Chapter 1893: Chapter 1893

"Do you want to know what my life was like in a world without you?"

Queen Windsor asked, her gaze meeting Jenkins's in the mirror once more. When he remained silent, she chuckled softly and continued on her own.

"My life was quite tragic, you see. Queen Isabella killed my parents and raised me as her successor. Without you, for reasons unknown, the great entity beneath Nolan awakened far too soon, bringing the cataclysm with it. Last autumn, Queen Isabella died a horrible death during an uprising of Cursed Items. That incident gave me a clue, which led me to a meeting with the 'Great Wisdom' under Nolan. And then... I died."

Jenkins continued to draw the ivory comb through her hair, feeling her body heat and vitality. Queen Windsor was undoubtedly alive, at least for the moment. But her words made him notice something strange, an irregularity in her heartbeat.

"'Great Wisdom' found me useful, so it resurrected me using a corrupted Bestowal called the 'Mechanical Heart.' It never imagined, however, that I was the only one who knew this world's secrets. In the end, it was I who used the Mechanical Heart to place some limitations on it. After returning to the surface, I inherited the throne and became queen, but I've been tormented by the pain in my heart every day and night since..."

She reached up, pressing a hand to her left breast. Though Jenkins stood behind her, his height gave him a clear view over her shoulder.

"All of this comes from my memories. So, while I have a complete recollection and all the accompanying emotions, from a practical standpoint, these events are as unreal as a story's backstory. How do you suppose I feel about that?"

Jenkins asked, genuinely unsure of what else to say.

"It still aches, even now. Pain? Yes, I have every reason to be in pain. Whether in this current reality or just in my memories, my spirit and my body have both suffered terrible blows. Of course I'm in pain."

"So, in this fleeting 'reality,' you kidnapped my friends to get me here. Are you hoping I'll take you back to the real world?"

For the first time since their conversation began, Queen Windsor didn't reply immediately. She continued to watch him in the mirror, her eyes holding an expression that unsettled him.

It wasn't a fierce look, but one of condemnation, as if she were staring at a faithless lover. He quickly replayed their conversation in his mind but couldn't recall saying anything amiss.

"You will take me with you. It won't be because I ask. You will be the one to invite me."

"Because the Dark Soul needs to awaken."

She spoke of something Jenkins had never told a soul.

"I don't know your relationship with the real Jessica Windsor. Are you husband and wife? Lovers? Perhaps you've never even met. But as long as she exists, she is destined to be the host of the Dark Soul. That is my fate. For the Dark Soul to awaken, its host must, in a moment of utter agony, fuel the King Soul with her own malice and dark thoughts, igniting its black flame. But the Windsor you know could never do that. And you would never allow her to suffer so."

"And you know what kind of man I am?"

"Of course not. My memories only told me that you were missing from this world, not what kind of person you were. But I imagine you must be a good man. Otherwise, you wouldn't be combing my hair right now—you'd be choking the life out of me."

Jenkins wouldn't have called himself a good man, but he had to agree with her logic.

"What does taking you with me have to do with the Dark Soul?"

"Since you can't bear to watch your Windsor suffer unimaginable pain, the Dark Soul can't be awakened using her dark thoughts as fuel. But there's another way. A way no one has ever considered."

"Fusing multiple Dark Souls can also make the black flames roar to life. That way, the host only needs to provide a sliver of malice, and the King Soul can be fully forged. And as it happens, I believe my malice is more than sufficient. The real Windsor won't have to suffer my fate."

Jenkins paused his combing once more. The idea sounded... plausible.

"I've never tried it, of course—I could hardly find a second Dark Soul. But it's worth a shot, don't you think? Now, don't stop. Continue combing."

"So you're saying I must take you with me?"

"Not 'must.' I won't force you; the choice is yours. But I should warn you, my coming with you isn't a given either. You need to do something for me first."

"...You don't want to go to reality?"

"No, of course I do. But I'm not some helpless woman who needs to cling to a man. Consider this a partnership, not me begging for your help. Do you understand?"

