Chapter 429

If there was one person Prince Freckles feared the most in the entire kingdom, it would have to be his so-called brother-in-law. If this guy claimed second place in terms of scaring him, no one could claim first.

After all, even if he pulled some reckless stunts and angered the Old King, the worst that would happen is a few harsh words and being grounded for a few days. If the Queen pleaded on his behalf, he might not even get grounded.

But if he pissed off said brother-in-law, he’d truly get slapped hard across the face, maybe even knocked unconscious and then woken up just to get slapped again. After treating his wounds, they’d continue until the other party cooled down.

And what’s more despairing than that? After finishing his beating, this guy didn’t receive any punishment at all.

Touched his cheek, which had been slapped multiple times, Joshua’s eyes couldn’t help but show a deep sense of powerlessness.

The Royal Family needed to use this guy’s Duke status to inherit the political legacy of the Lane family, so they wouldn’t pursue charges against him for assaulting the prince; instead, they’d choose to sweep things under the rug.

When he reported this madman to the Clearing Bureau asking them to rein him in, their response was that it wasn’t their concern.

Those fools actually thought that considering the marriage between that brute and Veronica, this was an internal matter of the Royal Family. As long as the brute hadn’t used any anomalous items to harm him, it didn’t violate the Clearing Bureau’s rules.

So here he was, a prince, getting slapped around in his own kingdom with no recourse to argue his case—what kind of logic was that?

…

“Uncle! Why on earth did you think of asking him for help?”

Peeking through the curtain, upon spotting a familiar figure at the Deputy Speaker’s seat, Prince Freckles instinctively shrank back his neck and immediately turned around to complain:

“That guy’s a lunatic! He doesn’t care about the setting when pushed too far. Couldn’t you have discussed this with me before seeking help?”

“You just got back from the Morana Kingdom last night. How were we supposed to discuss it with you? Besides, mind your demeanor!”

Looking at his nephew who showed a hint of fear, Minister of Finance frowned slightly, his expression tinged with displeasure as he scolded:

“Stand up straight! Pull your back up! You’re the only prince of the kingdom! And you will soon inherit the throne to become the next king of the kingdom! What exactly are you afraid of?”

“I… I’m not scared of him, but there are so many people outside. If he comes over and hits me later…”

“What right does he have to hit you? In the past, he hit you because the Lane family still had influence, and Veronica backed him up, allowing him to act so recklessly.

Now Veronica is confined to her room, and the Lane family’s value has almost been squeezed dry. He’s nothing more than an empty shell of a duke.

If he goes crazy and dares to lay a hand on you in front of so many people, then you hit him back! If you can’t, call the soldiers! The royal family not moving against him in the past doesn’t mean they can’t now. What’s there to be afraid of?”

Huh… seems kinda true? After hearing his uncle’s words, Joshua’s eyes brightened.

That’s right, things are different now. The kingdom can easily punish him! Without his backing, however arrogant he might be, he wouldn’t dare slap me in front of so many people, right? Encouraged by the Minister of Finance’s words, Prince Freckles straightened his spine, held his head high with an air of authority, and glared fiercely at Leon through the curtain.

You damn bastard! This time, I want to see how you’ll keep acting so arrogantly without Veronica’s support. You’re nothing but… nothing but…

“Sss…”

Although Leon sitting in his seat didn’t show much expression, his eyes were piercingly fixed on him through the gap in the curtain. When their gazes met, his lips even curled into… a rather approving smile.

What are you approving of? Tell me! What are you approving of at a time like this?”Alright, it’s about time.”

Just as Joshua stared wide-eyed, instinctively feeling something was off, the Minister of Finance glanced at his pocket watch and urged:

“Hurry up, it’s your turn to go out and deliver the pre-royal announcement.”

“Uncle, I… I feel…”

“Go quickly! We’ll talk afterward!”

“…”

Though sensing something wasn’t quite right, as the attendant lifted the curtain in front of him, Prince Freckles had no choice but to walk out of the preparation area under that approving gaze, climbed onto the main platform prepared for the pre-royal announcement, and began reading the prepared speech.

“I, First Prince Joshua, appointed by the current king of the kingdom, represent the king and the entire royal family to attend this session of the Upper House Parliament.”

After reciting the awkward opening with slight stiffness, Joshua lowered his head, his eyes firmly fixed on the script, raised his right hand and swore: “I shall replace the current king and promise to the attending members of parliament and all citizens of the kingdom that this session of the Upper House Parliament will abide by the kingdom’s code of laws and parliamentary rules, uphold… maintain… follow… protect…”

As if chased by a ferocious beast, he finished the speech at a rapid pace, then under the Minister of Finance’s dissatisfied gaze, turned his head somewhat flustered and said, “My proclamation ends here. Next, please allow the speaker to preside over the meeting and… and read out all the motions!”

Having hastily fulfilled his duty, Prince Freckles’ tense expression relaxed slightly. He quickly put down the script and hurriedly climbed onto the golden throne prepared behind the main platform, cautiously sitting on the edge of it, then warily looked toward the proxy speaker’s seat.

With the end of the pre-royal announcement, the representative prince took his seat on the throne behind the main platform, and the eyes of more than a hundred attending members plus over eight hundred side members, totaling nearly a thousand pairs, all turned toward the speaker’s seat.

…

Perfect, this time I don’t have to worry about Princess having mercy during a coup. Your timing for picking this peach couldn’t be better.

Smiling toward Joshua, who sat uncertainly on the throne, giving him an encouraging look, Leon stood up from the speaker’s seat and walked up the steps covered with a red carpet to the main platform.

Then, two soldiers brought up the single-person podium prepared for the speaker. Leon stood behind it facing away from Joshua, picked up the silver hammer placed on the podium, and struck it forcefully against the golden clock beside the podium.

“I hereby announce!”

Surveying the rows of seated members below, Leon announced with a full smile:

“The… Upper House Parliament officially begins!”

(End of Chapter)