My esoteric uncle Jules

Chapter 174 Spending the Night with Elena?

Jules made that up, of course; even the flowers were just picked from the Cavendish family's flower garden.

He did this simply to appease Elena.

As expected, Elena calmed down considerably after receiving the flower, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Just fool them and that'll be fine!
Now, he desperately needs to be alone to talk to Matilda.

Elena accepted the pale blue rose. In the moonlight, the petals shimmered with a soft glow, which softened the look in her eyes.

She gently stroked the petals, a smile playing on her lips, and whispered:
“Mr. Jules, these flowers are beautiful. However, the flowers are not important to me; it is your thoughtfulness that makes me happy.”

Jules smiled faintly and replied perfunctorily:
"I just picked it casually, thinking you'd like it."

He paused and said:

"After walking around for so long, I still haven't found my old friend. It seems she might not be here. It's time for me to go back."

"Oh? Are you going back to your place now?" Elena asked, her eyes flickering slightly.

Jules nodded.

Seeing this, a sly glint flashed in Elena's eyes, and she moved closer, saying:
"This place is in a remote area, and I'm worried that it might be dangerous for a weak woman like me to go back alone. Perhaps... you could give me a ride?"

Jules paused for a moment, then smiled helplessly:

"You must be joking. This is a royal estate; how could we possibly encounter any danger?"

Upon hearing this, Elena chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with even more cunning, and her voice softening further:
“Mr. Jules, the Royal Estate is safe, but it is late at night. Wouldn’t it be better for you to accompany me? It is not a gentleman’s duty to let a lady go back alone.”

Jules sensed something was off about the atmosphere, scratched his head, and brazenly said:
"I'm not a gentleman."

puff.

Elena seemed amused by Jules's frankness and chuckled, but she immediately realized her mistake, covered her mouth, and whispered:
"Even if you're not, besides, I have some pastries that you haven't tried before. It would be a shame if you didn't come and give them a try."

She stepped forward, her skirt swaying slightly, her tone carrying a hint of ambiguity:

"The night is still long. Don't you think it would be boring to go back too early?"

Jules, however, seemed oblivious to the implied meaning, waving his hand dismissively and speaking in a flat tone:

“I’ve had enough snacks, I really need to go back and rest. Miss Elena, your place isn’t far, you can go back by yourself.”

Elena was taken aback, clearly not expecting him to be so direct.

She covered her mouth and chuckled softly, concealing a hint of embarrassment, and tentatively asked:
“Mr. Jules, you really have no sense of romance. The night is so beautiful, and my little garden has a special charm under the moonlight. Why don’t we go and take a look?”

Jules knew she was still trying to persuade him to stay, but he really didn't have the time for that right now.

He pretended to be dull and shook his head, saying:
"I won't go to the garden. I'm tired and want to go back to my room early."

Elena stared at him for a moment, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes, but she quickly smiled again:
"Alright, you're really...endearingly stubborn. Since you want to go back, I won't force you. But, is your place far away? How about I give you a ride?"

She extended her hand in an inviting gesture.

“No need,” Jules waved his hand firmly. “I know the way. There’s no need to trouble Miss Elena. Farewell.”

Elena gave a soft snort and said:
“Mr. Jules, you are a rare find. Well then, see you at the next ball, and please don’t make excuses again.”

She paused, then added with a smile:
"Next time, I'll treat you to our almond cookies, and many more desserts that you haven't had the chance to try yet."

Jules nodded perfunctorily:

"talk later."

He turned and left, leaving Elena standing there, watching his retreating figure.

Elena's eyes held a hint of inquiry and amusement as she murmured to herself:

"What on earth is this guy thinking...?"

She had always been quite confident in her charm, but today, for the first time, she began to doubt it.

Moreover, in an era when noble sons and young masters are vying to prove themselves as gentlemen, it is quite amusing that someone would so bluntly declare that he is not a gentleman.

When I get back, I must find out who this Mr. Jules is...

……

"Phew... I'm finally rid of Elena."

Jules, of course, did not go straight back, but quickly moved away from Elena, winding his way to a secluded little garden where no one was around.

This garden, far from the main road and with ample space for shelter, is a pretty good hiding spot.

