The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 158

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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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158.

After tea time ended, Empress Trisha led me to the Lilac Palace under the pretext of asking me to make a request to the Kingdom of Anden regarding academy matters.

Since it was time for conversation with me, the attendants now knew to excuse themselves.

I thought it was probably because Empress Trisha would speak words that cut down the Emperor even in front of him without any hesitation.

‘There’s no need to keep ears around.’

Besides, the Emperor would surely think that Casian, Empress Trisha, and I were in a cooperative relationship rather than adversaries to be hostile toward.

“About what we discussed last time.”

The Empress, who had been going on about knowing I was close with Princess Alexis of the Kingdom of Anden, completely changed her expression when she saw all the attendants had withdrawn.

“Sending the Fourth Prince to the academy is indeed a good idea, but the other proposal you gave me is fine too.”

I looked at her with surprised eyes at those words.

Because I knew she wanted to live like an ordinary commoner as much as I did, or perhaps even more so.

“But Your Majesty, if that happens, you might have to take on excessive responsibility.”

“The Emperor often says you resemble the Late Empress, and at times like this, I can really relate to that.”

“Pardon?”

“The Late Empress also tried to care for others first whenever she had even a little energy left, despite being overwhelmed herself.”

Empress Trisha quietly took my hand.

“But you said it yourself, that it’s not right for a child to take on adult responsibilities.”

“…I’m well past my debutante age though.”

At my modest words, Empress Trisha shook her head.

“At least to me, you’re young enough to be seen as a child, and His Majesty should see you that way even more so given his age.”

She glanced toward the Sun Palace.

“The problem is that he doesn’t act like an adult but only tries to take advantage, so wouldn’t giving him enlightenment be the filial thing to do?”

“That’s true, but still, Your Majesty Empress Trisha…”

At my words, Empress Trisha smiled gently.

“Don’t worry about me. I didn’t survive this far in the Imperial Palace for nothing. I have years of experience living as a princess and as a consort.”

Patting my hand, the Empress sent me a warm gaze.

As if she truly wasn’t burdened at all and I shouldn’t worry.

“The First Consort is also quite quick-witted about such matters, so she’ll manage well. Besides, those stuffy old laws are still in place, aren’t they?”

“You mean the one about the Empress and consorts not being able to interfere in state affairs?”

“Exactly. By the way, His Majesty was planning to pass on the Crown Prince position without even touching that law.”

“I know.”

At my immediate response, Empress Trisha shook her head disapprovingly.

“Shouldn’t he consider getting his foot stepped on by his own irresponsibility as a good life experience?”

Those were truly reasonable words.

Once I became Crown Princess, the advisors and nobles would immediately rise up demanding the abolition of that clause, so he was cheerfully thinking he could just hand it over right away.

He wasn’t thinking at all about the administrative vacuum that would create.

‘He’s probably planning to watch how I handle the nobles, isn’t he?’

He really was someone who lived life comfortably.

To the point where I wanted to immediately send him into hell-level difficulty.

When the corner of my eye twitched slightly, Empress Trisha smiled cheerfully.

“So you don’t need to worry about me or the other consorts. Most importantly, everyone will want to see it. His Majesty struggling desperately.”

In other words, don’t take away the front-row viewing opportunity.

Moreover, thinking of the consorts I’d encountered so far, I thought they’d manage quite well.

Actually, the inner palace would probably not suffer much since I had selected good advisors and administrators for them, and it didn’t seem like the consorts couldn’t handle enough work to require overtime.

When I nodded in complete understanding, Empress Trisha patted my hand as if I had made a good decision.

*

From then until the Fourth Prince’s academy entrance exam results came out, the Winter Palace continued as usual.

At least on the surface.

I was spending time with Wilhelmina at the Lopez Duke’s residence for once.

While discussing future plans together.

“It would be better to set everything off at once. If someone starts to slip away, someone sharp will definitely notice.”

“Right? The only concern I have is about Prince Lopez.”

At my words, Wilhelmina looked at me as if asking what I was talking about.

“Really, Rose is too much like an angel, it’s troubling. If you worry about this person and that person, when will you take care of yourself?”

“…Still, he’s Wilma’s brother.”

“Rose, do you feel sorry when you see Terodia’s heir suffering from work?”

“No.”

When I answered immediately, Wilhelmina smiled softly with her eyes.

“Sibling relationships are similar to that.”

It was a tailored explanation for me, an only child, so I nodded at Wilma as if impressed.

Over the past several months, the Sun Palace had spent time endlessly leisurely while only the Winter Palace and the Fourth Prince’s Dawn Palace were busy.

