The Nightmare's End: 1-3 An Afternoon of Tea

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The Nightmare's End

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Good news: He got the job. Bad news: Does the doctor's job include socializing over tea?

Info

Style: No dress-up component Required: Edward Goodwill Lv. 4 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Dawn of Friendship

Dawn of Friendship

Dialogue Choices

There are no dialogue choices in this stage.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• He stands in the center of his room, his face grave.
• Wardrobes, suitcases, bookshelves, drawers... all storage spaces are open, exposing all his belongings.
• His emerald eyes are unblinking, staring at each item while quickly estimating its value in his mind.
• A few minutes later, he relaxes his shoulders and rubs his forehead helplessly.
• Edward Grey: (Even if I pawn all of these, I'm afraid it will only be enough to cover two months of expenses.)

• Edward Grey: (Even if I don't consider the living expenses for the next two months, I should at least prepare the rent due the day after tomorrow...)

• He sighs and slowly closes all the cabinet doors one by one.
• Edward Grey: (Will Mrs. Thomas let me defer the payment?)

• Obviously, he himself is even less able to accept this term than Mrs. Thomas.
• Edward ponders this as he reaches into the depths of a certain drawer.
• There, he's hidden two of his most valuable items.
• The magnificent and heavy pocket watch bears the traces of time. It was a birthday gift he received from his foster parents when he was 15 years old.
• On the contrary, the old revolver looks dull and lackluster. But at least its handle is made of silver.
• No matter what item he mortgagees, it will only be enough for the rent. The question is:
• Which item will he mortgage?
• Mrs. Thomas: Doctor Grey? Doctor?

• He hastily grabs a book and stuffs it into the drawer, pushing the two items further inside, and then closes the drawer.
• He takes a deep breath and casually opens the door.
• Edward Grey: What's the matter, Mrs. Thomas?

• Mrs. Thomas holds a letter in her hand, looking at him with confusion.
• Mrs. Thomas: Did I disturb you? I heard some noises. Are you practicing how to perform surgery?

• Edward Grey: No, of course not. I'm just tidying up the room.

• Edward Grey: Is something wrong?

• Mrs. Thomas: Well, a well-dressed butler brought this. From the house you went to that day.

• She waves the envelope proudly before handing it over.

Dr. Gray,

Please come to my house for tea this afternoon. I guarantee that it will taste better than the medicine you prescribed.

Jesse Lindvall

• Edward Grey: ...

• He ponders how many layers of meaning this unconventional letter remains, but he nearly forgets about his landlady who's eager to know more.
• Mrs. Thomas: What is it? What does it say? Did the Lindvall family approve of you?

• Mrs. Thomas: Will you become a doctor for a wealthy family?

• He comes to his senses, looks down at Mrs. Thomas, and blinks.
• Edward Grey: I don't know, Mrs. Thomas. It looks like I'll have to go again to make sure.

• Edward Grey: But I assure you: successful or not, your rent will lack a single penny.

• Edward Grey: Can you please help me call another carriage?

• Edward once again steps onto the stone steps of the mansion.
• This time, the butler with a faint smile on his face does not lead him to the living room, but instead walks through the garden and arrives at the pavilion.
• The gentle breeze blows and the scent of flowers wafts. It is indeed a perfect afternoon for relaxing outdoors.
• The delicate dessert stand is filled with sandwiches, scones, and fruit cakes, next to a silver teapot.
• Jesse Lindvall: Good afternoon, Doctor Grey. Please have a seat.

• Of course, there is also a smirking blond young man.
• Edward Grey: Good afternoon.

• Edward Grey: I'm glad to see you have regained your appetite.

• Jesse waves his hand casually, motioning for him to sit down.
• Jesse Lindvall: Do you want milk or lemon in your tea, Edward?

• When he hears his name, he is stunned for a second.
• Edward Grey: ...Lemon, please.

• Jesse Lindvall: The first time we met, you called me by my name directly. Do we still need to be so formal now?

• Jesse hands over the teacup with a smile, squinting his eyes slightly.
• Edward cautiously suspects that there may be some unauthorized ingredients added to the tea besides lemon.
• Jesse Lindvall: No need to guess. I just added some honey, sugar, and anise liqueur.

