Chapter 4. Conspiracies Are Just Another Part of Daily Life

T/N: I changed Her Majesty the Empress to Her Highness the Imperial Consort. Sorry about that. Thank you~

“…… Do you know what’s inside here?”

I don’t know either, okay?

When I looked puzzled, Cassian let out a hollow laugh and spoke.

“Most regrettably, I can guess what the Princess might be thinking.”

Cassian said this while letting out a deep sigh.

His face showed strange displeasure.

‘What’s with that disrespectful expression towards Her Highness Alexis?’

I had never thought their personalities were similar at all.

Because Cassian’s personality was on a completely different level, it felt too unfair to Alexis.

“Rose is too harsh to me only.”

Since I was in front of Cassian, I didn’t bother hiding my expression, and he grumbled in a low mutter.

Who’s being harsh to whom?

When I tilted my head sideways, Cassian quietly gazed at me, then took my empty hand and planted a kiss on it with a soft ‘chu’ sound.

“From now on, I’ll have to show my love more, since Rose had such tastes.”

Even without a mirror, I could imagine my expression.

My eyes must surely be dead.

“…… What?”

“Were you envious of how I whispered sweet words to my sister that day?”

The corner of his mouth curved upward.

“Why would you think that?”

“Because I can’t think of any other reason. I’m always doing my best to treat you well, aren’t I?”

His attitude was confident, as if there was nothing to be ashamed of.

“I give you plenty of pretty things, delicious food, and the alcohol that you like. Is there anyone more sincere than me in filling your pockets?”

His playful face suddenly turned serious.

Cassian, still holding my hand, raised himself and moved closer to my side in one swift motion.

“So the only thing I haven’t filled enough for Rose must be my affection.”

Of course, I showed my unfiltered bewilderment at those words.

“What Your Highness has shown so far is more than enough.”

Very, very much so.

Please don’t let your cunningness dull by thinking in such strange ways.

When I think of the original story, ugh….

That’s completely taboo, you know.

At my sincere attempt to dissuade him, he slightly squinted one eye and let out a low laugh.

“Well, since my precious assistant says so, the powerless me has no choice but to comply.”

*

As soon as I opened the first envelope, that is, the severance pay envelope that Alexis had handed over, Cassian made sad eyes.

“…… Rose looks too happy.”

His face seemed to say ‘Wasn’t I right to worry?’

Of course, I didn’t hide my joy whether he was sad or not.

“It’s so pretty…!”

As expected, Her Highness Alexis had good sense.

The envelope she gave as severance pay contained three items.

One was a one-month living voucher for the kingdom, another was a temporary property rights transfer certificate, and the last was a landscape painting that included the exterior view of the building in question.

It was a two-story building in the kingdom’s capital, slightly away from the busy district but with good roads making it easily accessible from anywhere.

There was also a café on the first floor, and just looking at the landscape painting, it seemed like the perfect place to stay and spend some leisurely time with its abundant atmosphere.

The surrounding scenery was beautiful, and moreover, the second floor had a two-bay accommodation, making it ideal for a month-long stay.

“…… You look like you want to go to the kingdom right away, Rose.”

Cassian spoke while lying face down on the desk, slightly lifting his head to look at me sulkily.

Maybe I went too far in front of my superior.

I cleared my throat with a fake cough.

“Of course, staying for a month in such a pretty place has always been something I wanted to do.”

If I’m going to go overboard, I might as well do it properly!

I’ve always been teased by Cassian.

I can’t miss this opportunity.

When I looked at him with a triumphant face, he quietly raised himself.

“Are you going to the kingdom, Rose?”

“If my circumstances allow, absolutely.”

“Leaving me behind…?”

He said this while pitifully holding up another paper I hadn’t been paying attention to.

“That’s……”

It was none other than the temporary rights transfer certificate.

It stated that if I ever felt like coming to live in the kingdom, the princess would arrange a position as the her assistant and transfer the attached building to me.

“You have always wanted to go to the kingdom. Your parents too.”

Cassian made a forlorn face.

He narrowed the distance between us even more and whispered, resting his head on my shoulder.

“But I can’t function without you, are you really going to leave me behind?”

How unfair.

Even though he knew I had no such intentions, this man deliberately acted weak towards me like this.

No, he was being pathetic.

“…… You’re not really scared.”

When I grumbled, a deep sigh escaped from him.

“You truly don’t know.”

He gently rubbed his forehead against my shoulder.

“How much.”

I felt my heart skip lightly.

