Chapter 1317: Chapter 44: Crown
Still wearing the unchanged tuxedo with a white shirt—a neutral outfit—but unlike the usual simplicity, she now possessed an indescribable beauty… or perhaps, allure.
The released immense power seemed endless… she moved slowly—towards Sir Pukins.
Black light supported her body, and those hollow eyes… seemed to suggest her current state was somewhat abnormal.
Since Lancelot’s power began to release, Sir Pukins felt an unprecedented crisis approaching… even the Holy Grail in his hand couldn’t dispel his unease at this moment.
And she… slowly approached, as if nothing could stand in her way.
Sir Pukins’ gaze slightly narrowed… his eyes scanned the surroundings and then landed on Simpton—after seeing Pukins’ gaze, Simpton didn’t hesitate.
He reacted as if by instinct, abandoning the excellent opportunity to kill Gareth, his figure moved like a bolt of black lightning, picking up the Demonic Sword, and appeared from Lancelot’s front—slashing downward, the Demonic Sword drew a straight trajectory.
Perhaps it was about to cleave Lancelot into two halves!
At this moment, she had no reaction, even with the sword blade ing, no change occurred in her eyes… she merely extended her palm.
It seemed as though a black light violently contracted and expanded in an instant… Simpton, clad in Black Armor, was directly embedded in the air.
As if… transformed from three-dimensional to flat.
The bizarre scene alarmed those remaining—a moment that seemingly outstripped Sir Pukins’ one attack that defeated the renowned Round Table knight in terror.
Because they heard the sound of shattering—like breaking through a fracture.
Simpton’s body fragmented… like something broken upon dropping on the ground, turned into several irregular shards—people, breaking apart directly. Only the Demonic Sword remained, falling to the ground.
“This isn’t… the power of inheritance.”
The Round Table Knights, whether loyal or resistance—had once worked alongside Lancelot—being the only female of the Round Table in contemporary times, her popularity in the Knight Agency was the highest… everyone knew her.
“She truly is Lancelot… and not another Pukins?”
“What are you talking about?!”
“Not sure… it just feels somewhat like.”
The murmurs didn’t halt or alter anything at this moment… the shock from Simpton’s instantaneous death was yet to be processed, and at this time ‘Lancelot’ started moving again.
The target remained… Sir Pukins.
Finally, Sir Pukins’ gaze concentrated intensely… feeling the powerful force surging within his body, under such instinctual threat and fear, he launched a punch.
The terrifying force was unleashed—directly striking ‘Lancelot’.
An invisible screen unfolded before ‘Lancelot’ at this moment—the attack seemed to hit a mirror.
The assault that collided directly, in the next instant, reflected from the side… without diminishing, after reflection, the corner of the hall was obliterated, with a crack extending outside to another building.
Sir Pukins’ gaze abruptly widened slightly… he exhaled heavily and repeatedly launched punches faster than The Clown’s fist.
Dozens of light bombs fired simultaneously from a flat plane… each contained highly destructive power.
Once these dozens of light bombs arrived… the invisible screen unfolded again—perhaps, it was only when this screen appeared, and the fluctuations generated by the impact of light bombs against it, one could glimpse its existence.
But—the light bombs were ultimately repelled.
Boom boom boom boom—!
The rebounded light bombs were chaotically destroying everything—tens, hundreds, even nearly a thousand! The count of light bombs soared, and the speed of launching them frenziedly increased.
Nonetheless, their reflected speed similarly rose at the same pace…
Finally, Sir Pukins stopped his hand… despite his now strong body, such a crazy force, under incessant attacks, he started to feel fatigued.
Nothing was able to halt… ‘Lancelot’ had already moved before Sir Pukins… within arm’s reach!
“I don’t believe it…” Sir Pukins looked down at his own palm, muttering… finally, his face twisted in a grimace, the most hidden, craziest part of his heart was thoroughly provoked!
Holy Grail!
He lifted the Holy Grail in his hand!
Black beams radiated from the Holy Grail… reflecting.
