The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 149

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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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149.

“Thank you.”

Both of us made puzzled faces at the words of gratitude I uttered.

“I don’t believe I’ve done anything deserving of thanks, Your Highness.”

Charli shook his head at my words.

“No, I know that you two could have easily pushed for mother’s execution. There were so many precedents. But you showed us mercy by remaining silent while I pleaded with His Majesty.”

I truly thought he was someone who was difficult to hate.

“…Even knowing that would make Your Highness’s mother suffer more?”

“Yes. I thought that was right.”

His tone was detached.

“I know that I’m truly a bad son to mother. And I also learned that His Majesty the Emperor has many soft spots.”

I didn’t deny those words.

The Emperor’s deliberate mention of Soremte and his testing words to Charli were all giving him the choice to flee and become a coward even now.

‘The child is innocent…’

The words that Empress Trisha had said to me came to mind.

That heart of hers that wanted to change the person sent to subjugate the dragon while also not wanting to sacrifice Charli.

While I was lost in thought, Charli spoke again.

“But it’s also sincere that I hope mother gets a chance to atone.”

“Even though Your Highness must also go to Soremte as if in exile?”

At my question, Charli laughed brightly out loud.

“Among the words I said to His Majesty, when I said I could finally repay my debt, that wasn’t just empty talk.”

Charli then looked at Casian.

“I’ve pushed too many things onto Casian all this time, haven’t I? Even if it was a way to stop mother, I’m not unaware of how irresponsible that behavior was.”

“…Brother.”

“Since this is the last time, you could call me ‘hyung.’ Since I’m not His Majesty the Emperor’s son, is that too much to ask?”

Even in this situation, I thought Charli was still Charli.

Casian quietly shook his head toward him.

“That title would be difficult, but I still think of you as my brother. That’s why I believe His Majesty the Emperor didn’t strip you of your position as First Prince either.”

“Yes… He’s rather soft when it comes to children. Though he couldn’t be that way with you.”

With that, Charli bowed his head to Casian.

“I’m sorry, Casian. I took too much from you.”

“…No.”

Casian hurriedly helped Charli stand up with a face that seemed burdened by all these actions.

“You also have this soft side that really resembles His Majesty the Emperor. So how about you stop being stubborn and start calling him ‘Father’ normally?”

At those words, Casian let out a short groan as if unwilling.

“So stoic, you’ll be abandoned by Miss Salice for having no charm.”

That will absolutely never happen.

Casian Artez sometimes acts so adorably in front of me that it’s hard to handle.

I answered quietly in my mind for the sake of my social status and honor.

But Casian took those words seriously and fell into contemplation with a worried face.

“…More than that, will you be alright with the Viscount’s daughter?”

I asked, thinking of the woman he had personally appointed as his advisor.

Because I knew there were tender feelings between the two of them.

“Yes, I already had a long talk with her before departing for Riedern. She said the capital life doesn’t suit her temperament and she prefers places with lots of work, so she graciously agreed to come with me.”

At Charli’s words, I let out a short sigh and spoke.

“…I’ll try to ensure your place of exile isn’t Soremte.”

At my words, Charli smiled softly and shook his head.

“No, Salice Advisor. Like Casian, you’re also a soft person, which is troublesome.”

“But Soremte is…”

“That place is also the Empire’s land, and precisely because it’s such a place, I think it’s where I should go.”

Charli spoke like someone who had received a mission, with a very serene face.

“There will be that much work to do, and though it was secret while I was stopping mother… I don’t really dislike moving around. Being diligent too.”

At those words, we simply maintained silence.

“So you figured it out after all?”

At our reaction, Charli laughed cheerfully and walked toward the audience chamber door, looking no different from usual.

Watching his retreating figure, I suddenly asked about something I’d been curious about.

“-When did you find out?”

It was a question missing both subject and object.

“Was it around when Salice Advisor turned the Rose Palace upside down? Still, I thought I should do some work as the First Prince, so I was rummaging through the document room and found it by chance.”

Charli understood perfectly and answered, then suddenly left the audience chamber.

I watched his refreshing figure and muttered to Casian.

“Soremte in 20 years will surely become a pleasant place to live.”

“Yes.”

Because now Charli Artez had no reason to hide his abilities.

