Chapter 338: The Christmas Arrangement

Evelyn rolled over in her chair.

She and her mother saw things differently.

Margaret was reluctant to disturb her son, afraid of interrupting his studies.

Even when she called Isabella, she talked in circles forever before daring to ask a single question.

Evelyn had no such reservations about bothering him; she simply didn't know what to say.

She had wanted to call him several times, but the words always died on her lips.

What would she say?

That she had baked another batch of Professor Rabbit Generation 7 today?

That they were out of flour and needed to buy more tomorrow?

That Mrs. Weir's cat had a litter of four kittens last week, and the orange one was especially fat?

Bringing any of that up would be incredibly boring.

Her brother was in the Department of Classics at Imperial Capital University, spending every day with Latin, ancient Greek, and all sorts of things she couldn't even begin to understand.

She had taped a copy of the newspaper featuring him to the living room wall and tucked another into her notebook.

She had given a copy to Mrs. Weir, two to his teachers at Greenwood, and locked the remaining five in her nightstand drawer.

But even so, a tiny part of her still felt upset.

The old, sickly Richard used to be cooped up right here in Slag Alley with her...

He would pant if he walked too fast, drink free hot tea when he couldn't afford lunch, and wish he could bury his head in his desk whenever the teacher called roll.

And now?

He was in the papers, competing in Debate Week, and taking first place in the Preparatory Group.

At a place like Imperial Capital University, he stood on the exact same starting line as noble young masters like Montagu.

If she ran into her brother on the streets of the Imperial Capital one day, would she even recognize him at all?

Evelyn pulled her face from the arm of the chair and rubbed her nose hard.

What was she thinking? No matter how much her brother changed, he still ate like a pig.

The last time he called home, their mother had asked if he was eating well.

He replied from the other end, "I get a meal allowance at the cafeteria, Grey brings me food, and I have Auntie's citron tea."

That meant he had several people feeding him.

The fact that he ate even better in the Imperial Capital than at home made her mad just thinking about it.

Evelyn flipped her notebook to a blank page and started drawing an especially fat rabbit.

As she drew, her pen strokes grew lighter and lighter until her head tilted, and she fell asleep on the notebook.

The wall clock in the living room ticked steadily on.

The daylight had completely retreated from the walls, leaving the alley as dark as a gray trench.

The big dog next door stood up from the steps, pricking its ears toward the entrance of the alley.

...

"When did she fall asleep?"

Evelyn's consciousness drifted on the edge of sleep.

"About fifteen minutes ago." Her mother's voice was very soft.

"Let her sleep a little longer."

Another voice. A young man.

Evelyn's eyelids twitched. Her nose woke up before her brain did.

The scent of cream and chocolate was wafting right into her face from less than a foot away.

Her nose twitched twice.

At the third twitch, her eyes snapped open.

A brown paper package sat on the coffee table in front of her, its seal half-torn open.

Inside the package was a box of chocolates.

A small golden flag adorned the box, with a line of elegant cursive text beneath it—Valentine.

Her gaze shifted to the side of the package.

Next to it was a small Cloth Bag tied with hemp rope. A creamy hue was visible through the gap.

Beside that was a tin bearing a label: "34 Holborn Street, Pearson's Handmade Toffee."

And right beside that...

"You're awake?"

Richard stood in the kitchen doorway, holding a cup of hot tea with a very faint smile touching the corners of his mouth.

His shirt and vest fit him much better than when he had left home in August; he had grown just a little bit taller.

"..."

Evelyn's brain rebooted.

"Richard!!"

Her voice was so loud that the big dog outside jumped right off the steps.

Richard nearly dropped his teacup.

The girl launched herself out of the armchair and crashed right into him.

"How did you... When did you... Why didn't you..."

Her shoulders were trembling, and Richard wasn't entirely sure if she was laughing or doing something else.

"You're squishing my tea."

"Who cares about your tea!"

