Marionetta visited the lawn with a velvet envelope delicately carried with two fingers. Just as she expected, she found CK browsing a book while seated under a tree. Scattered next to her were a few opened books, each of them bookmarked.
Marionetta paused before CK and slightly bowed, "My lady."
She successfully caught the young noblewoman's attention. CK looked at her and tilted her head.
"What is it?" she asked. "You have received a response from Her Grace, Duchess dela Rouge," Marionetta stated.
"I see. Show it to me," CK said. Marionetta stepped closer to place the textured envelope in CK's hand.
"Thank you," CK nodded. Marionetta bowed and returned to the house, off to do her maidly duties.
CK placed her book on her lap to open the letter.
Youngling CK,
It is fortunate that you are placed in the same department as Locke Tewdorn. You will be under his responsibility. Although I am fascinated with your academic talents, do your best not to make enemies. Envy is a dangerous motivator for the ill. Work closely with Locke Tewdorn and he will ensure your protection.
Be discreet and only appeal to those who you deem related to the case.
Regards,
Roxana dela Rouge
"No need to tell me twice," CK said. The letter crumbled into soil in her palm, which she tossed unto the dirt and grass beneath her.
It was time to meet Locke. CK packed her books up and prepared to go to the Academy. She found the boy at their designated meeting spot, which was the lobby on the second floor.
CK could easily spot him in the crowd thanks to his aristocratic hair color and simple clothing. His gaze wandered around until they fell on CK.
He gave a small wave. CK returned the wave and walked towards him.
"Hi. I didn't keep you waiting, did I?" she asked. "Not at all. You were just on time," Locke said.
"That's a relief. Shall we go now?" CK asked. "Of course. Please follow me," Locke said and began walking.
"The workspace of tinctures office used to belong to the elixirs office. After they gained enough budget, the elixirs office relocated to their current space and expanded when their manpower increased. To save budget, the former department head gave the old office to the tinctures office," Locke stated.
"Didn't the tinctures office have their own office before? Or is it newly formed?" CK asked curiously. "Actually, the tinctures office shut down a few decades ago. Do you know the base formula of tinctures?" Locke asked.
"I know a bit," CK answered, causing Locke's lips to curl into a small smile. "Why do I feel that you are being too modest with your reply?" he said.
"Haha! Who knows?" CK giggled, "From what I know, tinctures are oil-based. They're quite difficult to preserve, too."
"That's correct. Our department used to focus heavily on concentrated tinctures, which required large amounts of oil. The source could vary depending on what is required, but oil from animal fats was one of the most demanded ingredients. This encouraged poaching when demands were no longer being met through legal means."
"After the Beast Princess' decree to prohibit hunting was enforced, oil became difficult to acquire. That's when the department switched to using other solutions and solvents and gave way to the production of philtres and elixirs," Locke said, "Tinctures were considered old-school and no longer effective."
"Haven't they tried using plant-based oils?" CK asked. Locke turned to her with intrigue.
"Curious... I had thought about the same thing as well," he said, "I actually assigned a team to focus on that, but they came up short. They tell me it was difficult to extract the necessary nutrients without completely destroying the composition of the oil. Not to mention, oil is quite combustible. It was a hazard in the lab, so it was avoided like the plague."
"A shame. The thrill of lab work is the possibility of losing a limb or two," CK mused. Locke laughed nervously, hoping CK was just joking.
"Anyway, I'm guessing this team you assigned on that project happens to be the tinctures office?" CK asked. Locke laughed.
"Correct. It was supposed to be a simple project on plant-based oils, really. I let them use the equipment dedicated to the tinctures office long ago. I told them they could stop after they gave me the results. Instead, they passed me a request to re-open the tinctures office and give it to them," Locke said.
"What an amusing bunch," CK smiled. "The board hesitated, of course. They didn't want to spend too much on a lost cause, but I made a compromise. I reopened the office, yes, but they'll have to make do with whatever budget remains after expending it on the... prioritized aspects of the department," Locke said wryly.
