I! Cleaner!-Chapter 774 - 708: The Seller and the Negotiator
"Waaah, thank goodness for you, dear sister-in-law!"
After being rescued by the Princess from Anna's furious grip, Melanie lay tearfully on her sister-in-law's grand bosom and promised:
"I'll always remember this life-saving grace, even if I lose all my teeth, I'll never forget it. Waaah, is my butt swollen?"
"Uh... it seems like it's a little swollen..."
After lifting Melanie's little skirt slightly to check the situation, Princess Veronica sympathetically comforted her:
"It's okay, it's okay. I'll have a maid take you to apply some ointment. It should go down in an hour or two."
"Waaah, sister-in-law, you're so kind."
Melanie, overcome with emotion, wrapped her baby-fat arms around Princess Veronica's neck, sniffled, and then vowed through gritted teeth:
"I will definitely repay this kindness. When you and my brother have a baby, I... I can let them copy my homework for free! I won't charge a single copper wheel!"
"..."
Thank you for your kindness, but that's really not necessary...
Amused by Melanie's generous promise, Princess Veronica took a glance at the still-angry Anna beside her, and then adjusted her posture to avoid touching Melanie's sore butt, holding her in her arms before softly asking:
"Melanie, can you tell your sister-in-law why you want to make money so much?"
"Hmm..."
Upon hearing Princess Veronica's question, Melanie hesitated for a moment, seemingly reluctant to say, but considering the worth of her lifesaving sister-in-law, she ultimately and unwillingly replied in a small voice:
"Our family used to be very poor. Anna almost... well, in short, even though my brother doesn't seem to lack money now, I still feel, it would be best if there were more money..."
So, because they almost lost their sister forever due to a lack of money in the past, this child has always had some financial insecurity?
"Oh, and!"
As Princess Veronica's gaze grew gentler, Melanie suddenly straightened her neck, her eyes gleaming as she whispered:
"I feel especially happy counting money, even happier than when I see William being scolded by Sister Anna! And also! I love the sound of money, the clinking of lots of money in my pocket is better than the songs Teacher Lisa sings to us!"
"..." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Alright, there's certainly a part of it tied to security, but at the core, she's a born little money grubber!
Seeing Melanie's eyes light up as she talked about counting money, the amused princess couldn't help but pinch her egg-shell-like cheek. Then, when Melanie looked over in confusion, Princess Veronica winked at her behind Anna's back.
"The right pillar is definitely out; Anna will definitely keep an eye on you tomorrow. If you dare run that way, the bouquet will definitely be hers... how about we change our agreement to the left pillar?"
"?!!!"
Seeing Princess Veronica's smiling face, Melanie couldn't help but open her mouth in surprise, and then exclaimed with delight:
"Sister-in-law?! You mean?"
"Shh! Shh!"
After taking a quick peek at Anna, who was still questioning her about the wedding process, Princess Veronica made a silencing gesture with her finger, then extended her pinky, smiling warmly at the delighted Melanie:
"Quiet down, don't blame me if Anna hears... Come on, let's pinky promise!"
"!!!"
Quickly extending her own finger, Melanie hooked it around the soft little finger of Princess Veronica, then they stamped their thumbs together, and in her overwhelming joy, Melanie couldn't help but throw her arms around the princess's neck and angrily kissed her cheek.
"Sister-in-law is the best! Now I like you about 43.96% as much as my brother!"
Hmm? Only forty-something percent? And how exactly did you calculate this down to two decimal points?
Looking at the earnestly sworn Melanie, who declared she's her third favorite person, Princess Veronica, unable to fully win over her little sister-in-law and only capturing 43.96% of her favor, couldn't help but pinch Melanie's cheek again, then inquired half-jokingly:
"If I advertised for you for free, and even helped you sell the bouquet? Could you reach 50%?"
"I can! Definitely can!"
Upon hearing Princess Veronica's words, Melanie couldn't help but exclaim, then promised with shining eyes:
"If sister-in-law doesn't want a share, it could even reach 60%!"
You're quite the rascal, even putting a price on your affection.
As Princess Veronica supported Melanie's backside to prevent her from falling off in excitement, she couldn't help but chuckle:
"I can't advertise for you; those old royal sticklers would lose their minds. But if you can get William to call me sister-in-law, I might be able to sneak you some pocket money~"
"Hmm..."
After listening to Princess Veronica, Melanie's eyes first lit up, then her face fell, and she said dejectedly:
"On second thought, maybe not..."
Hmm?
Surprised that money-loving Melanie would turn down her offer, Princess Veronica gently prodded her petite bottom, curiously asking:
"Why not? Don't you think you can get William to call me sister-in-law?"
"It's not that..."
Shaking her little head at Veronica's remark, Melanie replied with an earnest refusal:
"William will change his address tomorrow, but brother said that taking money from others is very bad behavior. Except for him and Sister Anna, you should never take other people's money, because once you do, you'll lose something more important than money."
"I see..."
Watching her little sister-in-law, although clearly tempted, still firmly reject her offer, Princess Veronica couldn't help but lean in and rub her smooth cheek, then handed her over to the approaching maid, squatting down with a broad grin:
"Then I'll give the money to your brother, and let him give you the pocket money... now go, get some ointment and have a good rest because your tasks are heavy tomorrow!"
"Okay!"
After doing the math, Melanie realized that this kind of pocket money should be accessible, and she promptly forgot all about the pain in her butt. Holding the maid's hand, she left the fitting room giggling, and then...
"Humph!"
Upon seeing William being held by another maid, waiting for her outside, Melanie's face immediately darkened, and she puffed out her cheeks indignantly:
"Traitor! Your share is gone!"
"A share?"
Reciting the royal palace layout map on his mind, William paused upon hearing this, momentarily puzzled before raising his head, surprised at the inquiry:
"Did sister-in-law agree to give you the bouquet again?"
"?!?!"
Startled that William, sharper than a fox, guessed the situation from just a hint, Melanie couldn't help but cover her mouth in frustration.
But soon she realized that not only did she have her sister-in-law backing her up this time, but Sister Anna would also be staying with her sister-in-law tonight, leaving William with no one to tattle to, making her feel empowered once more.
"Yes! Sister-in-law agreed with me; our agreement holds, and tomorrow she'll throw the bouquet to the left pillar!"
After gleefully revealing the agreement between her and her sister-in-law, Melanie pulled down her lower eyelid and made a face at her short-sighted traitorous brother:
"Nya-nya-nya! You just regret it! You could have had a 30% share just by keeping quiet, but now I won't give you a single copper wheel!"
"No need to rush the share."
Taking in Melanie's smug expression, William slightly raised an eyebrow, then calmly inquired:
"Can I ask, the left pillar you've agreed upon with sister-in-law, is it her left side? Or the left side of the whole hall?"
"Fool!"
Sneering dismissively, Melanie responded confidently:
"Do you even have to ask? Of course, it's her... uh... or maybe... maybe..."
"Or, you need a helper."
Straightening his little bow tie, William puffed out his small chest, calmly extending three fingers.
"The hall has two pillars. Give me a 30% share, and I'll help you hold the other column."
"..."
(╯°Д°)╯?!
