Deep Sea Embers

The doctor knew she was different from Vanna. Although they’re both “clergy” in name and even had a registered certification from the Truth Academy, she was better at research than confronting those dangerous forces head-on. Sure, this technically fell into her field of specialty, but her work was all conducted under controlled conditions. Unfortunately, this here… that wasn’t it.

Vanna, on the other hand, was well suited for this matter. She’s been confronting the heretics for many years. She knows the ins and outs of what’s permissible during tense situations. If Vanna says not to ask, then you don’t ask.

Towards the last stretch before home, Heidi finally threw out a question she assumed safe: “… Is there a problem with that antique shop?”

“…… Everything is fine in the antique shop,” Vanna controlled the car to slow down, her face still thoughtful, “but in our city-state… something abnormal may be taking place.”

The sky had entirely darkened by then, and the bells and whistles that alternate between day and night had started to ring from the central steam core. It’s also the signal for the street lamps to come on. When Heidi arrived outside her home, Vanna’s car had already started to depart and was quickly out of earshot.

Unlike her friend, that’s limited by the curfew, the inquisitor doesn’t rest at night. Not only did Vanna have to make another trip down to the cordoned-off museum and meet the guardians, but she also had to return to the main cathedral for paperwork. Even on her days off, Vanna’s never truly resting.

Heidi sighed again at recalling her own day being ruined…. But a sigh was a sigh. She was not going to wait to enter her home. With a click of the lock, the doctor entered the spacious living room that was lit with electric bulbs at the ceiling.

It’s quiet as usual, and the day maid had retired to her own place after finishing the dishes. Bluntly said, the vast house seemed a little deserted right now.

But Heidi has been used to this. Her father was someone that’s hard to pull out of the study once he’s invested, and her mother’s health hadn’t been good, so expecting a warm welcome was out of the question. Even so, that doesn’t mean there’s no human scent in this big house. Their family relationship has always been good in fact.

Changing out of her coat and storing away the med kit, she glanced around and found the study room to be lit. Her father was likely reading something. Without disturbing the master of the house, Heidi came to her parent’s bedroom and knocked on the door: “I’m back, are you inside?”

Her mother’s voice came from the other side of the door with a sense of helplessness and a little pretended anger: “Why did you come back so late tonight!”

Heidi stuck out her tongue at the door and quickly sorted out her expression. Then pushing it open, she strolled inside while muttering her excuse: “I went out with Vanna so you don’t have to keep worrying about me. She can easily best the entire city with one hand behind her back…”

The lighting in the room was dim here because strong lighting would irritate her mother’s eyes, which had been in poor condition after being injured by chemical fumes from the factory leak eleven years ago.

Heidi swiftly adjusted to the dim lighting and saw her mother sitting on the head of the bed. It’s a very kind old lady sitting there in a pair of soft pajamas and weaving a unique craft of Pland.

“You’re always running around with Vanna. Sooner or later, you won’t be able to marry like her. I know it, you can’t fool me. She’s been running to the marriage center every weekend, hoping to get paired with a man that fits her requirements. The church has been getting complaints every day because of that…”

The expression on Heidi’s face visibly stiffened: “This… don’t say that… Vanna is an inquisitor now…”

“So what if she’s the inquisitor? She’s still the same lass that’s been eating at our house for several years. It’s all because of her uncle after he became the city admin. All that man cares about is the city’s affairs. That’s why Vanna didn’t get the right upbringing of a proper lady.” The old mother babbled on and on as usual, her hand gesturing never once stalling. “If I were Vanna’s uncle, I would’ve run to the church and demand they remove the oath placed on his niece. Most nuns only make one oath during the baptism ceremony. How could Vanna do three big ones?! It’s all because of those three oaths that she can’t marry anyone even at this age…”

Listening to her mother’s string of moaning and ranting, Heidi could only chuckle with embarrassment. Finally, after the old lady managed to catch her breath and stop for a bit, the daughter knew it was her chance to change the topic. “You’re almost finished with the weaving?!”

