Prisoner's Dream

Ahem...

Letter for you, Miss Grace.

Miss Grace is changing.

She's been sneaking out almost every day while her parents are away. Shouldn't we do something?

Well, you could start by chopping down the tree outside the window. If you expect me to do something about it through her clothes though, I assure you I've tried everything.

I haven't seen you try anything.

Perhaps you should see an eye doctor then, Mr. Counsell.

Letter for you, Miss Grace.

Leave it on the table.

Aren't you going to read it?

No need. I can more or less guess what it's about.

The typical greeting, then asking after my parents, then regretfully declining my request with some excuse or other...

*sigh*...

Maybe I shouldn't be wasting my time writing these letters or reading the responses.

When will Father and Mother return? I should be ready to greet them.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry! We were so busy downstairs that I forgot to tell you.

His Lordship sent word that he and Her Ladyship have been invited to a bookstore's opening ceremony. A well-compensated appearance, I'm told.

He would have been better off using his pen name. No doubt it's worth even more than the title of Baron Arizona.

Well, he used to write some awfully cynical things under that name, so he stopped using it once he became The Right Honourable Henry Arizona.

Better safe than sorry, after all. Who knows how many nobles were involved in what he criticized?

So he gets to choose his identity, while I'm forced to accept the life he decided for me.

Wait, so how long is this delay?

A day.

If I didn't know any better, I'd think that grin meant you were planning to sneak out again.

Sorry, I just remembered something urgent!

Miss Grace!

Guys, I'm back!

You again? What is it this time? Like this place isn't messy enough already.

Do you remember the health information I asked you for last time?

Right, four days ago. Haven't seen your face since.

Well, I couldn't get back to you because—

Because we couldn't hold up our end of the deal? You wanted information on Marianne, and you thought we were hiding something, so you left us hanging to see if we'd loosen our tongues.

Settle down, friend. She's not your foreman, she's just a little girl. Why would she be playing tricks like that?

Don't judge a book by its cover. Who knows what lies beneath the surface?

You do owe us an explanation though, young Vulpo. Why did you need our health information?

Like I said, I asked many doctors, and only one didn't reject me out of hand.

He said if I got your personal information—to learn more about your health—then he could come and help.

Unfortunately, he was out when I brought him the data, and hasn't been back to his office in a few days...

What a coincidence!

Let her finish.

...So all I could do was wait, and keep searching for another way.

I did place a transmitter on the door to his clinic though, so I'll get a signal when he opens it! Look, this red light has been blinking since morning.

What are you doing here then? Shouldn't you be off looking for him?

I wanted to get updated information, since I'm not sure if the reports from four days ago are still recent enough... I don't know much about this, I just thought it would be safer this way.

Pull the other one. You only wanted news about Marianne, you never really cared about us. Why should we trust you?

I—

You don't need to answer him. He's still under the delusion that the nobles will come and help us.

Phooey! Of course they will! They just don't know about our situation yet.

Marianne's been missing for quite some time. No matter how much effort you devote to helping us, we can hardly conjure her out of thin air.

I know that. I'm not too worried about her. It's more important to focus on the here and now.

She's a child, same age as you. Who knows what could happen in the forest?

I knew her before I moved here, and we used to sneak out and play together. She loves plants, and there are enough in there to keep her from going hungry at least.

Her first letter asked me to take care of you, and I'd rather she not nag me when she gets back, so...

Well, no matter what anyone else says, I'm on your side. I'll help you persuade them too, if it comes to it.

Thank you.

Why don't you start your info gathering with me then? I need to go cut some wood once we're done here.

What for?

We want to build a bigger house, to fit everyone. Things will get better.

Yes, they will.

The bill...

The bill...

The bloody bill!

Ahem—

We're booked for today.

I got what you asked for.

You...?!

Here. I've organized them.

...You really did it.

How did you compile these reports? You're just a child.

I have some medical books at home. I like to flip through them whenever I get grounded.

Just for reference, though. I'm sure there are still plenty of mistakes.

Well done... Well done indeed...

Your turn.

About that...

I have to visit the Pelham Manor today. Can we talk about this after I get back?

Why?

My patients do expect me to visit them.

I meant, why do I have wait until after you visit her?

......

So... this really is about her?

You're not her private doctor. She lives in the nomadic city, only visiting here once a month to supervise the factory. Why does everyone do as she says?

It's not that simple.

You're under her thumb. Just like everyone else.

She doesn't control me.

But things are an awful lot easier with her support, aren't they?

......

Listen, girl.

To them, I'm a luxury, something fashionable, a lifestyle, value added. That's the foundation on which my life and my family are built. I can't turn my back on it now.

My rent, my child's tuition, my wife's Oripathy treatment... I can't afford to lose this job.

