Chapter 773: Kidnapping Technique Max

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

"I've heard a bit about it."

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

"My contacts in the Police Department say they've all been working overtime to the point of collapse—many clerks have been dragged out to patrol daily, searching 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 acts of sabotage combined don't compare to the trouble this one has caused."

"This time they've gone too far, pressuring Krook Kingdom to keep pushing 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 with a complex expression:

"Since the beginning of last year, I've been working with the Minister of National Defense to restructure the military—cutting redundant troops, reducing wasteful expenses, and replacing outdated weapons and equipment."

"Even with your Lyen family's cooperation, progress was painfully slow—the resistance was far greater than I imagined. 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 cold air 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 high command, the Princess finally felt a little better, having held in her anger for days.

"Darling, you're so good~"

Snuggling deeper into the warm embrace to warm herself, Princess Veronika took Li Ang's hand in hers, looking up with blinking eyes:

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

"…"

Wait, how did the topic circle back again?

Startled by the sudden marriage proposal, Li Ang rubbed his temples and pushed back:

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

"Sure."

???

What? You agreed? So easily?

Hearing Veronika's swift reply, Li Ang froze slightly. His heart eased a little, yet a faint pang of loss crept in.

"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 cool and detached:

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

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

"…"

Sorry…

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

After all, this mess started with him. Though Veronika had her own motives, she had always been the one taking initiative—while he, because of her royal status and the trouble it brought, had kept pushing her away. No matter how you counted, he was the one in the wrong, not her.

"I'm sorry…"

After sincerely apologizing, Li Ang tried to make amends:

"If in the future…"

"There is no future. You'll never see me again."

Veronika turned her head slightly, avoiding Li Ang's gaze, then wiped her eyes with her hand, voice trembling with tears:

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

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

"If the country I'm sent to goes to war with our kingdom, I might even be humiliated, or worse—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 wasn't caused by you. You don't need to feel guilty. I… I'm just…"

Offering weak reassurance, Veronika's tears fell in large drops. She frantically wiped them, but somehow, 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 trembling:

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

"If I just kept going step by step, I could have completely changed the kingdom—made life easier for ordinary people, restored the kingdom's strength, and stopped anyone from dying in 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 just… just one step away!"

"…"

"It's fine. You don't need to care."

Wiping her eyes again, the tear-filled Princess clenched her fists, her voice soft but red-eyed:

"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 the chance to change their 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 are you so calm while spinning such a load of nonsense?

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

"Princess, can you just be honest for once…?"

(End of Chapter)