Chapter 1664: Chapter 1664

"Looking for me? I'm honored... but I don't believe we have anything worth discussing, do we?"

Jenkins was puzzled. He truly didn't think he and Dolores's father had anything to discuss. Leaning back slightly against the carriage seat, he observed the king's expression, careful not to betray his own thoughts.

"My daughter has already given you her personal maid. Do we truly have nothing to talk about?"

the king inquired, looking up.

"It wasn't a gift..."

Jenkins started to explain, but stopped after only a few words. The king was right. Their connection was more than just that of a foreign king and a foreign heir.

"The truth is, Dolores and I..."

He wanted to clarify that he hadn't done anything improper, but Sarlis II raised a hand, cutting him off.

"I am not an unreasonable father. When it comes to the love and marriage of the next generation, as long as their choices are reasonably wise, I will not object. Jenkins Williams, you are an excellent match. I have no issue with Dolores choosing you. But what I wish to discuss today is not your marriage."

"Then what is it you wish to discuss?"

"I want to talk about this: do you want to become king of Fidektri?"

"That doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, does it?"

Jenkins countered, but Sarlis II didn't answer directly.

"Before I departed for this country, I gathered my children to have them report on recent political affairs. At the time, the man beside Dolores was one of yours, wasn't he? I had him deliver a message. I assume you received it."

Jenkins nodded. He had been that aide-de-camp.

"We are now at a turning point not seen in a thousand years. The upcoming conference in Nolan will shape the course of this world for the next millennium. If this city is a theater, then this interesting play requires a fitting protagonist..."

He looked at Jenkins.

"I have never been a believer in fate, but from the way things look now, Jenkins Williams, there is no one who seems more like the protagonist of Nolan than you."

"I'm sorry, but what exactly are you trying to say?"

"If you become king of Fidektri and marry my daughter, it would be a union between our two nations."

The pace of their speech quickened.

"But now Dolores also has her sights set on my throne."

As he said this, Sarlis II carefully observed Jenkins's expression.

"For the sake of the Hamparvo Kingdom, I would not hesitate to sacrifice my own life. But I absolutely will not allow the nation to fall into someone else's hands after I am gone."

That "someone else" was Jenkins.

"I'm sorry, I think you may have misunderstood. My feelings for Dolores have nothing to do with using her...

"Of course I know you have no such intentions. That is precisely why I have come to speak with you. Otherwise, I would simply tell Dolores she cannot marry you. Why would I go to all this trouble?"

He seemed somewhat agitated, but aware of his poor health, he quickly composed himself.

"Jenkins Williams, I am a very open-minded man, and I admire talented young men like you. But I will never allow my daughter to give you the country her ancestors left behind as part of her dowry. Do you understand?"

Sarlis II stared directly into Jenkins's eyes. Jenkins, whose conscience was clear and who had no intention of living off a woman's fortune, met his gaze without fear.

"That's a rather bold assumption. For it to even be possible, both Dolores and I would have to become monarchs. But setting aside Queen Isabella's thoughts, can't you alone decide who inherits your crown?"

"Queen Isabella? She thinks herself a clever woman, but when one lives too long, they inevitably grow a bit muddled."

Sarlis II made no attempt to hide the scorn in his voice.

"That old lady has clearly lived so long she's started to entertain unrealistic ideas. She believes she controls everything, but she is no match for you."

The corners of Jenkins's mouth turned up in a smile.

"You have that much confidence in me?"

"I am almost certain of it. No one is your match. I don't know what your trump cards are—the Church? Those two naval marquises? Or perhaps the young lady from House Windsor? I can see that the Queen from House Middleton is not particularly fond of you, yet you don't seem to hold much respect for her either. She is simply too old. While age may grant mortals wisdom, it also dulls their intuition. She cannot sense that you are connected to almost everything that has happened here. Do you realize how terrifying a fact that is? But I can sense it. You already have victory in your grasp, don't you?"

Jenkins maintained his smile, but his wariness toward the king before him had reached its peak. Papa Oliver had been right: no one who sits on a throne and holds that power for long is ever easy to deal with.

"As for who I wish to pass the throne to... among my children, Dolores is perhaps not a bad choice."

Jenkins couldn't tell if Sarlis II was saying this deliberately or if it was his true sentiment. He kept his expression neutral, his mind racing, but he offered no comment on the statement.

"So, what is the purpose of our talk tonight? Surely you didn't come all this way in a carriage just to praise me."

"I want you to swear an oath. No matter what the future holds, the Fidektri Kingdom will not annex Hamparvo. Not in any form."

Jenkins chuckled at his words and turned to look out the window, ignoring him. Sarlis II remained silent, simply watching Jenkins. Jenkins himself had no issue with the proposal—he had never intended to seize another country's land—but he disliked the king's approach. Fınd the newest release on novel⟡fire.net

Although neither of them spoke, the atmosphere in the carriage wasn't awkward at all. Jenkins watched the smoky night scenery for a while before finally speaking.

"That sounds rather ridiculous. If you came all this way this late at night just to say that, then I'm afraid..."

The ailing, middle-aged man was not surprised by this response.

"So you do have designs on Hamparvo?"

"No, I have no designs on your country whatsoever. I just find this ridiculous. You came all this way to ask such a thing of me, as if I could annex your kingdom just by wanting to. Besides, why should I swear an oath? Your Majesty, I have no reason to do so."