Chapter 47 - You Are My Family

"Why?" 'Franklin' chuckled.

"He asks too many questions. I fear...." Stein looked apprehensive, scratching his wrist beneath the gloves. "I fear that he may learn about us with him staying here."

(That's exactly what I want to happen.) Zhe Chouhen thought. (But....)

(Stein in Panda's novel didn't like Walter Clerval in the beginning that much, but he didn't express it this way. Not to the point that he asked him to be kicked out on the first day... Did something change?)

Zhe Chouhen felt that ever since he was transmigrated, he must always be alert like a detective in mystery novels. Because secrets and shady shit just keep on piling up like a pile of dung, and he cannot tolerate the smell anymore.

Still, everything is on its own time. He has to make Stein soften up to his very own rival without being too obvious to the third party, to the skull mask's eyes.

"If it is only that he asks questions, it is no problem. Just do not answer them, or brush them away. But we already invited him here, so we must practice hospitality to our guest." 'Franklin' said.

Stein still did not look convinced, pouting a bit without realizing it. "Why did you do such a thing anyway, Frank? His project is too improbable, and for all we know, it may be a hoax for other darker intentions against us. How can you trust another person to be in our home?"

Zhe Chouhen tried to make up an excuse, since Franklin didn't have to in the original book, and he came up with a sound one. "Because whether he is saying the truth or not, I feel safe when you are at my side, Stein. All he has is his measly self and his measly crew, you can easily keep me away from them if they pose any danger. And..."

"If he was being truthful, at least with the fact that he has connections, we can use this in finding your new heart. After all, even within the academia, procuring human body parts is not an easy task. It took me nine years just to have you."

"Really?" Stein had that burning urge to learn more about his origin now, but let his creator reveal it to him on his own time.

"Yes. So much planning and being careful to not be caught by the authorities... Because of my high status. And so, if we have friends who can put their ears to the ground for us..... Then I would not take a whole decade just to find the right heart for you." 'Franklin' smiled.

"That does sound reasonable....." Stein felt warm on his chest from this explanation.

So Franklin was tolerating their troublesome guest just for him. It was all for his sake.

"Alright then, Frank. I shall just wait until our ties with him are severed." Stein snuggled his head on his creator's hand. "Can you tell me more about Berlin? The streets here are so large and busy.... As well as the house. There are so many at the same time that it overwhelms my mind."

"I can tell you anything you want, Stein. You just have to ask. Tomorrow, we can even have a bit of the stroll while investigating for any news of someone with a heart deformity." 'Franklin' grinned at him. "How does that sound?"

"Lovely. I wish Germany has new species of butterflies I haven't seen too." Stein closed his eyes to enjoy the feeling of Franklin's hand in his head more.

"Oh, they're bound to be. I can even show you my father's studies that involve them. All of it is in the cellar."

"About your father..... I saw a large portrait when I was heading to our bedroom." Stein actually asked about the butterflies to present the topic in a roundabout manner. "Was it him?"

(Clever boy.) Zhe Chouhen couldn't help but be proud of Stein for using such tactics. He already read this in the book, but he really appreciate Stein's way of formulating questions to arrive at the answers he wanted. "Yes. It was him. In the room adjacent to the living room, there is a grand piano. Behind it is another painting of him, but this time, with me and my mother."

Stein beamed, like he wanted to look for that painting right now, and see how Franklin looked when he was young. "Was it the only three of you who lived here?"

"We had servants. Only a few, though. They both believe that too much social interaction hinders scientific progress." 'Franklin' said. "Father, as you can see, prefers animals. Mother prefers plants, a true botanist who is also finding how machines can contribute to agriculture. You should see her garden, on the rooftops where she grows even the rarest of orchids she collected over the years."

"Mn. I will truly explore the house as much as I can tomorrow." Stein said with a bright smile. "They must have a study too, correct? I want to see all the books they have read and written, and learn more about them through it. That way, I can still feel like I have met your parents, Frank!"

"You already have."

"Hm?" Stein didn't hear it because 'Franklin' spoke so softly.

"Nothing." 'Franklin' smiled. "If they were still alive, I am sure Mother would adore you."

"Why?" Stein asked.

"Well, she adores everyone. She rarely dislikes anyone, especially pretty people like you." 'Franklin' patted his cheek.

"Oh... That's comforting to hear." Stein said. "And what about Father?"

'Franklin' didn't answer for a while. There was a momentary look of.... Rage, on his face.

But it must have been Stein's imagination, another one of his phantasms, because 'Franklin' was smiling brightly to him as he said. "Father would be delighted to get to know you! He particularly likes curious people, particularly those in the field of zoology, and would be thrilled to have a student!"

