Leon glanced at the princess nestled in his arms, who was chatting animatedly, then cautiously asked, “I heard from some friends at the Public Security Bureau that they’ve been working overtime like crazy recently. A bunch of clerks have been dragged out for daily patrols to look for the criminals who attacked the Boarding Tower and the things lost by the Crocodile Kingdom… Is this matter affecting you as well?”
“It’s affecting me a lot!”
Upon hearing this, the princess nodded, furrowing her eyebrows slightly.
“The identities of the suspects who attacked the Boarding Tower have been basically confirmed. They are likely the same rebels who tried to assassinate me multiple times and set fire to the Lause Arch. All their previous acts of sabotage combined aren’t as troublesome as this one.
This time, they’ve caused quite a stir, prompting the Crocodile Kingdom to keep pressuring us. If we can’t produce results that satisfy them within a month or two, it will definitely affect normal trade.
However… the burning of the Boarding Tower isn’t entirely bad.”
At this point, the princess sighed with a somewhat complex expression.
“Since the beginning of last year, I’ve been working with the Minister of Defense to reform the Military Department, cutting redundant troops and reducing unnecessary expenses, replacing outdated weapons and equipment.
Even with the cooperation of your Lane Family, progress hasn’t been very smooth. The resistance has been greater than I imagined. However, after the incident at the Boarding Tower, most of the reform proposals that were previously stalled have started moving forward again.
I guess the heavily guarded Boarding Tower being burned finally made some people feel the crisis, forcing them to give up some of their interests to ensure their own stability…
Hehe, some people are just like that. If they’re not freezing or starving, they’ll keep lying in the car with their eyes closed. Only when the cold air seeps through the car window and freezes their lips blue will they unwillingly get out and push the car!”
After bitterly criticizing the short-sightedness of the kingdom’s upper echelons, the princess felt much better after holding in her frustration for several days.
“Dear, you’re so nice~”
She snuggled closer into the warm embrace behind her, warming herself a bit more before Princess Veronica took Leon’s hand, tilting her head and batting her eyelashes as she said, “I’ve been holding these words in my heart for a long time, but there’s no one suitable to talk to about them. Fortunately, you’re here to listen… When do you plan on marrying me?”
“…”
Wait, how did the topic come back around? Startled by the sudden marriage proposal, Leon hesitated, trying to decline with a headache.
“That… Princess Veronica, after careful consideration these past few days, I realized that we actually aren’t suited for each other. So, could we perhaps… forget about the engagement?”
“Sure.”
???
What did you say? You agreed? So easily? Hearing Princess Veronica’s straightforward response, Leon’s expression froze momentarily. He felt a slight relief but couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
“I’ve already said that the final decision regarding our relationship is up to you. I won’t force anything.”
With a slightly subdued smile, the princess who had just been leaning against Leon sat up straight, lowering her eyes and speaking indifferently:
“Besides, even though I have a special status, I’m still a normal woman with self-respect. Although I do have feelings for you and am willing to approach you actively, I still have my limits.
Leon, I’ve never liked forcing anyone. Since you’ve made your decision, then I… I should let go too. If I kept clinging on at this point, it would be embarrassing. There are some things I simply can’t bring myself to do.”
“…”
Sorry…
Feeling the slightly cool palm of the princess in his hand, Leon couldn’t help but feel deep guilt.
After all, this whole situation started because of him. Although Princess Veronica did have other purposes, she had always been very proactive. On the contrary, he kept pushing her away due to her royal status and the troubles it brought.
“Sorry…”
After sincerely apologizing, Leon tried to make amends:
“If in the future…”
“There won’t be any future. From now on, you probably won’t see me anymore.”
Princess Veronica turned her head slightly, avoiding Leon’s gaze, then wiped her eyes, her tear-filled eyes softly saying:
“If it weren’t for the engagement between us, I would have certainly been married off. Either to the Morana Kingdom, the Black Forest Kingdom, or the Alleson Kingdom… In any case, I wouldn’t stay in the capital anymore.
My future would most likely involve marrying someone I’ve never met, then being neglected by my future husband due to the interests between kingdoms, spending a lonely life in a palace colder than your heart.
If the country I marry happens to go to war with the kingdom, I might be humiliated, possibly even personally handed over by my husband to the gallows, cursing my tragic fate as I die in despair and pain…”
“…”
None of the content inside 69 Book Bar is incorrect!
“Don’t worry, none of this is your fault. My miserable life isn’t caused by you, so you don’t need to feel guilty. I… I just…”
After offering weak comfort to Leon, large tears rolled down Princess Veronica’s cheeks. She hurriedly wiped them away, but for some reason, the more she wiped, the more tears came.
“I just… just feel a little regretful…”
Realizing she couldn’t stop the tears, Princess Veronica gave up hiding them and instead turned her head, biting her lips tremblingly:
“Everything was starting to get better. The reforms in the military department have moved forward, and I’ve begun addressing issues in the Road Administration Department. The fiscal problems that have been stuck have also started to loosen up recently.
As long as everything continues step by step, I’ll have the chance to completely change the kingdom, making ordinary people live less hard lives, allowing the kingdom to become strong again, ensuring no one dies in war.
But after I leave, it will be hard for anyone else to take over. Joshua isn’t competent, and if the kingdom falls into his hands, it will likely be controlled by the Minister of Finance and the Queen, continuing to be a tool for nobles and big merchants to oppress ordinary people…
Wah… Everything… It was almost there!”
“…”
“It’s fine, you don’t need to care.”
After wiping her eyes again, the tearful princess clenched her fists tightly, red-eyed and gently said: “No one will blame you. You have your own life. There’s no need to marry a particularly pretty but unloved woman for someone else’s happiness.
Leon, you don’t need to feel guilty either. Neither I, who will spend a lonely life, nor those people who lose the opportunity to change their fate because of my departure, will blame you. You…
What are you doing grabbing my hand? Are you regretting it? Do you want to hold my hand again and walk through life together?”
“…”
I really admire you… How do you manage to spout such nonsense without changing expression? Darkening his face, Leon pried open the princess’s fingers, taking back the onion slice crumpled in her hand, then complained with a headache: “Your Highness, can’t you be a little more sincere…”
(End of Chapter)
