The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 127

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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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127.

-It’s been a while.

Not even in its lair, but occupying Paul’s shoulder was already absurd enough.

And now it was even boldly speaking to me.

“…Are you insane?”

In a place with so many people?

Even though my mother and my friend are tight-lipped people, the others might not be?

But only Paul and Casian reacted to my startled words.

“Oh my, Rose. Are you trying to bully Paul again?”

Mother calmly placed her hand on her cheek and spoke.

“Right! What did I do wrong this time that you’re using formal speech as soon as you arrive! Do you have to torment me in such a scary way?”

My childhood friend Paul Terodima was checking if there was anything inefficient in his actions and even opened up a summary page of the ledger.

“…Didn’t you hear it?”

“What? You asking me if I’m crazy using formal speech? Really, aren’t you being too harsh on me? It takes a week by carriage from Terodima to here, and just because I complained a little about that-“

I ignored Paul’s chattering and looked at Casian.

He nodded at me as if to say he had heard it too.

‘…Only we could hear it?’

The moment I thought that, the lizard’s voice rang out again.

-I’m not that rude.

It didn’t seem like you were particularly polite either.

-I’m also not the type to invite trouble.

Perhaps because it had been comfortably staying on Paul’s shoulder, its way of speaking was subtly similar.

Anyway, I was grateful that it revealed itself on its own, since I was wondering if I’d have to search the lair thoroughly if it didn’t appear.

Thinking that, I unconsciously recalled the various lair provocation methods Casian and I had devised.

“…Rose, are you even threatening lizards now?”

As if it had read those thoughts, the red lizard flinched and hid its body behind Paul’s nape.

*

Though I had plenty of things to ask the Flare Dragon, I didn’t do something stupid like immediately grabbing the lizard’s tail.

If I did that and others found out that lizard was actually a dragon, my childhood friend would be sad.

‘I can’t lose such a useful proxy worker over something like that.’

He might grumble a bit, but it was hard to find a worker as kind, honest, and diligent as him.

Moreover, contrary to his appearance, Paul Terodima wasn’t particularly arrogant, and was a rare polite young man among nobles who got along well with people.

“Unlike what we heard, the Marquis seems to be a generous person, so we’re relieved.”

“That’s right, everyone kept improving and re-improving until the Marquis’s visit, saying there couldn’t be any waste in byproduct collection.”

Mainly by cursing me out.

When I stared intently at Paul Terodima, he trembled.

“Why, why!”

“Nothing, I just thought you did a good job.”

Increasing efficiency by cursing me out – what a truly good choice.

Badmouthing a superior who rarely shows their face?

It was a very efficient way to build unity.

And it’s not like they made me out to be a vicious person either.

Unlike Paul who was trembling with guilt, Casian, who was helping me review the ledgers, had a slightly sulky expression.

“What about me, Ian?”

“It seems like your charming gaze doesn’t reach me?”

His low whispered voice unfortunately seemed to reach Paul, who had approached to stack another ledger.

My purely cultivated single childhood friend instantly got dead eyes and complained to my mother.

“…I want to go back to Terodima, ma’am.”

“Oh my, Paul. But then Rose will cut your profit ratio, is that okay?”

And mother gave him very appropriate consolation.

At those kind and thoughtful words, Paul Terodima looked between the calculations he’d been working on and me, then quietly returned to his seat.

Hmm, it seemed the intensive education over the past eight years hadn’t been wrong at all.

As I was observing this, Casian whispered softly.

“He seems like he’d be better than most capital advisors.”

“In terms of ability alone, that might be true, but if he came to the capital, he’d get homesick and leave within three months. He really loves Terodima.”

And the people of Terodima Estate would get bored too.

If they lost their young count who reacted so well no matter how they teased him, they’d miss out on life’s fun.

At my words, Casian looked relieved rather than disappointed.

“…You didn’t want to put him to work?”

“It’s not that I don’t have ideas.”

Casian leaned down and whispered to me.

“If he were near the office, I feel like he’d steal all your attention.”

“…You really get jealous over the strangest things.”

“Yeah, that’s why I told you.”

“That it’s bothersome.”

Casian nodded with slightly drooped eyebrows.

If you really didn’t want to show it, you could just not show it.

“Really, Ian.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re always making moves on me.”

“That’s right.”

And he cheerfully agreed with my criticism.

When I looked at him and laughed because it was so absurd, Casian’s face filled with happiness.

And Paul….

“Ma’am, how much do you think Rose will cut the ratio?”

“Well, she’ll cut it quite ruthlessly, right? You know well how heartless our Rose is.”

