Becoming Professor Moriarty’s Probability
Chapter 267: Side Story: The Adventures of Isaac Adler (5)

“Ugh…”

“Adler, are you coming to your senses?”

Clutching my pounding head, I forced myself to sit up. As expected, I found myself in a completely different setting from where I had been before drinking.

“Since you entered the carriage, you’ve been groaning and clutching your head nonstop. I thought something might seriously be wrong with you…”

“And this place is…?”

I quickly realised that I was indeed inside a carriage, and the person sitting beside me was none other than the Queen of Bohemia. Thankfully, it seemed everything was proceeding according to the plan I had laid out in my mind before drinking the liquor.

Although… it feels like I might have done something I shouldn’t have…

But what’s truly puzzling is the absence of Princess Clay, Silver Blaze, and even Moran. Why aren’t any of them here?

I tried to piece together fragmented memories, but a sudden, sharp pain shot through my head.

From past experience, I knew that forcing myself to recall things in such a state rarely ended well.

Right, whatever I can’t remember right now isn’t the priority anyway. I’ll give myself some time and try to remember later.

Somehow, that felt like the healthier choice for my sanity.

“Are you asking about this place?”

As I pondered, the Queen, who had been looking at me with genuine concern, gave me a soft smile and threw open the carriage window.

“Wow…”

What came into view was a vibrant and bustling European morning scene, brimming with life and prosperity.

… This looks oddly familiar.

It wasn’t entirely the same, but it reminded me of a view I’d seen once during a brief backpacking trip I took as a university student.

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

“Pardon?”

Of course, the words that came out of the Queen’s mouth sounded like something straight out of an alternate history novel.

“Why are you so surprised? Prague has always been the capital of this ancient empire steeped in history and tradition…”

“Ugh, my head all of a sudden…”

“Your condition still isn’t normal, I see.”

Hold on a damn second, Prague is the ancient capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

If I kept listening to her, the collision between her words and my modern understanding of history was bound to make my headache unbearable. Pressing my hands to my temples, I cut her off mid-sentence, prompting her to look at me with a grave expression.

“What kind of scoundrels did this to you? I will not forgive them for what they’ve done.”

If I told her that it was a certain detective she’d hired years ago and some university professor who had orchestrated my confinement, would I ever escape that hellhole reeking of bodily fluids I’d been trapped in?

Of course not.

If this were something the Queen could solve, I wouldn’t be in this predicament in the first place.

Honestly, I was more worried that meddling might trigger some butterfly effect, like accelerating the outbreak of the First World War. Not that it mattered much— Professor’s already speeding things up by herself. I’m just doing my best every night to sob and wail in desperation, hoping to delay it, even if only a little.

“I can’t remember very well…”

“Damn it… How dare those bastards commit such heinous acts…”

I mumbled evasively, but the Queen, looking as though she were personally affronted, pulled me into her arms, her face filled with anguish.

“Do not worry anymore, Adler. I will protect you for the rest of my life.”

“……”

For some inexplicable reason, her words made my eyes sting. After being forcibly entangled in chaos for what felt like an eternity, experiencing pure affection like this after so long was…

No, snap out of it.

For a fleeting moment, I almost let myself get swept away by bad intentions. But I resolved to remember my purpose for being here.

Wait, why did I seek asylum here again?

Oh, right. I’m on the run.

If only I’d gone straight to August Academy in the first place, none of this would’ve happened!

I’ve strayed so far from my original destination. What am I supposed to do now? Should I suggest to the Queen that she invade England? No, that might just get me thrown out of here as well.

“Is it… still troubling you?”

“… Uh, what?”

Noticing the sudden shift in my expression as reality dawned on me, the Queen, who had been quietly observing me, asked in a low, concerned voice.

“My royal marriage… I mean.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, there was supposed to be a highly significant wedding happening soon. It reminded me of when I first found myself in this world. Back then, things hadn’t spiralled into such a catastrophic mess.

“Well… I did mean to talk to you about that.”

“Really?”