Her muffled voice came from against his chest.

Their mother poked her head out of the kitchen, glanced at the siblings in the living room, and pulled her head back in.

Something was frying on the stove, the grease popping and crackling in the pan.

Using his free hand, Richard patted the back of his sister's head twice.

"Let go, you're choking my collar."

Evelyn didn't let go.

She tightened her arms, as if trying to confirm that he was actually solid.

After about half a minute, she finally released him.

She took a step back and rubbed the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Why didn't you tell us beforehand!"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

"I don't care about your surprise!"

Even as she said it, her hand was already reaching for the Valentine Chocolate on the coffee table.

"How much did you spend?"

"Not much."

"Liar," Evelyn said, pointing to the numbers on the label.

"Valentine's limited holiday gift boxes start at three shillings and sixpence."

"How do you know that so well?"

Evelyn blushed.

"I... I just know."

...

While they were clearing the dishes after dinner, Richard brought up their grandfather's suggestion.

"This Christmas, the whole family should go to the Imperial Capital."

Evelyn nearly dropped the plate in her hands.

"The Imperial Capital? The whole family?"

"Yeah. The manor has empty rooms, and they want us to stay over."

He glanced at their mother.

Margaret was washing a pot at the sink. Her hands didn't stop moving, but she had clearly pricked up her ears.

"While we're at it," Richard continued,

"we can handle the enrollment procedures for the Evelyn Culinary Academy, so you won't have to make another trip in the spring."

Evelyn stood frozen, her gaze shifting from her brother's face to her mother's back.

"Mom..."

"I heard him," Margaret said, setting the pot on the stove to dry.

She wiped her hands on her apron and turned around.

"What does your father think?"

All three of them looked toward the living room.

Rogers was sitting on the sofa, holding the newspaper that never seemed to leave his hands.

"What about the round-trip train tickets?"

"Grandfather has already taken care of it," Richard said, leaning against the doorframe.

Rogers folded his newspaper.

"Then we'll go."

"Just stay for a few days. Don't drag it out past the holidays."

Behind him, Evelyn had already started bouncing in place.

"Yay!"

"What are you jumping around for?" Rogers didn't even turn his head. "Are your Culinary College enrollment documents ready?"

Evelyn's bouncing came to a sudden halt.

"...I'm still missing one recommendation letter. My teacher said they'd write it for me next week."

"Remind them about it. Don't wait until the last day."

Rogers walked into the bedroom, and the door clicked shut behind him.

The night of Harvest Day passed quickly.

Evelyn was packing things in her room, chattering nonstop.

"Richard! Are there stores in the Imperial Capital that specialize in baking tools?

I want to get a piping nozzle to go with the Ludvis's Spatula set Auntie gave me last time."

"There are," Richard called from the next room. "I'll take you shopping when we get there."

"What about near Imperial Capital University? What do you usually eat over there?"

"The cafeteria."

"Is it good?"

"It's alright."

The wall clock in the hallway chimed ten times.

Their mother's footsteps echoed from the stairs, pausing outside Evelyn's door.

"Time for bed."

"Mom, I'm not done packing yet."

"Christmas is two months away. What are you packing for now?"

"I'm just making a list!"

"What list? Just bring yourself and that notebook of yours. You can buy everything else in the Imperial Capital."

Evelyn's room fell silent for a few seconds.

"Mom, the list is of all the good restaurants in the Imperial Capital."

"...Where did you get that?"

"From a classmate."

"Your classmate has been to the Imperial Capital?"

"Her cousin has."

Their mother sighed. She stood outside her daughter's door for a moment, but ultimately didn't press the matter.

She knew the girl was too excited to sleep tonight anyway; nagging her would be useless.

In the other room, Richard turned off the light and lay in bed.

The wall clock ticked rhythmically in the hallway.

Richard closed his eyes.

He fell into the most peaceful sleep he'd had in over two months.