~TMPM 14~

Chapter 14

From that day on, whenever I saw Princess Wilhelmina, I greeted her with the highest-level business smile.

“I’ve heard that you often make visits for the Third Prince, who finds the kingdom unfamiliar, Princess. You are far more kind than I imagined—I almost want to learn from you.”

“Don’t say that! I’m not fooled!”

Of course, Princess Wilhelmina would treat me like a hedgehog bristling with spikes.

“Would you care to have lunch together, Princess? It would be a time Prince Cassian could also join.”

On another day, I even tried to show her the demon’s true nature to shatter her illusions.

“Y-you! You’re smug because you think you’ve won against me?! How dare you act so brazen when social ascension is just around the corner! Do you think I’d be swayed just because you’re pretty?!”

Wow, she even used the term “social ascension”—I was thrilled, Wilma.

Although, sadly, the lunch invitation failed. I had thought offering the bait of Cassian would work.

Still, I persisted and kept flattering her:

“The white lace ribbon you’ve adorned today suits you so well. I’d heard that the duke’s wisteria blooms are beautiful, but seeing you, Princess, it seems unnecessary.”

“Salicé, do you even understand what decorum is?!”

“I am merely the daughter of a baron, so there are many things I do not know, Princess.”

“You shouldn’t say that! You’re the Third Prince’s aide! You can’t claim incompetence!”

She even got angry on my behalf.

How could someone be so kind and gentle?

After repeating this a few times, for some reason, even when I met her eyes with only a business smile, she would shy away.

What is this bitter feeling?

It made me sad to think Princess Wilhelmina treated me like a demon she should avoid.

“…I’m a little jealous, Rose.”

“Pardon?”

And to make me even sadder, Cassian said something strange:

“Or are you taking out your stress on Princess Wilhelmina?”

“That’s absurd!”

No way. Princess Wilhelmina was like a sparkling wine in the bleak monotony of my work life.

And even in the source novel, a story known for its bleakness, she was the absolutely lovable character who provided healing!

When I cast a resentful glare at him, blaming him, I heard a short click of his tongue:

“I wish I could hear those sweet words directed at me too, from my fiancée.”

I frowned.

After a whole year of seeing everything under the sun, now I was supposed to force out compliments? Workplace harassment, Your Highness.

Wilhelmina Lopez was extremely confused.

A few days before returning to the kingdom, she learned of Cassian’s engagement and fell into such despair that she lost her appetite and lay ill for several days.

Because of that, she failed to meet the date her father, Duke Lopez, had set, and was scolded immediately upon arrival.

‘Were you planning to keep chasing someone already engaged, Wilma? Are you trying to shame the Duke’s house like that?’

Wilhelmina felt deeply wronged.

She had despised seeing the Marchioness, with whom she had interacted since childhood, become engaged to the First Prince and act arrogantly.

Even at the modest tea party held upon her return, she acted as if she herself were the prince’s fiancée.

‘Once the Third Prince completes a royal marriage, it will be my turn soon, won’t it? Knowing there’s only a little time left to enjoy things comfortably like this makes me so frustrated.’

And she deliberately spoke while meeting Wilhelmina’s gaze, as if to imply that this was the only time she could assert herself over a princess of higher rank.

So naturally, Wilhelmina coveted Cassian.

Though, admittedly, she had been drawn to the way he had improved.

The traces of harsh battles left untouched, the sharp expression that barely celebrated his own improvements—those images were etched into Wilhelmina’s memory since her teenage years.

So, determined, she summoned Roselita to the palace.

But the moment she saw her, Wilhelmina felt strangely small.

Just a baron’s daughter, and yet, despite the stories of her engagement being a political match…

Her chestnut hair, seemingly soaked with autumn light, her green eyes that seemed to hold deep understanding…

Even dressed in an utterly plain gown, she was beautiful and elegant.

Seeing no hint of inferiority in her, Wilhelmina could not bring herself to utter the mean words she had planned.

She had wanted her discomfort to reflect the injustice she felt—just a little.

