"Queen, why…"
Cattleya was genuinely puzzled and hesitant.
The letter from the Queen Mystic, Bernadette, mentioned a mysterious, powerful figure who wanted to meet Frank and invite him to join a laboratory.
But this was Frank!
The man who tried crossbreeding wheat with cows, grew mushrooms that oozed milk, and turned fish blood into wine!
Cattleya shuddered to think what Frank's madness and skill could produce with a powerful figure's backing.
Then it dawned on her. As the Future's captain, she knew how unhinged her first mate was, but Bernadette likely didn't. "Should I warn the Queen?" She muttered, then reconsidered. "No, even if she doesn't know, that mysterious figure must understand Frank's nature. Why else would they want him in a lab?"
"Laboratory…" Cattleya's brow furrowed. Despite her trust in Bernadette, worry crept in. "What kind of lab invites Frank?"
She glanced toward Frank's quarters, where he was likely working on his experiment to give wheat a beefy flavor.
"I shouldn't worry too much. Frank's only Sequence 6. He can't destroy the world… right? Hahahaha!" Her self-assurance faltered, her dry laughter betraying her doubt.
A strange premonition gripped her, as if humanity's future rested in her hands, its path hinging on her decision.
"No, what am I thinking? That's ridiculous!" Cattleya shook her head, banishing the wild thoughts. She folded the letter, tucked it away, and set off to find Frank.
Despite her doubts, this was the Queen's directive, and she'd follow through, hesitations be damned.
Her timing was perfect. As she reached Frank's door, he emerged, covered in dirt, clutching a wheat stalk and muttering to himself.
"Frank!" Cattleya called, noting his obliviousness.
"Captain, what's up?" Frank finally noticed her, flashing an excited grin.
"There's something…" With no turning back, Cattleya laid out the situation plainly.
"Really, Captain? I'd love to talk with that figure!" Frank's eyes lit up, agreeing without hesitation.
It wasn't surprising. His wild ideas had always alienated others, even earning him expulsion from the Church of the Earth Mother despite his devotion. Though he never saw his work as wrong, the lack of recognition stung. Someone appreciating him now thrilled him.
"Since you're on board, I'll reply to the Queen. You…" Cattleya hesitated, watching Frank's barely contained excitement. She wanted to caution him but ultimately held back.
She knew how much Frank craved validation. This opportunity was good for him.
The only issue was…
Cattleya bit her lip, her earlier fears resurfacing.
Would she become this world's sinner?
…
Cattleya's worries were unknown to Bernadette, who was currently touring an exhibition with Roselle.
Yes, the Roselle Memorial Exhibition.
True to her decisive nature, Bernadette had written and sent the letter to Cattleya via a courier moments ago.
After thirty seconds of awkward silence in the alternate space, Alaric suggested, since they were here, they might as well tour the exhibition.
Bernadette had no objections. She'd come to reminisce anyway. Though she'd scoured the Kingdom Museum earlier while searching for Roselle, that hardly counted as "touring." She didn't mind another round, especially with her father... a novel experience.
Roselle was reluctant but had no say in the matter.
So, the trio happily explored the exhibition.
"This is the flush toilet once used by Emperor Roselle…" The guide, a young woman, described a golden toilet with fervor, nearly turning it into a work of art.
Nearby, Alaric stifled a laugh, glancing at Roselle's strained expression. "Why not make it solid gold?"
Roselle's face darkened. He'd been focused on Bernadette and hadn't noticed the exhibition's contents. Seeing his toilet on display, he felt mortified.
No one wanted such private items gawked at publicly. Even for Roselle, this was a social death.
To Alaric's teasing, he replied weakly, "I couldn't afford solid gold back then, so I just had it plated."
Gritting his teeth, he added, "What's the Church of Steam doing, displaying this? Don't I have enough respectable items for them to show?"
"Maybe they have too many respectable items, so they went with something quirky." Alaric suggested with a smile. "You should be glad you only kept diaries in a cryptic script. If you'd collected lovers' hair or trinkets, tsk tsk…"
He shook his head, the implication clear.
Roselle's expression soured further, but a flicker of relief stirred within.
Thank goodness he was somewhat proper, free of bizarre hobbies. Otherwise…
The thought of worse possibilities sent a shiver down his spine.
***
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