The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 154

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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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154.

A few days later, the capital was thrown into commotion once again.

The punishments for all those involved in the treason committed by Scaletti Zamotti and the Pope had been decided, and there was a procession of the ringleaders leaving the capital.

Since their evil deeds had been thoroughly exposed, no one sympathized with them despite their disheveled appearance from their brief imprisonment.

Though there was subtle pity lingering for Charli, who had volunteered to go to Soremte to save Scaletti’s life.

Charli had completely renounced his succession rights, and the Emperor did not strip him of his position as First Prince.

Additionally, before leaving the capital, he quietly exchanged marriage vows through Wesley, and the Emperor granted his partner a baronetcy and gave them authority over the Soremte region.

Some people questioned what meaning that held, but Charli knew it was an arrangement by me and Casian, so he came to greet us the day before.

Though it was a rather unusual greeting.

‘I’ll make Soremte a place where one can rest peacefully too, so I hope you two will visit someday.’

He truly remained such a perceptive person.

The Emperor hadn’t noticed at all.

*

The award ceremony was held only after more than two weeks had passed since having the Emperor sign the documents.

‘I really worked hard to move it up.’

If I hadn’t stepped forward to prepare for the award ceremony, it would have taken much longer than this.

I also received a lot of help from Empress Trisha along the way.

‘They say children don’t understand their parents’ hearts, but I never expected even Salice Advisor to be like that.’

‘Your Majesty, you must show the children the example of an adult who keeps promises well. Please don’t make me worry that our Joel might take after Your Majesty.’

With pretty words that weren’t kind at all, she kept stabbing at the Emperor’s weak points.

Anyway, with the diligence of the Winter Palace staff added to it, the preparations for the award ceremony and ball were completed smoothly.

Particularly, Wilhelmina’s thoroughness shone in the award ceremony, while Francis’s delicacy was displayed as an advantage in the ball.

Thanks to that, on that day, instead of running around preparing for the ceremony as usual.

“Rose, don’t you trust me?”

“I understand your concerns, but we’ve prepared thoroughly using even the Ashwood ducal house’s resources, so I hope you’ll please be at ease.”

I ended up being entrusted to Casian by the other excellent advisors of the Winter Palace.

Thanks to this, Casian looked happier than usual.

“Our advisors are giving me such a wonderful gift.”

“…Me?”

“Yes, I’ve been excited for a month thinking about making Rozelita absolutely beautiful today.”

This was only decided two weeks ago though…

When I looked at him incredulously, Casian kissed my forehead as if even that time was precious, then entrusted me to the Winter Palace maids.

Whatever Casian had said, the maids’ preparation course was more devoted than usual.

Through baths, massages, and all kinds of skincare, they transformed me from someone who had suffered through intense work these past few weeks into someone who looked like they had been living leisurely.

‘Shouldn’t they start a business with this?’

It didn’t seem like they used any magical tools, so I wondered what technique they had used and had slightly protagonist-like thoughts.

After the skincare was finished, the maids dressed me in a gown they had prepared in advance.

As if his claim of preparing for a month wasn’t a lie, the effort put into the dress looked more formidable than ever.

‘…Just how much did this person spend?’

I wondered if navy blue could feel this splendid.

Along the shoulder line, there were so many rows of gem decorations that it was hard to count them all, but it didn’t feel excessive, making me newly appreciate the craftsman’s skill.

From the decorations around the waist to the hem of the skirt, the lace and gem decorations were so delicately applied that this single dress alone could probably buy a small shop in the capital.

Casian’s feelings came through that much.

It truly meant he was happy.

That he could receive the land his mother loved completely in his mother’s name, not as something imperial.

After finishing dressing me, the maids left the room, leaving only the jewelry behind.

Of course, it was naturally Casian who filled that space again.

“Rose.”

Having dressed me in the gown he had chosen, he looked moved as if he hadn’t expected this.

So I.

“You look so handsome today, Your Highness.”

Beat him to it.

I wanted to do that because I could feel that Casian Artez had also put more effort in than usual.

It was rare for Casian, who found formal wear bothersome, to have his hair styled and swept back like today.

Also, his suit had navy blue accents as if it were a set with mine.

Since I now only found that possessiveness he showed toward me endearing, I only thought that I really should keep him for life.

“You’re really too much to me.”

“If that were the case, you should have said so before being moved.”

“You know it all shows on my face. I simply cannot hide my feelings of liking you.”

