Charlotte watched Mycroft's figure until it completely disappeared from the doorway before slowly averting her gaze.
"It seems your prediction was off the mark," Russell's voice rang out from the side. He was still holding a piece of buttered toast, speaking slowly and clearly.
"This only proves that you and Mary's assumptions were wrong and had been misleading me."
Charlotte shot back, "The relationship between Mycroft and Moriarty was limited to that single incident at Buckingham Palace. Everything else—Ethan Roy, Lloyds Bank—has absolutely nothing to do with him."
"In other words, the connection between Mycroft and Moriarty—" Russell formed a peace sign with his fingers, then closed them. "—is broken."
"That's the current situation," Charlotte nodded.
"Let's set that aside for now. Did you fight Moriarty last night?"
Russell changed the topic. "How are you feeling?"
Upon hearing this, Charlotte fell silent for a moment, as if recalling something or carefully choosing her words.
After a while, she said, "Strange."
"What do you mean by 'strange'?"
"Exactly that—literally." Charlotte downed the coffee in her cup in one gulp. "That man is far too weird."
"For example?"
Charlotte furrowed her brows and set down her coffee cup. "He was certainly very fast. Faster than an ordinary person."
"Speed?"
"No, it's not just about speed," Charlotte shook her head. "It's more like… some kind of magic trick? I don't know how to describe it."
"He could appear in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times. For instance, he threw a smoke bomb into the corridor, and then silently appeared on the chandelier overhead. The entire process was completely silent, as if he had instantaneously teleported there without being bound by the laws of physics at all."
"It was like the sound of a ghost," Russell said as he dropped a sugar cube into his coffee.
Charlotte nodded. "And his combat technique is quite strange too."
"What's so odd about it?"
"I fought him several times alongside Mycroft. However, he never attacked first, nor did he even counterattack."
Charlotte frowned. "Throughout the entire bout, he only blocked or dodged."
"He… was like a veteran soldier, always effortlessly evading my attacks with ease. Or when Mycroft and I cooperated, we couldn't gain any significant advantage."
Charlotte irritably poured herself another cup of coffee. "Honestly, I'm starting to understand how Charles Brown feels a little."
Only after actually fighting him does one realize just how bizarre this man is.
"Then shall I contact Lestrade first and ask him to help make a reservation at the sanatorium?" Russell began.
The moment he opened his mouth, Charlotte shot him a sharp glare.
As expected, she stomped hard on the top of the boots.
[Malice Points from Charlotte Holmes: +50]
"Shoo—" Russell grabbed his foot, his face twisting in pain as he gasped. It was an imitation of a baby's cry.
Fortunately, thanks to the county's sturdy leather, the seams of the boots did not tear.
Seeing his expression, Charlotte's irritation eased a little. She picked up her coffee cup again, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"However," Charlotte paused, her tone laced with clear anger, "if that Mycroft hadn't suddenly barged in last night and disrupted my pace, I might have uncovered even more."
"Ah, I see," Russell nodded.
The two exchanged a few more words, and breakfast ended in an eerie yet harmonious atmosphere.
At lunchtime, Russell and Charlotte once again gathered with Louise's family in the banquet hall.
This time, however, Russell had adapted far better than when he first arrived and could even understand some of the Queen's jokes.
Charlotte remained silent, fully focused on her meal.
After lunch, Louise stayed behind to spend a little more time with the two before they departed.
The girl looked at Russell and Charlotte, hesitation flickering in her amber eyes.
"Miss Holmes, Mr. Watson," she said, lifting her skirt in a perfect curtsy. "Thank you so very much for this time."
"You're welcome, Your Highness," Charlotte replied with a rare gentle smile.
"It is our duty."
Russell added in agreement.
"Mm!" Louise nodded vigorously and walked over to Russell, staring intently at him.
"Mr. Watson, may I ask you one question?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
"Do you think Mr. Moriarty will come again?"
The girl's voice was soft, tinged faintly with expectation.
Hearing this, Russell glanced at Charlotte beside him, then smiled and shook his head.
"I think the chances are low."
He said, "After all, a perfect magician would never perform the same trick twice on the same stage."
"I see…" A flash of disappointment crossed Louise's eyes, but she quickly recovered. "That's truly a shame," she said softly, then looked up with a smile. "Still, thank you once again. If the opportunity arises in the future, please visit Buckingham Palace again. I can introduce you to some new friends then."
"Of course, Your Highness," Russell answered with a smile.
The carriage smoothly departed from Buckingham Palace under the afternoon sunlight.
Louise stood at the door, watching the carriage leave.
…
Inside the carriage, Russell and Charlotte sat facing each other, each holding a gift box.
The gift boxes contained a complete royal afternoon tea set, from teacups to tea leaves.
In addition, the dresses they had worn on the first day of the banquet were also packed inside.
Russell leaned back deeply into his seat. The moment the carriage left Buckingham Palace, a system notification sounded in his mind.
[Mission Completed: Perfect Ending]
[Residence Evaluation: S+ (Grand Escape Under the Moonlight)]
[Rewards Granted: Title upgraded to "Midnight Phantom," Malice Point acquisition increased by 50%, Attribute Points +1]
[Special items unlocked in the Malice Points Shop.]
"This visit to Buckingham Palace seems to have been very rewarding," Charlotte's voice suddenly rang out. She noticed Russell's irrepressible smug expression and spoke in a casual tone.
"Well, yeah," Russell said, wiping the smile from his face. "At least I saved two days' worth of food and lodging expenses."
"Look at your pathetic self."
Charlotte pursed her lips and looked out the window.
The carriage moved smoothly, its wheels rolling over the cobblestones with a monotonous yet rhythmic sound.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of 221B.
Russell and Charlotte stepped out, each carrying one of the heavily laden gift boxes.
Mrs. Hudson was already waiting at the door, her smile brighter than the sunlight outside the window.
"Oh, my dear, you've finally come home!"
She warmly welcomed them and took the rather heavy gift boxes from their hands.
"Come in, come in. I've prepared afternoon tea for you."
The two entered the familiar living room, which was filled with vitality.
The fireplace burned brightly, and on the table were tea and freshly baked scones.
It was exactly the same as when they had left.
Even the tea was still warm.
…