Chapter: 02
The warm atmosphere of the drawing room had turned as cold as ice.
The Countess, who was practically sprawled across the long sofa while pressing her temples, closed her eyes, while the Count remained completely motionless, stiff as a statue.
“My dear. Patrick… may I ask you something?”
The Countess pressed her temples firmly and let out a deep, despairing sigh.
“After studying all that time, was that still not enough for you? If there is something you want to know, couldn’t you simply pay someone to handle it for you? Why on earth would you insist on working under someone else?”
“Mother. I have to do it myself. Because that is what I want to do.”
“What about our family? Aren’t you supposed to inherit the family? What about the next heir?”
“That…”
It felt as though a heavy weight had been placed on his chest, but Patrick carefully voiced his thoughts.
“Unfortunately, if I don’t marry, there is no way I could possibly have a child…”
“Y-you damned boy!”
The Countess, who had been desperately suppressing her boiling anger, finally exploded.
“You selfish little wretch! You only ever think about yourself! Is that really something you should say in front of your parents? What kind of utter nonsense are you spouting? Huh?”
“Edith, Edith!”
As his wife stamped her feet and pounded her chest, Count Bennett hurried to her side.
“Edith, calm down. Please.”
“How do you think I raised you? I turned a blind eye to all your nonsense until now, and this is what I get? Do you think words are enough to excuse everything?”
“Edith!”
Despite her husband’s attempts to stop her, the enraged Countess finally sprang to her feet.
“I simply can’t listen to this anymore, dear. You talk to him.”
Bang!
The door slammed shut, and the sound of the furious Countess’s heavy footsteps gradually faded away.
Then came a long silence.
It wasn’t easy to face the disappointment clearly written across his father’s face, but Patrick steeled himself and waited for the reprimand he knew was coming.
“Patrick.”
At his father’s quiet call, Patrick cautiously raised his head.
“You know, I think you could do whatever work you want even after getting married. If you want to conduct research, couldn’t we simply remodel the mansion and install whatever equipment you need?”
“No, Father.”
Taking a deep breath, Patrick calmly explained his position.
“If I continue my research, I might suddenly have to leave for an expedition to a distant country. I might have to travel from place to place. I would inevitably neglect my family. My wife and children would be left on their own during that time.”
“Isn’t it a wife’s role to quietly wait for such a husband? To take care of the household and raise the children until her husband returns?”
“I don’t think so. That would simply make me an irresponsible head of the household.”
A long silence settled over the drawing room.
Even now, there were countless men who chose an ‘appropriate woman’ to marry in order to preserve their family line, and then lived however they pleased. For aristocratic men, it was an easy thing to do and a common means of escape.
But Patrick wanted to avoid one thing above all else: abandoning the woman he married simply so that he could devote himself to the work he loved.
If he alone became the terrible son without dragging anyone else into the matter, then it could be resolved. Even if it was unpleasant, he believed this was the best choice.
And, more importantly…
Patrick hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Father. The truth is, I’ve made… a discovery that could have a major impact on the academic world.”
“So?”
“If I want to make what I’ve discovered widely known, I need the ‘authority’ of a researcher. In other words, I need to belong to an institution. I don’t want people pointing fingers at me and dismissing my work as nothing more than a wealthy aristocrat’s idle hobby. That’s why I need a proper ‘job.’”
Patrick continued with difficulty.
“This is truly important research, Father. It’s still only at the planning stage, but if it succeeds, it could help not only the academic world but many other people as well.”
Of course, he didn’t mention that his academic advisor had completely dismissed his research. Nor did he mention that although Patrick had staked his life on this research, the academic community had shown little interest in it…
Even so, Patrick was certain.
He had to complete this research somehow, no matter what, and to do that, he needed an environment where he could properly pursue it.
“…”
The Count did not immediately respond. He rested his chin on his hand and thought deeply. Then he set Patrick’s diploma down and slowly leaned back against the chair.
