The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 9

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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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09.

Around the same time, there was also a minor commotion at the Imperial Palace.

It was because the eldest son of House Irenol, who had been the First Prince’s aide, was dragged away by Casian’s order.

“Your, Your Highness! I, I am innocent!”

Though it was Casian who gave the order, the eldest son of the baron’s house pleaded to First Prince Charlie as if begging to be saved.

However, Charlie ignored the eldest son’s voice and spoke to Casian with bored eyes.

“Casian, if you were going to take someone anyway, I would have preferred that one over there.”

He pointed to the eldest son of the ducal house, acting as if the wrong person had been chosen.

“That one is my good playmate, unlike the prospective young duke who constantly nags me to work.”

At Charlie’s words, the ‘prospective young duke’ continued processing documents with an indifferent expression.

Surely he must have been an aide that the Empress had used all her influence to barely get installed. And that too, under the condition of working only three days a week, mornings only.

“If you wish it, brother, you could switch anytime.”

The prospective young duke’s hand paused briefly, then resumed moving.

Casian thought it was a sign of anticipation, not anxiety.

“Haha, you know that’s difficult. Casian, you’re too much. Do you want to see me get scolded by Mother?”

As Charlie said this and tilted his head, red hair that strikingly resembled the Empress cascaded carelessly over his shoulder.

As if in response, the prospective young duke’s shoulders also drooped slightly.

Casian chuckled low at his brother’s carefree words that showed no sense of tension.

“That’s unlikely. Just imagining you being summoned by His Majesty the Emperor pains my heart.”

“Ah yes, that’s right. Casian, you’re too much. I’ll get scolded by Father again because of you.”

Even though it was somewhat sarcastic, Charlie just giggled foolishly.

“But it’s fine, whatever. Casian, you were just doing your job. I’m not petty enough to hate you over something like this.”

“…”

Perhaps this person might be even more troublesome to deal with than the Empress, Casian thought briefly.

“So now, how about we stop with the stiff titles and call me like when we were young, Casian? ‘Big brother,’ that is.”

No, this person was just an idiot.

More than anything, he had never once used such an embarrassing title.

Casian let out a deep sigh and roughly wrapped up the situation before greeting Charlie.

“Then I shall take my leave. Brother.”

“Already~? I thought we could at least have lunch together for once. Can’t be helped, you’re busy.”

Lunchtime had already passed long ago. Surely if Roselita had heard, she would have scolded about not valuing time.

Casian bowed without reply and withdrew from the scene.

Charlie watched his younger brother’s retreating figure for a moment, then muttered languidly.

“I’m envious~, I want to work with a pretty aide too.”

The prospective young duke’s brow furrowed as if finding it absurd.

*

January 7th.

The name of House Irenol was erased from the registry of the Capital’s central nobility.

Common charges, and even charges that were unacceptable for nobility, were revealed.

Embezzlement, tax evasion, exploitation of estate residents.

And on top of that, evidence of contract fraud in the spice trade they handled during last year’s trade with the kingdom was also discovered.

If this hadn’t been revealed now, they would have been properly caught by the kingdom later and suffered losses.

‘In the original work, it was actually discovered later and Casian and Roselita had to struggle to clean up the mess.’

But it was discovered early, and since not much time had passed, it seemed an amicable agreement could be reached with the kingdom through appropriate compensation.

Naturally, in that process, the Empress also had to receive severe reprimand from the Emperor.

‘To think you would turn a blind eye to such things! Empress, how could you do such a thing.’

‘I, I didn’t know, Your Majesty. It was something done arbitrarily by the husband of one I took in as a lady-in-waiting.’

Of course, she cut off the tail.

House Irenol lost most of their estate and barely managed to keep only the minor title of baronet.

That wasn’t even a hereditary title.

Baron Irenol was completely stripped of his title and had to serve a long sentence of hard labor.

‘Vicious thing! How could you do this to those who could have become family!’

The Countess spouted delusions freely, but fortunately since the trial was private, there wouldn’t be any rumors.

If she had just stayed quiet, she could have remained a countess for about six more months.

Of course, she would have received punishment even without this incident.

