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Chapter 171: 221B Baker Street
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 03:08:00 +0000 UTCCharlot left his old colleagues behind, knowing that his interactions with them would become increasingly rare.
Only a few months ago, he had been a first-class civil servant, anxiously awaiting a promotion. Now, however, he was a second-class Chief Clerk of the twenty-eighth grade—a rank far beyond what these colleagues could ever hope to achieve in their lifetimes.
In the world of clerical positions, promotions occurred once every three years, but unexpected hurdles often arose. Transitioning from a civil servant to a Chief Clerk was particularly challenging. For his former colleagues, even reaching first-class Chief Clerk after twenty years of hard work was considered an impressive feat.
Only a handful of elites managed to become second-class or third-class Chief Clerks before retirement. Any rank higher than that required a stroke of luck, and ordinary families rarely had fortune on their side in the bureaucratic system.
With his identification papers in hand, Charlot now had several choices before him.
The most dutiful option, of course, was to head to Embassy Street. That area not only housed foreign embassies but also served as the training ground for officials dispatched abroad by the Fars Empire, offering free accommodation and meals.
However, Charlot chose the most comfortable route instead, instructing Mrs. Nancy to drive the carriage to Gorgias University so he could continue his rendezvous with Annie.
This time, Charlot arrived earlier than expected and had to wait for a while before Annie finished her class. He initially suggested having a cup of coffee, followed by dinner, and then some leisurely activities. To his surprise, Annie softly suggested, “Let’s go to your residence instead?”
Charlot was about to instruct Mrs. Nancy to head to 58 Elysée Avenue when Annie quickly interjected, “Mrs. Nancy, take us to 221B Baker Street!”
Charlot raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. Annie responded with a sweet smile, asking, “Have you ever visited the residence gifted by the Empress in the Val-de-Vas District?”
Only then did Charlot recall that he had never actually been to the residence. While 58 Elysée Avenue was merely a home, the Empress’s gift surely qualified as a proper estate.
Charlot replied with enthusiasm, “Indeed, I haven’t been there yet. How meaningful that my first visit will be in the company of Miss Annie.”
Annie beamed with joy, and before long, the two found themselves holding hands naturally.
Midway there, Charlot remembered that he hadn’t picked up the keys yet. However, recalling Annie’s proficiency in lock-picking, he decided not to disrupt the romantic mood.
The carriage soon arrived at Baker Street, a serene and elegant lane lined with residential apartments. Though not standalone houses, the residences here were far superior in both construction and services compared to the Savings Union apartments Charlot had rented previously. 221B was located at the far end of the street on the ground floor of an apartment building, with a private entrance facing Baker Street, separate from the main building.
As Annie alighted from the carriage, she retrieved a set of keys and deftly unlocked the door to 221B, waving Charlot inside. Stunned, Charlot nonetheless gracefully accepted the situation and asked, “You’ve already collected the keys?”
Annie whispered, “I expedited the process. Otherwise, who knows how long it would’ve taken to finalize the paperwork.”
She added, “But Charlot, when the Empress awarded this residence, you were only a first-class Chief Clerk of the twenty-ninth grade. A residence larger than this would’ve been unlikely.”
Charlot silently calculated the location’s merits. Baker Street was close to Gorgias University, Sixth Avenue, and 58 Elysée Avenue, as well as Central Boulevard. In other words, this was a location Annie had chosen, possibly leveraging the influence of her noble Bretagne family to secure a convenient and private meeting place under the guise of the Empress’s favor.
The location was particularly advantageous, lying near the central Val-de-Vas District. Though not widely renowned, Baker Street was highly favored by imperial officials due to its proximity to workplaces, making commutes exceptionally convenient. Consequently, residences here were highly sought after and rarely gifted to lower-ranking civil servants, who usually preferred larger homes over Baker Street’s apartments.
Additionally, the street’s apartment-style residences lacked space for carriages, meaning all vehicles had to be parked at nearby facilities. Public carriages were also a convenient option. This limitation made Baker Street exceptionally clean.
Upon entering 221B, Charlot immediately noticed a magical portrait hanging in the center of the living room. The image depicted Annie Bretagne herself, dressed in a hunting outfit, exuding confidence and charm. She was smiling radiantly, performing an elaborate courtly bow as though welcoming him.
Despite Annie’s beauty and the portrait’s aesthetic appeal, Charlot couldn’t help but swallow nervously. He asked in a low voice, “Does every portrait have a unique design?”
Annie nodded and replied, “I specifically chose five outfits I thought you’d like the most. I had them framed overnight. Do you like them?”
Charlot considered her words. If the outfits included black stockings, he might like them even more. Unfortunately, stockings were nonexistent in either the Old or New Continent—a thought that briefly tempted him to pursue a career as an inventor.
“I love them! They’re truly wonderful,” Charlot assured her.
The modest estate consisted of two floors connected by an internal staircase. Downstairs featured a living room and a study, while upstairs housed five bedrooms. There was no kitchen, but the building offered catering services.
As they explored the residence together, Charlot observed that the entire 221B had been freshly renovated and furnished. When he asked Annie about it, she confirmed that she had personally arranged for the additions.
Charlot noticed a small brass bell in the corner of the hall and gave it a light tap. This inexpensive but clever alchemical device resonated with its paired counterpart, summoning the apartment’s butler within moments. The butler politely asked, “Sir, how may I assist you?”
Charlot smiled and said, “Please bring two cups of coffee, two meal sets, a barrel of ale, and five bottles of fruit wine.”
He handed over one flor and added, “Keep the change as a tip.”
The butler left cheerfully.
Charlot had long heard about the services offered by upscale apartments but had never experienced them himself while living in the Savings Union apartments. Even 58 Elysée Avenue was a different type of residence. Today marked his first foray into such luxuries, and he found it both novel and amusing.
Annie, meanwhile, simply wanted to enjoy a tranquil moment with Charlot in a secluded corner. His previous residences had been too far away, with trips to 58 Elysée Avenue consuming nearly half a day due to the lengthy carriage rides.
As Charlot stood by the alchemical crystal-glass window, admiring the serene view of Baker Street, he suddenly frowned. A familiar figure hurried past on the street below...
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