The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 22

Feeling wronged, I tried to pull away from him, but Cassian held me tightly with his ridiculously strong arms.

This bad guy….

I treated him sincerely!

I really shouldn’t trust Cassian Artez.

Annoyed, I pursed my lips and turned my head away defiantly.

“Heh.”

It was supposed to be a serious protest.

But what was so funny that Cassian’s laughter, which sounded annoyingly satisfied, echoed in my ears?

*

It didn’t take many days for Alexis to finish negotiating with the two attempted kidnappers.

‘To be precise, it should be said she negotiated with the Empress.’

Since our country’s Empress was involved in this matter, Alexis wanted me to handle the aftermath, and naturally, I was able to know the entire process.

“How about it, am I useful too?”

“…….”

How am I supposed to answer that question?

I quietly glanced at Alexis and then turned back to the remaining documents.

Eventually, she burst into hearty laughter.

“I was just curious about your thoughts. After finishing a task, one naturally wants to hear how it was from others, right?”

Alexis seemed to enjoy attention quite a bit.

Perched leisurely on the desk, she watched me as I finished the last document and let out a shallow sigh.

“I think everything was handled appropriately. I felt that you were considerate of anything that might have made His Highness Cassian and me uncomfortable, so thank you.”

“I wanted something more raw than that.”

Alexis hopped off the desk and approached me.

“For example, how Lord Gache came to be seen as a scoundrel.”

Indeed, Alexis had sent Lord Gache back to his country on charges of misconduct.

Along with a scandal that he had been rejected and caused a commotion while harassing an imperial guard.

“I thought it was Your Highness’s benevolence.”

“Benevolence?”

Perhaps it was an unexpected answer, considering Alexis chuckled softly.

“Isn’t it much more moderate than having caused harm to one’s own country for personal gain? The Count’s family can still hold their heads high if they just send the young lord to a monastery.”

Nobles are nobles not just for show. They are expected to work hard for their country.

Yet, trying to pursue personal gain by getting involved in something that could become a tug-of-war between nations?

‘Foolish, foolish indeed.’

If he wanted to become a consort, he should have competed fairly with his looks.

“It’s really a shame. Why can’t Count Gache’s family recognize my broad heart and only acknowledge you, who belong to someone else?”

Alexis said playfully, tapping her chest.

Her face didn’t show any sign of distress.

“More importantly, Your Highness, are you really okay with the wedding preparations?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be, Miss Saliche?”

A sly smile appeared on her face.

“Anyway, when I return home, I’ll have another ceremony, and it’s only natural as a partner to fulfill the wishes of the one I love in a once-in-a-lifetime wedding in their own country, isn’t it?”

It seems she enjoys seeing the Empress in distress….

I quietly swallowed my words.

Since that day, the Third Prince had told the Empress not to interfere even a bit in his wedding.

Alexis subtly leaked the conversation between the Third Prince and the Empress, saying it was an imperial matter, and the content was truly remarkable.

‘He mentioned that he knew several things the Empress did to the consorts and left her speechless.’

If he knows, it would be nice if he shared it with us before leaving.

No matter how much of a filial son he is, that would be too much.

I just swallowed my disappointment and decided to look forward to the grand and flamboyant national wedding with the same heart as Alexis.

The Empress was listed as the person in charge of the national wedding preparations, and the Third Prince was planning a wedding with a color scheme that clashed terribly.

Perhaps if it were wrapped up very well, it could be called a tropical fruit style, or maybe not….

Even the wedding attire, which was perfectly fine, was being adorned with additional decorations of colorful jewels to reflect his high-class taste.

“The cost of purchasing teacups for my new mother is steadily increasing, I hear?”

I really wanted to join in and talk about how many teacups the Empress has been breaking lately in frustration!

Unlike Lord Gache, Alexis knew her limits, so I just smiled gently.

“That’s no fun.”

Alexis looked at me, seeming as though she didn’t expect an answer in the first place.

“His Highness must be pleased to have earned a nice allowance.”

“Of course. Enough to give my love sweet dreams for a long time after returning home.”

Alexis’s smile was relaxed and cool.

The Third Prince would probably never know her true face for a long time.