Released beams from the Holy Grail at that moment fell like curves of fireworks in the night sky… continuously bouncing off the unseen screen!
Even the Holy Grail’s power…
“I don’t believe!!”
Initially disbelieving, then panicking… eventually losing his posure.
He was like a child with a weapon, yelling why he can’t defeat the adult before him… the Holy Grail, under his drive, was still launching violent attacks, while he himself retreated step by step during this serial onslaught.
Retreating—until, withdrawing to the first step leading to the throne, he abruptly lost balance, stumbled backward… sitting on the steps—but never halted the Holy Grail’s attack.
“You’re not Lancelot!” Pukins shivered suddenly, “Who are you?!!”
She seemed not to hear, merely extending her hand in a grasping motion… the Holy Grail was seized instantly from Pukins’ grip!
The instant the Holy Grail left his hand, a colossal unease and fear akin to losing half his body swept over Pukins, causing him to lose all reason.
“Give it back to me!! My…!! It’s mine, it’s mine!! It’s mine!!”
As if sensing Pukins’ madness, Mordred’s Holy Armor granted him even greater power… the Holy Armor emitted a dazzling light instantly!
“It’s mine!!!”
The erupting power once again blew everyone away… like a cyclone outside the Wind-Chasing Wolf, countless fragments now swirled up—Pukins attacked her recklessly!
Bang—!!!
Also the feeling of some brilliance expanding and contracting… time seemed to pause on Pukins for a second, when it flowed again… Mordred’s Holy Armor was filled with cracks!
It seemed ready to shatter anytime… Pukins spewed blood, embedding directly into the steps, creating a massive cavity.
But she never paid any attention to Pukins’ existence… when the Holy Grail reached her hand, those hollow eyes only gazed at the Holy Grail.
Chh chh chh chh!
The Holy Grail now began to tremble intensely… like struggling—finally, her already terrifying power was released once more, amplified several times!
Crack—!
A crack abruptly appeared on the bottom of the Holy Grail, then like a thunderous pattern, extended upward—when the crack spread to the rim, the Holy Grail split in two!
“You destroyed it! You destroyed it!! You actually destroyed it!! I won’t let you go!! Never!!”
He seemed to have had his beloved stolen… at the instant the Holy Grail shattered, Sir Pukins had lost control!
But the Holy Grail… was indeed shattered… it fell onto the ground like a worn-out cup—upon falling, the Mage Corps widened their eyes!
This was… a Divine Artifact, akin to the ones secret treasures hidden by their Magician’s Association, directly… smashed.
…
Once the Holy Grail shattered against the ground, ‘Lancelot’ suddenly ceased moving… the immense power over her began to recede at this moment.
Her hair slowly hung down… She too fell from her airborne state to the ground.
As if transitioning from one state to another… the moment she landed, Lancelot collapsed directly onto the ground.
“I won’t let you go!! Lancelot!!”
But Sir Pukins, already out of control, was unable to suppress the anger in his heart! He escaped from the gap in the stairs and launched an angry attack on the fallen Lancelot!
The Holy Grail had vanished… but the power he acquired seemed not to have disappeared!
“Die!”
Pukins’ fist, covered in Holy Armor, struck fiercely towards Lancelot’s head — however, at that moment, when the fist was about to explode Lancelot’s head, something seemed to stop his punch.
It was a spear… or rather, a fragment of a spearhead cut from a gun.
A spearhead about one foot long!
At this moment, this fierce punch was met by a figure holding a partial spearhead, a mysterious figure wrapped in a black robe with a masked face, whose appearance remained unknown!
The black-robed figure blocked Pukins’ attack and suddenly spun around, kicking Pukins in the chest, sending him flying backward!
Who was it?
Dumbfounded, Pukins’ mind was a chaotic mess… time and time again, someone had appeared to obstruct him — the kick didn’t cause actual harm, just the effect of repulsion.
As Pukins stood up once more, his forehead bulged with veins from anger — a piercing scream echoed at this moment!
