The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 24

“You seem to have become quite close with Princess Alexis.”

Of course, the Emperor wasn’t one to refrain from asking what he wanted to ask.

“Having many occasions to meet naturally led to familiarity while doing my best at the task Your Majesty entrusted.”

Of course, my superior didn’t give the desired answer right away either.

At that moment, an uncharacteristically undignified clatter came from the Imperial Consort’s plate.

She seemed to have failed to control her strength while using her fork.

The Emperor cleared his throat awkwardly while looking at the hastily smiling Imperial Consort, then opened his mouth as if he had no choice.

“Ahem, I hear Princess Alexis transferred most of the exhibition rights from this royal wedding to you.”

Even at this direct question, Cassian unhurriedly cut a piece of meat, put it in his mouth, and only after drinking some wine did he slowly open his mouth.

“That’s correct. What the Princess entrusted was not exhibition pieces but exhibition rights.”

Cassian’s gaze briefly touched upon the Imperial Consort.

“Since they are all precious treasures of the Anden Kingdom, it would be best to entrust them to the most reliable person while staying in the Empire.”

At those words, the Imperial Consort’s hand movements, which had been calmly cutting her steak, stopped.

Her lips trembled briefly, but the change was so momentary that only a deliberate observer like me would have noticed.

Cassian sent a brief sneer to the Imperial Consort before turning to the Emperor with a reliable expression.

“Therefore, to repay that trust, I plan to personally inspect the exhibits. I intend to deny access to anyone except those I trust, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm…. Yes, since we’re having good discussions with the kingdom, it would be best to pay thorough attention.”

The moment the Emperor nodded in agreement, as if on cue, the Imperial Consort spoke up.

“Your Majesty, Prince Cassian is quite admirable. However, I have some concerns.”

Her tone was remarkably gentle, unlike her usual way of addressing Cassian.

“What is it, Imperial Consort?”

“I’m not doubting the Prince’s work capabilities. However, unlike Charlie, Prince Cassian has mainly handled administrative duties, hasn’t he?”

“Indeed.”

“Since he’s taking on an unfamiliar field, I’m worried there might be oversights in management. Many artworks and treasures are sensitive to weather and storage conditions.”

The Imperial Consort put down her utensils, leaving more than half of her steak, and dabbed her lips with a napkin as she continued.

“So if Your Majesty permits, I would like to help Prince Cassian.”

The Imperial Consort’s eyes formed the kindest curves ever as she looked at Cassian.

“As Prince Cassian knows, my brother has managed many artworks and treasures over the years.”

I was truly amazed.

To anyone who didn’t know better, she would look like a loving and caring mother.

“So what do you think? I truly mean this out of consideration for the Prince.”

The Imperial Consort spoke with an elegant smile.

“I also want to express my gratitude for successfully handling the Third Prince’s royal marriage.”

As the Imperial Consort gestured, red wine was poured with a gentle splash into both her glass and Cassian’s.

She raised her glass first, proposing a toast.

“Now that I’ve sent one son to a foreign country, my heart feels quite lonely. Won’t you understand my desire to think of and care for you more from now on?”

A slight hint of triumph could be read in the Imperial Consort’s gaze.

And Cassian, who appeared somewhat cornered at first glance,

“Of course. I’m deeply honored that Your Majesty thinks of me this way.”

He gladly accepted the glass and drank it as if he had been waiting for this moment.

*

“The teaware in the Imperial Consort’s palace will be safe for once.”

Just moments ago we were in that tense dinner setting, but as if it had been a lie, Cassian whispered to me with what seemed like an amused face.

Naturally, my superior’s face showed not a trace of dismay or worry.

“Indeed, we might need to worry about the wine glasses since the Imperial Consort will have a toast after so long.”

Though I had been purely a spectator, my shoulders hunched as if that murderous atmosphere still lingered throughout my body.

Cassian stroked my hand that rested on his arm, as if to comfort me, and spoke.

“Even though you knew how I would act, and how the Imperial Consort would act.”

“Even so……”

Even though I knew Cassian’s personality, his shamelessness and cunningness, I couldn’t help but feel tense.

Over the past few days, Cassian had been irritating the Imperial Consort to an almost excessive degree.

As soon as she learned about what Princess Alexis had left behind, the Imperial Consort began sending subtle pressure to the Winter Palace.

‘Saying things like she wanted to see the exhibits soon, suggesting a preview for just the imperial family, saying it was impolite to put them so far down the priority list.’

