Operation Red Book

"This should be the responsibility of Parliament and the Cabinet. Why did Queen Victoria ask the SCO to do it?" Ivy asked Holmes.

Holmes snorted disdainfully: "If they could have come up with a reasonable countermeasure, Napoleon would have succeeded in attacking Russia long ago."

“So who writes the documents at SCO?”

"Of course it's Jacob. He loves writing these things the most. In fact, he doesn't like writing documents, but he likes to smuggle his own ideas into them, and frantically output God's will and so-called rewards."

My thoughts returned to the present. The breeze blew through Ivy's hair and lifted the hem of the white sheets. Pieces of sheets fluttered in the wind like willow leaves.

"Mrs. Emerson and the Duke have both been held accountable by Her Majesty the Queen. The upper social circles have been talking about this matter these days, but she has ignored all the advice and even renovated her own mansion."

Mrs. Hudson pursed her lips, poured another cup of black tea, and cut a whole plate of berry tart into small pieces.

"Sweetie, have some of this. Jessica, the kitchen maid at Emerson's, taught me this. She was so kind."

Ivy smiled and picked up a piece of berry tart. The bright blueberries and strawberries were placed alternately on the pink cream. The delicate icing was evenly spread all over the tart, making it look very delicate.

Ivy took a big bite without caring about her image. The strawberry juice burst between her teeth, and her whole mouth was filled with the sweet and sour aroma of strawberries. The blueberries tasted a little sour, but the sweet icing contrasted with it, and it also had a rich taste.

The combination of crispy tart crust and silky cream bounced up and down between her lips and teeth, making a crisp "crunching" sound.

Ivy couldn't help but make a satisfied sound with her mouth full, earning a hearty laugh from Mrs. Hudson.

While eating the sweet and sour berry tart, Ivy's thoughts went back to the dance a week ago.

The hazy moonlight, the falling camellia petals, the joyful guests and the beautiful music.

The Red Book revealed all the causes and consequences of the incident. Ivy naturally also knew that Duke Lucas Emerson and the Headless Horseman were in cahoots with each other and took human lives lightly.

Now that the incident has passed, Ivy only feels sad and heartbroken for Mrs. Emerson being deceived.

Joshua had secretly told Ivy that Mrs. Emerson had erased all traces of her husband during the renovation, especially the magnificent fountain and the marble statue in the center of the manor, which were smashed by Mrs. Emerson herself with a hammer.

Lieutenant Edward's body was still kept in the coffin in the mansion. Duke Andrew's injuries had not yet healed, and Dorian and Mrs. Emerson were taking care of him at home all the time.

Perhaps to avoid the limelight, Ivy never saw Dorian again after that day.

Somehow, Dorian became more attached to Mrs. Emerson. In Holmes' words, he acted more genuinely than before.

Ivy thought that maybe he was sincere to his wife, but she quickly dismissed this unrealistic idea.

Whenever she thought of Dorian's olive eyes, Ivy couldn't help but wonder what evil he was planning.

As for the cause of Lucas Emerson's death, Bell learned from the butler that he suffered from allergic asthma, so there were never any pets or flowers in the house.

Three years ago, Mrs. Emerson was often worried because she missed her beloved daughter, so Lucas ordered the planting of camellia trees in the manor to ease Mrs. Emerson's homesickness.

The day he died was the season when pollen was in high demand. A gust of wind blew camellia flowers and pollen to the manor. Lucas was working in the study at the time, and the window of the study was blown open by the wind, which triggered Lucas' asthma.

Ivy has doubts about this conclusion and she is more inclined to the other two statements.

Either that or it was a trick played by the Headless Horseman, who was Vernon at the time, for his soul.

Or it was karma, Lucas killed Cecilia with his own hands, and Cecilia's favorite camellia also killed Lucas.

"Ivy, you're almost 19 years old, right? Do you have a boy you like?" Mrs. Hudson began to tease Ivy.

"No, Mrs. Hudson, I just want to work hard now." Ivy responded awkwardly.

"That won't do. A woman's biggest mission is to find a good man to marry..."

Mrs. Hudson began to chatter incessantly. This was the limitation of the times. Ivy could understand that she could not change Mrs. Hudson's mind, but she also did not want to be a small grain of sand in the torrent of the 19th century.

She is a person of the 21st century, with new ideas and new ideals. Society is progressive and her views are also progressive.

Looking back at the people of the 19th century with this idea in mind, Ivy does not feel contempt or pity. Looking for clues of history in daily life is also a kind of pleasure.

Ivy took a sip of tea and began to think about the people who existed in this era.

Ivy thought, just make the best of it, maybe she doesn't need to be so anxious and worried.

Staying awake and delving into history are the little tricks for surviving in the 19th century.