Chapter 1654: Chapter 1654

And so Friday arrived, the fourteenth day of the Month of the Starry Sky and the Long Night.

The morning sun pierced through a thin white mist, its rays slanting into the peaceful homes along St. George Avenue. The windowpanes filtered the light, leaving the dining room dim enough that the gas lamps had to be lit to provide their usual brightness.

The girls, still in their pajamas, joined Jenkins around the dining table for a lavish breakfast prepared by the maid. Jenkins still wasn't quite used to having so many people in his home for the morning meal, but a quiet voice in his head told him this was only the beginning—there would be more. Latest content publıshed on novel{f}ire.net

As was his habit, he perused the morning's letters and newspapers while he ate. He also informed the girls that he had a meeting later that day with two of the kingdom's elder dukes.

The papers were filled with much the same news as before; the arrival of the three kings and the delegation from the Twelve Orthodox Churches still dominated two-thirds of the columns. The letters, however, were another story. Ever since his return from Ruen, the volume of mail had swelled daily. It was no longer just fan letters forwarded by his publisher; now, all manner of nobles and prominent industrialists he had never met were sending him correspondence.

"Queen Isabella wishes to invite Dolores's father and the king of the southern kingdom for a meeting to discuss matters of state..."

He read from an article in the paper:

"But before the three monarchs convene, Queen Isabella will meet with each of them individually. Her talks with Tackwen, 'the Proud One,' are expected to be particularly decisive in shaping the course of the coming war."

"Hasn't all of that been arranged for some time? Speaking of which, what happened with that assassin from yesterday? The one who tried to kill you?"

Jenkins hadn't heard any updates on the matter, but an hour later, Papa Oliver filled him in on the outcome:

"The Church performed a targeted divination and moved in to make arrests immediately after. This incident had nothing to do with supernatural forces; it was purely a conspiracy hatched by politicians and schemers. The Church has already pressured the king and parliament of Cheslan. They've agreed to admit it was the work of subversive elements within their own country and will issue a formal apology to you."

"So in other words, the Church is using this to pressure the pro-war faction in Cheslan?"

"Exactly. Which is why 'the Proud One' of the southern kingdom not only hasn't objected but is actually quite pleased with the arrangement."

The Church had killed two birds with one stone: they found a pretext to support the anti-war king while also ensuring the perpetrators faced retribution.

"So, that's all perfectly resolved, then? In that case, let's talk about last night. Papa, I heard the Church of Death and End captured a member of the Gear Artisans' Association..."

Jenkins declared, leaning casually against the counter.

"No, this matter is far from over."

Papa Oliver cut him off.

It took Jenkins a moment to place the name. Then he remembered: the young man who had asked Alexia Miller to dance at the ball, the same one Jenkins had pulled behind him as a shield at the docks.

His brow furrowed, and he shifted his weight behind the counter.

"But he was only shot in the shoulder, and he was taken for treatment right away. How could he be dead? Was the bullet poisoned? Or maybe tetanus?"

"No, it had nothing to do with the bullet."

Papa Oliver looked at Jenkins, his expression somber.

"He was assassinated while recovering at home."

The incident wasn't reported in the papers. Victum was, after all, an heir to the throne. His position in the line of succession may have been low, but the matter still concerned the kingdom's honor. At such a critical juncture, the royal family had pressured the press to suppress any mention of it.

That didn't mean the matter wouldn't be investigated, however. And when it came to motive, Jenkins was the prime suspect.

When a detective from KalFax Yard actually showed up at Pops Antique Shop looking for him, Jenkins was sure the expression on his face must have been a sight to behold.

But the facts were what they were. Two days ago at the ball, Jenkins had argued with Victum in front of a crowd over a dance partner. Then, just yesterday at the docks, Victum had been shot—admittedly due to the uncontrollable actions of Jenkins's cat, but shot nonetheless.

No matter how you looked at it, he was an incredibly suspicious figure.

"Viscount, this is just a routine inquiry. There's no need to be alarmed."

The man sent to question him, Detective Vidi, was an ordinary-looking, middle-aged man with a thick beard. He silently cursed his superiors as he pulled out a small notepad to take a statement. Regardless of whether Jenkins Williams was actually involved, being tasked with questioning him was an unenviable assignment.

Given Jenkins's royal status, even the chief of KalFax Yard would have hesitated to voice any suspicion. So the duty was passed down the line until it landed on the desk of a detective they could afford to dispatch.

This, at least, suggested that KalFax Yard didn't truly believe Jenkins had killed Victum and therefore wasn't taking his questioning very seriously.

"Where were you last night?"

the uniformed detective asked, though he started scribbling in his notebook before Jenkins even had a chance to speak.

He glanced over at Papa Oliver, but the old man was absorbed in his newspaper, showing no intention of intervening. The truth was, Jenkins had killed someone last night, and his whereabouts had to remain a secret.

"I was at home last night."

"Can anyone corroborate that? Oh, this is just a routine question, of course. I'm not suggesting I suspect you."

In his younger days, the now middle-aged Detective Vidi had joined KalFax Yard fueled by a belief in 'justice' and 'fairness.' He didn't fear authority, but the impossibly young royal before him looked nothing like a murderer. He figured this entire trip was just an exercise in offending a powerful man, which explained his exceedingly polite tone.

"Corroboration? Yes, I was at home last night. Yes, at home. And... there were three ladies there with me..."

Vidi's eyelid twitched. He renewed the silent cursing of his superiors; he was definitely hearing things he wasn't supposed to hear.

"If necessary, I can have them come and verify my statement."

The detective, of course, had no intention of questioning the daughters of Earl Hersha and Marquis Mikhail, let alone the personal maid of a foreign princess. He was still sane and valued his career. And so, having been informed of Jenkins's whereabouts the previous night, he asked a few more trivial questions, had Jenkins confirm the notes and sign his name, and promptly took his leave.

Papa Oliver watched the entire exchange from behind the counter. Only after the detective had departed did he speak.

"You definitely weren't home last night."

he retorted instantly. Nearby, his cat yawned, its paws tucked lazily beneath it, hoping something interesting might finally happen to liven up the boring day.

"Of course I know you didn't kill Victum. But you need to be careful. Whatever you do, don't get yourself entangled in the deaths of other heirs. It will tarnish your reputation. Still, don't worry too much. The Church still has considerable influence with the press."

Papa Oliver's gaze dropped back to his newspaper. His voice was quiet, but carried an undeniable authority:

"Even if someone tries to drag you into this, the papers will clear your name."