The Civil Officer Can Have Sweet Dreams Chapter 2

Because of Priscilla's affectionate nursing, just as their parents expected, as Peter grew, the more he gained his energy. The number of times he stayed in bed gradually decreased, and suddenly, he became healthy, and seemed more like a kid his age — mischievously running outside, and having a healthy appet.i.te. By the time Peter turned 10 years old, he had completely changed into an ordinary boy, and blurting out things like, “I'll become a knight in the future!” Priscilla narrowed her eyes at her lively younger brother as she watches him brandish a wooden branch, and swing it around.

With this, it seems like it was a load off of Priscilla's mind. Her younger brother didn't need Priscilla's hands anymore. Nowadays, Priscilla uses her hands exclusively for the backs of her grandmother and the attendants. At this time, Priscilla was 18 years old. The age at which the surrounding female n.o.bles must marry.

Until now, both her parents thought to let Priscilla do as she pleased, such as dedicating her time to Peter. If she were to get married, she would need to look for a partner, and because of that, they had granted her the freedom to choose whether to study a bit longer.

As she was making a choice, Priscilla wished to attend an etiquette school. Of course, Priscilla had learned about general subjects, but in that school, there are various livelihoods being taught, such as etiquette and cooking. At 18 years old, Priscilla entered as their senior, and was eventually made to look after those younger than her, but because she had become used to caring for others such as with Peter, she enjoyed doing so instead.

A majority of the ladies attending that school were commoners, with just a small portion of the n.o.bles being of lower cla.s.s pedigrees like that of Priscilla. Thanks to that, Priscilla enjoyed the freeing mood. She realized that she's more of a commoner than a n.o.ble.

A true n.o.ble would learn higher knowledge with a private tutor, and attend elite schools that earnestly specialized in studies for n.o.bles. The commoner ladies that were in Priscilla's etiquette school were those that wished to be in service at upper cla.s.s places, or n.o.ble residences. Because true n.o.bles have attendants doing day-to-day ch.o.r.es, they believe it's unnecessary to study about manual labor. Rather, numerous n.o.bles think it's embarra.s.sing.

However, when Priscilla thought of her own future, she could not imagine marrying a n.o.ble man who had a higher rank than hers, and living in high society. It's not as if she particularly hates that kind of life, but above all, she didn't feel as if she'd fall in love at first sight with that kind of man. The good thing about the Land house and other similar, lower cla.s.s n.o.bles is that they were very likely to marry a commoner man. She also had a fear of not being able to marry. She wanted to avoid troubling her younger brother with succeeding the Land house if she couldn't marry.

In case she couldn't marry, she'll have to get a job. Either way, Priscilla thought that she had to gain necessary knowledge of livelihoods, and went to school for this reason. Priscilla thought that even if she got married, she would have to take care of household matters on her own, but in the case that she couldn't, she'd have to work as a live-in attendant somewhere. For now, it's because she could not depend upon a life where attendants do everything for her.

In a sense, the Priscilla who thought of a dreamless future did not feel pessimistic whatsoever. School was fun. The school life that she had where she soothed feisty, younger cla.s.smates, and made good-natured friends was as fun as when she played everyday with Peter. All of her younger cla.s.smates were fond of Priscilla. Around the time when the end of her two years of school life was nearing, Priscilla thought, Aiming to be a teacher might be a good idea as well, and was called out by a teacher who had favored her.

“Priscilla, what do you plan on doing from now on? Will you marry?”

“No, I do not believe I'll be marrying just yet.”

Priscilla, who was 20 years old, was at the prime, marriageable age for a woman. Rather, if a n.o.ble were to let this chance go, then it would be too late. But even so, Priscilla still did not feel like marrying yet. More than anything, with the considerable efforts of commuting to school, it would seem that she'll be able to graduate with moderately good results. She thought, I want to be useful to others, and work since I am fine with anything. Both her parents also strongly advised against marriage. Although it simply may have been because her parents, who were ignorant of this world, could not find good marriage proposals.

The female teacher straightened her back as she stared at Priscilla, and then nodded and said, “I see.” Although she was said to be the strictest teacher in the school, Priscilla likes this teacher. She was always fair and honest. She respects this woman, and thinks it would be great if she became like her. Priscilla thinks that her honest respect was transmitted, and that the teacher also took a liking to Priscilla.

“I have been informed that the Royal Palace is in need of one court lady. I don't know what kind of work it will be, but I a.s.sume it'll be menial ch.o.r.es at first. It's a job that you will have to resign yourself to being busy, but Priscilla, what do you think? I would like to recommend you.”

