Chapter 420

Oh, you petty man~ After hearing Leon’s reply, Princess Veronica understood the reason behind his words – it was to retaliate for her earlier “flirting.” She couldn’t help but gave him an affectionate glare.

“Stop fooling around. I really want to ask for your opinion.”

Putting aside her teasing thoughts, Princess Veronica sat up straight and said seriously: “What you said earlier was quite interesting. Although it was rather blunt, it truly hit the essence of power. Even though you haven’t been involved in politics, you don’t seem slow on these matters. You actually have… um… a strange kind of sharpness.”

“So if you can, could you share your thoughts with me? For example, what do you think about all the things I’ve been doing these past few years from your perspective?”

What do I think?

Looking at the serious princess across from her, realizing she genuinely wanted to hear his opinion, Leon hesitated for a moment before saying somewhat insincerely: “What you’ve done… is pretty good. At least you’ve always been doing the right thing, and indeed, many people’s lives have improved because of your efforts.”

What you really want to say probably isn’t this, is it?

From Leon’s slightly evasive “praise,” Princess Veronica keenly sensed something else. She stared into his eyes and cautiously asked:

“Leon, do you… not approve of what I’m doing?”

“I do approve. What you’re doing will indeed make the kingdom better.”

Considering that the meal would still be paid for by her, Leon thought for a moment and tried to put it as tactfully as possible:

“But your goal is probably not just to make the kingdom better. You’re putting so much effort into moving the military department; surely you want more, right?”

“Hmm…”

Princess Veronica hesitated after hearing this, feeling that this topic might not be appropriate. But after looking at Leon across from her, she finally confessed earnestly: “I want more. I don’t just want to become the next queen of the kingdom; I want to be the best queen!”

“You know, Joshua doesn’t possess the talent needed to be a good king. If he becomes king, the entire kingdom will end up in the hands of the Minister of Finance and the Queen. All my efforts over the past six years would have been completely wasted. I absolutely cannot let that happen!”

“Leon, even if you may not believe me, my desire for power isn’t strong. What I truly hope for is for the kingdom to become stronger and endure for a long time, never allowing tragedies like the defensive war to keep repeating on this land.”

“That, I’ve never doubted.”

You’re definitely not someone with a strong lust for power. To you, power is more like a tool to achieve your goals. What you truly pursue is something else.

Having seen the true colors of the princess’s soul, Leon nodded, indicating that he was willing to believe her statement. However, after looking into her clear and determined eyes and sensing her unwavering determination, he couldn’t help but gently reminded her: “But I think your reforms will likely fail. Even if there are some results, they will definitely not reach the outcome you hope for. The final situation will most likely be vastly different from what you expect… Are you prepared for that?”

“…”

The things I’m doing… will likely not succeed in the end?

After hearing Leon’s words, Princess Veronica slightly pursed her lips. However, she didn’t immediately argue but looked into Leon’s eyes and softly asked: “Could you tell me why you feel this way?”

“…”

Am I delirious from hunger or something? She’s the princess after all, how could I possibly talk about these things with her…

I really think her so-called reforms won’t succeed. Actually, I’ve felt this way since much earlier, not just today.

However, first, I’m only half-competent, and I’m not entirely sure about this idea; second, although the princess’s reforms have problems, they will indeed make life better for the common people in the kingdom; third, our relationship isn’t deep enough to discuss such topics, which might lead to misunderstandings. So, I’ve never mentioned these things before.

But just now, when I looked into her eyes, I saw a hint of “though millions oppose, I shall go forward.” I couldn’t bear to see her future ideals shattered, so I unconsciously brought up the topic.

If it’s come to this… might as well say a few words?…

“To be honest, I currently only have a notion, and it’s not necessarily correct.”

Lifting his head slightly and meeting the princess’s calm gaze, Leon said gently: “Just listen to me roughly. If you think what I say makes sense, then you might consider thinking along this line. And if you think what I say is nonsense, then forget it and continue doing what you want to do. After all, no matter what, what you’re doing now is not wrong.”

After preparing myself mentally, Leon didn’t directly state his views but instead posed a question.

“Your Highness, if we simply divide the kingdom’s political forces according to their camps, what would it roughly look like?”

“Camps…”

Princess Veronica thought for a moment and answered:

“Represented by me and the Minister of Defense should be considered the reform faction; while the prime minister elected by the lower house, the cabinet officials appointed by the prime minister, plus some new nobles who rose through commerce should be considered the parliamentary faction; finally, the old nobility holding the upper house and some remaining new nobles together form the noble faction.”

“There are mainly these three factions currently. However, Joshua has the support of the Minister of Finance and the Queen and keeps courting the nobles, so he can barely count as half a faction.”

So it’s the reform faction, the parliamentary faction, the noble faction… Hmm… and also the monkey marriage faction!” “Not much different from what I previously learned.”

Nodding toward the princess, Leon continued asking:

“Then, can you tell me who these three and a half factions specifically represent? Whose voices are they speaking for?”

Whose interests do they represent?

After hearing Leon’s question, Princess Veronica couldn’t help but furrowed her brows, not quite understanding the significance of his question, but still answered truthfully: “I am the leader of the reform faction, backed by the royal family, naturally representing the royal family; the old nobility represents themselves, the parliament mainly represents the interests of large merchants; as for Joshua, although he also represents the royal family, his specific ‘meaning’ differs from mine. I represent those who hope to suppress the nobility and try to reclaim power for the royal family, while Joshua represents those members of the royal family with marital ties who also value their original families and prefer ‘coexistence.'”

“Are you sure?”

“What?”

“What I mean is, are you certain that you represent the interests of the royal family? Are you truly speaking for the royal family?”

“…”

?!!!!