“Caesar——!!!”
It was Catherine’s scream… she suddenly collapsed to the ground, her eyes staring blankly, her face turning pale, as if she lost her soul… She grabbed her face with both hands, scratching it until it bled.
“Catherine!!”
Ultimately, unable to bear the painful blow, Catherine spat out a mouthful of blood and then collapsed.
“Is it really… Oberon?!”
In the ruins… Gareth and Tresti supported each other, staggering out — their bodies were nearly pushed out of the Royal Hall under the impact of the final explosive force of ‘Lancelot’ and Pukins.
But… when they saw the head held by the black-robed figure, they still couldn’t believe it — just a few hours before, they had fought once with Oberon, deeply understanding Oberon’s formidable strength.
This guy… could injure the perverted Farael!
At this moment, the mysterious black-robed figure directly threw Caesar’s head forcefully — towards Pukins!
Facing the ining Caesar’s head, Pukins reacted almost without hesitation, punching it directly, blowing the entire head to pieces… blood mist surged instantly.
Meanwhile, Catherine, who had just begun to regain consciousness but witnessed this scene, yet again fainted, falling into Judas’ arms.
“Who are you.”
Sensing a threat… yet less terrifying and intense than the peculiar state Lancelot previously exhibited — but at this moment, having lost the Holy Grail, Pukins couldn’t help but bee wary.
So far, the changes that had occurred were beyond his expectations… especially the shattering of the Holy Grail!
The mysterious black-robed figure did not speak, merely picked up the fallen Lancelot from the ground, and slowly walked towards… Her Majesty the Queen.
“What happened to her?”
Far more posed than anyone else, facing this mysterious figure, Her Majesty the Queen displayed no hint of panic — indeed, Bedivere’s shadow guardian summoned for her had already been exhausted in successive impacts.
It can be said, Her Majesty the Queen was truly without any form of protection now… yet she obviously remained pletely unperturbed.
The mysterious figure simply shook its head before handing over Lancelot… then once more turned around, confronting none other than Sir Pukins.
Her Majesty the Queen helped Lancelot to sit down. Feeling Lancelot’s breathing, she relaxed a bit.
“Who is this… Elizabeth, your person?” Sir Pukins frowned.
Since the Holy Grail shattered, his madness seemed to gradually fade away… being calmer.
The Queen slowly stood up and softly said, “Consider this my guardian god… someone who will always protect me.”
“Your guardian?” Sir Pukins furrowed his brow once more, “Ridiculous! If you really had a guardian, the Knight Agency couldn’t possibly have no record… especially such a Non-Human! Elizabeth, do you really think such a lie can deceive anyone?”
Pukins sneered, then looked at the Mage Corps lurking above the sky, always merely observing, silent as snakes ready to strike at any moment, and laughed coldly, “You probably belong to the Magician’s Association, right? The weapon you’re holding, if my guess is correct, is likely one of your Association’s secret treasures from a century ago… the Holy Spear — Longinus, isn’t it?”
The Mysterious Person extended a hand, and the tip of the spear slowly emerged from the robe… seemingly inconspicuous, even rusted.
Yet this seemingly decayed spear tip blocked Pukins’ powerful and angry strike.
“Sir!” Unexpectedly, Steward Aes, who had been quietly observing and leading the Mage Corps, suddenly spoke, “I’m impressed you recognized the Holy Spear at a glance… indeed, it is the prize you’re familiar with. However, regarding its current user, we don’t know either. I can clearly tell you, it’s not someone from the Magician’s Association.”
“Ridiculous… not one of you, not a Spear bearer, do you think your Tower Master would allow an outsider to use it?” Pukins shook his head.
“Suppose it can only be used once.” Steward Aes calmly said, “Suppose the Holy Spear has a magic technique engraved by several Tower Masters, no matter where it falls, it will instantly return to the Masters. Oh… I forgot to mention, this Holy Spear is part of Her Majesty the Queen’s employment contract and was the first to arrive here, so even if I wanted to reclaim it, it’s impossible… of course, the Holy Spear isn’t something just anyone can use, so I’m also curious about what this guardian looks like… perhaps, Sir, you could unveil its mask yourself. I look forward to it.”
Pukins’ face darkened.
The feeling of controlling everything gradually faded away after losing the Holy Grail… when he regained clarity, he couldn’t help but be frightened at how quickly he had fallen under the Grail’s temptation.
Looking around… knights fell one after another, dead, even the Twelve Round Table Knights, now either severely injured or no longer capable of fighting.
Even Simpton, the magic sword user cultivated for quite some time, had died… evidently, these weren’t the outes he desired.
If he couldn’t defeat the mysterious guardian by the Queen’s side, he would face an irreversible fate.
Furthermore… the Mage Corps was watching intently.
But… possessing Mordred’s Holy Armor meant possessing power as strong as Farael.
Even after this victory, he could still regain momentum… his body restored to youth, meaning time reset; he could do more in the future.
The Holy Grail… was merely a path to Non-Human power, already attained — although destroyed, at least it wouldn’t make him lost or a slave devoured by it.
Bittersweet… but clearly not a bad situation.
He took a deep breath, his thoughts pleted in a moment, feeling the surging power, Sir Pukins showed a charming smile, “It seems this is the last obstacle on my path to kingship… no matter, success is always acpanied by challenges… only this way will the final victory taste sweet.”
Pukins moved.
Speed, strength, intensity… all directly surpassed the peak reached by the current generation of Twelve Knights.
The Royal Guardian, as soon as Pukins acted, became a streak of an afterimage… holding the Holy Spear, pletely unafraid of Pukins’ attack.
But ultimately, it wasn’t a true Magician’s Association’s Spear bearer, nor did it understand how to invoke the true power of the Holy Spear… relying only on the Spear’s passive basic abilities.
The Royal Guardian seemed unable to defeat the powerful Sir Pukins… Her Majesty showed a trace of nervousness.
“This really is the last… if it fails, then I can only…” The Queen watched the guardian’s decisive battle, her worry deepening.
“It’s not easy for her too.” Steward Aes whispered to his panion beside him, “Just an ordinary person reaching this point in the Non-Human realm. It’s fitting as the world’s longest-reigning queen.”
The showdown hasn’t stopped.
The battlefield between the Royal Guardian and Pukins moved to the entire sky above Westminster Palace… such a level of confrontation already makes even a magician pay attention.
Steward Aes was already starting to calculate which side to assist… maybe wait for the final oute.
…
“Your strength is formidable, far exceeding Gareth and The Clown,” Sir Pukins said quickly at this time. “But you still have quite the gap pared to me… If it weren’t for the Holy Spear, you wouldn’t have sustained until now.”
The Royal Guardian remained silent, yet his attacks became even more fierce.
Sir Pukins managed to evenly balance each exchange.
Nonetheless, he kept trying to disturb his opponent with words, “Why bee Elizabeth’s guardian? What exactly are you in the royal family? Honestly, you don’t need to follow Elizabeth… She is merely an old, soft-hearted woman. But me! I’m strong now, I possess power! You should ally with me.”
“Old man, how could there be a fine battle without me!”
A burst of crazy laughter suddenly came from outside the Royal Hall. A silhouette swiftly shot into the night sky… Then, glistening cold lights rushed directly toward the Royal Guardian!
The person who suddenly attacked was none other than… The Clown, Dagonet!
He flung flying knives.
The knives cut through the sky and aimed at the vital spots all over the Guardian’s body… Calm in the face of danger, the Guardian wielded the Holy Spear to slice away each flying knife.
“Oh? Dagonet, is it?” Sir Pukins was secretly overjoyed… He hadn’t expected the one who persisted until the end would be this guy.
The Clown now wore a face of exaggerated wailing, quite ical, yet Pukins felt this was rather pleasing!
