At the institute a new project was born, something beyond science, something beyond data and mathematics, an investigation that began with the doubt of a researcher, upon seeing the passionate romance of one couple, which led to the death of another. Strange, completely in every way.
In that institute, it is a mega-task of architecture created, cutting-edge technology with its gothic style in sectors, the laboratories under imperial structures, and high around details, a project was succumbed, it was exposed in a unique way, the Duke of Valerius proposed his experiment called "The chemistry of desire among letters"
Duke of Valerius was in the great hall of the Silver observatory, a very unusual office, known as the "Shrines of Alistair Valerius" at the top of the institute, taking in a large visual part of the heavens, in that hall the circular obsidian table in the center, surrounded by the enormous windows that projected the cosmos, the data, the stars, were shown in their greatest splendor that night, and above all the change that would come.
An icy cold was expressed in the office; within this wave of old paper, expensive ink and the aromatic, masculine, herbal perfume, an aroma that left its mark on anyone who was close to it; At the same time, the hands of the mechanical clocks could be heard (the work of Duke Calloway), while the ink and pen tore the paper with fervor, almost absolute desperation, Duke Valerius was quickly writing down the key points of his research, he fervently hoped to cover everything he needed for the approval of this project, it was something he needed to understand what he observed at that moment.
The paper sounded and Duke Valerius's hands wrote down sensibly and at the same time desperation to write down everything; the letters and invitations had been rejected for days before. Tomorrow he would have a meeting with the main Dukes and heads of the institute, this was an experiment that could not be done with anyone, only with the best minds in the kingdom.
The meeting of titans.
That's how they were named, their power was so strong that not even the crown itself could touch them, but that was not the important thing, this meeting united the four dukes, not only as friends, but as pieces to complement this project, this investigation, each one was perfect, each one had different areas of knowledge, the best minds, the most brilliant minds in the kingdom, with power, and critical analysis, without being emotional. That's what the project needed absolute clarity.
Valerius did not notice when time moved quickly, by the time he put his pen down on the inkwell, his hand hurt, his clothes were slightly stained with ink, and the rays of light were already filtering through the huge windows.
Knock-knock.
Two firm knocks, without absolute doubt, sounded on his door, it was sterling, he soon turned the handle of his office and looked out. Duke of Sterling, Julian Sterling, Forbidden Archaeology, and Ancient Linguistics, perfect for the analysis of your project. Inside with absolute calm and an ancient book under his arm, his walk was calm but firm, he calmly observed Valerius, who was noticeably tired, but that contrasted with the hungry shine in his eyes, a unique knowledge that appeared in his eyes when he found something to investigate, study or analyze.
Soon a sharp knock on the door, then a thunderous noise as the door opened, Thorne entered, the Duke of Thorne. Maximilian Thorne Biotechnology and genetics, perfect for analyzing the relationships of thought in your project. But behind him, with an annoyed and almost annoyed face, Calloway appeared, artificial intelligence and robotics; It was perfect for the synchronization of the four, this project had everything covered.
And the final piece of it was Alistair Valerius, Astrophysics and Cosmology. The most curious of all those, he was the main cause of the chaos that would begin, due to the mere curiosity of love, madness and the death of his cousin.
Valerius watched as they settled at the table, his stomach contracted with nerves, he needed that project. He looked at the document that he had made copies for everyone present, it was time to pass them around and see if they would support it; Valerius slid the files toward the others, one by one with the title "Research Proposal: The Epistolary Protocol."
Alistar Valerius spoke with pure determination, he did not speak about love, he spoke about the stimuli, about why a need for love destroyed, destroyed and went crazy.
"We are in a stage that I never expected to be in, the number of proposals is increasing, we have no interest in any area of that style, we have conquered absolutely everything: Money, science, power. But romance..., is something that is not in anyone's field." Alistar Valerius Express.
"Is it because of what happened in your mansion?" Thorne asked without any delicacy.
"Yes. Because of my cousin's suicide. Her parents are devastated, and the lover continues his life with another as if nothing had happened, I began to think. Why did she come to that decision? Why harm herself? Did love lead her to that decision or did madness stimulated by other sensations?" Alistar spoke calmly.
