"Miss Swan is quite a rebellious woman," said Mr. Scott, sitting by the fireplace that evening.
"I can't blame her," Edgar replied. "No one taught her good manners. She comes from the lower class and will stay there."
"Yet she is a very ambitious woman."
"I'd say too much so. The higher the ambitions, the more painful the disappointment."
"Do you really think she wants to study Medicine and become a surgeon, or was it just a way to pique your curiosity?" asked the old man.
"To pique my curiosity?" Edgar laughed.
From the next room, Sofia heard the laugh and moved closer to eavesdrop. The grandmother tried to stop her, but the girl's curiosity was too strong.
"But if she's a commoner," Edgar added.
"So what? Do you know how many ambitious commoners there are today? The world is full of them, and each one wants to grab a duke or a viscount."
"I don't think dukes or viscounts are that stupid."
"The world is beautiful because it's varied."
"So do you think she wants...?"
"To grab you?"
"Exactly."
"You've already answered that."
"Oh, father, she doesn't have a chance with me. I'm not that naïve, and besides, she's not my type."
"You can't think about Angelica forever. That's child's behavior."
"But I was a child when I met her... Why didn't you stop me from meeting her? You know I would've obeyed your rule. Why did you let me be?"
"Why did we let you live?" asked the old man. "Because you deserve to be happy."
"But in the end, I'm not happy," protested Edgar.
"But in the meantime, you were. Your eyes were bright when you saw her. We all thought she'd be yours, but you couldn't decide. You were as ambitious as this Sofia. You wanted Medicine, then marriage. Too bad she didn't wait for you. You, as a good doctor, should've known that women have different biological rhythms."
"I agree. I made a mistake with timing. It's all my fault. I should've made a move earlier. But I don't accept the part where you say I'm like Sofia."
"You're probably worse than her," chuckled his father.
"Worse than me?" Sofia spoke from the other side of the wall. "I've heard enough."
"Did they hurt you? What did they talk about?" the grandmother asked.
"They didn't talk about me," the granddaughter lied. "They talked about a certain Angelica."
"Oh no, her again."
"Why, Grandma?"
"She was Mr. Scott's first love. He adored her. They were both children when they met."
"How romantic, I would never have guessed."
"He's a romantic man."
"He seems cynical and skeptical to me," said Sofia.
"Your judgment will change about him. I'm sure of it. Edgar is a good man. He deserves to be happy, but his time hasn't come yet."
"I hope it comes soon, so he'll stop being so grumpy."
"Grumpy?" a male voice asked.
Nanny, while washing dishes, stiffened, and a glass slipped from her fingers, falling to the ground and breaking into a thousand pieces.
"Oh, but it was crystal!" exclaimed the old woman.
"I bet you were talking about me," added Edgar.
"You'd like that," said Sofia, with a challenging look.
"Maybe," smiled the young man. "You can go to bed now. The other servants will clean everything... Oscar, can you take care of it?"
"I don't think that's fair," said Sofia. "Let me do it."
"But you're my guest."
"Let me do it. I'm used to these things. I had to raise three brats."
"You already have three children?" asked Edgar, surprised.
"Not children," Sofia corrected. "They're my brothers. When my mother died of smallpox..."
"I don't think Edgar is interested..." began Nanny.
"I'm interested," added the young man. "Now I see you in a new light."
"I don't think your opinion of me has changed."
"Maybe not completely, but enough to want to help you with your entrance exam."
"But I didn't ask for your help," the young woman pointed out.
"Don't be rude," the grandmother warned.
"I know that too. But I'm in my third year of Medicine, so not only have I passed that test, but I'm also ahead with my studies."
"Obstetrics studies?" smiled Sofia.
"I'd like to deliver babies, but no. I also study surgery."
"Then we have something in common."
"Not yet," smiled Edgar. "You haven't entered the faculty yet."
"It's just a matter of time."
"Time spent on books, I imagine."
"You imagine well."
"I imagine on my books."
"If you'd be so kind to lend me yours..."
"I'll sleep on it and then let you know. Goodnight, Miss Swan."
"Goodnight, Mr. Scott."
"And once again, you acted as if I weren't here," protested the grandmother when the two women were left alone again.
"I'm sorry, but with him, the conversations are..."
"Easy?"
"Even," Sofia became thoughtful. "It's as if we already know each other."
"Magical?"
"No, I don't know. He brings out the worst in me, yet I'm not ashamed of it."
"You also bring out the worst in him, but I'm happy about that. At least now he's alive again. He was very depressed after his mother's death. You made him smile again."
"But also angered him."
"That's undoubtedly true!"
"Now go to sleep, Grandma. I'll take care of this disastrous kitchen."
"Do you know why you two are so alike?" said the old woman before leaving. "Because I was both your nanny."
"And now it's all your fault," clapped Sofia.
The elderly woman raised her hands high.
"Fault or merit?"
Sofia burst out laughing and covered her mouth to avoid making a sound.
"Goodnight, Grandma."
"Goodnight, my dear."