The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 61

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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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61.

 

“What’s the matter, Hanella?”

 

I answered her with the most innocent face I could manage.

 

“I think there was a misunderstanding, and I really wanted to clear it up.”

 

She invited me to her powder room, deliberately taking me to a private area.

 

“A misunderstanding? I thought you might not know about the lace gun.”

 

She hesitated for a moment, but soon managed to put on a pretty expression.

 

“It’s not just about that, I really put thought into the tea and desserts I prepared today.”

 

She clasped her hands together and let out a short, bitter sigh.

 

“As you know, Wilhelmina Lopez has lived surrounded by all sorts of fine and precious things since childhood, while I haven’t.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“So what I consider the best often doesn’t seem to meet Wilhelmina Lopez’s standards. You understand this feeling, don’t you?”

 

Then she even grabbed my hand.

 

It felt slimy, making me want to pull my hand away immediately.

 

“I’m not unaware of your struggles. When I first started working beside Prince Casian, it was difficult because there was so much I didn’t know.”

 

I clearly remembered that Countess Hanella had said things to me several times back then.

 

‘Don’t you have eyes? How can you always wear such cheap clothes that don’t suit your position?’

 

Though the person who said it seems to have forgotten.

 

“I’m the same way. It’s because I don’t know well, not because I look down on you. I gave the same things to everyone else too.”

 

Now she was even trying to squeeze out tears as if she felt terribly wronged.

 

Since I was trapped, I wanted her to get to the point quickly, so I decided to guide her to the conclusion before she could list more sob stories.

 

“Of course I don’t misunderstand. So you’re saying everything Hanella said was out of consideration for me? And you reminded me about the dress Prince Casian sent because you were worried I might embarrass myself.”

 

“Exactly! I’m so grateful you understand.”

 

She seemed pleased with my clear summary as well.

 

Seeing how her previously sorrowful expression was completely erased.

 

I carefully patted her hand while pretending to comfort her, subtly retrieving my own hand.

 

“Don’t worry, my eye for observing my surroundings isn’t entirely dull.”

 

“Oh, that’s not the only reason I called you aside. Since we rushed to get ahead of the royal marriage, we skipped various procedures even though it was an engagement with the imperial family, right? So there’s something I want to tell you.”

 

“Something you want to tell me?”

 

Of course, there was nothing I wouldn’t know.

 

Though she seems to have forgotten, her engagement ceremony was just last year, when Casian and I had to endure being constantly nagged and fulfill all her demanding requests.

 

Naturally, I had memorized everything needed for imperial engagements and marriages.

 

However, Countess Hanella wasn’t quite that clever, so she carefully handed me a blue envelope.

 

It even had a forged imperial seal stamped on it.

 

‘Really bold, doing this to someone who works in the imperial palace every day.’

 

The melted wax material was different, and the seal’s shape was slightly off, making it easy to notice.

 

“There’s an imperial women’s gathering with the Empress and Imperial Concubines. Since you haven’t been attending, I thought maybe you didn’t know about it.”

 

Countess Hanella had a face that subtly hoped I would be hurt by those words.

 

It implied that I wasn’t invited because my level didn’t match.

 

So I deliberately showed slightly sad eyes to make her let her guard down.

 

“This is…”

 

“I asked the Empress and got an invitation for you. When you get home, make sure to open it and attend. That’s why I sent you the tea party invitation too!”

 

Now she had proud eyes as if asking whether I knew how much she cared for me.

 

“They say imperial women must know certain things, and they teach them at gatherings like this. You can’t be the only one left out.”

 

“…Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, Hanella, I would have been in big trouble.”

 

At my answer, she made a satisfied face and grabbed my hand again.

 

“Don’t be too upset with Prince Casian. Traditionally, men aren’t told about this gathering.”

 

She even made sure to tell me not to mention it to Casian.

 

So I nodded at her with a smile.

 

“I understand. I won’t tell anyone about this envelope with the white snow-like pattern on bright blue paper with what looks like an imperial seal stamped on it.”

 

Complete with a very detailed reminder.

 

*

 

That day came faster than I expected.

 

“This is absurd! Salice Advisor would never do such a thing!”

 

The Winter Palace guards blocked the Sun Palace guards trying to enter the office.

 

“Please reconsider. What will you do if you’re wrong?”

 

“That’s right! Our advisor is definitely not someone to mess with.”

 

Though there seemed to be some strange misunderstanding about me mixed in.

 

When I looked at Casian upon hearing the commotion outside, he asked me with a completely unworried face.

 

“Should I stay by your side?”

