Chapter 4 – Merry Stern (Part 2)

Two hours since departure. The brightly lit Merry Stern sails smoothly between the pitch-black sky and sea.

As dinner time approached, passengers began to emerge from their cabins one by one. Men and women dressed in evening wear exchanged light smiles and nods when their eyes met. They were all wealthy and elegant people, and everyone was heading to the banquet hall.

They walked slowly down the thickly carpeted corridor. High laughter occasionally mixed with the low conversations. Everyone was elevated by the excitement and anticipation of travel. The ship had left the land, they were distant from the world, and outside, it was a midnight sky filled only with starlight. The sense of liberation from everyday life spread contagiously among everyone.

Evelyn was no exception.

“Welcome. Is it just the two of you?”

A middle-aged man in formal attire greeted the pair at the entrance of the banquet hall. After a brief conversation with Bryant, he guided the couple to a table in the hall. As she walked with her partner’s escort, Evelyn scanned the interior with her eyes. The hall was very spacious. Under the high ceiling, people in splendid attire filled the seats. It was a space full of soft light, fragrant smells, and pleasant noise.

All of it reminded Evelyn of Restaurant Square on Grand Street. The chandeliers decorating the ceiling, the candlesticks on the tables, and the soft music from the orchestra. The young, tall men serving with sophisticated movements, and the high-quality dishes made from a variety of fresh ingredients were the same. It didn’t feel real that this was inside a passenger ship, that all of this was floating on the sea.

So she felt elated. It might have been due to the wine from her homeland, which she hadn’t tasted in a long time. Evelyn had already drunk two glasses of this richly colored and fragrant wine. They had just taken away the main course dish a moment ago, yet the bottle on the table was already empty.

“I think I might have misunderstood.”

Bryant said as he refilled her glass. After pouring the remaining wine into his own glass, he set the empty bottle aside.

“Misunderstood?”

“I thought you couldn’t handle alcohol. You usually don’t drink more than a glass or two.”

“I’m not particularly good at it, but half a bottle is fine.”

Evelyn replied with a slightly embarrassed smile. It was her third glass, so she needed to start pacing herself. If she drank more, it wouldn’t be quite so fine anymore.

The reason she had already drunk two glasses of wine was that the conversation had been uninterrupted. Her mouth kept getting dry because of the man’s gaze fixed on her. His smile, satisfied when their opinions aligned or when he showed agreement, inexplicably parched her throat.

Perhaps that’s why Evelyn felt excited. Her laughter became more frequent, and she talked more. Eventually, even frivolous jokes slipped out of her mouth.

“It might be because it’s Mendel wine. It’s the best wine, after all.”

“Ah, I see. I was short-sighted. Next time, I’ll be sure to prepare Mendel wine.”

“I’m joking, Mr. Clifton.”

“Your expression seemed quite serious.”

Evelyn chuckled when the man retorted. Out of habit, she reached for her wine glass but redirected her hand to the water glass. She really needed to pace herself now. She needed to calm down a bit. She repeated to herself internally as she swallowed a sip of water. The cold water had a refreshing lemon scent.

“You seem excited about your long-awaited visit to your homeland.”

Evelyn set down the water glass and looked up to meet the man’s gaze. She wondered if he found it amusing that she was so excited after having been so resistant to going to Trissen. His face showed no such sign, though.

“Mr. Clifton, you mentioned you visit Issen frequently, right?”

“I go every three or four months.”

“May I ask what business takes you there?”

“We have a branch in Issen. Although we have local staff, there are matters I need to oversee personally.”

“Such as?”

“For example, it could be considered a form of political activity.”

“I thought you were a businessman, but it seems you also engage in politics.”

“Large bookstores and newspapers like it when the president shows personal interest. Such efforts are somewhat necessary when doing business with big clients.”

“Do books sell that much in Trissen?”

Even as she asked, Evelyn knew it was a redundant question. Trissen overwhelmed all surrounding countries in terms of national power and population size. As expected, Bryant answered with a light laugh.

