Chapter 1883: Chapter 1883

Papa Oliver was starting to look agitated, so Jenkins, as agreed, led his companions out of the antique shop. There was no more useful information to be found there.

The rain was still coming down outside, but fortunately, they could make use of the umbrellas left behind by the three dead men.

"Why would a world where I don't exist affect you so profoundly?"

As they walked down the street, Magic Miss asked Jenkins, her curiosity piqued:

"Let's put Miss Windsor aside for a moment. While her transformation is significant—becoming the queen of this country—it's still within the realm of possibility when you think about it. But for you to fall from a Saint Son of the Orthodox Church to a wanted heretic... that's a drastic change, isn't it? Could it be that my fate plays a pivotal role in the grand narrative of this world?"

She was likely overthinking it, but Jenkins neither refuted her point nor continued the conversation.

"We can discuss that later. For now, 'I' am dead, and you don't exist. Our next step is to meet with 'Her Majesty Windsor.' If that still doesn't fulfill the conditions for us to leave, we'll head to my family's home on Maidenhaven Road to search for clues."

He said, though he suspected the key clue still lay with 'Her Majesty Windsor'.

He directed his proposal to the two women. Magic Miss had no objections; she was thoroughly excited and pleased with this Mysterious Realm, especially since it appeared to be one of low danger. Miss Windsor, however, trailed behind them with her head bowed, remaining silent.

He called out her name, but still received no answer. He tried a different approach:

Miss Windsor looked up from under her umbrella as if startled from a dream. Jenkins noticed her eyes were rimmed with red.

"It's all right. Everything here is an illusion, just one of many possibilities. Look, I didn't hesitate for a second when I killed 'myself.' The Queen Isabella who died here wasn't the real Queen Isabella, and the Queen Windsor here isn't the real Jessica Windsor. There's no need to grieve over it."

"She hasn't been through as much as you have," Magic Miss interjected. "And you may not have noticed, but this world is affecting us, blurring the line between what's real and what's false."

Magic Miss slowed her pace to walk alongside Miss Windsor.

"Jenkins and I are here," she said gently. "Whatever happens, we'll handle it. You don't have to focus on what's going on. Just think of it as a dream."

"I could never kill her, no matter what."

Miss Windsor murmured to herself as if she hadn't heard a word. Magic Miss gave Jenkins, who was standing in the rain, a troubled look.

"It seems the Mysterious Realm is affecting her more deeply than either of us. There's no other choice. You need to give her some kind of mental shock to snap her out of it. Otherwise, I'm afraid she'll completely break down when we meet the current queen."

"What kind of mental shock?"

"You know what I mean."

Magic Miss held her umbrella with one hand, covering her mouth with the other as she let out a soft laugh, her expression turning suggestive.

Jenkins opened his mouth to object but knew it was probably necessary. Time was short, so he didn't hesitate. He walked over to Miss Windsor, placed a hand on her shoulder, and lowered his head to meet her gaze.

Miss Windsor, her eyes dazed, finally registered their proximity. A deep blush spread across her face. Her gaze filled with panic, she bit her lip, and then, facing Jenkins, she squeezed her eyes shut.

he whispered, slowly closing his own eyes. Then, two bands of silver light, visible only to him, began to swirl around him like a rushing river.

Instead of snapping his fingers, he simply blew softly. Miss Windsor felt a warm puff of air on her forehead as a fine, silver dust, like starlight, drifted into her mind.

Jenkins stepped back slowly. He watched as Miss Windsor's eyes flew open. Her gaze was vacant for a few seconds before she suddenly dropped her umbrella, losing all composure, and buried her face in her hands.

Magic Miss hurried over, picking up the fallen umbrella to shield her from the rain. She didn't forget to glance back at Jenkins, a question in her eyes.

Then, she added quietly, her voice barely audible over the rain:

"I meant you should kiss her."

"Of course I knew what you meant, but am I that kind of person? As for what I did... have you ever heard of an ability called [Knowledge Bestowal]?"

"I've heard of it... What did you show her?"

Magic Miss felt she had already gone above and beyond for her employer.

"You'll never get the answer out of me."

Jenkins declared, shaking his head firmly.

Magic Miss narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before turning her gaze to Miss Windsor, hoping to get the answer from her instead.

"On the honor of House Windsor, I can assure you, you are destined to learn nothing."

Her face beet red, Miss Windsor snatched the umbrella and strode forward, determined to hide her expression from them. Jenkins quickly followed, and after a slight delay, Magic Miss trailed behind, her eyes fixed on Jenkins's back, a thoughtful expression on her face.

