There are unspoken rules between scripters, especially when it comes to pride. Some see the power they possess as a piece of their identity inside, and to share something so personal might've been the greatest insult one could provide.
For within a Script may reside the truest intent its Scripter dared not confide...
The mistress did not take her servant's question lightly; it soured her mood. She offered Silvie a pointed, knowing look of displeasure. "There are things that, no matter how curious you are, you shouldn't seek them, for seeking them only betrays trust."
"The fewer individuals who are aware of the details of my formula, the better it is for me."
"If you wish to become a Scripter yourself, I suggest you start respecting the secrecy of your peers."
Silvie was taken aback by the sudden change in demeanor. The store owner gave her a silent look, warning her not to challenge her mistress, and the servant ultimately listened to her lady's scolding.
Within this bittersweet atmosphere, the mistress continued, "If you manage to prove yourself, you shall one day possess a formula of your own."
"There might be an itch of imitation within your heart upon seeing another's talent. I am flattered, but I suggest you soon separate yourself from that imitation. You have a creative mind and imagination; mold something with it..."
"There's no need for you to resemble me, Silvie..."
"Refrain from asking me about it again..." The mistress's tone was mixed, soft, yet lecturing, with warning undertones.
"It is a Lady's secret, Silvie. I trust you understand," Sir Daishi added gently, an attempt to ease the sudden tension that had settled over them.
Silvie lowered her head in guilt. "I apologize for my rudeness, Lady Evelyn," she said, offering a sincere apology.
"Apology accepted. You're still learning and have a long way to go. I'm glad you understand," the mistress said, her tone was kinder.
Even if she was forgiven, the heavy pain within her chest wouldn't leave. At the back of her mind, she wondered:
"Lady Evelyn was right... I wanted to have the same Script as her. I remember when I was losing consciousness, one of the last things I saw was the glow of her violet butterfly with my darkening vision..."
"What mythical ingredient could allow such a beautiful thing? And what else could let someone trap others within paintings?"
"The way Lady Evelyn painted over my wounds... If she can mend my injuries, could she also alter another's image with the same power?"
"Has she ever done such a thing?"
There was nothing silvie could do but respect her mistress's privacy. The servant understood the reasons, yet the sting of not being trusted remained, bitter...
"Silvie, frowning does not suit your face," Lady Evelyn remarked, noticing how her servant's expression had quietly settled into one after their exchange.
"Forgive me, my lady. That was impolite of me," Silvie replied softly.
The mistress realized that her words had deeply affected her servant. "You'll come to understand that, in this world, the fewer who know of your talents, the better your odds."
"Besides, I adore exclusivity. If everyone knew how to manifest my Script, it wouldn't feel so special anymore, would it?"
Her mistress had a point, and the sting in Silvie's chest began to ease. "I understand, Lady Evelyn. I'll do the same," she said, choosing to respect her mistress's wishes.
All the while, the store owner smiled silently, glad that they hadn't argued, as he dreaded seeing two women fight. Nonetheless, he was relieved that the situation hadn't escalated and that both of them were astute about it.
As such, he brought out two scrumptious-looking cheesecakes for the women, sliding them onto their table.
"It's on the house," he said.
"How kind of you," Lady Evelyn remarked sarcastically, though she didn't mind the gesture.
The servant showed her gratitude. "Thank you so much, Sir Daishi." Not only that, Daishi also refilled their glasses with more coffee. Suffice to say, it was a rather easy way to calm a girl's heart by making it flutter even closer to palpitations.
As they indulged in their meal... With every drink and bite, the servant found herself in the middle of one of her curiosities. As she looked at the cold glass of the beverage, she spoke softly, "My Lady, if I may... I have one more question."
"Go on," the mistress said, gesturing for her to continue.
All the while, Daishi quietly ate his meal; he had prepared chocolate cake rather than cheesecake.
"If the world is covered in ink...My Lady, where are we getting clean water from?" the servant asked.
The store owner looked up, seemingly prepared to answer himself. But this time, as Lady Evelyn was about to reach for the cheesecake, she paused at Silvie's question.
The mistress and Daishi's gazes met; with a subtle nod, she signaled that she didn't mind lecturing Silvie on this rather important matter.
"Hmm~" She tapped her finger lightly against the table.
"There are two seas closest to the Empire and its surrounding lands," she began.
Most of the ink that slowly polluted the world's waters came from the Black Tower, formally known as the Fountain Tower, for its shape was strikingly similar to that of a fountain pen.
It was located at the center of the Black Sea, between Nox Forest in the north and Vel Soria in the south. There lay the highest concentration of ink and Inklings, said to be the very origin of the Scripters' power.
Below it lies the Red Sea, mildly polluted by the Black Sea, yet still dangerous for day-to-day consumption. The marine life there was mutated; some were even used as mythical ingredients.
"Lady Evelyn, this Black Tower, what is it, and what caused it to be there?" the servant asked.
The mistress conjured a smile with a sly expression in her eyes. She replied, "That's classified. Most Malefactor members don't even know it's origin." She deliberately avoided elaborating on the Black Tower; perhaps it was too early for Silvie to know.
The servant didn't press the matter; instead, she merely bit her lip in restraint.
"For now, let's focus on the current topic at hand and not get sidetracked, shall we?"
At Lady Evelyn's words, the servant's mind imagined what the Black Tower looked like and what secrets it holds. Yet for a fleeting moment, she felt it, the same animalistic pull she had sensed toward the power of a Script.
She shook her head ever so slightly, the act was so subtle it was unnoticeable.
"I understand, Lady Evelyn..."
Chapter End...