章 17: Trip to the Countryside

Mattheus felt the privilege of the elite slap him in the face at Duchess Sophily Morgaine's words. There was a vague sense of nepotism? Classism?

He was so stunned he was at a loss for words.

He had been almost going crazy trying to use what he thought was a shortcut to using his healing skills legally and unsupervised. Only to have his eyes truly opened at the true "shortcut" that bypassed all bureaucracy the Duchess suggested.

It almost felt like cheating.

But Mattheus couldn't bring himself to refuse.

…

"Would the countryside really help with the mental state of a young widow that recently lost her baby?" Mattheus asked doubtfully once the train left the station.

It hadn't been instantaneous even with the Duchess greasing the way. There was an assessment from both Baron Endlewood and a royal physician, making sure Mattheus knew enough to not accidentally kill a patient. Then a few days wait before he received a written decree from the King that was just as good as having a license to practice.

But he was on board a train heading to where General Grant's daughter was staying outside the city, at the viscount's estate in the countryside.

"It depends I suppose. The question is if she is getting enough emotional support and sunlight."

Brunilda was openly going with him, the Duchess really had given up and she was now "his" cat. It had been interesting at the station, where no one commented when the large blue cat was basically free-roaming.

But he was becoming increasingly aware of his privilege (and, consequently, his responsibility) as a son from a noble family.

No one commented because Mattheus Crown was kind of blatantly well-to-do. Especially since he sacrificed himself to the tender mercies of Brunilda when it came to picking out what he wore.

Yes, it had been very "difficult" to let go of choosing a suit and matching accessories sometimes twice a day. He practically hummed a little ditty over it.

Mattheus technically did offer Brunilda a lined basket his mother got for her but the cat had simply sniffed disdainfully at the idea of being a pampered pet any longer. So the end result was Brunilda being left to her own devices.

She wasn't too heavy if she jumped onto his suitcase or shoulders. He needed the weight training anyway.

"Do you have any idea what Noll's Hill is like?" Mattheus asked, referring to the small town they were heading to. "All I know is that there's a large boar population there?"

"The boars are an issue when it comes to the agriculture in that area but they're not the only wild animals. Weasels and stoats are also an issue with the bird coops. So there's a healthy population of hunters in Noll's Hill and nearby. You can get truffles in the area but it's not enough to be an industry—at least, William Grant doesn't bother with it."

"Huh. Interesting."

The cat stretched on the seat across from him. "I should say the General leaves most of his work as a landed noble to managers. His late son-in-law helped until he died. Great military man. Not so sure about so-called fief management but at least nothing is on fire. That we know of."

Mattheus glanced at the passing scenery outside the window, still feeling a bit odd over how there was a door facing out when it came to the 1st class compartments. It was deep into autumn, but it made him wonder how the view would be large expanses of green if it were spring or summer.

"If I didn't know any better, I would just think we're in Europe somewhere," Mattheus commented.

Brunilda yawned, revealing the pearly-white teeth of an obligate carnivore. "I suppose if you don't consider the two moons, it would seem like Europe at a quick glance. But then you pay more attention and realize the technology revolves around what is learned from the magic system. Steam power, hm? Are we in a steampunk novel?"

"What's steampunk?" Mattheus asked.

"It's a subgenre of science fiction. You know what cyberpunk is, right? Instead of advanced tech and neon lights, replace that with 19th century aesthetic and steam-powered devices."

"I see."

"Either way, this is more fantasy come to life than science fiction, in my opinion. While the equivalent of scientists do have a measure of trying to understand things around them through the scientific method, there is no way to explain your skills through science."

"But that's through the System rather than what the locals use."

Brunilda simply shook her head. "It complies with the rules of this world. The established rules are just a bit behind right now, from what I can tell. Then again, I can argue magic and science can be two sides of the same coin and it's all a matter of perspective."

Mattheus leaned back as he continued to chat with his friend, considering it was a several hours long trip to Noll's Hill. They set off in the morning but it would be in the afternoon that they would arrive at their destination.

The two got comfortable. Mattheus refused to stare at another book if he didn't have to, which left him looking at the passing scenery and talking to past the time.

…

Adjusting his hat so it sat comfortably on his head, he stepped out to the small station and glanced around. Brunilda followed right beside him.

"Professor Crown?" A man walked up to them. "I am Nicholas Hart, an aide to Viscount Grant.

"Good afternoon, Mister Hart. I suppose you came to escort me to the estate?"

The aide faltered a beat as he saw Brunilda twining around Mattheus's legs as the nineteen-year-old just stood there. He quickly recovered though and replied, "Yes, Professor. There is a carriage waiting for you outside the station. The estate is quite a distance away from here, you see."

"How far away is it by carriage?" Mattheus inquired as they walked and he saw the carriage in question.

Nicholas Hart sat in the carriage with him, doing a rather good job of simply ignoring Brunilda's rather catching appearance and presence. "A bit over an hour on a good day, sir."

"I see. If you do not mind me asking, are you in charge while the General is at the capital, or is there someone else as steward to the land?"

"Henry Rhodes is the steward for the viscount, Professor Crown." There was a beat of silence before he decided to ask, as Mattheus failed to say anything further, "Is there a reason you ask? If it has to do with the young lady, you can direct your requests to me as Henry officially is only responsible for the management of the town and its people."

Mattheus stared at Nicholas Hart, who looked around his late-30s, trying to figure out if he was trying to pull a fast one on Mattheus. Without looking at the cat, he reached his hand toward Brunilda.

His friend seemed to hear his silent question. As he lifted her into his arms, she stated, "He's not lying if that's what you're curious about. He seems okay, Mattheus. I don't feel a serious hint of greed or scheming from this Nicholas Hart."

Hm.

"I will eventually see Lady Nina but, considering the illness in question she might have, I think it would be prudent if I interviewed servants that interact with or is around her often. There is also, of course, yourself, Sir Henry Rhodes, and someone who knows her eating habits like the cook."

"I see. I will make arrangements as soon as we arrive. If I may ask, do you have an idea how long you would need to stay?

"It solely depends on the Lady Grant but I am expecting to stay for at least a few nights. It is a rather delicate ailment that requires equally as careful treatment."

While he came here because he truly wanted to help heal General Grant through healing the older man's daughter, this was also an opportunity to spend a few days away from the capital as the gossip of him being granted Royal Permission to become a doctor came with a vengeance.

It had taken a bit to convince everyone he could make the trip alone, but he was glad he hadn't needed to worry Vincent more. The valet would have no doubt have had his line in the sand crossed if he had witnessed Mattheus having a "one-sided" discourse with a cat.

Consequently, it meant there would be one less person to realize Brunilda would be gone in the evening to snoop around.

Talking with Brunilda, both she and Mattheus have generally acknowledged that the loss of husband and children was enough to cause such a state in Nina Grant. But it also wasn't the only possible reason.

The interviews would not only give him an impression of Nina Grant in the eyes of the household staff, but it would also hopefully give him a method to approach Nina without being possibly rebuffed. The last thing anyone needed was the woman refusing effective treatment just because Mattheus said one thing wrong.

It would also eliminate other possible reasons for severe depression or identify something if it existed, outside his direct assessment of the General's daughter herself.

Silver eyes stared at the aide across from him.

The first interrogation would begin with Nicholas Hart, Mattheus decided.

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