The Readymade Queen - Chapter 7

“Why do you ask that?”

“I stand to set the direction of education in the future. If you have special skills, Your Highness will have a little less work to do, and if you have a hobby, you should make use of it.”

“I’ve learned the piano for about 10 years, but now my hands are all stiff, so it’s hard to say that it’s my specialty, and I’ve learned the violin for about five years, but I’m sure it’s the same. Other than that, I have no special skills or hobbies and I’ve learned basic skills as much as other ladies do.”

“There’s a lot to write in these simple words.” Kyle kept his head in his notebook and asked back while moving his fountain pen diligently. “What about basic literacy?”

“I learned to paint, but I wasn’t talented. I can speak some of the official language ​​of the West Continent and I learned a little bit of Pelobert. Liberal education is all about the two volumes of ‘The Essential Knowledge of Grantonian Nobleman Children’ and ‘Continental History.’My father originally wanted to hunt with his son, but since there was a big age gap with my younger siblings, I was the only child who was big enough to follow the hunt. They rarely teach their daughter horseback riding in the northern outskirts, but my father taught me not only horseback riding, but also shooting to go hunting with me.”

Even though he had taught her that way, he said that it was dangerous so she couldn’t go hunting a few times. Abigail smiled bitterly. The big hand next to the small hand holding the rein and the father’s arm, which was tightly wrapped around the young self, dominated the vision for a while, like a dream, and then disappeared.

“You’ve been playing for about ten years, so if you practice again for a while, your skills will come back soon. The violin will also. However, there are no musical instruments in the palace where the Princess was confined…”

“There’s a piano there.”

“It must have been twenty years since we haven’t tuned in, Your Highness.” Rakiel, who appeared suddenly, sat down on the sofa opposite her, and answered instead with a relaxed face. She didn’t even know when he came. She felt strange about the man’s honor and extreme respect, but Abigail replied pretending not to be conscious.

“Of course it did look like that.”

“Continue.”

“Yes. Since there were no musical instruments, it is better to say that the piano and violin were first learned as a play in the Duke’s place and it turned out to be a genius who had a natural talent for music. Like a child prodigy.”

‘Isn’t that a scam? No, more than that…’

“At this age, you mean?”

“Well, our Princess is a little old to be called a prodigy.”

Abigail turned her eyes from Kyle and glared at Rakiel, but Rakiel raised his head to Kyle with a careless face.

Kyle looked at his notebook again and continued. “It’s not common for a lady in the capital to play one or two musical instruments skillfully, or to have a certain level of acting. If Your Highness, who learned the instrument late, is known to be talented enough to play two or more instruments at a high level, you will be able to impress the capital aristocrats very well.”

This was a complete scam. After learning for ten or five years… Well, all of this was a scam. Abigail quickly accepted the matter.

“And it’s a great start for you to be able to speak some of the official language of the West Continent. Of course, the official language is well spoken by all the imperialists, so it’s basically one of the goals you need to achieve soon. You should speak at a high level within this year. The only way to reasonably explain such rapid progress is that Your Highness is a gifted genius of linguistic talent…”

Abigail opened her mouth blankly at the statement she didn’t know where it was reasonable. After all the progress, she didn’t know how to deal with such a genius and live.

“Being able to speak a little bit of Pelobert means that you can read and write basic things, so wouldn’t it be possible within this year? The Pelobert language must also be mastered within this year in order to have an assortment.

“…is that crazy progress possible?”

“Presently, it’s hard to stand out in the capital as much as you can speak the official language of the West Continent. This is because the official language is essential among the high quality aristocrats of the capital. I mean, not all of them were very good, generally almost everyone is in the middle. The late Crown Prince was exceptionally fluent in all six languages, from Imperial, Western, Pelobert, Irencia, Gennet, and Eastern Hilan. It is known that the First and Fourth Princes, who are influential in the current succession structure, speak high-level languages, except for Hilan. The same is true of Your Excellency here. Of course, the golden princes are an exceptionally good generation, and Your Highness is also very good, so don’t be burdened.” Kyle smiled at her, who couldn’t help but feel burdened.

“And it’s not common for aristocratic ladies to speak well at least one official language, which is essential. Even aristocratic men in the capital rarely speak a few foreign languages. Her Majesty the Empress, Her Majesty the First Empress, and Her Highness the Third Princess are proficient in speaking the official language of the West Continent, Pelobert, and Irencia, but this is also a very special case within the imperial family. It’s one of the reasons why aristocrats are so envious.”

