The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 44

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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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44.

I alternated between looking at the person who came to submit an application and the application itself, momentarily at a loss for words.

Really, this is how it turns out?

‘…I only have memories of treating him coldly while he was at the Winter Palace?’

Of course, I didn’t want to become the same kind of person as those incompetent humans at the Summer Palace, so I didn’t act petty when it came to education.

‘Does he perhaps have a hobby of enjoying suffering…?’

Why would he abandon those honey-sweet conditions of working only three mornings a week to come to this hellscape?

Contrary to such conscientious thoughts.

‘If we get one more aide, we can get five more administrators!’

A devil’s voice was loudly shouting in my head.

Then our administrators could all leave before midnight even during settlement season.

Should I just close my eyes and accept it?

Besides, as Casian said, we could completely upset the Empress.

How much effort had the Empress put into making Ashwood into First Prince Charley’s aide!

Everyone among the capital’s aristocracy knew about it.

In the process, other ducal houses had subtly become displeased as well.

‘If we accept, the Empress will definitely try to torment us…!’

But she does that anyway!

Thinking about how upset that person would be, as Casian said, the benefits felt much greater than the losses.

Reason saying I shouldn’t drag an innocent(?) lamb into hell and desire mixed with various calculations fiercely battled in my head.

But Ashwood Advisor seemed to misunderstand something and spoke with urgency mixed in his tone.

“I’ve resolved all the tasks Salice Advisor assigned to me, so you needn’t worry.”

“…Tasks I assigned?”

I assigned to you?

I’m not your superior though?

When I looked puzzled, Ashwood seemed somewhat shy as he lowered his eyes slightly and spoke.

His silver eyelashes caught the morning sunlight streaming into the office and sparkled softly.

“There won’t be any incidents like the Summer Palace delaying work during the last settlement period. If such a thing happens, I’m prepared to step forward and refuse.”

Slowly, Ashwood raised his gaze again to meet mine.

His crimson eyes looked at me earnestly, as if asking me to trust him.

Why is he so desperate…?

“Based on what Salice Advisor taught me, I’ve provided thorough education, so now the Summer Palace will do its part, however inadequately.”

Honestly speaking, it was an excessively good proposal.

So much so that I wondered if God had taken pity on this harsh Winter Palace office and thrown down a lifeline.

‘He says he’ll be a shield against the Summer Palace, says he’ll solve our manpower shortage…’

And upsetting Her Majesty the Empress as a bonus…

That’s precisely why I had to be more cautious.

If he got exhausted from the heavy workload and submitted his resignation after joining as an aide, we’d be minus five administrators too…!

“Ashwood, I’ll ask you honestly. From my perspective, there doesn’t seem to be any particular reason for you to come to the Winter Palace. Do you have other intentions?”

It’s not like you have huge family debts to repay like I do.

“It’s because I realized while helping with Salice Advisor’s work that everything I’d been doing until now was merely superficial.”

…My conscience pricked slightly.

What I taught him back then was actually quite superficial though?

“I’m someone who couldn’t prove my abilities enough to be mocked by Prince Charley as a mere Countess.”

A faint sadness settled over his seemingly impassive face.

“I think I understand a little why my grandfather always scolded me harshly, saying I lacked substance. That’s why I want to work here where Salice Advisor is.”

He really seemed like a different person.

He used to be an arrogant young lord who said he’d tolerate my rudeness of not even making eye contact because I was busy with work.

His work sense was decent too, and his character was more than sufficient for the Winter Palace.

But as a matter of human decency, and with the honest feeling of not wanting to give and then take back, I asked him frankly.

“As you’ve seen from working, three mornings a week won’t be possible at the Winter Palace. You can leave on time once work is finished, but…”

The big problem with our palace is that the work never ends…

The moment we look even slightly relaxed, both the Sun Palace and Rose Palace dump work on the Winter Palace.

“I can’t tell you everything since it’s internal palace business, but the Winter Palace has an excessive workload. Will you be alright with that?”

If you’re going to run away, now’s the only chance.

I squeezed out my very last bit of conscience and spoke to him as professionally as possible.

If my desperation showed, he might be horrified and flee.

“I’m prepared for it. I even stayed and worked at the Summer Palace for a week.”

