MAC 01

Chapter 1

In the early morning, with a chill hanging in the air, the exclusive residential district lined with elegant townhouses was still deep in sleep.

At this hour, most of the people walking the streets were servants working at the mansions in the area.

A maid heading out to buy freshly baked bread, a grocer’s deliveryman bringing milk and provisions, and a newspaper boy hurried about, exchanging familiar greetings as they went.

The peaceful, quiet routine of the neighborhood was shattered in an instant.

Suddenly, an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage burst out from the end of the street and charged into the townhouse district, dragging a cacophony of noise behind it.

“What kind of lunatic is driving like that this early in the morning?”

Even after entering the street, the carriage showed no sign of slowing down. Its wheels plowed through a puddle, splashing filthy black water everywhere, and screams rang out from all directions.

“This isn’t even the main road! Why isn’t he slowing down? Is he going to pay for my laundry?”

Sharp, accusing looks followed the carriage as it sped away.

Several senior servants who were on their way to work narrowed their eyes. They were determined to find out which household that uncouth carriage was headed for.

“Could it be the Earl of Milton’s servants?”

“I-I work for the Miltons. No one went out last night, though…”

“Then it must be the house next door. The young footmen from the Marquess of Fallon’s household! I’ve seen them stumbling out of taverns and coming home by carriage first thing in the morning more than once!”

This townhouse district was one of the most exclusive residential areas in the capital, where famous aristocratic families from all over the country came to stay during the social season.

Even the lowest-ranking servants who did little more than run errands in the kitchen were paid wages incomparably higher than those in other neighborhoods. The servants took great pride in serving such noble masters.

As a result, improper behavior was something that would earn a servant a severe scolding from their superiors.

“We need to find out whose servant they are. Maybe they’ll learn some manners after getting a good dressing-down!”

The servants from various households banded together, determined to find whoever was disturbing the peace of their neighborhood. They hurried around the corner, intent on seeing which house the carriage entered.

After all, servants were servants. Everyone knew everyone through a few degrees of separation, so figuring out who they were would only be a matter of time…

“Hey. Isn’t that the Earl of Bennett’s house? The carriage is stopping…”

“Come on, let’s go!”

Just then, one of the servants who had been squinting at the suspicious carriage suddenly gasped.

“Wait! Hold on!”

He frantically waved his arms, stopping the others who were about to chase after it.

“He’s not a servant. It’s the Earl of Bennett’s son! You know, Patrick Bennett! I think he’s come back!”

“What?”

“Patrick? You mean Viscount Bennett?”

At the familiar name, spoken for the first time in years, the atmosphere changed instantly.

The people who had been angrily demanding to know what kind of reckless fool was driving so irresponsibly suddenly began to murmur among themselves.

“The Viscount? It’s been years since we’ve heard anything about him. He’s been away from home for several years, hasn’t he?”

“Move aside! Let me see!”

Servants and maids from various houses, grocery deliverymen, and even a messenger from the post office—more than a dozen people crowded against the iron fence.

They peeked toward the entrance of the Bennett residence across the street.

But then…

“Is that really the Viscount…?”

A young man wearing a simple tweed jacket and a flat hunting cap was unloading a large travel trunk himself.

Even then, his face was difficult to see because the enormous carriage blocked the view.

“Could he be a tutor?”

“No. He’s the only son. Young Master Patrick is the only child of the Earl of Bennett. There’d be no reason for a tutor to be coming and going.”

“I’ve seen him before. I’m telling you, that’s definitely Viscount Bennett!”

Just then, the carriage pulled away, fully revealing the tall, handsome young man standing there with a leather satchel tucked beneath his arm.

“Wow…”

The strikingly handsome man standing across the street was unmistakably Patrick Bennett.

As he removed his hunting cap and casually smoothed down his flattened hair, the younger maids couldn’t take their eyes off him.

His thick brown hair, streaked here and there with golden highlights, glittered brilliantly beneath the warm morning sunlight, making him look almost unreal.

“This social season is going to be shaken up.”

One of the maids whispered excitedly.

“Tell me about it!”

“He’s going to be the most sought-after bachelor around.”

Indeed, Patrick Bennett had grown into a magnificent man, incomparable to the pretty boy he had been as a teenager.

