Chapter 1742: Chapter 1742

It was already half-past nine by the time they finished dinner. The table didn't need clearing—someone would handle it in the morning. Seeing it was still early, Jenkins invited everyone to the opera as planned. It was the only part of the evening he had prepared for, right down to checking the program for that night's performance.

Though the idea was a little conventional, everyone happily accepted. By the time the carriage, carrying six people and one cat, had passed back through the gray mist and returned from the Royal Opera House on the city's outskirts, it was already well past eleven.

In just over half an hour, the material world would transition from June to July. Jenkins needed to speed things up to avoid suddenly collapsing in the middle of a conversation with the young ladies. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NovєlFіre.net

Hathaway and Briny were, of course, staying the night on St. George Street; that much was certain. And since Jenkins had promised Salhir II he would see Dolores home, he first had the red-haired and blonde young women, along with Julia, dropped off. He then continued in the carriage, accompanying Alexia and Dolores back to the residence where the northern kingdom's royalty was lodged.

During the ride, Dolores had subtly hinted that she didn't necessarily have to return tonight, but Jenkins pretended not to hear. She then tried a different tack, suggesting that her tutor didn't need to head back either—an idea Jenkins could certainly get behind.

But Alexia gently shook her head at him.

"I have to return to Ruen tonight," she explained. "Now that I've essentially revealed my identity to the Orthodox Church, I can use their name to apply for access to the higher floors of the tower for my research. As it happens, my appointment is scheduled for tonight. Such a shame..."

"Yes, it is a shame."

Jenkins agreed with a touch of regret, glancing down at the cat feigning sleep on his lap. Then he looked back up, puzzled.

He had only been echoing Alexia's sentiment, not fully grasping her meaning.

"Don't you know, Jenkins?"

Dolores, her cheeks slightly flushed, spoke up before her tutor could.

"Don't you know? Hathaway and Miss Briny prepared a wonderful gift for you. I even had Julia prepare one, too."

The princess gave Jenkins a playful wink. The gesture, combined with her flushed cheeks and the dim carriage lighting, made her look utterly charming.

Realization seemed to dawn on him, and he promptly dropped the subject. Alexia watched him with a smile, having expected just this reaction.

"You all... why would you arrange something like that?"

he asked quietly, momentarily at a loss for words.

"It's your birthday, a special occasion. You should be happy," Alexia said, changing the subject. "Tonight was lovely. I think you should take everyone out more often in the future."

Jenkins nodded at once, but Chocolate could feel that the hand stroking its back was distracted. The cat knew instantly that Jenkins was still thinking about the 'gift'.

The cat figured all young men loved birthday presents.

Surprisingly, Salhir II had stayed up, waiting specifically for Dolores's return. Accompanying him was Yani Stuart. The eldest princess smiled at Jenkins as he walked in and reminded him to wipe the fresh lipstick smudge from his cheek.

By the time Jenkins finally rushed home, it was already fifty-six minutes past eleven at night.

He leaped from the carriage, cat in his arms, and dashed into the house. He barely had time to change his shoes, let alone leave his overcoat in the foyer, before rushing upstairs. He threw open his bedroom door, froze for a moment, and then hastily retreated.

he groaned under his breath, his face flushing.

"What are you doing?"

a young woman inside the room asked, a note of displeasure in her voice.

the blonde inquired, perplexed.

Standing outside the door, he shot a quick glance at the pocket watch in his hand. It was Alexia's, meticulously calibrated and exceptionally precise. A minute and a half to midnight. The Month's End Whisper was about to arrive.

"Give me half an hour!"

He recalled how long it had taken the previous month and quickly came up with an excuse.

"I need to use the washroom. Yes, I'll be right back."

He opened the door again, just to reassure them he was alright. Inside his bedroom, the curtains were drawn tight. In the hazy glow of the gas lamp, Hathaway and Briny stood in their nightgowns—one by the desk, the other by the bed.

"Could you watch Chocolate for me for a bit?"

With that, he lifted the cat from his shoulder and gave it a gentle toss. The feline held its relaxed pose in mid-air and landed softly on the bed. By the time its paws touched the sheets, Jenkins had already shut the door, his hurried footsteps echoing down the corridor toward the washroom.

Inside the room, the two young women and the cat exchanged glances.

"Is Jenkins in some kind of trouble? He seems very concerned about the time."

the blonde asked, a hint of confusion in her voice. Hathaway couldn't answer, and the cat simply offered a meow.

A moment later, the door was knocked again, but this time it was Julia. She was wearing the same rather revealing maid's uniform from the other night. The black and white garment, tastefully adorned with beautiful lace, made both Hathaway and Briny's eyes widen in appreciation.

"I thought I heard Jenkins return, so I came over. Her Highness said..."

The young maid's cheeks were bright red.

"He's... preoccupied with something. Let's just wait a bit," Briny suggested. "Let's see... perhaps you could hide in the wardrobe for now."

Briny chuckled at her own suggestion, and soon Hathaway joined in, both of them recalling a similar incident from the past. Chocolate watched them with a look of disdain, yawning widely out of sheer boredom. But then, its small, pricked ears twitched. It shot to its feet, turning abruptly to stare at the bedroom window.

Noticing Chocolate's odd behavior, Hathaway went to the window and parted the curtain with a finger. In the dim light of the night, the gray mist was no longer just quietly drifting through the city.

Farther out, the fog had taken on an abnormal, viscous thickness, making the already faint moonlight appear even more bizarre. A wind seemed to be rising, transforming the city into a strange, almost fantastical landscape within the dense haze. The silent night was oppressive enough on its own, but now, a new force—something that felt capable of breeding terror—was stirring in the depths of the gray mist.

Hathaway couldn't make out what it was, and frankly, she didn't want to. The arrival of midnight seemed to signal that some change was happening again. Before an inexplicable panic could completely overwhelm her, she yanked the curtain shut and took several deep breaths. Only then did she turn to face the concerned expressions of Julia and Briny. Her voice was tinged with regret as she spoke.

"I'm afraid Jenkins won't have time to accept our gifts tonight."