I! Cleaner!

After hearing about the so-called "assistant's" identity, Joshua felt a sudden tingling at the scalp, even experiencing a strange phantom pain on his face.

If one were to find the person Prince Freckles feared most in the entire Kingdom, no one would dare claim the first place if his cheap brother-in-law declared himself the second.

After all, even if he committed some absurdities that angered the old King, at most he'd be scolded and put in detention for a few days. If there was a plea from the Queen, even the detention might be waived.

But if he pissed off that cheap brother-in-law, he really would get slapped hard enough to faint, and even be slapped awake again, treated for his injuries, and then slapped until that man's anger subsided.

What's more despairing is that after being slapped, the other party wouldn't face any punishment whatsoever.

Touching his face, which had been slapped several times, Joshua couldn't help but feel a deep sense of helplessness in his eyes.

The royal family needed to leverage the Duke's status from the Ryan Family to accept their political inheritance, so they wouldn't pursue the offense of assaulting a prince, preferring to let things be.

When he reported to the Clean-up Bureau, demanding they control this madman, the response was that it had nothing to do with them.

Those fools even thought, considering the relationship between that ruffian and Veronica, this was a royal domestic affair. As long as he didn't use an abnormal object to harm him, it wasn't considered a violation of the Clean-up Bureau's rules.

Thus, as a prince being brutally slapped in his own Kingdom, he found nowhere to voice his grievances. Where's the logic in that?

...

"Uncle! Why would you think of asking for his help?"

Peeping through the gap in the curtains and seeing a familiar figure at the Deputy Speaker's seat, Prince Freckles instinctively shrunk his neck, then turned back and complained:

"That man is a lunatic! He doesn't consider the occasion when pushed. Couldn't you discuss with me before finding help?"

"You only returned from the Kingdom of Morna last night; how could I discuss it with you? And watch your posture!"

Seeing his nephew's face showing fear, the Finance Minister frowned slightly, scolding with a slightly displeased expression:

"Stand straight! Hold your back up! You are the Kingdom's only prince! You will inherit the throne and become the next King! What are you afraid of?"

"I... I'm not afraid of him, but with so many people outside, what if he comes over later and hits me..." Check for the latest updates on My Virtual Library Empire (M-VL-EMP-YR).

"Why would he hit you? In the past, though he did hit you, that was when the Ryan Family was still useful and had Veronica backing him, so he dared to be so reckless.

Now Veronica is confined to her bedroom, the Ryan Family's value almost drained, and he's nothing but an empty shell of a Duke.

If he truly goes mad and dares to lay a hand on you in front of so many people, then hit back! If you can't beat him, call the guards! Just because the royal family didn't touch him before doesn't mean they can't now! What's there to fear?"

Perhaps... that's right?

After hearing his uncle's words, Joshua's eyes couldn't help but brighten.

Yes, things are different now. The Kingdom can fully hold him accountable for his crimes! Without his backing, no matter how arrogant he is, he wouldn't dare hit me in front of so many people, right?

With confidence from the Finance Minister's words, Prince Freckles couldn't help but straighten his spine, lifting his head with pride, glaring fiercely in Leon's direction through the curtain in front of him.

Damn mutt! Let's see how arrogant you can be this time! Without Veronica to back you, you're just a... a...

"Hiss..."

Meeting Leon's eyes through the curtain's gap, Joshua instinctively inhaled sharply.

Though Leon seated there showed no extra expression, those eyes were staring at him unblinkingly through the curtain. Noticing Joshua's gaze, Leon's lips even curled slightly, revealing... a rather gratified expression.

What are you gratified about? Tell me! What's there to be gratified about at a time like this?

"Alright, it's about time."

Just as Joshua widened his eyes, instinctively feeling something was off, the Finance Minister took out a pocket watch and glanced at it, then urged:

"Go out, it's your turn to take the stage and deliver the Regency speech."

"Uncle, I... I feel..."

"Get out there quickly! Whatever you have to say, say it afterwards!"

"..."

Despite feeling something wasn't quite right, as the attendant lifted the curtain in front of him, Prince Freckles had no choice but to brace himself under that gratified gaze, stepping out of the waiting area to ascend to the main platform prepared for the Regency speech, and began reciting the pre-prepared speech.

"I, First Prince Joshua, appointed by the Kingdom's current King, on behalf of the King and the entire royal family, attend this Upper House council meeting."

Somewhat awkwardly reading the convoluted introduction, Joshua, whose scalp tingled from someone else's gratified gaze, lowered his head, staring intently at the speech, and raised his right hand to swear:

"I will replace the current King and promise the attending council members and all citizens of the Kingdom that this Upper House council meeting will abide by the Kingdom's codes and council rules, adhere to... uphold... adhere to... maintain..."

Rushed through as if being chased by a flood of beasts, speaking so fast it was somewhat chaotic, Joshua, under the Finance Minister's disapproving gaze, turned his head slightly embarrassed and said:

"I... I conclude my declaration here, the Speaker shall now preside over the council and... and read all the proposals!"

Having hastily fulfilled his duties, Prince Freckles slightly relaxed his tense expression, hurriedly laid down the speech and quickly climbed onto the golden throne at the back of the main platform, cautiously sat on the edge, and vigilantly watched the Deputy Speaker's seat.

As the Regency speech concluded and the Prince representing the royal family took his seat on the throne at the back of the main platform, the entire hall, with over a hundred attending councilors and more than eight hundred observing councilors, nearly a thousand pairs of eyes, all gazed in unison at the Speaker's seat.

...

Very good, now I don't need to fear the princess hesitating. You all picked this peach at just the right time.

After smiling at Joshua, who sat on the throne looking puzzled, and giving him an encouraging look, Leon rose from the Speaker's seat, ascended the main platform on a path lined with a red carpet.

Subsequently, two guards moved a single-person podium for the Speaker onto the platform, and Leon stood at the podium with his back to Joshua, picked up the small silver hammer placed on the podium, and struck the golden clock beside the podium forcefully.

"I announce!"

Glancing at the councilors seated on the red seats on either side below, Leon declared with a smile:

"The... Upper House council meeting officially begins!"