The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 65

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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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65.

 

I definitely had something to say to him, and I was planning to tell him today.

 

“…What are you thinking about, Your Highness?”

 

I wondered why he had such a serious expression.

 

“How can I hold onto Rose, that kind of thought?”

 

Casian escorted me to a nearby pavilion, trying hard not to let the smile fade from his lips.

 

At that expression, I quietly blinked my eyes.

 

‘Was this too much like a resignation gift?’

 

That wasn’t my intention though?

 

If I was going to get something anyway, I thought I might as well do it properly?

 

“I can’t imagine life without Rose anymore, so if you say you’re leaving now-”

 

“Wait a moment, Your Highness!”

 

I hurriedly interrupted Casian’s continuing words.

 

“I have no intention of submitting a resignation.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Of course! I still need Your Highness.”

 

At my words, Casian’s eyes widened greatly, then he sat down as if all strength had left him.

 

“But, um… Rose doesn’t need money anymore.”

 

“What do you mean I don’t need money? How precious is money earned through honest work.”

 

Although thanks to the Dragon Lair I had more than enough to pay off all debts, I knew well the value of labor.

 

And even if I was well-off now, was there any guarantee that this damn original story wouldn’t completely ruin our family again?

 

Since I was far from being bold, I wanted to keep a stable option available.

 

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

 

“More than that, I wanted to talk about the engagement.”

 

“Engagement?”

 

“…Actually, Your Highness has achieved all the original purposes you set forth.”

 

Even as I spoke, my voice grew smaller with unnecessary regret.

 

“So you want to end it?”

 

Casian pulled me into his arms as if catching me and whispered.

 

At his question, I sighed deeply and quietly nodded my head.

 

I was a person with a conscience, after all.

 

“Regardless of wanting to end it or not, there’s no need to maintain it anymore.”

 

Of course, the engagement allowance was so sweet that I did think for about 5 seconds about just closing my eyes and pretending not to know.

 

But it still felt uncomfortable.

 

Having achieved all our intended purposes, using Casian’s private wealth bit by bit to fill my own belly didn’t feel like fair compensation for labor.

 

“Rose, that’s not true.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Just as I was feeling bitter thinking about the hobbies I had enjoyed with the engagement allowance, Casian tightened his grip on my arm and spoke.

 

“As you know, I’m in quite a precarious position.”

 

“That’s certainly true.”

 

Although the First Empress’s power had weakened from the expedition and Countess Hanella’s double blow, she would surely revive soon and cause trouble again.

 

Moreover, the Emperor was the most untrustworthy person of all.

 

“But in this situation, if I lose you – a border marquis of the frontier and someone recognized by the Temple’s Saint – what do you think will happen to me?”

 

And you’re even the master of a lair.

 

Casian was speaking as if giving work instructions, with all emotion drained out.

 

Of course, I hadn’t completely excluded that point either-

 

“Most importantly Rose, why aren’t you considering that you might become dangerous?”

 

“…”

 

“So you did know and still brought it up.”

 

At Casian’s words, I paused for a moment then nodded in affirmation.

 

“Are you embarrassed to face me?”

 

“It feels like I’m using Your Highness to get good things for myself.”

 

And while receiving an allowance too?

 

I wasn’t shameless enough to be able to do that.

 

The Emperor had given me a title more easily than expected because I was Casian’s fiancée.

 

It was a deal made knowing that investing in me, who would someday become a member of the Imperial family, would return in the distant future.

 

Moreover, although I had gained a title, if the name of prospective princess was removed in the current situation, I would become like an isolated island and various nobles would obviously attack me.

 

Over the past two years or so, I knew very well how many enemies I had made both inside and outside.

 

‘The Emperor wouldn’t leave me alone either.’

 

I knew this, but I thought since it was my choice, I should also take responsibility.

 

At this rate, Casian might get dragged into my affairs.

 

If it were someone else, I might not know, but I especially didn’t want to become a burden to Casian.

 

I knew how harsh a life he had lived.

 

While I was lost in thought, Casian lightly kissed my chin with a shallow sigh.

 

“Rose, let me protect you.”

 

“But-”

 

“It’s not a contract where only I suffer losses. Just having you by my side brings great benefits.”

 

He turned my body to face him.

 

“You know this, don’t you, Rose.”

