The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 26

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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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26.

“Th-that’s what…?”

Duke Jamoti looked at Casian as if telling him to speak sensibly.

“Didn’t you address and treat Countess Catherine Hanella, the First Prince’s fiancée, that way?”

“Huh, Your Highness!”

As if he thought it was nonsense, an incomprehensible sound flowed from Duke Jamoti’s mouth.

“How can Countess Hanella and Salice be the same?”

“Are they different?”

“She’s the daughter of the prestigious and renowned Hanella Countess! Moreover, unlike Your Highness, Prince Charley has already held an engagement ceremony.”

In other words, he was saying that I, a nominal fiancé, was different from Countess Hanella.

Casian made an even more displeased face at those words.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to retort.

“Is Duke Jamoti saying he would refuse what His Majesty the Emperor has acknowledged?”

Someone walked over from the direction of the main building of the Winter Palace with leisurely steps and a smiling face, speaking to the Duke.

“Since when has Uncle become more magnificent than Father?”

“…Pr-Prince Charley!”

Vivid red hair fluttered like embroidery against the spring sky approaching noon as he drew closer to Duke Jamoti.

“Since when has the position of Imperial Consort been such a position? How very unpleasant.”

Prince Charley was smiling as usual.

Very carefree.

“It sounds like the Imperial Consort I acknowledged can only be treated well because the Hanella Countess family exists.”

“Th-that’s not it.”

Duke Jamoti appeared more flustered than ever at the sudden appearance of his nephew.

In the Duke’s gaze was confusion mixed with resentment.

Because the Empress’s son, who should be taking his side, was now attacking him instead.

“…What brings you here, brother?”

“Haha, Casian really has no affection.”

Charley spoke in a much softer tone compared to what he had said to Duke Jamoti.

“I came at Mother’s request, as always.”

“You must have a lunch appointment with Duke Jamoti.”

“Right, boringly so. I’d much rather go on a date.”

Prince Charley let out a short sigh as if bored, then spoke to Duke Jamoti in a leisurely tone.

“Still, it’s good I came, since the Duke seemed to have lost his way a bit.”

Charley had his attendant take Duke Jamoti away, then looked at Casian and me with apparent regret.

“For lunch, I’d rather be with you, Casian, and the beautiful Salice.”

Charley then grabbed my hand and continued speaking.

“Especially Salice, I think very highly of you being Casian’s Imperial Consort.”

“…Pardon?”

As I was wondering how to respond to his beaming face, Casian grabbed my hand back from him and spoke.

“Countess Hanella will be disappointed, brother.”

“Hmm? She won’t be.”

Charley smiled languidly and spoke teasingly.

“Salice must have it hard, since Casian is quite jealous.”

Then he even winked as he spoke.

“But don’t worry. I’ll help ensure no one interferes with Casian and Salice’s love!”

Prince Charley puffed out his chest with a relieved face as if he had finished his task.

“Feel free to talk to me anytime. Mother is scary, of course, but I can give Uncle a little scare.”

Having said that, Prince Charley turned around and left the Winter Palace, filled with satisfaction as if he had done a good deed.

“Hmm…”

So, that last-minute intervention just now…

Was it an action for Casian and me?

As I was confused whether to be displeased or grateful.

“Rose, don’t think about it.”

“Pardon?”

“Thinking about brother means you lose.”

Even Casian, who had known Charley longer than I had, just held my hand tightly with a face that showed he couldn’t find an answer either.

Like someone who was truly jealous, as Charley had said.

*

“Isn’t it truly outrageous, Your Majesty the Empress!”

After the meal began, Duke Jamoti burst into anger, ranting about what had happened during today’s exhibit inspection.

The Empress’s brow also furrowed slightly, but she was trying to maintain composure as much as possible.

“I did think she was a child who didn’t know her place, but what kind of noble lady gives her debutante greeting to His Majesty the Emperor instead of me, the Empress?”

Of course, her words were not gentle at all.

“Brother, let it go in one ear and out the other.”

