https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-371-The-Consequences-of-Arrogance/12970064/
Chapter 370: The Ultimate Kidnapping Technique
Chapter 370: The Ultimate Kidnapping Technique
The Dock Tower was attacked... How could I not know about this?
"I guess I have some understanding of it."
Glancing at the Princess in his arms, who was in the midst of an engaging conversation, Lyon cautiously asked, "I heard from the Police Department that they've been working overtime like crazy lately. Many of the administrative staff have been pulled out to patrol daily, searching for the perpetrators of the Dock Tower attack and the missing items from the Corlock Kingdom. Does this incident affect you as well?"
"It affects me greatly!"
The Princess nodded slightly at Lyon's words, her eyebrows furrowing as she spoke with a hint of concern, "The suspects of the Dock Tower attack are likely the same group that attempted to assassinate me multiple times and set fire to the Lause Archway. However, the damage they've caused this time is far more troublesome than all their previous actions combined.
The Corlock Kingdom has been putting constant pressure on us, and if we can't produce satisfactory results within a month or two, it will undoubtedly impact regular trade.
But... the burning of the Dock Tower isn't entirely a bad thing."
At this point, the Princess's expression became slightly complex, and she sighed, "Since the beginning of last year, I've been working with the Minister of National Defense to reform the Military Department. We've been downsizing the army, reducing unnecessary expenses, and replacing outdated weapons and equipment, even with the cooperation of the Lane Family, the process hasn't been smooth, and the resistance has been greater than expected.
However, with the Dock Tower incident, many of the reform proposals I had previously struggled with have started moving forward again.
It seems that the burning of the heavily guarded Dock Tower has finally made some people feel the crisis and give up some of their interests to allow for the reforms to proceed.
Hmph, some people are like this; if they aren't faced with freezing cold or hunger, they'll just keep their eyes closed and lie in the car. It's not until the cold air seeps in through the car window and their lips turn blue from the cold that they reluctantly get out of the car!"
After venting her frustrations about the short-sightedness of the kingdom's upper echelon, the Princess, who had been holding in her anger for several days, finally felt some relief.
"You're the best, my dear~"
She snuggled into the warm embrace behind her, allowing her body to warm up. Princess Veronica squeezed Lyon's hand, looked up, and said with a hint of playfulness, "I've been holding these thoughts in my heart for a long time, but it didn't feel right to share them with anyone. Luckily, I still have you to listen to my rants... You've thought about our engagement, haven't you?"
"..."
No, how did the topic come back to this?
Caught off guard by the sudden pressure, Lyon hesitated and pushed back, "Um, Princess Veronica, after careful consideration, I realized that we might not be suitable for each other. So, about our previous engagement, can we..."
"Yes, we can!"
???
Did she just agree so readily?
Hearing Princess Veronica's prompt response, Lyon's expression turned complicated. He felt a mix of relief and slight disappointment.
"As I mentioned before, the decision regarding our relationship is yours to make. I won't force you."
Princess Veronica slightly suppressed the smile on her face and straightened her body, which had been leaning against Lyon. Her eyes lowered, and her voice softened, "Additionally, despite my unique identity, I'm still a woman with self-respect. Although I do have feelings for you and willingly approach you repeatedly, I still have my limits.
"..."
Apologetic, Lyon felt a surge of guilt as he held the Princess's hand.
This whole situation was, in the end, his fault. Princess Veronica, despite having her own ulterior motives, had been proactive, while he had been pushing her away due to her royal status and the complications it brought.
No matter how he calculated it, it was he who wronged her, not the other way around.
"I'm sorry..."
After a sincere apology, Lyon, attempting to make amends, spoke up, "If in the future..."
"There is no future. You probably won't see me again."
Princess Veronica slightly turned her head away, avoiding Lyon's gaze, and wiped the corners of her eyes. With tears in her eyes, she whispered, "If it weren't for our engagement, I would have been married off to someone I've never met, either in Morana Kingdom, Hessen Kingdom, or Orlund Kingdom... I wouldn't have stayed in the capital city anymore.
Most likely, I would have married a stranger, only to be neglected by my husband due to political interests between kingdoms. I would have lived a lonely life in a palace colder than your heart."
"If my future husband's kingdom went to war with mine, I might even face humiliation, or worse, be sent to the gallows by my own husband, cursing my tragic fate and dying in despair and agony..."
"..."
"Don't worry, none of this is your fault. My miserable life isn't your doing, so don't feel guilty."
After offering a couple of feeble consolations, Princess Veronica's eyes welled up with tears. She hurriedly wiped them away, but the more she tried, the more tears flowed.
"I just... I just feel a bit regretful..."
Realizing she couldn't stop the tears, Princess Veronica gave up trying to hide them. Instead, she turned her head away, biting her lip as she spoke in a trembling voice, "Clearly... everything was starting to get better. The military reforms were underway, and I was working on solving the long-standing issues in the Ministry of Security. Even the financial problems that had been holding us back were beginning to loosen up.
If we continued on this path, I would have had the chance to thoroughly transform the kingdom, making life easier for the common folk and restoring the kingdom's former glory, ensuring no one would die in the flames of war.
But with me gone, it'll be hard to find someone else to take over. Joshua is not fit for the role, and the kingdom will likely fall into the hands of the Minister of Finance and the Queen, continuing to be a tool for the nobility and wealthy merchants to exploit the commoners..."
"Waaah... Clearly... we were just a step away!"
"..."
"It's okay, you don't have to worry about it."
Wiping her eyes again, the teary-eyed princess clenched her fists. With reddened eyes, she spoke softly, "No one will blame you. You have your own life, and there's no need to sacrifice your happiness by marrying a beautiful woman you don't love just for the sake of others' happiness.
Lyon, you don't need to feel guilty either. Whether it's me, living a lonely life, or the people who will lose the chance to change their destiny because of my departure, none of us will blame you...
Why are you holding my hand? Do you regret it? Do you want to hold my hand and walk this path with me again?"
"..."
I'm impressed... How can you say all this without batting an eye?
Lyon, his face darkening, pried open the princess's fingers and snatched the crumpled onion slice from within. He sighed, exasperated, "Your Highness, can't you be a little more genuine?"
(End of Chapter)
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