It was truly irritating, but also quite exciting.

‘When both the Winter Palace and Dawn Palace are gone.’

The Empire’s imperial administration had been centered around the Winter Palace with the Sun Palace, Summer Palace, and Dawn Palace taking on large amounts in that order.

When the Rose Palace was the center of the inner palace, the Winter Palace had taken on a considerable portion of inner palace duties, but this improved when Empress Trisha took control.

Now the Second Princess’s side was also handling quite a bit of work since Wilma’s brother was there as an advisor.

The Summer Palace had already been disbanded when Charlie headed to the Sorent region, so when spring came and the Dawn Palace left too, the Winter Palace was scheduled to take on most of the administration.

The Sun Palace was even gradually handing over duties to the Winter Palace, saying the authority would soon be transferred.

For this reason, compared to other palaces whose workload was gradually decreasing, only our Winter Palace was as busy as when we had the Scarletti Concubine or the deposed Pope.

So busy that after barely managing to take a vacation together after three months, the lovely Lady Wilhelmina Lopez exploded in anger.

“Do you know how angry Grandmother was, saying that thuggish behavior can’t be fixed even with age? If he’s going to give the Crown Prince position, he should do it properly!”

Wilma rarely lost her composure as she slammed the armrest.

“Look at this behavior of dragging it out as if to make us anxious! His Majesty just wants to hold and shake power himself.”

“Of course, I know that well. I know it well, so I’m thinking about the future with Wilma now, aren’t I?”

“This is self-defense, so you absolutely must not feel guilty about it! Understand?”

Really, Wilma sometimes thought of me as too good a person.

Of course, I had no intention of breaking that good image she had of me, so I obediently nodded.

While one shouldn’t carelessly trust words about someone protecting you, somehow Wilhelmina’s words felt so reassuring and trustworthy.

She really was my sparkling wine.

“I’m so grateful that everyone in the Winter Palace is of one heart and mind. It must be because you two have done so well.”

Wilhelmina Lopez was planning to go receive successor training from her grandmother when spring came.

Francis Ashwood had finally gained recognition from his grandfather and was soon to receive the title of Young Duke.

Additionally, the Ashwood Duchy was located slightly southwest of the Salice Barony, about five days away by carriage.

The Lopez Duchy was located in the northwest of the Empire, quite far from the Salice Barony but not very far from the Liarden Duchy, with only one county in between.

While it wouldn’t be as easy to interact as when we were in the capital, it wasn’t a distance that would be an obstacle to maintaining our friendship.

I had also subtly informed other reliable Winter Palace members about the plan, and they too were steadily creating handover documents despite being busy.

They didn’t forget the warmth of showing camaraderie by improving the work transferred from the Sun Palace to make it easier to handle.

“Really, there’s only a little time left now.”

“I don’t think the tragedy of the Fourth Prince failing at the academy will ever happen.”

Wilma, who was the academy’s valedictorian, spoke with a confident face.

“I even gave special lectures. The Fourth Prince is even cleverer than I am, so it’s certain.”

“Of course, since Wilma personally taught him for two months.”

“The Fourth Prince worked hard too.”

I had stated an obvious fact, but Wilma couldn’t contain her embarrassment.

Then, as if to hide her reddened face, she took a sip of tea before speaking with conviction.

“But really, the Fourth Prince will definitely secure the valedictorian or salutatorian position. The kids entering the academy aren’t that smart.”

At least by Wilhelmina’s standards.

Feeling proud of her brilliance, I cut the financier with my fork and enjoyed the sweetness.

Thinking that my tongue would be even sweeter than this when the Fourth Prince’s academy exam results came out.

“By the way, Rose.”

However, my thoughts about revenge were temporarily interrupted by my dear friend Wilhelmina’s change of topic.

“Why, Wilma?”

I asked back in a tone as soft as cotton candy, more so than I would use with anyone else.

Then Wilhelmina’s cheeks turned pink as she asked shyly.

“When will you start preparing for your marriage with His Highness the Prince?”

Marriage preparations? My thoughts stumbled for a moment at this unexpected topic.

“It might be presumptuous of me, but I’m so excited. What kind of wedding dress you’ll wear, what kind of wedding ceremony you’ll have…”

Meanwhile, Wilhelmina’s voice gradually became more excited and filled with happiness.

“And whether I could prepare something blue or borrowed for you to wish for your happiness at that time.”

…My head was completely filled with handling the immediate work and planning my revenge, so I hadn’t even written an outline for that side of things yet.

Unable to speak honestly, I smiled evasively.

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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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