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Chapter 428: The Meeting
Chapter 428: The Meeting
Did he just go to my bedroom to get the files?
Upon hearing the Chancellor of Finance's words, the princess, who had been both surprised and furious, gradually calmed down. She turned her head towards the elderly king seated in the main position.
If the modification of the replacement order, or even the hope that Joshua would replace her, was possibly the Queen and the Chancellor's own decision, then sending someone directly to her bedroom to retrieve the proposal documents must have been approved by her father.
No, it was more than just approval.
Looking at the elderly king sitting in a wheelchair directly beneath the crystal chandelier, half of his face hidden in the shadows cast by 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 decision?"
"Hmm."
H
"I've already taken care of this matter. Joshua will be returning from the Morana Kingdom in three days, just in time to take your place in the Upper House Parliament.
It's time for you to get married, and these matters will eventually be handed over to Joshua. Instead of waiting until after you marry into the Black Forest Kingdom, it's better to let Joshua start getting involved now."
When I marry into the Black Forest Kingdom...
Upon hearing this, the princess pursed her lips and stared at her father, who seemed like a stranger to her. She asked expressionlessly,
"What about Leon? What about our engagement..."
"That engagement is not worth honoring."
The king, already sickly thin and with a fierce gaze, clenched his knobby hand around the staff and slammed it on the floor, interrupting the princess. He said in a hoarse voice,
"The only valuable things the Ryan family has are their positions in the Military and Transportation Departments. In the past month, you've already gathered most of the Ryan family's inheritance. As for the rest, you can temporarily put them on hold and slowly replace them with your own people later.
Now, aside from the Vice Speaker's seat in the Upper House and some properties that can't be sold off quickly, the Ryan family is of no use. It's not worth using your marriage to win them over. The crippled Grand Duke of the Black Forest Kingdom is your true match."
"You know he's the crippled Grand Duke, too?"
Looking at her father, who was arranging her future without a hint of emotion, Princess Veronica smiled and said with a hint of ridicule,
"First of all, he's almost twenty years older than me. Secondly, the crippled Grand Duke has a radical and harsh personality, known for killing servants at the slightest provocation, even the pirates of the Saeo Kingdom have heard of his reputation. Are you sure this is the person you want me to marry?"
"..."
After hearing the princess's words, the king fell silent for a moment before slightly lowering his head, avoiding her gaze.
"As a princess, you have enjoyed the benefits the kingdom has given you, and you should give back in return."
"You're right."
Princess Veronica nodded and said indifferently,
"This is what you've taught me since I was young, and I've always kept these words in mind. I've always tried to live up to them, but what about you, Father? Have you done the same?"
Hearing the princess's words, the king frowned and asked expressionlessly,
"Veronica, what are you trying to say?"
"What I mean is, you're a terrible king, and you've truly let down this country."
Upon hearing the princess's words, the Chancellor of Finance, sitting across from her, couldn't help but change his expression. The Queen was even more shocked, her mouth agape as if she were about to fall off her chair.
As if shedding an incredibly heavy burden, Princess Veronica exhaled and calmly said to the king,
"Actually, I had a lot more to say to you.
For example, it's not the royalty who supports me, but the common people who toil daily, and it's them I should repay; for instance, even though you value the royalty more, if the kingdom falls apart, the royalty will eventually suffer the same fate.
Whether or not the royalty holds absolute power isn't that important. As long as we can make the kingdom stronger, or even just give everyone a glimmer of hope, you'll get what you desire..."
Under the king's gaze, Princess Veronica smiled, but her expression was tinged with helplessness as she said,
"But after thinking about it, I've decided not to say anything more.
Since the death of her mother, Your Royal Highness, your heart has been completely occupied by the Royal Family and the throne, leaving no room for anything else, not even for your own daughter. No matter what I say, it won't change your decision, will it?"
"..."
"Are you done?"
The old king, his bright eyes belying his ailing body, stared unblinkingly at the princess before him. With a calm expression, he said:
"If you're done venting, write a letter to the Duke of Lionheart and tell him that you're feeling unwell and won't be able to attend the Two-Chamber Parliament in two days. Ask him, for your sake, to use his position as the Vice Speaker of the Upper House to support Joshua as much as possible."
"Heh, you haven't changed. You always have to squeeze out every last drop of value from anything you can use."
After this mocking remark, the princess spoke with indifference:
"If I'm not mistaken, the person who went to my bedroom to retrieve the proposal documents should have 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."
After a bland response, the old king, half of his body shrouded in the lamp's shadow, asked:
"So, do you want to write it yourself, or should I find someone to help you?"
"Since the outcome will be the same either way, I might as well write it myself."
After saying this, the princess turned around and looked at the queen opposite her, her mouth curling slightly as she spoke:
"Congratulations. With Lyon's strong support, Joshua's experience representing the Royal Family in the Two-Chamber Parliament will surely be unforgettable."
...
At five in the morning three days later, in the upper district of the capital, Westhause Palace, in front of the Parliament Hall.
The sun on the horizon had not yet risen, but the neighing of horses and the roar of steam engines had already torn through the night, as a large number of exquisite and luxurious steam carriages entered one after another along a specially opened road, parking in the open space outside the building.
One by one, members of parliament wearing long robes, top hats, and the Crown Emblem on their chests, stepped down from their carriages, exchanged greetings with acquaintances, and then entered the main hall in groups of three or two, waiting for the opening of the Upper House Parliament.
As the most important power organ of the kingdom, the Two-Chamber Parliament does not convene simultaneously. The Upper House Parliament convenes relatively earlier and is usually attended by members of the Royal Family, with an annual opening ceremony where the reigning king or queen delivers a Royal Proclamation.
However, as the old king's illness worsened and he became less mobile, he refused to attend the opening ceremony for three consecutive years. The related ceremonial procedures were temporarily abolished and replaced with brief speeches by members of the Royal Family.
"Almost everyone is here."
The Chancellor of Finance, dressed in a thick, dark robe, parted the curtain blocking the seat and surveyed the hall. Satisfied, he nodded and turned to the freckled prince beside him, dressed in royal attire. Smiling, he asked:
"This is your first time attending the Two-Chamber Parliament and representing the Royal Family in the Royal Proclamation. How do you feel?"
"A little nervous..."
Joshua tugged at his tight collar and Joshua peered through the gap in the curtain, looking at the main hall filled with at least a thousand people. He spoke with some unease:
"I see many of Veronica's supporters out there. Will they cooperate with me if she's not here today?"
"Heh, you don't need to worry about that. They are Veronica's people, but they are also the Royal Family's people. It's only natural that they should obey your will."
After reassuring his nephew, the Chancellor of Finance smiled and said:
"Moreover, your mother and I have found you an assistant. If anything goes wrong, he will help you control the situation."
"That's good..."
Upon hearing the Chancellor's words, the freckled prince breathed a sigh of relief and then asked curiously:
"Uncle, who did you and Mother find to help me?"
"It's the Vice Speaker of the Upper House, the current Duke of Lionheart."
Oh, so it's the Lion...
Who? Who did you find for me?
(End of Chapter)
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