Chapter Nineteen: The Clash of the Troublemakers

Emma and Esther's conflict continued, or rather, it ignited into a fierce battle from the very start.

In just half a month, they had clashed openly and covertly multiple times, beginning with false accusations and framing, and later escalating to subtle attempts at sabotage.

Most of the time, Emma was at a disadvantage, relying solely on David’s paternal favoritism to avoid being utterly defeated by Esther.

Even so, the seemingly accidental incidents piling up made David think the child might need some guidance; she couldn’t keep targeting Esther like this—Esther was too pitiful!

Emma, it seemed, had only made things worse.

Meanwhile, Louis enjoyed peaceful days. Even when Esther tried to coax him, using him as a tool against Emma, he saw through it and slipped away quietly, vanishing without a trace.

He spent his time in serene solitude, quietly honing his blade-swallowing technique.

Due to the lack of medicinal herbs to aid his practice, his progress was slow. Yet, Louis’s talent was undeniable: at least he no longer pierced his mouth with the needles, and he was starting to swallow slightly larger blades, like small knives.

But there was still a long way to go before mastery.

“The delivery has finally arrived. I spent all my saved pocket money on herbs, but the amount I could buy was limited. From now on, I’ll have to treasure every dose during my training.”

“Unfortunately, the ingredients for the witch’s body-strengthening potion aren’t expensive, but some come from plants in Portugal, which are troublesome to acquire. Plus, I’m short on money. Ah, money, money, money...”

In truth, part of the money spent on these secret remedies even came from Emma. Yes, he had once again reached into Emma’s funds, and naturally, she dared not refuse. Her only condition was to stop correcting her behavior during this period—she needed to focus on dealing with Esther.

Louis agreed to the arrangement.

Staring at the neatly sorted ingredients in the unpacked delivery boxes, Louis pondered how to prepare the concoctions.

These so-called secret potions, when broken down, weren’t that miraculous—just ordinary herbs—but they possessed peculiar effects. He had even tested them on cats and dogs, which only resulted in diarrhea, reinforcing his belief that the success of these arts was deeply tied to the people’s folklore.

Louis began brewing the medicines. Since it was inconvenient to do so inside the house, he set up a stove on a hillside behind the house.

Flames rose, the skillet heated, herbs were crushed and mixed with water, simmered, and occasionally a measured amount of powdered ingredients was stirred in...

Before long, a thick, dark brew emerged, exuding a fresh herbal aroma.

Without hesitation, Louis scooped a spoonful and tasted it. It was slightly bitter but bearable. He continued chewing and swallowing.

Immediately, a cool sensation spread from his mouth through his throat and into his intestines. He also felt a strengthened control over the subtle muscles in those areas.

The silver needle was ready.

In the next instant—

Thud!

A needle pierced the tree bark, its tail twitching slightly.

“Wonderful!”

Louis pressed on with renewed vigor.

...

On the other side, after half a month of conflict, Esther sensed that Emma was finally growing impatient.

She couldn’t understand it. Emma was genuinely a child by age, with no deception there. So why was she always targeting Esther, especially with such cruel methods? It didn’t seem like the work of a child, yet it still betrayed a hint of childishness...

If Emma weren’t so naive, she would have lost David’s trust by now.

No, she had to win over that little brat quickly. If not...

A dangerous glint flashed in Esther’s eyes.

And that little boy seemed odd too. He was always sneaking off somewhere.

Forget it. First, she would go see her beloved David.

Thinking of the mature, responsible, and handsome David, Esther’s lips curled into a faint smile. Only such a man by her side could truly fill her with joy.

She applied light makeup in front of the mirror, adding a touch of charm to her appearance.

At the same time, in another room upstairs, Emma also felt her patience wearing thin.

She didn’t understand!

Why?

Why had everything gone wrong since returning home—first Louis, now Esther?

She wasn’t mistaken: Esther really wanted to steal her father!

If that happened, would she still enjoy the life of drinking milk every night, receiving gifts, wearing new clothes, and being cherished?

Grinding her teeth, she smiled faintly at her reflection in the mirror.

Both girls, simultaneously, smiled—showing eight pearly white teeth—a perfectly practiced smile.

At that very moment, both were plotting dark schemes before their mirrors.

In the afternoon, since it was Sunday and school was out, all three were busy with their own affairs at home. Louis remained elusive, vanishing without a trace.

Emma went out to the withered tree in the yard. Dressed elegantly in a red dress, her clean little face wore a gentle smile, looking like an innocent child waiting for a friend to play.

She was indeed waiting for someone, but not a friend.

“Emma, do you need me for something? I’m happy to help my dear little sister, as long as you behave,” Esther said with a smile as she approached, clad in black.

Face to face, the two girls were strangely alike and yet harmonious in their contrast—one in red, one in black; both smiling, both harboring hidden motives.

A gust of wind rustled the leaves noisily.

Emma said nothing. From behind the tree, she produced a sizable box, lifting the lid with both hands. A bird’s call sounded from within.

Inside, a pigeon lay bound by its feet and wings, struggling and cooing.

“Dear Sister Esther, do you think life only comes once?”

Esther frowned and nodded.

Though this little girl was no match for her, she was not an ordinary child. What exactly was she up to?

Emma’s smile grew wider. “Then sometimes you must cherish it, especially not touching what you shouldn’t, or else... this might happen!”

With Esther’s shocked gaze upon her, Emma plunged a small knife into the pigeon’s body, and blood instantly stained its white feathers.

The pigeon emitted a desperate, mournful cry.

Blood, white feathers, the red dress, and that once-adorable smile—all seemed grotesquely twisted in that moment.

But Esther laughed instead, as if witnessing a ridiculous drama or realizing she had overthought things. Her laughter rang out, bright and clear.

Suddenly, her expression shifted. She stepped forward swiftly, placing both hands inside the box, eyes locked tightly on Emma.

Her black pupils, like an abyss, reflected Emma’s impassive face.

“Let me teach you a lesson: one must see things through to the end.”

“Like this.”

Snap!

The fragile pigeon died instantly, its body falling apart as blood splattered across both their cheeks.

The two girls stared at each other, faces streaked with fresh blood.

Behind a nearby tree, Louis ate roasted ham quietly, watching this gruesome yet fascinating spectacle unfold.