Chapter 79 - The Money-Grubber and the Congenital Disability
Charlotte not only had dinner at her grandfather's residence but also stayed the night.
That evening, Charlotte slept together with Laina.
Although Laina was technically Charlotte's aunt by generation, their relationship felt more like that between sisters or best friends.
A Meiwa's allure wasn't something they could consciously control, and Laina was no exception. Her beauty, her natural fragrance, and every gesture she made could unintentionally stimulate the desires of others. To ensure his daughter's safety, Ethel had strictly ordered Laina to rarely leave the residence, or even meet outside guests.
When Helen was still alive, the Green Plains Duchy was one of the few places Laina could visit from time to time, so she would take any opportunity to come and play with Charlotte. After Helen passed away, Laina visited the Green Plains Duchy less often, but Charlotte frequently traveled to the Gatu Kingdom. Thus, the two had always maintained a very close relationship.
Charlotte shared amusing stories about her territory with Laina.
Listening intently, Laina grew wistful and couldn't help sighing, "That sounds wonderful. Unlike me, stuck in the royal palace all day."
"I'll help you ask Grandfather; maybe Laina can visit the Lanwan Viscounty often in the future," Charlotte suddenly grinned, leaning close to Laina's ear. "If you give me Amy, I could even grant you a barony."
Laina looked scornful. "Is a measly barony worth more than my Amy?"
"Between Amy and Clara, who tastes better?" Charlotte asked with keen interest.
Clara and Amy were Laina's personal maids, though they naturally also served as her bed companions. As compensation for her restricted freedom, the maids attending Laina were all exceptionally beautiful, mostly innocent girls from minor noble families.
Laina had few friends, not only because she was confined to the palace but also due to her own personality. For instance, Laina disliked commoners, firmly believing that commoner girls possessed inferior bloodlines. Even if they were virgins, their bodies weren't pure enough, nor were they worthy of her intimate touch.
After a moment's thought, Laina replied, "Clara, I suppose. Clara's little buns fit perfectly in one hand, and her waist is especially slender, exceptionally soft... Charlotte, you understand, right?"
"Nope," Charlotte shook her head dismissively. "I prefer them a bit more voluptuous, with more curves. Flat and skinny just isn't interesting."
"Tsk, you heretic with your preference for large chests," Laina said disdainfully.
"You're the real heretic! You're so well-endowed yourself, yet you like flat chests!" Charlotte retorted.
Huddled under the covers, the two young women whispered about blush-inducing topics, even getting into a small argument over their differing tastes.
Ultimately, however, they fell asleep embracing each other.
The next day, Charlotte planned to seek out the two arcane scholars Simon Capriati had recommended.
Laina clung to Charlotte's hand, hesitant to speak but clearly reluctant to part.
Seeing Laina's restless yet yearning expression, Charlotte couldn't help but smile. "If you want to go out and have fun, then come with me. If Grandfather asks, just say I insisted on dragging you along."
Laina's face lit up with joy. "You said it!"
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, I said it."
Laina boarded Charlotte's carriage, and they set off together. She peered curiously through the window, observing the city. Although she had been here with King Ethel for several days, Laina hadn't actually set foot outside the residence.
The first person Charlotte intended to visit was an arcane scholar named Ferguson.
Charlotte remembered clearly the complicated tone in Simon Capriati's voice when he mentioned this man. He had warned Charlotte not to let Ferguson's personality overshadow his talent.
Charlotte was intrigued. What kind of person could prompt Simon Capriati to give her such a preemptive warning?
Soon, the carriage arrived at Ferguson's residence.
Charlotte and the others disembarked. Renee stepped forward and knocked. A servant dressed as a butler answered the door.
"Miss Charlotte Mellerfeld, daughter of the Duke Green Plains and Viscountess of Lanwan, is here to visit Mr. Ferguson," Renee announced.
"My master is busy contemplating scholarly matters today and may not have time to receive guests," the butler stated, while subtly making a gesture for money with his hand.
Having traveled extensively with Charlotte, Renee was quite experienced. She immediately understood the butler's signal, took out two Fuso coins, and placed them in his hand.
The butler beamed instantly. "However, I can certainly pass on the message for the esteemed guest. Please, come in and have some tea first."
The butler ushered Charlotte and Laina inside, led them to the reception room, and then went to inform Ferguson.
Laina glanced at the rather dated antique sofa in the reception room, frowned slightly, and remained standing.
