Chapter 1738: Chapter 1738

The sixteen-year-old princess wore elegant, long white gloves, her hands clasped naturally before her as she smiled at Jenkins. But with her family present, her smile was exceptionally demure.

"I'm not late, am I?"

He asked, panting for breath as he glanced at his pocket watch. There were still a full ten minutes until the appointed time.

"Just as I thought," the shorter lady remarked. "You probably intended to arrive half an hour early but ran into some unexpected trouble that delayed you. That's why you had to run here looking so exhausted. But no, you are not late."

As she drew closer, Jenkins caught a pleasant scent of jasmine. He suppressed the impolite urge to twitch his nose and turned to greet Salsi II.

It had only been a few days, but the northern king's complexion looked quite good—much better, at least, than during their chess match the other night. He nodded at Jenkins, his eyes sweeping over his attire.

"You came to pick up my daughter dressed ?"

It was a sharp, biting question, but from the standpoint of social etiquette, the criticism was entirely valid.

Jenkins offered an awkward laugh and glanced at the eldest princess, hoping she might say something to defuse the tension. Her Highness understood his plea. Lowering the hand that had been covering her light smile, she offered her congratulations.

With her father standing nearby, she refrained from using Jenkins's first name.

"You're far too kind."

He replied with a meaningless platitude, hoping Salsi II would drop the matter of his clothing. And he did, only to raise another issue.

"So, have you arranged your birthday banquet?"

"Of course... Bishop Parrold will be sending people to my house shortly, and everything will be set up quickly. Oh, Bishop Parrold is..."

"I know who that is. But do you really think there will be enough time?"

Leaning on a servant for support, the old king's question was stern.

He truly didn't know. He had never hosted a birthday banquet in this world... or in his previous one, for that matter.

"I knew it. My daughter already sent people over this afternoon."

The king shook his head.

"A proper man handles his own affairs, instead of leaving everything for women to do."

"I've already had Julia supervise the indoor decorations. We can head over directly now."

Seeing that her father was about to say more, Dolores quickly interjected.

At this, Salsi II cast a sorrowful look at his daughter, holding it until Dolores's eyes started to well up with tears. Only then did he turn back to Jenkins.

"But regardless, Dolores is not to spend the night at your residence. You will remember that."

Yani and her sisters stifled their laughter.

Jenkins declared righteously. His tone and expression were so convincing that most people would have believed him, for he truly meant it. But Salsi II remained unconvinced until the ever-quiet Alexia promised to bring Dolores back before one in the morning. Only then did the old king nod, relieved.

"Miss Miller is a very reassuring teacher. Since she has given her word, you may take Dolores... However, since you don't need to return home to arrange the banquet, why not stay a while longer? I have some questions for you. Miss Miller can join us as well."

Jenkins, who had been wondering how to ask to borrow a carriage, felt a wave of relief. This way, after their talk, he could use the excuse that "I've wasted too much time here, so the rental carriage I booked has already left" to borrow one justifiably and without losing face.

An unconscious smile spread across his face, a reaction that Salsi II found rather strange.

The conversation moved to a small study on the first floor. Besides Salsi II and Jenkins, Yani, Dolores, and Alexia were also in attendance. Salsi II made no effort to be discreet, explaining that after Dolores's official coronation, the eldest princess, Yani, would assist her in matters of state. Therefore, her presence now was perfectly appropriate.

"So, what did you wish to ask?"

"What exactly happened yesterday afternoon at your queen's residence?"

The question came as no surprise.

"The assassination of the heirs was the old woman's doing. She collaborated with the Tree House in an attempt to purify Miss Windsor's Middleton bloodline, clearing the way for her to take the throne."

An expression of undisguised contempt crossed Salsi II's face.

"That one is finally getting old. Emotion has completely overcome her reason. There were far better choices, yet she insisted on doing something so unnecessary and dangerous... That Miss Windsor..."

"She is very reliable. If I wished, I could even invite her to my birthday banquet, and she would absolutely not refuse. Of course, I did not do so."