“Then, together, let’s seize this so-called Royal Guardian!” Sir Pukins laughed heartily, embodying the grandeur of a monarch charging into battle.
“Alright… seize him!”
The chuckling voice from Dagonet turned cold, “… seize you.”
—Seize you…
Sir Pukins, having readied himself to punch, heard the voice behind him… right in his ear.
A flying knife, silently from behind Sir Pukins… pierced him!
Excruciating pain… the agony reverberating from his back made Sir Pukins’ eyes widen greatly… The backstab left him shocked and furious, “Dagonet, you!”
Before Sir Pukins could adapt to this sudden change… The Royal Guardian took a deep breath, directly thrusting the Holy Spear firmly!
Boom—!
It’s as if this strike poured in all of its power; the air momentarily formed a parasol-shaped airflow seen only when breaking the sound barrier!
The spear tip penetrated Sir Pukins’ chest and drove into the earth!
“Why… why… Dagonet you…”
Sir Pukins gazed at the massive wound in his chest, overwhelmed, feeling his mind blank. Suddenly, he remembered a recurring event throughout history… Monarchs often fall to betrayal.
“Because…” The Clown whispered in a voice only he and Sir Pukins could hear, “Elizabeth… is my mother.”
Elizabeth is my mother.
Sir Pukins’s body fell from the sky… Above his vision stood Dagonet looking down… sporting that exaggeratedly mournful face.
He felt as if he was falling into an abyss!
Boom—!
Crashed into the ruins of the Royal Hall!
Ah—!!
Upon impact, a spurt of crimson sprayed from his throat… Sir Pukins painfully stretched out his arms, seemingly grasping for something.
The Royal Guardian and The Clown Dagonet descended slowly, standing at Sir Pukins’s sides.
“I don’t believe it… I don’t believe it…”
Sir Pukins’s body began to tremble violently… the Mordred Holy Armor full of cracks shattered pletely, and the Holy Seal on his chest peeled directly from him.
The Holy Seal now floated quietly as a massive emblem.
His arms began to wither, his previously vigorous body quickly lost vitality… In the blink of an eye, Sir Pukins reverted to being white-haired and elderly, even more so than before.
“My body… my strength… my… my…” He crawled on the ground with difficulty, akin to an old dog.
“Apparently, the estimated time was off, managing to last until now before disappearing…” Dagonet chuckled, “Old man, were you surprised?”
“What have you… done to me…” Sir Pukins couldn’t help but scream.
Mr. Clown waved dismissively: “Not much, just the sphere I gave you previously, containing the souls from the Knight Agency headquarters, didn’t hold Geraint and their souls but simply those collected from a pig farm after slaughter.”
“You actually…”
Dagonet giggled: “I’ve been researching the records of the Holy Grail, and its original appearance effect… I found this thing is convenient yet quite rigid. Though I don’t know the creator’s original intent for it, obviously it’s not for helping humanity’s wishes… It selectively fulfills different types of wishes. Your wish was for an immensely powerful physique, strength akin to Farael, and Mordred’s Holy Armor… You had too many wishes, the Holy Grail’s simple-minded thinking can’t satisfy them. Nonetheless, it will loyally execute these alleged wishes… Thus, all your wishes are realized, but add a time limit to that.”
Sir Pukins’s face was a mix of despair and defeat.
“Surely, if you continued supplying sacrifices, your wishes would be perpetually renewed,” Mr. Clown shrugged. “It’s like an endless pit, and all you can do is feed it… until, eventually, it devours you. Now, I understand the crafter’s intention initially. Overall, you lost utterly, Sir Pukins.”
“I don’t believe… I won’t believe!!”
He wailed, crawling towards the fallen throne staircase… the throne was damaged, leaving only a small handrest.
Dagonet didn’t pursue, casually watching… As for the Royal Guardian, from start to finish, uttered not a single word.
At last, Sir Pukins reached the staircase before slowly climbing to the damaged throne.
“Father.”
“Ofen… Ofen, is that you.”
He heard a voice.
