"Your Majesty, we already have a preliminary plan for this matter."
Mycroft set down his knife and fork, gently wiped his mouth with a napkin, and began speaking slowly and clearly.
"Charlotte, Watson, and I are all in agreement that Moriarty's target is Her Highness herself."
This can be inferred from the notice he sent. He will return the music box tomorrow night. To return the music box, he will have no choice but to make contact with Her Highness."
As he spoke, he glanced toward Princess Louise, who stood beside them.
"Then what?"
The Queen's gaze shifted to Charlotte and Russell as she asked them.
"Therefore, we are prepared to counter him."
Charlotte took over the conversation.
"Tomorrow night, we will withdraw all guards and servants from the area around Your Majesty's bedroom and concentrate them at every possible entry point where Moriarty might sneak in."
Upon hearing the plan, a faint, almost imperceptible wrinkle formed between the Queen's brows.
"Withdraw all the guards?"
She repeated it uncertainly.
"Isn't that too dangerous?"
"What I am about to say may sound as if I am defending him, but please believe me, Your Majesty."
Russell spoke up, drawing the Queen's attention.
"Moriarty has a rather… morbid sense of humor."
"And?"
"In other words, the worst-case scenario tomorrow night is that we fail to catch him. I guarantee there will be no casualties. And Her Highness will be able to reclaim her beloved treasure."
He said this and gave Louise a light smile.
"Therefore, this is actually the best approach."
"Then why can't the three of you stay together to protect Louise?"
King Edward VII interjected at the perfect moment.
"Block all the entrances where Moriarty might enter with the others, and have the three of you stay by Louise's side. Wouldn't that be better?"
"That would actually increase unnecessary risk."
Charlotte said.
"Based on my investigation of Moriarty, while he does not like to harm people, that does not mean he lacks other means to incapacitate them. For example, in the Lloyds Bank incident, he hid in advance at one of the guards' homes, drugged him, impersonated him, and infiltrated the bank. If the three of us—Mycroft, Watson, and I—stay around Her Highness, it would create an opening for him to infiltrate among the other guards.
"Moreover, we still do not know whether the drug Moriarty used to render people unconscious has any side effects on the human body…"
She did not finish her sentence, but her meaning was already quite clear. Every drug has a certain degree of toxicity. Moriarty may not have intended to harm anyone, but no one knows whether the drug he administered had any side effects.
"Therefore, to avoid unnecessary casualties, we must disperse the security forces."
Mycroft resumed and completed Charlotte's plan.
"A large number of soldiers have been deployed at every entrance and corridor where he might appear. This way, no matter where he tries to intrude from, an alarm will surely sound and his location will be revealed."
"That sounds feasible."
The Queen pondered for a moment before asking, "Then what about Louise's side?"
"Mr. Watson will be in charge."
Charlotte answered without hesitation.
"Him?"
The Queen frowned and looked at Russell. "Why him? After all… isn't he your assistant? And… he is a man."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I vouch for Mr. Watson's character."
"At the same time, in the name of Charlotte Holmes, I promise there will be no unfounded rumors or gossip."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Queen and King softened somewhat, though their gazes toward Russell grew sharper.
Russell simply replied with a polite smile.
"In fact, the main reason we chose him is because he is the most suitable candidate among everyone present."
Charlotte set down her knife and fork as she spoke.
"Please explain in detail."
The Queen said.
"The reason is simple. Among everyone here, he poses the least threat to Moriarty."
"That's true."
Russell nodded without arguing. Therefore, Moriarty was hardly on guard against him.
Charlotte continued.
"Moriarty's goal is to return the music box and make contact with Her Highness—it is not to assassinate her. His ultimate goal was to complete this perfect retirement performance, which he himself directed and starred in. Therefore, he will not harm anyone. Especially not Her Highness herself."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"In his script, he appears in a surprising way, returns the music box to Her Highness, and then elegantly departs under everyone's gaze. What he needs is surprise and applause. That way, he can become a legend. Instead of gunshots and bloodshed, which would turn him into a lowly murderer."
"So… you're saying he won't take any action?"
King Edward VII said tentatively.
"At least not when Moriarty's enemy is himself."
The most likely action Moriarty would take is to create some commotion to draw attention, then try to approach the princess. In this way, his threat is minimized.
Charlotte corrected her earlier point.
"Therefore, what we need is not skilled combatants capable of close-quarters fighting with him, but a perfect alarm system."
As she spoke, she looked toward Watson.
"And coincidentally, Watson possesses the ability to carry out this critical task."
His skills are ordinary, but he has one major advantage.
"What is the advantage?"
Louise could not help but ask out of curiosity.
"He is sufficiently obedient."
Charlotte's answer was concise and to the point.
"Do what needs to be done as quickly as possible, and never do what should not be done—that is his life motto."
Russell's lips twitched. Therefore, he would not be foolish enough to get involved with Moriarty.
"As long as he informs us the moment Moriarty appears, and we promise to keep him away from the princess, that will be sufficient."
"This method may sound simple at first glance, but it is surprisingly effective."
After thinking for a moment, the Queen agreed.
Mycroft listened quietly without offering any opinion, though a faint look of amusement appeared in his eyes.
"Then we shall do as you say."
King Edward VII nodded lightly.
"Um… um…"
Just then, Louise suddenly raised her hand, drawing everyone's attention.
"What is it, darling?"
The Queen looked at her youngest daughter with loving eyes.
"Do you have something to add?"
"Hmm," Louise nodded, then looked at Charlotte and Mycroft.
"If possible… could you please avoid harming Mr. Moriarty?"
"Huh?"
Mycroft raised one eyebrow. "Why, Your Highness?"
"Because… because he… trampled on the dignity of the royal family," Louise stammered, trying to find the words.
"But at least he got infected with a lot of parasites… so… if possible, please catch him."
As the girl spoke, a pleading expression appeared in the eyes she turned toward Charlotte.
"Is that… okay?"
...
PS: Support me and read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode