I! Cleaner!

Following the queen's command, two guards hurriedly stepped forward and, as ordered, lowered their shoulders and rammed against the locked door.

It was unclear whether the strength of the two guards was substantial or if there was a problem with the door itself; after just a couple of impacts, the spring mechanism inlaid in the door gave a cracking sound and broke, and the thick, three-finger-wide door swung open.

As the window of Veronica's bedroom faced directly opposite the door, just when the door was knocked open, blinding sunlight streamed through the window and shone directly towards the door, causing those standing in the corridor to instinctively close their eyes, then…

"Hmm?"

Before the queen could open her eyes, a voice suddenly inquired right beside her ear, so close that even the coolness of the other party's breath brushed against the queen's earlobe.

"Why have you come?"

"Ah!!!"

Startled by this near whisper, the queen's exquisitely made-up face abruptly turned pale, and she staggered two steps back, during which she stepped on the hem of her bright red dress and almost fell directly onto the floor.

Startled to death!

Looking at her daughter standing by the door with her back to the sunlight, wearing a bizarre smile with a hint of grievance while silently watching her, the queen, still shaken, took a few deep breaths and, thinking she was embarrassed, blushed in anger, and furiously scolded:

"Are you a ghost or something? Can't you make any sound when you walk?"

"I'm sorry."

Faced with the queen's scolding, Princess Veronica lowered her head and apologetically said:

"I startled you, I'll be careful next time."

"..."

Seeing that the princess did not retort as usual, nor did she make any teasing remarks with a smirk, but instead apologized compliantly, the queen standing outside the door was momentarily taken aback and felt a bit out of place.

Her lips parted slightly for a moment; once she realized, she nodded blankly, subconsciously responding with a hum, and then looked at the princess across from her with some bewilderment. ThischapterwasmadepossiblebythecommunityatMV|LEM|PYR.

Strange, why didn't she retort this time?

Could it be that this confinement has made her docile? Or has she finally accepted her fate, given up the idea of contending with my Joshua for the throne, and is now trying to curry favor with me for a better life once she's married off?

But... if she's trying to appease me, shouldn't she stay quietly indoors? Why make such a racket smashing things?

Unable to figure out what exactly this stepdaughter of hers intended, the queen, after pushing her way into the bedroom and seeing the furniture fragments scattered around, decided to drop her pretense, and relying on her superior status, directly admonished:

"Don't think you can sweet talk your way out of trouble! Why are you smashing things? Are you discontent with my and your father's decision?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Upon hearing the queen's question, "Veronica" blinked her emerald-like eyes in alarm and shook her charred arm before the iron-skinned doll in its intricate, imposing red gown, saying:

"You are my mother and the queen of the Kingdom, your status is far superior to mine, how could I possibly be discontent with you? If you don't want me out, I really shouldn't be out; confining me is your rightful authority."

"..."

Hmm, something feels odd… Is this what the real Veronica would say?

Gazing at the seemingly compliant princess, the ferocity on the queen's iron face hesitated momentarily, then she blinked her ruby eyes and opened her porcelain-trimmed iron lips, warily saying:

"Stop pretending, you must be up to something! But I'm telling you, whatever you plan, it's already too late!

Joshua went with his uncle to the upper chamber of parliament early; according to the agenda, they're already discussing the succession order over there; now even if you try to pull some tricks, you wouldn't change the course of events. Joshua's already taken over your... the royal family's affairs!

I'm telling you, from now on, no matter what you do, the next King will only be Joshua. You might as well give up!"

"You are right."

Blinking her glassy eyes, "Veronica" nodded and earnestly replied:

"Joshua's talents are indeed remarkable, far beyond my capabilities. No one else can be the next King but him; in terms of character, talents, or wisdom, he surpasses me significantly."

"..."

Upon hearing Veronica's words, the queen was silent for a while, then her iron face suddenly flushed with a tinge of angry crimson.

Damn it! There's no one more insulting than you!

Joshua may be my own flesh and blood, but can I, his mother, not know his nature? Are you praising him, or are you trying to disgust me, as if you're spitting in my face?

Damn it! Even if you retort like before, smirking as you mock me with a couple of lines, it would be better than praising him stiffly like this! Don't be so disgusting!

"You're way out of line!"

After stomping her foot angrily twice, the infuriated Ironskin Queen no longer cared to figure out why the princess was smashing things. She turned around intent on leaving, but "Veronica" grabbed her arm.

"Where are you going?"

Seeing the Ironskin Queen in front of her, eyes filled with anger, "Veronica" blinked before suggesting apologetically:

"Did I say something wrong that upset you? How about this, I'll give you a gift as a proper compensation."

Saying this, she reached into the ruins of the shelf, picking up a beautiful doll dressed in thin pajamas with a face full of surprise and anger, and handed it to the Ironskin Queen, full of apologies:

"I've kept this doll for six years. Today, I'll give it to you as an apology, and you can do whatever you want with it."

"Get lost! Who wants your lousy doll!"

With a slap sound, the doll "Veronica" handed over was swatted away by the furious queen, crashing onto the floor, a large gash carved by splintered wood on its shoulder. Blood oozing from the wound stained the carpet a large patch.

Yet it seemed the Ironskin Queen did not find a bleeding doll to be strange, completely ignoring the doll showing pain on the floor, and instead glared at "Veronica" angrily, saying:

"I'll definitely talk to your father about this! Damn it! Let go of me, don't pull on me!"

When hearing the Ironskin Queen's words, "Veronica" released her grip on the queen's arm as if electrocuted, even stepping back half a step.

However, "Veronica" did not care, instead quickening her pace to catch up to the queen who stormed off, asking cautiously:

"What's wrong? Don't you like my gift?"

"How about this, if you don't like it, you might as well just burn her!"

"Mother? Why are you ignoring me?"

"..."

I'll ignore you to hell!

Overwhelmed by "Veronica's" sarcastic demeanor, the Ironskin Queen suddenly turned her head, shouting angrily:

"You… huh?!!!"

"Is there something you want to say?"

With her cold palm tightly covering the queen's mouth, the "Princess Veronica," with half of her face missing, finally showed a happy smile, dragging the struggling queen along as she happily said:

"Mother, the light over there isn't good. If you have anything to say, why don't you come over here with me and say it.

Although I'm not your real child, I'm still your daughter! So as long as you can speak and give a command, I promise to listen to whatever you say, alright?"

"Mmm! Um um um!!!"

Facing "Veronica," who seemed to have lost her mind, the queen widened her eyes in panic, struggling and mumbling for help to the guards following behind.

However, those guards with equally metallic faces seemed to see nothing, following behind unhurriedly, not a single one stepping forward to save her.

Even if attracted by her muffled cries, at most they would look up, and upon seeing no command given, would lower their iron-grey faces again, continuing to follow behind the two, fulfilling their duty to protect the queen.

"Mother, look, the flowers in the royal garden have bloomed, could you help me pick one?"

As the Ironskin Queen struggled, "Veronica" dragged her to an open window, pinning her against the windowsill, and under the queen's terrified expression, shoved her out.

"Ah!!!!!!!!!!"

"Thank you, mother, you're so kind."

Watching as the queen fell from the window over twenty meters high, smashing onto the stone floor of the garden and shattering to pieces, "Veronica" nodded with satisfaction, then turned around to smile at the Ironskin Guards behind her, saying:

"Where is my father? It's been so many days since I last saw him, I kind of miss him."