The Nightmare's End: 1-6 Perspectives and Communication

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Not every request will receive a response, and not every disagreement will be forgiven.

Info

Style: No dress-up component Required: Priscilla Goodwill Lv. 6 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: The New Elite

The New Elite

Dialogue Choices

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Transcript

Expand for script.

• Jesse Lindvall: Is that how you fooled my father into giving you permission? *cough*

• Edward Grey: Choose your words wisely, Jesse.

• Edward Grey: I don't want to ruin this hard-earned opportunity to meet because of your inappropriate choice of words.

• Jesse Lindvall: But you clearly—

• Edward Grey: Stop talking and open your mouth. I need to check your throat.

• Jesse shrugs and obediently opens his mouth. Edward carefully examines it in the sunlight.
• His condition isn't great. The cough has worsened, his face is flushed, breathing is rapid, and there is a faint wheezing sound at times.
• The condition that had improved once has deteriorated significantly.
• After the examination, Edward finally sighs and looks at Jesse with a melancholy expression.
• Edward Grey: What happened that made your health worsen again?

• Jesse Lindvall: You look so serious. Relax, Doctor Grey. You'll scare your patient.

• Edward Grey: Tell me, Jesse.

• Edward Grey: I said before that you can tell me anything.

• Jesse takes a sip of tea, his expression calm.
• Jesse Lindvall: It's nothing really, Edward.

• Jesse Lindvall: It was just another argument. It's not a big deal.

• Jesse Lindvall: You called, Father?

• George Lindvall: Did you go to Lord's Cricket Ground the day before yesterday?

• Jesse Lindvall: Yes. Doctor Grey invited me to watch a cricket match his college classmate was playing.

• Jesse Lindvall: I remember telling you about this, and you agreed.

• ???: Do you mean to say that you spoke to Mr. Erskine about the Earl with Father's permission?

• Jesse Lindvall: ...Henry.

• Jesse Lindvall: How rare to see you here at home at this hour.

• Henry Lindvall: I have many friends, unlike you.

• Jesse Lindvall: Apparently so. You knew about what happened the day before yesterday right away.

• George Lindvall: So you really did say those words to Mr. Erskine?

• Jesse Lindvall: I don't know what you're referring to, Father.

• Henry Lindvall: Stop playing dumb. You know very well that the Earl of Essex is pursuing Agnes, yet you talk nonsense in front of strangers.

• Jesse Lindvall: Oh, is he really? I thought he was pursuing you.

• Jesse Lindvall: You two met every day during Christmas season last year. More frequently than lovers who just fell in love...

• George Lindvall: Jesse! Watch your language.

• Jesse Lindvall: I'm telling the truth. If Henry hadn't encouraged him so strongly, the Earl wouldn't have paid attention to our family.

• Henry Lindvall: It's true. I fought hard to get this marriage, but you're making trouble.

• Henry Lindvall: If this were to reach the Earl's ears and cause the marriage to fall through, can you bear the responsibility?

• George Lindvall: Jesse, you have been unwell and staying at home, so it's understandable that you are not familiar with the bank matters.

• George Lindvall: Our business is expanding and we need to quickly penetrate the core circle of the upper-class society.

• George Lindvall: The relationship with the Earl of Essex is very important to us.

• Jesse Lindvall: Do we have to sacrifice Agnes for this?

• Henry Lindvall: Nonsense. This is the best marriage we can plan for her. Agnes will become a Countess.

• Jesse Lindvall: The best marriage? Marrying a lecherous and greedy widower who's nearly sixty years old and has had two deceased wives?

• Henry Lindvall: Grow up, Jesse! After we become relatives with the Earl, both the nobility and the royal family will open their doors to us.

• Henry Lindvall: I've been running around tirelessly to set this up, while you just hide at home, full of "love, freedom, and ideals" in your mind!

• Jesse Lindvall: Since you value the Earl so much, why not marry him yourself?

• Jesse Lindvall: Anyway, everyone in this family has to sell themselves at a fair price—

• Henry Lindvall: You bastard!

• George Lindvall: Henry! Stop!

• Edward Grey: He threw a burning cigar at your face?

• Jesse Lindvall: It's fine. The cigar ash was long and it wasn't that hot anymore.

• Jesse Lindvall: Besides, I blocked it with my hand...

• Edward Grey: Let me see your hand.