 

“…”

 

I kept my mouth shut for a moment.

 

I knew that if I nodded here, it would be comfortable not just for me, but for both of us.

 

“And one more thing, Rose seems to have really forgotten.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“The purpose hasn’t been achieved yet?”

 

Casian smiled bitterly as he cupped my cheek with his hand.

 

“The First Prince’s fiancée position has become vacant, so if my side becomes vacant too, what do you think will happen to the Lopez Princess’s position?”

 

“Oh…”

 

Surely that black-hearted Duke Lopez would try to use his daughter for business purposes.

 

When I slightly frowned, Casian leaned his head against my shoulder and looked at me.

 

“I’m hurt that you only care about the Lopez Princess.”

 

“Yes?”

 

As if noticing that the scales in my heart had suddenly tilted, Casian touched my cheek with a playful expression.

 

I pulled back slightly and met his gaze, then shook my head and answered Casian.

 

“Don’t you think I was worried because I didn’t want Your Highness to have a hard time?”

 

“I know that too.”

 

His hand that had been touching my cheek brushed past my ear and played with my hair.

 

“Still Rose, it’s actually less difficult for me when you lean on me, so don’t forget and remember that.”

 

That excessively sweet voice penetrated like a spell.

 

For some reason, I thought there was desperation buried in those words that clearly contained mischief.

 

*

 

The engagement contract with Casian was concluded with the decision to revise it.

 

Since it was a mutually beneficial contract, let’s eliminate things like allowances.

 

However, Casian.

 

‘Still, everything I prepare for Rose as her fiancé belongs to you.’

 

He acted as if he couldn’t compromise on that much.

 

I felt somewhat coerced.

 

‘Do you want to see me wearing the dress I prepared for you when I go to the audience chamber?’

 

He said something quite frightening, so I had no choice but to accept.

 

Thus our minor issue was amicably resolved, but the surrounding situation was not.

 

Because there was quite a bit of pushback from the nobles regarding my title conferment.

 

Naturally, we had anticipated the opposition and went to the meeting hall thoroughly prepared, but unexpectedly, the Emperor resolved everything without even giving us a chance to step forward.

 

“Why do you think Salice Advisor became the master of the lair?”

 

“Well, she was just lucky…”

 

“Lucky? Luuuucky?”

 

The noble who misspoke had to endure the Emperor’s sharp gaze in its entirety.

 

“I saw it myself! The spirit of throwing oneself into danger to prevent the sacrifice of the Royal Guard! Even the beast that had lost its reason was moved by that courage, yet what did you chattering people here do?”

 

At the Emperor’s words, the nobles who had been chattering as if they had much to say just moments before fell silent instantly.

 

“What, giving special treatment because she’s to become a prince’s fiancée? Don’t you people do your research?! Do you think I have no standards?”

 

The Emperor even made full use of everything I had discussed during our negotiations.

 

Thud-! Heavy documents were placed before the nobles with a weighty sound.

 

“Look at this, how titles have been conferred until now! I did everything according to principle! You keep talking about special treatment, but shall we review all your titles according to principle too?”

 

The nobles whose estates had become smaller than before shrank back with guilty expressions.

 

The Emperor clicked his tongue and shouted at the nobles.

 

“You lot were busy trying to save your own skins from an expedition with a dragon! Even when I personally went out, what was it, chronic illness acting up? Caught a cold?”

 

The Emperor even had an excellent memory for useless things, personally reciting the shameful acts of those who fled during difficult times.

 

“My, my, you all seem to have become quite healthy! Seeing how well you’re all flapping your mouths now.”

 

“A-ahem…”

 

“Imperial nobles who won’t acknowledge the greatness of a young lady who threw herself to prevent the deaths of hundreds of knights, tsk! Blinded by jealousy and just causing trouble?!”

 

The nobles, officially acknowledged as petty for being unable to recognize someone much younger, had nothing more to say and just exchanged glances with each other.

 

Seeing this, the Emperor smiled coldly and said to them.

 

“If you have complaints, submit them in writing within a week with accurate evidence and materials! Don’t just babble with your mouths!”

 

After saying that and concluding the meeting, the Emperor winked at me.

 

As I shrank back from the chills running up my spine, Casian muttered with complicated feelings.

 

“This anxious feeling I have because everyone likes Rose too much, you really need to understand it.”

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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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