Chapter 243

My ideal wife?

Upon hearing the Princess's question, Li Ang, who had never considered this, paused slightly, then began pondering along this line of thought.

First, she must share common ground—someone with whom communication is smooth, whose values aren't wildly different, or else life will become a mess of trivial squabbles; better to stay single.

Second, her appearance and figure can't be too poor—after all, you're not choosing a friend; if there's no mutual attraction, nothing else can even begin.

Lastly, she must get along with Anna and the others, maintain harmonious sister-in-law relations, like children, and accept my job at the Bureau—prepared for the possibility of losing her husband at any moment…

…

"Mind if I summarize for you?"

After listening to Li Ang, the Princess couldn't help smiling, then leaned forward with twinkling eyes to summarize:

"You said so much, but really, it's just three conditions—someone you can talk to, someone you find acceptable, and someone who accepts your family situation… Did I get it right?"

"…"

Exactly…

"Then it's simple."

Watching Li Ang nod slightly in agreement, the Princess—who had spent years navigating political circles and knew well how to negotiate—smiled and said:

"Though I've had little contact with you, I'm very satisfied with your family background, I get along well with Anna, and you don't deny my charm—so even if I'm not the absolute ideal, I meet two-thirds of your conditions, correct?"

Not noticing how the Princess had subtly shifted the terms—turning three rejection criteria into scoring points—Li Ang thought for a moment and nodded again, offering no objection.

If you don't object now, you're not getting away~

Watching Li Ang begin to think along her line of reasoning, the Princess's lips curled slightly, and she pressed further:

"As for whether you can 'get along'… I feel your thinking is a bit skewed."

Hearing this, Li Ang asked curiously:

"How so?"

"It's too idealistic."

With her sleek, toned legs pressed together, the Princess sat gracefully sideways on the sofa, fixing her gaze on Li Ang's eyes as she spoke earnestly:

"No two people can ever be completely 'in sync'—even those with nearly identical views will still clash over minor details.

Take the people following me, hoping to change the Kingdom: even if their goals are the same, each has their own ideas, and demands that are entirely different, even conflicting."

After using the "Princess Faction" as an example to explain her view, and seeing Li Ang lost in thought, Princess Veronika spoke gently:

"Building a family is the same, Li Ang—you can't expect to find a wife who thinks exactly like you and then live in perfect harmony forever without a single argument; the odds are simply too low.

Even if you did find such a person, as you both encounter different people and experiences, your views will slowly change—you won't remain aligned forever. What then?"

"I…"

"You'll suffer from the constant conflicts, yet be unable to truly let go of everything you've shared with her.

So rather than face all this in the future, why not start by choosing a clever partner—one who, even when disagreeing with you, is willing to listen, and knows how to reach consensus with you… Am I right?"

"…"

Something felt off… but somehow… it wasn't entirely wrong?

After mulling over the Princess's logic and finding no clear flaw, Li Ang nodded in reluctant agreement.

"Right~ Too bad—I clearly fit all your conditions, yet you still want to think it over."

After playfully scolding him, the perfect candidate—who was "smart and sensible," "acceptable in appearance," and "accepting of his family situation"—didn't reel him in yet. Instead, she loosened her fishing line slightly, letting Li "Pout-Mouth" Ang continue to struggle in the pond, then smiled and switched topics:

"Speaking of thinking things over… Li Ang, besides me, do you have any other 'candidates'? Could you tell me about them?"

Other candidates?

At the Princess's words, Li Ang's mind involuntarily flashed with several figures.

The first to appear? A striking red hair…

Stop! Crush that thought immediately!

Recalling the mountain of empty bottles in the Director's office, and the several near-drownings in alcohol-filled tubs during drinking sessions, Li Ang's spine chilled—he swiftly snuffed out that deadly idea.

Excluding the Director, who was like marrying a sea of alcohol, there was Senior Emma—gentle, mature, kind to him, fair-skinned, beautiful, charming, powerful, skilled… and in her house stood a giant guillotine… hmm…

Remembering the bloodstained torture tools in her room, and the two-and-a-half-meter-high hanging execution guillotine, Li Ang shuddered and wisely abandoned the thought.

What about Isla?

But Secret Police work is relentless—they'd be apart constantly. Plus, she's a "kick-egg expert." Though she's honorable and loyal, an excellent friend, marrying her would mean daily chaos—likely ending in disaster… No! No!

Little rich girl Amy?

Hmm… she might have some romantic interest, but my own feelings are just a little off, and we haven't interacted much—also seems unsuitable…

After running through everyone in his mind, Li Ang found himself speechless: among all the women he knew well, aside from his sister Anna, the most suitable candidate for marriage was clearly the Princess before him.

Never mind other things, with the princess's capability, household peace is certainly not something to worry about; she has a very high tolerance for the possibility of losing her husband, and if anything were to happen to her, she could still take good care of her younger siblings, so...

…

That's enough~

According to his prior investigation, among all the women he'd met, none could match her under these three criteria.

Noticing Li Ang's gaze drift briefly before returning to her, the Princess—already expecting this—smiled slyly, then slowly drew in her net:

"You thought through everyone, but in the end… you realized I'm still the best, right?"

"…"

"Don't worry—I'm not one of those love-struck girls who only want to be first choice. I don't mind being your second option. For me, the result matters far more than the process."

She shifted closer on the sofa, sitting nearer, then gently took Li Ang's hand in hers and whispered softly:

"I know you might want a purer marriage, feel our engagement is tainted by too many other factors, think my motives are too calculated.

But beyond you, all my other 'choices' would require leaving the capital—even leaving the Kingdom—abandoning everything I've spent years building.

So whether you believe me or not, in my heart, no other 'choice' compares to you. You are my only candidate for Prince Consort."

She lifted his hand and pressed it against her chest, letting him feel her heartbeat, then rose to kneel on the sofa, looking down at Li Ang—who tried to look away—and said firmly:

"Li Ang, I'm certain you're my best choice—and I'm confident I can be yours too!

Trust me: even if you're not ready, don't reject this marriage outright. Give me—and yourself—a chance!"

"…"

Did we pick up the wrong script?