“So, the only thing that the Princess needs to do right now is speed.” When Rakiel added to Kyle’s words, her head started throbbing.

“So, the official language of the continent, the Pelobert language, the Irencia language, should be done as soon as possible…”

“As a result, it’s only normal. You’re just one of the finest women in the imperial family. But at that speed, no one will be on the same line.”

Abigail blinked blankly, as if she was hit by Rakiel’s words on the head. She had to speak three foreign languages ​​like crazy to become normal.

‘You don’t know how crazy you need to be to be a good person.’

While Abigail was in shock, Kyle continued to speak, writing something hard in his notebook.

“I think we can start with the completion of the official language of the West Continent. Since it is very similar to the official language, Irencia will also make rapid progress. If the Princess, who has been in captivity for 13 years, spoke three foreign languages in a year or so, it would make a very strong impression on the people of the Empire.”

“…If you say that I have been in captivity for 13 years, and I have come out to the world, you should be surprised just by making my language sound good.” Abigail murmured softly.

But Kyle talked without hesitation, as if he hadn’t heard it. “The Third Princess’ ten years have been beaten by Your Highness in a year! As the Duke said, the important point is this. The people praise the Third Princess for her foreign language skill, but if the Princess does the same thing in a year, who cares about such trivial facts now? Who dares to put Your Highness and the Third Princess on the same line? The First Empress will be quite rotted. As a result, it may not be as good as the First or Fourth Princes, but the Princess has the advantage of being very fast, so the people see it as just there! You never get behind in the competition with the princes.”

Kyle somehow seemed to be starting to get more and more excited. His tone grew higher and higher. He began to spit out quite deceptive words about the imperial family, saying such as ‘from there to there’ with the princes, and it’s insignificant to beat the Princess’ foreign language study period. Even talking about the First Empress, he laughed with a strange sound as if flirting.

“Well, but it’s too… Doesn’t it seem like a scam? And for now, it’s impossible…”

“Absolutely not! You already have a certain level of the official language of the West Continent, so you can complete them perfectly in a few months.”

“Who will…”

“And the Pelobert language is similar to the Imperial language, so it should be possible in six or seven months. While simultaneously using both official language and Pelobert, if you quickly complete them and then speak Irencia, a year is enough for all together. And honestly, there is no need to be perfect except for the official language, so you can just do a little bit and pretend to be good at it. There’s not much work to be done… You’ll be really good someday.”

“Yes, except for the official language, just do it roughly. You’ll be really good someday. I’m a little doubtful about the official language, so say that you’ve learned the words roughly from the nanny or you’ve learned the words by yourself with a book.”

Abigail was speechless and looked at the two men alternately. As time went by, she felt like she was going to stop.

“I’ve heard that aristocrats on the periphery teach only letters, but Your Highness has received quite a high level of education. Is ‘Continental History’ referring to the complete edition published by the Empire, not for children?”

“That’s right.”

“You have learned the history quite deeply, so you will know the basic history well. Would it be okay to go straight into deep history?”

“You’ll remember when you hear it, I guess.”

That was a few years ago and it couldn’t be okay. However, Abigail nodded in the feeling that it would be okay. Abigail only uttered a word without sincerity, but Kyle muttered for a long time and wrote it down in his notebook. ‘Grantonian Empire History’, ‘Grantonian Economic History’, ‘Grantonian Political History’, ‘Grantonian Cultural History’, ‘Irencia Empire History’, ‘Pelobert Empire History’, ‘Gennet Kingdom Hot Battle’, ‘East Continental History’, ‘Western First War History’, ‘Western Second War History’, ‘Civil War History’…

That was crazy. Abigail’s face grew tired.

“‘The Essential Knowledge of Grantonian Nobleman Children’ is for children, but it is never shallow. It can be said that it is one of the carefully selected books that contain only really important information. Your Highness will know that more than that, it is learned only by reading your own books. Philosophy will be assigned to one of the excellent teachers for imperial self-control after entering the palace anyway, so there is nothing to be educated about in liberal arts. It’s simple, right?”

In the word ‘philosophy’, Abigail finally grabbed her head with both hands. Not a single one was simple.

