The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 184

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Side Story 03-3.

“I wanted to show you the child right away, but he just fell asleep.”
Prince Charley, who greeted us, exhaled softly and spoke in hushed tones.
“And the Baron?”
“He’s on duty at the moment. Though he said you’d understand, being the Clupea Margrave.”
Of course, it was only natural.
“So the Baron’s leave has ended?”
“Yes, and thanks to that, I’ve managed to escape the paperwork for a bit.”
Prince Charley led us to the drawing room, exhaling a shallow sigh of relief.
When Prince Charley took over Empress Scaletti’s affairs, the estate’s scope here in Soremte was properly defined, and the baronial title was granted to his wife.
For that reason, the Baron of Soremte handled most administrative duties, while Prince Charley oversaw security matters.
When at the Imperial Palace, Prince Charley had seemed somewhat reserved despite his trained physique, but now he appeared far more at ease.
Though his frame had clearly grown considerably larger.
In the roughly year since the Baron and his wife arrived, Prince Charley had scoured the region and cleaned out all the troublemakers.
Even among those serving their sentences in the labor camps, subtle corruption persisted—old habits dying hard—but the Baron and his wife had systematically rooted it out so that everyone could receive proper justice for their crimes.
The two worked with far more energy than they had at the Summer Palace, and thanks to their efforts, Soremte had seen considerable improvements over the past two years.
“The roads were still a bit inconvenient, weren’t they?”
Upon arriving at the drawing room and having tea brought, Prince Charley opened his mouth with an embarrassed expression.
“After how they were before, I shouldn’t complain about inconvenience. To think you’ve even improved the adjacent roads in just two years—you must have worked so hard.”
“If the Clupea Margrave says such things, I’ll have to tell the Baron when he returns. He’ll be delighted for certain.”
Sweeping away the concerned look from a moment before, Prince Charley broke into a bright smile.
“She’s adored the Clupea Margrave since her time at the Imperial Palace. Being assigned to the Summer Palace, she lamented never having the chance to grow closer to you.”
“I remember her as the Summer Palace aide who performed best at her duties.”
“Does that mean the Margrave holds her in good regard as well?”
“Indeed.”
At my answer, Prince Charley laughed softly, pleased.
Unlike his time at the Imperial Palace, that guarded quality had nearly vanished; his expression was merely a touch more measured, yet in some ways it reminded me of the Second Prince who had gone to the Kingdom of Anden.
There was an openness, a sincerity to him—nothing hidden.
Of course, quite apart from the warmth between us, a somewhat petty Casian Artez let his eyebrows droop slightly more than once.
“Rose has far too much popularity. Your correspondence is only going to grow.”
At his sullen muttering, Prince Charley laughed and replied.
“So Casian Artez really does want to be adored by the Clupea Margrave? I understand.”
True to form, the brazen Casian Artez made no denial.

*

A couple of hours after we arrived, the child awoke.
Aside from the blue eyes distinctive to Prince Charley, he was a precious boy who resembled the Baron much more.
Gratefully, the child observed me for a moment before breaking into a smile.
Charmed by his expression, I gently stroked his forehead with my fingertips, and he rewarded me with the loveliest smile, his cheeks flushed full and round.
“He doesn’t seem to be shy with strangers.”
Finding his behavior endearing, I said as much—only for Prince Charley to let out a sigh mixed with laughter.
“Well…”
Then he carefully drew Casian Artez, who had been watching from behind me, forward.
Suddenly face-to-face with the child, Casian Artez offered an awkward smile.
At that, the boy’s face, which had been bright with happiness just moments before, crumpled, and he promptly burst into tears with a wail.
“Pfft.”
At this sight, Prince Charley picked the child up and spoke as if bewildered.
“My son only likes women.”
“What?”
“So it’s not that you frighten him or anything, Casian. Even when his mother is around, he hates it if I hold him.”
Soothing the child with practiced ease, Prince Charley explained.
“The Baron speaks kindly of it, saying he’s simply afraid because male adults are larger than female adults.”
Prince Charley patted the child’s bottom as he spoke.
“Heaven knows who he takes after—if he resembles the Emperor, we’d have a problem.”
The “Emperor” Prince Charley referred to was none other than the Emperor himself.
Watching his harsh words toward the child, I hesitated slightly—only for Prince Charley to laugh reassuringly.
“Don’t worry, he’s my son after all. He won’t be hurt by words like these. He’ll probably just plan to get back at me for it later.”
Slap—
And perfectly timed, at that very moment, the child swung his arm and struck Prince Charley’s neck.
The timing was so exquisite that a brief silence fell—before we all burst into laughter.

