in the name of the queen

Chapter 89 Night Banquet
  The residence of the Minister of Finance.

This is a luxurious mansion located in the Carnaby neighborhood.

Being able to own such a large mansion in the middle of the city shows the wealth that the Finance Minister possesses.

But Smith was a little unhappy today.

I heard my wife mention it a few days ago that the people sent to carry out the clearing mission failed.

I originally thought that it would be enough to deal with two people who had no resistance, but I didn't expect that three killers with firearms and poison-quenched flying knives could not do it.

What bad luck.

Afterwards, people were sent to investigate, but little information was obtained. They only knew that a young man had rescued Norton.

He didn't care if Norton died or not, he was just a coward.

As long as Shanina is dead.

After confirming the news that Shanina was dead, Smith finally felt relieved.

Just as his brows relaxed, the butler appeared at the door.

"Sir, the banquet is about to begin. Madam, please go out to greet the guests."

Hearing the butler's reminder, Smith suddenly remembered that tonight he would take the opportunity of his fiftieth birthday to host a simple private banquet for several colleagues.

The people he hosted at the banquet were all ministers in the cabinet who were close to him, as well as important personnel in the military and the Military Intelligence Bureau.

These were radicals who advocated weakening imperial power.

Their political views are basically the same.

A die-hard royalist like Walder is not qualified to attend this dinner.

Smith cheered up, cleaned up his appearance briefly in the mirror, and went out to greet the guests with a smile.

As a mature politician, it is a basic skill to switch between various expressions skillfully.

Smith certainly didn't wear his emotions on his face.

The dinner was held in the small banquet hall in the backyard.

Although there are not many people, it is still in the buffet format of a formal banquet, so everyone can move freely to find the target they want to get close to.

Picking up the wine glass, Smith keenly discovered that he was not the only one with a frown.

Is he worried too?

Smith noticed Alban drinking alone next to him, and his heart moved.

He knew that Alban once wanted to get close to the Queen and gain higher power, but the result was not ideal.

Later, Alban and Roland came into contact, but they still broke up on bad terms.

Thinking that this wavering guy had been rejected twice, Smith felt much better.

He picked up the wine glass and walked towards Alban, who was drinking alone in a corner.

"Old man, you don't seem to be in a good mood."

"I'm fine, but the security in the Imperial Capital has been a bit poor recently."

Does the security of the imperial capital deserve the attention of the Minister of Justice?

Is the police station just a job?
  It was clear that Albon had something on his mind.

Smee knew it and did not poke his scar, and asked casually:
  "Alban, what do you think of Her Majesty the Queen?"

"Old friend, I must correct your name. According to the law, you cannot be called the Queen before you have officially ascended the throne. During the period when His Majesty Edward was missing, her correct title should be Crown Prince and Temporary Emperor."

"Do you have to wait three years?" Smith pretended to be surprised, and suddenly realized: "You are an expert in the law. Since His Majesty Edward is neither alive nor dead, he is indeed missing."

Alban took a deep breath and said helplessly:

"Smith, we have been together for many years, and I don't hide it. She asked me to do something a while ago, and I also thought about gaining more power through her."

"You don't have to look at me like that. Would you let it go if you were given the opportunity?"

Smith answered frankly: "That's not the case."

He asked tentatively: "So your choice is..."

Alban looked at Smith coldly and sneered: "I didn't choose, I was chosen. Don't ask this question again, I don't want to answer it."

Although his expression was calm, the anger flashing in his eyes was accurately captured by Smith. Smith breathed a sigh of relief.

He was indeed a little worried that Alban would turn against the Queen.

Although they are not allies who advance and retreat together, most of the time they have the same interests.

Although Alban was rejected by the Queen, fell out with Roland, and showed no flaws in his performance, he still couldn't completely believe it.

After all, hatred is a relationship.

In history, there was a famous assassin who got close to the assassination target at the cost of his whole family being killed and his limbs mutilated. After gaining complete trust, he sealed his throat with a knife.

Albon's performance was impeccable, but who knows if he was playing a trick.

Smith tentatively believes that Alban did not join the royalist camp, but it remains to be seen.

Fortunately, Albon is also a mature politician, and deals can still be made with him.

He lowered his voice and asked tentatively: "I have a friend who came back from Oak Town and heard that a murder occurred there."

"Is it because the villagers are brave enough to fight and fight with weapons that cause death? You really don't understand the law, old man. There is a sheriff in the town. They can handle these matters without the cabinet ministers having to worry about it."

Alban's answer reassured Smith a little, and he said with a smile: "I know this, and I just asked casually after hearing my friends talk about it."

Smith and Alban clinked glasses, took a sip, and walked toward other colleagues.

He is the host of the party and is destined to be busy tonight.

Alban didn't look up, but he knew what Smith was talking about.

As the Minister of Justice, he controls the judicial and police systems nationwide, and the information he possesses is far more accurate and timely than ordinary people.

Not only did he know that Smith sent someone to murder Shanina, but he also knew that Roland was at the scene.

He even knew that Shanina was not dead, so he left with his father and Roland the next day.

(Intelligence personnel could not see Shanina turning into a demon from a distance)

But he would not tell Smith these things.

Let this idiot do more wrong things.

Although Alban made money, he was definitely not as stupid as Smith, who blatantly trampled on the bottom line of the law and caused a murder case.

In his opinion, it is already embarrassing for a cabinet minister who has so many political resources to compete with the owner of an alchemy workshop in anger. In the end, he sent a killer to solve the problem, which was even more stupid.

This is clearly giving leverage to political opponents.

At this time, Smith was talking to Chief Minister William with a glowing face.

Looking at his proud look, he seemed to have no idea of ​​the consequences of this matter.

Her Majesty is mysophobic.

Not only hygienic mysophobia, but also political mysophobia.

Although this kind of mysophobia is a bit childish.

If that were all, she would be no different from those simple and incompetent monarchs, but she had Roland.

Sylph is responsible for playing the most beautiful white rose under the sun, while Roland is the black mandala of death.

It's an invincible perfect combination.

He neither makes childish political mistakes nor maintains a flawless image.

Alban didn't have to be close to Smith and William to guess what they were talking about.

He could see clearly what the officials attending the dinner today wanted and were doing.

But he couldn't understand Sylph and Roland.

He couldn't figure out how Roland could appear in Oak Town at the right time to change the situation.

On one side are the old bureaucrats who he can see through, and on the other side are the enterprising young people who can't.

He even saw the shadow of his own youth in Roland.

But more cunning and realistic than he was then.

Do you still need to think about how to choose?

(End of this chapter)