Chapter 444

Having heard Princess Veronica’s words, the old king finally couldn’t hold back anymore, and with bulging eyes, he exploded in anger: “You dare?”

“Why shouldn’t I dare?”

Looking at the old king who had lost his composure right before her eyes and no longer maintained that air of superiority, Princess Veronica couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly. Her expression was a mix of pleasure and regret as she said:

“Indeed, in your heart, what matters most are things like ‘the honor of the royal family’ and ‘the power of the king.’ As for me, your daughter, I’ve never been within your considerations.

Hmm… But it’s not entirely true. When Mother wasn’t sick and could still help you, much like Joshua’s mother did, your love for me was real.”

After taking a look at the old king whose face was filled with uncontrollable anger, an expression even more furious than when his head was chopped off by her, Iron Princess shook her head involuntarily and coldly concluded: “But once Mother passed away and Grandpa’s house—just like the Lane Family now—had been drained dry by you, losing all its value to you, your unworthy daughter, who can’t offer any resources, also lost the qualification to receive your fatherly love.

“You’re actually a pretty good father, never stingy with showing affection, only unfortunately, your affection comes with conditions; I have to first hand over my worth.”

“You?”

After hearing Princess Veronica’s analysis of him as a father, the old king on the ground couldn’t help but pause slightly, then asked suspiciously: “You… why do you know these things? Are you really Veronica?”

“Father, I’ve already told you many times—I am Veronica!”

Looking at the still skeptical old king, Iron Princess sneered: “But I’m not your filial daughter who cherishes family ties. Although I hate to admit it, strictly speaking, I should be considered the suppressed dark side she actively kept hidden.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’m the collection of those dark thoughts she didn’t want to acknowledge.”

Looking down at the bewildered old king on the ground, Iron Princess questioned expressionlessly:

“Haven’t you ever wondered why your daughter almost never showed negative emotions?

When she needed comfort the most after losing her mother, being neglected by you for years, she never complained; while working hard as a princess and receiving almost no praise, she never felt down.

Even when supporting the royal family, constantly challenged by her foolish brother and criticized by her even more foolish stepmother, she never complained or cursed. Even when you revealed your intention to take away her efforts of these years and marry her far away, her first reaction was to find a way to solve the problem rather than having a big argument with you… Don’t you find that strange?”

“I…”

“Don’t start with ‘I.’ You having such an outstanding daughter is truly something you should thank me for.”

Seeing the old king looking shocked, his eyes revealing a hint of guilt, Iron Princess couldn’t help but shake her head and say:

“Since she picked me up six years ago and placed me in her bedroom, the hope for changing the kingdom and preventing tragedies from repeating, which I represent, has become her inner support.

These past years, she wasn’t without anger, nor without complaints. However, all those surging negative emotions, resentment, and dissatisfaction were suppressed by the hopes and ideals I represent.

But these impulses and evil thoughts she suppressed with reason when she looked at me wouldn’t just disappear. She endured you for six years, and all these suppressed things accumulated in me for six years.

After you confined her to her bedroom, the accumulation of six years finally exceeded the limit her reason could suppress. And when her resentment outweighed her kindness and reason, it was time for me to suppress her!”

“……”

“If… if I had known this earlier…”

After hearing the old king’s words, Iron Princess paused slightly, her emerald glass eyeballs showing a hint of struggle. However…

“I shouldn’t have locked you in the bedroom!”

“……”

Of course, someone like you would never truly regret.

Silent for a moment, it was as if something that had always bound her was suddenly severed. A very human-like smile appeared on the stiff iron face of the “princess.”

Then, after twisting twice, the leg joints deformed by the nail gun miraculously recovered, even gaining a bit of flexibility and dexterity that metal shouldn’t have, making her seem more human.

“Thank you, Father.”

After moving her now smooth and lively joints, which had little difference from humans, Iron Princess smiled and said:

“Sorry, I lied to you just now. I’m not Veronica, but I am an anomalous item that revived through her suppressed dark side.”

Not missing a single word!

“？？？”

As the old king on the ground stared at her in shock and anger, the increasingly human-like Iron Princess laughed and thanked him: “As a direct blood descendant of the thirteenth royal family, Veronica’s willpower is stronger than I expected. Even at this moment, she is still stopping me from killing you outright.

If you hadn’t personally killed the last shred of her innocence, I might have struggled with her for a long time, maybe even been suppressed by her, and perhaps couldn’t have wiped out all the royal family.

Hehe, so speaking of which, you are indeed my father, because without you, I probably wouldn’t have been born. And to thank you for your kindness…”

In the old king’s remorseful expression, Iron Princess lifted her ceremonial sword again and swung it down directly.

“I’ll give you a quick death!”

…

Could it be… I was wrong?

Looking at the “princess” who wielded the sword toward his forehead with no hesitation or struggle, a profound sense of regret finally surfaced in the old king’s gemstone eyes.

If… If I had treated Veronica better, if I had given her more care, or even… believed her once, would the situation now be different? But… it’s too late now…

“Bang!”

When the old king watched the ceremonial sword come down, full of despair and ready to die, the window beside them suddenly shattered violently. The rushing wind swept broken window frames and glass shards into the study.

(The chapter ends here)