The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 60

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

60.

“Hanella keeps begging me to come, so isn’t it my duty as the Lopez Princess to oblige her?”

Wilhelmina helped me down from the carriage with an escort-like grace, drawing a beautiful arc as if it were second nature to her.

“She sent over ten invitations, and I kept refusing them all, which made me think this wasn’t proper conduct for the Lopez Princess. As a princess, I also have a duty to socialize with various people.”

“I-I only sent them out of duty too, it’s not like I was particularly concerned about the Lopez Princess or anything-”

Countess Hanella hurriedly responded to Wilhelmina’s words.

Of course, Wilma just brushed off those words and continued with what she wanted to say.

“You all know about Rozelita, don’t you? The Second Prince’s fiancée who everyone avoided during that expedition where lives couldn’t be guaranteed-”

At Wilma’s words, Countess Hanella’s face crumpled completely.

Since every noble knew that the First Prince was originally supposed to go on the expedition, but it changed to Casian due to the Flare Dragon’s appearance.

“She willingly stayed by the Second Prince’s side, and was even recognized as the master of the lair. She even received the Saint’s guarantee, so I’m very proud to have such a person as a friend. And…”

Wilma smiled gently as if the attack wasn’t over yet, taking off her coat and handing it to a servant.

Then she personally unbuttoned the top button of my coat, showing off our closeness while speaking.

“I was worried that the tea party might be a bit boring since there’s nothing special about it, but she graciously made time despite her busy schedule. You all won’t be rude to my friend, will you?”

She was clearly smiling, but I could feel solid confidence emanating from Wilma.

Every single word was disrespectful to Countess Hanella, the host, yet no one could point out her words.

Thanks to that, I realized anew.

My soft and sweet princess was the proud young lady of the Lopez Ducal House who dominated the social circle without caring about others’ opinions in the original story.

*

Countess Hanella couldn’t erase the anger from her face as she guided the attendees to the hall where the tea party was prepared.

Since she couldn’t chase away Wilhelmina for being rude, canceling after coming this far because her feelings were hurt would be even more embarrassing.

That didn’t mean she didn’t resort to petty tricks.

“I specially arranged seats for you two, it’s the place with the most beautiful view in this hall.”

She packaged it nicely but placed us in the spot farthest from the host’s seat.

I naturally didn’t mind since I expected this level of scheming even if I came alone, but I was a bit worried that Wilhelmina might feel hurt in her pride.

“How thoughtful of you. Our Rozelita has been so busy that we didn’t have enough time to talk, so I gratefully accept your consideration.”

Instead, she responded to Countess Hanella as if it worked out well.

Not only that.

“Perfect, Rozelita. You must still be tired from the expedition, and that spot gets just the right amount of sunlight, so it might be good to ask them to move the table over there entirely.”

She even boldly declared that she would use Countess Hanella’s tea party as our own private tea room.

“Don’t worry, Hanella. I hosted tea parties quite often before going to the academy, didn’t I? I know how exhausting it is to be a host, so I’ll take good care of Rozelita.”

She even fired a warning not to think about playing petty tricks on me, calling a servant and actually giving detailed instructions to move the table’s position.

Countess Hanella’s face, which had barely calmed down, trembled as if convulsing.

‘She’s not quite at the Empress’s level yet.’

Acting like that, even after marriage, instead of the family advancement Countess Hanella envisioned, it would be fortunate if she didn’t become just the Empress’s pawn.

In fact, that’s exactly what happened in the original story, making her no different from a prince’s consort in name only.

Countess Hanella barely managed not to show her seething anger and started the tea party with a dark expression.

Thanks to Wilhelmina’s thorough protection, the other noble ladies who had probably received orders from their parents couldn’t even approach me throughout the entire tea party.

Naturally, due to the glances stealing looks in our direction, Countess Hanella’s expression only grew darker.

She should have been receiving all the attention, and I, a mere baron’s daughter, should have been pushed around as intended, but it all went awry because of Wilhelmina.

