This is...
Staring at the hand-painted ticket with a watercolor of a misty starry sky and a small rose emblem in the corner, Leon asked, sowhat puzzled,
"Are you saying... the princess invited
to see a play?"
"Yes."
Curious, after glancing at the goat's head on Leon's desk, the maid, sent by the princess to deliver the ticket, bowed slightly and said respectfully,
"Master Wilde's Morning Star Troupe is performing his most classic play at the Central Cross Theater today. It's a rare opportunity. Princess Veronica loves Master Wilde's works, and upon hearing the news, she thought of you imdiately. She hopes you can make so ti this afternoon to accompany her to enjoy the Morning Star Troupe's performance."
"..."
I don't believe you for a second!
Rembering how confused he was when he tried to break off the engagent before, Leon's expression turned slightly dark and he instinctively beca cautious.
*Would an absolute workaholic, who has nothing but files on the bookshelf in his bedroom-office hybrid, really be a drama enthusiast?*
Oh, co off it!
Anyone with a bit of sense could see that this invitation wasn't genuinely about the play; she was definitely targeting him!
Relying on his keen vigilance to sense the "simring hostility" behind the ticket, Leon simply shook his head and returned the ticket.
"Please tell her I'm planning to work overti today."
When he had abruptly gone to break off the engagent before, definitely catching her off guard, he still almost got persuaded to receive a marriage certificate on the spot.
This ti, she clearly ca prepared, and if he dared to join her for the play, it would likely then lead to dinner, shopping, clothes buying, a stroll down the street, sightseeing... oh, it's already so late, why not stay over tonight, and so on, trapping him completely!
If he watched this play, he probably wouldn't be coming back!
"Your Grace, please don't be in such a hurry to refuse."
It seed the maid, sent to deliver the ticket, was already aware of what might happen and wasn't surprised by Leon's refusal. Instead, she smiled softly, saying,
"Although your sister Miss Anna's body has recovered, having been ill for many years ans her health isn't particularly robust and still needs careful nursing. Coincidentally, Princess Veronica managed to find the best pharmacist in all of the Capital City..."
Hearing the maid's words, Leon couldn't help but frown, saying,
"So, is she implying that if I want to help Anna recover, I must accompany her to watch today's play in exchange?"
"No, not at all! Please don't misunderstand!"
The maid hurriedly shook her head in response, saying,
"Princess Veronica ntioned that she has already made a similar mistake once before with you and would never make this mistake again. She promises to treat you sincerely and won't play any petty tricks anymore.
Whether you go to see today's play or not, Miss Anna's health will receive the best care. Anna's situation isn't related to her invitation; Princess Veronica has already sent soone to request the pharmacist this morning."
"..."
"Moreover, aside from helping Miss Anna recover, she is also getting in touch with several experienced teachers to ensure your brother and sister can receive a better education without transferring schools.
Besides that, the Purification Bureau's budget for next year will be maximally adjusted, among other things. Princess Veronica told
these aren't gifts or flattery but her way of apologizing for the past events.
At the ti, she was impulsive and played a few not-so-nice tricks on you, for which she feels very guilty and wants to do sothing to make up for it. She hopes you won't refuse and will give her a chance to compensate you."
"..."
*Is she compensating ? She's practically welding the ticket right into my hand!*
Having listened to the maid's "relay," Leon could only let out a long sigh, realizing that he probably couldn't avoid attending the play this afternoon.
Just one night had passed, and the princess had already done so much. Moreover, she refused to acknowledge any "favor done" or "goodwill," insisting that it was to and her previous mistake, hoping he'd offer her a chance to make up for it...
*She's gone this far, and even lowered herself so much, can I really bear not to accompany her to a single play?*
"Alright..."
She targeted his most cherished family, demonstrated her utmost sincerity right from the outset, and lowered her stance to offer favor without requesting anything in return... My own weakness seed to have been completely exploited by her...
Under the princess's intense offensive, Leon, whose face was yet to beco thick-skinned to that extent, could only silently take the ticket from the desk, preparing to brace himself and head into this Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair.
*Watching a play isn't so bad... Where should I find her?*
And seeing him reluctantly putting away the ticket, the maid who brought it couldn't help but smile slightly. She then stood up, saluted, gestured slightly toward the door, and answered in a warm voice,
"Princess Veronica's carriage is now parked on the main road outside the police departnt. You can go directly, and Her Highness should be waiting for you in the carriage."
"..."
Well then, she practically ca right up to the doorstep... So she knew from the beginning that once I'd accepted the benefits, there was no way I'd be able to refuse to accompany her to the play, right?
This woman really is... She might not have the smartest brain, but she truly understands human nature. Having only t
a handful of tis, she found a way to completely handle .
Since resistance was futile, it seed he had no choice but to enjoy it. Thoroughly arranged by the princess, Leon could only take his "Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair Pass" and leave the Purification Bureau, finding the carriage parked at the road's end under the maid's guidance.
"Here! Over here!"
Upon seeing Leon, the princess, wearing a plush long dress, poked her head out of the carriage window, waving enthusiastically at him. She then proactively pushed open the carriage door, making room inside, her eyes full of joy saying,
"I thought you'd be mad at
and wouldn't want to accompany
to the theater... Leon, you're the best!"
"..."
*"I'm the best," huh... quit ssing around, will you? This was obviously all part of your plan. Given your usual busy schedule, if you weren't sure I'd definitely co, would you really spend the ti waiting out here?*
Yet, even though he saw through the princess's little tricks at a glance, seeing that playful, charming face blossoming into a radiant smile because of his arrival, Leon's heart, which harbored minor resentnt for being "forced" to co, couldn't help but dissipate instantly.
*How should I put it... For so people, even if you know she's likely pretending, and that even this smile might not be completely genuine, you just can't find it in your heart to stay mad at her.*
Thinking of all the effort she'd invested, just to win his favor, even though he knew it might be fake, he felt a bit touched. He was willing to act like a fool who understood nothing and just go along with it...
*Hiss! Leon, oh Leon, you need to wake up! You can't let yourself beco such a fool!*
Steadying his heart with a deep breath of chilly air, Leon quietly boarded the carriage, trying to ask calmly,
"Princess, today..."
"Call
Veronica."
Sniffing her nose, reddened from waiting by the roadside in the cold, Princess Veronica took the initiative to hold Leon's arm, her soft and full body leaning gently against him, her voice pleading slightly as she said,
"It's so cold today, Leon, could you let
lean on you for a while? Just a little while!"
"..."
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