Microscopes and Canvases - Chapter 2

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 2
The warm air in the Drawing Room froze as suddenly as if plunged into ice.
His mother lay sprawled across the long sofa, pressing her temples with stiff fingers, her eyes squeezed shut, while his father remained motionless as stone, unchanged since the moment this had begun.
“Listen. Patrick… let me ask you just one thing.”
The Countess pressed her temples and released a sigh so heavy it seemed to crack the floor beneath her.
“You studied all this time—and it still wasn’t enough? If you needed something, couldn’t you simply pay someone to handle it? What more do you lack that you’d throw yourself beneath other men’s feet to labor?”
“Mother. I have to do this myself. It’s what I want.”
“And what of our House? You’re meant to inherit the family line. What of the next heir?”
“That is…”
Though something heavy settled in his chest, Patrick chose his words with care.
“Regrettably, I don’t intend to marry, so there won’t be any children, I’m afraid.”
“That damnable fool!”
The Countess, who had been barely containing the roiling fury within her, finally erupted.
“Selfish wretch! Thinking only of yourself—you wretched thing! Is that what you say in front of your parents? What nonsense are you spouting? Hmm?”
“My dear, my dear!”
As his wife stamped her foot and struck her chest, Bennett the Earl quickly moved to her side.
“Edith, please. Calm yourself, yes?”
“After all I’ve done raising you! I’ve overlooked your foolishness all this time, and now you prattle on like this? As if words settle everything?”
“Edith!”
Despite her husband’s pleas, the Countess, flushed with rage, rose abruptly from her seat.
“I cannot bear to hear another word, my dear. You speak to him.”
Bang!
The door slammed shut, and the sound of the furious Countess’s heavy footsteps grew distant.
Then came a long silence.
It was difficult to face the clear disappointment written across his father’s features, but Patrick steadied himself and waited for the reproach he knew was coming.
“Patrick.”
At his father’s quiet call, Patrick carefully lifted his head.
“I believe you can pursue whatever work you wish, even after marriage. If you wish to conduct Research, we could renovate the manor and furnish it with the necessary equipment, couldn’t we?”
“No, Father.”
Patrick drew a long breath and carefully laid out his reasoning.
“If I continue with my Research, I may suddenly have to depart on expeditions to distant lands, or wander from place to place. I would neglect my household. My wife and children would be abandoned in my absence.”
“Isn’t it a wife’s duty to wait faithfully for such a husband? To keep the home and raise the children until he returns?”
“I don’t see it that way. I would simply be an irresponsible head of household.”
A long silence settled over the Drawing Room.
There were no shortage of noblemen who selected a “suitable woman” to marry for the sake of preserving their House Line, then lived as they pleased—it was far too easy for an aristocratic man, a common escape.
But Patrick wanted to avoid abandoning the one he married simply because he was devoted to his passions.
If he alone became the wayward son without dragging others into his choice, it could be resolved. It was not comfortable, but it was the best path forward.
And more importantly than anything else…
Patrick hesitated briefly, then spoke.
“Father. The truth is, I’ve made a discovery—one with the potential to significantly impact the academic world.”
“And?”
“To share what I’ve learned broadly, I need a researcher’s Credibility. It means I must belong somewhere. I won’t have people dismiss it as a wealthy aristocrat’s idle hobby. That’s why I need a proper position.”
Patrick continued with difficulty.
“This is truly important Research, Father. It’s still in the planning stages, but if it succeeds, it could benefit not just the academic world but many people.”
Of course, he did not mention that his graduate advisor had dismissed his Research entirely. That he had staked his entire life on this work, and yet the academic world’s response was lukewarm at best…
Still, Patrick possessed conviction.
He had to see this Research through, no matter what, and for that he needed an environment that could support him.
……
The Earl did not speak at once. He rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought, then set down Patrick’s Diploma and slowly reclined into the back of his chair.
