Chapter 2061: Chapter 2061
By the time Jenkins entered the photography room with Chocolate, Hathaway, Briny, Alexia, Dolores, Julia, Sigrid, and Jessica were already waiting. They were dressed in elegant, long gowns of various colors, their meticulously styled hair adorned with an assortment of accessories. Each wore light makeup and delicate lace gloves. While not excessively lavish, it was clear they had all prepared with great care.
They must have coordinated their styles, because they looked perfectly harmonious standing together.
“I think I know why none of them showed up for the speech.”
Upon seeing Jenkins enter with the cat, the ladies paused their conversation and turned to him with warm smiles.
The room had been completely cleared of its usual furniture; even the oil paintings had been taken down from the walls, and the entire space was meticulously cleaned. The heavy curtains were drawn, leaving the overhead chandelier as the sole source of light.
The floor was carpeted, and in the center of the room sat a small, fabric-covered sofa, just large enough for two. Opposite it, an elderly photographer and his assistant had set up a camera and flash apparatus, and they were now hunched over, making their final adjustments.
Papa Oliver, Mary, and Bishop Parrold were also present, directing a group of nuns as they selected a decorative oil painting to hang on the wall that would serve as the backdrop.
“Why is there only one sofa? It won’t be enough for everyone.”
Papa Oliver explained. Then, as if intentionally trying to gauge his reaction, his mother, Mary Williams, posed a truly perilous question: Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs NoveIＦire.net
“You and one of the ladies will be seated, while the others stand around you. That will create a fuller, more balanced composition and look much more like a proper family portrait.”
Jenkins pictured it—himself in a formal suit, surrounded by the ladies in their beautiful gowns—and had to admit it would make for an excellent photograph. The fatal flaw in the plan, however, was that he had to choose only one of them to sit beside him.
And if he even dared to suggest that Chocolate could take the empty seat, he was certain at least a third of the women in the room would tear him to shreds.
“A little more... move it to the right.”
Only Bishop Parrold remained apart from the conversation, the elderly clergyman looking unusually spirited. Jenkins had already decided that since they were going to all this trouble, he wouldn't stop at just one photo. After the main family portrait, he planned to take a few others, including one of just himself and the Bishop.
Despite the lack of natural light, the combined glow of the gas lamps and candles was enough to lend a vivid quality to the scene. Soon, the photographer had positioned the ancient, cumbersome metal camera and gestured for His Majesty the King to take his seat.
“You have to choose yourself.”
Jenkins looked up, about to speak, but Alexia interjected before he could. All eyes were on him, and even the cat perched on his shoulder seemed to be watching his predicament with smug amusement, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
He managed a weak smile as he looked at the women before him, all of whom cared for him deeply.
Without a moment's hesitation, he pointed.
“Let's have Hathaway sit beside me.”
He offered no explanation, and no one asked for one. The red-haired Hathaway seemed about to refuse, but Briny immediately pushed her down onto the right side of the sofa—a surprising feat, considering Hathaway's strength would normally have made that impossible.
“This is our family's very first portrait together. How can you not take it more seriously?”
After seating Hathaway, Briny stepped forward and adjusted Jenkins's slightly askew bow tie.
“He's always . I'd wager he spent less time getting himself ready than he did grooming Chocolate.”
“If we'd known, we should have just sent Julia to help Jenkins get dressed.”
“Actually, I did go to his room before I came here, but when I knocked, Jenkins told me he didn't need my help.”
“Well, at least now we know for next time. Before any event , we absolutely must send someone to help Jenkins get ready. Just look at him—his hair isn't even combed properly.”
Jessica pointed out. Jenkins instinctively reached for a comb, but Sigrid had already produced one.
“Here, let me,” she offered. “If I leave it to you, who knows what kind of mess you'll make of it.”
“You see, Mary?” Bishop Parrold remarked to her. “You and Robert are always worrying that Jenkins will never grow up, but look at him now. He has so many people to take care of him.”
Bishop Parrold said this to Mary, who was watching Jenkins interact with the young women around him.
“I always knew another woman would steal my son away one day, but I never imagined it would be a whole crowd of them... Papa Oliver, what in the world have you been teaching him this past year?”
Shortly after Jenkins began working at the antique shop, he had moved out of the family home on Maidenhaven Road, which was why Mary credited Papa Oliver with her son's transformation.
“I'm just as baffled as you are about what I taught him... Perhaps he just picked it all up himself.”
Papa Oliver staunchly refused to take any responsibility for the current state of affairs.
Jenkins took his seat on the left side of the sofa, with the red-haired Hathaway on his right. Taking their respective heights into account, Alexia stood beside Jenkins while the younger Dolores stood next to Hathaway. Behind the sofa, Sigrid, Briny, and Jessica arranged themselves, with Sigrid positioned behind Jenkins, Jessica behind Hathaway, and Briny standing between them, right in the center of the frame.
As for Julia, the maid, Jenkins had initially suggested she stand behind Sigrid, as her height would prevent her from being obscured. However, Julia insisted on remaining close to Dolores, and after a brief consultation with the photographer, she took her place directly behind the princess.