Lord of The Mysterious Realms Chapter 525
The dinner proceeded without a hint of awkwardness. Earl Hersha was a gracious host, and Jenkins’s conduct was impeccable. Though his etiquette was remarkably refined, with certain traits characteristic of the northern kingdoms, the undeniable air of nobility he carried still won the admiration of both the Earl and his wife.
Aside from Jenkins, the other young people at the table were not expected to participate in the main conversation. After the pleasant, relaxed dinner concluded, Earl Hersha invited Jenkins to his study for a private talk.
Hathaway’s expression was anxious. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but her mother stopped her.
Only after the two men’s figures vanished behind the door did the Countess speak in a gentle voice:
“Hathaway, my dear, at a time , it’s best if you say nothing. That is the wisest thing to do.”
To mark the significance of the evening, the Countess wore the emerald necklace her grandmother had gifted her on her wedding day. This heirloom, passed down exclusively to the women of the family as a dowry, was at least a thousand years old.
“I hope this necklace will be passed on to you, not your sister. That little fool... to this day, she still believes the son of the Khalifa family is genuinely fond of her.”
She said, her words laden with meaning.
“Even the wildest of gamblers knows that betting on both sides never ends well.”
The boy eavesdropping from the side shivered, covering his face as if he hadn’t seen a thing.
“This isn’t betting on both sides, my dear...”
The Countess’s elegant smile didn’t waver in the slightest:
“He has merely foreseen the coming turmoil in the kingdom and is taking precautions to avoid the worst possible outcome.”
“Precautions? No, forgive me, I must have misheard. Are you suggesting... the Queen is dying?”
Jenkins repeated the bombshell, his brow furrowed:
“You have a peculiar sense of humor, my lord. When I saw Her Majesty in Bel Diran just a few weeks ago, she looked perfectly healthy.”
“It’s not exactly a state secret. In fact, a fair number of people are aware of the situation.”
The Earl sat behind his desk, his hands clasped before him on the polished wood. Behind him hung a massive oil portrait of himself, gripping a naval saber, his chest bedecked with medals.
Jenkins nodded and leaned forward. “So, why are you telling me this?”
“Young people today are certainly direct.”
The Earl met Jenkins’s gaze and declared:
“I see the potential for chaos on the horizon, and I want to prepare for the worst. I trust you understand my meaning.”
He shrugged, then crossed one leg and leaned back comfortably in his chair:
“I hope that, should the time come, you will be able to offer your protection to at least one of my sons.”
“I must say, you are even more direct than I am, my lord.”
His fingers drummed against the arm of his chair. Just as Miss Stuart had instructed, he kept his speech measured and deliberate, a clear display of his control over the conversation.
“And what, may I ask, do I get in return?”
He suddenly realized this might be an opportunity.
“You are not as naive as Hathaway believes. How could anyone chosen by the Church of the Righteous God be a simple blank page?”
The Earl sighed, and before Jenkins could speak again, he added:
“But that is precisely what I'm counting on. If I didn’t believe you had the influence to persuade the Church to protect my son when it matters most, why would I have invited you here at such a sensitive time?”
He pulled open a desk drawer and placed a folder of documents on the table:
“These are some of my assets, including...”
“My Lord, I believe we should be more candid with one another.”
Gold pounds were not what Jenkins was after. Besides, accepting such a gift would only give his opponents leverage against him.
The Earl chuckled, not at all surprised, and slid the documents back into the drawer.
“Now I am certain this evening’s dinner has proven worthwhile. Very well. I will consent to Hathaway’s marriage to you.”
Jenkins felt his heart skip a beat. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination—after all, a stopped heart wouldn’t kill him.
The Earl’s study wasn’t as large as he’d imagined. The only source of light was a gas lamp on the wall. It had clearly seen long years of use, for the light it cast was dim and flickering.
Jenkins prayed that in the dim light, the Earl hadn’t noticed the flash of panic on his face, which had lasted less than a second.
“Hathaway belongs to herself. I will not have you use her as a bargaining chip.”
He had finally uttered the sort of line he despised most, straight from a third-rate novel.
“I said the same thing when I was a young man. Though not in such a respectable setting as this. It was in the granary of a small farm, and the subject of our ‘trade’ was the priority right to lease a draft ox for a year.”
Jenkins’s curiosity was piqued; he desperately wanted to hear the rest of the Earl’s story, but this was hardly the right moment to inquire.
“My previous offer still stands. And, in addition, I can promise to open some of my intelligence channels to you.”
This was tantamount to promising cooperation with the Church, as they would naturally be the recipients of this intelligence.
“I appreciate your proposal, but I detest your attitude.”
Jenkins stated bluntly, noting that the Earl’s face still wore that same formulaic smile.
“Now that is the first thing you’ve said that makes me believe you’re actually a young man. But you will agree to my terms, will you not? It is mutually beneficial, and we...”
“I imagine, my esteemed Lord Hersha, that you are aware of the Galvin family, who were recently investigated for connections to a heretical cult.”
Jenkins cut him off, a flagrant breach of etiquette.
He was taken aback, failing to grasp why Jenkins had brought up the subject: Check latest chapters at novᴇlfire.net
“What? Are you suggesting that I will end up like that idiot who provoked you, destined for self-destruction?”
Jenkins shook his head. He wouldn't stoop to such a petty threat.
“Along with their cult activities, a cache of illegal arms was discovered at the Galvin estate. In these sensitive times, anyone connected to that shipment of weapons is in for a world of trouble. I’m sure you’d agree.”
The Earl gave a slight nod.
“You see, I happen to be in possession of some... interesting letters. Oh, no, please, don’t look at me like that, Lord Hersha. I knew you would understand my meaning immediately. How amusing, isn't it? But I do understand. For a man of your military standing, it would almost be a dereliction of duty not to dabble in the arms trade.”