CHAPTER 548: CHAPTER 483: REPORTS AND THREATS

"Your Highness?"

Just as Princess Veronica sat at the table with her eyes eagerly scrolling through a child’s notebook, a cautious voice reminded her from outside the royal bedchambers.

"You have six more hours until the budget meeting at the Ministry of Finance, accounting for the time needed to dress, meet with the members, and transit, you should rest now."

"Alright, I’ll sleep now."

Upon hearing the attendant’s reminder, the princess looked up at the window and realized with a start that dawn was already breaking. She had been so engrossed in reading that she had completely lost track of time.

After carefully closing the old notebook and storing it away in the drawer, the princess yawned tiredly, got up from the desk, and walked towards the large bed in her bedroom.

However, just as she was about to sleep, she suddenly remembered something and turned to ask the attendant:

"By the way, is tomorrow afternoon’s interview all set?"

"It’s all arranged."

The attendant, who was drawing the curtains, was slightly taken aback by the question, and then responded with an odd expression:

"I have talked to the lead writer of ’Scepter and Horn,’ requesting them to ask more about... about your relationship with Prince Leon during the interview.

As for the questions they compiled, I have copied them for you and placed them on your desk in the third pending file, which you can see after the budget meeting tomorrow."

"Great, thank you for your hard work."

Satisfied, the princess nodded before lazily flopping onto her large bed, hugging a pillow, and then sleepily instructed:

"But remember to adjust the order in the future; anything related to Leon should be in the number one file, as I want to see it first."

Number one? Isn’t that the state affairs file? Although I understand it’s your first love, isn’t this a bit excessive?

Upon hearing the princess’s instruction, the attendant felt her cheeks twitch slightly and muttered inwardly. Nevertheless, she nodded respectfully:

"Understood, I will remember."

"Mhm Mhm."

"By the way, Your Highness..."

Just as Princess Veronica closed her eyes, seemingly ready to drift into sleep, the attendant couldn’t help but quietly ask:

"With so many affairs to handle these days, you only sleep four to five hours before getting up. You’re so busy; do you really not need to cancel the interview, adjust the schedule, and get some proper rest?"

Worried the princess might misunderstand her intentions, the attendant quickly continued to explain:

"Your Highness, it’s not that I think you shouldn’t spend time on Prince Leon. I just feel that rather than taking these interviews with little meaning, you’d be better off resting more and then meeting him directly..."

"That won’t do~"

Upon hearing the attendant’s suggestion, the princess shook her head with her eyes closed, saying:

"You don’t understand Leon. Normally, he’s very cautious and avoids situations he can’t control. So if I repeatedly intrude into his life too forcefully, not only would he not accept it, but he’d distance himself from me.

Conversely, if I don’t actively seek him out most of the time and just use small tricks to maintain my presence, occasionally ’unable to help myself’ showing up, he would find it harder to push me away."

"..."

The problem is, who would push you away? Our dear prince does seem a bit blind!

Glancing at the princess lying on the bed, with her sleep dress revealing her shapely figure, the attendant barely resisted the urge to reach out and gave a slight nod.

"Also, do you think I’m coming on too strong?"

Kneeling on the bed, pressing her head onto the pillow, the princess let out a pleased sigh and said softly with her eyes closed:

"I actually know that you probably think I’ve been arranging all the newspapers to focus heavily on Leon recently is quite absurd, and maybe even laugh at me for being so infatuated after finding a prince, am I right?"

?!!!

Upon hearing the princess’s words, the attendant was slightly startled and hurriedly shook her head to deny:

"No, Your Highness, I never thought that!"

"It’s okay because you’re not wrong. When I’m free, my mind is indeed full of Leon."

"..."

After wiggling in the bedding, the princess smiled and playfully asked the attendant, whose expression was somewhat broken:

"Tell me, if there’s a man who doesn’t care about your family background, doesn’t covet your wealth, nor your beauty, who is kind to siblings, hardworking, responsible, and almost impeccable in personal character.

Besides that, he understands your thoughts, agrees with your ideals, and even risks everything to stand by you, daring to storm the palace with his team to save you from danger... wouldn’t you be moved?"

"..."

Well, that would be moving...

"See?"

Seeing the dreamy look on the attendant’s face, reminiscent of showcasing her most cherished jewelry, Princess Veronica smiled contentedly and punched her fist into the air resolutely.

"You must know that life seems full of opportunities, but some chances come at you, and if you don’t seize them tightly, they’re gone forever.

Leon, to me, is someone I must grasp firmly, no matter what. I must fight, I must strive, and do everything to hold on! Being mocked by others in their hearts means nothing compared to him!"

"..."

Looking at the princess lying on the bed with her behind half twisted yet maintaining an assertive fist-clenching posture, the attendant couldn’t help but cast a complex gaze at her.

Although... your determination is admirable, is such a relentless pursuit necessary just for a romance?

"Haha, just kidding."

Watching the attendant, who was momentarily stunned by her "romantic teachings," Princess Veronica chuckled and nestled under the covers, neatly lying down with closed eyes:

"When I’m free, it’s not entirely about thinking of him... perhaps only seventy percent. The other thirty percent, I do consider other matters, like arranging those somewhat absurd reports."

Those reports?

Seeing the attendant’s puzzled expression, the princess, with a sleepy look, murmured softly:

"When Joshua and the Queen were first placed under house arrest, the Minister of Finance and the nobility of the upper chamber really made a fuss with me, even publicly declaring it an illegal coup, which although suppressed, caused quite a stir.

But after I took on these interviews and temporarily unified the reportage of several major newspapers, heavily discussing Leon every day, have you seen anyone still talking about a coup?"

"?!"

Everything was intentional?!

"Speculation on coups and conspiracy theories can’t be suppressed when stirred, but a juicy tabloid story can effortlessly overshadow such unsettling rumors."

Watching the astonished expression of the attendant, Princess Veronica smiled and sweetly continued with her eyes closed:

"With such big hype in those reports, Leon must have seen it but hasn’t come to ask me about it, so he should’ve figured out why and understands the significance. He gets me~"

"..."

Your Highness, that last statement might not be entirely credible...

Watching the princess, who had unknowingly drifted into a peaceful sleep with a smile, the attendant shook her head speechlessly, and holding her heart full of mixed emotions, she quietly left the bedroom and returned to her resting chamber opposite.

A dreamless night.

Perhaps having eaten too much "midnight snack," the attendant had an extraordinarily sound sleep. But just as she was getting up with a sore back under the nagging noise of the alarm, intending to wake the princess, a court servant rushed in.

"There’s trouble!"

Seeing the attendant, the court servant slightly relaxed, then handed a note over with urgency:

"The ambassador from the Crolock Kingdom said that they lost something extremely important during the previous airship attack and will consider imposing sanctions on the Kingdom if it’s not retrieved in three days!"