”
Nine out of ten students attending the Academy are boys, and all of them are from the Nobility.
It seems that a few commoners, recognized by the country and permitted to study, do attend as well, but their numbers are truly small.
In this country, where the economy cannot yet be called stable, men are the breadwinners.
Because of that, far more commoners choose physical labor over studying.
No matter how intelligent they are, to work as a scholar requires status.
So, unless they have an exceptional reason, commoners simply do not come.
And even fewer than those commoner boys are the girls.
Noblewomen, once they reach a suitable age, are presented at the Debutante and soon after enter marriage talks.
What is required of them is not academics, but embroidery, dance, and etiquette.
That is why daughters of Nobility do not attend the Academy.
In other words, the few women there are all commoners.
And what follows is something Patricia heard from Sir Cecil, a former Academy student.
“Most of them are searching for a marriage partner.”
“…To put it plainly, they’re hoping to marry into wealth. Even if they marry into the Nobility, they themselves won’t become Nobility, but their children might. Either way, it promises a life of luxury, and some even have hopes of becoming a Concubine.”
“…A concubine?” The word struck Patricia harder than she’d expected, and she found herself repeating it.
She let out a heavy sigh, wondering if there was any real difference between a lover and a Concubine.
“That’s why, once they enter the Academy, the women start caring more about their appearance than their studies. So, you’ll rarely see them ranking near the top on exams and such.”
“…That is—”
“I believe Patricia-sama’s name will surely be among the top ranks, so you might face various troubles. As you know, the sons of Nobility have a great deal of pride.”
The way he spat out those words somehow conveyed the hardships he had endured.
Some of his subordinates are Palace Knights whose families hold higher titles than his own.
He must have had quite a struggle with people like that.
“If someone like you, who used to be one of those noble sons, says so, then it must be true.”
She meant her words partly as sympathy, thinking how difficult it must have been, but when Sir Cecil heard them, his eyes widened.
“…………I’m surprised. I never expected a reply like that from you, Patricia-sama.”
“Eh? …Ah, no! I didn’t mean to make fun of you or anything! It’s just—”
“It’s all right. In fact, it makes me happy. It feels as if I finally got to hear your true thoughts, Patricia-sama… Even though I know things have changed, as your personal knight, I feel as if I’ve gained your trust.”
“…I see.”
From the day it was decided that Patricia would become the Crown Princess, he began his training as a knight.
Then he attended the Academy, honing his skills further, and eventually became a knight serving the Royal Family.
All to someday become the personal knight of the Crown Princess.
But that dream would never come true now.
That hope had been crushed.
“…I have hurt many people, haven’t I? Just to make my own dreams come true.”
“There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t hurt someone. …And besides, I am happy. I am far happier that your dream is coming true than if mine did.”
“…Thank you.”
She had first met him as a child, introduced by her father.
As the second son of a baron, he already seemed large and strong even back then.
He was four years older than Patricia and quickly became a young man.
And he vowed that in the not-so-distant future, he would become her personal knight and protect her.
She must have caused even this gentle boy worries beyond what she could imagine.
She felt sorry, but at the same time, she couldn’t help feeling happy.
Knowing there was someone who cared for her so much gave her strength.
“To change the subject a bit, please be careful with your life at the Academy. Your position will no longer protect you as it has until now.”
Her status had caused her pain at times, but it had also protected her.
At the Academy, that wouldn’t work.
On the surface, everyone is equal.
“Well, that’s just a fantasy. In reality, people still treat you differently based on your family. …But that’s more true for the men. Things might be different for women.”
“Apparently so.”
She had hoped for a carefree life of study.
It seemed things wouldn’t go so easily.
Maybe this is what they mean by ‘one trial after another.’
“But at the same time, I’m excited. I’ll be able to see a world I’ve never known before.”
“…Yes. I’m sure someone as wise as you, Patricia-sama, will be just fine.”
‘I’ll do my best. No matter how hard or sad it gets, I chose this path for myself.’
“Yes, I’ll be fine.”