*

“So now, is it time to indulge Rose’s whims?”

In the audience chamber after Charli left, Casian cheekily extended his hand to me and spoke.

It was incredibly quiet, as if the commotion of the past few days had been a lie.

I smiled brightly at such a Casian.

“Isn’t it the opposite?”

When I spoke while firmly grasping his hand, Casian smiled faintly.

“Yes, Rose had a really hard time.”

“It’s nothing new, what are you talking about. Ian works me so hard that I’m completely fine with being this busy.”

When I quietly met his gaze, Casian leaned his head against my shoulder as if he couldn’t help it.

When I stroked his hair that flowed down softly, he finally let out a deep breath as if his tension was releasing.

That sight felt somehow both pitiful and cute, so I unconsciously hugged his neck tightly, and a low laugh escaped from Casian.

“Rose, do you adore me?”

I was somewhat dumbfounded by what he said while nuzzling against my shoulder.

“Would I indulge this if I didn’t adore you?”

“Then I should hope you’ll continue to adore me.”

Saying that, he lifted his arms that had been obediently lowered and hugged my waist tightly.

“It’s hard for me to adore you when you do this.”

“Mm.”

He just answers well.

Even thinking that, I didn’t particularly stop Casian.

His feelings must be complicated in many ways.

When he finally let me go after I was embraced in his large arms, carefully stroking his hair and cheeks, I suggested in a whisper.

“Shall we take a walk?”

“Will you give me more of Rose’s precious time?”

“As much as you want for Ian.”

I just answered honestly, but Casian stared at me with a dumbfounded face.

“Really, Rose is too much for me.”

“I know.”

Now I know what you mean when you say that.

Because you’re someone who doesn’t rush or beg for an answer even while saying such things, I’m also contemplating.

How should I convey the answer that’s already come out…

‘How can I make this person even happier?’

It seemed like he’d be happy as if he owned the world just from me saying I like him now, which made me worry more.

When I was briefly absorbed in thought, Casian took my hand and led me out of the audience chamber.

“I’m already happy enough, since you keep telling me your inner thoughts.”

As if telling me to do as I please.

It would be nice if he were a little less perceptive.

I felt slightly mischievous.

‘I want to make him cry.’

The kiss on my cheek means everything’s okay now, right?

I wanted to break down that enormous capacity of his, acting like he could wait forever and saying anything I did would be fine.

*

Not in an escorting posture, but holding hands tightly, we walked slowly together.

For some reason it felt like we should, toward the Peony Palace instead of the Winter Palace.

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Yeah.”

It was a time when the sun was gradually setting.

In the full autumn weather, the wind blew a little chilly.

When I slightly hunched my shoulders, Casian released my hand and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, drawing me into his embrace.

“Ian said he would accept whatever answer I gave, didn’t you?”

“That’s right.”

He answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“But you agonized for a long time before telling me your feelings.”

“Yeah, if Rose hadn’t threatened me, I might have pretended not to know what I already knew.”

Because I didn’t want to burden you.

I could deeply feel the nature of the Liarden Clan with Gaia’s blood flowing through them.

“That was a big decision for Ian, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

The path toward the Peony Palace, which had been blocked off, was completely deserted.

There was only one Royal Guard standing boredly on guard duty near the entrance to the palace in the distance.

Looking at him, I stopped abruptly and looked at Casian.

“Why?”

I hesitated.

I knew Casian was the only one who could give me an answer, but still, I had one question about Maribel’s actions.

I didn’t think I could possibly accept Casian having feelings for someone else, so I wondered if it was different for someone with Liarden blood.

That was an answer I absolutely needed both to complete the remaining task the scroll had given me and to decide my future actions.

“It’s okay, Rose.”

Casian spoke as if comforting me.

At those words, I hesitated a little more before speaking heavily.

“Then this is just a hypothetical, but if I were to reject your feelings—”

At that moment, the bleak autumn scenery was instantly dyed pure white.

I closed my mouth and leaned into Casian’s embrace as he immediately pulled me close to protect me.

‘Lady Maribel is going to give me the answer directly.’

As if that thought was correct, in the distance where the Royal Guard had been standing boredly, stood the young Emperor, Ernest Artez.

With desperate eyes, gazing only at the tightly closed doors of the Peony Palace.

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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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