• Jesse Lindvall: Even children can accept this taste.

• After a brief silence, the two people in the pavilion laugh at the same time.
• Jesse Lindvall: Tell me, did I really look like a child that could be easily fooled that day?

• Edward takes a sip of tea and thinks to himself that he looks the same now. But he decides not to anger the other party on their second meeting.
• Edward Grey: I just think that making the medicine easier to swallow is more beneficial than harmful. At least, it helps relieve your cough...

• Jesse Lindvall: I'm not referring to laudanum, doctor.

• Jesse Lindvall: Did Agnes talk to you about me? What did she say?

• Jesse Lindvall: Why did you mention the word "fight"?

• Jesse's expression begins to turn serious. Edward then sets down his teacup and faces him calmly.
• Edward Grey: She didn't say much, just told me that you have been in poor health since childhood and are very resistant to seeing a doctor for treatment.

• Edward Grey: I do not understand your motives, nor do I have any intention of prying into your personal life.

• Edward Grey: I just want to stop you from using your health or even your life as a cost to accomplish something.

• Edward Grey: After all, considering your age, this price is too high.

• Jesse Lindvall: I am eighteen years old!

• Edward Grey: Well, that's no age to say that you "won't live long", is it?

• Jesse's face darkens as he stares coldly at his smiling eyes.
• Jesse Lindvall: I know what you're thinking, Doctor Grey.

• Jesse Lindvall: Has this sentimental rich kid ever experienced the hardships of life?

• Jesse Lindvall: You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth and pampered since childhood. Now a little setback has made you contemplate not living anymore.

• Jesse Lindvall: Everyone else is striving to survive, while your life is worthless...

• Edward Grey: I don't think that, Jesse.

• Edward Grey: For doctors, there is no such thing as a worthless life. Please understand this.

• Jesse Lindvall: Is that so? But I know that your profession has its own set of standards for evaluating patients.

• Jesse Lindvall: Doctors will definitely take more care of wealthy upper-class gentlemen than the penniless.

• Jesse Lindvall: The wealthy young gentleman who lingers in the red-light district is not worried about being shut out even if he has an embarrassing illness.

• Jesse Lindvall: Once a lowly woman loses her husband's care, even if she falls seriously ill, she will only be treated perfunctorily...

• Jesse Lindvall: I understand, doctor. This is reality.

• Jesse Lindvall: This is the doctors' classification and pricing rules for patients! *cough cough*

• Jesse can't help but cough loudly again after getting emotional. Obviously, his bronchitis has not completely
• Edward doesn't argue. He just hands over the tea and listens quietly.
• Jesse's words are not directed at him. It is just a way to release pent-up emotions accumulated over the years.
• After a few minutes, as Jesse's breathing calms, he realizes he's been rude and apologizes dejectedly.
• Jesse Lindvall: I'm sorry, Doctor Grey. I shouldn't have said those things to you.

• Edward Grey: As a doctor, I really shouldn't be hearing these words.

• Edward Grey: So, just call me Edward.

• Edward Grey: This way, I can listen to your complaints as a friend.

• Jesse Lindvall: Complaints? A rich young man like me has never had the chance to suffer, so how can I complain?

• Edward Grey: I believe that pain knows no social class. However, that's not what I want to say.

• Edward Grey: If you want to find someone to listen to your words, whether it's grievances, complaints, or curses...

• Edward Grey: You can look for me. If you don't have a better option, that is.

• Jesse looks away and picks up a salmon sandwich, chewing silently. It isn't until he swallows the food in his mouth that he speaks.
• Jesse Lindvall: There aren't any other options.

• Edward Grey: What?

• Jesse Lindvall: No one has told me what you just said.

• Jesse Lindvall: In social situations, everyone is busy flattering and chatting endlessly.

• Jesse Lindvall: No one will speak their true thoughts and feelings.

• Jesse Lindvall: Revealing one's true self in front of others will be looked down upon.

• Edward Grey: What about your sister? Although I have only met her once, she seems to genuinely care about you.

