Chapter 1820: Observations
Chapter 1820: Observations
The next morning, Daphne woke up early. She stretched and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains to look out at the morning Avalon. Her attention was immediately drawn to the graceful figure practicing yoga in the sunroom below.
“Taking such an early morning yoga session even during a holiday?”
Daphne was a bit surprised but quickly understood.
“That person has always been so disciplined. But… I actually slept better than expected last night, without any insomnia?”
She couldn’t help but suspect that Alice had added a sleep aid to her milk last night.
“Of course, she must still care!”
So, Daphne changed into some comfortable clothes and went to the sunroom to find Alice, tentatively bringing up the matter. Alice responded with a look that clearly said, “What are you thinking?”
“With your sleep quality, you move around and can’t sleep, so did you really expect to get a good night’s rest on your own?”
“You really did…”
“I didn’t mention it to you, but I did it while you were taking a bath.” Alice took a breath, got up from her yoga mat, walked to the corner, and drank some water. She looked at her friend with a puzzled expression.
“You forgot?”
Daphne laughed and shook her head. “Come with me. Before breakfast, let’s meditate for a while.”
“You’re really just trying to trick me, aren’t you?” Daphne looked at Alice suspiciously.
She truly couldn’t remember this!
“Then just consider it a trick.” Alice took Daphne’s hand and led her out of the sunroom.
“Alright, alright.”
Daphne suddenly didn’t mind so much. Alice led her through a wall adorned with white carvings, into a spacious room expanded by the Extension Charm.
The Room of Requirement?
When Alice lit a pleasant-smelling incense, Daphne’s expression turned odd as she remarked, “You really have everything here, don’t you?”
“We generally don’t use this room, and we don’t need incense to help us meditate.”
Alice sat on her mat and quickly relaxed, entering a meditative state.
Daphne had learned meditation from Alice over the years, but due to her laziness, she had been inconsistent, leaving her a half-baked practitioner. She wasn’t even sure if her sporadic meditation sessions were effective.
But they definitely weren’t as effective as Alice’s.
In the end, Daphne consoled herself with the thought, “This is the difference between a genius and an ordinary person.”
With the help of the incense, Daphne easily entered a meditative state. The half-hour meditation passed in a flash. When Daphne opened her eyes, still feeling the lingering effects, she saw Alice looking at her and holding out a slightly flattened box.
“What’s this?”
Daphne took the box and asked curiously.
“This year’s Christmas gift,” Alice said without hesitation. “I’m giving it to you early.”
“You could at least make it a bit more ceremonial.” Daphne couldn’t help but tease. “And isn’t it a bit too small?”
“It’s not small. You can’t always expect this thing…” Alice reminded her.
“Why not use good things?”
Daphne thought that if she continued meditating for a week or two, she could easily get into it.
“Of course, it’s not cheap, and if you form a dependency, then what’s the point of meditating?”
“Girls shouldn’t be so crude,” Daphne looked at Alice in surprise.
“No, those are my father’s exact words.”
Daphne was speechless. She and Alice then went to the living room to enjoy the food carefully prepared by House-elf Cara.
“I’m so envious; my chef just rotates the same few dishes every day.”
Daphne found herself increasingly disliking English breakfasts, but she still followed Alice’s lead, finished a glass of milk and a fried egg, and then joined her in wandering around Avalon. She was eager to see this legendary Wizard Village and experience its warm hospitality.
Hospitality?
Daphne experienced it firsthand.
But,
Everyone was more curious about Alice's new friend than about who Daphne was.
"They all really like you."
Daphne could tell that everyone genuinely liked Alice and envied her for growing up with so many people's affection.
"Maybe it's because I'm Dad's first child and the one who most resembles him."
Alice knew the reasons, but there were some things she didn't feel comfortable sharing with Daphne, an outsider.
"So, they are...?"
"Of course, they're going to work."
Upon learning that most residents of Avalon worked in the workshops, including the famous Beauty Alchemy Workshop of the British Magical World, Daphne suddenly understood. She lowered her voice and said, "Perhaps they hope you'll take over Albert Anderson's position and continue ruling here."
"But no one is idle enough to rule over them." Alice had no interest in that.
"But most of this place belongs to your family, or rather, to Albert Anderson's wealth, doesn't it?" Daphne said meaningfully. "This is even more evident in the Muggle World."
"Father never intended for anyone to inherit these things. He didn't even pay much attention to them. As long as the residents don't ruin Avalon, it will always be their home."
Alice understood her father and knew his intentions well.
Since Avalon's establishment, apart from two workshops that were closed for certain reasons, the others continued to operate, providing quality jobs and generous pay for the residents.
Daphne didn't bother arguing with Alice. Such a situation would be impossible in the Muggle World. But this was the Magical World, and the person doing this was a legend like Albert Anderson, which made Avalon a miraculous place.
"This is a bar and a restaurant. It serves food to Avalon's residents six days a week. The prices are quite cheap thanks to Avalon's subsidies, but you need to book in advance. When Avalon's residents are feeling lazy, they usually eat here. We can come here for lunch."
Alice took the initiative to introduce Daphne to Avalon's bar and its role during various festivals.
On the same street, Daphne also saw a small clinic similar to the Hogwarts Hospital Wing. According to Alice, the healers here provided free treatment for minor issues for the villagers.
Or, more accurately, Avalon hired the healer to address the villagers' minor ailments.
In addition, there were various shops selling everyday items and other supporting facilities.
Especially near the Fountain Square, Daphne finally understood what the tall tower with several floors was.
The Avalon Library!
In a quiet corner, there was a "nursery" that helped care for and teach children.
Everywhere in this village exuded the aura of an ideal utopia, making Daphne increasingly admire Albert, who built this place.
In the Muggle World, such a place could never exist because nobles and capitalists would never use their pounds to subsidize ordinary people.
But someone did it! (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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