The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 170

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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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Extra Story 01-5.

Nevertheless, Casian Artez suppressed his special feelings as much as he could.

Of course, it couldn’t go unnoticed, so First Prince would tease him subtly, or the Emperor would make probing remarks.

Fortunately though.

“If I don’t treat Salice Advisor specially and she says she wants to return to her estate, Your Majesty will immediately resent me.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

By the time a year had passed since Rozelita came to the Imperial Palace, everyone acknowledged that she was exceptionally capable, so he had reasonable excuses.

“As you know, the work at the Winter Palace isn’t easy. I’ve learned that only someone like Salice Advisor can handle it, so naturally I have to cling to her.”

“Still, it’s getting noisy. Those who complain that Salice Advisor receives too much salary and gets excessively high evaluations are chattering away.”

The Emperor said this while tapping the documents from the Ceremonial Hall with his fingertips.

It meant to handle the increasingly unsightly behavior of the Ceremonial Hall.

‘Even His Majesty is subtly taking sides like this? My little lady is so amazing it makes me a bit sad.’

Of course, it was only ‘subtly.’

A gesture meaning he would slip away if the Winter Palace couldn’t handle it.

Casian smiled lightly and answered like a loyal subject.

“I will be careful.”

It was perfect timing.

Not only those who liked Rozelita but even those who disliked her were paying too much attention to her, which was annoying, so this was an excellent opportunity to reduce their numbers.

‘Not content with being rude to Rose in person, I heard they gather monthly at their salon to disparage her as lowly and speak of her in terms befitting only themselves.’

Of course, he was careful to ensure such social circle gossip didn’t reach Rozelita, but there was always a chance.

Since she quite enjoyed working, despite cursing at Casian, she hadn’t yet shown an attitude of being fed up with life in the capital.

But if such pressure from the surroundings continued, even she who loved difficult work to the point of addiction, who loved money and pretty things, might choose to return to the more comfortable Salice Estate where there was someone she loved even more.

Casian smiled subtly while devising the most humiliating way to deal with them.

The hair ornament he had confiscated a few months ago would suit Rozelita perfectly, and he had wanted her to try wearing it at least once – this incident was perfect for that.

Thus Casian planned to satisfy his own selfish desires while also letting Rozelita personally finish off the Ceremonial Hall that had been tormenting her.

‘And I can increase her salary too.’

Just thinking about it made him smile broadly as he opened the office door.

The sight of Rozelita in the office, which had become part of his daily routine, came into view.

Casian briefly observed her diligently processing documents before calling a servant to convey today’s dinner menu.

High-quality meat and wine.

It was his job to prepare to replenish her stamina before the overtime work she would do anyway, even if he didn’t order it.

*

“Ha.”

When Casian laid out all those stories, I clicked my tongue, feeling somewhat incredulous.

It was spine-chilling that Casian Artez had been aware of my thought process around that time.

“You were definitely too busy working to have time to breathe, yet you observed all that?”

“Isn’t that natural? I told you, I’m someone who couldn’t hold onto you if you really got fed up and left.”

Casian slowly stroked my hair.

“It’s natural for me to care about every strand of your hair. I was always in the position of clinging to you.”

I was a bit speechless.

It wasn’t exactly wrong what he said…

But to readily admit it brought back memories of his annoying behaviors.

“For someone who claims to be clinging, you did plenty of cunning things too, didn’t you? You held onto me with all sorts of methods.”

Wasn’t it this cunning Casian Artez who suddenly suggested a date in the capital shortly after the Ceremonial Hall incident, then brought up that problematic contract engagement?

When I glared at him, he gently took my hand and kissed my knuckles.

“Was walking the straight path your preference?”

Then he looked at the documents I was reading and drew a soft, pretty smile before kissing my forehead.

“At least I don’t think I grew up to be the kind of person you used to curse as frustrating. What do you think?”

I slapped the back of his hand that was stroking my cheek and answered complainingly.

“You acted that way because it suited your preferences too, so why pretend to be innocent?”

“Well.”

Casian chuckled low, then came close enough for me to feel his breath and whispered.

“Because you and I have very compatible tastes?”

You like this too, don’t you, Rose?

The last words settled against my ear like a buried secret.

Then followed a kiss full of temptation.

Really, he’s like a ghost.

How does he know I’ve finished looking through all the urgent documents?

I wrapped my arms around his lovably cunning neck and leisurely responded to the kiss.

But there was something that bothered me a little.

As he said, it was true that I had completely overturned his surroundings, and I acknowledged that my share in creating this version of him was quite large.

Since I was the one who made him fall for me, and since I was willing, I intended to handle it.

Seeing those love-struck reminiscences was cute, so it was already beyond the point of no return. Still.

I, who had been leisurely receiving his kiss, deliberately pulled away when he was in a state of slight urgency.

Purple eyes sent a weak protest. At that longing gaze, I deliberately covered my mouth with my hand and spoke.

“I need to correct one thing.”

“What?”

“It wasn’t just me allowing it – Ian guided a lot of it too.”

You made good use of my sympathy and acted spoiled as you pleased.

Asking me to put on your cufflinks, or to fix your tie, or looking pitiful when you were having a hard time.

This man had used everything he had to his advantage.

Casian’s purple eyes curved gently.

Then he kissed my palm with a smacking sound and whispered.

“You’re greedy when you can be, right? I was quite desperate, wanting you to stay by my side even a little longer.”

“Ha.”

A sigh escaped from deep within at Casian’s words.

“Why?”

I chuckled at his puzzled expression and kissed his cheek.

“Because I think you’re really such a diligent student.”

To think he’d counter like this using every little thing I chattered about when we were young.

Still, I couldn’t help but smile because the current him seemed natural.

He wasn’t struggling to match me or acting.

Sometimes troubling me, sometimes acting spoiled, sometimes conveying honest emotions while shamelessly scheming – all of it was unadorned.

He wanted me to be considerate and like him, but he didn’t break all his stubbornness or give up everything. That fact was reassuring.

What I had told him was my hope that he wouldn’t be crushed by trivial things and put shackles on himself.

In childhood and now, it was sincere that I wanted Casian Artez, who had faced so many hardships, to be even a little happier.

“Ian, are you happy?”

When I removed the hand that was blocking him, he kissed me as if he’d been waiting, satisfying his honest desire.

Then he met my gaze directly and nodded.

“More than I could ask for. Because you’re smiling lovingly in front of me, even more so.”

At his voice filled only with good emotions, I embraced him just like that.

“Me too. I’m so happy because you look happy.”

It wasn’t one-sided longing or responsibility.

I liked the fact that sometimes we’d fight, sulk, and act spoiled.

After being immersed in such happy emotions and talking for a while, when I emerged from his embrace, Casian very honestly expressed his regret.

“I can’t let you go hungry.”

“You’re talking as if only I’m hungry? More importantly, it’s almost time for the mail service to end.”

“Shall we go to that bistro we went to last time?”

Without me telling him, he organized the documents on my desk to be sent today and extended his hand to me pleadingly.

At that action which had become so natural from working together, I smiled and took Casian’s hand.

Indeed, we were perfectly matched partners who suited each other’s tastes completely.

“Alright, after we eat once more-“

I pressed close to him and whispered softly.

“Should we consider asking you to handle the wedding cuisine?”

It didn’t take long for Casian’s face, which had been dazed for a moment, to be colored with joy.

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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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