Chapter 229: Chapter 229: I Think You’ve Gone a Bit Far.

Chapter 229: I Think You’ve Gone a Bit Far.

Melinda pursed her lips after hearing all he had to say. "Well, you aren’t completely wrong. For someone to pull that off, it’s understandable for them to be a person with enough power, but I doubt that she’s the one behind it."

"And why do you think that?" he raised a brow, curious.

"I just have this feeling that she isn’t."

"A feeling?" he asked with a skeptical look. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Yes, a feeling," she pouted, clearly unhappy with that reaction of his. "If you’re really that worried about going, then take me with you."

"Absolutely not," he refused before she could even finish her sentence, his voice filled with finality. "It’s bad enough that she wants to meet me, but I can’t drag you there with me. If it really is some kind of trap, I’m sure I can escape on my own."

"Alright," she gave in. "Just try not to kill anyone..."

"And when have I ever done that?" Su Ping chuckled but smiled awkwardly when she gave him a look.

---

"I take it you’ve made your decision?" the knight said shortly after Melinda dispersed the dark sphere.

"Yes. If you wouldn’t mind, please lead me to her ladyship."

"Of course, please follow me." The knight led the way; the both of them left the house and got into the carriage.

With a whip of the reins, the driver got the carriage moving.

Some time later, the carriage arrived within the Montgomery estate, stopping short of the mansion’s entrance.

"We’re here," said the knight before descending from the carriage.

"Never thought I’d have to come back here so soon," Su Ping muttered beneath his breath before descending from the carriage as well.

---

"What’s he doing here?" muttered a lone servant who was heading toward the garden.

"Isn’t he the one who saved the young miss?" She took a moment to assure that it really was the same person. "If he’s here, then there must be a reason for it."

"I have to go tell the young miss," the maid said with urgency before increasing her gait toward the garden.

Meanwhile, seated within the garden was Esmeralda, who was busy having an outdoor tea party. Well, calling it a tea party was sad, since she was out here drinking by herself, her listless eyes staring at the beautiful flora.

Just as she took another sip from her teacup, she sensed someone approaching.

"What are you doing here?" Esmeralda asked.

"What? Can’t a brother see his own younger sister anymore? As far as I recall, I don’t remember there being any laws that prohibit me from walking around the mansion," said Henry, who had a cold smirk on his face.

Under Esmeralda’s calm gaze, he took a seat opposite her from across the table.

"I said I would help you deal with our older sister; that doesn’t mean that I asked you to come and disturb my peace."

"On the contrary, I didn’t come here to do any such thing. I simply came here to inform you of our next course of action. If you’re really serious about siding with me, I’m afraid I’ll need you to prove it to me."

"And what is it you want? Out with it—I don’t have all day."

"Tsk." Henry clicked his tongue in displeasure.

’The stupid bitch is just as annoying as Veronica...’

’No matter, I’ll simply use you until I get what I want. Once I become the true heir of the household, I’d like to see what sort of face you’ll have then.’

"A spy of mine just sent back word regarding the McClains. It appears they’re suddenly reconsidering the war."

"What?" This time, Esmeralda’s interest was piqued.

"It appears they’ve discovered something of a boon in the capital of their viscounty and are focusing their forces there to get it."

"Then isn’t that a good thing?" she said when she saw the ever-present displeased look on her brother’s face.

"Of course it’s not!" Henry spoke up. "Have you learned nothing at that academy of yours, or have you simply been preoccupied with learning magic that you failed to understand other things?"

"What are you trying to say?" Esmeralda sighed, not falling for his rage bait one bit.

"What do you think happens if this war is called off? It means my opportunity to prove to father that I’m better than that bitch, Veronica, is out the window."

"We absolutely cannot let that happen!"

"But you just said it yourself that they aren’t interested in the war anymore. What are you getting at?" Esmeralda frowned.

"I’m saying that why don’t we give them another reason to start this war," Henry whispered with a cold light in his eyes.

This time, Esmeralda leaned forward from her seat, her eyes turning serious.

"Just what are you up to, brother?"

"Listen, father hasn’t gotten news of the McClains’ decision yet. I say we take advantage of that and strike while the iron’s hot."

"I spoke to Charles about it before coming here, and he gave me a good idea as to how we can salvage the situation."

"I’m listening..." Esmeralda said, her focus growing even more.

"Why don’t we simply start the war ourselves?"

"You mean..."

"Yes. I have a handful of the viscounty’s soldiers underneath my command; with but a word, I can get them to follow me. Using their aid, I’m sure we can capture a town or two from them, perhaps even a city before they’re able to react."

"Do you understand that what you’re suggesting is no different from betraying father’s trust..." Esmeralda’s voice turned uneasy.

"Who said he has to know? We can simply lie to him."

"And what happens when his messenger gets back here and tells him everything?"

"Hahaha, there’s no need to worry about that. I’m afraid father won’t be able to get that message," Henry said before slowly standing up.

"Henry... what did you do?" Esmeralda’s voice became even more uneasy. She understood that her brother was power-hungry, but perhaps this was a bit much.