Chapter 1672: Chapter 1672

The antidote was no miracle cure; it couldn't instantly restore Queen Isabella. Besides the lingering effects of the toxin, even a healthy person wouldn't just bounce back after enduring such violent vomiting and bloodletting.

Therefore, once it was confirmed that Queen Isabella's life was no longer in danger, she dismissed everyone who had gathered at the residence. She needed to rest and did not wish to be disturbed.

Only Duke Douglas Gerrod, her steward, was permitted to remain. Duke Rochester, whose behavior throughout the incident had been rather suspicious, departed with the rest of the crowd.

"So, you believe that tonight's events were the Queen's way of testing whether you are an Enchanter?"

The carriage jolted slightly, as if a wheel had rolled over a loose stone on the road. The streets outside were dim, shrouded in a swirling fog that severely limited visibility. Even the faint yellow glow of the streetlamps on either side offered little help, instead casting the street in an even more ambiguous, hazy light.

The light inside the carriage was just as dim. Three people occupied the compartment: Jenkins and Miss Windsor sat facing each other, while Silver Flute Miss, acting as a bodyguard, remained silent from the start. Miss Windsor had waited specifically to see Jenkins home and had thus witnessed the dukes rushing into the residence half an hour earlier.

"Not believe. I'm certain of it."

Jenkins corrected her as he accepted the teacup she offered. With a light flick against the side of the cup, a thin layer of frost instantly spread across the surface of the tea.

He took a tentative sip, finding the taste of the chilled tea a bit peculiar. The moment he set the cup down, his cat padded over and pressed its small, furry face against the cool porcelain, seeking relief from the heat.

"For what they perceive as a higher purpose, people like them are rarely afraid of making sacrifices."

Jenkins replied, and the 'they' he referred to also included Dolores's father, King Sarlisi II. He, too, had been willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of his kingdom's political stability and to pave the way for his successor, readily accepting the duplication ritual.

"So, is that the end of the matter?"

Miss Windsor pressed. "I know unpleasant rumors will surely spread by morning, and it's anyone's guess whether Her Majesty will be able to attend the summit tomorrow, or even the day after. What I mean is, regarding this test of yours... is it over? Does she now believe you're just an ordinary man?"

"I don't know," Jenkins admitted. "I won't be able to tell until I know more about her current plans. She's struck a deal with a very formidable group, and all of them are Enchanters. That's why you mustn't investigate this matter. I'll tell Dolores the same. The Church will get to the bottom of it. After all..."

"After all, we're not the only ones supporting your claim to the throne anymore."

Miss Windsor finished his sentence with a smile. Beside her, Silver Flute Miss gave a slight nod, knowing that it was indeed the correct course of action for her employer to stay out of this.

Jenkins let out a long sigh, shifting the topic away from the heavy discussion. "Thank you for waiting for me so late. I was originally planning on walking home."

"In this heat? And with Nolan's air quality being what it is? How could I possibly let you walk home?"

As she spoke, Miss Windsor's gaze met Jenkins's. He believed he understood the emotion he saw there, an understanding that had been sharpened on the night of the dragon game, when he had inadvertently witnessed her and Hathaway dueling.

He recalled Miss Windsor's 'confession'.

He instinctively averted his gaze, turning his attention to the cat, which was still looking irritable from the heat. A smile touched Miss Windsor's lips. She knew he understood, and the fact that he merely looked away suggested he wasn't entirely averse to the idea. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel-fire.ɴet

The carriage delivered Jenkins to his doorstep. The young women at home had already received a message from Miss Windsor, letting them know he would not be returning for dinner, so they had not waited up for him.

But Jenkins did not stay home for long. He soon went out again, heading for the church. The reason he hadn't asked Miss Windsor to take him there directly was simple: being seen going straight from the Queen's residence to the Church, right after an 'assassination' attempt, would undoubtedly stir up gossip.

At the church, he found Miss Bevanna still awake and recounted the night's events to her. She agreed with his assessment that Queen Isabella had likely poisoned herself in an attempt to test him. It was a theory that could be easily verified—they just needed to have Miss Audrey perform a divination. A simple 'yes' or 'no' query was typically not a complex matter for her.

"While the High Tower Accord doesn't prohibit an Enchanter from becoming a secular king," Miss Bevanna explained, "the moment your identity as one is confirmed, you will inevitably be linked to the Church. And while the nobility may not dislike or fear Enchanters, they certainly detest Enchanters who are tied to the Church."

This was how Miss Bevanna interpreted Queen Isabella's intentions, as she was unaware of the queen's cooperation with the Tree House. So, when Jenkins revealed this crucial piece of information, Miss Bevanna was utterly astonished.

"How could she dare?"

The organization known as the 'Tree House' was currently the Church's number one enemy. The Believers of Lies, by contrast, had shown a willingness to cooperate and were therefore not presently considered adversaries.

"How could she dare?"

Miss Bevanna repeated the question, slapping a hand on her desk in a very unladylike fashion. She then hurriedly bid Jenkins farewell, rushing off with this new intelligence to prepare for the next stage of their hunt for the Tree House members.

Jenkins had accomplished his purpose for visiting the church. Checking the time, he knew Finney was likely already asleep, so he prepared to head home himself. Before he left, however, his Eye of Reality revealed that his fellow apprentice, Miss Stevel, was also in the church. After a moment's thought, he sought her out where she was waiting before the Gate of All Things. He spoke with her briefly, confirmed that she would be leaving the church in about half an hour, and then departed, satisfied.

Half an hour later, under the cover of a pitch-black night, a woman exited through the back door of the church. She had just rounded the corner of the block when a man, accompanied by a cat, stepped out from a dark alley and blocked her path.

she asked, her eyes fixed on the white cat perched on the man's shoulder.

"Don't address the cat. I'm Candle Mr., not him," the man replied dryly. "It seems Skylark Miss has told you about me. To think you could recognize me just by my cat."

"No, this was intelligence I purchased from the black market," Miss Stevel countered. "Skylark only admitted that she knew you after she realized I was already aware you were one of the Believers of Lies."

Miss Stevel smoothly denied that Hathaway had "sold out" the man before her, then narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"How did you find me? And don't tell me you just happened to be taking your cat for a walk in this neighborhood."