After wiping the onion juice from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, Princess Veronica blinked her reddened eyes and looked straight at Leon as she candidly admitted, “If I really wanted to force you into marrying me with those words earlier, then I wouldn’t have said them right in front of you. Instead, I would’ve arranged some ‘coincidences’ for you to discover everything on your own.
Whether it’s hearing about Father’s plans for me through someone else or encountering Joshua a few more times, or even meeting the Minister of Finance and the Queen, you’d eventually figure it all out without realizing my involvement.
The reason I didn’t do that and instead chose to tell you all this in a casual manner is out of respect for you and to show you my sincerity.”
“…”
Huh…it does make a little sense? While Leon furrowed his brow in deep thought, Princess Veronica placed the piece of onion on the table and said softly with a melancholic expression,
“Leon, every word I just said is true. Without you, I would most likely end up being married far away after Joshua comes of age, spending my life with a man I don’t love.
Once I leave, all these hard-won reforms will mostly be halted except for those that maintain the royal family’s rule. The kingdom will revert back to its stagnant state.
The reason I’ve made such a judgment isn’t because I’m arrogant enough to think only I can change everything; it’s because I know my father and brother too well. I understand what kind of people they are.
For Father, the royal family’s rule is above all else. What truly matters isn’t the entire kingdom but who controls it. And Joshua has been deeply influenced by him, raised by the Queen to be spoiled. I don’t believe he’d make a qualified king.”
“…”
Indeed…Joshua’s mind and character aren’t fit for kingship…
“So, I hope you’ll reconsider.”
Looking at the silent Leon, Princess Veronica guessed his intentions while gripping his hand in return, earnestly requesting with sincere eyes, “I know it’s unfair to you, but this marriage between us is not only my last chance but also the country’s final opportunity.
Though it might sound exaggerated, I truly believe that if we miss you, both my life and the future of this country will inevitably fall into the abyss. I…I really have no other options.
Leon…just consider it as me begging you. Please don’t push me away like this, alright?”
“…”
“I won’t force you. If you want to refuse but can’t say it, we can try another way.”
Tightening her coat, the princess blushed slightly as she straddled Leon, wrapping her arms around his back. She then buried her face in his shoulder and whispered lightly in his ear, “No matter what, the final decision rests with you.
Leon, if you still want to refuse, then push me away. If you can’t bear the thought of me marrying someone else or haven’t decided yet, then stay as you are and don’t push me out of your arms.”
“If you don’t object, I’ll take it as your consent. I’ll start counting down… 5!”
“…”
So…should I push her away?”4!”
“…”
“3!”
“…”
“2!”
“…”
As the countdown drew near, Leon instinctively raised his hand and grabbed Princess Veronica’s shoulders, subconsciously pushing her a little. But at that moment, the hands behind his back suddenly tightened with all their strength, the delicate knuckles turning white.
Feeling the force, Leon hesitated, worried that pushing harder might hurt her. Meanwhile, the princess’s final count reached his ears filled with joy.
“1!”
“Not pushing means agreement. You can’t go back on your promise now!”
“…”
Even so…for some reason, I feel like I’ve been trapped…
“Let’s go, it’s time to rest.”
After climbing off the somewhat hesitant Leon, the princess shyly glanced at him before gently pulling him up from the chair. Her soft and cool finger traced a ticklish circle in his palm.
Sss…
No way! This is definitely not happening! Seeing the situation, if I enter the room tonight, I’ll surely be devoured entirely, leaving no room for regret, and I might even be having my firstborn next year!”That…I won’t go in for now.”
Quickly withdrawing his hand, Leon averted his gaze and coughed dryly, saying,
“I still…um…have some things to think about. I’ll sleep on the couch tonight!”
“This isn’t good, right?”
Relieved internally, Princess Veronica nodded lightly and smiled mischievously, “If Anna wakes up in the middle of the night and sees you sleeping on the sofa, she’ll definitely have something to say to me as your sister-in-law. How about you come inside…”
“That’s enough!”
Seeing the princess who clearly wasn’t ready but kept teasing him, Leon couldn’t help but take a deep breath and narrowed his eyes warningly, “If you keep this up, the consequences will be on you!”
Hmm? The little man I easily controlled actually wants to fight back? Hearing Leon’s warning, the princess delicately arched her eyebrows and defiantly puffed up her chest, smiling sweetly as she countered,
“Really? I wonder what consequences you’re talking about? Can you show me?”
Every detail was spot-on!
This was your choice!
Upon hearing this, Leon narrowed his eyes and, with a cry of surprise from the princess, directly hoisted her onto his shoulder and went inside. Soon after, cries of panic and pleading echoed from within.
“Wait! Are you serious?”
“Not…not so fast! Isn’t this…a bit too soon?”
“Ah! Let’s stop here! Just stop here! Let me…let me prepare a bit more!”
“Alright Leon, I’m wrong, I’m really wrong! No, no, no! Don’t! Hmm…”
Next, everything unfolded naturally, and ten months later, they got married due to pregnancy, lived harmoniously, loved each other dearly, had two kids in three years, three in five years, seven…
“No, no, no! That’s enough! Really, it’s enough! We can’t have any more kids!”
Glancing at the twenty-some children outside the window divided into male and female teams playing soccer on the palace lawn, and looking at her husband who was as handsome as that fateful night but now sported a mustache and appeared much more mature,
Queen Veronica, who had been crowned for many years, quickly tightened her nightgown, adjusted her loosened collar, and pushed against the chest of adult Leon, pleading desperately,
“I’ve been queen for so long, and out of ten years, nine were spent carrying babies. At least let me rest for a few months! No, no, no! I really can’t anymore! You…Hmm? Why is your chest so soft?”
“Hey!”
Realizing something amiss, Queen Veronica pinched her husband’s soft chest forcefully, causing adult Leon to suddenly blush and exclaim shyly,
“Veronica-nee! You…you shouldn’t touch there! Wake up!”
Veronica-nee? Wake up?
Hearing these words, the princess quickly blinked several times. The husband with the soft chest swayed slightly and transformed into Anna, who shyly covered her chest.
And the large bed specially ordered by Leon turned into the small sofa in Leon’s apartment. She found herself lying drowsily on the sofa wrapped in blankets…
It was all a dream!
“Sorry…”
Shaking her head vigorously to rid herself of the restricted-level dream, the disheveled princess calmed down for a moment. Then she threw off the blanket covering her, sat up calmly, and asked Anna with composure, “I just had a strange dream…Anna, what time is it?”
“It’s already nine o’clock. Breakfast is on the table. Also…that…are you guys really planning…to produce two football teams?”
Covering her chest and stepping back half a step, Anna’s eyes slightly avoided contact but couldn’t suppress her curiosity as she asked, “Are you guys really going to…produce two football teams?”
“…”
(End of Chapter)
