Chapter 51: Could She Be a Beginner?
Helen had prepared herself mentally, but upon seeing the murderous intent in Bert’s eyes, her heart couldn’t help but race. The fireplace in the drawing-room was burning high-quality firewood, keeping the room warm, yet beads of sweat formed on Helen’s nose.
“My father’s passing was sudden. I’m unaware of any matters he left behind. Could Your Highness enlighten me?” Bert asked, his gaze fixed on Helen’s face like a venomous snake. He had thick black hair and a faint scar from a sword wound across his nose. Although only in his thirties, years of warfare had given him a natural aura of authority. His appearance, coupled with his sharp gaze, exuded an immense pressure.
“Regarding your military achievements… I don’t think I need to elaborate further, do I?” Helen knew that showing weakness or fear at this point would only put her at a disadvantage. She mustered her courage and met his gaze with a threatening expression. “But I have good news. I’m the only one who knows about this.”
Bert knew he had momentarily entertained the thought of killing her.
Right here in this drawing-room, he could pierce her beautiful chest with his sword and bury this secret forever. No one else should know. The soldiers who had carried out his orders had long been used as cannon fodder and none had returned alive from the war. Even the plague mage he had hired had been disposed of cleanly after he had served his purpose. He had also eliminated any potential intermediaries who might leak information. It was a foolproof plan.
His father had only become suspicious because he had accidentally seen a small part of Bert’s records and, knowing his son’s character, had deduced the truth. Bert had acted decisively, eliminating the old man who should have stepped aside long ago. Could his father have left behind some contingency plan?
“Your Highness… You surprise me,” General Bert said, a forced smile on his lips. “You weren’t like this before.”
“People change,” Helen said. “General Bert, is this offer enough to make you my ally?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong,” General Bert said flatly. “My achievements are genuine. You can’t accuse a loyal subject without evidence. Your Highness, although you are of noble birth, you can’t slander me without proof.”
He couldn’t possibly admit to his past. If he confessed to his actions during the war, he would be stripped of his rank and title, banished from Golden Griffin City, and forced to live as a farmer for the rest of his days. Moreover, if the Emperor believed he had been deceived, he might even lose his head!
Helen, however, seemed relieved. “Is that your answer?” she asked.
General Bert suddenly felt uneasy. It seemed the princess had anticipated this.
“Perhaps there’s no trace of this in people’s memories, but what if we sent an investigative team to the former territory of the Kingdom of Ossi—the Empire’s newly acquired land?” Helen asked, her heart pounding, her words coming faster. “Battlefields leave behind traces, especially those that have seen fierce fighting in recent years. If the investigative team is skilled enough, I don’t think anyone can perfectly conceal their mistakes there, right? Not to mention the local civilians. They’ve just become citizens of the Western Empire and haven’t been fully assimilated into our culture. They might still harbor resentment and secrets…”
“I’ve never claimed undeserved credit!” General Bert shouted, slamming his fist on the table, losing his composure.
“My dear General Bert, when did I ever accuse you of claiming undeserved credit?” Helen asked, her breathing rapid, but her voice steady. “Has our conversation revealed anything?”
Bert wanted to kick himself.
Princess Helen, clever Princess Helen! She had been subtly hinting at his fabricated achievements, just short of outright accusing him. He, in his nervousness, had fallen right into her trap!
Was this the same sheltered princess he knew? Or… was the princess he knew just a fraction of her true capabilities?
“Your Highness… I’m glad you’re the only one who knows this secret. So, if I erase your memory here, we can pretend this never happened, right?” Bert said, dropping his pretense of civility. The murderous aura of the former battlefield butcher filled the room. Even though he wasn’t releasing any Dou Qi, an invisible pressure weighed down on Helen.
“General Bert, I advise you against doing anything foolish,” Helen said with a cold smile, raising a hand. “Do you see this bracelet? It has a simple magic circle, commonly used by nobles to monitor their health. No matter what kind of mage you bring to erase my memory, this bracelet will react if my mind is tampered with. Once I have the court mage examine it, any magic you used on me will be undone.”
“You think you can scare me with that?” Bert said, slowly rising from his seat. “I have far more tricks up my sleeve than you can imagine.”
“Threatening a princess, General Bert, you’re quite bold. We didn’t have to resort to this,” Helen said, standing up as well. She was much shorter than Bert, but her royal aura, emanating from her, seemed to counter his murderous intent. “The two guards waiting for me outside both carry communication crystals—you have three minutes to decide to support me and let me leave. Otherwise, they’ve received my instructions beforehand. If I don’t emerge soon, they’ll send a message to my personal guard. I’ve hidden a note in a secret location. Once my guard retrieves it, they’ll immediately inform your brothers.”
General Bert’s heart sank.
When did Princess Helen become so ruthless? How could she have planned such a contingency? And informing his brothers through her guard? Don’t be ridiculous! His four brothers were all eyeing his position as Grand General. If they learned of this, they would immediately organize investigative teams and set off. Bert was certain he wouldn’t survive a month in that scenario. No matter how resourceful he was, this was the capital. Could his subordinates act faster than the royal guard?
“General Bert, two minutes left. Make your decision,” Helen said, her face still bearing a faint smile despite the sweat beading on her forehead. “Before things get out of hand.”
“I support you! Your Highness!” Bert finally lowered his head in defeat.
“Then, shall we cooperate?” Helen extended her gloved hand.
Bert reluctantly took her hand, the hand that countless young nobles yearned to touch. He noticed the palm of her glove was damp with sweat, and her beautiful face was covered in beads of perspiration.
“Could it be that this is truly the princess’s first time doing something like this?” he wondered, a sense of defeat washing over him.
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