Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 917 - 22 Flee in Panic
Chapter 917: Chapter 22: Flee in Panic Chapter 917: Chapter 22: Flee in Panic Iron Peak County, Revodan.
Even if there isn’t a significant age difference, elder siblings still tend to view their younger brothers or sisters with a more senior mindset. This causes the former subconsciously to see the latter as immature and childlike individuals—Anna is just like this.
Before Mr. Leo arrived in Iron Peak County, Anna had already seriously considered sending Catherine back home.
Although she never revealed her feelings to her sister, Anna understood that this whimsical adventure had to come to an end eventually. But she did not know how it should end.
The lingering smell of gunpowder also constantly reminded her that Iron Peak County was not safe. What would happen next day, next month, next year? No one knew.
That’s why Anna, in a parental manner, made arrangements for Catherine: as long as the roads were clear, she would immediately arrange for someone to escort Catherine back to Sea Blue, regardless of whether Catherine was willing.
It was precisely because of this, when Catherine held Anna’s hands and seriously said, “You shouldn’t continue staying here,” Anna was not surprised.
...
In Anna’s view, it was normal for her sister to want to go home, as Catherine was almost constantly complaining about Iron Peak County: too cold, too isolated, too boring… Honestly, Anna felt the same.
Read lat𝙚st chapters at fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓ Only.
However, the reason Catherine provided did not belong to any of those.
Little Lady Navarre held her sister’s hands, looked at her sister with pity, and gently said, “Anna, this dream should end.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Anna’s heart clenched sharply.
“You don’t want to think it through yourself, so let me tell you.” Catherine’s eyes fixed firmly: “You love that man, and you are crazy about him, right?”
Anna’s cheeks instantly heated up, and she became both panicked and annoyed: “You… what are you talking about? Who said… who said I…”
The word that her sister said indifferently, Anna could not utter nevertheless due to embarrassment. She angrily tried to pull her hands away, but Catherine’s grip was unexpectedly firm, and Anna couldn’t move.
Catherine ignored her sister’s protest, continuing, “So, you should leave. If you still have an ounce of rationality, you would come to the same conclusion.”
Anna frowned in reproach, “You’re hurting me!”
Catherine also looked reproachful at Anna, “Everyone has always said you are steady and smart. But look at you now? When did you become so foolish? Indeed, a woman shouldn’t fall in love; otherwise, she would definitely become a fool…”
Anna’s body stiffened, she no longer tried to pull her hands away, “What are you talking about?”
“I’m stating an obvious fact.” Catherine’s voice was clear: “The only way for ‘Anna Navarre’ to officially become ‘Anna Montagne’ has always been one — for him to return to Sea Blue with you. But… would he leave here for you?”
“Who said I want to marry him?” Anna asked back angrily.
Catherine nodded somewhat noncommittally.
“I need to rest now.” Anna stood up to leave.
“Anna—my dearest sister, listen to me.” Catherine held her sister’s hand, biting her lip, “There are millions of unmarried women, widows, old maids in this world, each of them—every one of them!—is more suitable to become ‘Lady Montagne’.”
Catherine usually referred to Winters as [Mr. M], but this time she unusually used his full name: “Anyone can marry Winters Montagne—you could too, but it would destroy you.”
Anna burst out laughing angrily, “Why?”
“Because you love him.” Catherine let go of her hands, softly responded: “They don’t love him.”
“I…” Anna was extremely embarrassed and angry, “What kind of reasoning is that?!”
Catherine gathered her slightly disheveled hair, leaning against the bench, sighed. She didn’t respond directly but asked an irrelevant question, “Have you ever considered, what if one day Mr. M has a mistress? How would you face it?”
Anna’s breathing grew rapid, “He… he wouldn’t…” but looking at Catherine’s mocking, barely there smile, Anna had a million retorts yet couldn’t voice a single one.
“If you wish to be Mr. M’s mistress, I definitely won’t stop you.” Catherine covered her lips and chuckled, “Would you like to?”
Anna grabbed a small pillow beside her and threw it hard at her sister.
“You asked me why every woman is more suited to marry Mr. M than you? I can answer you now.” Catherine hugged her sister, “Because they don’t love him, hence they wouldn’t demand equal affections in return. In marriage, they provide the capability to bear offspring and dowries—properties, power. In return, the more power that man seizes, the more wealth he possesses, the higher position he holds, it all meets their demands.”
“But, Anna, my dear sister, you are different.” Catherine held Anna tightly, tears sparkling in her eyes: “What you want is love! What you demand is love!”
Tears also flickered in Anna’s eyes.
“For love, you can endure everything now, you can give without reservation. Look at you! From the moment you left Sea Blue, you have been giving, constantly giving, seeking nothing in return, not at the cost. You are completely a fool blinded by love.” Catherine choked up a bit:
“But have you ever considered, what if one day love disappears, he stops loving you, or you stop loving him, what then? How will you cope? What would all your sacrifices amount to? I’m your sister, other than Mom, no one loves you more in this world! I can’t—I just can’t stand to see you continue like this anymore. Winters Montagne wants you? Then let him return to Sea Blue and marry Anna Navarre in an upright manner. Otherwise, I will never agree to let him continue to mistreat you like this.”
