Chapter 162: The Queen’s Question

Jeanne Decker stared blankly at the stunning red-haired maiden who had appeared in the mirror.

She recognized her. It was the Blood Red Queen, who had once been paraded down the grand avenue of Maplewood City.

On that day, as a Holy Knight, Jeanne Decker herself had been temporarily conscripted by the Church’s forces to assist, and she had caught a glimpse of the Starry Night Queen from afar.

Given Isola’s unparalleled beauty, there was no way she could be mistaken.

The Duchess Liddell instantly plastered on a fawning smile, turning to greet Isola. “Oh, my, what brings you here—”

“Before I get angry, cover your mouth, stand aside, make no sound, and never let me hear your wagging tongue again!” Isola retorted coldly.

The Duchess Liddell immediately complied, covering her mouth and retreating to the side.

The Mad Hatter, standing before the magic mirror, had just begun to snicker when Isola turned her face towards the mirror, her eyes fixed directly on him.

“Mr. Mad Hatter, what are you laughing about?” Isola inquired.

The Mad Hatter promptly dropped his jovial expression, becoming somewhat more serious.

“Uh, I…” He scratched his forehead. “Just remembering something pleasant?”

“What pleasant thing?” Isola remained expressionless.

“I found some money today,” the Mad Hatter replied with a smile.

“Is that so?” Isola didn’t press the matter further. “Then when will you be returning from the Imperial City, sir? If the opportunity arises, perhaps we can discuss our collaboration further?”

“Next time, definitely next time!” The Mad Hatter nodded vigorously, still smiling obsequiously. “Unfortunately, I’ve suddenly found myself with more matters to attend to in the Imperial City, and my return date is still uncertain.”

“Very well. Would it be convenient for you to step aside for a moment, allowing me to speak a few words?” Isola asked.

“Of course, absolutely! Your command, my compliance!” The Mad Hatter instantly doffed his hat in farewell, as if fearing Isola might change her mind.

Before Jeanne Decker and Alice Liddell could react, the Mad Hatter swiftly exited the room.

“Patra, you should leave as well.” Isola turned her gaze to the Duchess Liddell.

The Duchess Liddell opened her mouth to speak, but Isola preempted her. “Have you forgotten my command?”

‘Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot back down now. She’s already cut off all your options! Even if you have peculiar eccentricities, you can’t be foolish when it comes to matters of the heart!’

The Duchess Liddell had a thousand words she wanted to utter, but facing her sovereign’s piercing gaze, she could only swallow them back down.

After the Duchess Liddell also left the scene, Isola finally looked at Alice Liddell in the mirror.

“You’re alright. That’s good.” Isola nodded at Alice Liddell. “You haven’t exposed your identity, have you?”

Alice Liddell shook her head. “Don’t worry, it won’t affect the mission.”

“You should be more concerned about your own safety than the mission,” Isola stated.

“Isola, I…” Alice Liddell hesitated, unsure whether to explain the events that had transpired here to Isola.

“No need to say more. I know everything,” Isola said calmly. “With my abilities, do you truly believe I couldn’t divine what you’ve been through?”

Alice Liddell was instantly at a loss for words.

“Alright, you should leave too. I wish to speak with her alone for a few moments.” Isola glanced at Jeanne Decker.

“Speak with Jeanne Decker alone?” Alice Liddell was utterly surprised; she hadn’t anticipated Isola making such a request.

“Jeanne Decker will talk to her. I will make her calmly accept reality. Yes, *her*.”

This single sentence instantly made Jeanne Decker tense. The Starry Night Queen had immediately intimidated the Duchess Liddell and the Mad Hatter, and even through the magic mirror, Jeanne Decker could feel the extraordinary aura emanating from Her Majesty.

More importantly, from their previous conversation, she could tell that the Red Queen and Alice Liddell—who was, in fact, Levi—shared an unusual relationship.

Alice Liddell looked at Jeanne Decker, then at Isola. Ultimately, she couldn’t think of any reason to refuse, so she could only nod in agreement. “Alright, then will it be okay without me maintaining the divination?”

“Rest assured, I am the creator of the magic mirror. I can extend its effect,” Isola replied.

With the conversation having reached this point, Alice Liddell could only hand the magic mirror to Jeanne Decker, telling her that holding it would allow her to converse with Isola, and then she left the room.

Now, only Jeanne Decker and Isola remained, gazing at each other across the mirror.

“A pleasure to meet you, maiden of the North. You should already know who I am, but allow me to introduce myself anyway. I am the former Queen of the Starry Night Kingdom, Isola of Starry Night City, and also the Blood Red Queen, as you of the World-Saving Holy Church call me.”

Isola initiated the greeting.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello, Your Majesty. I am Jeanne Decker from the Northern Empire. You may call me Jeanne.” Jeanne Decker politely responded. She thought for a moment, then decided against beating around the bush and asked directly, “Please tell me, were you the one who rescued Levi from the Maplewood City dungeon?”

“Rather than saying I rescued them, it would be more accurate to say we relied on each other to escape that desperate situation. They owe me nothing,” Isola explained generally. “They were at death’s door. To preserve their life, I transformed them into a witch. Later, we struck a bargain with her: we would help her exact revenge, and in return, she would assist us with a favor.”

‘Revenge? So, after Viscount Dumpty’s death, Camilla has also received her retribution?’ Jeanne Decker wondered.

“Then I must still thank you. Thank you for saving them, for accomplishing what I desperately wished to do but could not.” Jeanne Decker bowed solemnly to Isola. She was truly grateful for this matter.

Isola watched Jeanne Decker in silence for a moment, then suddenly spoke. “I have seen everything you have done for them.”

Jeanne Decker looked up as if struck by lightning, too mortified to speak.

“Since you say you thank me, can you answer one question for me, truthfully and earnestly?” Isola inquired.

Jeanne Decker hesitated, then finally made up her mind, nodding forcefully at Isola. “Please ask.”

“…”

Isola fell silent then.

“Your Majesty?” Jeanne Decker asked, somewhat perplexed.

“Very well.” Isola took a deep breath, as if also making a decision, before finally asking, “Do you love them?”

Jeanne Decker’s eyes widened instantly. Although she had prepared herself mentally, she still hadn’t expected such a weighty question.

There was no pretending ignorance, no evasion possible. The meaning of the question was clear to both the questioner and the questioned.

Jeanne Decker nervously swallowed, her mind a chaotic mess, unable to formulate a precise answer. Yet, in the end, her body, as if by some strange impulse, responded.

She nodded silently to Isola.

“So it is, then?” Isola sighed deeply.

Jeanne Decker did not retract her answer. After nodding, she was surprised to find her turbulent emotions suddenly settle. Perhaps, that reaction was truly what her heart felt.

She looked at Isola, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered the courage to ask, “And, Your Majesty, what about you?”

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