Chapter 1953: Chapter 1953

Sarlisi II paused. His brow furrowed for a moment, then relaxed. A smile touched his lips, as if he had just thought of something amusing.

He smiled at the woman standing between the two curtains, bathed in the dim sunlight:

"Jenkins isn't just a descendant of the Middleton family, the heir to Fidektri. He is also my daughter's fiancé..."

The lecture hall remained so quiet you could hear a pin drop, but the people within were anything but calm. This was the first time the northern kingdom had announced the marriage of its future heir, and the lucky man was none other than the "prince" of Fidektri.

Even though many had already heard the rumors, hearing Sarlisi II confirm it himself was still astonishing, almost unbelievable. It had profound implications for the future of the human world, and anyone with a bit of sense could foresee the chain of events that would follow.

Royal marriages between the three great kingdoms were not uncommon. However, a union between two members practically guaranteed to inherit their respective thrones was undoubtedly the most significant political event in the material world since the fall of the ancient Sicari Empire.

Sarlisi II's words were not entirely straightforward. No one had officially declared Jenkins the "heir to Fidektri," so by saying this, the king was essentially acknowledging it as fact. At his side, Queen Isabella couldn't help but narrow her eyes.

"Perhaps you'll be dealing with Hamparvo as well," Sarlisi II remarked.

"Then we shall wait and see, Your Majesty. I wish your kingdom success in its treasury reforms."

"Brier Alecio... Your Majesty."

Hearing her say this, the young heir nearly leaped from his chair. No matter what Miss Fabry said next, the designated successor would agree wholeheartedly. To be addressed as "Your Majesty" by a person of such consequence on this particular occasion—Brier Alecio was willing to pay any price to accommodate the lady's every word.

By law, he was indeed the next king of Cheslan, but in reality, the kingdom was in the hands of another faction. He needed recognition—and recognition from someone who mattered.

"I hear your kingdom is suffering from fires? I am sorry to hear that."

"Thank you for your kindness, madam."

His voice trembled unnaturally from excessive excitement, lacking the dignified and approachable tone of the two monarchs who had spoken before him.

"But I believe Cheslan will overcome this disaster. In fact, your kingdom is the most suitable for our activities. After all, of the three great kingdoms, yours is the richest in minerals and natural resources, and it has the highest volume of bulk trade. Perhaps we could first try introducing futures in your country..." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel※fire.net

Casting a wary glance at Jenkins Williams in the shadows, she trailed off.

"Future? What future?"

The young king's Fidektrian was not very good. Of course, even if it were, he wouldn't have understood the word's financial meaning.

"No, it's nothing. I meant to say that although your country's steam industry is not as developed as Fidektri's, it still has great economic potential for the future."

Everyone could tell she was just making a flimsy excuse for her earlier words, but the young heir of the southern kingdom still expressed his gratitude.

Finally, Miss Fabry turned her gaze to Jenkins:

"Williams, do you want to catch me? You can spend your entire life chasing my shadow. That is a right I grant you."

The Jenkins in the shadows said nothing. In truth, he couldn't speak, for he was merely an illusion. The proof was that Chocolate was not on his shoulder, but instead circling the feet of "Miss Fabry."

The dim sunlight gave the black-and-white kitten's fur a golden sheen. It occasionally lifted its head, its lively eyes filled with affection and joy.

This should have been a major point of suspicion. But just as no one questioned why a cat always appeared whenever a Believer of Lies showed up, no one now questioned why Jenkins's cat was so close to a stranger.

Miss Fabry backed toward the window, her eyes fixed on Jenkins. The wind grew stronger, making the billowing curtains rustle loudly. In reality, there was no wind outside; it was an effect Jenkins had arranged with Magic Miss.

"Next time we meet, I'll put on an even more spectacular show."

With that, she leaped toward the window. As if deliberately letting her get away, Jenkins paused for several seconds after she disappeared before moving toward the window himself:

He stuck his head out to look, scooped up the cat from the windowsill, and then turned to the crowd, shaking his head.

His gesture was like flipping a switch. An explosion of noise, like a steam cannon firing, erupted in the lecture hall as a clamor of discussion broke out. Everyone was talking loudly, most unable to even hear their own voices, yet they continued to passionately voice their opinions.

Even the police had no mind to search for Miss Fabry and her accomplices. Everything that had just happened was enough to keep them thinking for a very long time.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Servants filed in, drawing back the curtains and relighting the gas lamps. The sudden brightness made the otherwise plain lecture hall seem dazzlingly brilliant.

Jenkins chose this moment to speak from the lectern, his voice ringing out. He adjusted his bowtie, then placed Chocolate on his shoulder. Only when the cat was on his shoulder did it signify that Jenkins was about to do something important. Chocolate, it seemed, had become his personal trademark.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a proposal!"

His voice was loud and powerful, and his eyes burned as if with an inner fire. The crowd's chatter gradually subsided as all eyes turned to him:

"We have gathered here in Nolan because the three great kingdoms are negotiating to usher in a new era together. That being the case, why not take the banking and treasury reforms mentioned by the Believer of Lies—those new policies that have only been planned on paper—and put them on the negotiating table as well?"

The ensuing whispers indicated that everyone was extremely interested. A few people nodded, but most were waiting to hear what Jenkins would say next: