Becoming Professor Moriarty's Probability

Chapter 52: The Mystery of the Reigate Squire

Several hours after Isaac Adler was surrounded by Charlotte Holmes and Jane Moriarty, inside a fast-moving train—

"... You must be feeling quite tired."

Jane Moriarty, who sat to the right of Adler and was nodding her head, closed her eyes and slowly rested her head on his shoulder. Adler, who had been sitting quietly all the while, began to murmur in a low voice to her.

"The professor is indeed intellectual, but sometimes, she seems to also have her naive moments."

"..........."

"Especially when she has her sugar confiscated by me. She'd momentarily wear a look as if she's lost the whole world in that ever-composed face of hers."

Sitting to the left of Adler, listening quietly to his calm voice, was none other than Charlotte Holmes.

"That part somehow reminds me a bit of Miss Holmes."

Her gaze was fixed on Isaac Adler, who was gently stroking Professor Moriarty's soft hair.

"You..."

"... You're still young, Miss Holmes."

Charlotte, who had been quietly observing the scene for a while, was about to speak when Adler interrupted her in her tracks.

"I clearly said that you were the most precious to me..."

Upon hearing those words, Charlotte Holmes couldn't help but tilt her head slightly, meanwhile, Adler continued his speech...

"It was Miss Lestrade who confessed to me first. You saw it with your own eyes, so I'm sure you won't disagree with me on that."

"......."

"There's no way I would miss an opportunity to play with someone like that, right?"

His eyes shone quietly as he murmured those ominous words to her.

"And I clearly said it last time, didn't I? That I will devour those around you, one by one."

"... You did indeed."

"If you disappoint me, in the end, I will devour you too."

His hand that was caressing Moriarty's hair till now reached for Charlotte.

"What should I do now?"

".........."

"I'm a bit disappointed in you right now."

Soon after, Adler gently touched her cheek, opened his mouth, and mimicked the sounds of swallowing out loud.

"May I devour you?"

However, Charlotte, who would normally show the slightest hints of distaste at those statements of his, was strangely unfazed today...

"I clearly said it back then too..."

This led Adler, who momentarily tilted his head, to be confronted with a truly strange statement.

"Whatever your intention might be, seeing you like this somehow makes my heart churn."

Charlotte Holmes murmured in a hushed voice with her eyes cast down.

"I've been honest with yo..."

"Do you perhaps like me?"

When Adler probed further while wearing a faint smile on his lips, Charlotte Holmes chose to remain silent...

".........."

"Miss Holmes?"

Adler called out to her with a slightly flustered tone due to her response, which was so uncharacteristic that it had caught him off guard. Turning her gaze to the window, Charlotte rested her chin in her hand and mumbled in a soft tone.