• There was a red, swollen burn and a small blister on the back of Jesse's hand.
• However, it is obvious that the wound has already been cleaned. The blister has started to deflate.
• Janet must have faithfully followed the steps he wrote for treating burns.
• Edward Grey: Does it still hurt?

• Jesse Lindvall: Not really. Especially after hearing Father fly into a rage and immediately ground Henry.

• Jesse Lindvall: For a partygoer like Henry, not being allowed to leave the house is a severe punishment.

• Edward Grey: That's nothing to be happy about.

• After Edward carefully inspects his hand, he's sure that there is no need for any additional care, so he lets go.
• Jesse flexes his fingers and picks up the teacup as if nothing had happened.
• Jesse Lindvall: Of course I'm happy. This way, Henry won't have the chance to preach to his friends what a beneficial marriage it is.

• Jesse Lindvall: If everyone cools down, the Earl will reconsider the engagement.

• Jesse Lindvall: And Agnes won't be forced to marry him.

• Edward Grey: Why do you think that, Jesse?

• Jesse Lindvall: Edward?

• Edward Grey: Your father's attitude is very clear. The Lindvall family needs the Earl's status and connections.

• Edward Grey: I don't think your brother is the one who calls the shots in this marriage.

• Jesse Lindvall: But Agnes is Father's biological daughter!

• Jesse Lindvall: I mean, Henry doesn't have the same mother as us. He couldn't care less about Agnes' happiness.

• Jesse Lindvall: But Father—

• Jesse suddenly pauses. Edward looks helpless and shakes his head at him.
• Edward Grey: When I talked to your father about this matter, he clearly stated that Miss Agnes's marriage is a done deal.

• Edward Grey: Maybe it's time for you to accept reality.

• Jesse looks straight at Edward. His face, once flushed from a low fever, gradually turns pale.
• But his eyes did not dim, but became brighter.
• Jesse Lindvall: Edward. Did you go to such lengths to visit me just to be a spokesperson for my father?

• Jesse Lindvall: Of course I know this is not so easily stopped. But Agnes is connected to me by blood.

• Jesse Lindvall: You may not care about her happiness, but I do.

• Jesse Lindvall: I will do everything in my power to resist this, unless I die. I'm telling you, I will do so.

• Edward pinches his nose. Jesse's attitude is as he expected. Now it comes the most difficult stage of communication.
• Edward Grey: Have you had a frank discussion with Miss Agnes about this matter?

• Jesse Lindvall: What are you saying?

• Edward Grey: What is her opinion on this marriage?

• Jesse pauses for a moment, a hint of annoyance in his eyes.
• Jesse Lindvall: Of course she hates it! Which young woman would want to marry a sixty-year-old man like that?

• Edward Grey: So this is all just in your mind, Jesse. You haven't talked to her about it.

• Edward Grey: It is just wishful thinking on your part to think that Miss Agnes does not accept the Earl.

• Jesse looks angry. He stands up abruptly from his chair, ignoring the pain in his throat, and hoarsely roars at Edward.
• Jesse Lindvall: I won't insult my sister with questions that I know the answers to.

• Jesse Lindvall: She doesn't want to. I know, she doesn't want to! Every time the Earl sends an invitation, she is full of worry!

• Jesse Lindvall: She has a gentle personality and is unwilling to take the initiative to refuse, especially considering that our father is such a domineering person.

• Jesse Lindvall: But I will be her shield.

• Edward Grey: Jesse, when it comes to matters of marriage, she must make the decision herself. You cannot do it for her.

• Edward Grey: If you insist on stopping this marriage, but are not willing to listen to her wishes...

• Edward Grey: Forgive me for being blunt, but this approach is no different from that of your father and brother.

• For a full minute, Jesse stands still in place without moving. Then, he steps forward firmly and opens the door.
• Jesse Lindvall: Please leave.

• Edward Grey: Jesse...

• Jesse Lindvall: Please leave my room, Doctor Grey.

• Edward wants to say something else, but Jesse turns away, just like how he had sulked in the carriage a few days ago.
• That day, they quickly made up because Edward agreed to his request.
• But not all requests will be answered, and not all differences will be understood.
• Edward stands up quietly and walks out of the room.

• ???: So you are Doctor Grey?

• A haughty and cold voice comes from the other end of the corridor.
• Along with footsteps came the lingering smell of cigar smoke. Edward knows immediately who the other person is.
• Edward Grey: Mr. Lindvall.