Her personality was identical to Miss Windsor's—independent and strong, a trait Jenkins deeply admired. He understood her perspective. To this queen, Jenkins Williams was a complete stranger, so it was only natural for her to test his resolve.

Otherwise, this sudden familiarity would have been far too strange.

"So you've accepted that I'm coming with you?"

Jenkins didn't answer. Queen Windsor smiled and leaned back slightly, her body resting against his, making it impossible for him to continue combing her hair.

"That's a lovely silver bracelet."

Queen Windsor added when Jenkins still said nothing. The bracelet was an artifact for temporarily containing divinity, and he couldn't tell if her comment was intentional or just a casual observation.

"I consider myself a rational man. Logically speaking, taking you with me is an excellent idea."

Emotionally, he felt the same way. But first, he needed to confirm that Miss Windsor and Magic Miss were unharmed. He also needed to be certain the woman leaning against him wasn't being mentally controlled by the Difference Engine.

"It's not just because of the Dark Soul. I believe what you know about the Difference Engine would also be valuable to me."

"I actually don't know that much." Google seaʀᴄh N0velFire.ɴet

"That's fine. Even a little information would be incredibly valuable."

"So, you're set on taking me with you?"

Queen Windsor asked, then added:

"Don't worry about how. I've already figured out a way to leave. I can even promise that once we're in the real world, I'll follow your lead. We can even seal it with a soul contract to be sure."

"Let me see my friends, and then tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"Your friends are in no danger. But before you see them, you need to do what I ask."

Since she could genuinely help him, Jenkins felt no reluctance to do something for her in return. He respected a fair trade, especially when it seemed he was getting the better end of the bargain.

"I need to be sure you won't abandon me. I need to be sure I can always stay by your side. I need to be sure I won't be treated like trash and thrown away once I'm no longer of use to you."

"I'm not that kind of person... Very well. I suppose you don't know me. How can I earn your trust? Do you need me to complete some difficult quest? Or kill a powerful enemy for you?"

"No. Completing a quest would prove nothing, and killing an enemy would only prove you're powerful. I want you to promise me... that you will marry the real Jessica Windsor."

Jenkins felt he should feign surprise, but he wasn't surprised at all. He just smiled.

"Let's set aside the implications for a moment. You may not know this, but I am already engaged. That is a vow I will not break. Besides, if I were to break my previous vow for you, how could you possibly trust any promise I make now?"

He was already dangerously close to becoming a cad in matters of the heart; he couldn't afford another misstep.

"A fair point. In that case, I want Jessica Windsor to become your mistress."

Her tone was flippant, as if she were discussing the weather.

"That's also impossible. I'm a man of integrity."

"Do you know Jessica Windsor?"

"What is your relationship with her?"

"She's an important partner. A friend."

He recalled his recent conversation with Miss Windsor, and his tone faltered.

"Jenkins, it seems your romantic life is quite complicated."

Queen Windsor scoffed, leaning against him again and tilting her head back to look up into his face. It was the first time he had met 'Miss Windsor's' gaze from this angle, and he had to admit she was a beautiful woman.

"I know myself quite well, so I can guess what your story with her is like. That poor Windsor... she truly is unlucky."

Jenkins struggled to keep his expression neutral. Queen Windsor gave another small laugh, then straightened up, pulling away from him only to grab his hand and draw it toward her chest.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm helping you confirm that I am really me, not 'Great Wisdom.' I'm sure you've been doubting it. I want you to touch my heart, to feel the 'Mechanical Heart' for yourself. Don't worry. As long as the heart itself remains intact, I won't be harmed, even if your hand pierces right through my chest."

Jenkins snapped, pulling his hand away with a cold snort.

"Such a gentle soul."

Jenkins ignored her, summoning the iron-gray book with a flick of his wrist.

Queen Windsor murmured, watching in the mirror as Jenkins held the book in his left hand and placed his right upon her shoulder.