Chapter 3

For the next few days, I shut myself away, claiming I needed time to recover from my injuries.

Meanwhile, my father started laying the groundwork for breaking off the engagement, both openly and in secret. He no longer openly supported Edward, and more than once, he voiced opinions in court that went against Edward.

Edward could sense the Whitmore family pulling away, and he was very anxious. He showed up several times, but I turned him away each time, saying I wasn't feeling well.

I knew he was about to lose his patience.

As for me, I was busy with something even more important—finding new allies.

The enemy of my enemy was my friend.

Edward's biggest rival in court wasn't any of the other princes. It was his own uncle, Henry, the youngest brother of the King.

Henry was a legend.

He was once a prodigy general, leading troops into battle at sixteen and earning great military honors. But fate was cruel. At eighteen, he lost the use of his legs saving the King in a brutal fight, and from then on, he was bound to a wheelchair.

After returning to the capital, he handed over all his military power and became an idle prince, shutting himself away from the world and refusing to see anyone.

The King, grateful for his service, favored him greatly, but Henry himself seemed completely disheartened, with not a shred of ambition left.

Everyone thought the once invincible prince was finished for good.

But I knew it wasn't that simple.

Grace's inner voice had mentioned Henry a few times. She said that in the previous life, when the Whitmore family was wiped out, he was the only one in court who spoke up for us. Because of that, Edward held a grudge against Henry, and his end was tragic.

Why would a useless prince dare to openly oppose the Crown Prince, who was at the height of his power?

Either he was truly foolish, or... he was far more complicated than he appeared.

I was betting on the latter.

I needed an ally strong enough to stand against Edward and the forces behind him. And this seemingly down-and-out Henry was the perfect candidate.

I made up an excuse about going to St. Serenity Abbey outside the city to pray for the King, and had the carriage conveniently break down halfway.

Henry's estate was conveniently nearby.

Everything fell into place as planned.

I brought Grace with me and arrived at the gates of Henry's estate.

The gates were tightly shut, looking rather bleak, nothing like the grandeur I'd expect from a prince's residence.

I stepped forward and knocked. After a long wait, an old butler opened the door a crack, eyeing us warily. "Who are you looking for?"

"We're from Whitmore Manor," Grace said, stepping forward and handing over my name card. "My lady's carriage broke down nearby, and we were hoping to rest for a moment and ask for some water."

The old butler's cloudy eyes flicked from me to the card, hesitated for a moment, and finally stepped aside to let us in.

"Our lord prefers peace and doesn't like visitors. Please wait in the side hall. I'll be right back," he said.

The estate was even more desolate inside. As we walked through, we barely saw any servants. The courtyard was neglected, the plants overgrown and unkempt, giving off an air of decay.

I was led into the side hall and had sat down when I heard the faint sound of a wheelchair rolling.

I looked up and saw him—Henry Lancaster.

He was dressed in a dark suit, his features sharp and striking, his eyes deep and intense, though his complexion was unusually pale. He sat quietly in his wheelchair, pushed by a guard, emerging from behind the moon gate.

His gaze landed on me, calm and unreadable, like the still surface of an ancient well.

"Ms. Whitmore, what a rare guest," he said coolly, his voice tinged with a hoarseness that came from long disuse.

I stood up and curtsied to him. "Sorry for disturbing you, Your Highness."

"It's fine," he said, waving his hand and signaling the guard to leave. "The butler already told me. Please, have a seat."

I sat back down, my mind spinning as I tried to figure out how to approach him. How could I trigger my mind-reading without being too obvious?

Going straight for physical contact was definitely out. It'd be way too abrupt.

I picked up the coffee the servant had brought, took a small sip, and commented offhandedly, "Your estate is really peaceful."

"I'm a cripple now, so naturally, no one visits me," he said, giving a self-mocking smile with a hint of chill.

"It's not that, Your Highness" I replied, setting down my cup and meeting his eyes. "You risked everything to save the King. You're a true hero. Everyone in the city remembers you."

His hand holding the cup paused for a moment, and he looked up at me, his gaze deepening.

'She is actually pretty interesting. Wasn't the rumor that she was some brute who only knew how to fight? But she seems sharp and clever.'

My heart leapt with excitement.

Wait, no need for contact? I could hear his thoughts even from a distance?

No, it was off.

I realized instantly. It wasn't about distance, but about emotional fluctuation.

When someone's emotions spiked, I could catch their inner voice.

This was a major breakthrough.

It meant my mind-reading was way more powerful and useful than I ever thought.

I suppressed my excitement and kept probing.

"By the way, I really should thank you," I said.

"Thank me?" Henry raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

"Yes," I replied, locking eyes with him. "A few days ago, my father got into a dispute with several officials in court about postponing my marriage to the Prince Edward. I heard it was you who spoke up and settled the dispute."

My father told me about it when he got back. He said Edward's faction all ganged up on him, accusing him of defying the King by backing out of the engagement.

But thanks to Henry's offhand comment. "General Whitmore is simply considering his daughter's future, which is only natural". Thus, Edward's side was left speechless.

The King, already annoyed at Edward for using this to pressure the Whitmore family, went along with it.

Henry looked at me, neither confirming nor denying, replying calmly, "I simply spoke a fair word."

'Is this girl here to test me? Or... is she here for help?

'The Whitmore family suddenly wants to postpone the marriage, and things have gotten so tense. Is that old fox Richard sensing some danger?

'Edward's been making bigger moves lately. Even his pawns in the military are starting to stir. He's got his sights set on the Whitmore family for sure.

'This girl's got guts, coming here like this. Isn't she afraid Edward will find out and accuse her of colluding with a prince for some shady plot?'

I listened quietly to the storm raging in his mind, keeping my face perfectly calm.

His thoughts were pretty much what I expected.

He really was keeping close tabs on the court, and he knew exactly what Edward was up to.

He wasn't some helpless invalid. He was a tiger lying in wait.

"Your fair words were a lifeline for the Whitmore family," I said, standing up and walking over to him. I bowed deeply, showing my utmost respect. "On behalf of my father and everyone in the Whitmore family, I thank you."

As I bent down, my fingertips "accidentally" brushed against the back of his hand resting on the armrest.

This time, I made contact.

His thoughts came crashing into my mind, clearer, more intense, and overwhelming.

'Her hand is icy cold.

'This girl really isn't simple. There's not a hint of sympathy or pity in her eyes, only equality, and... a sharp, probing look.

'What is she up to? The Whitmore family is already teetering on the edge, and now she's come to me. Is she planning to drag me, a so-called useless cripple, onto her doomed ship?

'Interesting. I can't wait to see what tricks this so-called good-for-nothing Ms. Whitmore has up her sleeve.

'Edward, if I end up wrecking everything you've been scheming for, your expression will be absolutely priceless.'

I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

My gamble paid off.

Henry really bore hostility toward Edward.

I straightened up, locking eyes with his deep gaze, and spoke slowly, "Your Highness, I'll be honest with you. I'm here today because I need your help."

Henry's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Oh? Speak freely, Ms. Whitmore."

"I want to ask you for a favor," I said, lowering my voice and enunciating each word. "Help me... break off my engagement with Edward with no chance of ever going back."

Henry's eyes narrowed suddenly.

He fixed his gaze on her, like he was trying to see straight through me.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, a hint of danger in his tone, "Ms. Whitmore, are you aware of what you're asking?

"Do you realize how much trouble entangling yourself with me could spell for you and the Whitmore family?"