Chapter 679: Is This Kid Like Me?

「……」

Are kids these days really that mature?

Watching William and Charlotte, who had just settled their lifelong fate in two sentences and now hugged closely whispering to each other, the adults from both families were momentarily stunned.

After a moment, Anna, the one most familiar with raising children, was the first to react, biting her lip and speaking as gently as she could:

"William! What are you doing?!"

"I'm proposing, and I succeeded."

After wiping the milk candy off his face with a handkerchief and returning it to his little wife, William said seriously:

"We've already agreed: we'll marry right after graduation, have a son first, a daughter second, and ideally twins of opposite genders third…"

"Cough, cough, cough… let's talk about that later."

Seeing the increasingly strange expressions on the faces of the fat Prime Minister and his wife, Leon cleared his throat awkwardly, dragged his brother back from in front of the other family's cabbage, and said with some embarrassment:

"William… he's always liked imitating adults. These two children probably don't even know what marriage means, so you really shouldn't take it too seriously…"

"That's not true—Charlotte knows what marriage is!"

After giving Leon, who had dragged away her husband, an unhappy glance, the Prime Minister's younger daughter pouted:

"It means staying together for life, never separating during meals, sleep, or games, and when we grow up, having lots of babies and raising them together…"

"And exchanging resources."

While Anna was pinching his ear to scold him, William turned his head to add:

"For example, when your father needs military support and wants my brother and the Raynes family to agree, he can offer positions in return—like giving me a seat on the county council."

"William?!"

Hearing his brother's words, Anna stared in shock:

"How do you know this? And… and I haven't even told you about this yet…"

"I heard it from Professor Logan."

William said calmly:

"Last week during a history quiz, Melanie copied someone else's answers—and also copied their name. She was afraid her parents would be called, so she paid me with her allowance to help her sneak into Professor Logan's office and steal the test papers.

When I stepped on her shoulders and climbed through the window, Professor Logan was chatting with the homeroom teacher of Class Two in the break room. They were discussing which first-year students had troublesome backgrounds, and mentioned your older brother briefly."

Ah! You're betraying me again!

Hearing William expose another deadly secret, Melanie shuddered, leapt off her chair, and clung to Leon's leg, terrified Anna would scold her again.

But the adults were now too stunned by Melanie's cheating to care—they all stared at William, who seemed like a miniature adult.

…

"Your brother is truly… gifted!"

William, unlikely to inherit the Dukedom, had only merited a casual glance from the fat Prime Minister moments ago—but now he truly regarded him with new respect. At William's age, he himself couldn't even play with mud properly, let alone understand interest exchanges or county council seats. This child was undoubtedly a rare genius!

Moreover, the Lionheart Duke and Princess Veronika are betrothed; he may very well step down from the Dukedom early. If this child becomes my ally, he might even compete for the Dukedom.

At that time, the Montier family would be allied by marriage to the new Lionheart Duke, as well as to the Princess—and even the future Queen's husband. Their influence would surge dramatically. Even after my term ends and I leave the Prime Minister's post, the Montier family would remain a powerfully influential clan!

And the cost? Only my daughter's happiness… hmm… though she seems quite happy already?

Looking at his little daughter, her cheeks sticky with milk candy, beaming with joy, then at William—though chubby-faced, speaking with clarity and precision, growing ever more impressive in his intellect—the fat Prime Minister pondered briefly, then smiled warmly at Leon:

"Your Grace, though this is merely a child's promise, it need not be treated as a joke.

Your younger brother is exceptionally talented and will surely achieve great things. I see that Charlotte truly likes him. If you are also inclined, perhaps allow the two children to continue playing as they are?

If they grow apart later, it will simply be childish nonsense and won't harm our families' relations. But if they grow close and become even closer through marriage, that would be even better. What do you think?"

"…"

I feel… a little stunned…

Watching the fat Prime Minister, whose words were uncertain but clearly leaning toward turning this playful arrangement into reality, Leon hesitated, then turned to William in Anna's arms.

"Big brother, agree."

Meeting Leon's probing gaze, William spoke calmly:

"I heard from Professor Logan and others that the Raynes family has had many troubles—you're facing serious problems now and need support. Charlotte's father has exactly that ability. And it's not just you, Big Brother—I also need help to realize my dream.

If you agree to this, Charlotte's father gains an ally, secures his position as Prime Minister longer, you resolve your current troubles, Charlotte gains happiness, and I gain support for my dream… Why hesitate over such a mutually beneficial arrangement?"

This child… is truly extraordinary!

Watching William calmly lay out his thoughts, distilling the core advantages and disadvantages in mere sentences, the fat Prime Minister's eyes sparkled with admiration—his future son-in-law, still in elementary school, grew even more satisfying.

Though William's words sounded overly focused on interests—most fathers would dislike such pragmatism—

the Prime Minister, in the kingdom's political arena, was the greatest political broker, spending his days mediating between factions, leveraging influence to advance agendas, and forging agreements. This slightly utilitarian style of exchange was his daily routine, utterly familiar.

The very skill he had cultivated over decades of political struggle—suddenly appeared in a child. The fat Prime Minister was overwhelmed with delight, even feeling a strange sense of recognition: "This child is like me."

"This child is incredibly smart!"

Again studying the chubby-faced boy before him, the fat Prime Minister did not rush Leon for an answer. Instead, he squatted down with effort, patted William's head, and smiled with exceptional warmth:

"Come, tell Uncle what your dream is. Maybe I can help you achieve it right away."

"That's perfect. I want to overthrow the royal family and become king myself."

Oh, so your dream is to overthrow the royal… what?

What?!?!?!

(End of Chapter)