Russia, St. Petersburg, British Embassy.
Blackwell, the Cultural Attaché's private secretary, hurriedly carried several sealed diplomatic documents through the embassy corridor, stopping in front of Arthur's office.
Perhaps thinking of Arthur's picky temper, Blackwell didn't immediately push the door open; instead, he took a deep breath until his panting subsided behind the heavy oak door. Only then did he straighten his tie and open the office door.
Through the blazing fireplace and hazy smoke, one could see an intricately carved peach wood desk in the office, with a piece of deer-skin colored parchment spread on it. The sound of a pen nib scratching on paper could be heard.
However, what first caught Blackwell's attention was not these familiar furniture items, but rather the several pieces of calligraphy hung behind Arthur.
On the left wall — "For elegance, space is unnecessary; the fragrance of flowers does not rely on abundance."