What he saw was his adopted son, long hidden beside the Prime Minister… Ofen.
“My child… help me… take me away…” Like a dying patient clutching the last straw.
Ofen sorrowfully crouched before Sir Pukins, sighing, “Father… We’ve lost. Let it go, maybe Her Majesty the Queen will spare you.”
“I have not lost! I never lose!!” That was his last desperate cry.
With his final strength, he grabbed Ofen’s collar, pulling his face close… deeply bloodshot eyes. “I! Will not… lose…”
Boom—!
The sound of gunfire.
Ofen nodded, embracing Sir Pukins, whispering in his ear: “Yes, you won’t lose, Father… This will all be a nightmare, so I will dispel them.”
“Even you… betray… me…”
In his arms, Ofen held a silver pistol.
“I’m sorry, Father…”
Ofen whispered, “No matter what, before being your adopted son, Elizabeth was the one who took me in… Additionally, Dagonet, is actually my brother. We met her together in the orphanage.”
Whether Sir Pukins heard the following words was unknown… His eyes had lost their light, his body ceased moving in Ofen’s embrace.
Royal Hall, at this moment, held a profound silence.
Then, Her Majesty the Queen’s voice began to slowly rise beneath the night sky, as if she breathed a sigh of relief, “Finally… it’s over.”
…
…
The surviving knights began to gather.
Confusion and dread… They supported each other’s bodies—still divided into two formations.
Finally, the surviving knights gathered before the steps leading to the Royal Hall, silently looking at the ruins the hall had bee.
A figure slowly emerged from the ruins, it was… Her Majesty the Queen.
At this moment, her face bore only a trace of weariness… and following behind her, apart from the Royal Guardians, were Dagonet and Ofen.
At the same time, she held a scepter in her hand… the scepter Perkins had always held—the scepter was the proof of the Knight King’s bloodline, the Knight King’s authority.
She raised the scepter high, facing the knights, and declared, “Sir Pukins, and the leader of the Doomsday Myth, Oberon, are the culprits behind this rebellion. They have been executed! This war does not need to continue! From now on, Britain is mine alone… Elizabeth II!”
Surveying the silent steps below, Her Majesty’s voice rang out again, “If you still wish to continue fighting, I will lead my knights and acpany you to the end!”
Those who had sworn loyalty, at this moment, looked at the Queen standing on the steps with plex expressions… silent.
What else could be said?
Rebellion?
The Royal Guardians defeated Perkins, who had gained immense power… and they, including several Round Table Knights, were no longer in fighting condition.
Moreover, above the sky, the Mage Corps always maintained their strength—and now, they stood behind Her Majesty.
Clang… finally, someone within the camp threw down their weapon.
“Dagonet…”
At this moment, Gareth looked plexly, staring blankly at Mr. Clown beside the Queen, wanting to rush forward and ask questions, but ultimately restrained himself.
He slowly sighed, feeling utterly exhausted… never having experienced such a long night.
Her Majesty looked at everyone, revealing a gentle smile, “Lastly, thank you… for surviving, my loyal knights.”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
The remaining knights from their side knelt in loyalty.
…
…
Westminster Palace did not have much of its original structure left.
The number of intact rooms found could be counted on one hand.
Finally, Her Majesty held a box in both hands, acpanied by Dagonet and Ofen, into one of these rooms.
“Wait outside the door,” Her Majesty softly instructed the two.
Ofen hesitated slightly, but Mr. Clown didn’t seem to mind, whistling and leaning against the wall, resting his hands behind his head.
“Good child.” The Queen smiled, then began to tidy her attire at the door.
After some time, as Her Majesty seemed satisfied with her appearance, she took a deep breath and opened the door.
Open door, close door.
Her Majesty once again took a deep breath, then smiled with an impeccable expression, “Teacher, sorry to have kept you waiting.”
…
Inside the room, the maid sat fortably on the sofa, sipping red tea.
“I made tea, have a seat,” the maid casually said.