The Second Prince was such a workaholic that he had already noticed something fishy by the end of last year.

I responded to that countess with a smile.

‘I’m sorry, but I have no interest in those who aren’t even of baronial rank.’

At my kind words, Countess Irenol made a fuss asking for the Empress to be called, but quieted down after learning she had been abandoned.

She also cried out to the eldest son’s fiancée’s family for help, but thanks to my advance warning before searching House Irenol, they too were able to respond amicably with an annulment.

‘Thank you, Miss Salice. If not for you, our daughter would have been in great trouble. We were scheduled to sign the gift exchange on the very day you told us.’

They said that as a baronial house, with the parents’ desire for their daughter to marry into a more precious family, they had planned to promise gifts including valuable mines.

My heart felt even more proud at the fact that I had saved people.

Well, as expected, the Empress’s punishment seemed to end with just a brief period of self-reflection.

But there was a minor disaster for me too.

[The Demon of the Winter Palace Saves the Empire from Crisis!

-Protecting Peace with the Kingdom.]

In mid-January, when all incidents were concluded.

I muttered incredulously at the headline in the newspaper that came in as soon as I arrived at work.

“This is so unfair.”

“What is?”

“Why am I the demon of the Winter Palace instead of Your Highness?”

I merely wielded Casian’s name after all.

Even though Casian mostly just signed things, he was the one who dug up everything about the kingdom after hearing my story!

“You’re right, that’s disappointing.”

Rarely, Casian agreed with my words.

When I stared at him, not having expected such a response, he smiled brightly.

“It should be ‘the demons of the Winter Palace.’ It’s a precious name that belongs only to Rose and me.”

“…Please don’t say such horrible things, Your Highness!”

At my reaction, he laughed as if delighted and added.

“Don’t worry, I’m always ready to take responsibility.”

That was truly a chilling story.

Please fulfill your responsibility only through salary, Your Highness.

*

Despite everything, there was an expectation that things would be peaceful for a while after bringing about the Empress’s self-reflection.

Considering that in the original work, there was blissful peace while the Empress was in self-reflection after being caught plotting.

So this time, I was planning to spend a blissful weekend happily.

I deserved compensation for all the hardship from House Irenol’s affairs right after the new year, plus the comprehensive investigation of trade with the kingdom!

So I made plans to buy books I couldn’t read during the last holiday, eat delicious food made by the maid, and laze around warmly and contentedly.

“Hello, Rose.”

For some reason, I encountered Casian as soon as the holiday began.

And that too.

“I’d like to ask you on a date, would you accept?”

In an appearance deliberately styled like a nouveau riche gentleman.

His hair, dyed light brown for disguise, was so refreshing.

Getting involved in this would definitely be troublesome.

With that thought, I tried to escape quickly, but the demon was cunningly sly.

“Triple allowance, and everything I provide during the date is yours.”

Casian smiled with an excessively pretty face and extended his hand to me.

“Your Highness, don’t you know you’re always underhanded?”

“How mean. I’m always sincere about giving Rose things she likes.”

Why does he speak in such a sweet tone when talking about money earned through honest work?

“Saphire in the Central Marketplace. I’ll gift you anything you want from there too.”

“….”

I was truly afraid of Casian Artez.

Saphire was filled with all sorts of beautiful things.

A shop where painters, craftsmen, and artists poured all their tastes into creating just one very pretty and unique item for delivery.

I had peeked inside once but felt like my bank account would be completely ruined, so I never even entered again.

Did I perhaps say something nonsensical to Casian at some point?

Since I had often been absorbed in work in front of him, I couldn’t trust myself at all.

“…So what’s the purpose?”

“Cracking down on illegal gambling dens.”

This actually put my mind at ease.

That place had been on our radar for a while too, and it was also one of the Empress’s sources of funding.

When I let out a deep sigh, Casian waved his hand once more and asked very politely.

“Miss Roselita, would you please go on a date with me?”

What a beautiful smile the Male Lead makes when utilizing all his natural looks.

I told myself I was only tempted by the money and reluctantly took the hand he offered.

As soon as we touched, Casian playfully pressed his lips to the back of my hand while meeting my gaze.

My day off was being brilliantly shattered.

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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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