Chapter 243

Us two… did we get the wrong script or something? Before coming here to break off the engagement, Leon had already braced himself mentally. He thought Princess Veronica might outright reject him, maybe propose some harsh conditions, or even resort to coercion.

But what he absolutely didn’t expect was that the princess would choose to “reason” with him, and even launch a confident, aggressive pursuit…

Can this even count as pursuing someone? …

“I admit, if I have to make a choice right now, then… we do actually suit each other quite well…”

Leon, squeezed into a corner of the sofa by the ever-advancing princess, shrank back like a little housewife. With an ironclad will, he withdrew his hand and continued to resist: “But I don’t necessarily have to make a choice, at least not right now… Your Highness is indeed wonderful, but I still…”

“If you’re not in a hurry to make a decision right now, then why are you so eager to reject me?”

Facing Leon’s “desperate resistance,” the princess didn’t rush to press harder. Instead, adhering to the military principle of “besieging three sides and leaving one open,” she offered an out: “I’m not forcing you to accept this marriage immediately. I just don’t want you to hastily sever it.

Leon, if you’re not in a rush to decide, then let’s maintain the current state for now, interact more, and deepen our understanding. Don’t so easily reject the gift of fate.”

“You still believe in fate?”

“Not before.”

The princess smiled and said: “But since fate has brought you to me, I’m willing to trust her once.”

“…”

Stop hitting me! I’m about to surrender…

Faced with the princess who switches from soft persuasion to hard persistence, and then awkward flirtation, Leon kept retreating and couldn’t withstand her wave after wave of attacks. He could only raise his hands in surrender:

“Then… let’s leave it at this for now?”

“Then let’s leave it at this for now.”

After successfully repelling Leon’s attempt to cancel the engagement and reclaiming all lost ground, the princess adjusted the shallow V-neck of her nightgown and sat up straight. Smiling gently, she changed the subject:

“Also, regarding the matter of you helping me recover my identity, I haven’t thanked you yet. What kind of reward would you like for this?”

“Reward? No need…”

After hearing the princess’s words, Leon slightly relaxed but quickly became alert again. He waved his hands and said:

“I’m a cleaner from the Clearing Bureau. According to the agreement between the Clearing Bureau and the royal families of various countries, it is our duty to ensure the safety of royal personnel, so…”

“The cleaner’s reward can be skipped, but the prince’s reward must be given.”

“…”

Apparently enjoying Leon’s reaction, the princess leaning against the sofa backrest smiled and extended her white, delicate fingers, reaching inside her nightgown’s collar.

“Uh… I won’t disturb anymore.”

“Why are you running away?”

Amusedly pulling Leon who wanted to stand up and leave, the princess placed a somewhat old small pendant into his palm and softly recalled: “This is a pendant my mother gave me… Relax, it’s not something with great sentimental value, where accepting it means you must marry me. It’s just a small blessing.”

Gently grasping Leon’s hand and making him hold onto the pendant that was still warm from her body temperature, Princess Veronica earnestly said: “When my mother gave it to me, she hoped it would bless me with peace and prosperity. Now I give it to you, hoping it will also bless your peace.”

Rubbing the pendant, which wasn’t an anomalous item and had no special effect but was rather warm, Leon hesitated after seeing the princess who first cunningly manipulated him but now appeared unusually sincere, and then uncertainly opened his mouth:

“Actually, if you’re just looking for Lane Family’s inheritance, support from the Road Administration Department and Military Department, as well as a seat in the Upper House, you don’t necessarily have to…”

“Leon, I must get married.”

Before he could finish speaking, the princess cut in, gazing at him seriously: “This country cannot be handed over to Joshua; he lacks the talent in this area. So I must, and will become the next queen! A stable family and heirs to continue the royal bloodline are indispensable conditions to becoming a queen. Since I must marry someone anyway, why can’t that person be you?”

“…”

…

After assessing the progress of the fishing expedition and finding it basically on track, the princess who moments ago was feigning retreat while keeping three sides surrounded immediately revealed her true colors and launched an incredibly fierce final assault!

“To be honest, around the time you inherited the title of Lionheart Duke, I conducted a very thorough investigation of you.”

Again holding Leon’s hand, after revealing her investigation of him, Princess Veronica recalled with nostalgia: “At the time, my plan was merely to take back partial control of the Military Department after the fall of the Lane Family. I didn’t have any other thoughts about you.

But after you publicly proposed to me during the investiture ceremony, I soon realized that you were the ideal prince I had in mind!”

Looking at the surprised Leon in front of her, the princess gently voiced her evaluation of him.

“Leon, you are truly excellent—not only diligent and reliable, with a stable personality, family-oriented, and willing to take responsibility, but also devoted to your sick younger sister, never leaving her side. To save her, you dared to take risks and joined the high-fatality Clearing Bureau.

And after joining the Clearing Bureau, you’ve been conscientious and responsible, brave in taking on responsibilities, and never retreated even in the face of great danger. In the fecal matter incident, you ran around for the victims, and you seem to have almost no desire for power, showing no interest even when faced with the position of duke…”

Ah Zhe…

After hearing the princess’s evaluation, Leon couldn’t help but blush and modestly said: “I’m not that good…”

“And you’re exceptionally humble.”

“…”

“I admit, when I accepted your proposal at the time, it might have been more about the Lane Family’s seat, but after careful consideration, I am now certain that you are the best prince I could find. If I let you go, I will definitely regret it in the future!”

Seizing Leon and showering him with heavy praise, expressing her determination to win him, after showcasing her attitude and spirit, the princess suddenly had a shadow pass through her eyes and lowered her mood:

“I know, unlike me who only has you to choose from, besides me, the troublesome woman, you have other choices. Binding you to me prematurely might not be fair to you.

But… but I really don’t want to miss this opportunity!”

Gazing into Leon’s eyes, the princess completely transformed from her previous strong and decisive demeanor. Her bright eyes shimmered with tears as she softly whispered: “This is the only chance I have to choose my husband based on my own heart. I admit, I did use some tactics earlier, but I really had no other way.

When I heard that you came here this time to break off the engagement with me, I panicked entirely, and my thoughts got all jumbled. Subconsciously, I used the familiar methods to try to keep you…

I… Leon, please don’t be mad at me, okay? If you reject me, then I… I…”