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11.

Before the ‌‌‌‌‌‌sky could darken completely, Cassian Artez brought me home with my arms laden full of various items.
No matter how I thought about it, my conscience pricked at calling today overtime work.
"Your Highness."
"Your shift isn't ‌‌‌over yet, Rose."
"...Ian, I do love my salary, but I don't think I ‌‌‌should accept it today."
The things Cassian had thrust into my arms alone were dripping with value.
We'd visited every famous shop in the Capital City.
We'd even stopped by the Dressing Room in the middle, and despite my pointed glare questioning why he was doing this—

'I wanted to gift my wife a special dress, but she's so frugal that she keeps running ‌‌away.'

He'd already ordered several custom dresses—everything from evening wear to casual outfits.
As if I'd have occasion to wear such things.
"...I thought Rose would like it."
At my reaction, he inexplicably looked hurt.
"But this is work—"
"It was work, Rose. I wanted to see the famous shopping district in the Capital City with my own eyes at least ‌‌once."
"You're quite the smooth talker."
If that had truly been his purpose, he should have said so from the ‌‌beginning.
Though ‌‌it might have been my imagination, Cassian seemed intent on observing ‌‌‌‌what I enjoyed today.
My workaholic superior typically compensated me with lavish meals or increased allowances whenever work intensified.
Yet today felt ambiguous—too much to dismiss as mere compensation for a difficult day.
"Was it difficult?"
"Not particularly."
Truthfully, after we left the Restaurant, I simply enjoyed myself.
Shopping with someone else's money was certainly entertaining, but it left me feeling uncomfortable.
"Then ‌it wasn't meaningless. For me as well."
"...?"
"I ‌‌‌‌simply wanted to give you something beyond work."
You've already given me plenty of other things.
Salary, allowances, delicious meals.
As I stared blankly at him, Cassian smiled softly and leaned close.
A gentle touch brushed my right cheek before withdrawing.
"This is repayment for something from before."
"...Pardon?"
"Then sleep well, Rose."
He disappeared into the carriage with a satisfied squint, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Did he eat something strange today?
What on earth was that about? ‌‌‌
'...A debt repaid someday?' ‌‌
He even left me with a riddle.
I felt oddly robbed as I cupped my right cheek in my palm, watching ‌‌‌the carriage carrying Cassian Artez disappear down the street.
"...I think you should have taken me with you, Ian."
The carriage was heading toward the Western District, not the Central Shopping ‌‌District where we'd been circling all day.
What on earth was that man doing?

*

After spending a weekend full of riddles, I reported to Cassian Artez's ‌‌office, shaking off my complicated feelings.
As always, Cassian Artez sat in a casual shirt, processing ‌‌documents with his usual monotonous efficiency.
Faced with this tedious yet ‌reassuring everyday ‌‌‌‌scene, I actually felt at ease as I took my seat and began to report today's schedule.
"There are no special appointments this morning, and at 2 PM there's the Knight Order-"
"Before that, Rose."
"Yes?"
But the moment I started the schedule report, Cassian Artez cut me off abruptly.
"Shall we get engaged?"
"...I'm sorry?"
"I said, shall we get engaged."
"...Do you have a lover? When should I schedule it?"
Caught off guard by this sudden topic, I mechanically prepared to take notes as his aide.
Cassian Artez had found a lover?
There ‌‌‌hadn't been any signs. So was that last weekend some kind of practice run for a date?
But as if shattering the thought I'd conjured up to deflect, Cassian Artez continued.
"I don't have a lover. I was asking you."
"I'm sorry?"
"I would like for you and me to become engaged."
"...."
What kind of bolt from the blue was this?
Over the past year working ‌‌‌‌as Cassian Artez's aide, I thought I'd become quite skilled at understanding his intentions.
But now ‌‌I couldn't comprehend a thing. ‌
"...Your Highness, I'm asking just to be sure."
"Yes?"
"Your Highness and I were never in a romantic ‌‌relationship, were we?"
I was terrified that perhaps I'd been so absorbed in work that I'd said 'yes' to a proposal and forgotten about it.
Though no matter how devoted I was to my duties, I didn't think I'd ‌‌‌lost my mind to that degree.
"You have a face that makes me want to lie just to see if I can get away with it, Rose."
"...I'm truly relieved then. I thought I must have committed some grave ‌‌offense against Your Majesty." ‌‌
"Why would that be ‌an offense?"
That we're lovers? Cassian ‌‌‌Artez muttered the words with a hint of displeasure.
No matter how often I might act foolishly, I knew that Cassian Artez harbored no ulterior motives toward me.
This wasn't a matter of dullness—it was simply the truth.
He treated me merely as a cherished younger sister.
"Please explain yourself properly, Your Majesty."
"I was hoping to stir your heart a little. I ‌suppose I've ‌‌failed."
If that had truly been his intention, he would have deceived me far more thoroughly.
Seeing the exhaustion written across my face, Cassian Artez raised both arms in surrender and spoke.
"Fine, Rose. You're right. We need some kind of ‌‌‌‌deception in this situation."
"Why is that?"
"I thought she'd shown restraint, but the First Empress has spread word throughout the Kingdom of her own accord."
"Pardon?"
"That ‌‌I should form a royal marriage with the Kingdom's precious princess."
My eyes widened at those words.
The effects of destroying the original story were manifesting here as well.
Certainly, the First Empress's scheme to sell Cassian Artez as a son-in-law to the Kingdom's ‌heir princess was something that appeared ‌‌‌well past the midpoint of the novel.
But now?
"However, as you know, the Older Brother already has a betrothed, while I do not. Though admittedly, there are more princes ‌‌than just him and me."
I recalled that the Third Prince was still around sixteen years old.
The Kingdom's princess was ‌‌‌older than Cassian Artez.
"But I have absolutely no intention of leaving the Empire."
"Was summoning ‌‌me on the weekend perhaps a rehearsal for today?"
"...It ‌‌‌‌wasn't meant to be that. If thinking of it that way puts ‌your mind at ease, Rose, then so be it."
Cassian Artez's melancholy expression made me shake my head.
"But Your Majesty, surely you could choose from many other betrothal candidates?"
Though the First Empress posed some obstruction, unlike in the original story, Cassian Artez had built a respectable position and could easily form a betrothal with a noblewoman from a worthy house.
"That would be discourteous to the ‌‌other party, and besides, I have no such inclination."
"Are you looking for a contractual betrothal?"
"Well, something like that."
Cassian Artez spoke to ‌‌‌‌me with an amused expression.
"Since you harbor no such feelings for me."
"Nor do you for me, Your Majesty."
"Exactly. So it's perfect."
With that, Cassian Artez began rapidly drafting documents.
No matter how much I love money, a betrothal with him was... problematic.
Even if it were a contractual betrothal, it would become common knowledge, making the aftermath of a dissolution extraordinarily tedious.
Honestly, I had no great aspirations toward marriage, but I also didn't wish to burden my parents with unnecessary worry.
But Cassian's hand stilled faster than my thoughts could finish.
"How about these terms?"

