The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 53

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 53
Rachel’s wardrobe was essentially empty.
Even before, loose pants had made up the bulk of her clothing; arriving at the Imperial Palace had only made matters worse, shrinking her already meager collection further.
“I’m worried, you see. We have so few dresses.”
“Surely three will suffice?”
Rachel answered brightly, but the Nanny shook her head at once.
“We can’t know when Her Majesty might summon you. We should have more dresses made, even now.”
The Nanny thrust out her lips with deliberate gravity. It was nothing to Rachel, but for the Nanny, it was clearly a matter of importance.
The Nanny spent dozens of minutes pacing in front of the wardrobe, muttering to herself. For Rachel, who had come to the Imperial Palace to “study,” clothes were not a concern—so she simply sat quietly on the sofa, observing the Nanny’s distress.
“This won’t do at all! We must have more dresses made right away.”
The Nanny clenched her fist as if reaching a great resolution. It was a decision made without consulting Rachel’s opinion.
“If I summon the Imperial Tailor, she can finish them quickly.”
“The Imperial Tailor?”
“Since you are now part of the Imperial Palace, naturally you should have your dresses made by the Imperial Tailor.”
The Nanny laid out her logic.
“Well… I actually think it might be better to call in an outside tailor?”
“Why do you think so, ma’am?”
“Because I can hardly be called a true member of the Imperial Palace. Right now, I’m not even Theo and Noah’s regular teacher anymore, and I haven’t entered the Mage Tower yet.”
“You have been their teacher until now, and you will soon be entering the Mage Tower—that alone gives you plenty of reason.”
The Nanny’s resolve was unshakeable. In that moment, Rachel realized that no matter how much she argued, she could not budge the Nanny. So she simply laughed awkwardly and reached for a cookie before her.
“Just wait a moment!”
The Nanny hurried from the room. Before long, Rachel found herself alone—a feeling she hadn’t experienced in quite some time.
‘Is it really all right to let the Imperial Tailor make my dresses?’
Rachel tilted her head.
‘I don’t think I’m qualified…’
No matter how much she worried, her thoughts remained the same. She was already being treated as the woman the Crown Prince had summoned, and now this situation was beginning to genuinely concern her.
“Ma’am!”
She had just decided to find the Nanny and talk her out of it when the Nanny opened the door and reentered.
If the Nanny had come alone, things would have been simple. Behind the Nanny stood the Imperial Tailor and several of her assistants.
“Ah… hello…”
Rachel greeted them awkwardly. The Imperial Tailor and her assistants promptly entered the room in unison, spreading out their tools.
“I understand you are Rachel. I heard you needed a Tea Party Dress. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Before Rachel could even answer, the Nanny responded first, then began issuing instructions to the assistants without pause.
Rachel knew these weren’t casual directions. The forceful Nanny was clearly dictating exactly how the dress should be made.
“Should we proceed with the design as instructed?”
“Yes, please do.”
The Nanny had stolen the answer again. Rachel, who had suddenly become the one having a dress made, couldn’t hide her bewilderment.
“We will also prepare accessories that complement the dress’s color.”
The Imperial Tailor spoke up first, and Rachel found herself nodding along.
“Then let us begin.”
The measurements began. Starting from her neck, the process was conducted with meticulous precision. Rachel stood rigid as a mannequin, allowing them to take her measurements.
After some time, they began discussing with the Nanny—mostly about fabrics and accessories that Rachel found utterly incomprehensible.
“We will do our very best to please you.”
The youngest of the assistants spoke politely and bowed. Rachel hastily bowed in return.
Once the morning’s urgent business had concluded, a sense of leisure returned. There was little for Rachel to do—reading books and hearing updates about Theo and Noah’s progress were all she had.
“Ma’am, if you’re feeling bored, would you like to take a tour of the Imperial Palace with me?”
“That sounds nice.”
She had expected to enter the Mage Tower as soon as she arrived at the Palace, but the Tower Master had been away, so permission had been delayed. Thanks to that, Rachel had been afforded this pleasant opportunity to see the Imperial Palace.
“Where would you most like to go?”
“Could we visit the Imperial Library?”
“Of course.”
Rachel and the Nanny left the palace together. The looks directed at Rachel were varied—some cold and disapproving, others curious and intrigued. Either way, she drew attention.
“Ma’am, here is the Imperial Library.”
As they arrived, the attendant who recognized who Rachel was swiftly opened the doors.
“Thank you.”
Rachel stepped inside and looked up at the high ceiling. In the past, she wouldn’t have noticed, but now she understood—this vast space was illuminated not by electricity, but by Magic Stones.
‘It’s strange that people can live like this without electricity.’
Science and this other realm called magic had always amazed her. And that she herself could use such magic was equally wondrous.
‘If ordinary people could read books in a place like this, that would be truly wonderful.’
The Empire still had no movable type. Books had to be written by hand, and for this reason, they were prohibitively expensive.
‘If I’m going to build a school and create textbooks, I’ll need movable type for mass production.’
Rachel sank into deep thought. What if she proposed making metal or wooden type? How would Lucas react?
‘He always listens to my ideas so carefully.’
Rachel’s mood brightened. No one heard her out quite like Lucas did. If anyone would embrace such a proposal—especially someone who cared as deeply for the Empire’s people as he did—it would be him.
‘The real challenge is the technique to make the type itself.’
Metal type was far more efficient for mass production than wooden blocks. She would need to find texts on metalworking and large-scale manufacturing techniques. There was much to do.
Rachel lost herself in the search, book after book, oblivious to the setting sun and the Magic Stones burning ever brighter in response.
* * *
“Miss, are all these books borrowed?”
The Nanny asked, her eyes widening in astonishment.
“Yes. I have a proposal to present to Lucas.”
“A proposal?”
“A technique for mass-producing books.”
“Mass-producing books? You mean…?”
The Nanny knitted her brow as if questioning what she’d just heard. But Rachel paid no mind, organizing the borrowed volumes instead. She intended to transcribe and summarize the essential passages to present to Lucas.
“I’ve heard your aspirations are rather unconventional, miss….”
The Nanny trailed off, having not expected this from her.
“What I’m hoping for is admittedly quite idealistic.”
Rachel acknowledged it readily, then threw herself back into organizing the material.
A single day passed in an instant. When exhaustion finally became unbearable, Rachel stretched and rubbed her eyes.
‘I’ll rest for a moment, then get back to it.’
She laid her head down on the table and closed her eyes. Already so tired, sleep came quickly.
“…Oh.”
When she opened her eyes again, her body felt warm in a way it hadn’t before. Rachel blinked around groggily at herself.
“This is….”
It definitely hadn’t been there when she fell asleep.
A cape was draped over Rachel’s shoulders—one bearing the royal crest.
‘Surely not….’
Rachel sat up quickly. Lucas must have come by while she slept.
‘Oh no.’
Heat flooded her cheeks at the thought of him seeing her sleep so carelessly. The embarrassment was overwhelming.
Or perhaps—and this made her face burn all the more—she was thinking about how she must have appeared to him.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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