Patrick straightened his posture as he waited for his father to speak. He even wondered if this time his father might suddenly leap out of that armchair and beat him senseless.
“Do as you wish.”
“…Pardon?”
Patrick stared at his father in disbelief. He had steeled himself for the worst, so his father’s unexpected response left him even more confused.
“You mean I may get a job like a commoner?”
“Yes. The same goes for marriage. Do as you wish.”
“What?”
What on earth was happening?
Yet his father’s eyes, calmly fixed upon his son, remained clear and unwavering.
“You’ve studied in that field for five years, and you even graduated at the top of your class. It would be a waste to let that talent go to waste. If you desire it that desperately, I don’t want to stand in the way of the path you’ve chosen.”
Patrick hesitated, unsure of what to say. His throat even felt a little tight.
Could he… really do that?
“Thank you…”
“However, what happened earlier was too much.”
The Count slowly placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it. Wisps of pale smoke drifted through the air, gradually clouding the room. Watching his son through the haze, the Count spoke in a subdued voice.
“You should have considered your mother. I know what happened to you and why you wandered so much, but your poor mother knows nothing about it. Isn’t that right?”
Patrick froze.
He hadn’t thought that far.
“…I’m sorry, Father.”
“I want you to at least show her a little sincerity.”
The Count reached across the table and picked up a thick card from the silver tray before handing it to him. It had elegant gold-foil decorations, a red ribbon, and thick, luxurious paper.
It was an invitation to the first social ball of the season.
“With the times changing, if this is truly causing you so much distress, I don’t want to force you either. But it pains me to see my wife desperately wishing for you to marry.”
The Count took another drag of his cigarette without waiting for his son’s response.
“Start by taking a look at that invitation.”
Patrick honestly wasn’t interested, but he nevertheless unfolded the thick cream-colored card and read its contents.
“Huh…?”
Unexpectedly, what was written there was enough to make Patrick’s eyes light up.
To the Esteemed Count and Countess Bennett,
It would be our great honor if you would attend the grand commemorative ball celebrating the reopening of the Royal Museum of Natural History following its expansion.
In particular, the occasion will also include the inauguration ceremony of the museum’s new director, who has achieved remarkable academic accomplishments and possesses extensive field experience.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the new director, who has returned to his homeland after many years abroad and will devote himself to developing the Museum of Natural History. We also humbly ask for your continued generous support.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of the Royal Museum of Natural History of Brionia
Patrick finished reading the contents in one breath and immediately looked up.
“Father. Have you heard who the new director is?”
“I’m not sure. It’s not exactly a field I’m familiar with…”
“Oh my goodness…”
The Count was bewildered by how excited his son suddenly became.
“Why? Is this someone who can help with your work?”
“Of course, Father!”
Patrick took a deep breath and stared intently at the invitation once again.
‘Extensive field experience.’
‘Remarkable academic accomplishments.’
‘Returned to his homeland after many years abroad…’
That person.
Patrick ran his fingertips over the words on the card as he thought deeply about what lay ahead.
An opportunity to achieve his dream had appeared right before him.
There was no way he could let such a precious opportunity slip away!
“From these hints, I think I know who the new director is. Ah, wait. This isn’t the time for that. I need to get ready…”
“Patrick, please calm down. The ball isn’t for quite some time yet. And…”
“I need to revise my research proposal. This is an incredible opportunity!”
So excited that he even forgot his father was there, Patrick rushed toward the door, only to stop in the doorway.
“I have to meet the director. If I can get a position at the Royal Museum of Natural History, I’ll be able to continue my research. I don’t know if there will be an opening, but… if it’s this person, surely…!”
With his mind already at the Museum of Natural History, Patrick rambled on before giving his father a quick bow and disappearing.
Bang.
The door closed, leaving the Count alone in the drawing room. Looking troubled, he lit his second cigarette.
…That certainly wasn’t what I gave him the invitation for.