After settling down in the corner, he slowly closed his eyes, recalling the moment when he and Matilda locked eyes, their silent gazes meeting in awkward silence.

Matilda's porcelain-like face was etched into his mind.

Gradually, a kind of unspoken resonance seemed to develop between the two.

Without warning, the face he had imagined spoke.

"Prince Dor is undertaking the ritual to revive the tide, and has his men and I collect the 'memories' that exist in the antiquities for him."

Jules' eyes narrowed, his lips moved slightly but no sound came out, but Matilda heard his "words".

Where is Lolita?

Matilda seemed to pause for a moment, then said:
"She was imprisoned in a dungeon."

Where is the dungeon?

“There is more I do not know in the mirror,” Matilda said succinctly.

Upon hearing this, Jules lowered his eyelids slightly and said:
How can I help you?

“Unless you kill Prince Dor,” Matilda sighed, “you are still not strong enough to handle the current situation.”

Jules remained silent.

Yes, I'm too weak.

He pursed his lips and said:
“I have secured the support of the Prince of Wales, who has promised to help me, and we are already planning to rescue the centipede.”

This time, there was a moment of silence on Matilda's side before a voice came through:

"If we can rescue the centipede, there is still hope; we can give it a try."

That person is now only one step away from immortality; with his assistance, assassinating Prince Dorr is not impossible.

The centipede was so strong? Jules was somewhat surprised, but he quickly accepted the fact and cheered.

After a brief exchange of the most important information, Jules finally relaxed a bit and asked with concern:

"During this time, Prince Dor didn't do anything to you and Lolita, did he?"

Matilda suddenly let out a soft hum without warning, as if she were sulking about something, but after a while she still said:
“You know Lolita’s situation. Dole is afraid of the tide and doesn’t dare to touch her. As for me…”

She chuckled softly and said:
"He can't succeed unless I want to."

Jules was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding Matilda's meaning, but before he could ask, Matilda cut off the communication.

"Someone's coming. Come find me after you've rescued the centipede."

Matilda's voice faded away, but Jules remained leaning against the flowerbed, gazing at the moon, somewhat lost in thought.

I'm still too weak...

He stood there for a moment, shook his head, and stood up to go back. Now that he had obtained the information he wanted and confirmed Lolita and Matilda's current situation, there was no need for him to stay any longer.

Once tonight is over, I'll leave Windsor Royal Estate tomorrow and get to work on advancing my rank and rescuing the centipede.

Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, a somewhat delighted voice suddenly rang out, startling him:
"Oh? Mr. Jules? Haven't you gone back yet? What are you doing here?"

Elena?!

Jules was momentarily stunned—he had deliberately chosen a secluded spot, so how could he still run into her?

And why didn't she go back, but instead wandered around outside aimlessly?
Elena skipped and hopped over to Jules, a mischievous smile playing on her lips:
"Mr. Jules, didn't you say you were going back? Why did you lie to me?"

Jules' lips twitched, and he said:
"I'm feeling a bit upset, so I plan to take a walk alone for a while before going back."

"Feeling troubled, so you want to clear your head by yourself..." Elena murmured, a thoughtful expression on her face. "So, I am the one who is causing Mr. Jules distress?"

Her expression was rather pitiful.

Jules was somewhat speechless and shook his head, saying:

"Of course not, I just..."

"If that's not the case, why are you avoiding me!" Elena looked at him, a somewhat aggrieved expression on her face.

Jules felt somewhat at a loss when facing Elena.

"for this I……"

He did say he was going back, but now he's wandering around outside and got caught by Elena. It's really hard to explain.

"Hmph, Mr. Jules acts so mysteriously, and he's even sneaking around avoiding me..."

Elena leaned closer to Jules and said with a mischievous grin:
"Could it be that they have some ulterior motive?"

Jules' heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged as he calmly said:
"How could that be? What ulterior motive could I possibly have?"

"Tsk tsk, something's not right, something's very wrong."

Elena, however, did not believe it. Instead, she circled around Jules, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Under Elena's scrutiny, Jules couldn't help but narrow his eyes, a murderous intent stirring within him.

If she intends to report him, then he will have no choice but to take action.

“The more I think about it, the more I feel that Mr. Jules is not simple. It seems that you are indeed hiding some unspeakable secrets…” she said with a smile.

