Chapter 013
Sera stared at the office located on the second floor, which still had no sign.
‘Selling the pride of nobility to set up an office?’
The social scene was currently focused on the movements of “Evelina Regnis.” When news spread that the historic Regnis family mansion was on the real estate market, most nobles frowned.
‘No matter how much the world has changed, selling a mansion? It would be better to sell a title! Who would still consider Regnis a noble?’
That was the typical reaction.
The news that Evelina used the money from the sale to pay off debts and secure an office also spread quickly through high society.
And that story reached Sera’s ears.
“What on earth is our sacrifice trying to do?”
Sera narrowed her eyes. She twirled the parasol she was holding.
“Hmm.”
She was curious, but before that curiosity could be satisfied, Evelina would likely meet her end. That was her fate.
Sera smirked slightly.
The crown prince had made quite an effort.
He had hidden Evelina in one of his residences. Every time Evelina moved, five carriages would be in motion. The destinations of these five carriages were all different, but one of them was likely carrying Evelina to the mansion.
No one in this world had the audacity to peek into the crown prince’s residence, so it was best to act while the sacrifice was out and about.
Sera had chosen today.
For some reason, Evelina had been disguising herself and moving around well with the Crown Prince, but today the Crown Prince was absent.
“Since we don’t know when another opportunity will come.”
Sera smiled slyly.
Tap.
Sera closed her parasol and slowly moved forward.
* * *
“Are you a reporter?”
“Yes.”
A woman I had never seen before came to the office. Lately, I have been busy preparing to publish my first magazine. Although Rebecca had been out looking for staff, the first issue didn’t turn out to be as thick as I had hoped.
The title is important to attract interest, and I was still contemplating what the headline should be.
In that situation, a woman claiming to be a reporter showed up.
“There are rumors that the Regnis family is up to something. I’m sure the young lady knows, but selling a mansion isn’t common, is it? The social scene is paying attention to you.”
“So, you want to write an article about me?”
It was not a bad suggestion.
The more widely my work was known, the better. Although… it felt a bit awkward.
“My name is Sera Urbans. I work at the Reginox headquarters, which publishes a weekly magazine. Feel free to contact me anytime.”
Sera smiled brightly as she handed me her business card.
“Reginox headquarters…”
“If you have anything you’d like to discuss through me…”
“I’ll think about it, Sera. Not right now, but I’ll contact you at least by the end of this week.”
“Oh, thank you. Am I really going to have the opportunity to interview the most talked-about person in society right now?”
“I don’t think that interest is necessarily good.”
“Well, if you’re considering any kind of business, interest is always a good thing.”
After exchanging a few words, Sera left. Reginox headquarters. I didn’t know much about newspapers in this world. Hmm.
I fidgeted with the business card before putting it in my bag. Rebecca had gone out to pick up some clothes from the tailor. I planned to ask her about it when she returned.
Oh, and speaking of which.
What should I title the first issue?
It was ten days before the fashion show I was organizing.
* * *
With only a few days left before the event, returning home late at night had become a routine. Overtime is the fate of a working person, after all.
Today, I took out the business card I had received earlier.
Rebecca had recommended Reginox as a decent media outlet, and I decided to publish my article in their weekly magazine. Since Sera wasn’t available, we scheduled our meeting for dinner.
“Oh.”
I didn’t know such a restaurant existed. It seemed like I discovered a great place thanks to Sera.
“Thank you for inviting me, Sera.”
“Don’t mention it. Thanks to you, I think I can write a good article.”
Sera smiled brightly.
When it comes to doing business, nothing is as important as the media. We shook hands, and Sera flashed a sweet smile. The more I looked at her, the more alluring she seemed.
She had the image of a beautiful and sexy career woman.
According to Rebecca’s research, articles written by Sera seemed to be quite popular among noblewomen. Partnering with someone like her was a good opportunity.
“Shall we have dinner first? I don’t think it will be too late to do the interview afterward.”
“Sounds good, Sera.”
Even beautiful things are best enjoyed after a meal. She seems to know a thing or two.
* * *
Sera smiled faintly as she saw off the woman leaving in the carriage. Evelina was quite a good conversational partner. If she weren’t a target for Sera, they could have formed a good relationship.
Sera brushed her lips with her fingers.
A pleasant dinner, a drink, and a carriage ride.
If there was a flaw in Crown Prince Alejandro’s strategy, it was that carriage. Alejandro had provided Evelina with five identical black carriages.
Of course, they were made from much finer materials than the ones Sera had arranged, but to someone inebriated by strong liquor, they all look the same.
The carriage would head toward Sera’s master.
Now Evelina’s life depended on that person.
“Goodbye. I also liked you, but it couldn’t be helped.”
Sara turned and left. Her hunt had been successful once again.
* * *
“Ugh, what’s this…?”
It seemed the problem was with the alcohol she had bravely consumed. She hadn’t considered her own tolerance. Yoon Juyoung had a pretty good tolerance for alcohol.
She was the type to drink with sheer willpower and stay fine until she got home.
But Evelina, was she some kind of lightweight? She had passed out after just one glass of wine. The confidence she had built up through college and work had completely crumbled.
Still, she must have made it home safely, right?
Stumbling, she got out of the carriage. She needed to drink some cold water to clear her head.
“Where am I?”
She murmured in a hushed voice. The moment she realized she was not at Alejandro’s familiar mansion, she sobered up instantly.
She turned her head to check the carriage.
This was definitely the carriage Alejandro had given her. It had to be.
She hesitated, looking around. This was a world she didn’t know. Whether she could find her way back was uncertain. She swallowed.
If Alejandro realized she was missing, he would come looking for her, but before that…
“You finally arrived.”
A man in gray hood emerged from the mansion. His low, raspy voice sent chills down her spine.
“Wh-who are you?”
“I’m the one who brought you to this world.”
The man shrugged his shoulders. His relaxed demeanor suggested he was confident that she couldn’t leave this place.
If he brought her here…
A shiver ran down her spine. It felt like her blood was freezing. The man intended to use her as a sacrifice.
“It would be better for you to come along willingly. Violence tends to be painful.”
The man lightly warned.
But at that moment, a clattering sound came from the seemingly calm darkness. This was a clear threat.
“I’ll go. I just need to go, right?”
It was better to walk in on her own than to be dragged in and beaten.
She followed the man into the musty-smelling mansion. The door creaked shut behind them with an unpleasant sound.
Damn it, save me, Alejandro…
* * *
“They took the bait.”
Alejandro smiled coldly. His expression seemed very displeased.
“Indeed.”
Rebecca replied with a strange expression. She asked with a hint of confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
Everything was interconnected. At this moment, he had deliberately let Evelina out, and the enemy moved as expected.
Since Evelina had been tailed, following her might allow them to take out at least one of the enemy’s legs.
“No. There’s nothing wrong. I just feel uneasy.”
Alejandro wrinkled his nose.
The strangely bright smile of the woman with sparkling eyes. Even after coming back alive today, would she still have the same look in her eyes, knowing that Alejandro had deliberately left her alone?
It was something he shouldn’t even care about, yet it weighed on his mind.
