MAC 02

Chapter 2

The warm atmosphere in the drawing room turned as cold as ice.

Patrick’s mother had practically collapsed onto the long sofa, pressing her temples as she closed her eyes. His father, meanwhile, had been sitting stiffly like a stone statue, without moving an inch.

“Patrick, my dear… Let me ask you just one thing.”

The Countess pressed her temples and let out a deep, weary sigh.

“After studying all that time, was it still not enough? If there’s something you’re curious about, couldn’t you simply pay someone to look into it for you? Why on earth would you want to work under someone else?”

“Mother. I have to do it myself. That’s what I want.”

“What about our family? You’re supposed to inherit the title. 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’s no way I’ll have any children…”

“Y-You damned boy!”

The Countess, who had been desperately trying to suppress her boiling anger, finally exploded.

“You selfish, ungrateful brat! Is that something you say to your parents? What kind of ridiculous nonsense are you spouting? Huh?”

“My dear, my dear!”

When his wife began stamping her feet and pounding her chest, the Earl of Bennett hurried to her side.

“Edith, calm down. Please?”

“How did I raise you? I turned a blind eye to all your foolishness until now, and this is what I get? Do you think you can say anything just because they’re words?”

“Edith!”

Despite her husband’s attempts to restrain her, the enraged Countess finally shot to her feet.

“I can’t listen to this anymore, darling. You talk to him.”

Bang!

The door slammed shut, followed by the heavy footsteps of the furious Countess fading into the distance.

Then came a long silence.

It wasn’t easy to face the disappointment plainly visible on 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.

“I think you can do whatever you want even after getting married. If you want to conduct research, couldn’t you simply renovate part of the estate and install whatever equipment you need?”

“No, Father.”

Patrick took a deep breath and calmly laid out his argument.

“If I continue my research, I might suddenly have to leave on an expedition to some distant country. I may have to spend long periods traveling from place to place. I’ll end up neglecting my family. My wife and children would be left behind.”

“Isn’t it a wife’s role to patiently wait for such a husband? To look after the household and raise the children until he returns?”

“I don’t see it that way. That would simply make me an irresponsible head of the household.”

A long silence settled over the drawing room.

Even now, there were countless aristocratic men who chose a “suitable woman,” married her to preserve their family line, and then lived however they pleased.

For an aristocratic man, it was an easy thing to do—and a common means of escape.

But Patrick wanted to avoid abandoning the woman he married simply so that he could devote himself to the work he loved.

If he alone became the miserable son, without dragging anyone else into it, the problem could be solved. As uncomfortable as it was, he believed this was the best option.

And, above all, the most important thing was…

Patrick hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Father. The truth is, I made a… discovery that could have a significant impact on the academic world.”

“And?”

“If I want to make what I’ve discovered widely known, I need the ‘authority’ of being a researcher. In other words, I need to be affiliated with an institution. I don’t want people pointing fingers at me and dismissing my work as nothing more than the idle hobby of a wealthy aristocrat. That’s why I need a proper ‘job.’”

Patrick struggled to continue.

“This is genuinely important research, Father. It’s still only at the conceptual stage, but if it succeeds, it could help not only the academic community but many other people as well.”

Of course, he didn’t mention that his supervising professor had completely dismissed his research.

Nor did he tell his father that although Patrick had staked his life on this project, the academic community’s reaction had been decidedly lukewarm.

Still, Patrick had absolute faith in himself.

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 Earl didn’t immediately respond.

He rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought, then set Patrick’s diploma down and slowly leaned back against his 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.

“You may do as you wish.”

“…What?”

Patrick stared at his father in disbelief.

He had prepared himself for the worst, so his father’s unexpected response left him even more bewildered.

“You mean I can get a job like an ordinary commoner?”

“Yes. The same goes for marriage. Do as you wish.”

“What?”

What on earth was happening?

Yet his father’s gaze, calmly fixed on his son, was 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 unused. If this is truly what you want, I don’t wish to stand in the way of the path you’ve chosen.”

Patrick hesitated, unsure what to say.

His throat felt strangely tight.

Really…? Is it really okay?

“Thank you, Fa—”

“However, you went too far just now.”

The Earl slowly placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it.

A cloud of pale smoke drifted upward, gradually clouding the air.

Through the haze, the Earl gazed thoughtfully at his son and spoke in a subdued voice.

“You should have considered your mother’s feelings. I know what happened to you. I know why you wandered so aimlessly for so long. But your poor mother knows nothing about any of it. Isn’t that right?”

Patrick froze.

He hadn’t thought that far.

“…I’m sorry, Father.”

“I want you to show at least a little sincerity.”

The Earl reached across the table and picked up a thick card resting on a silver tray before handing it to him.

Elegant gold embossing, a red ribbon, thick, luxurious paper.

It was an invitation to the first social ball of the season.

“The times are changing, and if this is truly making you miserable, I don’t want to force you into anything either. But when I see how desperately my wife wants you to marry, it pains me.”

The Earl took another drag of his cigarette without waiting for his son’s response.

“For now, at least, take a look at that invitation.”

Patrick wasn’t particularly interested, but he opened the thick cream-colored card anyway and read its contents.

“Huh…?”

To his surprise, there was something written on it that immediately made Patrick’s eyes light up.

To the esteemed Earl 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.

On this occasion, in addition to the reopening ceremony, we will also be holding the inauguration of our new director, a scholar distinguished by extensive field experience and outstanding academic achievements.

We ask for your warm applause and continued generous support for the new director, who has returned to his homeland after many years abroad and will now devote himself to the advancement of the Natural History Museum.

With sincere regards,

The Board of Directors

Royal Museum of Natural History of Brionia

Patrick finished reading in a single breath and immediately looked up.

“Father. Have you heard who the new director is?”

“I couldn’t say. It’s not exactly a field I know much about…”

“Oh, my God…”

The Earl was puzzled by how unusually excited his son seemed.

“Why? Will this help with your work?”

“Of course, Father!”

Patrick drew a deep breath and stared intently at the invitation once more.

“Extensive field experience.”

“Outstanding academic achievements.”

“Returned to his homeland after many years abroad…”

That person.

Patrick ran his fingertips over the words on the card, his mind already racing ahead to what might come next.

An opportunity to achieve his dream had appeared right before his eyes.

There was no way he could let such a precious chance slip away!

“From these hints, I think I know who the new director is. Ah, wait. This isn’t the time to stand around. I need to start preparing…”

“Patrick, please calm down. The ball isn’t for quite some time yet. And…”

“I need to revise my research proposal. The research plan—I need to improve it. This is an incredible opportunity!”

So excited that he had practically forgotten his father was even 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…!”

His mind already at the Natural History Museum, Patrick rambled incoherently before giving his father a quick bow and disappearing.

Bang.

The door closed.

Left alone in the drawing room, the Earl looked troubled as he lit a second cigarette.

…That isn’t exactly what I gave him the invitation for.