A truly successful transaction is always a win-win.
With both parties content, Dr. Callan graciously provided the remaining potion ingredients at no cost.
Having achieved all her objectives, and with no further reason to linger, she purchased two first-class tickets for a return journey three days hence that very day.
Over the next three days, Dr. Callan worked tirelessly, completing her tasks just in time to catch the train.
Nor did she forget the potted plants, which had been taken by the Epidemic Prevention Bureau for inspection.
Most people she inquired with were unaware of Esli’s exact address, knowing only that her home was somewhere within Mistfall City.
Konehl-Ghervil resolved to take them back with her and inquire gradually; if she truly couldn’t locate Esli’s family, she would abandon the thought of returning them and cultivate them herself with care.
The 16th.
Sunday morning dawned.
The two individuals and one mouse boarded their homeward bound train, the Blue Rose.
The journey proved rather eventful.
Govet-Ghervil, having grown quite plump, nearly burst open the travel case, but Dr. Callan swiftly pressed her down, narrowly avoiding inspection.
En route, Konehl-Ghervil inquired about the compensation for resolving such a significant matter.
The answer she received sent her emotions on a dizzying rollercoaster.
The overt rewards, she was informed, would be substantial, potentially even including a noble title, yet none of it concerned her in the slightest.
The letter itself wasn’t an official commission, and Dr. Callan’s issuance of a certificate had been a convenience of her status and position; if Konehl-Ghervil were to leverage that certificate to create a larger stir, she would face repercussions.
“However, from what I know of His Majesty, they will undoubtedly find a way to bestow merits upon you and grant rewards through more discreet means,” Dr. Callan murmured, gently feeding a perfectly washed grape to the furry ball nestled on her lap, all while offering reassurance.
After these past few days of private indulgence (TL Note: “开小灶” refers to special, often lavish, meals or treatment given in private, implying favoritism or extra perks.), Govet-Ghervil and Dr. Callan’s relationship had not only normalized but blossomed into a genuine friendship.
Konehl-Ghervil’s weight loss plan, however, had largely fallen apart.
Upon hearing ‘discreet means,’ she was almost certain it referred to the five thousand Soldeau, roughly three hundred Trin Gold Coins, in her royal bank account.
While that sounded like a considerable sum, after allocating funds for the Blood Rose she intended to purchase, only a hundred Trin Gold Coins remained.
She was utterly unwilling to endure a year of free labor, so she had devised a way to repay the debt early, even if it meant resorting to some underhanded tactics.
Ultimately, nearly sacrificing her life and a friend’s well-being for a mere hundred Trin Gold Coins hardly seemed worthwhile.
Feeling utterly dejected, everything seemed to rub her the wrong way; the greasy appearance of the two creatures before her only intensified her irritation, so she simply retreated to another compartment, kicked off her shoes, collapsed onto the bed, and buried her ears under a pillow, seeking a moment of peace.
“Did I… say something wrong…?” Dr. Callan’s hand, still holding a grape, hovered mid-air.
“No, nothing wrong, you’re just too slow with the grapes,” Govet-Ghervil struggled upright with a wiggle reminiscent of a carp leaping from water, snatched the grape, and swallowed it.
“Now, go fetch more honey cakes. This marks the end of breakfast for today.”
‘Breakfast’…
Glancing at the clock, which now indicated midday, and feeling a dull ache in her thigh from the weight, Dr. Callan increasingly felt Konehl-Ghervil’s decision had been entirely justified.
At three o’clock on Monday afternoon, the Blue Rose slowly glided into Mistfall City’s train station.
Before she could even draw a breath of fresh air, Konehl-Ghervil, donning a wide-brimmed sun hat, ignored the calls from behind her and hastily pushed her way through the throng.
She needed to arrive before the bank staff left for the day.
“Wait, Konehl-Ghervil, you’ve forgotten your travel case!” Dr. Callan called out, giving chase, the heavy case in hand.
Crucially, Govet-Ghervil was packed inside the case; any excessive force, or even a moment of inattention, could damage it, severely impeding Dr. Callan’s pursuit.
She finally caught up to the young woman, who had already boarded a carriage, and quickly shoved the case into the compartment.
“You can go back without me; I have some private matters that aren’t convenient for others to accompany me on.” The voice emanated from within the carriage before Dr. Callan could even fully step aboard.