“If the Duke of Edelgard asks for the clan’s protection in the process of collecting the confinement, because you’re the Princess and also have the right to succeed Edelgard, there will be at least about two months. In the case of advanced learning by successors of the throne, such as Imperial Studies, Political Science, Diplomacy, Economics, Philosophy, and Law, it is unnatural to learn in advance here, but history is a little late to begin with the Imperial Palace’s teacher. Then, why don’t we proceed a little bit tighter and have ‘The Three Empires of Western Continent’, Grantonia, Pelobert, and Irencia, and ‘Gennet Kingdom Hot Battle’. I think it would be good to have the fierce battle of the eight kingdoms using the Gennet language. This level seems natural and suitable for a considerable amount of culture accumulated while reading books alone in a confined palace. How is it? We’re going to start Pelobert after the entrance for the topic, and for now, we’re perfecting the history with the official language of the West Continent.”

“…do you think I like it?” Abigail was more curious about what kind of reaction he asked her. ‘It’s not something I can refuse anyway, so I’m giving up to some extent, but when I asked something like that, I was more upset.’

“It wasn’t too much, so I thought Your Highness would be fine. Doesn’t Your Highness think so?”

“It’s not too much for you, Sir. Please tell me why you came to think of it like that, based on the principles of the House of Representatives in a coherent manner. Now.” She paused to see if Kyle had finally felt the malice and resentment emanating from Abigail’s body.

“…If you take one history off this week, you have enough room for four history for two months, and also…….”

“This is the minimum content. Just do it.” Rakiel cut off Kyle’s words and ordered, as if it were bothersome to hear more conversations.

If you want to be respectful, you have to be respectful. If you want to speak informally, it would be better if you speak informally.

Of course, Rakiel had already offended Abigail, regardless of whether she was respectful or informal. Maybe that person was just in a bad mood.

‘A history in two weeks? Do you know that the history book has 800 pages each? 3,200 pages is the minimum content? They didn’t even consider the other person’s position.’

After Abigail took a deep breath, Kyle, who was looking at his notebook and choosing words, moved on to another agenda.

“It would be a great merit that Your Highness learned horseback riding and especially shooting. Horseback riding is just basic literacy, so you have less work to learn, but I don’t know how many ladies, who have learned shooting properly, will be in this Empire, no, continent. Now, although some nobles use guns instead of bows for hunting or as a noble hobby, and pistols hang like ornaments on the backs of soldiers with swords, the times will soon change. Soon you will be able to shoot several shots in a row at once and also shoot on horses.”

“I have a very good memory. My father said the exact same thing and spent half of his fortune in the firearms development business, which shoots several shots at a time.”

It was just a smile, but Kyle quietly shut up. Of course, the meaning of shutting up was greater. She had a good sense of humor, but she didn’t know why she hated every word she said. This time, it touched a really bad memory, so Abigail wasn’t too sorry even though she thought that she went a little too far.

Abigail sighed lightly, then smiled at Kyle and soon continued. “But it seems too early at that time, and I agree with the opinion itself, regardless of business failure. It will be a moment of change, and it will be a story of old times when soldiers stand quietly in their place, holding musket rifles and waiting to shoot only two shots in a minute. It’s still ranged and the accuracy is poor, so it’s faster to just run with a sword while reloading, right? It’s still a decoration. I have a well-forged sword in my hand, and there’s no reason to put everything on that single foot.”

“Not yet, of course.”

“Even if it rains, it’s useless…” Abigail talked casually about a business that her father had done. It was even stranger to think that it was a failure that led to death, not just a failure. It was like telling a pleasant story. A few days after the princess’ death, Rakiel looked with interest as Abigail, who had been in a manic-depressive state, was talking about the gun for the first time, shining in her eyes. It was the first time that woman talked about the gun itself. She’s working so hard.

Guns have been in the world for over 200 years, but the knights still rejected it as an inhumane weapon, and even the soldiers were not pleased with the pistol. It was because the weight was slightly exceeding that terrible uselessness. Thus, guns are often talked about by speculators seeking a new shot, cash-strapped rich men, aristocrats who wanted to show off other noble hobbies or expensive self-defense weapons, and policy managers looking for a place to spend their taxes.

If there were more people out there who were interested in guns, it’s probably about those who look into the future like themselves or a woman’s father. Certainly, the woman who talked about guns was special.