Seeing this, Renee produced a brand-new silk handkerchief from somewhere and spread it over the sofa cushion. Only then did Laina smile and sit down.
"Renee is so considerate!" Laina praised her with a smile.
"Renee," Charlotte quickly pulled Renee to her side. "Come here, come here, stay away from this one!"
"Why are you so wary of me?" Laina glared at Charlotte, displeased.
"Don't think I don't know! You're definitely eyeing Renee!" Charlotte gave Laina a knowing sideways glance.
Laina dropped the pretense, stating matter-of-factly, "Renee will only suffer hardships following you to that rundown Viscounty. She'd be much better off returning to the royal palace with me."
"Don't even think about it! Renee is my treasure!" Charlotte wrapped her arms around Renee's waist.
Caught in the middle, Renee didn't know whether to laugh or cry as a princess and a duke's daughter fought over her.
Their playful squabble was interrupted only when another servant brought tea and snacks for Charlotte and Laina.
The tea was cold, tasted coarse, and lacked any aroma. Charlotte took one sip and didn't want to touch it again. The plate of pastries looked ancient, with clearly visible spots of old mold – likely seasoned actors that had served the Ferguson household for a long time, brought out as props whenever guests arrived. Charlotte didn't dare touch them, lest she damage the precious inheritance Mr. Ferguson intended to leave his son.
Even Renee frowned at the Ferguson household's abysmal hospitality. Even someone like Henry Holowin wouldn't treat guests with such neglect.
The poor quality of the refreshments meant little to Laina, however, as she wouldn't have touched them anyway.
Laina only consumed food prepared by girls and only wore clothes woven by girls. The Gatu royal family even maintained a dedicated estate solely for Laina's service, staffed entirely by women who farmed and wove to supply her needs.
In essence, Laina, as the youngest princess of the Gatu royal family, was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Had her status been any lower, an ordinary family's finances could never support such a unique individual.
Although the refreshments were lacking, the host didn't keep Charlotte waiting long. Moments after she set down her teacup, Ferguson appeared, beaming.
He was a thin man with a small mustache and a crystal monocle.
"I never expected the young lady of the Green Plains Ducal house to visit! My humble abode is truly honored," Ferguson said enthusiastically.
"Mr. Ferguson, you're too kind," Charlotte stood and performed a curtsey.
Laina remained seated, completely ignoring Ferguson as if he were air.
Ferguson glanced at Laina for an extra moment, but only a moment, before turning back to Charlotte with a smile. "Miss Mellerfeld, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
Ferguson's reaction actually made Charlotte regard him slightly higher. Most people found it difficult to resist Laina's visual allure – a miracle inherent to Meiwa. Even the butler and servant earlier had shown noticeable changes in demeanor upon seeing her. Yet, Ferguson seemed entirely unaffected.
It seemed the person recommended by Simon Capriati did indeed possess some substance.
Just as Charlotte was about to speak, Ferguson raised a hand, smiling slyly. "I have a rule. Regardless of the question, I charge one hundred Fuso per answer."
"One hundred Fuso per question? Isn't that too expensive?" Charlotte asked, surprised.
"Not at all, not at all. Not expensive in the slightest," Ferguson stroked his mustache, shaking his head smugly.
"I didn't bring that much Fuso with me when I went out. Does that mean I can't ask you any questions?" Charlotte countered.
"You can write an IOU," Ferguson replied, producing paper and pen he seemingly had prepared in advance.
Charlotte stared blankly at the paper and pen. "Alright, then…"
She was about to get to the point, but Ferguson raised his hand again, interrupting her. "Miss Mellerfeld, I have just answered two of your questions. Please write an IOU for two hundred Fuso first."
Charlotte took a deep breath. She now fully understood why Simon Capriati had felt the need to warn her.
After writing the IOU, Charlotte finally stated her purpose: "Mr. Ferguson, I have been enfeoffed by His Majesty as the Viscountess of Lanwan. I wish to recruit talented individuals for my territory. Might you be willing to serve me? I can offer you the most generous compensation."
"The Lanwan Viscounty? Where is that?" Ferguson asked, puzzled.
Charlotte briefly described the location of the Lanwan Viscounty for him.
"No, absolutely not," Ferguson immediately shook his head like a rattle drum. "I'm doing perfectly fine here in Platinum City. His Majesty the Emperor pays me quite well. Why would I go to some Lanwan Viscounty?"