 

“Just watching will be enough.”

 

“Of course I should watch Rose’s performance.”

 

I made good use of the time the Winter Palace guards had bought me, organizing the materials I had prepared into a binder as I stood up.

 

Casian came out first and politely opened the office door for me, as if mocking the Sun Palace guards who had come to drag me away.

 

When he saw the Sun Palace guards, his spring-like face instantly became cold as frost.

 

“E-even if you look at us like that, this is Emperor’s command!”

 

“I didn’t say anything.”

 

At Casian’s words, the guard cleared his throat with a long ‘ahem’ and began to speak.

 

“Rozelita Salice, First Advisor of the Winter Palace! For forging the imperial seal and treason—”

 

“Is everyone gathered in the audience chamber? Let’s not waste time and go quickly.”

 

Of course, thanks to me starting to stride toward the Sun Palace first, his words could maintain economy without unnecessary verbal waste.

 

I heard the Sun Palace guards muttering behind me like they were in pain, “Uh, uh, handcuffs…” but I lightly ignored them.

 

The handcuffs were meant for someone else.

 

*

 

When I entered the Sun Palace audience chamber without even being restrained, the Empress looked incredulous.

 

“…It’s quite regrettable to see you like this, Salice Advisor.”

 

At least the Emperor maintained his composure and spoke to me.

 

“Thanks to Emperor’s gracious command, I was able to enjoy a pleasant vacation.”

 

When I replied nonchalantly, the Emperor’s lips twitched for a moment before he let out a hollow laugh.

 

As expected of someone who had been dealt with the most by Casian and me, he seemed to sense that something was up.

 

No, maybe that cunning person called me here hoping for this?

 

“How dare you hold your head high and speak in such a place!”

 

Right on cue, Count Hanella shouted angrily.

 

If I were the type to be intimidated by such words, I would have cried and gone to Salice Estate long ago.

 

I smiled gently and looked around the audience chamber.

 

‘As expected for a matter related to treason? All the spectators who could come are here.’

 

I showed Count Hanella an especially elaborate smile.

 

Despite my kind and pretty expression, he looked like he had seen a ghost.

 

How rude, in front of a person.

 

“The fact that Emperor didn’t restrain me strongly means there’s still insufficient evidence, doesn’t it?”

 

I turned my head sharply toward the Emperor and spoke.

 

The Emperor, who knew my work style, lightly affirmed with a pleased face at my words that seemed to praise his wisdom.

 

“Therefore, I wish to repay the trust Emperor has shown me. First, I’d like to ask the person who had me dragged here for their reason.”

 

Due to my confident declaration, Countess Hanella, who had been beside the Empress, collapsed to the floor.

 

“Salice! Confess quickly even now! Not only did you try to deceive me… are you now trying to deceive Emperor as well?”

 

Hmm, I’ll give her a score of 30 points.

 

The timing when she sat down was too contrived, and while she did mix in crying sounds, it sounded too much like acting.

 

If you want to commit fraud, you should do it more convincingly.

 

‘Of course, the original Rozelita had no choice but to fall for this act.’

 

No matter how poor the acting was.

 

“Deceive? You speak such unpleasant words, Hanella.”

 

When a high-ranking noble fabricates evidence and pushes forward with it, how could a baron’s daughter who’s somewhat popular among the Empire’s citizens and has had some business success possibly stand against it?

 

“This is how she repays His Majesty’s gracious kindness! I knew this would happen, so I brought evidence—irrefutable evidence that she cannot deny!”

 

Countess Hanella, unable to hide her displeasure at the response directed toward her daughter, stepped forward and reported to me.

 

Upon hearing those words, the Emperor made a gesture with an intrigued expression, signaling to bring forth the evidence.

 

Swoosh—!

 

Immediately, blue envelopes scattered before me. They were all bright blue envelopes mixed with white patterns, identical to the one Countess Hanella had presented to me.

 

“These were all found in Salice’s bedroom! She nearly dragged my daughter into a quagmire through deception, all because of these expertly forged Imperial seals!”

 

“That’s right, when she invited me to the Winter Palace tea party, I thought Salice was finally trying to be friendly with me since I would soon become part of the Imperial family…!”

 

Countess Hanella covered her face with both hands.

 

“If I hadn’t shown it to Father…! I nearly fell into a terrible conspiracy!”

 

Enraged by his daughter’s performance, the Countess shouted at me threateningly.

 

“Do you still have something to say about this, Salice Advisor!”

 

Yes, quite a lot actually.

 

I slowly opened my mouth while tucking my fallen hair behind my ear.

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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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