Chapter 371
Last Sober Moments
This was Isabel’s first time seeing Alistair so docile and quiet. Of course, Alistair wasn’t a particularly boisterous person usually. And not too long ago, Alistair had been sitting in a wheelchair every day.
He always looked at others with a calm, indifferent gaze, smiling faintly and listening quietly when others chatted. Occasionally, when he chimed in, it was almost always to build upon the topic others were discussing. It would only make people feel comfortable and relaxed, and anyone would want to spend time with him.
…But Isabel always felt that Alistair, who brought ease to others, didn’t live so easily himself. She always felt that Alistair had many things weighing on his mind.
When Alistair smiled, Isabel felt a slight frown in his heart. When others laughed and played, Alistair would just sit there quietly, his gaze directed there, yet seemingly looking into the distance.
—As if he were about to move to a faraway place, so he didn’t intend to leave any traces behind; or as if he had returned from the future, already knowing that his current friends were merely passing through, thus he didn’t intend to invest any genuine emotions.
Isabel didn’t know what Alistair was worried about. He was already so excellent, even earning her admiration… Yet, in another sense, she felt Alistair was perhaps more childish than she was. He liked to take on risky endeavors himself and enjoyed being recognized and praised by capable people. But at the same time, he was somewhat awkward—an odd sort of pride, of a kind Isabel didn’t know where it came from, made him unwilling to acknowledge this expectation in his heart. Therefore, no matter how proud he was, he wouldn’t actively seek praise from others.
Alistair was clearly very young. Yet he consistently refused to identify himself as a young person.
…Like a grown-up boy who understood things early on but never truly grew up.
Perhaps this was due to his past life, Isabel thought. She had heard from Yulia that before Alistair was adopted, he and Yulia grew up together in an orphanage. With no parents to rely on, they depended on each other… And Professor Moriarty’s initial adoption of Yulia, and then adopting Alistair due to Yulia’s intense reaction of not wanting to leave him, seemed to have deeply affected him.
It seemed like the only explanation. Alistair lost his parents and relatives shortly after he could form memories. His adoptive father and foster brother were both very busy, and his adoptive father’s household was not married. After being adopted, Alistair mostly stayed with Yulia at home. At that time, Alistair was very lonely and would only read books at home when he had nothing else to do. Looking back now, Alistair’s erudition probably stemmed from those reading habits.
Out of curiosity before, Isabel had commissioned Sherlock to investigate Alistair’s experiences during his middle school years. That’s when she learned that Alistair had also been quite athletic. He excelled in many types of sports. And because of his outstanding athletic achievements and his gradually upright posture, Alistair finally began to be widely liked by his classmates. After receiving a great deal of recognition from others, Alistair gradually became cheerful and confident, shining brightly, like a plant that had received nourishment.
And now, he stood quietly by his grandmother’s bedside, his entire being seemingly relaxed. Even though Lixia and Isabel were present, they barely spoke, letting Her Majesty the Queen ramble on about trivial matters of daily life. Alistair seemed more like her biological grandson, accompanying her by the bedside, softly echoing the old lady’s words. His face wasn’t wearing the usual brilliant and warm smile that, due to its perfection, always felt somewhat fake… but rather a tranquil smile that evoked the gentle light of the moon reflecting on water.
Isabel knew, of course, that her grandmother hadn’t had much energy for a long time. But now, Queen Sophia was not only laughing heartily but also speaking with increasing clarity, as if completely recovered. She vaguely sensed something and therefore did not interrupt the conversation, simply standing quietly behind Alistair, listening almost greedily to her grandmother’s voice. This meaningless but warm chat lasted for nearly two hours. Alistair was very good at conversation, especially at talking with elders. They even ended up not going to the Banquet Hall for dinner, but had servants bring the food directly to the room. Queen Sophia, unusually, ate seafood fried rice dipped in bread, a bowl of creamy mushroom and chicken soup, and some fruit.
After eating, she said she was sleepy and wanted to sleep, then sent Alistair and Isabel out. Alistair and Isabel didn’t walk too far. At the entrance, Isabel gently tugged at Alistair’s sleeve, her eyes seeking an answer. Alistair shook his head slightly. He had previously used the Priest’s Divine Vision to ascertain Queen Sophia’s physical condition. Even without using the Illuminate Spell, by channeling healing light into her body to examine the situation, Alistair could roughly feel that her life force was completely depleted. Healing and recovery alone were no longer sufficient to maintain her state… To extend her life further, only a ritual to increase her maximum life force could be used.
“Actually, even an ordinary elderly person shouldn’t have such a depleted body at this age,” Alistair sighed. “Let alone the Queen of Avalon.”
“Because she is truly tired,” Janis’s voice sounded softly from the side. Not from within a painting, but in person. She walked over, casually patted Isabel’s head, then placed a hand on Alistair’s shoulder, signaling for them to follow her.
They soon arrived at the study. This was usually where Her Majesty the Queen worked. And Lixia was already there, drinking beer alone. Isabel, however, slowly sat in the main seat. She fiddled with the documents piled on the desk, organizing them. Although she appeared somewhat clumsy, this was clearly not her first time.
“Sophia’s personality is such that she likes to do everything herself. Even for small matters, she likes to inquire. But she rarely directly expresses her attitude to others; even those closest to her don’t know what she’s truly thinking… It’s just that unconsciously, you’ll find everything changing according to her will,” Lixia said, slightly drunk, her young voice sounding somewhat sarcastic, yet also nostalgic. “In this regard, she is indeed unsuitable to be a Queen. But from another perspective, Avalon has no one more suitable than her to be the Monarch.”
Isabel pursed her lips, her eyes reddened. She moved the documents from left to right, then organized them from right to left again. She looked busy, but she herself didn’t know what she was doing. Because her heart was in disarray… so much so that she couldn’t think normally. Alistair also sighed. If nothing unexpected happened, she should be the only one fully aware of Alistair and Alistair’s background. But clearly, even her closest Lixia and Janis didn’t know these things. Alistair had originally thought that Her Majesty the Queen pulling him aside to chat would be to entrust him with something. For example, regarding Avalon, regarding Isabel. It might also be regarding the Round Table Hall, regarding the Lloyd Society.
That ordinary sweater deeply touched Alistair’s heart. For the first time, Alistair had a clear thought of “wanting to continue Avalon.” Before this, Alistair’s attempts to resolve Avalon’s hidden dangers were merely because it was the country where he and his friends lived. He had no emotional attachment to Avalon itself, nor any obsession. Because Alistair had lived here since he was a child, he had adapted to life here. Because the Moriarty Family’s assets were here, and he didn’t want to adapt to a new environment. Because Sherlock was loyal to the Queen, and Isabel was the future Queen, and his friends couldn’t leave Avalon— Otherwise, Alistair might have chosen to destroy and rebuild Avalon directly. Perhaps that would have been cleaner.
Her Majesty the Queen had received information from the Crown Lord. Her understanding of Alistair was perhaps deeper than Alistair’s understanding of himself. Even if she didn’t know Alistair’s future goal, she undoubtedly knew of his talent and potential that attracted the attention of the Pillar Gods. If she had made a request, Alistair would certainly have listened seriously. But she didn’t. —Until she finally fell into a deep slumber, Queen Sophia still said nothing. Alistair subconsciously clenched his fist. He opened his mouth slightly, but in the end, said nothing.
