Chapter 378: Night and Lights
Chapter 378: Night and Lights
Protecting my father, mother, and sister during the day, and then coming to protect me when you're exhausted at night?
It didn't seem like a big issue at first, but you're so tired you fall asleep right away. So, who's protecting whom here?
After hearing Lyon's words, Freckle Prince was stunned for a full ten seconds before he could barely make sense of the logic. He couldn't help but blurt out in anger:
"Damn you! I'm going to file a complaint against you at the Purification Bureau!"
"Mhm."
Following the princess, Lyon, who had been busy all day, was too tired to pay attention to him. He simply closed his eyes in exhaustion, responding with a dismissive:
"Go ahead and file it. But the headquarters are quite busy lately, so the processing might be slow, or they might even send the complaint back, leaving it for our bureau to handle.
Our commissioner has been busy too. I'll probably be the one dealing with it when the time comes. So, if you're okay with that, feel free to file the complaint. I'll take care of it all."
"..."
I file a complaint against you, and in the end, you're the one handling my complaint? Then what's the point of complaining!
Lyon's response made Freckle Prince's face turn green with anger. Instinctively, he wanted to take action, but the jerk in front of him was different from anyone he had ever met. If provoked, he would genuinely dare to slap himself hard.
"That's not fair!"
After recalling the beatings he had endured, Joshua managed to suppress his anger with difficulty. He stomped his feet in frustration and shouted:
"I'm the prince! Why should I protect Veronica when you're awake and then protect me when you're too tired? What if something happens at night? What if something happens to me?"
Hmm? He's actually trying to reason now?
Lyon opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Freckle Prince, who was 'arguing' in front of him. After a moment of contemplation, Lyon's expression turned peculiar as he said:
"Sure, you can switch if you want, but this is close protection.
You and your uncle, the Minister of Finance, have been actively reaching out to the old nobility and negotiating terms with the Lower House. You're trying to get them on your side to overthrow the princess, right? You want me to follow you during the day, but aren't you worried I might leak your secrets?"
"..."
Now that he mentioned it, it did seem a bit inappropriate... Wait a minute!
"How do you know who I'm negotiating with?"
"I saw it on your sister's desk... Besides, you don't really think this is a secret, do you?"
Lyon glanced at Freckle Prince, who was standing there in shock, and scoffed:
"The old nobility is not united, and the Lower House is a place full of chatterboxes. There's no way to keep secrets. Your attempts to win them over were already reported last Wednesday. Didn't you know that?"
"..."
...
Reasoning with you is truly futile...
Looking at Joshua, who was speechless from his teasing, Lyon shook his head slightly.
Although it was an open strategy for the old nobility and the Lower House to join forces, as long as the princess intends to squeeze the old nobility and the big merchants, there's no stopping you. It's not something to be afraid of being exposed.
But you managed to make such a fuss over something that should have been kept quiet. Even when visiting, you didn't bother to change carriages. Who wouldn't notice that?"
At your level, it's a miracle if you can outmaneuver the princess!
"Any more questions?"
Lyon couldn't be bothered with Joshua, whose face alternated between green and red. After a day of close protection, Lyon had almost been kept for 'sleeping with the queen'. He yawned widely again.
"If there are no more issues, go to sleep. Tomorrow, your sister will be up before five to compete with the Minister of Finance for the new tax secretary. I plan to go and watch that too..."
"Wait!"
Seeing Lyon cover himself with a thin blanket, seemingly ready to end the conversation, Freckle Prince couldn't help but stomp his feet again, stopping him angrily:
"Get out of here! I don't need your protection! What right do you have to sleep here?"
Hurry up and get up! Go to the servants' quarters outside! Otherwise, I..."
"Have I been too polite to you?"
After seeing Joshua's stubbornness despite his lengthy explanation, Lyon, who had been under some work pressure recently, threw off the covers and sat up. He rolled up the sleeve of his right arm and narrowed his eyes, saying, "I'll give you two choices. First, you can go back to sleep right now and sleep until tomorrow morning. Second, I'll take some time to beat you up, and you'll be knocked out until tomorrow morning... You choose which path!"
This again!
Seeing that Lyon seemed ready to take action, the Freckle Prince quickly took a step back, then bravely argued, "You... You're brutal! You're barbaric! Using force is the worst choice! A true superior..."
"A true superior is the one with the bigger fist."
Lyon raised his right hand, forming a palm, which scared Joshua enough to take another half step back. Lyon then lay back down, adding, "Besides, a useful choice is the right choice. Why do you care if I'm barbaric or not? Just go to sleep!"
"..."
You just wait!
The Freckle Prince stood in front of the sofa, panting heavily. Considering the vast gap in strength between the two, he ultimately didn't dare to take action.
As Lyon closed his eyes and his breathing slowed, almost falling asleep, the prince could only huff angrily. He then stomped heavily on the carpet and made his way back to his bed.
I'll make you sleep! I'll shake you to death!
And! You can only be arrogant for a few more days!
Wait until I overthrow Veronica, succeed my father as the new king, and set up a sign at the palace entrance: 'Lyon and dogs are forbidden to enter!' Then, I'll issue a decree: anyone who beats the king without reason will be hanged!
Joshua, having failed to drive Lyon away, flung himself onto his bed, making a dull thud. He then began shaking his covers vigorously, creating a series of soft rustling sounds.
After some time, he heard Lyon turning over and muttering in dissatisfaction. Assured that he had disturbed Lyon, Joshua, under the influence of drowsiness, entered his dreamland with a hint of satisfaction.
...
"It's about time."
Just as the Freckle Prince closed his eyes, a somewhat aged voice sounded from a clock tower located on the west side of the palace, about three streets away.
Sitting cross-legged on the rooftop, the old investigator gazed at the peaceful darkness that had enveloped the capital, where even the streetlights had gone out. He said calmly, "Apart from the Crimson-haired Lady and Lyon, everyone from the Virgin Bureau has left the capital, and they're both asleep... Nicole, it's time for you to act."
"Yes..."
A hesitant response came, and behind the old investigator, a faint light appeared. The female reporter, who had stolen a wallet and then disappeared, emerged holding a small, warm-lit glass lantern.
She hesitated, glancing at the old investigator, then tightly pursed her lips and gently shook the exquisite glass lantern in her hand.
As she moved with caution, the capital, mostly hidden in darkness, suddenly flickered with the lantern's flame. Then, a radiant sun replaced the moon, hanging high in the sky.
(End of Chapter)
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