Chapter 853: 450 Playing Daddy

Tsk... Looks like I can't bluff my way out of this anymore.

Though he desperately wanted to drag things out longer—until the old king regained his body and finally died—he had no choice; the princess was clearly growing impatient, so Leon abandoned his plan to stall and returned the old king's iron head.

"Father? Father?"

After calling out twice and getting no response, the princess clutched the iron head to her chest and hurried back toward the royal chambers.

Fortunately, the Iron Transformation effect of 【Executioner King III】 takes time to activate, and when it reverses, it also requires gradual reversion—giving her just enough window to save him.

By the time the princess rushed back to the study and reattached the old king's head, his body had not yet fully reverted from iron transformation—so he didn't die from decapitation after all.

Phew... Just in time.

Watching the old king's eyelids still twitch faintly after his head was reattached, the princess finally exhaled in relief—and then turned, her gaze complex, toward Leon.

Though trapped inside the Mirror World, just as 【Executioner King III】 could read her memories, the transformed Veronica also saw everything 【Executioner King III】 experienced.

If Leon hadn't arrived in time, once 【Executioner King III】's ability spread, every member of the royal family—including the old king—would have been slaughtered. But...

His malice toward his own father was truly excessive.

Earlier, tying his father's head to his waist could still be excused as fear of poison—keeping him close for protection—but just now, had she not urged him, he likely would've kept pretending ignorance until the anomaly's effect fully wore off.

And her father and Leon had never even met before; the only possible reason Leon harbored such hatred toward him could only be because of her. In other words, Leon did this mostly to clear away "obstacles" for her—and the root still lay with her...

It was so frustrating...

"Leon..."

Seeing Leon immediately avert his gaze when he noticed her stare, Princess Veronica sighed helplessly and said:

"My father has many... flaws. But he's still my father, and he once treated me very well. So no matter what happens in the end, I still hope he'll be alright... Can you do that?"

"Mm-hmm."

Nodding in agreement, Leon—who now knew he couldn't kill the old king—answered with hollow sincerity:

"An anomaly outbreak in the palace counts as negligence by the local branch. If the king dies too, our director will go insane. So yes, I hope your father survives."

"..."

Like I'd believe you.

Hearing this answer—nine-tenths lie, one-tenth truth—the princess shook her head in exasperation and dropped the subject entirely, instead asking with concern:

"Leon, shouldn't you be in a meeting right now? How's the council going? And what about Joshua?"

Joshua... while you're over here playing daddy, he's probably over there playing mommy. He should be fine, right?

"Joshua's probably fine—you'll see him soon. As for the council..."

After answering about Joshua, Leon—cheered by the near-success of the armed coup—smiled confidently and declared:

"Don't worry, I've handled the council. Everything's under control!"

"Good."

Unaware that Leon's "handled" meant every opposing councilor had been arrested, she assumed he'd simply followed his original plan and smoothly pushed through the proposals.

Hearing the council was "normal," Princess Veronica exhaled deeply. The weight on her heart lifted, and she reached out, gripping Leon's hand, her expression filled with guilt:

"Leon, you've worked so hard these past few days. I'm... sorry. I've asked you about everything else—the council, Joshua—but I never asked if you were hurt.

And even now, I haven't thanked you for saving me again... Leon, do you think I'm being terrible?"

"No."

Shaking his head, Leon patted her hand and replied seriously:

"You're not like me. You carry too much, have too many things to manage. In a situation like this, checking the facts first is exactly what you should do.

Besides, you can see clearly whether I'm hurt—no need to ask. Thanks aren't necessary either. Whether you say them or not, it makes no difference to me."

"..."

Fine...

Hearing Leon's reply, Princess Veronica bit her lip and sighed inwardly.

I thought you'd say, "Given our relationship, thanks aren't needed," or "It's fine—people always care about their loved ones last." But you gave me this...

"Hmm..."

Just as Princess Veronica tightened her grip on Leon's hand, preparing to say more, the iron-transformed palace finally returned to normal—the old king's iron coating fully faded, and he blinked open his eyes, dazed.

"I... what happened to me?"

"Father..."

Seeing the old king curled up in his wheelchair, his spine hunched, frail and helpless, Princess Veronica called out—then fell silent, lips pressed tight.

Regaining his senses, the old king shifted slightly, then suddenly stiffened, his eyes sharpening. He shot upright from the wheelchair, fixing his gaze on the princess and snapping:

"Why are you here? Where's Joshua? What are you planning?"

"..."

Wow... I thought Joshua's obnoxious attitude came entirely from the queen. But now it seems you, Father, are just as much to blame!

Hearing the old king's hostile triple question, Leon grunted, then cut in before the princess could speak, his expression dark:

"An anomaly went berserk. Your head got cut off—you were about to be killed.

But I was just about to launch... I mean, I was coming back to fetch Joshua, noticed something was wrong, and dealt with the rogue anomaly. Veronica reattached your head, so you didn't die. Any other questions?"

"..."

Anomaly went berserk... head... So it wasn't a dream?

Hearing Leon's words, the old king's gaze grew distant. He finally recalled his memories before fainting—and the conversation he'd had with the "iron princess."

"Veronica..."

Looking at his daughter—her expression complex, disappointed, distant—the old king fell silent for a moment, then looked away and sighed softly.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't a good father."

Whether stirred by the iron princess's words or overwhelmed by shock, the cold-hearted old king—rarely ever showing paternal warmth—spoke quietly:

"I failed you in the past. If you don't want to marry, then don't. After Joshua inherits the throne, I'll make sure he treats you well."

"..."