"Truly?" Stein was surprised to hear this, since he had the impression from the portrait he saw that the late Mr. Storitz is a stern man.

"Truly. As long as you are of an intellectual mind, Father would be inclined to talk to you over tea." 'Franklin' said. "Especially with what you are developing as of the moment. Tell me, how much progress did you have on your Butterfly Wings lately?"

Stein noticed this abrupt change in topic, but did not mine. He had been meaning to tell Franklin of his inventions. "It is undergoing several trial phases, and I am still trying to find a better, lighter material to emulate real wings. My Bird Wings are fairing better, but it is nothing compared to your prosthetic leg."

"Oh, I only have a patent over the prosthetic leg, but it is a joint project with a professor of mine. Without him, it would be not made into reality, and I wouldn't have the knowledge I have in creating you." 'Franklin' said. "So, bless his good heart when it was still functioning well."

"I take it that your professor is no longer with us? That is truly sad news. I was hoping to meet him based on what you have told me." Stein said.

"I can take you to my academy instead. There is a picture of him there, and there is also a lot of reading material to be perused that may aid your inventions." 'Franklin' then yawned, and stretched his scrawny arms. "But for now, we must rest for I feel the lull of Hypnos is upon me."

"Your academy....." Stein found himself looking at his own arm.

Now he wondered more about the people Stein met in his academy, where his knowledge and scientific prowess was cultured and bore great fruits that no human had ever received besides him. The knowledge to create life and love itself. It must not be an easy road to get there.

And on that road, people often meet friends..... And enemies.

'Franklin' did fulfill his promise of bringing along Stein for a stroll, preparing breakfast as usual. They first toured the house before leaving, though, and Stein had never felt so happy in his life to be in a house full of knowledge in every corner. But his delight would have been complete…..

If only this annoying sea captain is not with them!

"...And these are Psychopsis papilio, also known as butterfly orchids." Franklin showed the gorgeous rooftop garden. They have seen the growing vines from the facade of the house, but had not expected the rooftop to be jam-packed with so many colorful and vibrant flowers.

"Hey, just like the dingy insect on your servant's hair!" Captain Clerval noticed. "Where did you get such a thing, by the way? Is it real?"

Stein kept quiet, ignoring him as Franklin advised. He went on his creator and lover's side with a stride and said. "They are beautiful, Frank. Tell me more about how your mother got them."

This kept going on for the rest of the tour. Stein focused on what Franklin is saying, while the captain was not disheartened at all by having any attempt at a conversation with the Snow Queen to be squished like a bug. Stein had seen the grand piano organ in the music room, along with the painting of the Storitz family. It was large and definitely a sign of the family's love for opulence, for they were presented there almost the same way as the royals are.

Perfect poses, perfect clothes, and perfect smiles on their faces. Truly a family worth looking up to in the 19th century.

"How old were you when this was made, Frank?" He asked, looking at the boy's face and waving a hand over it.

But he cannot help but feel like there is something..... odd, with the painting.

It was positioned too strangely, with the left-hand side of little Franklin's body incomplete and meeting against the cold silver frame. The tree in the background too was cut off vertically in a similar manner. If you are not observant enough, you will miss it, but for someone like Stein…..

He had already started making a hypothesis. The painting.....

A part of it was cut off, and then put in a narrower frame.

"I was seven." 'Franklin' answered his question, taking him off his daze. "I remember my childhood not being exemplary at all besides having two 'geniuses' as a parent. They are always traveling, and I was always left with the servants."

"That must be a lonely childhood, then." Captain Clerval remarked. "And you were the only child too."

"Yes, the only child..." 'Franklin' adjusted his glasses. "I have always wished for a sibling, I don't mind whether it was a sister or a brother. Every time my parents come back, I would ask for one. Yet they would kindly and nicely decline me every time."

"You do not even have any friends, then? Even when living in such a large city like this?" Captain Clerval pointed out.

"I was not allowed to leave the house's premises. It was too dangerous, and I was too sickly back then." 'Franklin' said. "Anyway, I have my books. I read them to myself during bedtime, which is quite enjoyable, actually."

A pain came in Stein's chest. Somehow, he wanted to invent a machine that can travel back in time....

Just so little Franklin wouldn't be so lonely anymore.

Captain Clerval was not too sympathetic, however. It does not make any sense to him.....

Because what about the portrait that he found in his room?

The bedroom given to him. He realized that it must be the old servants' quarters. And in that bedroom…..

Pinned on the wall using large bolts, almost tattered to bits and yellowing because of time….. Yet he can still make out two individuals in the ruined painting.

It was a blonde mother, and her blond child.