“You know it very well.”

“I just picked it up little by little when I was young.”

“Your Excellency, how about the concept of ‘a powerful female leader who leads the flow of the times’?”

At Kyle’s question toward Rakiel, Rakiel moved his head stiffly as if he was thinking, but Abigail shuddered at the feeling of goosebumps from the bottom of her back.

With that serious face, she didn’t want to put such a serious and great word next to her. She wanted to ask him not to do that. It was so cheesy that it was hard to bear.

“Shooting reminds me of a powerful soldier, but it also reminds me of a progressive impression that it is a new weapon that hasn’t fully taken its place yet. Since Your Highness is a woman, your tolerance and soft image will be relatively more prominent compared to First or Fourth Princes, but if you make shooting a little more important than Your Highness’ simple hobbies, it is more political or military than First or Fourth Princes that it becomes possible to supplement the images that are likely to lose control in various ways. In addition, not only the conservative powers of the original legitimacy, but also the peculiarity of dealing with new weapons in the status of women as women, will enable us to embrace not only the emerging industrial capitalists but also the progressives.”

Abigail was embarrassed to death when the northern marginal small nobles had reached the point of being modified by the noble word of the imperial family’s innate legitimacy.

Abigail looked incredibly at Kyle, who spoke the word for granted and shamelessly, as if he were really unaware of the facts.

‘Four years after coming to the capital, I think that I have become as shameless as I can be. However, it won’t even reach the toes of these men.’

“I think it’s okay.”

“The words are so great that I am embarrassed. And my shooting skills are really nothing.”

“Those great words spoken between us are not important at all. The important thing is the same impression as those words. The impression of the imperial people when they remembered the Princess. Impression is not a word but an illusion. It’s because you embody the impression similar to those words in the minds of the imperialists.”

Impression… Somehow things turned out to be a lot more complicated than expected. Abigail’s body trembled with the feeling of a strange reality coming up from the tip of her hand in an instant. Emperor. Reality permeated the word as far as a dream. And reality began to move slowly.

Since then, the story of intelligence development by Kyle continued endlessly across all fields. However, Abigail didn’t want to think a bit about what and how she would learn in three years.

‘I don’t think I want to think about it just because it’s three years from now, but the fact that I have to keep learning something crazily even after three years in the first place was shocking.’

Kyle’s endless plan was about to move on to her fourth year. A woman appeared like a savior through the bookshelf that was open between the Duke’s office and Elderdium.

Kyle paused the disgusting words and got up and took polite steps, and even Rakiel got up and kissed her intimately on the back of her hand. Abigail looked at the series of processes with her eyes blanked in the aftermath of the educational process briefing. Then suddenly, she realized that she had never met her before and was waiting for her to greet her.

The noble lady with her hair neatly twisted and wearing the luxuriously crafted glasses looked as if she were in her early 40s, and at a glance she felt the dignity of the great nobility of the capital.

Overall, it was a strict impression, but when she made eye contact, her smile seemed quite sweet.

‘Seeing that she entered the Elderdium like that, she must be a person who knows who I am.’

It was still awkward to ask someone who knew all the facts as if she was the real Princess, but words popped out with a pretty natural and kind tone that she had done it once.

“Who are you, madam?”

The woman moved gracefully and took manners. The manners for dealing with the imperial family, which she had learned so much. It was a short and simple move, but it was questionable whether she did it like that before. It was such a graceful greeting.

“I greet Your Highness, the Princess. Agnes Gilde, the maid of honor for the Empress.”

“Ah! Countess Gilde.”

“Please call me Agnes, Your Highness.”

If it were the Empress’ maid of honor, she was a well-established figure who was awarded the title of a countess, and she was also famous as a legendary role model for the maids. Even though she was from a fairly powerful family, she hated marriage and became a permanent employee.

In the empire, it was not uncommon for women to directly inherit their family titles – in this case, they are named the same as men.-, it was very rare for a woman to receive the title alone like that.

Usually, the high-ranking maids of the imperial palace received it, so they were unmarried women, but they distinguished it from the former case and most of them were somewhat old, so they attached their wives in respect.

Of course, such titles were mostly honorary titles that had no fief and no succession, even the same high-ranking maid had the title and there was no difference between heaven and earth.