The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 26

“Your Highness, surely you understand how important this exhibition is?”

Duke Zamoti opened his mouth as if scolding Cassian.

“If we don’t inspect properly, it could cause diplomatic issues with the Anden Kingdom, yet you’re leisurely enjoying the exhibition with, with Miss Saliche?”

The Duke openly showed how incredulous he found this, as if he had caught something.

Then, Cassian spoke while gently wrapping my waist and pulling me into his embrace.

“Are you saying there’s something more important than viewing the exhibits with the heart of a visitor?”

Cassian responded as if he were ignorant in this field.

“That’s why I specifically asked my lovely Rose to treat me as her fiancé rather than an assistant today.”

Cassian spoke leisurely while demonstrably kissing my temple.

“My beloved is so thorough with official duties that she’s busier examining the condition of the exhibits than enjoying our date.”

He clicked his tongue softly.

“With you here, recommended by Her Highness the Imperial Consort, I thought I could enjoy a pleasant date with Rose, but it seems you’re not quite trustworthy. To my Rose.”

At those words, I opened my mouth with full concern mixed in.

“Your Highness, how can you speak that way with someone present? Even though it’s true that I became quite worried after reviewing the Ceremonial Office documents last time……”

“Yes yes, I was wrong to have you review not just the second son’s but Duke Zamoti’s documents as well.”

“That was just my natural duty. And you said I’m the best at reviewing sloppy documents.”

“Indeed, no one matches you in thorough, meticulous, and perfect work handling.”

Cassian looked at me with a chuckle.

Creating even a gentle atmosphere between lovers as if Duke Zamoti wasn’t even present.

“Still, Her Highness the Imperial Consort recommended him. I honestly want to free you from hard work, even if just for today.”

“As Your Highness knows, I’m someone who knows my duty very well, so I can’t handle tasks carelessly.”

I added a bit of sarcasm.

“How could I neglect my duties and run away like Your Highness’s former assistants who fled because things got a little difficult?”

Just as Cassian was about to say something sickeningly sweet at my words that included a hint of pretend sulking,

“This is very uncomfortable to listen to!”

Duke Zamoti opened his mouth, barely maintaining his dignity.

I opened my mouth, pretending to be clueless with an oblivious expression.

“What do you mean, Duke? I only told His Highness about what happened, without any exaggeration……”

I held Cassian’s hand tightly and spoke with a hint of criticism, as if completely lacking awareness.

“Oh my, did you happen to hear all of the private conversation between His Highness Cassian and me?”

Duke Zamoti looked at me, wondering what nonsense this was.

“Of course, eavesdropping is quite undignified behavior, but it can’t be helped since I also forgot there were others present.”

When I casually delivered words that would make his blood boil, Duke Zamoti looked at us with a face full of things he wanted to say.

If it were like usual, he would have already spewed garbage from that mouth.

“…Enjoy your date! I will check the exhibits perfectly thoroughly!”

“Oh my, really?”

You’re capable of that?

As I stared at him with eyes full of doubt, I could see Duke Zamoti grinding his teeth slightly.

“Rose, I understand your feelings, but let’s give it a try. He’s someone Her Highness the Imperial Consort thoughtfully called for me.”

“Yes, I suppose we have no choice.”

I nodded while letting out a deep sigh.

Duke Zamoti turned around, put on his glasses and gloves, unable to hide his frustration at our behavior.

He truly looked like someone who would thoroughly examine these exhibits.

While Cassian watched his back with cold eyes, he didn’t forget to add one more comment to scratch at him.

“I hope you’ll examine properly, Duke Zamoti. And provide clean documentation too, so Rose doesn’t have to work twice.”

Duke Zamoti’s shoulders shook once more.

Whether it was anger or the trembling of someone who had caught an opportunity remained unknown.

*

For about two hours after that, Cassian and I pretended to enjoy our date while suddenly approaching near Duke Zamoti from time to time.

Watching the Duke’s reactions then, Cassian and I were able to achieve quite a bit of our intended goal.

How to use the material we gathered now was a separate matter.

Thanks to this, when all inspections were finished and we came out of the annex, Duke Zamoti couldn’t hide his exhausted appearance and had to walk with somewhat undignified steps.

“Now then, report.”

“…Pardon?”

At Cassian’s words, completely erasing the lovey-dovey act he had been putting on as soon as we exited the annex, Duke Zamoti responded like a fool.

“Shouldn’t you first tell me if there were any issues during the inspection?”

Hearing this, Duke Zamoti flared up.

“Your Highness, you must give me time to organize. No one could immediately—”

“Rose.”

Cassian immediately cut off his words and called me.

Of course, since I hadn’t just been on a date either, I immediately took out my notebook and opened my mouth.

