“Did much happen after I left?” Artemisia asked.
Princess Sissi looked up from her tea. “At the ball? No, just the usual. You were the biggest event of the evening.”
Great. Way to make me feel better.
“Lord Harold had a little too much to drink and made a fool of himself,” Simon interjected.
“Oh, that’s a regular happening at any ball he attends,” Princess Sissi said dismissively. “Although I suppose he did try to get up on a table this time – he was trying to recreate one of his hunts.”
“Oh dear,” Artemisia commented, before becoming very interested in the plate before her.
More people trickled in as breakfast continued, a few nursing a hangover. Not enough for the party to have gotten too crazy, though, so I guess I really didn’t miss a lot. Harold Senior does look a bit green, however.
It seemed to have been a very restricted group who had stayed at the palace overnight, and each individual made Artemisia feel more and more out of place.
The only one who’s close in age to me is Simon; everyone else is either the crown princess’ age or older. And we’re all aware of that – they keep staring at me!
Artemisia found herself fending off several inquiries into her health, and she had to repeat the same excuse so many times that people started answering for her.
The only good thing about being stuck out like a sore thumb is that people aren’t dragging me into conversations. I can just sit here and enjoy my breakfast, unlike some others. I swear, I haven’t seen a single thing pass Countess Munroe’s lips save a mouthful of tea.
“My dear Lady Artemisia, would you input your opinion on our debate?”
“Huh? Sorry, pardon?”
Princess Sissi motioned to the women on her other side: Verda von Rustrucht and the aforementioned Countess Munroe, otherwise known as Catarina der Erbell. “We were discussing whether the recent interest in astronomy will be a help or a hindrance to the progression of our society.”
Astronomy?
“Yes, my eldest has started begging for a telescope after a recent article in some periodical. Something to do with that meteor storm, the one last month,” Catarina said, sighing. “I’m worried it has distracted her from her studies. I spoke with her tutor, and it does seem that she’s been less attentive in lessons lately.”
“And it’s not just Catarina’s girl!” Verda interjected. “All of my children – even little Septimus – have been asking Harold and I question after question about stars, where they come from, how they fall – I ended up having to buy several scientific treatises just to placate them!”
“I think it is quite good!” said Princess Sissi. “We need more interest in natural philosophy. My Theo – I mean the Prince Consort – declares it is the way forward. He says that we cannot rely on magic to open up new avenues, and that natural philosophy is the superior field of study.”
Huh, so science trumps magic in this world. Interesting. Is this why the author made magic a less popular facet of society? Maybe the plot has something to do with the fall of magic and the rise of science. Of course, what they call natural philosophy isn’t quite science as I know it, but it’s similar enough.
“It is very well that natural philosophy becomes more integral to society – a cousin of mine is a member of the Guild of Philosophers – but surely there are better subjects that we should be focusing on?” Verda drummed her fingers on the table. “I don’t see what we can learn by turning our eyes to the sky. It is the domain of religion, and I say we leave it there.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“I disagree!” Artemisia said emphatically. “Without looking outwards, how can we look inwards? In my opinion, by learning more about the universe, we better understand ourselves. Out there is the greatest of mysteries, so it is perfectly natural that we are drawn to it, that we want answers. The study of space allows us to understand our place in this world, helps us to understand the fragility and specialness of what we have here!”
The three women looked at Artemisia.
“I never knew you were filled with such passion for astronomy, Lady Artemisia!” Princess Sissi said with a small amount of awe. “I’ve never heard your name associated with it before.”
“Indeed, if you permit me to say, I did not know you were so educated on the subject,” Verda said, sniffing. “You speak as if you had studied it for years, almost taking yourself beyond the bounds of propriety with your emotion.”
Artemisia ignored the veiled insult. I did. I did study astronomy, or something like it. I remember now! I remember my undergraduate days, that one astrophysics module that I could just not focus in. She recalled taking notes at the back of a lecture theatre, her hoodie pulled over her head as she struggled not to fall asleep, serenaded by the white-noise-drone of her lecturer’s voice. Somehow I passed that module, but it wasn’t my best grade by far.
“It is a… recent interest,” she said slowly. “Perhaps I was also inspired by the same meteor storm you all speak of.”
After all, that’s when I entered Artemisia’s body… She fell into self-contemplation the rest of breakfast, fending off attempts to draw her into conversation.
?
Artemisia breathed a sigh of relief. She was waiting at the front entrance of the palace for a carriage to be brought round and carry her home.
I’m glad to be gone. It was useful, and I guess fun at times, but I’m so tired of all this politeness and posturing.
And I discovered more about myself – who I was, what I was trying to be. I definitely was some sort of researcher or scientist. I wonder if I can use my skills to get ahead in this world somehow. After all, transmigrated protagonists usually use something they know from Earth to give them an advantage. Modern business practices, not-yet-invented contraptions… I wonder what I could recreate over here. I don’t think science is advanced to a point where I could use it… but perhaps magic could be a valuable tool. I’m sure I remember reading a story where a character used magic to recreate a hairdryer.
“Pardon me, Lady Artemisia, but might I have a moment of your time?”
“Oh, um, yeah sure – I mean, yes, of course!” Artemisia put on a bright smile and turned around.
Huh? What does the duke want? Simon von Loambarn had exited the palace behind her.
“Forgive me, but I overheard your speech at breakfast earlier.”
“Well, I wasn’t particularly subdued,” Artemisia replied, colouring a little.
“No, I suppose you weren’t,” Simon said, then seemed to rethink his words. “I didn’t mean that in a negative way – in fact, I found you quite inspiring. It’s rare to hear someone speak so emphatically about astronomy outside the Guild of Philosophers.”
“Hahaha.” Artemisia laughed weakly. “Are you a member, Your Grace?”
“Not a true member, but I have friends who are, and I attend the gatherings when I am in the capital. The position of honorary fellow might suit my position best.”
“Oh, how interesting!” It would be cool to see the status of science in this world and perhaps it would help with my memory loss, y’know?
Am I getting too wound up about my original self? I just want to know who I was… and somehow, I have a feeling it will help me understand what story I am in. I think it must have been something I read right before I died. But nothing I’ve experienced has jogged any sort of memory – I’m starting to get frustrated.
“Lady Artemisia, would you like me to procure you an invitation to the guild?”
What? Did he just say what I think he did?
“You would?!” Artemisia gasped, her eyes shining with excitement. “Would you really?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Wait, but – why?” Artemisia folded her arms. “Why would you do this, Your Grace?”
It’s like he read my mind. Wait, can he read minds? It could be possible in a fantasy world! Are you reading my mind right now, Your Grace?
He looked to the side and scratched his chin. “I simply wished to give you the chance to explore a subject that brings you such passion.”
“Is that all?” Oh wait, was that too blunt?
“Well… if you permit it, I would also like to take this opportunity to become better acquainted with you.”
Huh? Huh? Huuuhhhh?????