“How much I’ve waited and hoped for you, Rose.”

I unconsciously swallowed at his deep, mellow voice.

Because it seemed truly sincere.

At times like this, his feelings that usually escaped quickly through jokes seemed to leak out somehow.

“…… Where would I go.”

Usually, it was always Cassian who dispersed this kind of atmosphere.

Somehow feeling scared, I spoke first.

“My precious salary is here.”

Please break this atmosphere.

He slowly raised his head to look at me.

How many seconds passed?

A gentle smile settled on his face as he stared at me with serious eyes.

“That’s right, everything Rose loves is here.”

He lifted my hand and kissed my ring finger while clearing away the heavy air.

“The reliable salary, alcohol, delicious food… And my pretty face.”

His voice was very playful, as if apologizing for teasing me too much.

*

Of course, I took revenge on Cassian.

By gently stroking his foot.

After he put on all his fake dramatics without the usual dramatics and pretended to be in pain, I opened the second envelope in a slightly improved mood.

And when the second envelope was opened.

“The Imperial Consort is truly always sincere about pursuing her private interests.”

The playful atmosphere between Cassian and me had completely dissipated.

It was because of the contents of the letter Alexis had left.



There was something Her Highness the Imperial Consort had been coveting even before the royal marriage with the empire was decided. It was none other than the exhibition rights to several pieces of the kingdom’s artworks.

The Anden Kingdom was famous for commerce, but it was also quite renowned in art-related fields.

While the Empire built its country centered around nobles, they focused on people’s qualities rather than social status for national interest.

Thanks to this, a country that was just a duchy 100 years ago strategically absorbed the territories of surrounding small countries to grow into a kingdom.

When talent gathered, money circulated, and when money circulated, it was natural to turn attention to luxury goods and artworks.

Therefore, the Anden Kingdom had considerable strength in theater and exhibitions as well.

‘They even have exchange exhibitions with the Empire from time to time.’

The Empire, with its long history, had many relics and historic sites and earned considerable tourism revenue from them.

Since the Zamoti ducal family, the Imperial Consort’s maiden family, was conducting the broadest business in that field, it wasn’t strange for them to covet exhibition rights.



I had a bad feeling about this, but now that the royal marriage has been settled, it would be difficult for the kingdom’s side to maintain their stance of not giving exhibition rights within the empire. So about that.

Looking at the contents Alexis had left, I suddenly felt remorseful that I might have been a bit too harsh on Cassian.



The exhibition rights will be given to you, whether it’s under Prince Cassian’s name or Lady Saliche’s name, it doesn’t matter. Please choose whichever is more comfortable after discussing it anew.

I believe Prince Cassian won’t blame me too harshly for something like this. After all, the Prince has used me as well. Shouldn’t he be able to handle this much? I hope His Imperial Highness will show his affection for Lady Saliche.

After all, Alexis had properly conveyed her thanks.

When I stared at Cassian intently, he looked at me as if to say ‘Now do you understand my grievance?’

When I slightly lowered my head as if embarrassed, a small laugh burst from him.

“…… I’ll try to be your shield instead.”

Since I sometimes acted as Cassian’s proxy anyway.

It was my own way of apologizing.

“No, Rose.”

Cassian spoke while gently caressing between my chin and cheek with a soothing voice.

“What?”

My merciless superior who often deliberately put me forward to irritate nobles is saying no?

When I looked at him with surprised eyes, Cassian opened his mouth as if it was obvious.

“How could I put my fragile Rose in front of Her Highness the Imperial Consort’s sharp fangs.”

…… You seemed to do that just fine until now though?

Or am I wrong? Is it my misconception?

He laughed softly at my face full of doubt.

“And since the Princess has declared war like this,”

Cassian spoke in a low voice tinged with a strange killing intent while pointing to the last phrase Alexis had left.

“I must properly prove my affection for you.”

*

The Emperor’s chamberlain, seasoned within the imperial palace, carefully placed dishes before the Emperor.

Even after looking at the appetizer prepared to stimulate appetite, I couldn’t pounce on it as usual.

Because the atmosphere in this dining room was too fierce.

“…… You put in a lot of effort during the royal wedding period, Cassian.”

The Emperor addressed Cassian, his tone heavy with authority.

“It was only natural duty as I couldn’t be negligent with the task Your Majesty entrusted to me. Moreover, it was my sibling’s wedding, so paying attention was only natural.”

Though Cassian understood the Emperor’s intention, he maintained his composure and feigned ignorance.