[50 gold per event as a fiancée.
All necessary materials provided.
Triple the standard allowance for work outside regular hours.
Regular ‌‌salary not deducted during attendance duties.]

My eyes flew wide open—I'd been about to refuse by recalling the original story.
This was temptation from the devil himself.
Selling my very soul.
I should refuse.
Say no!
But my resolve—
"Hmm, if that's not enough."

[30 gold per mention as a fiancée in the Knight Order.
100 gold additional if portrait is exposed.
Separate severance upon engagement termination.]

The devil, reading my hesitation as clearly as if it were written on my face, added several ‌‌‌more conditions and thrust them before my eyes without pause.
This mad superior of mine.
I stared at Cassian with a hollow, bewildered expression.
I'd naturally expected him to wear an expression brimming with confidence.
"Still not enough?"
Instead, he looked at me with desperate pleading.
"Only Rose can save me."
Why couldn't he just act arrogant like usual!
Then no matter ‌‌‌‌‌how generous the terms, I could refuse by saying I wouldn't interfere with another's marriage.
But seeing that expression, I remembered supporting him in my past life, and so....
"After the contract ends, I'll take full responsibility so Rose won't face any difficulties."
Cassian even ‌‌‌added that provision to the contract before laying it before me.
"Please."
And ‌he said it like that, no less.
Ah, really!
I exhaled deeply.
Fine, ‌save a person and earn money too.
This should let ‌‌‌me pay off my debt five years faster.
So be it—I'll do it. ‌‌
I closed my eyes tight and finished signing the contract.
A wave of déjà vu crashed over me with brutal force, striking at my consciousness.
Yes, humans are creatures of repetition, aren't they? What can you do.
Whether I'd been swayed by the money or ‌‌‌by Cassian's absurdly earnest expression—I couldn't say.
Even as I finished signing, I couldn't ‌‌‌‌muster any certainty within myself.
I handed the contract to Cassian with a bitter expression, and he let out ‌‌‌a low laugh before swiftly grasping my left hand.
"You look ‌‌as though you've been kidnapped by me."
"I think that assessment is accurate, Your Highness."
A kidnapping of my personal time, Your Highness.
"Then does this ‌‌become a shackle to bind you to me?"
He wore an enigmatic expression as he slowly raised my left hand.
Somewhere along the way, a ring had been placed on my left ring finger.
An ornate, resplendent ring adorned with an ostentatiously ‌‌‌‌large diamond.
"Of course, this too is yours."
He ‌‌‌pressed a gentle kiss to my ring finger and smiled softly.
And I could not smile in return.
Madness, Your Highness. This ring easily exceeds 1000 gold.
Who gives such an expensive ring for ‌a fake engagement....

---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support ‌‌our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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