Her Majesty slowly approached and sat down, perfectly posed, “It’s been a while since I last had tea brewed by you, Teacher.”
“These are just tea bags found here,” the maid said indifferently, “If you like, you can take them… Besides, now, the whole of Great Britain belongs to you entirely.”
Her Majesty’s flawless poise instantly faltered, sighing with a bitter smile.
The maid put down her teacup, saying casually: “Well done, planned from beginning to end… how long did it take you to cultivate Dagonet and Ofen?”
Her Majesty’s gaze softened, she slowly said, “Almost thirty years now, I guess? Back then, they were only about as tall as this table. Upon seeing me, they called me ‘Mother, Mother,’ these little ones were funny, knowing how to protect people.”
“And today, having grasped everything, secretly eliminating Perkins, then sidelining the Prime Minister’s control of The-Fianna, wouldn’t it have been better to seize power without bloodshed?”
Her Majesty pondered deeply, “Because what I seek is loyalty… I don’t wish to see another Perkins appear, nor do I wish to witness betrayal in times of crisis. Only those with strong will can bee the true pillars of the nation. And if Perkins’ plan didn’t proceed to the end, I couldn’t possibly take over the Knight Agency… though now, it’s a devastated Knight Agency.”
The maid replied, seemingly amused, “One later excavated by the Knight Agency, ultimately being one of the Twelve Round Tables; the other sent to study, eventually arranged to bee Sir Perkins’ adopted son, infiltrating the Prime Minister’s side to control The-Fianna in secret. Now, with the curtain fallen, the dissidents of the Knight Agency are either dead or scattered, and the remainder have pledged allegiance to you… only after gaining these two forces has your royal power truly unified… befitting the title of Queen. Truly cunning… Little Elizabeth.”
Her Majesty regained her elegant demeanor, softly replied, “Yes, as you once said, Teacher, Elizabeth has bee a bad woman. Not only has she learned to use people, but she’s also learned intrigue, deceit… and even cruelty.”
The maid chuckled, suddenly asking, “There’s one thing I haven’t figured out… why did that fellow help you? Clearly, he should have more kinship ties with Perkins.”
Her Majesty laughed quietly, “Oh, so there are things you don’t know, Teacher… I always thought you knew everything.”
“Elizabeth.” The maid suddenly squinted her eyes, then reached out a finger, lightly tracing over the copy of ‘Confessions’ lying on the table, “Do you remember its weight?”
Her Majesty’s expression subtly changed, quickly whispering, “Because his former wife was… Margaret.”
“Margaret? I see…” the maid hesitated, then nodded, revealing a realization, “A Royal Guardian, huh… that’s indeed a fascinating connection.”
Shaking her head, apparently not greatly concerned about such matters, the maid regained her indifferent demeanor, “So why did you have me stay here? With your control over everything, you hardly need my assistance… did you keep me here just to witness this dull power struggle?”
“Because you, Teacher…” Her Majesty softly replied, “When you disappeared before, you forgot to leave me something.”
“What was it?”
“A test paper.” Her Majesty placed the box on her lap, “I didn’t know, nor did I think, whether I’d ever have the chance to see you again before my life ended… when I saw you appear at the theater through my glasses, it felt utterly unbelievable.”
Her gaze gradually turned hazy, “if there are miracles in the world, then I believe meeting you again is the greatest miracle of my life… Teacher, did I pass your test on this?”
The maid regarded her, silent… remembering, the last time they met, her hair was still a vivid color. After a long pause, she softly asked, “What’s your wish?”
Finally, she opened the box, taking out its contents as she revealed a tearful smile, “This is my one request to you in this lifetime, whether it’s a transaction or whatever…”
What the Queen held was a… Crown.
“Could you crown me just once… teacher.”
You Ye’s eyes softened, gazing at the elderly woman presenting the crown before her, like seeing the thirteen-year-old girl who once barged into the castle library, claiming to drive her away.
“You’ve really… grown up, Elizabeth.”
She placed the royal crown on her student’s head.
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PS:(14/30)
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