In this world of possibilities, Bel Diran was still the capital of the Fidektri Kingdom, but as it happened, Queen Windsor was currently visiting Nolan. Jenkins had just read about it in the newspaper, which was why he'd suggested meeting her.

The star of destiny was nowhere to be seen in the sky, and the coming apocalypse was still nothing more than a rumor. Consequently, there were no Church Enchanters guarding or monitoring the royal family.

This made it much easier for the three of them to slip in. Her Majesty Jessica Windsor was currently staying in the very same residence Queen Isabella used in their reality.

Nolan, in this world of possibilities, was experiencing an ordinary rainy afternoon. Inside the study of the royal residence, Jenkins quietly shut the door and looked up. Dressed in a magnificent gown, Queen Windsor stood by the window, a look of panic on her face.

The window was sealed shut; no amount of pounding would open it. Nearby, Magic Miss and Miss Windsor stood side by side. Magic Miss had her right index and middle fingers crossed—a sign she was using a spell to ensure they would not be disturbed.

Even with a different trajectory of fate, Queen Windsor was still, at her core, Miss Windsor. Her personality remained strong and brave, unlike the stark contrast between the two versions of Jenkins.

Queen Windsor directed her question to the three strangers. Her right hand hung at her side, adorned with a large royal signet ring. Her left rested on the windowsill in a posture that seemed casual, but to Miss Windsor, it was a clear attempt to mask her nervousness.

Looking at this stranger with such a familiar face, all three felt a sense of wonder. This was different from the other 'Jenkins.' One glance at him had been enough to know he was absolutely not the man they knew. But the queen standing before them shared so many similarities with their Miss Windsor.

"We're nobody important," Jenkins said. "We'll ask a few questions, and then we'll be on our way. As you can see, we are all Enchanters, so don't expect anyone to come to your rescue."

"Enchanters? How dare you? The High Tower Accord..."

After becoming queen, she had taken the initiative to contact the Church and had been informed of the restrictions the High Tower Accord placed on all Enchanters.

"The High Tower Accord? Oh, that's certainly a factor," Jenkins said, "but we have no intention of harming you. Provided you answer our questions."

This isn't the real world, and we won't be staying long, Jenkins thought, so there's no need to worry about the High Tower Accord.

"What is it you want to ask?"

Queen Windsor asked, her fine brows furrowing.

Jenkins glanced at Miss Windsor, gesturing for her to take the lead. Only you can truly know yourself, he reasoned. It would be more effective if she asked the questions.

"Why did you want to become this country's queen?"

Miss Windsor understood Jenkins's gesture and posed the question.

"I was destined to be queen. I was born to rule. Is there anyone here more qualified than I?"

She lifted her chin, her snow-white neck undeniably beautiful.

Jenkins remained stone-faced, while Magic Miss wore an amused smile. To an ordinary person, Queen Windsor's words would certainly sound... interesting.

"Then, how did Queen Isabella die?"

"She had an accident. A fall down the stairs."

She answered almost without hesitation, her response matching the official story from Papa Oliver. But she had shifted her posture, crossing her arms over her chest—a defensive gesture, Miss Windsor noted.

Jenkins stated flatly.

"You can choose not to believe it, but that's the only answer you're getting."

The queen, still in her ball gown, looked entirely unconcerned.

"We would rather not resort to crueler methods, so please, cooperate with us." Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel[f]ire.net

Magic Miss offered, seeing an opening. It wasn't exactly a threat; she was simply casting herself in the role of the heavy.

"Oh? And how do you plan to deal with me?"

the young, beautiful queen asked. She kept her arms crossed, the slender, pale index finger of her ringed right hand tapping a steady rhythm against her left arm. Her expression was relaxed, almost a smile. All in all, she appeared perfectly composed.

"I know what you're afraid of. I know what you worry about. And I know what you fear most of all."

"Is that right? Are you suggesting you'll have this gentleman here... violate me?"

She finished with a slight smile in Jenkins's direction.

Jenkins remained silent. Miss Windsor glanced at him, saw his impassive, almost placid expression, and then quietly asked the queen:

"Since you know we're Enchanters, aren't you worried we might use our abilities to summon the dead? To bring back... Herlo Sophie?"

Magic Miss immediately shot a look at Jenkins, clearly hoping for an explanation, but Jenkins didn't know the name either. It was the first time he'd ever heard it.