Chapter 017
And I still didn’t intend to dismiss Annie. She certainly had potential value. After what happened, I couldn’t just let her go.
“Thanks to Annie’s concern, I feel like I’m recovering quickly. But right now, I just want to sleep.”
“Yes, yes! I’ll prepare a bath for you. So, Miss, you…”
She must be anxious now that she’s been demoted. She’d do anything to win my favor. But…
“It might coincide with the boating season.”
Rebecca was a step ahead.
Rebecca, with a cold expression, cut Annie off.
“There’s a maid responsible for your bath, Milady. This mansion has its own rules. No matter how much you favor Annie, we can’t break those rules.”
“But I’ve cared for the Miss with all my heart! From the moment she was weaned, I’ve taken care of her. I’m sure I’ll be more useful! Isn’t that right, Miss?”
Annie called to me with a nervous face, looking as if she might cry at any moment. She spoke with as much distress as she could muster.
“Annie, I’m just a guest in this mansion. You know that well. We don’t have any money right now…”
Tears welled up in my eyes. Thinking about my current situation made the tears easily flow.
“And I have no place to go…”
“Oh, Miss…”
She must have had some hope after hearing about my success, expecting me to improve her situation.
“I’m sorry, Annie.”
“It’s alright, Miss.”
“If you endure a bit longer, better days will come.”
Annie nodded with a disappointed look. She shouldn’t be given anything more. I needed to make her feel inadequate so she would try to cause some trouble again.
I’m really looking forward to seeing who Annie will contact, what she will receive, and what she will do.
Rebecca looked at Annie with a strange expression. Her gaze was like a snake ready to strike, as if she would eat Annie the moment she made a wrong move. As soon as Annie makes a wrong move, Rebecca will catch her.
And then, I’ll use Annie to get the upper hand on my enemies.
That was all Annie’s role was meant to be.
* * *
Alejandro awkwardly fidgeted with his hair. It was the first time since he was a child that he had cut his hair so short that his eyes were visible.
‘You need to hide your eyes, Alejandro.’
Even his mother, who bore him, feared him. She would be startled every time her eyes met his.
His blood-red eyes easily instilled fear in people. But there was a woman who boldly looked at these eyes that everyone avoided.
‘Hmph. My skills haven’t dulled. I’ve picked up a bit about hairstyling while doing this job.’
Evelina was the one who cut Alejandro’s hair. Her bright, shining eyes had looked at him directly. Instead of fear, there was a clear smile on her face.
‘See? Hair is important for men too. Look, Your Highness. You’ve become so handsome! People will be blinded by your looks.’
‘People fear my eyes. What Lady Regnis is talking about won’t happen.’
To that, Evelina responded confidently.
‘What does it matter? Those people can’t look you in the eye even if they want to.’
‘….’
‘Who would dare look at His Highness’s eyes? Whether they see them or not doesn’t matter. I think Your Highness’s eyes are truly beautiful. Good, perfect. Other people would even wear contact lenses to have eyes like this.’
Alejandro could only understand about half of what Evelina was saying. However, it was clear that Evelina did not show any fear when looking at his eyes.
Evelina’s gaze did not change.
It was still filled with an affection whose origins could not be discerned. Thinking of that gaze, Alejandro let out a dry laugh.
“Is she fearless?”
Alejandro tilted his lips slightly upwards.
It was fortunate that Evelina was fearless. Today, Alejandro planned to present Evelina before the enemy. Today was the day to perform a ritual in the temple to pray for the autumn harvest.
The thought of that woman’s eyes turning red with greed and anger made him feel even better.
Alejandro called Emil.
“Tell Rebecca that Lady Regnis will be accompanying me to the ritual today.”
Emil looked at Alejandro with an unreadable expression.
“Lady Regnis, is that what you said?”
“Yes.”
“There’s still a lot of interest in Lady Reginis and Your Highness. There are even rumors that Lady Regnis might become the next Crown Princess. Is this alright?”
“The Crown Princess, you say. That might be even better.”
Alejandro let out a small laugh.
If that happens, the woman’s face might become more interesting. The difference between an ordinary countess and a Crown Princess is significant.
Would anyone dare to kill the Crown Princess and make her a sacrifice, no matter how powerful they are?
That would be treason.
“Why, I’m already looking forward to that woman’s expression.”
“Ah.”
Emil hesitated, his lips pursed.
“Say what you want to say.”
“What about Lady Regnis? Does she wish for it too?”
Alejandro paused for a moment. Evelina? The one who sparkles with affection for Alejandro but never crosses the line?
Alejandro smiled coldly.
“Well, do I need to consider Lady Regnis’s feelings as well?”
“No, not at all.”
Emil shook his head as if realizing he had spoken out of turn. Indeed, Alejandro should not concern himself with Evelina’s feelings or situation. It should be considered an honor instead.
‘I thought he was being generous.’
Perhaps Alejandro was becoming more human after all.
But maybe Emil was mistaken.
“I will have the lady prepared.”
Alejandro nodded lightly.
* * *
“Huh? A ritual?”
Of course, I knew about such an event because it was mentioned in the novel. Adrian and the female protagonist had become close while preparing for the ritual.
But now, the female lead was dead, and I had taken her place.
Something feels off.
My instincts were warning me! Absolutely do not go. The ones who kidnapped me and intended to use me as a sacrifice would certainly be there.
Is Alejandro planning to use me to set a trap?
It seemed that was the most likely scenario. If Alejandro had a reason for doing something, I had no reason to refuse. And I couldn’t refuse even if I wanted to.
Surely, in a situation like this, they wouldn’t do anything harmful to me.
“If His Highness the Crown Prince desires it, then I must go. What should I prepare?”
“It seems you only need to change your clothes. For the harvest festival, you should wear bright colors.”
“Will Rebecca be going too?”
“No. Such rituals are attended only by those of high status. I don’t have a place there.”
Rebecca said this firmly.
What a shame. I thought it would be less awkward if Rebecca were there. I gathered my things and stood up. Since I was going to be at such an event with Alejandro, I shouldn’t look out of place.
Our Crown Prince’s reputation is at stake.
I decided to dress according to the latest trends.
With my pink hair, beige tones or bright-colored dresses suited me well. While preparing the magazine, I had a good grasp of the current trends in this neighborhood.
Moreover, after the successful launch, the dress shops had been eager to collaborate with me.
In addition, while preparing the magazine, I planned a small marketing campaign.
I created and distributed flyers with the slogan: “Red Carpet’s second issue, make it with your hands.”
<Who is the best bride in the Empire?>
I heard that ladies and young women were voting with great enthusiasm. All they had to do was write their names on the flyers and send them to the ‘Red Carpet’ office.
The flyers had apparently run out.
In any case, I had become the center of attention, and the dress shops were eagerly awaiting my next move.
“Do you think we can find a dress?”
“Yes, if it’s already made, we just need to take your measurements and make adjustments. That should be enough to meet the deadline.”
“Good.”
I also planned to use my appearance for promotion. People are already looking at me, so I shouldn’t be lacking in any way.
“I need the most expensive and best one. Don’t worry about the cost.”