‘The Empress’s family is in an uproar.’

That was the second reason for the sacrifice of teacups.

About half of the distribution business with the Kingdom of Anden was slashed to the point where they could barely cover transportation costs for a while.

The Empress’s family, a ducal family, would be struggling for some time.

Alexis even showed meticulousness by targeting only the businesses related to the family’s wealth accumulation, leaving out those connected to the state.

Whether it was considered fair or if she seemed frighteningly perceptive, I wasn’t sure.

As I let out another shallow sigh, Alexis waved a letter envelope in front of my eyes.

“It’s for you.”

“…Huh?”

“I’m someone who keeps promises thoroughly. Didn’t I tell you?”

Alexis dropped the envelope into my hand as she spoke.

“I promised you a satisfying return gift.”

“Oh….”

I thought showing me the entire process of handling the aftermath with the Empress was already a great return gift.

“Though it seems you’ve already taken some things on your own.”

She said with a stylish wink.

As if the information I obtained was naturally mine.

“This is for you, so it would be amusing to see you hand it over to that sly Prince Cassian and get something in return.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Alexis seemed satisfied with my answer and helped me up with a refreshed face.

“Alright, then you’re free now.”

“…What?”

“I don’t want to use the word ‘fired’ for someone as capable as you.”

Despite the compliment, I stood there blankly for a moment.

“You respond so quickly when told to work, but you’re so slow when told to rest.”

Alexis chuckled softly.

“I think it’s time to return you. It seems only you can handle Prince Cassian.”

Alexis’s assistant, who was only there during regular working hours, was indeed becoming more haggard by the day.

“So I have no choice but to free you.”

I felt a twinge of regret at her appearance.

Honestly, Alexis was a good boss. It would be rude to compare her to Cassian.

“…Thank you for everything, Your Highness.”

“You’re welcome.”

Just as she had been straightforward when asking for me from Cassian, Alexis spoke breezily and placed another envelope on my hand.

“It’s severance pay, Assistant Saliche.”

Wasn’t it included in what you just gave me?

No matter how I thought about it, my heart seemed too small.

Seeing the slight puzzlement on my face, Alexis added a word as if giving advice.

“Make sure to open it with your boss.”

Her lips formed a playful shape.

*

From then until Alexis returned to her country, Cassian and I were incredibly busy, barely having a moment to breathe. The Empress was subtly sabotaging us just enough not to get caught by the Emperor, and she was venting her frustration on us.

‘Does she think we’re easy targets, really?!’

With a heart full of anger, determined to get back at her someday, I meticulously collected records of her personal expenses.

Additionally, to really get under the Empress’s skin, I put extra effort into tasks that could be compared to the First Prince’s work, while subtly withdrawing from the extravagant festival the Third Prince was orchestrating.

She initially told us to stay out of the Third Prince’s national wedding preparations, and now she wants us to get involved? It’s ridiculous.

‘Cassian skillfully covered for me with the Emperor.’

My boss’s cunning worked perfectly, and it seemed the Empress received some subtle reprimand that day.

Everyone working in the palace knew how explosive Cassian’s workload was.

To the point where, when I passed by, people who would look at me with disdain or ridicule a year ago had changed their tune.

‘They pity us….’

If you’re going to pity us, do it with money, or better yet, take some of our work.

The assistants to the First Prince, who seemed to be burning with competitiveness half a year ago, were especially acting strangely timid these days.

If you have something to say, come say it, so we can at least relieve some stress.

Thanks to this, Cassian and I only managed to check the return gift and severance pay Alexis had left us after the national wedding was successfully held and we saw her off safely.

For reference, it was somewhat amusing to see the Emperor glaring at the Empress with disapproval when there wasn’t a trace of colorlessness to be found at the wedding.

‘The nobles and state guests questioned the tastes of the Third Prince and the Empress.’

They all struggled greatly to find words of praise.

Anyway, after all the events were over, I eagerly opened the envelope.

“Would you prefer money, or should I grant you a wish?”

“…What?”

“To see what yours contains, I should at least pay that much, shouldn’t I?”

Cassian was the first to make a move.

“So that whatever comes out of that envelope, I won’t lose you, Rose.”

Adding vague words to his statement.