"So what do you want to do with this?" I look at Sterling, the project.
"Control of emotions, knowing if we can generate something to avoid this outbreak of damage." Alistar Valerius commented with a hint of hope.
"Reading we must analyze, understand and record. But what about the test subjects?" Calloway asked.
"That's where we come in, to be honest none of us want partners, we took power of the Duchy for a simple dispute with the prince and his friends, actually we have been winning for years. So emotions should not interfere with our goal, and since we are all knights, I highly doubt there would be any interaction beyond that." Alistar commented.
"The rules are interesting… well I'm in, I want to see how this will go." I speak Sterlign.
"Well, this looks fun, I don't want to be left out." This is Thorner following Sterlign.
"And your Calloway?" Alistar asked.
"Is it just the emotional side?" Calloway asked.
"Are you afraid that your precious logic and biology will survive so many romantic poems?" Sterlign mocked, subtly hinting at his excitement over romantic paragraphs.
"Ha! My preference as logic is made of steel, the doubts are, you will put up with abrupt romances, little language baby." Calloway scoffed.
In his disputes with friends, Alistar raised his pen and noted in his log "July 17, 1784, the experiment has begun."
FILE: AETHEL-001 | CLASSIFICATION: ABSOLUTE STEALTH
Project Title: Epistolary Synchronization Protocol and Analysis of the Neurochemistry of Affect.
Principal Investigator: Duke Alistar Valerius. Probationers: A. Valerius, M. Thorne, S.Calloway, J. Sterling.
I. - WORKING HYPOTHESIS.
"Romance and the neurobiological pathology that leads to the degradation of logic and self-destruction of the individual. (Analysis of the Serpahine case). Through a controlled environment of aristocratic correspondence, it is possible to dissect desire, and transform it into a predictable variable, at the same time projecting an elimination of the capabilities of structural damage.
II- METHODOLOGY (RULES)
1. Physical Isolation: Any skin contact or verbal communication on non-professional topics is prohibited for the duration of the project cycle, stage one.
2. The vector of communication: it is the basis of the experiment, the exchange will be limited exclusively to physical paper. Each letter must be written by hand, the calligraphy reveals micro-variations of stress, anxiety, extinction, fear, etc.
3. Mandatory Topic: Letters must follow the structure of Intellectual Courtship, using at this stage, poems, scientific prose or confessions calculated to evoke a response from the other three recipients.
III. DUCAL GRADE SUPPLY.
Each subject of the project must receive a personalized Research Kit to ensure that the experiment maintains the caste standard:
Valerius: Liquid graphite ink, and diamond dust on snow-white linen paper.
Seal: All-seeing eye.
Thorne: Paper impregnated with botanical extracts, which react to the heat of the hands.
Seal: the rose of thorns.
Calloway: High-density parchment with metallic fibers, resistant to humidity and time.
Seal: The Eternal Gear.
Sterlign: Paper recovered from excavations, treated to mostly remove the sender's aroma.
Seal: The Eternal Grain.
IV. CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL
In case a subject presents symptoms of "Irremediable Obsession" Loss of sleep, inattention to his dukedom, divided loyalty towards the crown, or others. The council of four has the authority to burn the archive and declare the experiment a failure.
Side note: Alistair Valerius.
"If love was able to turn off Seraphine's mind, it is because she does not understand or study directly. We are not lovers, we are surgeons of science and letters, we cut feelings until only the truth remains... or emptiness. Seraphine, love is not everything in life, dear cousin."
After finishing reading stage one of the project, everyone proceeds to sign. The four dukes know that this could be risky, if any prince or king knows about this token, they could easily determine that the Dukes are practicing prohibited activities. Although they are just romantic letters.
While they finished analyzing the last steps, and designating the first cards, as the kits. They only asked that this experiment lead them to glory, and not fail. But above all, the four Dukes felt an expectant and anxious emotion for this project, to demonstrate that emotions can be nipped in the bud.