Casian said this while opening a jewelry box and placing it on the vanity.

“I barely managed to fumble through it before, but now it’s completely impossible.”

As I readily accepted Casian kissing the back of my hand, I felt slightly touched by the jewelry he had prepared.

“—These are Lady Maribel’s jewels.”

“Yes, they’re mother’s jewels that I can only give to you.”

When he had brought Lady Maribel’s jewels before, I had been shocked and said I would keep them safe and return them.

“Only to me?”

“Yes, only to you.”

Now I was receiving confirmation again.

At my words, Casian carefully took the necklace from the jewelry box and fastened it around my neck.

It was a large diamond necklace with beautiful ornate craftsmanship.

“Are you happy?”

In response, I took the matching cufflinks from the jewelry box and attached them to Casian’s sleeves.

Casian watched my touch, then met my gaze and answered.

“Yes, very much so.”

It was a face full of happiness that I wanted to protect forever.

*

Casian safely received the Riedern ducal title from the Emperor.

The investiture ceremony, which Wilhelmina had attended to until the very end, was more magnificent and splendid than ever.

The ball that followed also showed both the splendid and thoughtful aspects befitting Francis’s nature.

When the first song began, Casian asked me to dance, and I gladly accepted.

After dutifully fulfilling our necessary obligations, we slipped away from the bustling ballroom as if by agreement.

“The Riedern duchy is what Rose gave to me.”

Walking along the quiet night path toward the Winter Palace, Casian whispered this.

It was a statement that would make the petty Emperor demand he return it immediately if he heard it.

Of course, I wasn’t scared at all.

Though there wasn’t anyone around to overhear anyway.

I spoke to him with slight grumbling toward someone whose threshold for happiness was far too low.

“It’s troublesome if you’re already happy with something like that.”

“Why?”

“Because I still have a lot more to do.”

The late autumn night sky was clear, and the gently blowing wind felt cold but only soft.

And Casian’s face looking at me was more lovely than ever.

“…Then I’ll look forward to it?”

His following words were even more adorable.

‘Prince Charli absolutely shouldn’t have pointed out Casian’s cuteness.’

Because if he became any cuter than now, I would be in real trouble.

“You’re talking as if you haven’t done it? Without asking as usual.”

At my words, Casian released the escorting arm and intertwined our fingers to hold hands.

“Because I told Rose I would wait.”

“What if I just keep you waiting forever? I might be mean and never tell you.”

“Still, I’ll wait nicely. So that you’ll think I’m pretty.”

Nicely, my foot. Today you’re being as cunning and shrewd as ever.

You know that I become weak to you when you act like this, and you’re doing it on purpose.

I stood tall and looked at Casian.

“Ian.”

“Yes.”

“I’m very greedy, extremely so.”

“Rose is? But you’ve only rejected me no matter how much I tried to embrace you.”

Casian provoked me.

As if begging me to take even more of him.

“That’s because you don’t know me well enough yet.”

When I reached out with empty hands, Casian rubbed his cheek against them like a long-trained beast.

Even knowing my heart, as if he would enchant me just a little more, he didn’t forget to appeal his charms.

“I’m planning to ask you for all of your future time.”

“…Rose.”

“Ian, give yourself to me.”

I’ll take responsibility and make you happy.

I’ll gladly carry the burden of you, who are so pitiful, lovely, fragile, and beautiful.

“I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

“…”

He must have expected it, and he probably anticipated my feelings, yet Casian looked even more surprised than when he saw me dressed in the gown he had prepared today.

Like someone who never dreamed that the day he had hoped and longed for would be today.

His eyes became slightly moist.

No matter how much I racked my brain, all my agonizing thoughts about finding a way to truly move him became ridiculous.

Casian Artez had filled the entire vast capacity of his heart just from the emotions I conveyed with honest words, like someone who had gained the whole world.

Even though I had wanted to make him cry, now that I actually saw his eyes reddening, I didn’t like that either.

So I gently wiped his eyes with my hand and said playfully,

“I won’t accept anything but a positive answer, so what do you think?”

At those words, a little of his usual composure returned to Casian’s face, which had been filled with all kinds of joyful emotions and didn’t know what to do.

He still moved his lips several times like someone who had lost his words, holding my waist tightly, and finally opened his mouth like someone who had barely squeezed out breath.

“…How could I possibly go against Rose’s words.”

As if following a truth ordained by the world, he gave all of himself to me like that.

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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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