MG42

I thought that once the basic general education curriculum was over, I’d be able to spend all day at the workshop.

As I got older, many of my French and piano lessons, along with several etiquette lessons, were scheduled to be cut back. Since I was over sixteen, it meant I no longer had to be dragged around by a timetable like a little child.

At first, I took that to mean I’d have more freedom.

But Mother understood it differently.

“What is this?”

My new schedule was packed with audiences with foreign envoys, formal dinners, charity events, art museum patronage events, court balls, and visits to various noble families.

“These are the duties of a princess coming of age.”

“There are more of these than my piano lessons.”

“Now you should be the one listening to piano performances, not the one learning to play.”

“That’s even harder.”...