“Yes and no. I’ve weaved and disassembled it several times already. It’s always something that I can’t get right.” The old mother smiled, showing Heidi her splendid ribbon woven with fine silk. The intricate workmanship was embellished with colorful stones and beads, a gift one wouldn’t find in just any shop for it’s rumored to ward off evil spirits. “I wonder if I can find a good young man for you once I’m finished…”

Heidi glanced at the nearly completed knotted ribbon and cautiously suggested: “If not… why don’t you dismantle it again? Maybe it’ll be time by then…”

“You’re upsetting me on purpose!”

Heidi quickly changed stance and skedaddled out of there, all the while her mother’s nagging chant continued to echo out from the rear. She’s used to having her mother press for marriage so it’s nothing new. Nimbly closing the door before leaving, the doctor was ready to grab something from the kitchen when she bumped into her father in the hallway.

“I heard the sound of you coming home earlier… did you upset your mother again?” Morris asks, his elegant demeanor of a gentleman showing again.

Heidi quickly waved her hand: “No, no, just some small talk.”

“And about my gift, did you hand it to Mr. Duncan?”

“I delivered it. Mr. Duncan is very happy,” Heidi nodded and then couldn’t help but cast a peek at her father across the hallway, “but I really didn’t expect that you would be willing to give away your beloved collection…”

“It’s just a collection. He did save your life after all,” Morris lightly states. “In fact, I don’t even think it’s enough. I’ll have to go back in two days to thank him.”

The reference promptly caused Heidi to flush with embarrassment due to the reminder of giving Nina hypnotherapy today: “Umm… is there really a need to be so formal?”

“It’s not a matter of being formal or not. Mr. Duncan saved your life, and I am not only your father but also Nina’s teacher. What’s more, Mr. Duncan is also an antique dealer who is eager to learn. From a social point of view, this relationship is worth nurturing,” Morris casually explained. “I like the word that Mr. Duncan often says: it’s a kind of ‘fate’…”

“Okay, okay, your idea makes sense, it makes perfect sense.” Heidi suddenly had a headache coming after hearing her father’s reasoning. To her, socializing has never been a skill of hers, and now she’s being stuffed with a bunch of social etiquettes that were of no use in the therapy room. “Then at least keep your visit to just a visit, don’t buy random things again, okay?”

“It depends on whether there are any items that appeal to me,” Morris said casually. Then he thought for a moment and asked as if the question only came to him now, “So, did you go with Vanna today?”

“Ah yes, she happened to be off today. We took her car.”

Morris mused for a second like he’s hesitating on his next words: “I get… the feeling you’re getting very close to Vanna.”

“Am I? I’ve been close to her for many years, haven’t I?” Heidi felt that the question was a little inexplicable and random, “We’ve known each other since childhood…”

“No, I’m just…” The old gentleman gulped and recalled the quote from Mr. Duncan during his last visit: “It’s also possible for an all-girls school…”

“Father?” Heidi made a weird look, unable to comprehend the bizarre behavior of her father.

“Ah, forget what I said.” Morris jolted back to attention, realizing how outrageous his inner fantasy was behaving. Quickly changing the topic to avoid any misunderstanding, the corner of his gaze suddenly fell upon Heidi’s wrist.

On the bracelet, which represents the protection of Lahem, the god of wisdom, a red agate was missing.

The old man’s expression instantly got paler. However, as a well-learned scholar, he knows better than to panic in this situation. Forcibly controlling his mood, he calmly asks again like it’s a casual question: “Umm, Heidi, did you accidentally drop a bead from your bracelet? I notice there’s an open spot on the string.”

“My bracelet?” Heidi blinked, then raised her wrist and took a look for herself, “Isn’t it supposed to be like this? I thought it was always missing one.”

Always missing one?

Morris pressed his heavy panting down. Right now, there’s a surge of hard emotions overwhelming his mind for the worst possible outcome had just come true.

“By the way, you only went to that antique shop today, right?” He asks again with his usual tone, trying hard to get any information he could without alarming anyone, friend or foe.