The Alchemist (2)

After I finally got Mary to calm down and stop crying, we all returned to the estate. I made sure that all the servants in contact with the alchemist kept their mouths shut. But it wasn't long before Bain inevitably found out.

I couldn't keep the existence of the strange man, or the fact I had dragged him home, secret for very long. I had to tell Bain, so he could prepare a room and food for the man. And after he had freshened up, we sat down together to have a little chat.

"So," I started, "Do tell me your name."

The man looked absolutely terrified. I supposed by now he had either figured out or been told who I was. He responded with the conviction of a mouse, but gave me his name in the end.

"I am called Ymir, my Lord."

"Just Ymir? No family name?"

"I am a commoner sir; we do not possess last names."

Oh right, I thought I remembered reading that somewhere before. Now that I thought about it, Bain didn't have a last name either, or Collen.

"Well, no matter. You are an alchemist correct?"

The man seemed to shrink even lower after being asked this question.

"Yes, I am, my Lord."

"That's perfect then! Are you interested in working for me?"

Ymir whipped his head upwards and looked me directly in the eyes for once.

"Do you really mean to offer me a job sir?"

"Well yes of course, why would I say that if I didn't intend to do it?"

Ymir shook his head, "It's just… you are the young master of House Hessian. Surely, you must be able to call on very powerful, much more competent, mages. Why would you enlist the help of me, a mere alchemist?"

"Because there are things you can do for me, that not even the most powerful mage on the continent could accomplish."

Ymir looked both amazed and surprised upon hearing my words. I sighed, and decided to elaborate further.

"Surely you must be aware that magic and alchemy are fundamentally different. I am even quite sure you have tried to convince people of this in the past, but they refused to believe you. Am I wrong?"

Ymir shook his head no.

"While magic is very useful in controlling natural elements, it takes a much finer, scientific control, to separate the different substances that make up an element. Magic can only call upon the natural world to preform natural sequences. Alchemy allows a person to break down nature itself."

Ymir's eyes looked to be full of stars, and I was suddenly reminded of Mary.

"Yes, my Lord! You are absolutely correct! Alchemy is indeed everything you claim it to be! I am so happy to hear those words from somebody besides myself!"

I smiled, "So you are willing to work for me then?"

Ymir's smile vanished, and he avoided looking at me directly again.

"What is it? What is the matter?" I asked, trying not to be annoyed.

"Sir, while I am deeply grateful to you for the offer. Is it really something I can accept? You are in line to inherit the great Hessian name. Your wealth and power are beyond imagination. But if you were to enlist the help of a lowly alchemist such as myself, what would people think of you? What would they say? I cannot be the reason your reputation takes a blow."

I furrowed my brow with both frustration and confusion.

"Ymir, do you honestly believe I would have gone through all the trouble I did, if I was worried about my reputation? While I do admit my image to be an important aspect of gaining influence, do you really think I would bring you here without a plan? It does not matter what people say about my hiring you, because the success you and I will garner together, will far outweigh whatever doubts the common folk may harbor."

"Success, my Lord?"

"Yes, I plan to use your skills as an alchemist in making a new product, so that I might start a business. I can guarantee you will see profit of an unimaginable degree."

Ymir looked somewhat hopeful again, but still hesitant.

"Even so, can I really be of use to you?"

I realized then that what Ymir lacked was self-confidence. I had to instill in him the belief that things would only work out if I had his help.

Abandoning all custom, I moved around the table separating us and sat next to Ymir on the couch where he had been across from me, then I took both his hands in mine and looked directly into his eyes.

"You will be of great use to me. In fact, if you were to refuse my offer, my plans to start a business would surely crumble to pieces, and my future will once again become unsteady. I need you Ymir. I need you to be the first I put my trust in. And of course, you will be rewarded handsomely."

Unexpectedly, the full grown Ymir then burst into tears right before my eyes, and I suddenly felt a little uncomfortable sitting there while clutching his hands. I let go and returned to my previous seat, clearing my throat in the process. I hoped that would be enough to convince him.

Once he had finished crying and had whipped away his tears, Ymir balled his hand into a fist and clutched tightly, while a look of sheer determination unfolded on his face.

"Okay! I accept your offer sir! I will work for you as your faithful servant! I hope my skills in alchemy will be of great use to you, just as you say!"

I nodded my head in vigorous approval.

"Yes, yes, that's what I love to hear."

Then, there was a knock at the door.

I groaned.

After telling him to come in, Bain reluctantly made his way inside the room and informed me of the news I least wanted to hear.

"Your father, Duke Hessian, wishes to have an audience with you, Lord Isani. He asks that you make your way to his study immediately."

Ymir looked over to me in concern, as he could see I was disconcerted. More than anything, I was aggravated. I wished the members of my family could just mind their own goddamned business. But then, I supposed I had no choice but to rely on father's attention. He was the one responsible for deciding on the next heir after all. I had to make sure to prove my worth, even if it was to someone as scummy as the Duke.

"Inform the Duke I will make my way there immediately after seeing my guest out."

"Yes, sir," Bain replied. And just as swiftly as he had come, he disappeared once more.

I thanked Ymir and waved him off, telling him to rest up and that we would talk more at a later date. Then I put on my bravest face, and prepared to go meet with my father.

The holder of my precious golden spoon.