Chapter 238: Audrey's Small Growth

Chapter 238: Audrey's Small Growth

Earl Hall's Residence

A week had passed since the Great Smog of Backlund, and Audrey was finally granted permission to go outside.

During this period, she attended a Tarot meeting where Mr. Fool mentioned that the disaster was caused by a witch. Mr. Hanged Man noted that many people died in the Great Smog of Backlund, and the death of Duke Negan had a significant impact on the Kingdom of Ruen. Even Miss Magician mentioned that the ordinary people living in Backlund, especially in the dock area, were in a dire situation. The nobles living in the Queen's District and the West District were the only ones who managed to avoid the disaster unscathed.

Audrey, however, knew very little about the incident because she had been confined to her home and had no way of knowing what the outside world had become or how many people had died in the Great Smog.

Earl Hall was very protective of her, not allowing her to leave the house. Even a walk in the back garden had to be scheduled to avoid any potential lingering toxic smog in the air.

Today, Earl Hall finally allowed her to leave the house to relax.

She took Susie with her, followed by two personal maids, and a few of Earl Hall's attendants at a distance.

To her surprise, the shops on both sides of the street were still crowded with noble ladies and young misses selecting goods, their faces beaming with bright smiles, seemingly unaffected by the Great Smog incident.

As she continued along King's Avenue, everything around her appeared as usual, as if the Great Smog incident had never happened.

After wandering for a while, she was certain that everything was just as it had always been, with no apparent differences.

There were no corpses lying on the streets as Miss Magician had described, no people collecting branches and coal during the day and burning bodies at night amidst falling snow. Nor was there the atmosphere of fear and tension that Mr. Hanged Man had mentioned.

Audrey felt a strong sense of dissonance. On one hand, there were the words of Miss Magician and Mr. Hanged Man, and on the other, the bustling and lively streets before her.

The smiles on people's faces were genuine. The happiness she saw on the streets was real.

Many people were gathered in groups, drinking tea and chatting, their laughter and sweet smiles creating a beautiful scene.

Had the impact of the Great Smog incident really passed?

Or was it not as severe as Miss Magician and Mr. Hanged Man had said?

She wanted to find someone to talk to and learn about the real changes in Backlund during this period.

But Susie, her maids, and the attendants responsible for her protection were obviously not suitable conversation partners.

She thought of Mr. Hastur. Since their last meeting, she hadn't seen him again. It was said that he was very busy preparing to leave Backlund.

Would it be appropriate to disturb him now?

Audrey sighed softly and decided not to bother him. Instead, she chose a quiet and serene shop, ordered a cup of hot tea and some sweets, and looked out at the street through the window.

Carriages passed by, the sound of hooves creating a rhythmic melody with the ground.

Should she go to the dock area that Miss Magician mentioned?

Audrey suddenly had this thought. Apart from taking a boat trip, she had never really been to the dock area. She only knew that it was a place with many busy workers. But she couldn't go there alone; she needed someone to accompany her, like her brother Hibbert, Earl Hall, or Mr. Hastur.

"It's a bit annoying."

Audrey pouted slightly, but before her maid could speak, she regained her elegant and dignified demeanor.

After a few minutes, she saw a familiar figure outside the street, Mr. Hastur, holding a small black cat and taking a walk.

"Susie, go and call Mr. Hastur for me."

Audrey assigned the task to Susie, who was lying on the ground bored.

"Woof?"

"Go on, I believe you can do it."

"…"

Susie got up, shook her golden fur, and ran towards the door.

One of the maids remarked, "Susie is getting smarter."

"Yes, because she is the one and only Susie."

Audrey felt a bit proud. After all, she had personally trained this extraordinary golden retriever, who would one day become a psychologist.

Soon, Susie brought Mr. Hastur, who was holding the small black cat, to Audrey. Audrey patted Susie's head to encourage her.

"Good afternoon, Miss Audrey."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hastur."

Audrey had her maid arrange a seat for Mr. Hastur opposite her.