“You ought to take Govet-Ghervil with you, given how rushed you seem.” This remark prompted Konehl-Ghervil to swiftly unzip the case, scoop up the furry ball that was poking its head out, and, before it could react, toss it into the woman’s arms.
Having indulged so thoroughly at Dr. Callan’s expense, completely oblivious to the world, who knew if it might inadvertently spill secrets?
“Driver, a little faster, if you please.”
After a crack of the whip and a shout, Dr. Callan stood rooted to the spot, cradling the furry ball as she watched the carriage recede into the distance.
“…Let’s head back, shall we? One of my cars is in the nearby parking lot.”
“Before we go back, let’s address the matter of lunch.”
“But…”
“No ‘buts,’ now. Rest assured, I won’t tell her that you’ve been feeding me apple strudel, Sacher torte, fruit tarts, frosted sugar cookies, flavored chocolates, and rose pudding this entire time.”
“…”
On Monday, the bank was bustling with patrons conducting their business.
Konehl-Ghervil waited in line for what felt like an eternity, and seeing that closing time was fast approaching, she reluctantly removed her hat, revealing her white hair and distinctive features.
A staff member, beaming, promptly approached her.
“Reverend Sister Konehl-Ghervil, how may I be of assistance?”
“Is Manager Brabant available? If so, would you be so kind as to fetch him for me?”
“Please, follow me.”
In the familiar reception room, a lean man with a trim mustache, dressed impeccably, poured red tea.
“Oh… that you would choose to conduct your business here in Mistfall City, it is my immense honor, nay, the honor of this entire establishment.”
“How did you know I was returning today?” Konehl-Ghervil took a sip of her red tea, her eyes narrowing with a hint of displeasure and suspicion.
Judging by the cigarette ash in the wastebasket, he had been waiting in the reception room for nearly an hour.
The branch manager of the Royal Bank was, without question, a very busy man.
He wouldn’t have wasted his time waiting unless he had been informed beforehand.
“The complete lockdown of Florence City was no minor affair, and the precise timing of its lifting… indeed, I have been setting aside time each afternoon for the past few days, awaiting your arrival.” Brabant merely smiled, adjusting his tie without a hint of discomposure.
It was an answer that would typically earn high marks, both explaining his presence and conveying respect.
Yet, he had overlooked one crucial detail.
“I don’t recall ever mentioning I was returning from Florence City,” Konehl-Ghervil stated calmly.
A momentary stiffness flickered across the man’s face.
“Let’s discuss the actual business at hand.” She cared little for how these people had acquired their information; having established her authority, there was no need to truly make things difficult, only to ensure he wouldn’t try any tricks.
She produced a document bearing the seals of the Florence City Cathedral and the Hospital Department, handing it over.
“Do I need to explain the purpose and function of this document?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. I understand what needs to be done. Please, wait a moment.” Brabant took the document, and without even glancing at it, rose and departed.
Ten minutes later, he returned, his face beaming with delight.
“I am truly delighted for you!”
“It’s done?” Konehl-Ghervil, too, rose excitedly.
“Not yet.” The man, as if performing a theatrical face-changing act, instantly reverted to his composed demeanor.
‘Then why were you smiling more happily than I was myself???’
‘Hold it in, there are already too many vexations, I must hold it in…’
‘Damn it… I can’t hold it anymore!’
“The procedure requires some time!” Brabant explained, just before her outburst.
“I can guarantee, upon my honor, that your account will be unfrozen by noon tomorrow at the latest!”
“…Thank you… I appreciate your trouble.” Anger, she realized acutely at that moment, truly made one lose all reason.
After requesting some blank checks, she finally arrived home, weary from her travels, at six o’clock that evening.
The roses and potted plants, transported by a hired hand, were neatly arranged in the front yard.
Setting down her travel case and changing her shoes, she ascended to her second-floor bedroom.
She found paper and pen in a drawer, then plunged into a furious bout of writing.
With barely a pause for rest, three hours later she pressed her final fingerprint onto the document, then collapsed back into her chair, utterly spent.
She was truly exhausted.
Despite her physical fatigue, her spirits soared.
After a brief respite, she gazed at the brightly lit windows of house number 100 across the way, then lifted the fruit of her three hours’ labor from the desk: a ten-thousand-word paper resignation notice.
A smile, which she could no longer suppress, finally curved her lips.