As I reminisced wistfully about the past, the Queen, who had been watching me intently, suddenly seemed to come to a decision. She leaned closer and whispered in a soft tone.

“Still, it feels inappropriate to discuss it here…”

Listening to her words while trying to figure out how to navigate this predicament, I was caught off guard when she continued.

“Let’s discuss it further at the palace.”

“Sure, I guess…? Wait, what?”

Her words left me wide-eyed.

“Why, as Queen, isn’t it only natural for me to return to the palace?”

“Well, yes, but…”

So she wasn’t just going to find me some discreet hideout?

.

.

.

.

.

A few days later, at the historic landmark of Prague Castle in Bohemia.

It’s nice to live in luxury for a change, but…

Having been discreetly transported to the castle under the Queen’s orders, I found myself lounging in an opulently decorated room, nibbling on grapes while lost in thought.

Is it really okay for me to just sit around like this?

To be honest, part of me wanted to act immediately. But with no information about how far the professor had tracked me or what the situation outside even looked like, I was hesitant to make a move.

If only Moran were here with me, we could regroup and plan a covert journey to England.

Then again, rushing things might not be the best idea.

Looking back, even if I’d stormed the academy right after escaping, I’m not sure I would’ve succeeded in my mission.

Given the distances involved, I likely would’ve run straight into Lestrade or the professor before even reaching the headmaster’s office.

In fact, lying low for a while and striking when everyone’s guard is down might actually be the better strategy.

This isn’t because I’m enjoying the comfort, nope. Definitely not. Uh-huh.

- Creak…

As I mulled over my thoughts and popped yet another particularly sweet grape into my mouth, the door suddenly creaked open.

What’s this? Have they already come to clear away the dishes?

“Adler.”

“Oh, Your Majesty.”

Or so I thought, but it was the Queen who stepped inside.

After insisting that I be hidden in the palace due to some urgent matters, she had been absent for some time, presumably caught up in her duties as both a queen and an empress.

Making someone like her worry this much— why did I feel a pang of guilt suddenly?

“No, Isaac.”

“Pardon?”

Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my head, but then she softly sat beside me, calling me by name and gently placing her hand over mine.

What’s this? What exactly does this mean?

“To tell you the truth, I’ve been trying to cancel the wedding these past few days. After all, I’ve finally found my true love.”

“Uh, what?”

“But… it seems I’m far too late.”

As I quietly observed her, her words became increasingly unsettling.

“I failed to convince the ministers. If I were to push ahead with my own decision in this situation, it would inevitably lead to national turmoil.”

“Th-That’s a shame.”

Caught off guard, I stammered a response, and the Queen’s once steady gaze suddenly welled up with tears.

“I’m truly… truly sorry.”

Her voice, trembling with emotion, filled the room.

“I could have finally made you happy…”

“No, well… I’m fine, really. Haha…”

Hearing her words, a wave of guilt swept over me, and I quickly waved my hands dismissively, forcing a cheerful expression.

“I mean, I could just go live quietly somewhere. If you could just spare me some travel money…”

“Which is why, I have a proposal for you.”

Before I could finish, she grew even more crestfallen and then, without warning, pulled me into an embrace.

“W-What if we were to mix your blood with the noble blood of the imperial family?”

And then she uttered something that made me doubt my ears.

“What?”

“Wouldn’t you want to see your child ascend the throne and rule as an emperor?”

Momentarily stunned, I gawked at her, trying to comprehend her words.

“Wait, are you saying that…”

“Just so you know, I’ve silenced anyone who might remember that my original hair colour was brown. Which means…”

She ran her fingers through her hair, now dyed to match mine exactly, and with her flushed face leaning closer, she whispered words that sent a chill down my spine for the first time in days.

“Even if I were to bear your child, no one would ever know.”

“Are you in your right mind right now?”

“… Defiling the noble bloodline of the imperial family once— surely that’s not such a bad experience for a man, is it?”

Oh, for the love of—! Where’s the emergency stash of alcohol when you need it?

***

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