“There were no special issues with most of Anden Kingdom’s old treasures. There weren’t any major differences from the condition Princess Alexis informed us about. However,”

I rattled off several concerning points and things that seemed to need attention in front of Cassian.

Since Cassian and I were quite righteous people, albeit intermittently, we had naturally shared Princess Alexis’s condition documents with Duke Zamoti as well.

“That’s all I have to report from what I’ve examined now, but I’ll look over everything once more and prepare documentation to be safe. So we can share it with the Anden Kingdom as well.”

As soon as my brief report ended, Cassian looked at Duke Zamoti with cold eyes.

“Her Highness said the Duke would know much better than Rose or me, but is there anything lacking in these points?”

“T-that is–”

“My lovely fiancée and assistant managed to examine everything sufficiently even while on a date.”

“S-she must have had a chance to look beforehand! Miss Saliche must have!”

Despite barely paying attention properly because his mind was elsewhere, to make such excuses.

When I looked at him for speaking such nonsense, Duke Zamoti rather raised his voice, as if he had misunderstood something.

“You’re using dirty tricks, Miss Saliche! To disgrace the imperial family’s dignity like this—”

“Future Crown Princess.”

At that moment, Cassian cut off Duke Zamoti’s words.

“…Pardon?”

“Isn’t that the proper way to address her according to protocol, Duke Zamoti?”

His tone was as harsh as the winter north wind.

“W-what do you mean……”

Duke Zamoti looked at Cassian like he’s telling him to make sense.

“You addressed Lady Catherine of House Hanella, First Prince Charlie’s fiancée, that way, didn’t you?”

“Huh, Your Highness!”

As if thinking it was complete nonsense, an improperly formed sound escaped Duke Zamoti’s mouth.

“How can Miss Saliche be compared to Lady Hanella?”

“Is there a difference?”

“She’s the lady of the long-established and prestigious House Hanella! Besides, unlike Your Highness, Prince Charlie has already held the engagement ceremony!”

In other words, he was saying I, a nominal fiancée, was different from Lady Hanella.

Cassian’s face grew even more displeased at those words.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to rebut—

“Duke Zamoti, are you refusing to acknowledge what His Majesty the Emperor has recognized?”

Someone walked from the main building of the Winter Palace with leisurely steps and a smiling face, opening their mouth toward the Duke.

“Since when did my maternal uncle become more impressive than Father?”

“……Prince Charlie!”

The bright red hair fluttered like embroidery against the spring sky approaching noon as he drew closer to Duke Zamoti.

“Since when did the position of Crown Princess become such a position? This is very unpleasant.”

Prince Charlie was smiling as usual.

Very leisurely.

“It sounds like my acknowledged Crown Princess can receive proper treatment because of House Hanella.”

“T-that’s not what I……”

Duke Zamoti looked more flustered than ever at the sudden appearance of his nephew.

Confusion mixed with resentment in the Duke’s gaze.

After all, the Imperial Consort’s son who should have taken his side was now attacking him instead.

“……What brings you here, brother?”

“Haha, Cassian, you’re so cold.”

Charlie spoke in a much softer tone compared to how he had addressed Duke Zamoti.

“As always, I’m here at Mother’s request.”

“I assume you have a lunch appointment with Duke Zamoti.”

“That’s right, boringly so. I’d rather be on a date instead.”

Prince Charlie let out a short, bored sigh, then spoke to Duke Zamoti in a leisurely tone.

“Still, I’m glad I came, since it seems the Duke was a bit lost.”

Charlie had his attendant take Duke Zamoti away, then looked at Cassian and me with great regret.

“I’d love to have lunch with you, Cassian, and the beautiful Miss Saliche.”

Charlie continued, grabbing my hand as he spoke.

“Especially Miss Saliche, I very much approve of you being Cassian’s Crown Princess.”

“……Pardon?”

As I pondered how to respond to his beaming face, Cassian spoke while reclaiming my hand from him.

“Lady Hanella will be upset, brother.”

“Hmm? She won’t be.”

Charlie smiled lazily and opened his mouth teasingly.

“Miss Saliche must have it tough, since Cassian is quite the jealous type.”

Then he winked and said,

“But don’t worry. I’ll help make sure nothing interferes with Cassian and Miss Saliche’s love!”

Prince Charlie puffed out his chest with a relieved expression, as if he had completed his task.

“Feel free to talk to me anytime. Mother may be scary, but I can at least give uncle a little scare.”

Having said that, Prince Charlie turned around and left the Winter Palace with satisfaction, as if he had done a good deed.

“Hmm……”

So that final blow earlier……

Was it for Cassian and me?

As I stood there confused about whether to feel offended or grateful,

“Rose, don’t think about it.”

“Huh?”

“When it comes to my brother, thinking about it means you’ve already lost.”