Chapter 1552: Chapter 1552
The duke’s words were truthful, and his praise was sincere. Jenkins felt an urge to scoff at the pointless probing, but he knew better.
“I do not know what your father may have told you, nor what the Church of Knowledge and Books has discussed with you, but there is one thing you must understand. If not for the dire circumstances facing the kingdom, both at home and abroad, the royal line of succession would never consider the descendant of an illegitimate child from generations past.”
Before Jenkins could react, he continued:
“But a noble soul is noble no matter where it is raised. The blood of the Middleton family flows in your veins. Mr. Williams, your talent and your fortune are both quite remarkable. I do not know if anyone has officially told you this, but allow me to be the one to do so now—Jenkins Redemptor Williams, you are currently the person in this kingdom most likely to wear the crown.”
The old man’s voice was grave as he spoke that final sentence, and Jenkins met his gaze with equal seriousness.
“First, you tell me my current position is the result of luck, not effort. Then you praise my talent and ability. Is this also a test?”
He ignored the topic of the crown, choosing instead to seize control of the conversation. He was no naive young man in his twenties; even a topic this heavy wouldn't make him lose his composure or patience. After all, Jenkins didn't particularly care about that crown.
“I merely wished to inform you of the fact... Of course, I am also pleased that you saw through my little 'ruse.' It will serve you well in the future. However, judging by your life's path, you shouldn't have had the opportunity to encounter such rhetoric. Could it be that during your two months in Ruen, a certain princess lent you her aid?”
The duke maintained an air of great respect toward Jenkins, yet within that respect was a clear note of warning and distance. This was his true attitude. The struggle for the crown had not yet officially begun, and restraining one's declarations was the wisest course of action.
Finally, he brought up the most important matter.
“Yes, only you. You will not need to bring a female companion. Correspondingly, there will be only you and Her Majesty at the dinner table.”
“May I tell others about this... I need someone to help me choose my clothes.”
He offered this as an explanation.
The old duke smiled. “You may do as you please. It is merely an ordinary invitation. Her Majesty is very fond of your book.”
That was a lie. Even a cat could see it was a lie.
Jenkins accepted the invitation, then shifted the topic, wanting to learn more about the current status of the envoy secretly dispatched to their kingdom by the King of Cheslan. The duke told Jenkins that many in Cheslan still supported the royal family. Because of this, officials in Bel Diran had received advance warning of the assassination plot and had already eliminated all other threats, aside from the attempt that had just occurred. Read full story at novel[f]ire.net
“I cannot tell you the gentleman’s location, and you know why. As for our attitude toward Cheslan’s plea for peace, you are free to discuss it with Her Majesty this evening. I imagine she would very much enjoy discussing politics with a young man.”
After saying this, the duke did not rise to leave. Instead, he paused and sighed.
“Everything I have just said was a message on behalf of Her Majesty. Now, I would like to say a few words in my own capacity.”
“Of course. Please, speak freely. I’m listening.”
“From my personal perspective, I admire you a great deal, Mr. Williams. Even though you have not received a complete formal education, have no political experience, and have never even expressed any political leanings, I still admire you very much.”
Jenkins added silently. When someone started with such effusive praise, if they weren't asking for a favor, it was almost certainly leading to a turn.
“But I do not believe you are the best candidate. Even as I say this to your face, I stand by it.”
Jenkins asked, feigning ignorance.
“Because I do not wish to see the efforts of past kings, the efforts we have made over so many years for democracy and justice, all fall into the hands of the Church in the end.”
As the old duke spoke, his eyes seemed to shine with an inner light.
“I know you probably disagree with what I'm saying, that you think I am...”
“No, I fully understand your point of view.”
Jenkins shook his head, interrupting him quite impolitely.
“You're worried about the power of the Church of Knowledge and Books behind me. You're afraid that after I become king, I'll interfere further in domestic politics, breaking the constraints on religious powers laid out in the High Tower Accord and allowing the Church to once again meddle in the secular affairs of the state. And even if I could guarantee my own neutrality between the kingdom and the Church, my descendants might not be able to do the same. My very ascension to the throne would establish the fact of the Church's infiltration into the kingdom's government. In a few decades, or even a few centuries, it's predictable that a day will come when royal authority wanes and the Church's power swells excessively. At that point, religious authority would once again supersede royal authority. Perhaps even the passing of the crown would require a Cardinal-level figure from the Church to be present for it to be legitimate.”
