Chapter 1680: Chapter 1680

"Her Majesty has always been wary of you. This isn't a recent development."

Miss Windsor spoke up then, perhaps sensing Jenkins wasn't privy to the full story, and thoughtfully elaborated for him:

"Most of the current high-ranking officers in the Royal Army, aside from the nobles who hold hereditary prestige, were personally promoted by Her Majesty. The army's loyalty to her is exceptionally high. But the Kingdom's Navy is a different story. It’s backed by Nolan, and the Nolan nobility have always been at odds with those from Bel Diran. Ever since Her Majesty ascended the throne, the navy has been firmly in the hands of the so-called 'old nobility' faction. To this day, her control over it remains very weak. That's why, unlike the ground forces who bear the title 'Royal,' the sailors and officers of the navy have always been regarded with suspicion by the Queen."

"You can see it in the annual military budget."

Earl Hersha tilted his head back and added, "And you can see it in our titles, as well."

The Royal Army boasts more than one duke, a necessary measure to consolidate the army's prestige and reinforce the Crown's control. Yet Mikhail, the supreme commander of the navy, holds only the rank of marquis.

He is no incompetent upstart. On the contrary, Marquis Mikhail has held his post for over a decade. By any measure, he should have been promoted to duke long ago. His achievements and dedication have more than earned him that honor.

Jenkins nodded slightly. The willingness of Marquis Mikhail, Earl Hersha, their officers, and the entire Kingdom's Navy to support him was clear. Beyond the marquis seeing the relationship between his daughter and Jenkins, there was also their shared resentment of being suppressed by the Crown.

If their plan to enthrone Jenkins succeeded, the navy could finally turn the tables. The prestigious 'Royal' title might even be bestowed upon the Nolan-aligned forces.

The conversation continued. The marquis swirled the wine in his glass, studying the young man before him. He was calm, confident, and possessed a caution that mirrored his own. Though he had never received the training of a noble house, nor had he ever formally engaged in politics, his sharp mind and unconventional thinking were far superior to most of the fools muddling their way through the kingdom's bureaucracy.

Now that things had come this far, Marquis Mikhail knew his choice had been correct—absolutely correct. He had seized his chance and was making the most of it. His only regret was that his daughter, Briny Mikhail, hadn't found the happiness she deserved...

"So there's absolutely no need for the navy to head north. They should remain stationed here."

Jenkins didn't notice what his prospective father-in-law was pondering. He continued to voice his opinion:

"Queen Isabella probably doesn't expect her orders to be followed anyway. You can easily deflect them by citing the ongoing Tri-King Summit and the necessity of the navy remaining in Nolan. No one in the kingdom will question it. She's likely already aware of my connection to you; this is just a petty attempt to provoke us. It's nothing to worry about."

Jenkins scoffed, taking a careful sip of the pear juice. The heat must have gotten to it; the drink tasted strangely watered down.

"She told me she plans to announce her chosen successor after the Tri-King Summit. We're nearing the endgame now. The only thing that matters is not letting her brand the navy with the crime of treason. Nothing else is important."

Since the matter of succession had come up, the marquis and the earl were naturally curious about the previous week's assassination attempt. No matter how tightly the news had been controlled, word had eventually leaked. But because those who knew the details maintained a tacit silence, the true story remained shrouded in mystery. So, despite the outlandish rumors circulating, no one really knew what had transpired that night.

Jenkins had been there, and through his own methods, he had pieced together the truth. He recounted what he had seen and deduced to Marquis Mikhail and Earl Hersha. When he described the dying Queen declaring her will from her deathbed, Jenkins saw the marquis's expression flicker.

"You truly are a good man."

That was his assessment of Jenkins. Jenkins then asked:

"If you had been there..."

They were among trusted company, so Marquis Mikhail had no fear of being overheard. But before he could speak, Earl Hersha gave the answer:

"If we had been there, you would be king by now."

He was brutally frank, stopping just short of saying they would have sent Queen Isabella to meet her maker right then and there. A corner of Jenkins's mouth twitched—part surprise, part amusement, but mostly a sense of 'I knew it.' Beside him, Miss Windsor remained silent.

She had an affection for the Queen. While she hadn't grown up at Queen Isabella's side, she had lived in her presence for a long time. Even believing she was being used as a pawn, Miss Windsor found it difficult to harbor any murderous intent toward the old woman.

And yet, Miss Windsor knew that, logically, the two naval commanders were right.

"I don't kill indiscriminately."

Jenkins stated his position once more:

"At least, not without cause."

"That's one of the reasons we chose to give our daughters to you."

Marquis Mikhail nodded at Jenkins. It was the first time they had spoken of Hathaway and Briny in all the days since the two young women had moved into Jenkins's home.

"It isn't just your royal bloodline. It's because you're a good man—or rather, a good man in an unconventional sense. Even if we wish to enthrone a new king, we have no desire for the next one to be a tyrant."

This was a compliment, and Jenkins wasn't about to argue. He considered for a moment. Since the two women had been brought up, now was a good time to discuss the matter properly. After all, he intended to marry them both, not simply keep them as his mistresses.