Chapter 428

She’s already gone to my bedroom to fetch the documents? After hearing the words of the Minister of Finance, the princess, who was just a moment ago filled with shock and anger, gradually calmed down. She turned her head and looked toward the old king seated at the main position.

If revising the replacement order, or even hoping that Joshua would replace her, could possibly be the Queen and the Minister of Finance acting on their own initiative, then having someone directly go to her bedroom to retrieve the proposal documents must have been tacitly approved by father.

No, it wasn’t just tacit approval.

Looking at the old king sitting in his wheelchair right below the crystal chandelier, half of his face hidden in the shadow of the light, Princess Veronica couldn’t help but take a deep breath. She then sat back in her seat and calmly asked:

“Father, is this your intention?”

“Hmm.”

The old king, whose face was unrecognizable compared to the one in the photo from the princess’s bedroom—his face was gaunt, only the tear grooves on either side of his nose allowing for some recognition—faintly opened his sagging eyelids and said indifferently:

“I’ve already arranged this for you. In three days, when Joshua returns from the Morana Kingdom, he’ll conveniently take over your place to attend the Upper House Parliament.

It’s time for you to get married. These matters will eventually have to be handed over to Joshua anyway. Rather than waiting until after you marry into the Black Forest Kingdom for Joshua to take over, it would be better to let him start trying now.”

After marrying into the Black Forest Kingdom…

Upon hearing this, the princess pursed her lips and stared at her suddenly unfamiliar father as she asked expressionlessly:

“What about Leon? What about the engagement between me and him…?”

“That engagement doesn’t need to be fulfilled.”

The bony hand tightly gripped the staff, forcefully striking the floor once, interrupting the princess’s words. The emaciated but still fiercely glaring old king hissed:

“The Lane Family’s only value lies in their positions in the Military Department and Road Administration Department. You’ve gathered most of the Lane Family’s inheritance in the past month or so. Those things that can’t be completely gathered can be temporarily cold-treated, and later slowly replaced with our people. Now, except for the Deputy Speaker position in the Upper House and some properties hard to sell in a short time, the Lane Family has no more use. It’s not worth sacrificing your marriage to bind them. The crippled Duke of the Black Forest Kingdom is your destiny.”

“Do you even know he’s a crippled Duke?”

The princess smirked slightly at her father, whose eyes showed no ripples while arranging her entire life, and said mockingly:

“Not to mention that he is almost twenty years older than me. That crippled Duke has a reputation for being extreme and cruel, known even to pirates of Sai Ao Kingdom. Are you sure such a person is my destiny?”

“…”

After hearing the princess’s words, the old king remained silent for a while, then slightly lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.

“As a princess, you’ve enjoyed what the kingdom has given you; you should give something back.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Princess Veronica nodded, her eyes indifferent as she said: “This is what you’ve taught me since I was young, and I’ve always kept these words in mind, doing exactly as you say. But how about you? Have you done the same?”

Upon hearing this, the old king frowned and asked expressionlessly: “Veronica, what do you want to say?”

“My point is, you’re an extremely terrible king, truly unworthy of this country.”

After hearing the princess’s words, the finance minister sitting opposite couldn’t help but change his expression. The queen was even shocked, her mouth wide open, nearly falling off her chair.

As if shedding an incredibly heavy burden, the princess took a long breath and said calmly to the old king:

“In fact, I had many principles I wanted to discuss with you.

For instance, those who support me are not the royal family, but the common people who work tirelessly every day, and they are the ones I should repay. For example, although you value the royal family more, if the kingdom rots away, the royal family will inevitably disappear too. Also, whether the royal family controls absolute power isn’t actually that important. As long as we make the kingdom stronger, or even just give everyone a bit of hope, it would achieve what you desire…”

Under the old king’s gaze, Princess Veronica smiled, her expression somewhat helplessly saying: “But I thought about it, and decided not to say them.

Since Mother passed away, your heart has been entirely consumed by the royal family and the throne, leaving no room for anything else. Even me, your daughter, have been pushed out. No matter what I say, it won’t change your decision, right?”

“Are you done speaking?”

The old king’s bright eyes, which didn’t match his frail body, stared unblinkingly at the princess before him, remaining calm as he said:

“If you’re done venting, write a letter to Lord Lionheart telling him you’re feeling unwell and cannot attend the two-house parliament meeting the day after tomorrow. Ask him, for your sake, to use his position as Deputy Speaker of the Upper House to assist Joshua as much as possible.”

“Ho ho, you really haven’t changed. You always squeeze everything useful out of anyone until you’re satisfied.”

After mocking him openly, the princess said indifferently: “If I’m not mistaken, the person who went to my bedroom to retrieve the proposal documents probably also confiscated my seal, and even found someone who can imitate my handwriting. Even if I refuse to help, this letter will still be sent out, right?”

“Hmm.”

Casually acknowledging her words, the old king, half of his body shrouded in shadow, asked:

“So, do you want to write it yourself, or shall I find someone to write it for you?”

“Since the result will be the same anyway, I might as well write it myself.”

After saying this, the princess turned around and looked at the delighted queen across from her, her lips curling upward as she spoke:

Not a single mistake in any content within 69 book bars!

“Congratulations, with Leon’s great assistance, Joshua’s experience representing the royal family at the two-house parliament this time will surely be unforgettable.”

…

Three days later, at five in the morning, the upper district of the capital city, Westhausen Palace, in front of the parliamentary hall.

The sun on the horizon hasn’t risen yet, but the neighs of horses and the roar of boilers have already torn through the night curtain. A large number of exquisite and luxurious steam carriages entered along specially designated routes and parked on the empty ground outside the building.

Then, one after another, senators dressed in long robes and wearing hats with crests on their chests stepped down from the carriages, tipped their hats to acquaintances, and entered the main hall in groups of three or five, waiting for the convening of the Upper House Parliament.

As the most important power organ of the kingdom, the two-house parliament does not convene simultaneously. The Upper House Parliament convenes earlier, and usually there are royal family members present, and there is even an annual opening ceremony where kings or queens deliver a speech before the parliament.

However, after the old king became increasingly ill and physically unable, he refused to attend the opening ceremony for three consecutive years. Thus, the complicated ceremonies were temporarily abolished and replaced by brief speeches delivered by royal family members.

“People are pretty much all here.”

After pushing aside the curtain blocking the seat, and checking the situation inside the venue, the finance minister, dressed in a dark gray robe, nodded satisfactorily. He then turned to look at Prince Freckled beside him, dressed in splendid attire, and asked with a smile: “First time attending the two-house parliament and representing the royal family to deliver a speech before the parliament, do you feel nervous?”

“A little…”

After adjusting the tight collar, Joshua leaned towards the gap in the curtain, looking at the main hall outside filled with at least a thousand people, and said uneasily:

“I see many of Veronica’s people outside. With Veronica not here today, will they cooperate with me?”

“Ho ho, don’t worry about that. They are Veronica’s people, but they are also the royal family’s people. Naturally, they should follow your will.”

After comforting his nephew, the finance minister smiled and said: “And both me and your mother have arranged help for you ahead of time. If anything goes wrong, he will help you control the situation.”

“That’s good…”

After hearing the finance minister’s words, the freckled prince couldn’t help but sigh in relief, then curiously asked: “Uncle, who did you and mother arrange as my helper?”

“The Deputy Speaker of the Upper House, the current Duke Lionheart.”

Oh, it’s Leo…

Who? Who did you arrange for me? (End of chapter)