"And by that, you mean the elixirs office?" CK guessed. Locke nodded, "Elixirs have become a necessity among various social groups, but it is very difficult to produce. They needed the best of the best to work on them."
"You don't say," CK mused. Locke paused, causing CK to halt in her steps as well.
"Is something wrong?" CK asked. "No, it's just..." Locke faced her, "It was them, right?"
"Them what?" CK blinked. "Miss Collet's group. They conspired to lock you inside the lab, didn't they?" Locke said quietly.
"Hehe," CK giggled, "Even if it was, you really can't do anything to them. If you dismiss them, you'll need to find people to replace them and do their work. But replacing them at an urgent time like this is unwise, no?"
"That is true, but still, I'm sorry," Locke sighed. "I know you are. That's the reason you offered to reassign me to another office," CK grinned.
"Haha. Once again, you are correct," Locke smiled, "Your skills could have really been used at their office. When Frederick assigned you there, they perceived you as a threat."
"No... Things could have been different if I wasn't a noble," CK said, "They're not very fond of those with status."
"So you noticed," Locke chuckled, "Well, so long as we all do our part, I can turn a blind eye on the poor opinions of me."
"Such is the life of a noble," CK shrugged. "Precisely," Locke muttered. Then, he smiled.
"The Duchess only need you to hide in the Academy for a short while so there is no need for you to be burdened with the...dynamics inside the department. Fortunately, the tinctures office, although lacking, will be free from pressure," Locke said, "You'll like it better there."
"I hope so."
They reached the office located at the far end of the corridor. There were two words printed on the metal plate: 'Tinctures Office'.
"Here goes..." Locke muttered and knocked on the door.
Knock, kno—
The door swung open almost immediately, causing the pair to blink in surprise.
A young boy with sparkling caramel eyes greeted them, causing Locke and CK to look down at him.
"Oh, hi, Locke! Didn't expect you'll be dropping by so soon!" he said. "I'm...sure you didn't," Locke smiled.
The boy looked at CK next, gasping at the new sight, "Oh, shit. She's here! She's really here!"
"Toby, how many times do I tell you to stop fucking swearing at the workplace?!"
An angry yell echoed inside the room. The young boy turned back with a look of confusion, "What? But you just said f–!"
"Nofuckingswearing!"
CK watched as the little boy got dragged back with a yell of protest and the door slamming shut.
"..."
"..."
CK turned to Locke hesitantly.
"Are you sure we're in the right place?" she asked. "I...get that every time I lead someone here," Locke said apologetically.
"I can't imagine why," CK deadpanned. The door swung open again. This time, it was a young man who answered the door.
"Sorry about that. Toby got too excited when he heard someone will be joining us," he said. "No harm done," Locke said.
"Please come in," the young man stepped aside. Locke and CK obliged.
It was a spacious room and resembled any other office. But unlike in the elixirs office where desks and cubicles were separated into rooms, the few desks of the team members were lined in rows and columns, giving little to no privacy.
There was a coffee machine and a few couches at the other end of the room, at least. A young woman with pigtails was seated on the couch. Her eyes sparkled upon seeing the visitors.
"Hi, Locke! And–Ah!" the girl gasped when she saw CK. "Hello," CK greeted.
The girl's jaw dropped. Then, she squealed happily, "A girl! Finally, we have another girl!"
Just from that reaction alone, CK knew it was a team full of boys and only one girl to make even.
"Where is Toby?" Locke asked. "Dain dragged him away. I'm afraid we won't be complete to receive our newest member," the young man gestured to CK.
"I suppose they can meet later on. CK, this is Leroy. He is the team leader and will look after you in my place," Locke introduced CK to the young man, who nodded reservedly.
"Wait, CK?! As in, the Lady CK?!"
"This is Frey–" Locke gestured to the girl with pigtails, only to be cut short as the girl zoomed up close and held CK's hands.