• Henry Lindvall chuckles, leans on the railing, and takes out a cigar to sniff it.
• Henry Lindvall: I heard that you are very good at winning people over.

• Edward Grey: I don't understand what you mean.

• Henry Lindvall: You first appeased the childish brat of our family, then used small favors to turn all the servants into your followers.

• Henry Lindvall: Agnes also speaks well of you. But that's not surprising, since she sees the good in everyone...

• Henry Lindvall: Now you've even convinced Father. You're quite talented.

• Edward Grey: Thank you. Being a doctor means I need to communicate well with my patients.

• Henry Lindvall: People who are very clever often have great ambitions.

• Henry Lindvall licks his dry lips and issues a warning coldly.
• Henry Lindvall: There's no use clinging onto him. He doesn't have any rights to an inheritance.

• Edward can't help but chuckle at the funny remark.
• Edward Grey: You misunderstood. I have no designs on property that is not my own.

• Edward Grey: If you were to ask me why I maintain a good relationship with Jesse, it would just be because I want to become his doctor.

• Henry Lindvall: Ah. I see.

• Henry strikes a match and slowly lights his cigar.
• He clearly enjoys the process. But to Edward, who doesn't smoke, that cigar only reminds him of the blister on Jesse's hand.
• Henry Lindvall: That brat thinks this house is hell, Father is Lucifer, and I have two horns on my head.

• Henry Lindvall: He's prayed devoutly, hoping to escape the sea of suffering, just to wait for a winged savior like you, right?

• Edward Grey: What a poetic description.

• Edward Grey: If there is nothing else, Mr. Lindvall, please allow me to take my leave.

• He really doesn't want to spend any more time listening to Henry's nonsense, who is confined to his home and has nothing to do.
• Henry takes a puff of his cigar, blowing out smoke as he coldly watches him leave.
• Just as Edward is about to walk down the stairs, he suddenly raises his voice.
• Henry Lindvall: You probably also think that you have a scale in your hand that can judge good and evil!

• Edward Grey: ...

• Agnes Lindvall: Ignore him, Doctor Grey.

• Agnes Lindvall hurriedly walks up the stairs from the first floor, anxiously taking Edward's arm and gesturing for him to continue down the stairs.
• Agnes Lindvall: Henry has been locked up for several days, and his temper is even more terrible than usual. He doesn't think when he speaks.

• Agnes Lindvall: I'm sorry he was so rude to you.

• They walk down the stairs to the living room. Agnes rings the bell to call the maid to bring tea, and Edward is finally free from the oppressive atmosphere in the corridor.
• Edward Grey: I am surprised that young Master Henry speaks with such literary flair.

• Agnes Lindvall: Henry was obsessed with the arts. In this regard, he got along well with my late mother.

• Agnes Lindvall: Later, Henry had to give up his hobbies to learn how to handle banking affairs from Father...

• Agnes Lindvall: I'm not trying to make excuses for him, but he also has a pitiful side.

• Agnes lowers her head as she speaks softly, looking sad. Edward can't help but remember Henry saying she "sees the good in everyone".
• Edward Grey: He spoke well of you.

• Agnes blinks in confusion. Edward doesn't explain, but instead goes straight to the point.
• Edward Grey: I think your current situation deserves more attention than Master Henry's.

• Agnes Lindvall: Doctor Grey...

• Edward Grey: I know this question is very presumptuous.

• Edward Grey: Now, Jesse is willing to fight against Mr. Lindvall at the cost of his own health in order to prevent your marriage with the Earl of Essex.

• Edward Grey: He is unwilling to discuss it with you face to face, but I believe that in this matter, what you want is most important.

• Edward Grey: So please tell me. What do you think of the Earl?

• The air seems to freeze.
• Edward is quite sure that if Mrs. Thomas were here she would warn him in despair that this would put him out of a job.
• A mere family doctor should never interfere in the private affairs of patients' families.
• And it is definitely not a gentlemanly thing to ask a wealthy lady with whom you are not close about marriage in the living room.
• However, there seems to be no other way to break the current deadlock in the Lindvall family and prevent Jesse from taking more radical actions.
• Agnes Lindewald is in the eye of the storm. Her lips are pale and her eyes are filled with tears.
• But when she finally speaks, she gives him a small smile.
• Agnes Lindvall: Doctor Grey. You asked me this question for Jesse's sake, right?