Julian's heart stirred slightly at those words.
"Could it be that you suspect your son...?"
"It's not impossible.
"In fact, although a curse never crossed my mind, I did once suspect someone close to me of poisoning me. My doctor ruled that out, so I didn't investigate further."
Oakley's face had dimmed. He slumped dejectedly in his chair, looking ten years older.
"Jennings has always maintained close ties with the rising industrialists who own factories. He's even argued with me at home several times over the enclosure bill.
"Now that I think about it, if I died, he would inherit my title. Then he could speak for those factory owners in Parliament... Perhaps that's an outcome he wants to see."
His words were steeped in desolation. Julian could hear a father's disappointment and sorrow in them.
Julian frowned slightly as he listened, struck by an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
On closer consideration, the first assassination attempt against Duke Negan, a central figure in the Conservative Party, was fast approaching. Viscount Oakley's suspicion that his eldest son wanted to kill him and inherit his title seemed intricately connected to it.
The former was no random incident, but the result of careful planning by the Twilight Hermit Order. The possibility that Viscount Oakley's troubles were also connected to that organization could not be ruled out.
Although the logic of capturing the leader first was obvious, using extraordinary means to discreetly alter Parliament's membership, creating more opposition and obstacles for the Conservative Party, also fit that Angel of Imagination's style.
On the other hand, Viscount Oakley also seemed to know Hanass Vincent, who had the Aurora Order behind him. The waters here were bound to run deep.
Wait... Julian, calm down.
Realizing this, Julian forcibly suppressed the impulse to follow Viscount Oakley's line of reasoning and instead fell into thought.
Anything involving the Twilight Hermit Order was no laughing matter. He also could not be completely certain that Jennings Oakley was the culprit. After all, everything he knew so far came solely from Viscount Oakley's account.
If Julian now encouraged Viscount Oakley to go home and break with his son, he might be playing straight into someone's hands-especially since he was certain that Ince Zangwill, who currently possessed 0-08, had already set his sights on him. He had to handle this matter even more cautiously, or he might meet a gruesome end.
After all, Julian's knowledge of the Twilight Hermit Order did not originate from the world of mysteries itself, so it should represent an unpredictable variable to Ince Zangwill. He needed to make good use of that information gap while restraining both his instinct to enjoy the spectacle regardless of the consequences and his desire to use this affair to raise his own standing.
After a little thought, Julian finally spoke.
"I can't say much about this matter. But now that you're aware of it, keeping yourself safe for the time being shouldn't be a problem."
"As for what you just heard concerning your son Jennings, all I can say is that this is a trial fate has set for you. You need to use this opportunity to see those around you clearly and distinguish true loyalty from treachery.
"Remember, don't let appearances or your own wishes blind you. This is a crisis, but it's also an opportunity."
"...A trial set by fate?"
Oakley froze for a moment.
"When you mentioned keeping me safe just now, you meant...?"
"Move out of your usual residence for a while. A change of surroundings will help stabilize your condition."
"But stabilizing it doesn't mean I'll recover, does it?"
Still uneasy, Viscount Oakley pressed him further.
Julian nodded before saying:
"Come see me again on Friday afternoon. I'll point you toward a path to recovery then."
"Of course. Thank you so much, Mr. Albrecht."
Oakley's voice was full of excitement.
Although he still had no idea how Julian had gleaned so much from such a brief conversation, every word the latter spoke had undoubtedly struck a chord with him.
Oakley rose and clasped Julian's hand tightly.
"Forgive my earlier disrespect. You truly are an exceptionally gifted diviner."
With that, he took out a five-pound note and offered it to Julian, who shook his head and refused.
"I charge only four soli per divination. That's my rule."
Seeing Julian insist, Oakley could only relent. Instead, he had his attendant bring over four soli in cash and hand it to him.
"Then, Mr. Albrecht, I'll await your good news."
After saying goodbye to Julian, Oakley seemed to be in better spirits, and much of the earlier gravity had faded from his face.
He left the Divination Club with his attendant, praising Julian's character and abilities to Angelica before he went.
"It looks like Mr. Oakley was very pleased with you."
As soon as Julian left the divination room, Angelica hurriedly handed him a glass of sweet iced tea.
In any case, leaving that member of Parliament satisfied with the Divination Club was a good thing. Previously, only Hanass Vincent had managed anything similar.
"It certainly seems that way."
Julian smiled and nodded. Savoring the slight sensation of potion digestion he had experienced earlier, he accepted the sweet iced tea and took a sip.
This stuff is surprisingly delicious. No wonder Klein likes it.
He marveled at it with some surprise.
"Angelica, I heard Member of Parliament Oakley came looking for me earlier. Where is he?"
Just then, Hanass Vincent finally finished his class. He hurried out from the far end of the corridor and asked.
"Mr. Albrecht has already performed a divination for Member of Parliament Oakley. The gentleman was very satisfied."
"...I see."
Hanass Vincent paused at her words, then turned to Julian with a smile.
"Julian, if you don't mind my asking, what trouble did Member of Parliament Oakley encounter, and what advice did you give him?"
"Just some health issues. I told him to move somewhere else and go out for walks more often when he has nothing to do."
Julian did not reveal the truth outright. In fact, whether or not Viscount Oakley later spoke privately with Hanass Vincent, he had to show that he respected his clients' privacy.
"I see. That's good, then."
Only then did Hanass relax slightly.
After a brief pause, he asked another question.
"Julian, it's almost four now. Shall we have afternoon tea together? The club offers complimentary tea and refreshments."
"I'd be delighted."
Julian did not refuse. He joined Hanass in the side lounge for afternoon tea, exchanging insights on divination and some views on creation myths along the way.
During their conversation, Julian showed no resistance to the unconventional interpretations of such myths that Hanass tentatively offered. This encouraged the latter to open up, and he unwittingly said a little more.
However, whenever the conversation approached the core teachings of the Aurora Order, he carefully steered it away to ensure he did not arouse Julian's suspicions.
"Thank you for sharing, Hanass. Those novel perspectives were truly impressive.
"I still have something to attend to at home, so I'll take my leave. Have a pleasant evening."
At five, Julian and Hanass shook hands amicably, and Julian left in a hired carriage.
However, he did not go straight home. Instead, he took the carriage to 18 Vlad Street in Tingen City's East Borough.
"Rosen's Folk Herbal Shop... This is the place."
Julian looked up at the rather inconspicuous sign and murmured to himself.
If he remembered correctly, this was an herbal shop run by an Apothecary affiliated with the School of Life.
A genuine Apothecary!