"How come you have time to stroll around today, Miss Audrey?"

"I've been staying at home for a while and only got to go out today. I didn't expect to run into you, Mr. Hastur. I'm quite lucky."

"It's my good fortune as well."

After a few pleasantries, Audrey asked about the Great Smog incident in Backlund.

"Living in the Queen's District and living in the dock area are two completely different lives. The impact of the Great Smog incident on them is naturally different."

"Here, many noble ladies and young misses can still happily shop and occasionally gather for tea parties, discussing jewelry and dress styles."

"For them, the Great Smog incident is just a line in the newspaper or a term mentioned in idle conversation, light and without much weight or depth."

Audrey was silent for a moment, then looked up with bright eyes and asked softly, "Mr. Hastur, do you see me as one of these noble ladies?"

"This is a trait you were born with. It doesn't change with your thoughts. You don't need to deny it because it's your daily life."

"Can I see a different kind of life?"

"Of course, broadening your horizons and observing different lives is also a way to gain perspective."

"Mr. Hastur, you seem to know a lot of things I don't. Have you experienced many things?"

"I only talk about things on paper. It's good for conversation, but I haven't been to the dock area since the Great Smog incident."

Hastur thought for a moment and added, "But I can imagine what is happening there or what has already happened."

"Is this the benefit of reading more books?"

"No, it's because I know what kind of place it is from the beginning, so I can guess what might happen there during the Great Smog incident."

"Mr. Hastur, I want to visit the dock area. Can you accompany me?"

"If Earl Hall agrees, I would be happy to be your guide."

"…"

Audrey frowned slightly. Convincing Earl Hall to let her go to the dock area was not an easy task.

"Mr. Hastur, are you worried about something?"

"I'm just looking at it from the perspective of Earl Hall as a father."

Audrey didn't quite understand this, and Hastur didn't explain further.

Audrey was well-protected, and Hastur didn't have the right to break the safety barrier that Earl Hall had built for her over the years.

The dock area was not a good place to visit now. Despite the church's efforts to help, the situation remained severe.

The impact of the Great Smog incident was not just about death. For those who survived but couldn't live well, the real disaster was just beginning.

"Mr. Hastur, can't you secretly take me to see it?"

"No."

Hastur refused Audrey's small request without mercy, ignoring her annoyed look.

"Don't even think about sneaking there with Susie. Earl Hall will definitely have someone watching you."

Hastur's words shattered Audrey's little plan.

"Mr. Hastur!"

Audrey clenched her small fists hidden in her sleeves and waved them twice to vent her small anger.

"The tea here is quite good. I need to continue my walk with aisala, so I'll take my leave."

Hastur wisely chose to leave at this moment.

Audrey watched Hastur leave and hummed softly, "Susie, you mustn't learn to speak like Mr. Hastur, or I'll give you a good beating."

"Woof?"

Susie looked puzzled and instinctively moved a bit further from Audrey to avoid becoming her outlet for frustration.

Although Susie knew Audrey wasn't really angry, why take the risk?

Better to stay away and wait until Audrey felt better, then go home together.

…

At night, when Earl Hall returned, Audrey, who had been thinking for a long time, took advantage of his good mood to express her desire to visit the dock area.

"No, wait until after the New Year."

Earl Hall refused without mercy, giving her no hope.

"The New Year is coming. You need to learn the etiquette and procedures for the coming-of-age ceremony. You can also practice dancing. I'll invite a few more teachers for you."

Earl Hall's words made Audrey's scalp tingle.

She didn't want to waste her limited time on these things.

But she couldn't directly oppose Earl Hall's arrangements. She could only tell him that she was already very busy and didn't have much time to learn new things.

In the end, the reasonable Earl Hall reduced the number of teachers from six or seven to two.

"…"

Audrey had no choice but to accept this arrangement, but a thought arose in her mind.

Could it be that Mr. Hastur had already anticipated this outcome?

Is that why he suggested asking Earl Hall's opinion?

(End of Chapter)