Chapter 369

I originally planned to eat first, but after seeing you, I just want to go back and work overtime again…

"Princess Veronica!"

After interrupting the Princess's teasing question, Leon's face fell, filled with exasperation.

"Stop fooling around. How did you suddenly show up at my house? Where are Anna and the others?"

"Anna put the two children to sleep… besides, I'm your fiancée—does it seem strange for me to be in your house?"

Seeing Leon's wary distance, Princess Veronica blinked and feigned sorrow:

"Darling, why are you so cold to me? Could it be… you've found someone else?"

"…"

This… I don't know if it counts, but there's definitely nothing between us. Why did you suddenly ambush me at home, and why are you dressed so… casual?

Struggling to keep his gaze elevated, avoiding inappropriate spots, Leon groaned:

"Princess Veronica, between us…"

"Though we spend little time together, our feelings are still strong."

Taking Leon's arm, she pulled the exasperated man inside and pressed him into a chair beside the table, then pointed at the covered dishes:

"Eat quickly—these were prepared for you by Anna, under my own eyes. I tasted every dish myself—delicious!"

"…"

I thought you cooked these yourself—so you just watched and still claim credit? Also, why do you seem weird today? You look…

unusually happy?

Watching the Princess—unusually energetic, still smiling despite his coldness—Leon hesitated briefly, then sat quietly beside the table.

"Princess, why did you come to see me today?"

"What are you saying? Can't I visit you if I have no reason?"

Adjusting her loose silk nightgown with elegant poise, Princess Veronica sat opposite Leon, propping her chin on her hand, smiling sweetly:

"But I do have a few joyful things to share… eat first. I'll tell you while you eat, alright?"

As she moved, the loose sleeve of her silk nightgown slipped slightly, sliding down to her elbow, revealing a sliver of dazzlingly pale arm.

Combined with her radiant smile and the faint glimpse of soft flesh at her neckline, it sent a faint tremor through Leon's chest—he quickly turned his head away, refusing to look further, focusing entirely on his meal.

Good reaction~ Not wasted effort designing this oversized nightgown.

Secretly tugging the loosened sleeve with her finger, exposing a little more arm, then drawing her elbow inward to accentuate its fullness, Princess Veronica smiled:

"There's much to be happy about lately, but the happiest is that our wedding is set—we're marrying the day after tomorrow. I came today to pick you up."

What?!

Hearing Princess Veronica's words, Leon, mid-sip of soup, jolted violently—nearly choking as half a bowl of warm fish broth rushed toward his lungs.

"Cough! Cough! You—you said what… cough cough cough!"

"Oh dear, there's plenty of soup—why rush so much?"

Circling the table to Leon's side, she patted his back gently, her eyes glinting with mischief, then sighed with feigned regret:

"Seeing you so happy makes me truly glad—too bad… it's not real."

"…"

Revenge! This is definitely revenge—for being cold to you earlier!

After catching his breath and realizing he'd been tricked, Leon frowned, ready to confront her—when a shiny fork, spearing a piece of fish, appeared before his eyes.

The Princess, who had just been seated across from him, had used the back-patting moment to slip onto the chair beside him, beaming as she held out the fork to feed him.

"Ah~"

"…"

Ah your head!

Feeling the subtle warmth radiating from the mature, voluptuous body beside him, Leon internally screamed in despair, shuffled away from the intoxicating heat, then grabbed the fork.

"No… no need, I can feed myself."

"Mm-hmm, whatever you say~"

Seeing Leon's embarrassment, Princess Veronica judged she'd pushed far enough—further teasing might get her pushed away—so she let him take the fork, smiling sweetly:

"By the way, still want to hear why I'm so happy?"

"…"

After two seconds of silence, Princess Veronica sat up straight, sighing with feigned boredom:

"Hmm, if you don't want to hear this, sitting here alone is pointless… how about…"

Leon's expression shifted slightly.

How about you leave?

"How about I keep feeding you!"

"…"

"Ah~"

"No, really… I'd… I'd rather hear what you have to say…"

Hmph, got you.

Smirking openly, the victorious Princess sat upright, eyes gleaming:

"Then I'll tell you… have you heard about Lord Jin Juan?"

Lord Jin Juan?

Hearing the familiar name, Leon's expression flickered slightly, then he nodded:

"I've heard something… the one who drowned accidentally recently?"

"Yes, him."

Though the weather had warmed considerably, nights were still chilly—and Princess Veronica's silk nightgown, while accentuating her figure perfectly, offered little warmth.

She instinctively curled up, drawing her limbs tighter to warm herself, her nose slightly red, yet cheerfully continued:

"He was the Treasury's Tax Secretary, second only to the Minister of Finance. He long blocked military budgets and ruthlessly exploited artisan guilds, using royal funds to fill… well… let's say he was a terrible man. Extremely terrible!"

Indeed—he was a terrible man, in every sense.

Nodding in full agreement, Leon asked curiously:

"So you're happy because he's dead?"

"Not entirely."

Blowing warm air into her palms, Princess Veronica shook her head:

"I'd have preferred to arrest him myself, lock him in prison, and make him face punishment for his crimes.

But this outcome isn't bad either. Even if I could have toppled him, I doubt I could've forced a confession—and now his position is vacant, opening a crack in the Treasury.

Without him blocking it, many stalled reforms can finally move forward. If we can seize part of the tax authority, we can clean up those oppressive, convoluted taxes, avoiding… hmm…"

Leon, are you interested in this? Should we talk about something else?"

Looking at the Princess, curled up on her chair from the cold but eyes alight with passion, Leon hesitated briefly, then took off his coat and draped it over her, shaking his head:

"No, I'm still interested—keep going. Just keep your voice down, so Anna and the others don't wake up."

"Mm~"

Watching Leon finally, after seven or eight hints, think to cover her with his coat, Princess Veronica shot him a mock-reproachful glance, then leaned against him with a look of heartfelt emotion:

"You're so sweet~ Then I'll continue… oh, by the way, have you heard about the attack on Dengting Tower?"