"Please reconsider. What conditions would persuade you to come to the Lanwan Viscounty? Feel free to state your terms," Charlotte said sincerely.
Ferguson pointed around the reception room. "Only if you fill this room entirely with Fuso."
Charlotte glanced at the size of the room, wrote an IOU for one hundred Fuso (for the question about the location and his refusal), stood up, curtsied, and bid farewell.
"Wait," Ferguson suddenly called out.
Charlotte thought he might be willing to negotiate further. Any discussion was good news, so she stopped and turned back, waiting for his counteroffer.
Instead, Ferguson pointed firmly at the IOU in her hand. "I answered two more of your questions just now! You should be writing another IOU for two hundred Fuso, not one hundred!"
Gritting her teeth, Charlotte wrote out another IOU for one hundred Fuso.
"I wish you a pleasant day, Mr. Ferguson."
With a dark expression, Charlotte curtsied again and walked briskly out of Ferguson's house.
Once back in the carriage with Charlotte, Laina, who had witnessed the entire exchange, finally burst out laughing. "Hahaha, that Ferguson is too amusing!"
"Amusing, my foot!" Charlotte grumbled resentfully.
"This is the first time I've ever seen Charlotte get thwarted like that! Of course, it's amusing," Laina cupped Charlotte's pouting face in her hands, smiling. "Is the next scholar you're visiting going to be this interesting?"
At this point, Charlotte worried that the other arcane scholar Simon Capriati had recommended might be just as eccentric as Ferguson. Fortunately, this concern was quickly dispelled after meeting the second scholar.
The second arcane scholar was named Cliff Chapman. He was a young man with graying hair and a scruffy beard, appearing somewhat haggard.
After listening to Charlotte's purpose for visiting, Cliff Chapman pondered for a moment before saying, "Whether it's traveling to the Lanwan Viscounty to serve you or helping you improve your Supernatural Discipline, I am willing to do either, provided you agree to my request."
"Please, state your request," Charlotte replied immediately.
Cliff Chapman beckoned, and his wife soon wheeled out a small boy using something resembling a wheelchair. The boy strongly resembled Cliff Chapman and his wife – clearly their son – but he had no arms or legs.
"This is my son. He was born without limbs. It was to find a miracle capable of healing my son that I originally came to Platinum City to serve the imperial family. But after all these years, I still have no leads. If you can provide me with such a miracle, I am willing to swear eternal loyalty to you."
Cliff Chapman bowed his head, speaking with humility and sincerity.
"This..." Charlotte hesitated. She had witnessed miracles of regenerating severed limbs, but she had never heard of a miracle that could make limbs grow for someone born without them. In this world, congenital disabilities were generally believed to stem from innate deficiencies in the soul, and anything involving the soul was a taboo topic, not even to be discussed.
"Honestly, I do not possess such a miracle," Charlotte admitted truthfully. "But if you are willing to serve me, I can dispatch people to search for one across the entire continent on your behalf."
"Thank you..." Cliff Chapman expressed his gratitude, his tone devoid of obvious emotion. Perhaps having faced too many disappointments, he no longer held onto hope easily.
"However," Charlotte paused, thinking for a moment before continuing, "I don't think you necessarily need to pin all your hopes on a miracle."
"What do you mean...?" Cliff Chapman looked puzzled.
"Have you heard of 'Chimeric Beasts'?" Charlotte asked, tracing the shape of her 'Little White' on the table with her finger.
"Are you suggesting a 'Chimeric Beast' artisan could attach limbs to my son?" Cliff Chapman found the idea highly dubious. "But I've heard that 'Chimeric Beasts' have very short lifespans."
Charlotte smiled. She had read numerous articles and materials about 'Chimeric Beasts' in recent days and had gained considerable understanding. She shook her head. "That's because many 'Chimeric Beast' artisans often lack a proper understanding of animal anatomy. Their crude stitching and joining methods are what cause the Chimeric Beasts to perish so easily. If you possess sufficient knowledge of the human body, I believe utilizing the techniques for creating Chimeric Beasts to attach limbs to your son is actually feasible."
As Cliff Chapman listened to Charlotte's words, his eyes gradually brightened.
"Of course," Charlotte continued, "this would be an unprecedented endeavor. The human body differs from animals in many ways, requiring further research. If you are willing to undertake this research, I am prepared to offer financial support and... the extensive research findings on human anatomy gathered by Necromancers."