Of course, none of it worked on Cassian.

He maintained ironclad security over the exhibits.

He even openly rejected a visit request from Duke Zamoti, the Imperial Consort’s older brother.

How desperate she must have been.

Over the past week, the Imperial Consort had been attending to the Emperor more attentively than usual, and then arranged this dinner.

Plausibly saying that since the royal marriage was over, they should have a family dinner.

Thanks to that, even powerless me had to attend that murderous dinner as Cassian’s fiancée.

‘You should have seen His Highness’s face when he received the Imperial Consort’s dinner invitation.’

It was so sinister that I immediately wanted to cancel the dinner engagement.

I couldn’t help but sigh softly at the various things to come.

This time, I had a feeling it wouldn’t pass as easily as usual.

“Were you worried?”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s written all over your face, Rose. The worry.”

Having arrived at the Winter Palace, Cassian asked while stroking my chin with his knuckle.

“Is that worry for me?”

It was a question thrown with pure mischief, without any expectation.

Just to be spiteful.

“I do worry about Your Highness too, you know?”

Of course, my concerns about the upcoming workload, the Imperial Consort’s fierce attacks, and the source of my precious salary were much, much greater, but!

I wanted to let Cassian know that I had reasonable concerns too, before he teased me more–

…why does his face look like that?

“Your Highness?”

“…Really, Rose.”

Though it had clearly been full of composure and mischief.

With a face that seemed to have lost it all, he raised a hand to rub his face before looking at me.

“When you say such things to me at times like this…”

A shallow, low sigh escaped his lips.

“It makes me not want to leave you there.”

“Pardon?”

Why is he suddenly saying incomprehensible things?

I could only stare at him with round eyes and a stupid expression.

Though it was now fully spring, perhaps because it was the Winter Palace,

Or maybe my body was sensing Cassian’s feelings even though my mind couldn’t understand them,

I somehow felt the fresh spring evening temperature was like the chill of a winter dawn.

Cassian quietly examined me with eyes of unfathomable depth, then quietly withdrew his hand from me as if in surrender.

“I’m just saying I was more tense than expected too, Rose.”

With a light tone that seemed to disturb the atmosphere.

“So I was a bit touched.”

Cassian whispered as he carefully took my hand and kissed the back of it.

“Don’t freeze up so much. Your precious salary isn’t going anywhere.”

Though it was clearly his usual tone.

I couldn’t help but know the underlying meaning was different.

*

Hmm.

Cassian let out a breath that could have been either a sigh or realization as he undid the buttons of his cuffs.

‘She must be tired this time after all.’

Though he knew all too well that she was someone who should eventually be sent back safely to the peaceful Saliche territory.

Without realizing it, he felt the desire to lean on her emerge.

Roselita wouldn’t know.

That the Imperial Consort’s schemes were full of such dangerous things.

‘But my little lady shouldn’t know that far.’

If she knew everything, even the brief respite and joy he could enjoy would all shatter.

No, perhaps he wanted to keep these memories that she might not even properly recall, all to himself.

The little lady who was small and cute, always chirping away with her nagging.

Who didn’t even realize her brown hair showed under the poorly worn purple wig when she concentrated on something.

Her occasional clumsiness that showed through despite appearing thoroughly meticulous had consistently allowed Cassian to breathe.

“I’ll have to endure then.”

Cassian let all the emotions that could deepen or build up flow away for his own sake.

*

I couldn’t confirm the details of Cassian’s strange mood as it quickly disappeared.

Since it wasn’t an issue that would yield answers with prolonged thought, I pushed aside the questions and started focusing on the immediate matters at hand.

After all, we had to deal with Duke Zamoti, the Imperial Consort’s older brother, in the very near future.

Before the appointed day, Cassian thought deeply about something and then said to me,

“I truly love your usual appearance, but…”

“…What’s with the sudden remark, Your Highness?”

I really don’t appreciate unnecessary flowery words during work hours.

Cassian seemed rather pleased at my protesting look and tapped my desk lightly.

“Tomorrow, you should dress properly in formal attire.”

“Ah…. So tomorrow, you want me to accompany you as your fiancée rather than your assistant?”

“Yes, because I want to have a date with you for once, Rose.”

Is he trying to give me sweet words about wanting to provide overtime pay during work hours?

I was momentarily captivated by those words but soon came to my senses and spoke up after grasping his intentions.

“Is this because of Duke Zamoti?”

“That’s right.”

He answered with a beautiful smile, as if I’d given the correct answer.