THEY left the clinic’s donut-shaped lobby and walked through a garden to see a large wood-framed mansion up ahead.
The walls glittered with turquoise embellishments, and it was clear to see that the big house had been built to complement the clinic’s original design. It was very cleverly thought-out and implemented. Mia was feeling more and more surprised by the moment.
“This is the Vigant Residence.”
The butler ushered them all inside.
“…I apologize.”
Henrik leaned in to speak to Mia under his breath. She immediately knew he was apologizing about Sebastian’s snobbery towards her back there. Mia just shrugged in an “it is what it is” type of way.
“Actually, I found the inappropriate staff behavior refreshing.”
Felix grinned wryly. Clearly, he hated the special treatment that came as standard with being a royal.
“Well, you can blame ‘the Doctor’s’ influence for that.”
As Henrik spat out his retort, the butler raised an eyebrow and sighed audibly as he continued to lead them along.
The dining hall’s table was spread for a grand feast.
This is what Henrik meant by home comforts?!
The large, oval dining table was covered with a pristine white cloth, and sparkling silverware and glittering glass plates and bowls were set at every place. In the middle of the table was a sprawling centerpiece of fresh, colorful flowers.
On the far side of the table, a gentleman was seated. It only took a brief glance to see the clear family resemblance Henrik bore to his father. The man radiated an aura of competence and sternness.
Henrik didn’t say anything, and neither did the man. For a moment, the air was thick and heavy with tension.
Finally, the man cleared his throat.
“Oh dear, it seems the prodigal son is in one of his famous moods. One would hardly think he was next in line to succeed me.”
“…”
Henrik was frowning so hard a crevasse had opened between his eyebrows. And yet, he remained silent. It was clear there was no love lost between father and son, but whether it was caused by simple teenage rebellion or something more serious, none could tell.
“Welcome. I am Henrik’s father, Rudolf Vigant. Henrik, why don’t you introduce your guests? They seem a little perplexed.”
Henrik blinked, looking around at the others. Then he began to speak in a reluctant tone of voice.
“Fine, I’ll introduce them. This is Mia Baumann. Top student in the Pharmacology Department. She shows incredible promise as a future pharmacist.”
Mia blushed and looked at her feet. She wasn’t used to being praised so publicly.
“H-Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
Mia was used to people trying to drag her down a peg or two, but being lifted up like Henrik had just done was a completely new experience for her.
She attempted a curtsey, almost knocking into the dining table as she did so. Rudolf gave her a cool smile that resembled his son’s. With his smile, the atmosphere in the room seemed to warm up and grow a little lighter.
The effects of that smile were so like Henrik’s, Mia could scarcely believe it.
Henrik continued introducing his guests.
“And this is Felix Keyserling and Mathias Weiss, both sons of barons. One studies law, the other magic. Although neither does either particularly well, as their grades make perfectly evident.”
Felix and Mathias both lowered their heads politely, their expressions stiff but twitching.
Ack, Henrik! Is that really necessary right now?!
What was Henrik’s deal, anyway?
“Henrik. This rudeness ceases now. I do apologize for my son. Thank you, all three of you, for becoming friends with my son despite his…personality flaws. Now, please relax and make yourselves at home.”
Rudolf smiled dazzlingly. Then he muttered an aside to Henrik:
“Henrik, come to my chambers later. I have something to discuss with you.”
“Pass.”
Henrik sniffed dismissively.
“All right, then you leave me no choice. Shall we discuss it right here, right now?”
“Suit yourself.” Henrik shrugged, his tone icy. “I know what it’s about, anyway. My future, right? But no matter what you say, I’m still going to become a physician-scientist and help people with incurable diseases that modern medicine has turned its back on.”
Mia blinked, taken aback by the sudden fervor of Henrik’s speech. Felix and Mathias exchanged surprised glances as well. Where had this impassioned determination been hiding behind Henrik’s perma-cool façade?
Rudolf laughed bitterly.
“Nonsense. You’ve a clinic to run.”
“No, Father. Unlike you, I won’t turn my back on any patient. Unlike you, I’ll never become a doctor who’s only in it to line his own pockets.”
Henrik’s words were shocking, but Rudolf didn’t even flinch.
“Your whimsies aside, the clinic is your birthright. If you don’t succeed me as director, then you’ll be turning your back on all the good people in town who need our medical care. You want to save all the patients? Good. You can start with our own, you little hypocrite.”
Henrik was silent, hands bunched into fists by his side.
Suddenly, Rudolf broke into braying laughter, then clapped his hands loudly.
“Hahaha! I must apologize again for my son. Now then, shall we all enjoy a pleasant meal?”
As if on cue, the doors flew open, and various dishes were brought to the table.
Mia supposed it was Radius-style. They were all served portions from heaping platters. Chicken salad, tomato soup, river-fish ceviche, sautéed lamb…there were so many unique, varying dishes being loaded onto the table.
In the awkward silence of the dining room, however, nothing seemed to have any flavor.
After the meal, which had filled their bellies but left them feeling somehow empty, Rudolf got to his feet with a smile and left. Finally, Mia could feel her shoulders relaxing as some of the tension drained away.
Talk about daddy issues…
Mia felt exhausted from the oppressive aura cast over them all by Henrik’s father. She was also shaken by the fact that someone actually existed who could intimidate Henrik.
She looked over at Henrik to see that he hadn’t touched a single bite of food on his plate. His lips were pressed tightly together, as if he was trying his hardest not to cry.
Then all of a sudden, Mia realized why Henrik had invited her here. He hadn’t wanted to face his father by himself over Winter Break.
Just as Mia was wondering how best to try to comfort him…
“Hey, are you a complete idiot? Why’d you have to argue with him? Weren’t we supposed to ask him for permission to check out the old patient charts?”
Felix crossed his arms over his chest. Mia realized she had actually forgotten why they’d all come until Felix mentioned it just then.
“Doesn’t matter. We can’t rely on his help, anyway.”
Henrik’s tone was subdued, a frown still deeply etched between his brows. Felix shrugged, trying to lighten the tone.
“Well, anyway, it’s a relief to know there’s at least one person out there you can’t bend to your will, haha!”
Henrik turned a glassy, rage-filled gaze on Felix for a moment. Then he muttered, “Oh, shut up,” and began stuffing his face with food. Mia relaxed a little as she watched Henrik cram food into his mouth, his frown line finally smoothing out.
“You know, Felix, sometimes…and I mean only sometimes…I envy that ability of yours to say what everyone’s thinking without the slightest hint of social awareness.”
Mathias was shooting Felix a grudgingly grateful look that mirrored how Mia was feeling.
Felix blinked back uncomprehendingly, but Mia nodded to herself. She was glad she’d invited Felix along. She had the feeling she would’ve been of no help to Henrik by herself.