The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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103.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

At the sound of something rolling, Francis quickly came to his senses and picked up his fountain pen first.

“It’s fine, let’s clean this up first.”

I was halfway done writing that document.

At least it wasn’t for external use, which was fortunate.

“Prince Casian understands these things, so you don’t need to get new paper.”

I hurriedly spoke to Francis, who was rushing to get paper to copy it over.

Fortunately, the ink hadn’t splattered much on the text, so it seemed like we could cover it with correction fluid, let it dry well, and write over it.

“Don’t rub it, just let it dry as is. That way it’ll be easier to cover with correction fluid.”

“…Yes.”

At my words, Francis, who had been flustered, calmed down and let out a short sigh.

I could sense self-reproach in it, so I opened my mouth to comfort Francis.

“These things happen often when working, so it’s fine. Sometimes we don’t even bother covering ink stains on documents that only His Highness and I will see.”

Not only that, but there were so many urgent matters that only we should see that it wasn’t uncommon for Casian to arbitrarily go through my notebook and handle things.

Of course, I often did the same in reverse.

Thanks to working so closely together for so long, deciphering hastily written notes in notebooks was no problem at all, and I could roughly understand the context from just words or fragmented sentences.

So I meant that there was no need to spend time and effort rewriting documents to submit to Casian.

“…This leaves me with no face to show, nothing to say.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Francis hung his head.

Really, getting that upset over just some spilled ink?

“I understand, Ashwood Aide. It’s something to be surprised about, and I think it’s wonderful news too.”

At my words, he immediately lifted his face.

For some reason, his eyes seemed to have reddened a bit.

Is it news joyful enough to cry over?

Thinking that for a moment, I understood as I looked at the documents piled up throughout his office.

Well, that Ashwood had abandoned his nice manor and worked until 10 PM every night for the past month, so it’s understandable he’d be moved.

At the thought of finally being able to live like a human being, I had made a list of books to read on weekends and evenings too.

“…Is this joyful news for Advisor Salice?”

“Of course.”

“To that extent…”

But somehow Francis’s reaction seemed unusual.

A hint of resentment began to settle in his eyes.

Could that be a look of resentment for not putting effort into staff reinforcement until now?

Even that was understandable.

Of course he would know the circumstances, but difficult is difficult.

“It must have been very hard until now. Once we hire new aides this time, Ashwood Aide will soon be able to return to a comfortable life.”

“A comfortable life…”

“Prince Casian asked His Majesty the Emperor and we were able to get approval to hire two more aides!”

This was also the result of His Majesty the Emperor’s will to maintain balance, given that the Summer Palace currently had five aides.

Since more substantial personnel would be assigned to the Winter Palace side.

Still, I was happy that he said we could hire many administrators without worrying about appearances.

I firmly believed this would be good news for him too.

“So, so Advisor Salice finds me that unreliable?”

“…Pardon?”

For some reason, Francis said something very strange.

“Of course I know that I’m still far lacking compared to Advisor Salice or Prince Casian!”

Francis spoke with raised voice, unlike himself.

“But for nearly a year, I’ve tried. To be helpful to the Winter Palace… very much…”

“I know that well.”

It seemed Francis had misunderstood something, so I hurried to comfort him.

“If you know, then why!”

But his reflexive outcry was faster.

“Why won’t you allow me to stay by your side longer!”

“No, I’m not trying to send Ashwood Aide away—”

“Of course, being born into a ducal family, I know that such things are politics. Since you two have taught me so much, I know I should repay that kindness if you’re sending me away, but…!”

Francis finally held back tears, pressed his lips tightly shut, and held his breath.

Seeing that, I was.

‘This is serious trouble.’

I felt the gravity of the situation with my whole body.

That serious person opened up that much…

Won’t he submit his resignation out of embarrassment when he learns the truth?

*

Though I was worried, there was no other way, so I quickly told Francis the facts that had been distorted.

That although the First Consort had made a proposal, we refused because we thought it wasn’t our authority to begin with.

And that Casian agreed with that as well.

“I’m sorry, I was thoughtless.”