To spare Miss Windsor's pride, Jenkins omitted the part where she had actively hinted at wanting to attend.

"The fact that you considered it shows you're a bit more mature than I thought. But you should have acted on that idea, not just thought about it."

He said this right in front of Dolores and Alexia. Salsi II knew who would be attending the banquet tonight, so his words were a clear suggestion that Jenkins should make Miss Windsor a true confidante.

Jenkins subtly glanced at Dolores's and Alexia's expressions, but neither woman seemed upset.

"I knew he would do that."

Dolores even seemed a little pleased. She turned to her father and said:

"Miss Windsor is indeed very reliable. I spent some time with her; she is a very decisive and capable lady. You needn't worry about her loyalty. I believe that even if Queen Isabella were to support her directly now, she would not betray Jenkins. I am absolutely certain of it."

The eldest princess remarked, and Salsi II gave a slight nod.

"This is no laughing matter. No matter how much you trust others, never take risks with the throne. Jenkins, you know what must be done."

Mindful of Alexia's presence as an outsider, he kept his hints from being too obvious. But everyone in the room understood his meaning perfectly.

As for Queen Isabella being placed under house arrest by the church for a day, Salsi II's reaction was one of pure schadenfreude. He respected the Queen of Fidektri, yet he also despised her.

After hearing the details from Jenkins, he was especially scornful of her for murdering the royal heirs. Salsi II, for all his harshness, was at least good to his family. Like Jenkins, he found such an act utterly detestable.

After their discussion, Jenkins successfully borrowed a carriage. Besides the three passengers and one cat, the carriage was also loaded with gifts. Much to his surprise, every one of Dolores's siblings had sent him a birthday present. Even Salsi II, acting as an elder, had symbolically given him a pendant as a memento.

Alexia explained that this was only normal. Jenkins was almost certainly the future prince consort of the northern kingdom and very likely the next king of Fidektri. It was only natural for Dolores's siblings to make a gesture on his birthday; it would have been stranger if they hadn't.

By the time the three of them returned to St. George Street, it was nearly seven o'clock. As Jenkins stepped out of the carriage, he noticed three cargo carriages parked at his yard gate. A steady stream of servants bustled about, carrying all sorts of items into the house. At the other end of the street, the church's carriage had also arrived with a team of helpers. They showed no surprise at seeing Salsi II's staff, and the two groups quickly merged, working together to prepare for the banquet.

Julia, who was coordinating everything inside, noticed the three of them standing at the gate and immediately came out.

"I've told you before, just call me Jenkins."

Alexia wore a knowing smile, while Dolores winked at her maid. The latter resolutely refused to look the princess in the eye.

"Everything should be ready by about seven-forty. We're making excellent progress."

"That's good. Are Hathaway and Briny at home right now?"

He started to walk toward the house, but Alexia caught his sleeve.

"What do you think you're doing?"

The exceptionally beautiful Alexia tilted her head up to ask.

"Going home, of course," Jenkins replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Aren't you going to pick up Miss Hersha and Miss Mikhail?"

Under Alexia's scrutinizing gaze, understanding finally dawned on Jenkins.

"Right, right. My head is all muddled."

He tapped his forehead and turned to ask the driver who had brought them to wait.

"You two head inside first. I'll be back soon."

He lifted the cat from his shoulder, intending to set it on the ground.

"Wait for me at home."

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To everyone's surprise, Chocolate actually agreed. It stood on the little path in the yard instead of pouncing on Jenkins, simply staring at him with its wide eyes.

Remembering the "gift" Chocolate had brought him that morning, Jenkins felt that his cat's intelligence had taken another great leap forward. It had become much more sensible, and he was deeply gratified.

"Keep the windows and doors shut later, and don't let Chocolate run around."

He instructed Julia, though he was really just worried that his cat might get lost while he was gone.

He went on to pick up Briny and Hathaway, both of whom were dressed in their finest and waiting for him. The two ladies had prepared early, just anticipating his arrival. Of course, both suspected that coming to get them hadn't been his own idea, but seeing as he was reasonably on time and it was his birthday, the girls were particularly considerate.