Chapter 274: 273 The Way to Break the Impasse

It seems we were still too naive.

Looking through the windows of the grand hall at the name cards on the table and the folded survey forms, William sighed with a look of melancholy, then turned to the terrified Melanie beside him.

"Just as I feared—the adult world doesn't value trust. Their promises are worth less than your religious studies essay… You're definitely getting beaten."

"?!"

Hearing William's words, Melanie, already panicked, grew even more frantic. She stomped her foot and glared at him in anger.

"What do you mean I'm definitely getting beaten? Your stuff is way worse than mine—if Anna sees it, she'll beat you harder than me!"

"Not necessarily."

With a pitying glance at his foolish sister, William crossed his arms and spoke calmly.

"A six- or seven-year-old saying he wants to conquer the world? Adults find it funny. But a six- or seven-year-old saying he wants to be a freeloader? That's a surefire way to get beaten badly."

"I'm not as stupid as you. If I weren't certain of this—if I thought I'd get beaten—I'd never have written down my future plans knowing I might be betrayed."

"?!!!"

After hearing William's reply, Melanie froze like a frog struck by lightning, eyes wide with disbelief.

"You… you knew you'd be betrayed, so why didn't you warn me?"

"Why should I warn you?"

William asked, puzzled.

"Your dream is to be a freeloader. If you actually succeeded, I'd have to support you for the rest of your life. Logically, to avoid you clinging to me and tormenting me forever, I should've gone to Anna and reported you."

"The fact that I didn't go to Anna means I'm giving you special treatment because we're siblings. Why would I warn you?"

"You! I… I'll fight you!"

"Are you sure?"

William sidestepped Melanie's lunge and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Your content is practically heresy. The essay that could make your religious studies teacher die of rage? It's still in my hands, unsubmitted… Melanie, you don't want to rewrite it, do you?"

"I… you…"

"Give up your dream of being a freeloader and help me!"

William patted Melanie's shoulder and spoke seriously.

"I've thought it through. To unify the world, I must first overthrow the kingdom. To overthrow the kingdom, I must first gain enough power. And as for how to gain that power—I already have a plan."

"Charlotte from Class Two is the Prime Minister's daughter. As soon as the parent meeting ends, I'll buy her hair clips and sugar figurines and propose to her. If she agrees to marry me, maybe I can get a seat in parliament through her father…"

"You… you're really planning this?"

Hearing this, Melanie stared in shock.

"Lowdown! You've always been playing with Charlotte just for this?"

"Not exactly."

William shook his head.

"I like playing with Charlotte because she's the prettiest girl in school, and she always brings me snacks from home. Her being the Prime Minister's daughter is just a lucky bonus."

"Huh? Didn't you just tell third-year Melly yesterday that she was the school's most…"

"That's irrelevant, Melanie. Right now, what matters is that I need your help!"

"???"

Seeing William's serious expression, Melanie paused, then asked instinctively:

"What kind of help?"

"Lend me your pocket money."

"Huh?"

William grabbed her shoulders, stared into her eyes, and said with a stern little face:

"If I keep eating Charlotte's snacks without giving her anything back, my status in the household will drop after we marry… Melanie, you don't want your twin brother looked down on by your future sister-in-law, do you?"

"Of course I don't… wait! She hasn't even agreed to marry you yet!"

"She will."

William spoke with absolute certainty.

"Big brother told me a story: proposing isn't the battle cry that starts the charge—it's the declaration after victory. If I'm doing this, I have total confidence."

"But…"

"After Charlotte agrees to marry me, I'll write your homework for next week."

"Then… you'd better keep your word. Don't just scribble nonsense to fool me…"

"Don't worry!"

…

"Melanie! William!"

Just as Melanie reached into her pocket, hesitating to pull out her money, their frantic homeroom teacher rushed over. Seeing the two children crouched outside the grand hall, she let out a long breath, then scolded them impatiently:

"Didn't I say to gather at your classroom door first, then come together to the grand hall? Why are you…"

"Teacher, why are you so late?!"

As the twin assigned to dodge blame, Melanie puckered her cute face, tugged at her skirt, sniffled through her reddened nose, and whined:

"Didn't you just say we should put off future matters and come straight to the parent meeting? We came here and found no one—afraid you'd miss us, we didn't dare wander off, so we waited here… Waaah… It's freezing outside, and the wind is so strong…"

"…

I think… I did say that? But I meant for you to gather at your classroom, not come straight here… Hmm… Probably I didn't explain clearly enough, and the two of you misunderstood."

"Sorry, it was my fault for not being clear."

After taking two deep breaths and calming down, the teacher, now relieved, patted Melanie's head, opened the grand hall door, let them in, and gently instructed:

"The seats by the windows on the east side are for Class One. There's a side door near the stage that leads to the backstage—go knock if you need help from the staff or adults inside."

"Melanie, William, I have to go back and bring the other students. Wait here for me, okay?"

"Okay! We'll wait right here for you, Teacher."

"Oh, we understand."

Once the teacher hurried off, Melanie—who had been sitting politely on her chair like a good child—leapt up instantly, eyes sparkling with excitement:

"Hurry! Where's your charcoal pencil? Quick, change our forms!"

"Are you an idiot?"

William glanced at his foolish sister and sighed.

"The teacher already saw them. We can't copy his handwriting. If you change them now, are you trying to make Anna beat you harder?"

Can't change them? Then what do we do?

Recalling Anna's temper, fearing she'd publicly beat her senseless, Melanie racked her brain for a way out.

But solutions weren't easy to find. After thinking long and hard, she still had nothing. Outside, scattered footsteps were already approaching—the parents were arriving.

The parents are here—there's no time! Anna's coming… Wait—parents!

As Melanie panicked, she suddenly spotted the nameplate of Class Two next door. Instantly inspired, she dashed over, found the plate reading "Charlotte Montier," and swapped it with the one beside William's name: "William Lane."

"?"

"You have to help me share the blame!"

Under William's confused gaze, Melanie pulled out her bulging little purse, waved it in front of him, and ordered imperiously:

"If I'm the only one who caused trouble, Anna will double the beating. I need to distract her… William! If you still want me to lend you your pocket money, then right in front of Charlotte's parents, ask her if she'll marry you!"