This isn't one of those fairy tales where you can defeat the evil and everybody lives happily ever after. The true enemy is formless. It's a byproduct of living. It's life itself.

......

And how is helping these poor people at odds with a noble's interests?

I'm not Her Ladyship. I can't see the full picture.

They're just ordinary, harmless people you'd find anywhere.

And if they're really so unimportant, do you think they'd be treated this way?

As for other nobles, I doubt any of them would risk getting on the wrong side of the daughter of a newspaper mogul who married into the Pelham family and owns a number of factories.

I'm almost out of free time, Dr. Siew. It was only by happy accident that I could make it today. I wanted to make the most of this spot of luck, along with the hope you gave me.

If I haven't done enough, then tell me, and I'll keep trying.

And what exactly have you done?

I asked many people for help.

So you're placing all your hopes on others.

......

I suppose you're right...

I'm in no position to criticize you. However—

I envy you. You have both talent and innocence. Your motives are simple. You're young, energetic, passionate. Life hasn't yet pulled the trigger on you.

But why not do it yourself? What are you so worried about?

I...

My family may not approve. Or the Pelhams. Or the people of the town...

Hold on, back up. You're just a child. You shouldn't feel bound by such matters. Don't think about it like that.

Listen...

The night I made my promise to you, I wrote to her and mentioned it. She hinted that luxury is a complicated thing, taking its value from many sources.

For example, it would be worthless if it were given away to the poor for free.

She implored me not to lose sight of my 'consumers.'

She threatened you.

It wasn't a threat. She didn't need to. It was a reminder. Even if were to become a right bastard, it wouldn't affect her one way or another.

...Although I suppose I already am.

I gave you false hope, and now I have to be blunt...

......

I'm sorry, but I only made that promise because I didn't think a child like you would really try to help them.

So you wanted to refuse from the beginning, but couldn't say it to my face?

I'm sorry I got your hopes up.

I...

Do you know the Arizona family? I'm... friends with their daughter. Would you agree to help if she asked you directly?

If you're friends with a noble, that's all the more reason not to view them so simply.

The Arizonas have no stake in this, so they have no reason to butt heads with the Pelhams.

But those people are dying. Shouldn't they care? What about honor?

Nobles are nobles because they're recognized as such. But they don't need the recognition of commoners, just other nobles.

Honor is simply an accessory adorning their power and wealth.

But what if the Arizonas aren't like other nobles? I'm really close to their daughter, I know they're different!

Face it, they're all the same.

Did you think Lady Arizona and the baron were really in love?

Their marriage was based on mutual interest, as most of theirs are. One side gained social status, the other gained powerful Originium Arts.

I don't think they're any different from other nobles. If anything, they're still struggling to find their footing, making them all the more conservative.

Are you saying my—

Are you saying the baron and baroness are...

It's getting late. I have to hurry to Pelham Manor, then go into town to deal with the mess my son caused at school.

I'll write if anything comes up.

I apologize. You're young... but you're honorable.

I... I'll find someone else.

I'm sorry.

*sigh*...

Ladies and gentleman, I say again, I found this man cutting down our trees!

He is destroying our property!

......

Today they cut our trees, tomorrow they'll take our food, then our jobs, then our land!

Defend our property! Defend our jobs! Defend our town!

Defend our property! Defend our jobs! Defend our town!

What are you doing?!

No, Miss Grace!

Counsell? What are you doing here?

That man has ties to the Pelham family. He'll recognize you.

But I know the man they have tied up! I have to help him!

......

Let me go!

Miss Grace... there are people here who know you. That makes you a daughter of the Arizonas, and your every word and deed that of your family's.

Your status does not permit you to interfere.

What if I say I don't care?

Your servants at home do. They have livelihoods and families. They need steady jobs.

......

Look at these people. They've never cared about the trees before.

Lady Pelham is most shrewd. She's made the townsfolk despise these people from the bottom of their hearts. Made her will theirs.

Step forward now, and you put Arizona at odds with the entire town.

This is a complicated matter. If you truly want to intervene, you had best wait for His Lordship to return. They won't keep him tied up for long; it's risky, even for them.

......

Please, calm down. I must answer to your father.

I...

I understand.

Your aunt did not know that your parents were going to be late. She's already on her way here, and we will be welcoming her as planned.

We couldn't very well turn her away... All the servants have their hands full. We had no choice but to simplify the menu and courses.

And since we have a guest, we require a hostess. I came to bring you back.

...Apparently, Miss Grace Arizona has more important matters to attend to.

Please come with me. The manor needs you.

But...

......

Not this one... This one's no good either...

This one...

Why not the previous one?

You've been so busy lately that your skin has lost some sheen. I need to find something that can make it shine.

......

Our guest will be arriving in but a few minutes. We should be at the entrance to greet her.

Don't rush me, Mr. Counsell!

......

Here, this one!

I mended this dress just this afternoon. Look at the sequins I sewed on!

Are you finally reading the letter? I'll fetch a letter opener.

No need. I already have it open...

Mr. Counsell! Stop Miss Grace!

Huh?

*Pant* I-I'm out of breath... *pant* hurry...

Have the new manservant clean this up.

Out of my way!

The banquet is about to start, Miss Grace. As a servant of the Arizonas, I can't let you run around like this.

......

What is this about?

I said out of my way!

What happened? I can't decide whether to obey unless you tell me.

......

A Messenger went into the forest and found some...

There was a girl was carrying a pile of letters. Nothing written on them, except the sender and recipient. I'm the recipient, and the sender was...

Marianne... it was two weeks ago.

...My condolences, Miss Grace.

It's all my fault.

I assure you it is not. I witnessed your efforts with my very own eyes.

Did you now? And what precisely have I done?

From the very beginning, I knew nothing of what they were dealing with.

I could empathize with their suffering, but only on the surface. I just assumed someone would help them, that it would get better.

For the past few months, all I've done is play the role of the young lady of the house, while writing a few letters in my spare time. None of which amounted to anything.

But when I finally met them directly these past few days, I realized that what I had empathized with was less than a fraction of their real pain and suffering.

They need help, Counsell. They shouldn't end up like Marianne.

It's not your place to do so. You're the daughter of the Arizonas.

This isn't the place to stand on status. We're all equal before such suffering.

Do the baron and baroness know of this?

No. I was afraid they would be angry, and make it even harder to do anything.

Perhaps you could tell them once they return.

...No.

I heard something about Father and Mother today.

I don't think they're any different from the people I wrote to, seeking help...

Love and kindness are mere illusions when it comes to nobles... even Dr. Siew lied to me.

But at least he suggested to go among them and check up on their health, to give them some basic advice about medicine.

I even noticed that some of them had gotten better when I visited them today.

That sort of thing is what's really worth doing... to me, at least.

Why should I wait for others to act? I can't entrust these people's lives and hopes to others. I can't keep fooling myself and putting things off.

Miss Grace, we should wait for your parents to—

How long am I supposed to wait?!

My friend is dead! While she was struggling on the brink of death, I was busy socializing, busy watching my words, busy managing Arizona's relationships with other nobles!

Do I have to stay at home, asking for help in proper, dignified, useless ways, while I watch those who trusted in me get lynched?

Is nobility meant to be a shackle, Counsell?

Maintaining proper etiquette in your social life is all for the sake of the Arizona family's honor and reputation. If it can regain its former glory, it can shine its light on yet more people.

They don't have the time. Neither do I.

They were forced to wander because they lost their land. And they'll die slowly while I enjoy the comfort of high society, just as Marianne did...

What's the point of it all, if the favor of these nobles has to be earned at every turn? If I can bring them back to health, they'll light their own torch, find their own way in the darkness.

Miss Grace...

I'm sorry, Counsell. I'm not angry at you.

I just needed to vent, like how some people turn to drinking or hunting.

I need to do something. I can't live like this without changing.

Let me do something useful, in what few days I have.

......

Very well, then. You should start by reading these then.

These are...

From the manor library. You remember them, don't you? The baron's translation, which you've flipped through so many times.

There will always be little details that slip your mind, of course. Bring them along for reference.

Counsell...

I've seen this play before. I can't stop you.

I'll tell them I couldn't catch you. Just don't let it slip that I let you go on purpose.

...Thank you.

Hold on, Miss Grace.

You're not going back on your words, are you?

I visited Dr. Siew to retrieve the trinket you 'forgot' on his door.

He told me that if I ever saw the young lady's Vulpo 'friend,' I should tell her that he most definitely did not forget to close the clinic's window, and certainly did not leave various medicines and supplies on the table.

I see...

There will be no hiding your little sojourn. Have you thought about what you'll do when your father returns? I doubt arguing will help the matter.

I'll apologize. I'm not ready to argue with him yet.

Be careful, and keep your identity a secret.

Thank you, Counsell.

Is Miss Grace still in the library?

Yes. It's like she's a whole different person.

I only regret that I might have cost you your job.

My job? Miss Grace has been spending her days in the library rather than sneaking out. Why would I lose my job?

A single meaningful journey is worth a thousand frivolous trips. She's not the little girl she once was.

Thank goodness for that.

Aren't you concerned?

If that's her choice, then her light shouldn't belong to me alone.

You...

Her light, is it?

She's your daughter alright, Henry.