Chapter 751
They then arrived at the café.
Haley and Isabella sat across from each other, while kids at the next table laughed and played, embodying the typical innocence of childhood.
"I really envy you." Isabella sighed. "You have four kids and the most important thing in life is settled."
She only had one daughter, who wasn't well-educated and had lost her chance to compete for the throne. If she had another child, she wouldn't have to worry about losing power.
"The princess is only seventeen this year, still very young, with a world of possibilities ahead of her," Haley said with a comforting smile. "As long as Your Majesty is willing to give her a chance, I believe the princess will mature and smoothly transition into her role as the next queen."
"What good is it if I'm willing to give her a chance?" Isabella suddenly sighed. "The cabinet has already proposed that if she doesn't set a proper example by the time she's eighteen, her claim to the throne will be forfeited."
Haley pressed her lips together, thinking about how to persuade Isabella.
After a moment, she said, "The media in Country H has also covered the royal family's internal struggles. It seems to me that the cabinet is taking advantage of your situation because your husband passed away too soon. They see the princess as an easy target for their grievances. It’s typical for a teenage girl to act out a bit. But because she's a princess and her position threatens many, she has become a convenient scapegoat for their frustrations."
Isabella was somewhat stunned.
In all her years on the throne, she could only discuss these matters freely when her husband was alive. It had been a long time since anyone analyzed her situation. The commoners in her country didn't have the courage, and the nobles from other countries wouldn't deliberately talk about her private life.
For the first time, she felt understood.
"The princess just needs the right opportunity." Haley lowered her voice. "Given the current turmoil in the Hinterlands and the influx of civilians into Country Y, which is causing significant social security issues, if the princess can make a contribution in this area, it would be hard for the cabinet members to find fault with her."
Isabella's bitter smile deepened. "Even I have no solution for this; how could the princess fare any better?"
Haley looked around and saw that there were no other customers around, and even the waitstaff were momentarily occupied at the entrance.
With a discreet motion, she pulled out a document. "This is internal information from the Black Gang. Your Majesty will understand my meaning once you review it."
Isabella became serious and flipped through the document. After just one page, she abruptly closed it.
Isabella's sharp gaze fell on Haley's face. "Are you a member of the Black Gang?"
"No," Haley said calmly. "I admit that today's meeting with Your Majesty was somewhat orchestrated by me, but it was to ensure the meeting went smoothly. Your Majesty, if during your reign, the Black Gang submits to Country Y, it'll expand your territory by at least one-third, and you will become the most accomplished queen in the past three hundred years. At that point, who would dare to impeach the princess?"
Isabella was stunned once again.
If it were merely a matter of showcasing her personal achievements, she would have many reservations. But for her daughter’s future, the stakes were different.
Conquering the notorious Black Gang and expanding her country's territory by one-third—either of these achievements, if attributed to her daughter, would make her the top choice for the next queen.
Isabella looked at the document again. After a long time, she said, "How can I trust you?"
Haley took out a seal from her bag and handed it over. "Previously, the Black Gang had economic dealings with Country H, and this seal was used for signing. It was personally given to me by the leader of the Black Gang, representing his sincerity."
"But why would the leader of the Black Gang be willing to give his territory to me?" Isabella asked again.
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