Chapter 676: 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 Melanie, whose face was filled with panic:

"Just as I feared—the adult world doesn't value trust. The worth of their promises may not even match the value of your religious studies essay… You're definitely getting beaten."

"?!"

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

"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."

After pityingly glancing 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 will just laugh. But a six- or seven-year-old saying he wants to be a freeloader? He'll be beaten senseless."

"I'm not as stupid as you. If I weren't certain of this—if I didn't know I wouldn't get beaten—why would I write down my future plans when I knew I might be betrayed?"

"?!!!"

After hearing William's reply, Melanie froze, stunned like a frog struck by lightning, her 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 speaking, to avoid you clinging to me and tormenting me forever, I should've gone straight 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 go out of my way to warn you?"

"You! I… I'll fight you!"

"Are you sure?"

Dodging Melanie's lunge, William raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Your content is practically heresy. The essay that could drive your religious studies teacher to death? 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!"

Slapping Melanie's shoulder, William said earnestly:

"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 candy figures and confess to her. If she agrees to marry me, maybe I can get a seat in parliament through her father…"

"You… you actually planned 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 most…"

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

"???"

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

"What kind of help?"

"Lend me your pocket money."

"Huh?"

Grabbing Melanie's shoulders and staring into her eyes, William's small face was stern with determination: "If I keep eating the snacks Charlotte brings to school 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 said with absolute certainty:

"Big brother told me a story: confession isn't the battle cry that starts the charge—it's the declaration after victory. If I'm doing this, I have full 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 something and fool me again…"

"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 who always dodged blame, Melanie puckered her cute face, clutched her skirt, sniffled through her reddened nose, and whined:

"Didn't you just say we should put off talking about the future 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 just 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—you can knock if you need help from the staff or adults backstage…"

"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:

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

"Are you an idiot?"

Glancing at his foolish sister, William sighed:

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

Can't change it? 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 no idea—and outside the hall, scattered footsteps were approaching. The parents were arriving.

The parents are here—there's no time! When Anna comes… wait—parents!

As Melanie panicked, she suddenly spotted the nameplate of Class Two next door. A flash of inspiration struck—she dashed over, found the nameplate reading "Charlotte Montier," and swapped it with the one beside "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 in trouble, Anna will double the punishment. I need to distract her… William! If you still want me to lend you my pocket money, then right in front of Charlotte's parents, ask her if she'll marry you!"

(End of Chapter)