Chapter 370

The boarding tower was attacked… how could I possibly not know about that?

"I've heard a little about it."

Looking at the Princess, who was still chatting enthusiastically in his arms, Li Ang ventured:

"My contacts in the Police Department say they've been working overtime nonstop—many clerks have been pulled out to patrol daily, hunting for the attackers of the boarding tower and the items stolen from the Krook Kingdom… Has this affected you too?"

"It's had a huge impact!"

Upon hearing this, the Princess nodded, frowning slightly:

"The identity of the suspect behind the boarding tower attack has been largely confirmed—it's those rebels who repeatedly tried to assassinate me and burned down Laoser Arcade. Their past destructions combined were nothing compared to this."

"This time they've caused too much chaos, forcing the Krook Kingdom to keep pressuring us. If we still can't deliver a result satisfactory to them within one or two months, normal trade will definitely suffer."

"But… the burning of the boarding tower isn't entirely bad."

Here, the Princess sighed, her expression complex:

"Since early last year, I've been working with the Minister of National Defense to clean up the military—cutting redundant troops, trimming unnecessary expenses, replacing outdated weapons and gear."

"Even with your Lyen family's cooperation, progress was painfully slow—resistance far exceeded my expectations. But once the boarding tower incident happened, nearly all my stalled reform proposals suddenly started moving again."

"Probably because the burning of such a heavily guarded facility finally made some people feel the threat, forcing them to give up some of the privileges they'd hoarded to secure their own safety…"

"Heh, some people are just like that—if they're not cold or hungry, they keep lying with their eyes shut in the carriage. Only when the chill seeps through the window and turns their lips blue do they reluctantly get out and push a little!"

After venting her frustration at the short-sightedness of the royal court, the Princess finally felt some relief after days of pent-up anger.

"Darling, you're so good~"

Snuggling deeper into the warm embrace behind her to warm up, Princess Veronika took Li Ang's hand in hers, lifting her head and blinking her eyes:

"I've held these thoughts inside for so long, but I couldn't tell anyone—they wouldn't understand. I'm glad I have you to listen… When are you going to marry me?"

"…"

Wait, how did the topic circle back to this again?

Startled by the sudden marriage proposal, Li Ang winced and tried to deflect:

"Uh, Princess Veronika, I've thought about it these past few days, and I've realized we're actually not suited for each other. Could we… maybe cancel our engagement?"

"Sure."

What? You agreed? So easily?

Hearing the Princess's swift reply, Li Ang froze slightly, his heart loosening a little—but also sinking with a faint sense of loss.

"I already said it: the final decision about our relationship rests with you. I won't force you."

Smiling faintly, the Princess—who had just been leaning against him—sat upright, lowering her gaze, her voice flat and cold:

"Besides, even if I'm special, I'm still a normal woman. I have self-respect too. Yes, I do have feelings for you, and I've repeatedly taken the initiative to come close—but I'm not without boundaries."

"Li Ang, I've never liked forcing people. Since you've made your choice, I… I should let go too. If I still clung to you at this point, it would be humiliating. I can't do that."

"…"

I'm sorry…

Feeling the Princess's slightly chilled hand in his, Li Ang was overwhelmed with guilt.

After all, this mess started with him. Though Princess Veronika had her own motives, she'd always been the one pushing forward—while he, because of her royal status and the trouble it brought, had kept pushing her away.

So no matter how you counted, he was the one who wronged her—not the other way around.

"I'm sorry…"

After sincerely apologizing, Li Ang tried to make amends:

"If in the future…"

"There is no future. You won't see me again."

Princess Veronika turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze, then wiped her eyes with her hand, voice trembling with tears:

"Without this engagement, I'll surely be married off—to Mo Erna, or Heisen, or Olesong… I won't stay in the capital."

"My future will likely be a marriage to someone I've never met, then abandoned by my husband due to political interests, living alone in a palace colder than your heart."

"If the country I'm sent to ever goes to war with mine, I might even be humiliated—or handed over to the executioner by my own husband, cursing my wretched fate as I die in despair and agony…"

"…"

"Don't worry, none of this is your fault. My miserable life isn't your doing. You don't need to feel guilty. I… I'm just…"

Offering weak reassurance, she burst into tears, frantically wiping her face—but the more she wiped, the more tears flowed.

"I'm just… just a little regretful…"

Seeing she couldn't stop crying, Veronika gave up covering her face, turned away, and bit her lip, voice shaking:

"Everything was finally getting better—the military reforms were moving forward, I was tackling the Road Department's problems, and the long-stalled financial issues were finally untying."

"If I just kept going like this, I could've completely changed the kingdom—made life easier for ordinary people, restored the kingdom's strength, and ended deaths from war."

"But after I'm gone, no one will take over. Joshua is useless. If the kingdom falls into his hands, the Finance Minister and the Queen will control it, turning it back into a tool for nobles and merchants to exploit the common folk…"

"Wah… it was all just… just one step away!"

"…"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Wiping her eyes again, the tearful Princess clenched her fists, her eyes red as she whispered softly:

"No one will blame you. You have your own life—you don't need to marry a woman who's beautiful but you don't love, just for someone else's happiness."

"Li Ang, you don't need to feel guilty. Neither I, who will live alone for the rest of my life, nor those who've lost their chance to change fate because of my departure—we won't blame you. You…"

"Why are you holding my hand? Are you regretting it? Do you want to take my hand again and walk through life with me?"

"…"

I give up… how the hell do you say all this with a straight face?

Scowling, Li Ang pried open her fingers, snatched out the crumpled onion slice hidden in her palm, and groaned:

"Your Highness, can you just be honest for once…?"