“You understand more than I imagined.”
The old duke looked somewhat astonished.
“Has someone discussed these things with you?”
“Does it need to be discussed?”
Jenkins shook his head.
“So what is your opinion, Williams? Do you believe you will become king?”
“Duke, isn't it a bit early to be talking about this? I don't think I need to declare my stance right now. Of course, I deeply admire your loyalty to the royal family and to the kingdom, but some things do not always develop according to people's wishes...”
Sensing that Jenkins had no desire to continue the conversation, the duke didn't press with more pleasantries. He rose, bid farewell, and departed. Jenkins saw him to the corridor, his mind still on the matter of the Church and the crown.
In his original world, the course of history had already illustrated the relationship between the two and revealed the path the wheels of progress had chosen. But that history couldn't simply be copied onto this world. After all, his original world had no gods who could manifest miracles at will, no host of Benefactors walking the earth. Jenkins himself didn't know how to properly balance the relationship between the two powers; he wasn't so arrogant as to think that reading a few history books made him qualified to chart the course of development for an entirely different world.
The history and lessons of his past had great reference value, but they were not a perfect fit for this world. Jenkins understood the concepts of adapting to the times and suiting actions to local conditions all too well. That was why, in his conversation with the duke, he had shown displeasure with the man's assumptions but had revealed none of his own leanings on the matter of royal and religious authority.
“Becoming a secular king means more responsibility and burdens for me. But Alexia was right, too. Perhaps saving the world requires absolute control over secular power. As an outsider facing a choice at such a crucial historical juncture, I must be all the more cautious. After all... the duke was right. The infiltration of secular royal power by the Church is almost certain to happen the moment I accept the throne.”
Jenkins told Hathaway, Briny, and Alexia about the invitation to dine with the queen at Coldspring Palace.
The red-haired girl and the golden-haired girl looked incredibly nervous. Upon hearing the news, they canceled their plans to go to the theater with friends, insisting on helping Jenkins select a suitable outfit.
When he found the time to see Alexia, the shorter woman simply said that Jenkins had already foreseen this meeting, so there was no need to be tense.
“What should I say when I'm there?”
He still asked, a little anxiously.
“Say what you want to say, of course,”
Alexia said, then directed her servants as they packed their luggage.
“Tonight’s meeting will not result in any substantive decisions. It is merely the first meeting between you and Her Majesty. I believe you will speak many more times before there is a final outcome. The only things you need to be mindful of are dressing formally and observing proper etiquette during dinner. And if you intend to bring Chocolate, remember to inform Coldspring Palace in advance. They will arrange a separate seat and meal for the cat.”
“Is that so? That’s wonderful. It’s truly wonderful to have you around.”
Jenkins praised, then gave her a light hug.
“It would be wonderful if you could always be by my side, too.”
The shorter woman said this deliberately, which reminded Jenkins of the previous night. He should have spent the whole evening with Alexia after her advancement to an eighth-level demigod, but he had left after only an hour and a half.
“When all of this is over, I will stay by your side.”
“That would be truly wonderful,”
Alexia replied nonchalantly, at the same time directing the servants to prepare the boxes of books to be moved outside.
“Speaking of which, your birthday is coming up. What gift would you like?”
Jenkins was taken aback, and it took him a moment to recall the original owner’s date of birth. He had been in this world for nearly a year; indeed, a birthday was approaching. He hadn’t realized it before, but now fragments of memory surfaced, and recollections of past birthdays flooded his mind. It was worth noting that the Williams family celebrated birthdays for every unmarried child, a tradition that didn't stop simply because they reached adulthood.
“I don’t need anything in particular. Anything you give me for my birthday would be fine. As for tonight's attire and etiquette, you don't need to worry. Hathaway and Briny are helping me prepare my clothes.”
“That’s good. Their taste is excellent.”
Jenkins assumed she was referring to their taste in clothes.