"Oooh, my gosh! So many researchers were talking about you, my lady! My name's Frey!" the girl said cheerily, " You have no idea how boring it is without another girl around here. You and I will get along! We definitely have to!"
"I don't see why not. And please, just 'CK' is fine," CK smiled, unperturbed with Frey constantly shaking her hands.
"We have two other members somewhere in here, but it's best to introduce you at a more... appropriate time," Leroy sighed.
"That's fine," CK said. "Well, if everything is settled, then I should leave," Locke said.
"But coffee's still brewing. Won't you stay for a cup?" Frey asked him. "Maybe another time, Miss Frey. I have to finish some paperwork now that I escorted Miss CK here," Locke said.
"Oh, if you say so," Frey sighed. "Thank you, Locke. Let's talk sometime in the future," CK said.
"Feel free to stop by," Locke nodded and turned to the others, "I'll take my leave now."
"Of course."
"Bye!"
There was momentary silence after Locke closed the door behind him. Then, Frey giggled.
"Hehe! That gentleman never stays for long," she said. "Bear the burdens of his job and you'll understand why," Leroy said and looked at CK.
"Your desk is over there, next to Frey's. If you have any important papers or other things you need for work, you can bring them over. You also have your own cabinet...which is also next to Frey's," Leroy said.
"Understood," CK said. "If you need anything else, just ask," Leroy stated briefly.
"Come on, Leroy, you can try to sound more hospitable. You'll give off the wrong impression," Frey said.
"I tried," Leroy sighed. "I think he's done well. But you look very tired," CK said.
"Workload is all," Leroy replied, "Anyway, Frey wouldn't stop yapping about the events from yesterday. She says you managed to accomplish the elixir team's month-long task in a single night."
"He thinks I'm overexaggerating!" Frey rolled her eyes. "Well, I didn't do it from scratch. I just based off their progress, see what went wrong, then rectify it," CK said.
"Haha! There's no need to play humble, CK. Toby and I were there that morning. I've gotta say, the looks of defeat and humiliation on their faces suits them well," Frey snickered.
"Ah... I didn't look my best that morning," CK said sheepishly. "Are you kidding?! You managed to put them in their places and prove they aren't as good as they think themselves to be. Serves those arrogant pinpricks right," Frey hissed.
"I'm not very fond of them either," CK said. "Guess we all have something in common," Frey giggled.
"Have they always been so... snobbish?" CK asked. "Oh, absolutely. I can't count how many times the other researchers tried to get along with them. But they just won't even budge, refusing to even speak with the other offices–much less ours," Frey grumbled.
"It's easy to discern where their arrogance stem from. As the team responsible for elixir production, Collet and the others are in constant touch with talekeepers and other powerful adventurers. They make their orders with their office, and they earn profit and connections," Leroy said, "They have terrible team spirit but we cannot deny that they're good at what they do."
"I beg to differ," CK said. "Of course, you would," Leroy smiled faintly, "Still, it was wise you didn't stay there. The elixirs office see people like you a threat to their position and will do what they can to be rid of you."
"They shouldn't worry about anything, then. Even if I can, I won't take what they have. It's too much pressure and workload. That's why I asked Locke to assign me here," CK said.
"Huh. So you made the request to Locke," Leroy said, intrigued, "That makes sense. Even if it wasn't Locke, one of our superiors would put you somewhere more suitable for people of your skill. They wouldn't assign you here."
"We should be counting ourselves lucky that she's here, you know? I know I do. Even if she wasn't some hotshot, I'll always be grateful to have another member around," Frey said.
"Even if I wasn't a girl?" CK asked amusingly. "Yep! But a girl's even better," Frey giggled, "Oh, we're gonna have the best time, you and I! There's so much I want to ask you!"
"We'll have plenty of time for that," Leroy said. "You're right," Frey beamed a bright smile at CK.
"On behalf of everyone else, welcome to the tinctures office!"