Chapter 824

"It seems you now understand what I'm trying to say…"

Looking at the Princess, whose expression suddenly changed and whose fists clenched involuntarily, Li Ang sighed:

"Just as you just summarized yourself: you and your reformist faction represent the royal house that seeks to reclaim power—not the royal house that seeks to strengthen the kingdom and relieve ordinary people of their suffering.

For the royal house, even for the King himself, these 'reforms' you've pushed are not the ultimate goal; they're merely tools to reclaim power. Your reformist faction, in truth, is not speaking for the royal house at all."

"…"

Hearing Li Ang's summary, Princess Veronika instinctively wanted to refute him, but after considering the royal house's situation, she tightly pressed her lips together.

Indeed… what she wanted had never been what the royal house wanted.

Even many of the reforms she pushed required cutting into the royal house's own flesh. So although her greatest source of strength came from royal support, she had never truly been the royal house's spokesperson.

"Moreover, among the four factions in the capital now, your reformist faction differs greatly from the other three."

Seeing the Princess's lips, now pale from being pressed so tightly, Li Ang gently reminded her:

"Whether the aristocratic faction or the parliament faction, both speak for their own social classes and fight for the interests of their backers. Only your reformist faction is different.

Your greatest support comes from the royal house, yet what you seek to implement and fight for directly conflicts with—and even contradicts—the royal house's interests. Thus, your 'base' is far less stable than the other three factions'.

So far, no major problems have arisen because your primary goal has always been to reclaim power seized by the old aristocracy and to regulate commerce, preventing parliament from passing outrageous measures.

This aligns with the royal house's desire to reclaim power: since you're a Princess, the power you take back ends up in the royal house's mouth. That's why they've continued to support you—but…"

"But things will change from now on, right?"

Leaning back helplessly in her chair, Princess Veronika's face turned pale:

"Father… the royal house's tolerance for me only extends to trivial matters. Once I attempt full-scale reform and start slicing into the royal house's share of the cake, their support will vanish instantly.

This is truly… I thought these measures could revive the kingdom from its stagnant state and make it even stronger—something beneficial to all royal houses—and assumed they'd naturally support me. But… I was too naive."

"Not necessarily. After all, I'm only speculating."

Watching her look hollowed out, Li Ang couldn't help speaking to comfort her:

"Your reforms could expand the kingdom's cake. The royal house might still support you. These things may not happen at all."

"Not 'may not.' They will happen."

Closing her beautiful eyes briefly, the Princess, slumped against her chair, gave a bitter smile:

"Before you appeared, Father, though he knew Joshua was useless, kept trying to marry me off—and every candidate was from another kingdom.

I always thought he planned to exile me far away once my reforms hit resistance and tensions among the factions escalated, to quell the chaos. But now it seems he intended to act even 'earlier' than that."

Thinking of the documents she'd brought home yesterday, Princess Veronika's gaze grew complex:

"If I'm not mistaken, Father is now patiently waiting.

He's waiting for me to finish the merit-based selection decree, to purge the military department, and crush the old aristocracy's influence there; waiting for me to propose expanding universal suffrage at the upcoming parliament session, slowly eroding the power of the big merchants and the Prime Minister.

Once I've done both, having cleared away the aristocracy's and parliament's obstacles for him, he'll simply marry me off to some distant kingdom—get rid of his troublesome, dreamy daughter—and then everything else will be solved."

"…"

"Ha. No family ties, only interests. That's truly the royal family's way."

Glancing at Li Ang, who sat silent across from her, Princess Veronika gave a self-deprecating laugh:

"All I needed to do to fully push through the reforms was to marry you. But I approached Father several times—and he never gave a direct answer. He just remained noncommittal.

I thought he wanted to put Joshua on the throne, so he didn't want me wielding too much power, giving Joshua a chance to struggle. But I never imagined he never considered me his daughter at all—I was just a tool to clear the path!"

"…"

…

Oh no… I think I just caused a disaster…

Watching the Princess's pale neck reveal faint blue veins and her cheeks flush unnaturally red, Li Ang opened his mouth to comfort her, but didn't know what to say, so he blurted out:

"Uh… would you like something to eat?"

"Sorry, I don't think I can eat anything."

The Princess, usually so composed, lost her composure for once. With a pale, hollow laugh, she stood up and staggered toward the door.

Seeing her emotional state was off—even showing signs of darkening—Li Ang quickly reached out to steady her and asked anxiously:

"Where are you going?"

"I…"

The Princess, gripping her arm, bit her lip, then drew a deep breath, pulled away from Li Ang, and said tightly:

"I'm going back to finish what I must do…"

What do you mean, "what I must do"?

Hearing her answer, Li Ang's heart jolted.

Given your current mental state, "what I must do" can't possibly mean what I just suggested—gather a squad of guards, storm the palace, force your father to hand over the throne, and hang anyone who objects, right?!

Oh no… I was just idle-chatting with you while waiting for food, and now I've sparked a bloody coup?!

"Uh… maybe you should think again?"

Seeing the Princess's eyes—three parts fury, six parts resentment, one part unmistakable sorrow—Li Ang grabbed her arm and stammered:

"I'm not against you seeking justice, but can't you prepare more?

If you storm the palace now and aren't ready, what if you lose to the palace guards and get killed by your father? At least wait a few days to plan!"

"What are you talking about?!"

Even with her heart full of rage, Princess Veronika froze at Li Ang's words, then stomped her foot in irritation and glared back:

"He's still my father! He only wants to marry me off far away—he doesn't want my life! How could I ever do that?!"

"Oh, I see…"

"…"

Watching Li Ang exhale, release her arm, and sit back down, Princess Veronika's lips twitched slightly.

I feel… I didn't act on impulse just now, and you seemed almost disappointed?