Patrick straightened, waiting for his father to speak. He braced himself for the moment when his father might spring from that armchair and lay into him with fury.
“Do as you see fit.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
Patrick stared at his father in disbelief. He had steeled himself thoroughly, only to be met with a reaction wholly contrary to what he expected, and he was left confused.
“You mean I may seek employment like a commoner?”
“Yes. Marriage is the same. Do as you see fit.”
“Father?”
What on earth was happening?
Yet his father’s gaze, fixed upon him in quiet contemplation, remained steady and clear.
“You’ve studied in that field for five years and graduated at the top of your class. Talent like that mustn’t be wasted. If your heart is set on this path, I won’t stand in your way.”
Patrick found himself at a loss for words. His throat felt tight. Could this truly… truly be permitted?
“Thank you….”
“But what happened a moment ago was excessive on your part.”
The earl drew a cigarette to his lips with deliberate slowness and lit it. Thin smoke drifted into the air, gradually clouding the room. Through the haze, he regarded his son with quiet intensity and spoke in a measured tone.
“You should have considered your mother. I know what troubles you’ve faced, why you’ve wandered so far astray—but your poor mother knows nothing of it. Isn’t that true?”
Patrick froze where he stood. He hadn’t thought that far.
“…I apologize, Father.”
“I only ask that you show her some small measure of sincerity.”
The earl extended his hand across the table and retrieved a thick card from the silver tray—elegant gold embossing, a crimson ribbon, expensive and weighty paper. It was an Invitation Card to this season’s first Social Gathering.
“The world changes around us, and if you’re truly suffering so, I’ve no wish to force you further. But when I see how desperately my wife longs for your marriage, my heart aches for her.”
The earl drew on his cigarette once more without waiting for his son’s response.
“At the very least, have a look at that invitation.”
Though reluctant, Patrick nonetheless unfolded the cream-colored card and examined its contents.
“What…?”
What was written there made his eyes widen in surprise.
Dear Count and Countess Bennett,
We would be deeply honored by your presence at a magnificent commemorative ball celebrating the opening of the expanded Royal Museum of Natural History.
On this occasion in particular, alongside the opening celebration, the inauguration ceremony of our new Director will take place—a person of abundant practical experience and distinguished scholarly achievement.
We earnestly request your applause for the new Director, who has completed a long residence abroad and returned home to nurture our Natural History Museum, and we humbly request your continued generous patronage.
The Royal Museum of Natural History Board of Directors, Brionia
Patrick’s head snapped up as he finished reading.
“Father—do you happen to know who the new Director is?”
“I couldn’t say. It’s hardly a field I know well….”
“Good heavens….”
Seeing his son’s evident excitement, the earl grew bewildered.
“Why? Does this help your work somehow?”
“Of course it does, Father!”
Patrick drew a deep breath and stared at the invitation again intently.
‘Abundant practical experience.’
‘Distinguished scholarly achievement.’
‘Returned home after a long residence abroad….’
That person.
Patrick’s fingertips traced the letters on the card as his mind raced ahead. An opportunity to realize his dreams had arrived on his doorstep. He couldn’t possibly let such a precious moment slip away!
“From these hints, I think I know who the new Director is. Oh, wait—I shouldn’t delay. I must begin preparing….”
“Patrick, please. Calm yourself. The ball is still a ways off. And….”
“I need to revise my research proposal. This is truly an extraordinary opportunity!”
So consumed with excitement that he all but forgot his father’s presence, Patrick turned to rush from the Drawing Room but halted at the threshold.
“I must meet the Director. If I could only work at the Royal Museum of Natural History, I could continue my Research there. I’m not certain if a position will be available, but if this person is who I think…!”
His mind already departed for the museum, Patrick trailed off into incoherence, offered a hasty bow, and vanished.
Bang.
The door closed. Left alone in the Drawing Room, the earl lit his second cigarette with a troubled expression.
…That wasn’t why he’d given him the invitation.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————