Priscilla was shocked at her teacher's unexpected words. After several seconds of staring at her respected teacher, she opened her mouth arbitrarily before she could think of anything else.

“Yes! Certainly! I would like to accept that offer!”

At her energetic answer, the teacher warns Priscilla, “Priscilla, please always endeavor to be calm,” while the shape of her mouth softens.

“I understand. Well then, I shall be recommending you. If it's you, I believe you will do splendidly. Please do your best, for the sake of the country.”

“Thank you very much.”

Priscilla accepted her teacher's warning, and gracefully gave her thanks, but in her mind, she was anxious. The Royal Palace! Working at the Royal Palace! Although she was a n.o.ble, Priscilla had not yet set foot in the Royal Palace. She'd heard of rumors about the Royal Palace being hectic, but if she were to work very hard, then being busy is the better option. To stand beside every person that upholds this country. It seems that she herself was going to be useful, and not the power of her hands.

At 20 years old, Priscilla's heart pounded, and like that, graduated from school.

The Land family was surprised at Priscilla becoming a court lady. The attendants were impressed, saying, “Such a renowned place,” her mother gently said, “I'm so envious that it's at the Royal Palace. I too have yet to properly enter it,” her father started reminiscing, “I have. A long time ago, it's already been how many decades, in front of the king…,” and Peter, who turned 12 years old, said with sparkling eyes, “In a few years, I'll be working together with Big Sis since I plan on joining the Imperial Guards.”

“But will you be okay? I've heard, right now, that the Royal Palace is so hectic that it's dreadful.”

The one who voiced a single worry was her father. Every once in a while, her father was requested to help with work from the Royal Palace since he was more or less a n.o.ble, but he would elusively avoid it. It seems that even other n.o.bles would do the same. Over the past few years, various things piled up, and Lucott's Royal Palace became busy, as if capsizing. The main reason is said to be due to the Crown Prince, His Highness Henry's fault, but everyone couldn't throw in a word at the future king's actions, and above all, what Henry was doing were for the country's good. However, his way of doing it was overbearing, haphazard, and required only hard labor. It seems his surroundings were influenced by that.

“I don't know how I'll do it, but it seems that I can only try.”

With a face of a fully-matured woman, Priscilla declared, and everyone at the mansion said, “Priscilla's already an adult, huh,” and agreed, with a sparkle in their eyes.

On her first day, after taking one step into the Royal Palace, Priscilla was in a daze.

She had heard that it was busy. She did, but it's really busy. So this is the praiseworthy Royal Palace.

She had imagined the Royal Palace to be resplendent. The beautiful female royals come and go in their luxurious dresses, while the ladies-in-waiting are indifferent, and courteous. The lovely Imperial Guard knights striding along, the superior civil officers systematically developing policies, and the powerful n.o.bles that stand beside those above. And behind the scenes, there'd be a bit of scary things happening behind the scenes, like intricate webs of schemes… Priscilla arbitrarily imagined things like that. No, it wasn't just Priscilla. An average commoner that lived in a world that was detached from the Royal Palace would imagine things like that. Because stories circulated in society as if it was natural, the Royal Palace is thought of to be that kind of place.

But this is–

While Priscilla was dumbfounded, she stood by and watched her surroundings.

At any rate, everyone was walking fast. And no one's staring either. The wonderful Imperial Guard knights were definitely wonderful, but they walked at a terribly fast pace, and pa.s.sed by. Their faces were grim as well.

Above all were the civil officials that were frenzied. There were people that wholeheartedly walked, that discussed with sharp tones while walking, and that read doc.u.ments as they walked without looking. Priscilla had an image of civil officials as quiet intellectuals, but they were exuding a scarier mood than even the knights.

Among the sight that Priscilla was seeing, there was not one elegant person in it.

“Hey, you, what're you doing?!”

“Ah, yes!”

Priscilla was taken aback for a moment as watched the state of the Royal Palace, but as the senior lady shouts at her, she returned to her side in a panic.

“There's a lot of work to do! Quickly!”

“I apologize!”

She wonders if she's to be her boss from here on out. The lady urged Priscilla forward, and she took one step into her life of being a court lady.

It's as her father said, work was busy. Anyhow, she was made to do anything. Cleaning, and after the odd ch.o.r.es, she also helped guests, as well as paperwork. As people quit one by one, those who had a strong sense of responsibility and had a helpful disposition from the beginning were successful.

As she lost herself in her work, Priscilla approached one year of having worked at the Royal Palace.

This chapter was wordy, and long… If there are any mistakes, please do let me know.