Alchemist's Apprentice

Mary looked at me skeptically over the rim of her teacup. I ignored her obvious gaze and continued working.

She was seated at one of the couches set up in my study, while I remained behind my desk, going over financial documents concerning the start of my business. She was back to wearing her hideous frilly dresses, today's torture device shaded a light pink. And while I still loathed the restricting clothing that was a part of being a noble, I had to admit the color complimented her complexion rather well.

Eventually, she spoke up, "Brother?"

I glanced at her, "Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

I set my papers down and looked at her, a bit unsure of what she was referring to.

"Yes, I am perfectly okay. Why do you ask?"

Mary frowned, "I know you recently went to see father. Was he mean to you?"

I had to stop myself from laughing. Mean was a very gross understatement of that man's treatment towards me. But still… I looked closer at Mary, as if I could see her inner most thoughts with a squint. She had become a lot more expressive lately.

I waved my hand in the air as if to dismiss the idea, "We had a pretty regular conversation, nothing to be concerned about."

Mary didn't seem all that satisfied with my answer, but she dropped the subject, and I was glad. Thinking too long and hard about my position in this family upset me. But Mary quickly changed tunes and distracted me from the rabbit hole.

"Well, when will I get to meet this Ymir person?" she asked hopefully.

I contemplated her question. It had only been a day since I last dismissed Ymir to get some rest, and I felt bad calling on him again so soon, but I would need to consult him soon if I was to get moving with the business plans.

"Why don't we call him in right now?" I smiled at Mary.

She clapped her hands together in excitement and started ranting on and on about the subject of alchemy, saying how excited she was to be meeting a master of the art.

I found out later, when I explained to Mary who Ymir was, that she had an intense interest in the study. Of course, she'd never revealed this to anyone, because a noble interested in alchemy would surely hear nothing but scorn, but when she heard my plan to hire Ymir she couldn't contain herself any longer.

Just when I thought my ears might start bleeding from the chatter, there was a knock at the door and Ymir's arrival was announced. Once he was inside and all settled in his seat beside me, I made introductions.

"Ymir, this is Mary, my younger sister and the first daughter of Duke Hessian." I extended my arm towards her then back towards Ymir. "Mary, this is Ymir the alchemist."

Ymir looked nervous and just nodded his head, but Mary left behind all reservations, and immediately jumped up to circle the table and stand in front of Ymir at his seat. She held her hands in front of her as her eyes sparkled with an immense joy, then she spoke.

"Could I please hold your hand?" She asked very politely for such a strange question.

"Oh, um, sure?" Ymir looked to me questioningly and I just shrugged my shoulders.

Once he had extended his hand, Mary took it and squealed her joy.

"You have no idea just how excited I am to be in the presence of a real life alchemist! I have been reading books on alchemy ever since I was a young child. I can't remember the last time I fell asleep without one such book in my arms! It is a great honor to meet you, and I hope you will be willing to teach me some of what you know!"

I smiled at Mary's enthusiasm. I really was glad to see this girl, who had been so timid when we first met, finally break out of her shell some. It was amusing the way she said 'when I was a young child', as if she was not still only ten years old. But more important was the idea beginning to bloom in my mind. If Mary had such an interest in alchemy, perhaps that is how I could put her to work. As Ymir's apprentice.

I decided no time was better than the present, and avoided beating around the bush.

Ymir and Mary were exchanging a long string of 'you're amazing's and 'no please, I'm not that great's, when I finally told them to take it down a notch because I had something to say. Mary blushed a little, and after clearing her throat, returned to her seat across from us. Then I turned to the both of them and asked.

"Mary, what do you think of becoming Ymir's apprentice. Ymir, would Mary be acceptable?"

There was an explosion of confusion between the two, and both began hurling questions at me in unison.

"Brother, what could you mean, be Ymir's apprentice?"

"Take a noble lady as my pupil? What would be people say?"

"I would love to, but I am a daughter of House Hessian, what of the repercussions?"

"I might be able to understand hiring me, but your sister…?"

My eyebrow twitched.

"All right!" I shouted and the both stopped speaking at once.

"I wasn't done! My gods, you would think a man could finish one thought around here!"

The two looked apologetic, though I hadn't really been upset.

"Look, I understand it isn't 'proper' of a young lady to become an alchemist's apprentice, but if you hadn't already noticed, I'm not exactly a stickler for tradition. Mary," I turned to her, "You've told me before that it is rare for anyone here to pay you very much attention. Sadly, this is the reality for most noble ladies, as their only option is to get married upon coming of age. What if you could change your fate then? Your mother wouldn't have to know how you'd be spending your time, and you could learn a skill and trade that might help you in the future. Alchemy may be a poor man's occupation now, but I guarantee to make it the opposite soon."

I paused as I watched Mary consider my words.

"And Ymir," this time I looked at him, "I know it is the wish of any master to pass their knowledge onto a bright and willing pupil. Mary is smart, and she's reliable. She would work hard, and I would be forever grateful if you would teach her something valuable that might give her more freedom as an adult."

Ymir too, looked as though he was thinking seriously about what I said.

To be honest, this idea was more for my sake than Mary's, or Ymir's. I was still considering making Mary the ruling Duchess after I changed the laws of this empire to allow females to take their family titles. She would make an outstanding ruler. I hadn't lied when I said she was smart. But for now, letting her learn about all sorts of things, and giving her the option to choose something for herself, was much more important. This was the kind of thing that might open the door for her to be more confident in the future.

The two remained silent for a long time, both lost in their own thoughts, mulling over my proposal.

"Why don't you two take a little while to think about it? There's no rush. In the meantime, Ymir, I have to speak with you about what will be required of you for the business. Mary, you're welcome to stay if you want, but the conversation might get a little boring with you not being included. Would you like to go rest in you chambers now?"

Mary nodded absentmindedly, and I had one her servants escort her back to her room.

Then Ymir and I spent the rest of the day discussing my business plan. We were so consumed in the work, we both forgot to eat lunch, and by dinner time we were both starving. I dismissed Ymir and told him to rest up, because I'd be needing his help again tomorrow. Ymir was obviously tired, but he smiled at me all the same. He seemed glad to be included in this work, and it left me feeling satisfied too. Like I was the cool boss that everyone really liked.

After Ymir was gone, I took dinner in my study, and continued working late into the night. I accidentally fell asleep at my desk, and later I thought I could remember somebody laying a blanket over my shoulders, but I was too groggy at the time to make out their face. When I woke, obviously, they were gone. But the blanket remained.

I wished I could have said thank you.