His once-slender frame had filled out into a sturdy build, while his more defined eyes and straight nose gave him a mature, distinguished air.

“He hasn’t been in the capital all this time, has he? I heard he was studying biology or something out in the countryside.”

“Don’t most noblemen go into politics? If he didn’t study law, what is he planning to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, my! Look who’s here!”

At that moment, a maid clutching a bundle of freshly baked bread came running over, gathering up her skirts as she hurried to join the crowd.

“Why has our young master come back already? We were supposed to send a carriage to the station on the day he was scheduled to arrive.”

“He came without even sending word?”

“Apparently. Oh dear, there’s going to be quite a commotion today.”

The maid stood there restlessly clutching the bread, while a young maid from the neighboring house whispered to her with envy in her eyes.

“You must be so lucky. Having a young master that handsome! I wish I could work in that house too.”

“Oh, you poor thing… You don’t know what you’re saying.”

The Bennett maid let out a deep sigh, looking utterly exasperated.

“Even though he looks so refined, his temper is anything but ordinary. And he’s so stubborn that no one can ever make him change his mind. Who knows what he’s going to do this time to upset Her Ladyship…”

She suddenly stopped speaking, realizing something.

She was supposed to reach the kitchen before the young master did.

“Oh my, oh my! This is no time to stand around. I’d better go!”

Adjusting her grip on the bundle of bread, the maid hurried across the street and disappeared.

Unable to contain her curiosity, the young maid who had been watching her enviously turned to the others.

“Is what she said really true?”

An elderly gardener who worked at the neighboring Bennett residence kindly answered her.

“Of course. He’s a very, very famous stubborn fellow.”

Soft morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains hanging by the window.

Three steaming cups of tea sat neatly arranged on the coffee table.

“I thought you wouldn’t be coming for another three days. You certainly hurried back.”

Patrick could see the joy in his parents’ eyes, but deliberately pretended not to notice. Instead, he rested a hand on his leather satchel.

“I came as soon as I finished packing. I wanted to show you my diploma as soon as possible.”

Patrick pulled a large cylindrical case from his bag, placed it on the table, and stepped back a couple of paces.

The Earl glanced at the luxurious velvet-lined case, exchanged a look with his wife, and pulled out the diploma inside before unfolding it.

“Collins University, Faculty of Natural Sciences. First-class honours degree… Patrick William Bennett.”

The Earl’s expression was difficult to read as he slowly read the gold-embossed letters.

Patrick straightened his shoulders.

“I graduated top of my class. I received the highest marks in every subject. And, as promised, I didn’t spend a single penny of the Bennett family’s money. I lived as an ordinary student and completed my studies entirely through my own efforts.”

“Top of your class? Patrick! That’s wonderful. We are so proud of you.”

The Earl merely listened to his son’s words in silence, while the Countess quietly interjected.

Her reaction seemed strangely overenthusiastic, and before Patrick knew it, the subject had been smoothly changed.

“Now that you’ve studied what you wanted to study, why don’t you take some time to rest and attend a few social gatherings this season? It’s about time you started looking for a suitable bride…”

“…I’m not planning to get married.”

“Patrick, I’m not saying you have to get married right away, am I? In any case, it’s about time you started attending sessions of the House of Lords and finding your place. You can take your time and meet various young ladies before making a decision…”

“No, Mother. Politics isn’t suited to me.”

Patrick took a deep breath and raised his head.

“I’m going to get a job.”

…Twenty-five-year-old Patrick William Bennett.

The heir to the Bennett family, a house that had produced countless lawyers and politicians for generations.

Yet he was the first historical aberration in the family to deliberately go against the established path—a misfit, an eccentric, a downright oddball.

Just as he had five years ago, when he had abruptly packed his belongings and left home after declaring that he wanted to major in biology, he had once again dropped an uncompromising bombshell on his family.

“You—you little brat! You’re doing this again…!”

His mother’s mouth slowly fell open in utter shock, but Patrick remained completely unfazed and continued with what he had to say.

“For the time being, I plan to carry my diploma around, attend interviews, and look into positions at university laboratories or museum curatorial departments…”

“PATRICK—WILLIAM—BENNEEEET!”