*

During our four days in Soremte, we had a rich and full time of it.
We helped where the Baron and his wife faced obstacles in their work, shared meals together, and toured the Soremte region.
We even visited the labor camp once, and the moment we arrived, I could see how Prince Charley had transformed the attitude of everyone there.
What was slightly unfair was this:
“We didn’t come here to be thanked, so why are all the administrators so nervous?”
“Fortunately, there are people here who came from the Imperial Palace to accompany us. And the Clupea Margrave is so widely respected.”
In truth, it should have been Casian Artez who had that notorious reputation, not me.
When I protested slightly, Casian Artez whispered softly.
“Everyone was nervous around me too, Rose. We’re a Set, after all.”
His entirely satisfied expression was rather annoying.
Though unlike before, I had come to accept being part of a Set.
Beyond each other, neither of us had the slightest wish to be grouped with anyone else.
Of course, since this was a leisure visit, helping with work was secondary.
The Baron of Soremte was naturally affable, and we quickly grew comfortable with him.
One evening, after dinner was finished—the child cried, and Prince Charley dragged Casian Artez away to comfort him—I found myself alone with her and could speak at length.
“Reading the news has been quite enjoyable lately. Since the two of you left the Winter Palace, the handling of delayed matters has become considerably faster, if not at the same rate.”
The Baron, too, seemed to have much accumulated over time with the Emperor; her expression was graceful, but her tone was refreshingly candid.
“Things will improve further, won’t they? I hear you’ve even posted an Advisor Recruitment Notice.”
At my light remark, the Baron smiled slightly.
“Though I’m far from the Capital here in Soremte, my parents are actively involved in running the Merchant Guild, so news reaches me quickly.”
“News?”
“It seems the hiring of advisors isn’t going as intended. I’ve heard that the existing advisors are exhausted by their workload and trying to flee, and they’re barely holding on by incrementally raising salaries.”
At the Baron of Soremte’s words, I smiled knowingly.
In short, the Emperor was now experiencing all the hardships that Casian Artez had labored under precisely because he himself had deliberately neglected the matter.
Perhaps he’s finally beginning to understand how painful it is to have no advisors?
Well, it was certainly a better situation than when Casian Artez had to single-handedly do the work of ten men.
I pondered this leisurely, savoring the delicate fragrance of my tea.
No wonder he sends letters once a month trying to negotiate different conditions for transferring the Crown Prince Position.
“Both Soremte and Liarden are blessed with good fortune—I’m truly grateful for that.”
At my words, layered with meaning, the Baron of Soremte nodded in agreement.
“Indeed, I’ve been trying to follow your example and treat those I work with well.”
It was hardly our concern whether the incompetent man in the Capital suffered or not.
If he failed to govern and was forced to abdicate—not of his own will, but pushed by the nobles—he’d go down in history as an incompetent Emperor, flailing about as his reign crumbled.

*

After spending a fulfilling time in Soremte, both privately and officially, we boarded the carriage to return to Liarden.
Nearly a month had passed since we left Liarden, yet there was no urgency in my heart.
“I’ve been noticing lately that our advisors seem to be even worse workaholics than we are.”
At my words, Casian Artez nodded in agreement and opened his mouth.
“They all respect Rose.”
“Not the Duke Casian Artez?”
“That kind of talk stopped the moment you appeared at the Winter Palace. Would you like me to share more details about that time?”
Casian Artez asked me with a serious expression.
I laughed quietly at him. He wasn’t trying to lodge a protest.
“You want to tell me what you were thinking alone back then, when I came to the Winter Palace?”
“I want you to know everything about me, Rose.”
He naturally reached over and entwined his hand with mine.
In Soremte, we’d had less time to be together like this than in other places, so the feeling was fresh.
And perhaps it was also because we’d spent time with family.
Those working in connection with Liarden and Clupea had gained leisure hours, and the Capital had no spare attention to give to us.
So, I thought, this might be a good time.
“Casian Artez, I’ve started wanting to know more about you.”
“Hmm?”
Casian Artez spoke as if he hadn’t understood.
This man likely had no intention of stepping forward with this matter until I opened my mouth first.
Every night, he bore the burden of preparing for any eventuality.
“I want to see the young Casian Artez that I couldn’t protect.”
Of course, this wasn’t a suggestion to somehow turn back time and bring the young Casian Artez here.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————