“No, it’s not…”

After telling the whole story, Francis Ashwood covered his bright red face with his hands and couldn’t look at me.

Even his hands were tinged red.

Since he was naturally fair-skinned, the contrast was really stark.

“I’m the one who should apologize for misunderstanding and maligning Advisor Salice. If I had thought just a little more calmly, I would have known you’re not that kind of person.”

Francis’s voice gradually grew fainter.

“Rather, I’m truly sorry for seeming to hurt Advisor Salice’s feelings with such suspicions.”

“I’m fine. It was about you anyway, so I should have shared it properly. I didn’t say anything because I was worried it might upset you. I asked you about it back then just in case, but it seemed like you’d refuse…”

“Back then…?”

At my words, Francis lowered his hands and looked up.

“I asked you out of the blue if you were interested in younger women. The Second Princess is younger than you, Ashwood Aide.”

“…Ah.”

He made an expression of realization and looked even more dismayed.

I couldn’t read his mind so I wasn’t certain, but it felt like he was blaming himself.

“This happened because I was thoughtless. I didn’t expect the First Consort to not give up.”

“…I’ll properly refuse on my end.”

Francis sighed and spoke.

“The Second Princess also said she didn’t like me and asked me to refuse.”

Seeing him speak so matter-of-factly, I felt even more sorry for him.

He got rejected without even confessing…

And he doesn’t seem to have any intention of confessing either.

“I’ll speak with them too, since this happened due to my carelessness.”

“It’s fine, but rather than that…”

Francis quickly regained his usual complexion and gazed at me quietly.

“Did you really mean what you said earlier?”

“Which words?”

“That I’m being very helpful to the Winter Palace…”

“Of course. Just having you in that position is a great help to begin with. And thanks to the work you do, I can take one day off per week even at times like this.”

It contained my complete sincerity.

Without him, we wouldn’t have had five administrators either, and Francis Ashwood was indeed capable enough that the Fourth Consort had coveted him.

Until now, he simply hadn’t found the direction for how to use his abilities.

Moreover, acknowledging his own mistakes was truly a great virtue.

Since coming to the Winter Palace, he had never flaunted his status as Prince Ashwood, nor had he pushed difficult tasks onto the administrators.

Because he quietly and steadily handled his assigned work, I was able to visit the Salice Barony and also take on my duties as the Clupea Margrave.

“It was actually such good conditions that I was worried I might be holding him back.”

The Grand Duchy, which was the First Consort’s homeland, had solid foundations, and her political acumen was quite good as well.

Moreover, from a ducal family’s perspective, a princess was indeed a quite suitable marriage partner.

“This might sound like an excuse, but I was concerned that if I shared that information, the Ashwood Aide might waver, so I chose not to share it. I wasn’t very forthright of me.”

Instead of applauding and pushing forward a carefully nurtured employee’s future, I wanted to hold him back.

Of course, I did think that the work at the Winter Palace would be helpful to him in the long run as well.

But it would be a lie to say there were no selfish calculations involved.

However, at my humble words, a faint smile somehow spread across his face.

“Do you want me to stay in this position that much?”

“Of course.”

After teaching him to work this well and going through hardships together, it was only natural!

The next moment, I almost blinked.

A brief flush of red passed over his cheeks, which had completely regained their color.

It was too much to say it was the sunset light from the window, and he looked so proud and happy that I set aside my curiosity and simply watched his face for a moment.

It was a scene that moved me as well.

Somehow feeling truly recognized as a colleague who had worked together.

*

And as Casian had predicted, the First Consort withdrew more gracefully than expected.

“It can’t be helped. He says he doesn’t want it, and it seems our daughter acted foolishly again.”

At the First Consort’s words, the Second Princess beside her let out a shrill scream.

“How can you say such things, Mother! As a princess of the Empire, I’m willing to sacrifice anything, mmph.”

The First Consort listened to her daughter’s words, then quickly moved her hand to stuff dessert into her mouth.

Finding it delicious, the Second Princess chewed and swallowed eagerly while still looking aggrieved.

“Instead, could you grant me another favor?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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