“Sigh, I know. I know I must endure today’s humiliation for the sake of the future.”

“These days His Majesty has been looking at those children rather leniently, so they think Charley and I are similar.”

The Empress soon wore a gentle smile and spoke as if comforting Duke Jamoti.

“Also, don’t feel too disappointed in Charley.”

Charley, whose name was suddenly called by his frightening mother, wanted to cover his ears.

“As you know, brother, Charley is the First Prince, and also the son His Majesty treasures most.”

“That’s right…”

“If Charley hadn’t spoken to you that way, His Majesty the Emperor might have been angry instead.”

“His Majesty…?”

“Though they haven’t held an engagement ceremony, it is a relationship that His Majesty the Emperor personally acknowledged. Even if she’s of very inadequate status.”

The Empress let out a gentle laugh like a spring breeze passing by.

“Rather, isn’t this good for us? What power could the Salice Baron family have, when we don’t even know where they’re attached compared to the Hanella Countess family?”

“That’s true too!”

“Prince Casian is practically choosing a difficult path for himself. It would have been better if we could have sent him away to the Kingdom.”

“You’re right, Your Majesty.”

“If not that, then having him play at love with some foolish girl from a humble family is good for our position.”

The Empress said this while showing a satisfied smile toward her son.

“So you can see how wisely Charley acted today, can’t you?”

At the Empress’s words, Duke Jamoti nodded as if he had gained enlightenment.

“That’s right, as the First Prince he upheld the dignity of the Imperial family and also gave Prince Casian a sense of complacency.”

Of course, Charley was.

‘I’ve finished dessert too, can’t I get up soon?’

Having carefree thoughts inside.

Fortunately, the Empress, who knew her son well, spoke up.

“You have things to do this afternoon too, you must be busy but thank you for listening to your mother’s request.”

Charley shuddered slightly at his mother’s familiar public smile and obediently stood up.

The Empress’s expression, which had been adorned with a gentle smile until her son left, hardened with the sound of her teacup being set down with a clink.

She gestured to dismiss all the servants nearby, then spoke carefully.

“So, did you check the item?”

“Y-yes…”

At his sister’s utterly cold tone, Duke Jamoti hunched his shoulders.

Duke Jamoti was the one who welcomed Charley’s departure the least.

“Sigh, she’s becoming more and more insolent. That lowly thing.”

“Calm yourself, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“I am in a very calm state right now, brother.”

The sound the Empress deliberately made as she lifted her teacup with a clink struck Duke Jamoti’s ears.

“So this matter must not fail. I won’t let that woman’s son rise above me, will I?”

“…Of course, of course.”

“We must strike now when they’re mistaken that things are going according to their plans. When they’re off guard, little by little, little by little.”

The Empress’s lips curved up in a chilling smile.

“We must tighten the noose around their necks, do you understand?”

“Yes…”

Duke Jamoti barely managed to answer as he bowed his head.

His sister’s blade was so sharp and cold that he felt as if that edge was pointed at his own throat.

*

Three days later, Casian and I readily accepted Duke Jamoti’s request for another visit.

We also kindly accommodated his request to see Rose alone without us present.

“Who’s the one being careless, I wonder, Rose.”

“The Rose Palace gardens are about to become beautiful around this time.”

Casian chuckled softly at my non-sequitur response.

“That’s right. Though we must ensure they don’t suffer from sudden frost.”

The Rose Palace was where the Empress resided.

Casian had deliberately assigned a young knight who had recently joined to escort Duke Jamoti.

Even our previous harsh treatment of the Duke wasn’t simply out of revenge or stress relief.

It was merely to naturally show that we were triumphant and letting our guard down.

Having anticipated and prepared for how the Duke and Empress might respond, we set aside our concerns about that matter for now and focused on handling the morning’s pressing work.

The Novice Knight returned with his report around the time we finished lunch.

After hearing the full report, Casian and I smiled wickedly as if we had planned it together.

“Unfortunately, she won’t be able to make her flowers bloom.”

Casian said this with a face that showed no regret whatsoever.

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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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