Right, if he’s saying this much…

Really, I have no choice but to very reluctantly bring an excellent worker into the Winter Palace.

“I understand. Then would it be possible for you to start next Monday?”

“I could start tomorrow.”

Wasn’t he only working three days a week because of family affairs?

I was a bit puzzled, but since he was volunteering to work…

“Then please come starting tomorrow. I’m thinking of setting up your workspace in the empty room next to the Administrator’s Office where our administrators are currently staying. Do you have any questions?”

I had shared Casian’s office from the beginning, but originally aides were entitled to have individual offices according to regulations.

Ashwood seemed to hesitate for a moment but soon nodded.

“Then, unless His Highness specifically forbids it, I’ll see you tomorrow, Ashwood Advisor.”

“Yes, thank you.”

At my words, he left the office with a relieved expression.

Not long after, the administrators came pouring into the office.

“Is it true, Salice Advisor?”

“We can!”

“Hire new people now?!”

The joy of our administrators, who had been suffering from chronic manpower shortages, was flowing out intensely.

“As long as His Highness doesn’t forbid it.”

“He’ll allow it!”

“Prince Casian is generous!”

“He’s the kindest devil in the world!”

The administrators were soon shouting “Long live Prince Casian!” and quickly left the office again, saying they should finish today’s work promptly.

And I, left behind, muttered to myself with a very serious expression.

“I need to make the first move…”

At this rate, they would definitely dump all the training of new administrators and aides entering the palace on us.

The Emperor and Empress were certainly capable of that and more.

‘Especially Her Majesty the Empress will never leave us alone.’

That’s how I decided on Ashwood Advisor’s first task.

Creating a new employee training manual for external distribution.

*

Casian’s face also brightened when he returned in the afternoon and was briefed on the situation.

“Of course we should accept.”

As expected, my superior was someone who enjoyed fighting fire with fire as much as I did.

If our house is burning, it’s the way of the world to set others’ houses on fire too.

Naturally, Ashwood’s entry into the Winter Palace caused ripples throughout the Imperial Palace.

The Summer Palace aides and administrators said.

‘So now you’ll accept work from us again, right? We do have some history together, so you’ll show us that much consideration, won’t you?’

‘We’re not asking you to take everything. Just couldn’t you do a little for us?’

‘Now the Winter Palace will have more people too.’

They still hadn’t come to their senses and were spouting nonsense.

But Francis Ashwood was truly someone who kept his word.

‘We have no reason to do that for you. If you truly need cooperation, please write and send a formal request.’

After receiving a firm rejection, the Summer Palace lackeys are apparently cursing Ashwood behind his back.

Calling him a traitor to the Winter Palace or something.

But well, the person in question didn’t seem affected in the slightest.

Rather….

‘It’s an honor. Coming to the Winter Palace and gaining a fearsome reputation like a demon or witch seems to be proof of one’s abilities.’

He was strangely taking it positively.

If he’s happy about it, then it’s all good.

And our Empress….

“Are you nervous, Rose?”

“…Of course I am.”

Unexpectedly, she’s been spending very quiet days without even breaking teacups.

That’s exactly why my steps felt heavy going to the weekly breakfast meeting.

It had been a long time since the Emperor saw my face, and since the Winter Palace had gained more advisors, he specifically asked me to bring them along, so I couldn’t avoid it.

“It’s alright. Whatever the Empress does, I’ll never let go of your hand.”

I quietly looked at Casian.

I think there was a similar scene in the original where he said something like this to Rozelita.

Unlike the original heroine who only half-believed those words.

“Of course. Even if Your Highness let go, I’d stick to your back like a leech.”

I answered him without a trace of doubt.

Hearing my response, Casian smiled gently and kissed my knuckles.

“Saying you won’t leave me alone—what affectionate words to hear in the morning.”

This was the kind of person Casian Artez was in this world.

*

The Empress was wearing an even more benevolent smile than usual today.

“Welcome, Salice—no, Miss Rozelita. We’ll be family someday, so I suppose I can call you that?”

The Empress, who spoke with excessively warm affection as if she had consumed something wrong.

“Your Majesty, I hear new administrators and advisors will be entering the Imperial Palace soon?”

Attempted her first attack with the expected words.

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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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