• Jesse falls silent again.
• The hesitation on his face lets Edward know that this is currently the limit of Jesse's soul he can reach.
• Edward Grey: It's getting late. Thank you for inviting me today, Jesse.

• Edward Grey: If you are feeling better now, I will take my leave.

• He stands up. Jesse looks up at him, a mischievous glint in his amethyst-like eyes.
• Jesse Lindvall: Do I have to pretend to be ill the next time I want to invite you over?

• Edward Grey: If you are asking me, then my answer is: there is no need for that.

• Edward Grey: As long as your next invites don't say "Doctor Grey" but "Edward".

• In the following period of time, Edward suddenly became very busy.
• Invitations from the Lindvall family came one after another. Not only did Jesse need his care, but the servants who felt unwell were also willing to seek his advice.
• In addition, invitations to tea parties are also frequent.
• Mrs. Thomas was very proud, for her lodger had become the doctor to one of London's leading bankers, which also brought her some prestige.
• For Edward, this meant that at least in the short term, he didn't have to worry about the rent.

• Agnes Lindvall: Thank you, Doctor Grey. Is Mr. Hall okay?

• After finishing a detailed inspection and prescribing medication for the butler, Edward meets Agnes Lindvall who has just returned in the living room.
• Edward Grey: Mr. Hall is just suffering from a toothache. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this stubborn ailment.

• Edward Grey: If he can get enough rest, the pain should ease in two or three days.

• Agnes Lindvall: I understand.

• Agnes Lindvall: My father is away these days, so we can have the other servants cover a few shifts during dinner.

• Edward Grey: This is the most effective medicine for him. By the way, is Jesse not at home today?

• Agnes Lindvall: We were invited to attend a concert today, and he joined the after-party.

• Agnes Lindvall: The partygoers were all male, so I came back first.

• Edward Grey: Well, I hope that he remembers that he's not fully recovered and not to get too excited.

• Agnes Lindvall: There's no need to worry. Henry's also there.

• Agnes Lindvall: Though he won't be in a great mood because of that... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

• Edward shakes his head and calmly changes the subject.
• Edward Grey: Did you talk to Jesse about what I mentioned last month?

• Agnes Lindvall: To a retreat? Jesse's been in a good mood lately, so he'll probably agree.

• Agnes Lindvall: But my father would probably refuse.

• Seeing Edward frown slightly, she hurriedly explains.
• Agnes Lindvall: After all, Jesse is rarely away from home for so long, and we all worry about his poor health...

• It is a forced explanation. Agnes realizes this and stops.
• Edward Grey: Miss Agnes.

• Agnes looks up in surprise as Edward calls her by her name for the first time.
• His emerald eyes look at her with genuine concern.
• Edward Grey: There is a type of patient with a poor physical constitution who is always prone to various diseases. For them, doctors can often do very little.

• Edward Grey: The illness itself is not serious, but their spirits will quickly weaken due to the torment of the illness.

• Edward Grey: What is terrible is that the disease can be treated, but not the weakness of their spirit.

• Agnes Lindvall: Doctor Grey! Are you suggesting—

• Edward Grey: No, your younger brother is not weakening. On the contrary, he has been fighting against this weakness - in his own way.

• Edward Grey: At this time, the care and support of family and friends are very important to him.

• Edward Grey: A relaxed and pleasant environment where he can be free, as well as trust and understanding towards him, can help him recover.

• Agnes Lindvall: ...

• Edward Grey: That's all I can say, Miss Agnes.

• He finally bows to Agnes, turns around, and prepares to leave.
• The butler, walking briskly, is carrying a silver tray. Upon seeing this scene, he immediately steps aside to clear the way.
• Butler: Are you going back now, Doctor Grey?

• Edward Grey: Yes. If your tooth continues to ache, please remember to take your medication, Mr. Hall.

• Agnes Lindvall: You can rest today, Mr. Hall. Let the other servants take care of dinner.

• Agnes Lindvall: What do you have there?

• Butler: It's an invitation, Miss Agnes. From the Earl.

• A shadow passed over Agnes Lindvall's face for a moment.
• But within a second, she adjusts back to her smile again, asks the housekeeper to deliver the letter to her room, and then sees Edward off.