Chapter 1808: Chapter 1808

"Yes, if elves exist, then it's certainly not strange for dragons to exist as well."

Queen Isabella murmured to herself, one hand gripping the armrest of the sofa. Jenkins, meanwhile, tilted his head to look at the men and women in the ballroom:

"This world is bigger and more wondrous than you imagine. The creatures and tales from myths, legends, even bedtime stories... they might all be real."

"In that case, are the stories in your 'Stranger's Story Collection' also true?"

"No, those stories are fiction. Purely fiction."

He said in a low voice, then turned back to Queen Isabella:

"I may not like you, but you don't need to worry about me using an Enchanter's power to retaliate. I'm not like you. This world is dangerous, but for ordinary people like yourself, the chances of encountering peril are far lower than ours, as long as you don't go seeking out the extraordinary and the mysterious."

The old woman didn't respond immediately. Instead, she lowered her head in thought, her fingers tracing the ring on her hand.

So Jenkins got up to find a fruit platter. When he sat back down, Chocolate was already clutching a small slice of apple in its little paws, nibbling away.

The old woman asked suddenly. The proposal she referred to was from their conversation on the first night of the month. After Jenkins had finished his battle with the cultist wielding the Storm's Wrath, he had rested and changed at her residence. It was then that Queen Isabella had made a "concession," promising that if Jenkins agreed to let Miss Windsor take the throne, then in twenty years, the country would be his to do with as he pleased, with no one to oppose him.

"Ah, that. I asked Dolores for her opinion. She said she'd still rather marry a king; anything else would be unbecoming of her status as a queen."

This was a lie, of course. In truth, Miss Windsor herself had refused.

"Is Salsi II truly willing to give away the kingdom his ancestors passed down as a dowry for that princess?"

"You can ask him yourself."

Jenkins didn't answer directly.

Salsi II had come, but due to his poor health, he hadn't lingered long in the main ballroom on the first floor or in the gardens. He was currently in a lounge on the second floor, accompanied by Dolores and his attendants, discussing matters with someone. So, Jenkins's suggestion for Queen Isabella to ask him herself was not an unreasonable request.

"Perhaps I can concede one more step."

the old woman added, looking up at Jenkins.

"Oh? And how will you do that? Reduce the term from twenty years to ten? What would be the point?"

Jenkins shook his head dismissively.

"Jenkins, I know you're a strange man. You don't crave power like other young nobles your age. Simply shortening the term won't interest you, I'm sure. So how about I add something else to the offer? If you accept my terms, I can leave my entire inheritance to you."

"Neither Miss Windsor nor Sigrid wanted it. Why do you think I would?"

"Do you have any idea just how much my fortune is worth?"

Of course, Jenkins didn't know, so the old woman handed him a list. It had been prepared in advance; after all, no one walks around carrying a list of all their assets.

Looking at the real estate and various shares alone, it was indeed a staggering sum. But more importantly, Queen Isabella actually held controlling interests in many of the country's second-tier steam companies. These were not royal assets, but private property, unprotected by the Royal Property Act designed to prevent the loss of the crown's wealth. She truly had the right to decide who would inherit them.

"Where did you get so many Gold Pounds and shares?"

Jenkins asked after he finished reading.

"I've been on this throne for nearly half a century. And in our country, the monarch is the true ruler. Are you so surprised by my assets? You'd likely be even more astonished if you learned the extent of the royal family's wealth. So, what do you say? Do you accept?"

Jenkins immediately shook his head.

"Don't be so quick to answer. You can go home and think it over. I know the Church is very keen on reducing emissions from the steam factories. If you were to gain control of the country's many smaller steam companies from me, and combine that with the new Tri-Kingdom Joint Emissions Reduction Act that was just announced today, the Church's plans would proceed much more smoothly, wouldn't they? Besides, the Tri-King Summit isn't over yet. If you agree to my terms, I will use my full influence to support the passage of a stricter Air Protection Act. After all, I did promise to announce my successor after the summit concludes."

Jenkins still showed no reaction, but after he left, he mentioned the matter to the ladies. Alexia told him to consider it for himself, while Miss Windsor stated that she would not become the next queen.

Jenkins thought it over but still had no intention of accepting the offer. His own preparations were already complete; there was no need to complicate matters.

The main purpose of the reception was to formalize the major achievements of the Tri-King Summit on paper. It also served as a declaration to the world that the Hamparvo Kingdom and the Fidektri Kingdom had always been friends of Cheslan. Therefore, following the previous king's mysterious death, both kingdoms were resolved to avenge Tackwen the Proud.

Queen Isabella and Salsi II publicly announced their recognition of Tackwen's second son as the next king of Cheslan. At the same time, the young heir produced a final letter left to him by Tackwen before his death, declaring himself the true king of Cheslan and the puppet king currently in the country as nothing more than an illegal usurper.

One could imagine that this major news from the reception would soon spread across the world. What kind of reactions it would provoke was not something Jenkins needed to concern himself with at the moment.

He had important things to do after the reception. Meeting with the followers of the God of Music and their allies was his top priority.

He first escorted the ladies home. Using the excuse that he had something to discuss with Miss Windsor, he rode in her carriage and saw her back to her own residence. Afterward, he quietly asked Silver Flute Miss, who was serving as Miss Windsor's bodyguard, how Hooded Man's right hand was healing. The situation was not optimistic. The mechanist who had helped Hooded Man last time was unwilling to assist again, so he had to find another reliable doctor.

The music followers and Jenkins had arranged to meet at the Royal Opera House. Although it was a crowded public venue, the women were mostly musicians of high status, making the opera house practically their home turf.

The meeting place was Performance Hall Number Five. It was a small hall used only for private performances and was rarely open to the public, which made it a perfectly suitable location.

Although the meeting was scheduled for seven-thirty, when Jenkins arrived at seven o'clock, the four leaders of the music followers who had invited him were already present: "Archbishop" Lydia Bernreuter; "The Composer of the Score" Briley Harms; the west coast liaison, Miss Skylark, Hathaway; and the east coast liaison, Miss Stevel. Chapters fırst released on NoveI★Fire.net