But instead, Roselita’s gentle words came:

‘Princess, you are truly kind and thoughtful.’

Why did she give such a warm smile and speak words she had never even spoken to her own family?

Unable to comprehend, Wilhelmina wanted to avoid Roselita a little.

My sparkling wine!

Or rather, without seeing Princess Wilhelmina, the day of the kingdom princess’s welcome party arrived.

‘I should probably give her an extra dose of compliments.’

Since I had to appear as the Second Prince’s fiancée at the welcome party, I dressed more elaborately than at the previous ball.

The maids Cassian provided transformed me from merely a baron’s daughter into the proper fiancée of a prince.

The dress had been tailored during our last shopping trip in the central district, and it was extravagantly luxurious.

Dark navy adorned with glossy pearls and diamonds—so lavish.

Though appropriate for the occasion, it still felt a little awkward.

But my awe peaked when Cassian brought the jewelry box.

“…Your Highness, are you serious?”

“I love that about you, Rose.”

Outrageous!

This time, my courage, shriveled as a sheet of paper, forced me to speak:

“…Have you forgotten the terms of the contract?”

Impossible, yet this felt like a trap.

“No, I know perfectly well.”

Cassian, smiling, calmly placed a beautifully crafted diamond necklace around my bare neck.

“Oh? Why are you about to cry?”

“Of course it makes me want to cry!”

This fraudster claimed all these were mine! How could I take them now?

“I expected to increase my personal assets, but you brought me the late Empress’s jewels. I have no choice but to return them.”

“Why is that?”

Seeing my pout, Cassian gently held my hand, curious:

“Because I’m giving them to you.”

“Your Highness, are you testing my conscience?”

Even as my tone dripped with injustice, he didn’t correct me. Instead, he kissed the ring he had given me and shook his head.

“No, really. Who else but Rose should I place my mother’s jewels on?”

His violet eyes were unwavering.

Though playful, they hid a sincere earnestness.

“My mother would also want you to have them, Rose.”

“….”

I took a breath.

I had to act as composed as usual.

Cassian Artez was extraordinary—if I revealed even a slight weakness, he would immediately seize it.

“…Alright, I’ll only borrow them until the contract ends.”

I barely managed to reply.

This was his guided interrogation; I mustn’t resist.

He must not be entirely sure that I am the fake Wilma from my childhood.

No, that has to be the case!

Cassian gave a crooked smile at my tense reply.

“Rose, you really are ruthless.”

Thankfully, he didn’t try to pry further.

Instead, he offered me his arm, no longer feeling unfamiliar.

It was time to enter the party.

The moment Cassian and I entered, the nobles’ gazes poured down.

Most were looks of avoidance.

Well, understandable. Nearly half had been directly or indirectly outmaneuvered by Cassian and me over the past year.

Even I would avoid them.

‘Better than appearing easy to manipulate like in the original story,’ I thought.

Though, a little disappointing… the more they whispered, the easier it would be to gather evidence.

Whenever only Cassian and I were nearby, everyone lowered their voices.

“I feel a bit at a disadvantage.”

“Shall we amend the contract?”

“Not that!”

Really, Cassian thinks of me as someone obsessed with money.

Not that he’s wrong—but still!

“There’s no better place to gather intel than a party, yet it feels like a barrier has been placed just here.”

Cassian looked at me with a soft smile.

“Rose, should I now be jealous of your work too?”

Ugh, at least remember this isn’t the office.

I forced a business smile, reminding myself that it was a party hall.

“That’s utterly absurd.”

“I’ll get some wine for you, Rose.”

He clenched his teeth, letting go of my hand after a firm squeeze.

Thanks to that, the demon who kept people away stepped aside for a moment.

Just then, as he waited for the wine perfectly suited to my taste…

“Miss Salicé—!”

A crisp, urgent voice.

Splash!

The sound of liquid spilling, and I was pushed from behind.

“…Princess Wilhelmina?”

Turning around, I saw Wilhelmina drenched in violet liquid.

Her position seemed slightly different now, Princess.