So I was very worried about Wilhelmina.

“Is it really okay to do this?”

“What do you mean?”

At my question, Wilma looked as if she had no idea what I meant and moved a lemon curd cake in front of me.

“The quality feels a bit lacking, doesn’t it? I want to serve you only the finest things, but the desserts are disappointing. The tea leaves too.”

While saying this, she raised her voice and delivered another pointed jab at Countess Hanella.

Countess Hanella, who had been on the receiving end all along, looked toward the Lopez Princess as if she wouldn’t just sit still this time, then suddenly turned her head toward me.

Am I the easy target?

Of course, I welcomed it.

I was getting bored just being protected by Wilma all this time.

“No matter how disappointing it might be, it can’t compare to someone’s outfit, can it?”

Outfit…?

Don’t tell me she’s picking on my dress right now?

So I decided to listen quietly.

“Even if it’s just a tea party, you’re not as poor as you used to be anymore.”

Countess Hanella elegantly extended her fingers to the tips, cutting the cake into small pieces with her fork and putting it in her mouth while smiling like a flower.

“I wonder where it came from, using lace with no discernible pedigree. Don’t worry, as someone who will soon be family, I’m willing to guide you properly, of course.”

Slowly, her eyes turned toward Wilhelmina.

“I’m saying all this with good intentions. Think carefully, pleasant words aren’t always beneficial. You need to judge well who truly cares for you.”

That would obviously be Wilma.

Really, how could she be so one-dimensional? I could tell that Wilma had deliberately made it easy for Countess Hanella to understand.

I opened my mouth while leisurely supporting my chin with my hand.

“I did think it was a bit early, since people tend to easily condemn what they don’t know. That’s why I tried to dissuade His Highness.”

At my words, Wilma’s eyes sparkled as if she was ready.

“As Wilma knows, His Highness and I really don’t have a moment’s rest, do we? Even while returning from the expedition, we diligently received reports from the Winter Palace advisors and administrators and approved what needed approval.”

“Rozelita, you don’t need to explain everything to me like that. My insight isn’t that limited.”

At her words, I clapped my hands as if I had momentarily forgotten and nodded.

“Right, Wilma was at the Anden Kingdom Academy where commerce is developed, so you must have seen this artisan’s work before.”

“That’s right, there’s a country famous for textiles across the sea from the Anden Kingdom. There was a lace artisan there who used silk thread that only came from that place and created distinctive patterns.”

This time, Wilma deliberately turned her head toward Countess Hanella instead of me, making eye contact and sending a smile.

“The production was so limited that even distribution within the Anden Kingdom wasn’t enough, so hardly any came into the Empire, but thanks to the kingdom’s attention to the royal marriage this time, new lace fabric seems to have arrived.”

“That’s right, it was just a week ago.”

“Indeed, thinking back to my time in the kingdom, there would be barely twenty dresses made from that fabric, if that.”

Wilhelmina, who had been building suspense, smiled victoriously and delivered the final blow to Countess Hanella.

“To think His Highness had it hurriedly made to suit you for attending a tea party, he must have been thinking only of you even during the expedition.”

At those words, soft gasps escaped from the other noble ladies’ lips, and the face of Countess Hanella, the tea party’s host, turned red and blue alternately.

She clenched her fists so hard her nails dug in and retorted.

“Prince Casian must only be busy on the surface, if he has time to worry about such trivial matters as his fiancée’s dress!”

Though no one responded favorably to her words.

Looking at her eyes filled with anger and jealousy, I mentally thanked Wilma.

‘All the materials are gathered.’

Countess Hanella’s inferiority complex about not being loved, me as the object of jealousy, the tea party, and.

‘And this splendid countess’ mansion.’

Unlike Countess Hanella, I lifted my teacup with a composed face.

And the result came when the tea party was winding down, when I intentionally separated from Wilma and headed alone to the powder room.

“Salice, wouldn’t you like to have a little chat?”

Countess Hanella was smiling more warmly than at any other time today.

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