“They sell more than all the other countries combined with Ritten.”

That much, huh.

Evelyn, slightly taken aback, asked again.

“Even novels?”

“Novels are the most sold publications after newspapers and magazines.”

“Is it the same in Trissen?”

“Of course. Novels have high list prices, so the profit margin is large. Although the initial cost is a bit high, once they start selling, they become the most profitable item. Oh dear. I hope I’m not sounding too crass in front of an author.”

“No, it’s a relief to know one can earn money.”

Bryant, who was about to pick up his wine glass, looked at the woman. A look demanding an explanation. Evelyn, meeting his gaze, replied.

“Compared to poetry or plays, novels receive unfair treatment.”

Even after hearing her elaboration, he didn’t respond. He merely looked down at the crystal glass in his hand, seemingly fragile and precarious, and slowly rotated it. Watching the swirling wine, Evelyn spoke.

“People in Trissen don’t regard novels as works of art.”

“Is that what you think?”

“In my experience, yes.”

“Why do you think that is? Novels are the most entertaining genre in literature.”

“It’s precisely because it’s entertaining. Because it’s enjoyable writing.”

“You think that the level of interest is inversely proportional to artistic value.”

“That’s generally how it’s perceived. More accurately, it’s an issue of complexity. Novels can be easily understood and enjoyed by anyone.”

“An interesting analysis.”

“Things that everyone possesses have no value. Like how diamonds are valuable because they’re rare.”

Bryant smiled as he listened. It was intentional to use his own words against him. Confirming it hit the mark, she continued.

“It must be an emotion that only a few can understand to be considered noble. What everyone enjoys is merely vulgar amusement. That’s why I think novels are treated unfairly. Only when they delight the chosen few can they be recognized as art.”

“Must they be recognized?”

“……”

“By whom?”

The debate halted. Evelyn couldn’t answer. Though he gave her time by slowly sipping his wine, she ultimately kept silent. Thus, the speaking turn returned to the man.

“As you just mentioned, art is for evoking emotion. Regardless of the form, moving the heart of the audience isn’t easy. I publish poetry collections, plays, and novels, but I don’t think there’s a hierarchy among those works.”

Evelyn listened with her eyes lowered. It wasn’t a particularly surprising reaction. This man was her publisher, after all. Since he makes money selling novels, naturally, he’d flatter her. To continue obtaining “the most profitable item,” he’d say sweet words as much as needed.

Thinking that far, Evelyn felt a slightly twisted sensation and wanted to see how far this man would go.

“What about books written by women?”

 At the sudden question, he raised his eyes. Watching him set down his glass, Evelyn asked again.

“What do you think about works by women being unfairly judged compared to those by male authors?”

Faced with a rather bold question, Bryant didn’t answer immediately. He alternated his gaze between her eyes, seemingly trying to discern her intent, then spoke with a slight smile.

“If I said I don’t understand why you think that, I’d seem like a very shameless man.”

“I’m sorry I can’t tell you otherwise.”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

He laughed. Evelyn also slightly pulled up the corners of her mouth in response. Without much hesitation, Bryant continued.

“It’s true that there are far fewer female authors and works compared to males, and they’re relatively undervalued. But that’s because men have historically had more time to read and write. An artist’s inspiration must undergo sufficient training to become a work. So, I believe it’s a difference in opportunity, not talent.”

Having said that, he seemed to gauge if that was sufficient. Evelyn ended up letting out a short laugh.

“From a publisher’s perspective, works by female authors are also selling more and more. Especially poetry collections are quite popular. The novel side hasn’t caught up yet, but I believe it will change significantly if authors like Miss Evelyn continue to emerge.”

“……”

“Remember that publishers don’t release works that aren’t profitable. We have quite a few female authors under contract with my company. Although I’ve never met them in person.”

The conversation paused for a moment. He quietly looked into her eyes. A deep gaze. A gaze that made her tense for no reason.

“I only meet very important authors.”

Then he smiled again. A smile that made it impossible to doubt his sincerity.