He started consulting with mother about mine and her rational calculation methods.

*

Though there was some grumbling, the work handling by the people I trusted most was solid.

There wasn’t even a trace of embezzlement to be found, and even the most trivial expense details were thoroughly documented with attached materials.

There were also traces of periodic inspections by Father, Count Terodima, and Countess Terodima taking turns.

Even though the management authority changed periodically like this, there were no gaps in the ledgers.

It clearly showed how they had worked together to manage the region over a long time, coordinating perfectly.

As I was examining the materials with inner admiration at this fact, I felt someone’s presence.

“What is it?”

Late at night, since I had sent everyone else to rest, only Casian and I were in the office.

Of course, I was diligently checking the ledgers that had accumulated over the six months I was absent, not wanting to waste even a moment.

Even while concentrating like this, I couldn’t help but notice my superior’s gaze.

When Casian didn’t answer my question and I looked up, he smiled faintly.

“I was thinking about how your hometown people protect you like this.”

“That’s right, it’s very reassuring. Enough that I can feel at ease even without coming to the borderland barony.”

While deciding on the distribution of lair byproducts, I had already been thinking of bringing in my hometown people.

There was the option of hiring a suitable merchant guild, but I also knew the reality that I’d have to turn a blind eye to embezzlement in that process.

So I had called people who, based on years of experience, wouldn’t have such foolish thoughts.

I could trust them even more because I knew they would properly understand the intentions in my plans and faithfully carry out their duties accordingly, even filling in the lacking parts.

“The scale of this manor is also just appropriately sized as I expected.”

If I had left it to someone else, they would have built it as large as any country house, considering only the title of marquis.

But just looking at the unfriendly plan that simply said ‘manor construction,’ Paul built a manor that was exactly the right scale for this land.

It was a 2-story building with a hall on the first floor suitable for holding village events, an office easily accessible to outsiders, plus two archive rooms.

On the second floor, there were four bedrooms, and even those were just appropriately furnished.

Each room was smaller than the bedroom at Salice Baron’s Mansion.

“It felt like the village was gradually formed around the lair entrance, and it’s designed so you must pass in front of the Marquis’ Manor for easy entrance management.”

“This is a big business for Terodima too.”

And since I entrusted them with the work, I properly shared the profits as well.

This was the final reason I delegated this place to them.

Though better off than our family, the Terodima County wasn’t in a very comfortable situation either.

Because the famine they experienced in childhood was terrible.

So it was a good opportunity for them too.

It was even better since our parents, who work alternating between here and Salice Barony, wouldn’t suffer from guilt about having to pay off debts unconditionally with my wealth.

‘…I trust my parents, but I know well that just giving isn’t always right.’

Comfort and natural expectations often made people foolish.

I brushed away the old thoughts that had briefly surfaced.

Since they were memories from a completely different world now anyway.

As I lightly shook my head, Casian quietly took my hand and spoke.

“I’m glad the people from your hometown recognize Rose’s kindness.”

At that sharp insight, I smiled warmly and agreed.

“Really.”

I knew all too well how difficult that simple act of being grateful for gratitude was.

Perhaps that’s why I wanted to live pursuing only peace and normalcy in that comfortable space.

‘Even if it’s regrettable, I must do what needs to be done.’

I leaned against Casian’s embrace for a moment, then straightened up and turned my eyes to the ledger.

His soft laughter echoed in my ears, allowing me to turn to the next page with peace of mind.

*

Thanks to using my time until late at night, I was able to perfectly finish reviewing the ledgers.

The next day, watching me organize and explain the points that needed improvement in the office, Paul and Mother naturally wore familiar expressions.

But the manor residents working here somehow gaped with their jaws dropped.

“See that, I wasn’t lying.”

Only Paul was excited and triumphant seeing that sight.

Anyway, after that time, we took a tour around the village and then entered the lair.

Since it was a rest day from byproduct collection, the lair was very quiet.

Of course, it wasn’t just quiet…

Unlike when we last saw it, the lair’s appearance had changed dramatically.

Even the adamant ore was present in far more places than before, and there even seemed to be newly grown ones in places that had already been harvested.

“…Weren’t you planning to leave?”

Slightly dumbfounded, I gladly asked the one who could answer.

The lizard that had transferred to me when we entered the lair fluttered its cute wings proudly.

-Your energy was delicious, so I stayed.

“What?”

-How is it? Isn’t this a very satisfying environment for someone who loves money?

It seemed Paul Terodima had strangely spoiled his companion lizard’s habits.

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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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