Chapter 371

"I've been completely sincere."

After wiping away the onion juice from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, Princess Veronica blinked her reddened eyes and looked directly at Li Ang with honesty.

"If I truly wanted to force you into marrying me using those words just now, I wouldn't have spoken them aloud in front of you—I'd have arranged some 'coincidences' so you'd discover everything on your own."

Whether by letting you hear from others about my father's plans for me, or by making you encounter Joshua one more time, or by introducing you to the Minister of Finance and the Queen, you'd have figured it all out yourself—even without realizing I had anything to do with it."

"The reason I didn't do that, and instead spoke of these things as lightly as possible, is out of respect for you—and to show you my sincerity."

"…"

It kind of… makes sense?

As Li Ang frowned in thought, Princess Veronica placed the onion slice on the table and spoke in a wistful tone:

"Li Ang, every word I just said was true. Without you, I'd most likely be married off far away after Joshua comes of age, spending my life with a man I don't love."

"Once I'm gone, all the reforms we've barely managed to push through—except those that merely preserve royal rule—will be halted, and the entire kingdom will sink back into stagnant stillness."

"I didn't reach this conclusion because I'm arrogant—arrogant enough to believe only I can change things—but because I know my father and brother too well, and understand exactly what kind of people they are."

"To my father, royal rule matters more than anything; what truly counts isn't the kingdom itself, but who controls it. Joshua has been deeply influenced by him, and raised by the Queen to be spoiled. I don't believe he can become a worthy king."

"…"

Indeed… Joshua's mind and personality are definitely not suited to be king…

"So, I hope you'll reconsider."

Watching Li Ang's silence, Princess Veronica guessed his intentions, then gripped his hand tightly and pleaded with sincere eyes:

"I know it's unfair to you, but this marriage to you is truly my last chance—and the kingdom's last chance too."

"It may sound alarmist, but I truly believe that if I lose you, my life and the future of this nation will inevitably slip into the abyss. I… I really have no other options left."

"Li Ang… I'm begging you—don't just push me away like this, okay?"

"…"

"I won't force you. If you want to refuse but can't say it, we can try another way."

After pulling her coat tighter, the princess blushed slightly as she straddled Li Ang, wrapped her arms around his back, and buried her face against his shoulder, whispering softly into his ear:

"No matter what, the final decision is yours."

"Li Ang, if you still want to refuse, then firmly push me away. If you can't bear the thought of me marrying someone else, or haven't decided whether to refuse yet, then stay like this—don't push me out of your arms."

"If you don't speak, I'll take that as your silent agreement. I'm starting the countdown… 5!"

"…"

So… should I push her away or not?

"4!"

"…"

"3!"

"…"

"2!"

"…"

Hearing the countdown nearing its end, Li Ang instinctively raised his hand, grasped Princess Veronica's shoulders, and unconsciously pushed her slightly outward—but at that moment, the arms wrapped around his back tightened violently, gripping each other with all their strength, the slender knuckles turning white.

Sensing that force, Li Ang hesitated, afraid pushing harder might hurt her—and at that instant, the princess's final countdown rang into his ears, filled with delight.

"1!"

"Not pushing me away means you agree. Once you've agreed, you can't back out!"

"…"

But still… for some reason, it feels like I've been trapped…

"Come on, it's time to rest."

After rolling off Li Ang, who still looked hesitant, the princess cast him a shy, fleeting glance, then gently pulled him up from the chair with a slight tug, her soft, cool fingertip tracing a ticklish circle in his palm.

"Are you coming inside?"

Uh…

No way! I absolutely cannot go in! Given the current situation, if I step inside tonight, I'll be completely devoured—no chance to retreat, maybe even have a baby by next year!

"Uh… I think I'll stay out for now."

Snatching his hand back quickly, Li Ang averted his gaze and cleared his throat:

"I still… uh… need to think about some things. I'll sleep on the sofa tonight!"

"That doesn't seem right."

Secretly sighing in relief herself, Princess Veronica nodded slightly, then blinked with a sweet smile:

"If Anna wakes up in the middle of the night and sees you sleeping on the sofa, she'll definitely have complaints about me as your sister-in-law. Why not just come in—"

"That's enough!"

Watching the princess—who clearly wasn't ready yet—keep teasing him, Li Ang took a deep breath, narrowed his eyes, and warned:

"If you keep acting like this, the consequences will be on you."

Huh?

My little man who I've easily got under control… is he trying to bite back?

Hearing Li Ang's warning, the princess raised her neatly groomed eyebrows, then proudly thrust out her full chest and smiled teasingly:

"Really? What exactly do you mean by 'consequences'? Can you show me?"

You asked for it!

Li Ang narrowed his eyes, then, in one swift motion, lifted her onto his shoulder and carried her inside. Soon after, a frantic plea echoed from within the room.

"Wait! You're serious?"

"No no no! Isn't this a bit… a bit too fast?"

"Oh! Stop here! Just stop here! Let me… let me prepare first!"

"Good Li Ang, I'm sorry! I really am! Don't! No! Mmm…"

After that, everything unfolded naturally—what was meant to happen, happened. Ten months later, they married out of necessity, lived in perfect harmony, loved each other deeply, had two children in three years, three in five, seven…

"No no no! That's enough! Really enough! We absolutely can't have any more!"

Looking out the window at the two dozen children, now split into two teams, kicking football on the palace lawn, then glancing at her husband—still as handsome as that night, but now with a beard, clearly much more mature—

Queen Veronica, who had reigned for years, quickly pulled her nightgown tighter, fastened her open collar, and pressed her palm against the adult Li Ang's chest, pleading desperately:

"I've been queen for so long, yet nine out of ten years I've been pregnant. Couldn't you at least let me rest for a few months? No no no! It's really impossible! You… hmm? Why is your chest so soft?"

"Oh!"

As Queen Veronica, puzzled, pinched her husband's soft chest, the adult Li Ang suddenly blushed, letting out a girlish shriek.

"Veronica sister! You… you stop touching! Wake up!"

Veronica sister? Wake up?

Realizing what had happened, the princess blinked hard—before her, the soft-chested husband wavered and transformed into Anna, blushing and covering her chest.

And beneath her, the large bed Li Ang had specially ordered, had turned into the small sofa in his apartment—she was curled in the blankets, half-asleep, lying on her back on the sofa…

It was just a dream.

"Sorry…"

Shaking her head vigorously to banish the explicit dream, the disheveled princess calmed herself, threw off the tangled blanket, sat up calmly, and smiled gently at Anna as she asked with dignified composure:

"I had a strange dream… Anna, what time is it?"

"It's nine already. Breakfast is on the table. Also… uh… you two…"

Stepping back half a step while clutching her chest, Anna's eyes flickered away, yet curiosity still bubbled up:

"Are you really planning to have two soccer teams?"

"…"