. . .
Things might have gone very differently for Bertram and Amelia from there.
If the blender had showered the room with chemistry, for instance, or magic, instead of alchemy, then they might have kissed. They might have found love. He might have honored her memory, when she was gone.
But it wasn’t chemistry. It wasn’t magic. They didn’t kiss. They didn’t become lovers. He just got half of a golden face.