Just as Jules felt things might be exposed and was preparing to find an opportunity to subdue Elena, she leaned forward, winked, and giggled like a mischievous little witch:

"However, what you want to do is none of my business—as long as you agree to come back with me for one night, I'll pretend I didn't see anything, how about that?"

What?
Jules almost doubted that he had heard correctly.

Is Elena really after him? She's even going so far as to "threaten" him with such conditions just to invite him to spend the night?
He finally succumbed and said:
"Okay, then I'll stay at your place for one night."

Elena's eyes crinkled with laughter when she heard Jules agree to her request.

She extended her hand in an inviting gesture and smiled:
"Then, shall we go?"

Jules hesitated for a moment, then sighed inwardly and placed his hand on hers.

"Endurance..."

Although she didn't know what Elena noticed about her appearance, now was not the time to care about that.

Being able to settle things peacefully is more important than anything else.

Although killing Elena would achieve the same effect, her death itself would cause considerable trouble.

Looking back a little, his long-term relationship with Elena inevitably drew a lot of attention, which was quite disadvantageous for him.

Elena had no idea what Jules was thinking, but she was happy and a little smug.

They managed to coax and trick Jules into coming to them!

Although Jules wasn't particularly handsome, as a socialite, she had long since scorned superficial physical attractiveness.

What she values ​​more is temperament and inner qualities.

Jules's aura inexplicably captivated her.

Even if you don't know Jules, just looking at him from afar, you can feel his calm and mysterious aura.

After getting to know Jules up close, she discovered that Jules' personality was also quite interesting.

The other person seemed genuinely uninterested in her, which made her somewhat resentful.

Am I so bad that I can't even pique his interest?
Elena linked arms with Jules and walked briskly toward the Cassano family's hideout.

Moonlight spilled onto the stone path, and the night breeze was cool. She would occasionally glance at Jules, her eyes filled with a smile, as if she were quite pleased with her "victory".

Jules remained expressionless, but inwardly he was calculating how to escape as quickly as possible without arousing suspicion.

The two soon arrived at the elegantly decorated house of the Cassano family. The butler at the door was already waiting and bowed respectfully upon seeing Elena's return.

But the butler paused for a moment when his gaze fell on Jules beside her.

He scrutinized Jules for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and whispered:
"Miss, who is this?"

“Mr. Jules, my guest,” Elena introduced with a smile, her tone relaxed. “Could you please arrange a room for him and prepare some refreshments to send over?”

The butler nodded slightly and gave Jules a polite smile:
“Mr. Jules, please come with me.”

He turned and instructed a servant to prepare a room, then led Jules and Elena into the small building.

The building was softly lit, and a faint scent of wood filled the air.

Jules was led through the reception room where he had previously stayed and then to a guest room.

The room was small but exquisitely furnished, with thick silk quilts on the bed and silver candlesticks on the table.

After giving a few brief instructions, the butler left, leaving Jules alone.

Jules glanced around the room, and after confirming that there was nothing amiss, he sat down on the edge of the bed and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, the butler returned to the front hall, found Elena adjusting her skirt, and asked in a low voice:
“Miss, which family does this Mr. Yu Le belong to? He has an extraordinary air about him, but I have never heard of him before.”

Elena was playing with the pale blue rose when she heard this, and chuckled softly:
"do not know."

The butler was taken aback, then frowned and said:
"You don't know? Then what do you see in him?"

Elena snorted, glanced at him sideways, and spoke with a hint of mockery:

"I'm just trying to make myself happy, so what?"

She paused, then added with a smile:
"He's an interesting person, unlike those obsequious young noblemen. He's quite unique."

The butler opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end could only shake his head helplessly:
"I'm glad you're happy, Miss."

He sighed, turned and instructed his servant:

"Go and prepare some more almond cookies and black tea, and send them to Mr. Jules' room."

Elena nodded in satisfaction and got up to walk towards Jules's guest room.

She knocked on the door, pushed it open, and saw Jules standing by the window, seemingly looking at the night sky.

She smiled and said:
"Mr. Jules, is the room to your liking? The refreshments will be brought in shortly, so don't go to sleep yet."

(End of this chapter)