The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 22

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

22.

“…Do you know what’s inside here?”

I don’t know either?

When I looked puzzled, Casian let out a hollow laugh and spoke.

“Very regrettably, I can guess what the princess might be thinking.”

Casian said this while letting out a deep sigh.

His face looked strangely displeased.

‘What’s with that face that’s disrespectful to Prince Alexis?’

I had never once thought that the two of them had similar personalities.

That was because Casian’s personality was not at a normal level, which made me feel too sorry for Alexis.

“Rose is only mean to me.”

Since I was in front of Casian, I didn’t bother hiding my expression, and he grumbled and muttered quietly.

Who’s being mean to whom?

When I tilted my head sideways, Casian looked at me quietly, then grabbed my empty hand and kissed it with a soft peck.

“I’ll have to show Rose more of my love from now on, to think you had such tastes.”

Even without a mirror, I could guess my expression.

My eyes were definitely dead.

“…Pardon?”

“Weren’t you envious when the princess whispered sweet words to my brother that day?”

The corner of his mouth curved up crookedly.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because there’s nothing else that comes to mind. I’m always doing my best to treat Rose well, aren’t I?”

His attitude was confident as if he had nothing to be ashamed of.

“I’m generously providing Rose with all the pretty things, delicious things, and alcohol you like. Is there anyone more sincere than me when it comes to filling your pockets?”

His playful face instantly became serious.

Casian, still holding my hand, raised his body and moved closer to my side.

“So the one thing I haven’t filled enough for Rose would be my affection.”

Of course, I showed him a face of pure bewilderment at those words.

“What Your Highness has shown me so far is more than enough.”

Very, very much so.

Please don’t think in strange directions and let Your Highness’s cunning become dull.

Thinking of the original work, ugh….

That’s completely forbidden territory.

At my sincere dissuasion, he squinted one eye slightly and burst into low laughter.

“Well, if my precious aide says so, powerless me has no choice but to comply.”

*

As soon as I opened the first envelope, the severance pay envelope that Alexis had given me, Casian made sad eyes.

“…Rose looks too happy.”

His face seemed to say his worries were justified.

Of course, whether he was sad or not, I didn’t hide my joy.

“It’s so pretty…!”

As expected, Prince Alexis had good sense.

The envelope she gave as severance pay contained three items.

One was a one-month living pass for the kingdom, another was a temporary property transfer certificate for a building, and the last was a landscape painting that included the view of that building.

It was a 2-story building in the capital of the kingdom, and while it was slightly away from the busy district, it was written that it had good roads making it convenient to access anywhere.

Also, there was a cafe on the first floor, and just looking at the landscape painting, I could feel the atmosphere and thought it would be perfect for staying and spending leisurely time.

The surrounding scenery was beautiful, and there was even a two-bay style accommodation on the second floor, making it truly optimal for a one-month stay.

“…You have the face of someone who wants to go to the kingdom right away, Rose.”

Casian said this while lying face down on the desk, lifting only his head slightly to look at me sullenly.

Even so, was I too much in front of my boss?

I cleared my throat and composed my voice.

“Of course, living in a pretty place for a month was something I really wanted to try.”

If I’m going to be too much, I should do it properly!

I’ve only been teased by Casian every time.

I can’t miss this opportunity.

When I looked at Casian with a triumphant face, he quietly raised his body.

“Are you going to the kingdom, Rose?”

“If my circumstances allow it, absolutely.”

“Leaving me behind…?”

He said this while pitifully picking up another paper I hadn’t been paying attention to.

“That’s….”

It was none other than the temporary property transfer certificate.

If I ever came to have the desire to reside in the kingdom, the condition was that she would arrange a position as the princess’s aide and transfer the building attached here.

“Rose has wanted to go to the kingdom since before. Rose’s parents too.”

Casian made a forlorn face.

He narrowed the distance between us a bit more, then leaned his head against my shoulder and whispered.

“But I can’t do without you, will you really leave me behind?”

How petty.

Knowing I had no such intention from the start, this man was just acting weak toward me for no reason.

No, he was being cunning.

“…You’re not really scared either.”

When I grumbled, a deep sigh came from him.

“Rose really doesn’t know.”

He lightly rubbed his forehead against my shoulder.

“How much.”

I felt my heart skip lightly.

“I’ve waited for and wished for Rose.”

At his deep, moist voice, I unconsciously swallowed.

Because it seemed really sincere.

His heart, which was always busy escaping as if it were just a joke, seemed to leak out somehow, at least at times like this.

“…Where would I go.”

Usually, it was always Casian who would break this kind of atmosphere.

Somehow feeling suddenly scared, I spoke first.

“My precious salary is here.”

Please break this atmosphere.

He slowly raised his head and looked at me.

How many seconds had passed?

A gentle smile settled on the face of him who had been gazing at me with serious eyes.

“That’s right, everything Rose loves is here.”

He lifted my hand and kissed my ring finger, clearing away the heavy air.

“A reliable salary, alcohol, delicious things. And my pretty face too.”

His voice was very playful, as if apologizing for teasing me too much.

*

Of course, I got my revenge on Casian.

By gently stepping on his foot.

After making him act like he was in pain with all his fake dramatics, feeling slightly better, I opened the second envelope.

And when the second envelope was opened.

“The Empress is truly always sincere only about pursuing private interests.”

The playful atmosphere between Casian and me had completely died down.

It was because of the contents of the letter Alexis had left.

The Kingdom of Anden was famous for commerce, but it was also quite renowned for arts-related fields.

While the Empire built its nation centered around aristocracy, they focused on people’s qualities rather than status for national interests.

Thanks to this, what had been a duchy about 100 years ago strategically absorbed the territories of surrounding small countries and grew into a kingdom.

When talent gathered, money flowed, and when money flowed, it was natural for eyes to turn to luxury goods and artworks.

Therefore, the Kingdom of Anden had considerable strength in theater, exhibitions, and such.

‘They even do exchange exhibitions with the Empire from time to time.’

The Empire had a deep history, so there were many remaining artifacts and historic sites, which brought in considerable tourism revenue.

The place that expanded business most widely in that field was the Zamoti Duchy, the Empress’s family, so it wasn’t strange for them to covet exhibition rights.

As I looked at what Alexis had left behind, I suddenly reflected that I had been a bit too harsh to Casian.

Alexis had truly delivered a proper response.

When I stared at Casian quietly, he looked at me with an expression that seemed to say “now do you understand my grievance?”

When I bowed my head slightly as if feeling ashamed, a small laugh burst from him.

“…I’ll try to be your shield instead.”

Since I had often acted as Casian’s proxy too.

It was my way of apologizing.

“No, Rose.”

Casian spoke in a soothing, gentle voice while stroking between my chin and cheek.

“Pardon?”

The merciless superior who had often deliberately put me forward when scratching at nobles was saying no?

When I looked at him with surprised eyes, Casian opened his mouth as if it were obvious.

“How could I put my delicate Rose in front of Her Majesty the Empress’s sharp fangs.”

…I think you’ve done just fine with that until now?

Or not? Am I mistaken?

At my face full of questions, he smiled faintly.

“And since the Princess has made such a declaration of war.”

Casian pointed to the last passage Alexis had left and spoke in a low voice strangely mixed with killing intent.

“I should properly prove my affection for you.”

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