Chapter 018

All eyes were on Evelina and Alejandro. Alejandro, revealing his red eyes, had styled his hair elegantly.

He was wearing a suit similar to what he had worn at the fashion show, but today’s outfit was a light beige tone. The soft color subdued Alejandro’s sharp aura.

Evelina had also chosen a beige-toned dress to match. However, her dress had a hint of yellow, giving it a fresher appearance.

Having successfully launched the magazine in just one month, Evelina seemed to be quite generous with herself. Everything she wore, from the dress to the jewelry, was expensive.

Alternatively, Alejandro the Crown Prince might have prepared these for Evelina.

Either way, it was enough to draw people’s attention.

Whether Alejandro had fallen in love or Evelina had made a substantial amount of money, both were intriguing topics.

“You look great, Your Highness.”

Evelina smiled brightly.

“Are you used to such occasions? You don’t seem nervous at all.”

“I’m somewhat accustomed to it.”

She had frequented celebrity parties dozens of times. Being recognized as a minor power in Elrn, she could gain a lot of information at such events.

Celebrities didn’t just indulge in frivolous activities at these gatherings. They were venues for business as well. Moreover, many people were eager to make a name for themselves in Elrn.

In any case, her past experiences were proving useful.

Thanks to this, Evelina was calmly enjoying the present occasion.

“I’m glad.”

Alejandro gave a fleeting smile. He was pleased with Evelina in many ways. If Evelina had been stiff and unable to do anything, Alejandro would have been disappointed. He felt that way for some reason.

He thought that Evelina, who had been kidnapped and almost killed, could still do her job diligently, she wouldn’t be fazed by this situation at all.

And it was good that his expectations were right.

Alejandro thought he could use Evelina multiple times.

She was a strong woman.

He thought that if he desired, Evelina would willingly join him. Evelina continued to look at Alejandro with eyes full of affection.

For some reason, Alejandro’s gaze softened with a sense of satisfaction.

The two took their seats.

Evelina had come as Alejandro’s companion and had to sit beside him.

Their seats were arranged at the very front of the temple. It was expected for someone who would be the next great Emperor.

Evelina’s spine grew cold. The moment she sat down, all kinds of gazes seemed to pierce her back.

‘My back is going to be pierced, really. Oh, is this a little dangerous?’

If there’s something terrifying in the world, it would be a woman’s jealousy. She intended to provoke women’s emotions to some extent.

Until now, Alejandro had the image of a ‘man who should not have and cannot be have.’ Someone had to make them realize that he is possible to have.

Evelina was willing to take on that role.

The effect was immediate.

“…If anyone grabs my hair, slaps me, or grabs my collar, you must save me, Your Highness.”

“What?”

Alejandro turned to Evelina, puzzled. What was she suddenly talking about?

“There seem to be many young ladies here who are like hyenas targeting Your Highness!”

Hyenas. Alejandro glanced around. Certainly, there were more gazes lingering on him than before.

“A woman’s jealousy is truly terrifying. I feel like I’ve become a public enemy here, so you need to protect me.”

Alejandro chuckled at her playful words.

Really, she was so composed.

At that moment.

“His Holiness the Pope and Her Majesty the Empress are entering! Everyone, rise and pay your respects!”

The Empress presides over the harvest festival. And it is the Pope who assists the Empress in performing the rites. It is natural for these two main figures of the day to make their final appearance together.

Alejandro’s gaze turned as cold as ice.

“They’ve arrived.”

Alejandro glanced at Evelina. Her composure had vanished.

She stared coldly at the Pope and the Empress.

Alejandro’s eyes narrowed.

‘Does she know? How?’

It seemed that Alejandro’s bait was smarter than he had anticipated.

* * *

The Pope and the Empress.

One of these two is the culprit who kidnapped me and tried to make me a sacrifice. The Pope looked like a younger woman than expected. The Pope, blessed with immense divine power, lives much longer than ordinary people.

Though nearing fifty, her appearance was still that of a girl not yet twenty.

The Pope’s youthful appearance symbolized divine power. However, the Pope’s divine power could not cure Adrian. The type of ‘curse’ tormenting Adrian was of a higher order.

The Pope was a sub-character deeply obsessed with Adrian. Her obsession was so profound that she was willing to do anything for Adrian.

Her duty to protect the religion and reject Alvaro was separate from her own desires. She was a duplicitous figure who pretended to fulfill her duties in public while plotting behind the scenes.

The Empress.

The Empress had a natural and intense motive. She was Adrian’s biological mother. A mother’s desire to save her son would stop at nothing.

However, in the novel, the Empress was depicted as a gentle and warm person.

I can’t believe that someone like that would do something like that to me.

Which one of them could it be?

As I followed the crowd and moved, my mind couldn’t stop thinking. I knew that I would eventually face them, and I knew they would come today.

A strange fear and anger welled up inside me.

Who do they think they are, using me like this?

My life belongs to me.

Is it because I’m facing the reality of my fear? It makes me more furious.

Moreover, neither of them showed any interest in me. Is this how little I matter?

“Lady, if you keep staring like that, one of them might notice.”

“Huh.”

I relaxed my eyes at Alejandro’s comment. It was true that my gaze was intense. Prince Adrian was nowhere to be seen. Asking Alejandro directly would be like confessing, “Actually, I know everything and find it very suspicious.”

Even now, he was smiling and looking at me as if I were a very suspicious person.

“Do you have any negative feelings towards those people?”

“…I have negative feelings towards everyone here. One of them is the culprit planning to use me as a sacrifice, isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Among them, the two who just entered seem the most likely. Usually, the most powerful person is the final villain in such matters.”

“I don’t understand what you mean, but are you saying that those two seem suspicious because they are the most powerful?”

“Exactly.”

“You have a good sense.”

Huh?

I thought I just heard him mumble something.

Anyway, who could it be between the two? I glanced at Alejandro. It seemed unlikely that he would say anything more about this issue.

Lehan doesn’t completely trust me either.

I suppose I would feel the same way in his position.

Hmm.

There is still no one approaching Annie. Prince Adrian hasn’t shown himself either. Seeing Prince Adrian might make the Pope reveal her true desires.

Still, this harvest festival had its own significance.

At least I got to see the face of my enemy directly.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who have attended this event on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor. Your sincerity will reach the heavens, and this year’s harvest will conclude safely. The torrential rain will cease, and the wind that damages the rice will also stop.

By the grace of the great Lucas, who watches over us with wide-heartedness and mercy, our lives will continue to be peaceful.”

The Empress concluded her speech in a calm voice.

Her gaze fell on Alejandro. Whether she had deliberately ignored him or truly hadn’t seen him before, her eyes widened when she looked at Alejandro.

It’s understandable.

Even I can see that my favorite character, my darling, is really handsome.

Just having his hair done and changing his clothes somehow brought out a radiance in him.

Then, the Empress’s eyes met mine. She smiled at me very kindly.