TMLWMM Episode 5

 

“…… Is it true that everything is ready this quickly?”

“If you weren’t going to trust me, you shouldn’t have come here. Didn’t you come because you trusted me?”

“That’s…….”

“The landslide in Mutesso is something that the political world is paying close attention to. There are even rumors that the Imperial Family will soon send investigators to Mutesso. Loteroa will have to offer compensation for the landslide.”

 

Roselle slightly bit her lip, before releasing it.

 

“There are two ways.”

“Two ways?”

“First, find someone gullible and easy to manipulate, and turn over the tree. Surely there are people who will be easily swayed by a few words, especially those with ambitions in the central region.”

“…… I didn’t come here to hear that. I’m here to find a better way. I hope your second method doesn’t disappoint me.”

 

No way.

Reston felt a subtle admiration inside. He had never thought Roselle would say something like that. Disappoint? Reston lifted his lips crookedly.

 

“Second, use the trees of Mutesso to rebuild what was destroyed by the landslide.”

 

Roselle’s eyes widened.

It was a truly unexpected proposal.

 

“Rebuild Mutesso…….

“Fortunately, there were no casualties as the landslide occurred during the night, but I heard that nearby bridges, shops, and reservoirs were damaged. Use the woods for free to rebuild Mutesso.”

 

This was actually one of the plans the Imperial Family had been considering. Instead of buying the trees at a low price, they would forgive Loteroa and use those trees to rebuild Mutesso.

 

“If you seek forgiveness from His Majesty the Emperor and the people of this country, Loteroa will find a way to live. It’s a more moderate and humane approach.”

 

Roselle would absolutely not make this choice. Naturally, offering the trees for free is akin to throwing money away. Moreover, Count Loteroa would never agree to such a thing willingly.

 

‘Is she going to choose the difficult path when the easy one is available?’

 

Reston watched Roselle expectantly.

Roselle replied as if she didn’t need to think about it.

 

“That sounds like a much better option than the ones I’ve been considering. Thank you, Lindbergh. There’s a reason people praise you.”

 

Roselle smiled brightly.

Reston blinked subtly, not wanting to reveal his surprise. Had he ever seen her smile so purely before?

She is a woman who is accustomed to calculating and measuring her life. She was also the kind of person who would never offered kindness without a reason.

 

‘Something has changed.’

 

On the surface, everything looked the same, yet it was as if she had undergone a transformation.

Reston narrowed his eyes and stared at Roselle.

 

“Can I ask you one more piece of advice before I pay?”

“My advice comes at a cost, my lady.”

“I know.”

 

Roselle placed another bag of gold coins on the table. She asked Reston with a very serious face.

 

“This is about someone I know.”

 

It’s Roselle’s story. He was confident he knew everything about her. After all, she was someone he had seen all his life. What could she possibly say?

 

“…… It’s about a friend of a friend of mine.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“There’s a guy who thinks marriage is the most expensive deal of his life.”

 

For a moment, Reston was speechless. No matter how much he rolled it over his mind, this was his own story. Reston bit his lip tightly.

Roselle continued, utterly unaware of his reaction.

 

“Ridiculous, isn’t it? I think so too. How can he have such a trashy set of values…….?”

“Trashy set of values.”

“Oh, I’ve spoken my mind too much.”

 

Roselle laughed awkwardly.

Reston stared at Roselle in bewilderment. That trashy view of marriage was something that Roselle had agreed with a hundred times. Many times she would say that she would sell herself for the highest price. But now, all of a sudden, she was calling Reston a trashy guy.

Reston let out a hollow laugh.

However, Roselle remained serious.

 

“…… It seems that my friend’s friend is quite troubled because of that guy. She needs to find a way to fix his values.”

“…… Why does she want to fix it?”

“Well, because they’re friends…….”

“Being a friend is no reason to interfere with someone’s view of marriage. If she wishes to be involved in someone else’s thoughts and values, she’ll need a more concrete reason than that.”

 

Reston’s gaze darkened.

Roselle fell silent.

 

‘Concrete reason?’

 

That was because Reston’s transformation is directly link to Roselle’s peace of mind. If Reston is happily married to Eileen, and if Roselle could manage Count Loteroa’s family well, wouldn’t that be the best future?

But she couldn’t divulge such detailed thoughts…….

 

“Perhaps because it’s out of genuine interest?”

 

Interest.

Reston scrutinized Roselle slowly.

Not long ago, Roselle had willingly put the announcement of their engagement on hold. He had thought something had changed in her, but perhaps things remained the same.

Reston spoke in a cold tone.

 

“Is your friend’s friend interested in that guy? Romantically? Because that would change the kind of advice I’ll give.”

 

Roselle denied it outright.

 

“Absolutely not. That friend’s friend doesn’t like that kind of man. She said her type is a kind and gentle guy who speaks beautifully.”

 

This time, Reston was left speechless for a different reason.

His impassive façade cracked a bit.

It was clear – Roselle had changed. Her values, her thoughts,  and the way she viewed men had all shifted.

 

“…… Still, it seems she feels pity for him because he’s a friend.”

 

Pity…….

Reston barely stifled a laugh.

It seemed Roselle was feeling sorry for Reston now. He narrowed his eyes. Whatever happened to Roselle, it was clear she had changed.

Reston smirked.

 

“Just leave him be.”

“She says she can’t. They’re too close of friends.”

 

Were we like that?

 

“Then, just keep a continued interest. And give him compliments. They say that praise and attention can change even whales, right?”

“…… Is that so?”

 

Roselle let out a heavy sigh.

 

‘It’s really not easy to embody someone else’s character.’

 

Roselle paid for the time she had spent and got up from her seat. As she exited, Reston was left alone, staring at the spot where she had sat.

 

“Huh?”

 

Reston burst into laughter that he had been holding back.

 

“What on earth did you eat? Did you eat a rat poison or something?”

 

Reston muttered to himself. Regardless, he was really looking forward to what kind of compliments this changed Roselle would give him and how she would show interest in him.

 

 

* * *

 

 

I got a great harvest from Lindbergh.

As expected from the heroine’s information broker, Lindbergh. It wasn’t for nothing that Eileen patronized him so often. I returned to Loteroa with a much lighter heart.

Of course, Count Loteroa would not approve of this plan. However, there was a way to persuade him.

As soon as I returned to Loteroa, I wrote a letter to Reston. I told Reston I had something to discuss and wanted to meet with him.

Reston wouldn’t reject me, right?

I insisted several times in the last line that we must meet.

Hmm.

It’s not enough.

I added one more line to the end.

 

[ps. I’m not trying to pressure you into an engagement or marriage, Reston. I promise, I no longer have romantic feelings for you…….]

 

Was that too much? I revised the sentence.

 

[I will no longer undue pressure on you as a romantic interest anymore.]

 

I think this is enough.

The letter was finalized and sealed. I called the maid to send the letter. Well, since I’m meeting Reston, it would be good to rehabilitate the male lead.

Lindbergh said praise and attention.

 

“What kind of praise should I give?”

 

First, let’s consider Reston’s strengths. He is handsome. Yes, very handsome. He’s tall too. Plus, he has skills, wealth, and a good title. If sent to a matchmaking agency, he’ll get special S-class preferential treatment.

But what about his personality?

 

“Sigh.”

 

On the scale of grades, it’s an F, an F.

Still, it has long been said that words can change people. Let’s lighten the mood over a meal.

Then, you’ll see his strengths.

You can do it, Roselle.