The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 15

And I need to take good care of her so she doesn’t fall into the Empress’s schemes.

To hell with the original story!

*

From that day on, I would greet Lady Wilhelmina with the highest level of business smile whenever I saw her.

“I heard you’re frequently visiting for the sake of His Highness the Third Prince who’s unfamiliar with the kingdom. You’re much kinder than I thought, I’d like to learn from you.”

“That’s not…! I won’t be fooled!”

Of course, Lady Wilhelmina would treat me with her quills all raised like a hedgehog.

“Would you like to have lunch together, Lady? His Highness Prince Cassian will be joining us.”

Another day, I even tried to scheme to show the demon’s true nature and break her illusion.

“Y-you! Are you gloating about winning against me now?! Are you getting above yourself because your social advancement is just around the corner? Do you think I’ll fall for you just because you’re pretty?!”

Wow, she even used the term social advancement, I’m touched, Wilma.

Although the lunch invitation unfortunately failed,

I thought she would definitely take the bait when I mentioned Cassian.

Still, not discouraged, I kept flirting,

“The white lace ribbon you decorated today suits you so well. I’ve heard the wisteria flowers of the ducal family are very beautiful, but seeing you, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Miss Saliche, do you really not know anything about–about decorum?!”

“Since I’m just a baron’s daughter, there’s a lot I don’t know, Lady.”

“Th-that’s not what I meant! You’re the assistant to His Highness the Second Prince! You shouldn’t say you’re incapable!”

She even got angry on my behalf.

How can she be so kind and caring?

After repeating this a few times, for some reason she started avoiding eye contact even when I just gave her my business smile.

Really, what is this bitterness?

I felt sad because it seemed like Lady Wilhelmina was treating me like a demon to be avoided.

“…I’m feeling a bit jealous, Rose.”

“What?”

Moreover, Cassian said something strange, which made me even sadder.

“Or are you relieving your stress on Lady Wilhelmina?”

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

How could that be possible.

Lady Wilhelmina is like a ray of sparkling wine in my dreary and dull work life.

And she’s a very lovely character who was in charge of the healing parts even in the original novel that was based on a depressing story!

Looking at Cassian with resentment that it was all his fault, I heard a short click of the tongue.

“I wish my fiancée would say some of those sweet words she says to the young lady to me too.”

I frowned.

After seeing all sorts of things over the past year, you’re asking me to squeeze out compliments now?

This is workplace harassment, Your Highness.

*

Wilhelmina Lopez was very confused.

A few days before returning to the country, she heard the news of Cassian’s engagement and was so distraught that she fasted and spent several days bedridden.

As a result, she missed the appointment mentioned by her father, Duke Lopez, and was scolded as soon as she arrived.

‘Do you intend to keep chasing after someone who’s already engaged, Wilma! Do you plan to keep disgracing the family like this?’

Wilhelmina found this too heartbreaking.

She couldn’t stand the sight of the Marquis’s daughter, whom she had known since childhood, acting all high and mighty after becoming the First Prince’s fiancée.

Even at the small tea party held after her return, she acted as if she had become the Prince’s wife.

‘After His Highness the Third Prince has his national marriage, it will soon be my turn, won’t it? I feel so regretful thinking that there’s not much time left to live comfortably like this.’

She said this while making direct eye contact with Wilhelmina.

As if to say that this was the only time she could act superior to Wilhelmina because she was a ducal lady.

That made Wilhelmina want Cassian even more.

Of course, it was true that she had fallen for him when she saw him during the victory parade.

That sharp expression, not erasing the traces of the rough battlefield, and not even showing much joy at the victory, was strongly imprinted in the teenage Wilhelmina’s mind.

So she steeled herself and called for Roselita at the imperial palace.

But as soon as she saw her, she felt somehow diminished.

Despite being just a baron’s daughter, and despite all the rumors about it being for political reasons,

Her chestnut hair seemed to be full of autumn light, and her green eyes seemed to be filled with deep understanding.

Even though she was wrapped in an utterly simple dress, Wilhelmina thought she looked pretty and stylish.

She didn’t feel even a hint of inferiority from her, so Wilhelmina couldn’t say the nasty things she had planned to say.

A lot.

So much.

She hoped that Roselita would feel at least a little upset, as much as she felt wronged.

