Chapter 419: If It Were Me
Chapter 419: If It Were Me
"Red wine eel, marinated duck leg, apple pie, onion soup, and mashed potato casserole... Hmm... And two servings of caramel panna cotta!"
After calling over the waiter who was waiting outside, Veronica, the First Princess, recited a string of dishes with familiarity and handed the menu to Lyon. With a mischievous smile, she said, "These dishes here are quite ordinary in name, but this restaurant prepares them exceptionally well. I highly recommend you try them... Is there any particular dish you're interested in?"
"That's enough," Lyon said, wincing at the prices written in a flowery font on the menu. "You've already ordered quite a lot. Let's stick with these... But why are you suddenly inviting me to dinner today?"
"Of course, it's because I miss you," she replied, her eyes twinkling.
Upon hearing Lyon's question, the princess sitting across from him blinked, leaned forward slightly, and rested her ample bosom gently on the table. Supporting her chin with her hand, she smiled and said, "Lovers in the throes of passion always want to be together every moment, and I'm no exception~"
"..."
Lyon leaned back slightly, resting against the chair, and said with a slight headache, "Can't you just speak normally...?"
"Okay~"
Hearing Lyon's request, the princess's bright smile faded slightly. Her gracefully curved back straightened instantly, and her swan-like neck lifted slightly. With a serene and dignified air, she said, "Your Royal Highness, I, Veronica, the First Princess, command you not to take my beloved red wine eel. After the apple pie is served, you must cut it into small pieces and feed it to me one by one with a fork. Do you understand?"
"..."
I'll pretend I didn't hear that...
Lyon had no choice but to change the subject, knowing that the playful princess would only continue to tease him.
"What do you plan to do about the military department? So many people are against it, and they even openly stormed the Prime Minister's residence, throwing stones at you. Do you still intend to push for that replacement decree?"
Upon hearing Lyon's question, Princess Veronica paused, then suppressed the smile in her eyes and nodded lightly. "Of course, I will continue to push for it. Why wouldn't I do the right thing? Even the ranks of colonel, lieutenant, and junior officer are not enough. After this round of replacements, I will also target the higher-ranking generals!"
"Do you intend to go even higher?" Lyon couldn't help but ponder her words as he observed the princess's eyes, which shone with an inexplicable brilliance.
The military system of the kingdom was complex when broken down, but in general, it paralleled the civil service system with five levels: marshal, general, colonel, lieutenant, and junior officer, similar to the executive, administrative, clerical, assistant, and clerk divisions.
If the marshal was the brain of the military department and the generals its bones, then the officers of the lower three ranks were the flesh, muscles, and skin of the military apparatus.
The princess's desire to remove these semi-hereditary lower-ranked officers through the parliament was akin to pulling teeth and peeling skin. Naturally, those with vested interests in the military would react, and they might even have tacitly approved of the officers' assault on the Prime Minister's residence.
"Are you sure you can push it through?" Lyon asked, his curiosity piqued by the princess's response, despite his grumbling stomach.
"While the parliament also wishes to curb noble power, your replacement decree is tantamount to uprooting the nobility. They will fight back fiercely. Will the Prime Minister and the Lower House support you?"
"Indeed, most of the members of the Lower House are profit-seekers. They neither have the intention nor the ability to interfere with the military department, and for issues that don't directly benefit them, they'll side with whoever offers them more."
After answering Lyon's question, the Princess also curiously asked in return:
"Lyon, are you also interested in these political bargains?"
"I wouldn't say I'm interested, but since we're already on the topic, I might as well ask."
Is that so?
After glancing at Lyon's expression, the Princess's eyebrows lifted slightly.
You think that if we continue talking about something else, I might tease you further, so you found a very serious topic to make me straighten up, right? You're thinking too much.
"Sure, since we still have to wait a while before eating, I might as well speak my mind."
After vaguely guessing Lyon's intentions, the Princess winked playfully, then slightly bowed her head, tears welling up as she said:
"Thanks to my dear Prince, the military department is temporarily under my control, so I must seize this opportunity to do something about it.
In case I fail to appease some little man, and he suddenly changes his mind and doesn't want me anymore, at least I'll have a brand-new military department to show for it, and it won't be for nothing after being bullied by him for so many days~"
"..."
Upon hearing the Princess's words, Lyon's lips twitched, and he pointed at his nose, saying:
"Me... bully you? Before you say that, can you please examine your conscience first?"
"I'll try."
The Princess blinked at his words, reached for her heart, and gently pressed, causing a surge of waves in her chest. She sighed softly, saying:
"It's too thick, I can't reach it."
"..."
"You're staring at me like that, do you want to help me find my conscience?"
"I won't!"
"Oh~"
Seeing Lyon's slightly embarrassed expression as he closed his eyes, unsure where to look, Princess Veronica couldn't help but chuckle softly. However, to avoid Lyon's embarrassment turning into anger, she refrained from further teasing and sat up straight, speaking seriously:
"Anyway, I definitely have to push through the Replacement Decree.
Among the 37 generals in the kingdom, 31 of them are of noble birth, and more than half of the junior officers are also of noble descent. In their eyes, the military regulations might not even hold as much weight as the orders of their family heads.
Only by replacing a large portion of these people and ensuring the military regulations can be smoothly conveyed, can I truly control the military department and then use this to pressure the parliament, forcing the Lower House and other departments dominated by nobles to make concessions... Lyon, what do you think?"
"I think... it's a good idea."
With a feeling that the Princess's question was not about politics but about his view on her "conscience," Lyon forced a straight face and tried to steer the conversation back, saying:
"Power comes from the barrel of a gun. Seizing control of the military department first and then pushing for other reforms is indeed the safest choice."
Hmm?
After slightly savoring Lyon's evaluation, the Princess's beautiful eyes flashed, and she nodded, saying:
"That statement of yours is quite... um... I first approached the Minister of Defense for the same reason... Lyon, if you were in my position as the Princess, what would you do?"
What would I do?
Seeing her body unconsciously leaning forward, her eyes filled with anticipation as she waited for his answer, Lyon glanced at her conscience and smirked, saying:
"If it were me, I'd gather a team of guards and storm the palace, forcing your father to hand over the throne immediately. Anyone who dares to object will be hanged, and oh yes, I'd also throw your brother across the sea and find him a harem of monkeys!"
"..."
(End of Chapter)
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