Ch.267Side Story – The Adventures of Isaac Adler (5)

“Mmm…”

“A-Adler. Are you coming to your senses?”

I forcibly got up from my seat while holding my head that felt like it was about to split open, and sure enough, I found myself sitting in a completely different space than before I had been drinking.

“You’ve been groaning and clutching your head since we got into the carriage, so I thought something might be wrong with you…”

“Where is this…?”

I can tell that I’m inside a carriage and that the person sitting next to me is the Queen of Bohemia. Fortunately, things seem to have gone according to the plan I had in mind before drinking.

‘It feels like I’ve done something I shouldn’t have…’

But why aren’t Joanne Clay or Silver Blaze here, let alone Celestia Moran? What’s going on?

As I try to piece together my fragmented memories, a sudden intense headache strikes me.

I don’t recall ever having a good experience from forcibly trying to remember things in situations like this.

Right, what matters now isn’t that anyway, so I’ll give myself some time before trying to remember.

Somehow, I feel that would be better for my mental health.

“You mean this place?”

With that thought, I turn my gaze, and the queen, who had been looking at me with concerned eyes, soon smiles gently and throws open the carriage window.

“Wow…”

What enters my view is a vibrant European morning scene that appears prosperous at first glance.

‘…This seems familiar somehow.’

And although not exactly the same, it was a scene I had seen once during a brief backpacking trip in college.

“This is Prague, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bohemia.”

“What?”

Sure enough, what came out of the queen’s mouth was some strange statement that belonged in an alternate history novel.

“Why are you so surprised? Prague has been the imperial capital with a long tradition since ancient times…”

“Ugh, suddenly my head…”

“Indeed, you’re not in your right mind.”

Damn it, Prague is the ancient capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

Fearing that listening further would clash with my knowledge as a modern person and worsen my headache, I urgently clutched my head and interrupted her words. The queen then addressed me with a serious expression.

“What scoundrels did this to you? I will not forgive them.”

If I were to tell her now that the detective she hired a few years ago and some university professor are keeping me imprisoned, would I be able to escape from that hellhole reeking of night flowers?

‘Of course not.’

No, if this were a problem that could be solved at the queen’s level, I wouldn’t be suffering like this.

Rather, I’d be fortunate if my actions don’t cause a butterfly effect that hastens World War I. Actually, the professor is already advancing it, but I’m desperately crying every night to indirectly delay it at least.

“I don’t remember well…”

“Kuk… What bastards would dare commit such a terrible act…”

So I had no choice but to evade the question, but the queen embraced me with a pained expression as if it were her own problem.

“Don’t worry anymore, Adler. I will protect you for the rest of your life.”

“……”

This is somehow making my eyes tear up. After being forcibly squeezed for who knows how many years, getting a taste of pure love after so long is quite…

‘No, get a grip.’

I almost had bad thoughts for a moment, but I decided to refocus on my purpose for being here.

But why did I seek asylum here again?

Ah, come to think of it, I’m being pursued right now, aren’t I?

‘If I had just gone to Auguste Academy from the beginning, there wouldn’t have been any problems!’

I’ve strayed so far from my original destination, what should I do now? Should I suggest to the queen that we invade England? No, that might get me kicked out of here too.

“Are you… still concerned about it?”

“Uh, what?”

As my expression suddenly darkened after grasping the reality of the situation, the queen, who had been quietly observing me, asked in a low voice.

“My royal marriage… I mean.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, I heard there was a very important marriage. Suddenly, I’m reminded of when I first possessed this body in this world. Back then, things hadn’t spiraled into such a catastrophe.

“Actually… I had something to say about that.”

“Really?”

As I was reminiscing about the nostalgic past with a wistful look, the queen, who had been quietly watching me until then, made what seemed like a decision and whispered in a low voice.

“Still, it seems a bit inappropriate to talk about it here…”

As I was listening to those words and contemplating how to overcome this predicament.

“Let’s continue our conversation at the palace.”

“Sure, why not… Wait, what did you say?”

Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in surprise.

“Why, as queen, isn’t it natural for me to go to the palace?”

“Well, yes, but…”

You weren’t just going to provide me with a suitable hideout?

*****

A few days later. Prague Castle, a historical landmark in Prague, Bohemia.

‘It feels good to live in luxury after so long…’

I had been secretly transported there by the queen’s order and was now sitting in a lavishly decorated room, munching on grapes while lost in worry.

‘Is it really okay for me to be doing this?’

Honestly, I want to move immediately if possible. But I’m hesitant to act recklessly when I have no information about how far the professor has tracked me or what the situation outside is like.

If only Moran were here with me, we could regroup and then secretly head to England.

‘No, maybe rushing isn’t the best idea.’

But thinking about it, even if I had gone straight back to the mansion when I first escaped, I’m not sure if I could have achieved my goal.

Considering the distance, there’s a high probability I would have run into Lestrade or the professor right before storming into the principal’s office.

Perhaps a better strategy now is to lay low for a while and then strike when everyone has let their guard down.

‘I’m absolutely not saying this because I’m comfortable right now. Nope.’

-Creeeeak…

As I was organizing my thoughts and putting another unusually sweet grape into my mouth, the door suddenly opened gently.

What’s this? Are they already coming to clear the dishes?

“Adler.”

“Ah, Your Majesty.”

But it was the queen who entered through the door.

Seeing how she hadn’t shown herself for a while after having me hide in the palace due to urgent matters that needed handling, it seems she’s been busy with her duties as the monarch and emperor of a country.

Making such a person worry about me, I can’t help but feel guilty.

“No, Issac.”

“Pardon?”

As I was awkwardly scratching my head with an embarrassed expression, the queen sat down gently beside me and suddenly called me by my name, placing her hand on mine.

What’s this? What does this mean?

“I’ve been trying to cancel the marriage for the past few days. Because I’ve finally found true love.”

“What?”

“But… it seems I’m too late.”

As I quietly observed the situation, the queen’s subsequent words became increasingly concerning.

“I failed to persuade the ministers. If I act unilaterally in this situation, it will surely lead to a national crisis.”

“I-Is that so?”

When I reflexively responded like that, tears suddenly welled up in the queen’s previously calm eyes.

“I’m really… really sorry.”

Soon, a sobbing voice echoed throughout the room.

“I could have finally made you happy…”

“No, well… I’m fine, haha…”

Hearing that voice made me feel somehow guilty, so I hastily waved my hands and tried to put on the brightest expression possible.

“I’ll just go live somewhere quiet, so if you could just give me some travel money…”

“So, I have a proposal for you.”

Then, looking even more tearful, she embraced me.

“Would you like to mix your blood slightly with the royal bloodline?”

She then uttered words that made me doubt my ears.

“What?”

“Don’t you want to see your child ruling as emperor?”

Not understanding her words momentarily, I asked again with a quite stunned expression.

“Um, you mean…”

“I anticipated this and have silenced everyone who knows my original hair color was brown. Which means…”

Then, stroking her hair that she had dyed to match mine exactly, the queen whispered with a reddened face, words that sent chills down my spine after just a few days:

“If you were to impregnate me now, no one would know.”

“Are you in your right mind?”

“…Well, defiling the noble royal bloodline once isn’t a bad experience for a man, is it?”

Damn it. Where’s my emergency alcohol?