"We just want to know when we can leave. We have theater plans tonight, and we can't afford to be late."
The mayor's platitudes were not well-received by everyone. The young ladies began to complain about their restricted movent.
"The streets around City Hall are still being inspected for any remaining danger, but it will be over soon. Would you care for so tea and snacks? We have so prepared. Please, be patient."
The mayor himself was helpless. He was, at least in na, the highest official in Bel Diran. If not for the extraordinary status of this group, his superiors would never have forced him into such a deaning role.
His sowhat subservient attitude wasn't for the young ladies themselves, but for their families. While no one was hurt, failing to show the proper deference could still result in soone taking the fall. The temporary loss of one man's dignity was a worthy trade to prevent a crowd of people from losing their jobs.
From the eting room window, they could see the streets below cordoned off by the Bel Diran police. The lockdown would likely last for at least another hour. Fortunately, the young ladies were reasonable. Despite their frustration, they understood that safety was paramount. After thanking the mayor for checking on them personally, they requested so books and playing cards and settled in to wait for the situation to resolve.
The mayor wasn't the only one to visit. As Jenkins, Hathaway, and Briny were discussing the identity of the assailants, there was another knock on the door. This ti, an old man in a formal suit, leaning on a cane, entered the room.
"Duke Douglas Gerrod!"
Upon seeing the newcor, nearly everyone in the eting room rose stiffly to their feet. Jenkins recognized the old gentleman. He was the Queen's personal steward, having served the royal family for nearly twenty years since the last king's passing, and was Her Majesty's most trusted confidant. Jenkins had t him several tis; it was this very man who had traveled from Bel Diran to Pops Antique Shop in Nolan to bestow upon Jenkins his title of Baron on the Queen's behalf.
His appearance here was truly astonishing, which was why the group had stood to show their respect. The duke, like a kindly neighborhood grandfather, greeted each person familiarly. He knew all their nas and was well-acquainted with their family backgrounds, which left the young ladies feeling both surprised and flattered.
"It has been a while, Baron Williams."
Since Jenkins was standing at the back of the room, he was the last to greet the old duke.
"It has been a while, Your Grace. It is wonderful to see you again, and in good health."
Jenkins responded with standard social etiquette. He then saw the duke remove his glove and extend his hand, so he took it. He was the only one the duke shook hands with, and he wasn't sure if it was because of his gender or his status.
As their hands clasped, Jenkins felt a folded note in the duke's palm. A jolt went through him, but he remained outwardly calm as he shook the duke's hand. When he pulled his hand back, the note was his.
After the duke finished his visit and left, Jenkins announced he was going to the washroom and also departed. But instead of turning left, he walked straight to the door across the hall.
The stern-faced guards nodded at him, then pulled open the door to let him in.
The duke was sitting inside, waiting for him.
Judging by the plaque on the door, the room was the office of Bel Diran's Director for the Departnt of Environntal Protection, but right now, the duke was the only one inside. Seeing Jenkins arrive, he gave him a kind nod and gestured for him to join him on the sofa.
"About what happened earlier... those n entered the country from Cheslan a week ago."
There were no false pleasantries or greetings; the duke imdiately began discussing the day's events.
"What does that have to do with ?"
"I know that you already know."
The duke looked into Jenkins's eyes as he spoke. The old man's eyes were sowhat clouded, making Jenkins's reflection in them seem as illusory as a shadow.
"And what is it you think I know?"
"You know what I'm talking about, Mr. Williams."
The duke no longer addressed Jenkins as Baron. Seeing that Jenkins had fallen silent, he continued:
"Just as our own country has factions with different views on the war, Cheslan has its own internal disagreents. And the internal conflicts of those southerners are even more intense than our own."
Jenkins understood this assessnt. The Kingdom of Cheslan was the least advanced of the three major human kingdoms in terms of steam industrialization and modernization. It wasn't just the coexistence of feudalism and capitalism; certain forms of slavery openly existed in the kingdom's southern provinces and overseas islands.
Although the Fidektri Kingdom, facing a royal succession crisis, seed rife with conflict, Cheslan was actually the real powder keg, ready to explode at any mont. If that weren't the case, Cheslan wouldn't have responded so quickly after Fidektri's unilateral declaration of war. To so extent, both sides were hoping to divert attention from their dostic problems.
"The current king of Cheslan's royal family, the Alecios, is a weak and incompetent fellow. Power in the country has essentially been usurped by old-guard nobles and newly rich rchants who manipulate the parliantary seats. Unfortunately for them, King Tackwen the Proud has no desire to fight us, so he secretly sent his own envoy..."
"I see," Jenkins said. "So today's attackers were sent by factions opposed to the king's decision, their goal being to intercept the envoy. It seems we were caught in the crossfire. But are the internal conflicts in Cheslan really that severe? The king they call 'the Proud' would resort to such thods to end the war? Is he that much of a figurehead?"
Jenkins asked. The cat lying in his lap owed, wanting him to stroke its back.
"I'm impressed by how quickly you've grasped the situation."
"But... I'm sorry, I still don't understand what this has to do with ."
Jenkins was telling the truth. For now, he was rely an unrecognized heir. These political storms had nothing to do with him, at least not yet.
"Tackwen the Proud has had enough of the current state of affairs. He is eager to make a change, a change that will ripple through the entire world. Mr. Williams, you are right that this has nothing to do with you. This conversation is not one I sought out, but one Her Majesty wished to have with you."
The duke paused to let Jenkins digest what he had heard before continuing:
"Before you et with Her Majesty, we wanted to know if you possess basic political sense. We also hoped you might understand a bit about the international situation and its conflicts. This incident happened to provide the perfect opportunity, so I ca directly. As it turns out, this conversation may not have any practical outco, but it has demonstrated that while you may lack formal training and experience, you are, at the very least, a clever man."
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