To herself who was trying to say nasty things.

‘Lady, you’re really kind and thoughtful.’

Why did she give such a warm smile, and say things that Wilhelmina had never heard even from her family?

She couldn’t understand at all, so she started to want to avoid Roselita a little.

*

My sparkling wine!

I mean, without seeing Lady Wilhelmina, the day of the welcome party for the kingdom’s princess had arrived.

‘I think it would be good to shower her with more compliments.’

Because I had to appear as the Second Prince’s fiancée at the princess’s welcome party, I was putting more effort into my appearance than at the previous ball.

The maids assigned by Cassian transformed me from a mere baron’s daughter into a proper prince’s fiancée.

The dress was one I had ordered during our shopping trip in the capital’s central shopping district, but I thought it was really excessively luxurious.

This extravagance of decorating a deep navy dress with shiny pearls and diamonds.

While I thought I should wear this much given the occasion, it still felt a bit awkward.

However, my feelings of awe skyrocketed when Cassian brought a jewelry box.

“…Your Highness, are you in your right mind?”

“I really like that about you, Rose.”

You mean my rudeness?

No, this time even I, with courage as small as a soy sauce dish, had to speak up.

“…Have you perhaps forgotten the contents of the contract?”

That can’t be, this workaholic.

“Of course not, I remember it well.”

Cassian smiled and calmly put a beautifully crafted diamond necklace around my empty neck.

“Oh my, why are you about to cry?”

“Of course I want to cry.”

This con artist, saying everything I wear would be mine.

How can I take this if you give me something like this!

“I was expecting my personal assets to increase, but if you bring me the late Empress’s jewelry, I’ll have no choice but to return it.”

“Why is that?”

Seeing my tearful face, Cassian carefully held my hand, looking puzzled.

“I’m giving it to you because it’s you.”

“Your Highness, are you testing my conscience right now?”

Despite my tone dripping with indignation, Cassian didn’t correct himself. Instead, he kissed the ring he had given me before and shook his head.

“No, it’s true. Who else would I let wear my mother’s jewelry but Rose?”

His purple eyes looking at me were intense.

It seemed like he wanted to play a joke, but there was also some desperate sincerity hidden somewhere.

“Mother would also want me to give it to Rose.”

“……”

I swallowed for a moment.

I had to act nonchalant, as usual.

Cassian Artez was really extraordinary, if I showed even a small weakness, he would immediately try to devour it.

“…Alright, I’ll just borrow it until the contract ends.”

I managed to answer.

This is his leading question, I shouldn’t fall for it.

He must not be certain that I’m the fake Wilma he met in childhood.

No, he mustn’t be!

Cassian smiled crookedly at my tense response.

“You’re really cold-hearted, Rose.”

Thankfully, he didn’t try to dig anything more out of me.

Instead, he held out his arm, which had now become a bit familiar.

It was time to go to the party.

*

As soon as Cassian and I entered, the nobles’ gazes poured on us.

Most of them were wary looks.

Well, that’s understandable. Nearly half of them had their accounts directly or indirectly emptied by Cassian and me over the past year.

I’d avoid us too.

‘I guess it’s better than being seen as easy targets like in the original work.’

It’s a bit regrettable though…

The more they gossip, the easier it is to gather various pieces of evidence.

Everyone lowers their voice as soon as Cassian and I are nearby.

“It feels like we’re at a disadvantage.”

“Should we modify the contract a bit?”

“Not that!”

Cassian really sees me as someone obsessed with money.

Well, it’s not entirely untrue!

“There’s no better place than a party to gather various information, but it’s like there’s a barrier around us.”

Cassian looked at me with a gentle smile at my words.

“Rose, do I have to be jealous of work now too?”

Ugh, you should really be thankful this isn’t the office.

I barely managed to put on a business smile, reminding myself that this was a party hall.

“Don’t say such horrible things.”

“I should go get some wine for you, Rose.”

Cassian replied, squeezing my hand before letting go, in response to my words spoken through gritted teeth.

Thanks to that, the demon keeping people away from me left my side for a moment.

While I was waiting for the wine he would undoubtedly choose perfectly to my taste, at that moment,

“Miss Saliche–!”

Along with an urgent and clear voice.

Splash–!