Chapter 019
“Is Prince Adrian’s health still not improving?”
“Yes. No matter what medicine is used, at least I got to see the face of my enemy directly.”
The Pope frowned slightly. In the eyes of the youthful-looking Pope Rendia, a desire lingered.
“Since the awakening of the saint has failed… but, Your Majesty, even if we hadn’t rushed, the awakening would still have failed. There must be another way, so don’t worry too much.”
“Thank you once again for Your Holiness’ benevolent words.”
The Empress replied gently.
The two exchanged glances. The interests of Empress Rielin and Pope Rendia were poles apart. Empress Rielin, of noble birth, sought the benefit of her family.
Rendia, on the other hand, was a Pope from a humble background, and she pursued her own interests.
Rielin had more to protect than Rendia. Their dispositions didn’t align, and while the Empress pretended to respect Rendia, she actually looked down on her for being from the streets.
‘Dirty blood.’
All the previous Popes had been from noble families, and Rendia was the only one from a commoner background. What was even more infuriating was that Pope Rendia was eyeing Adrian.
‘A nauseating girl who doesn’t know her place.’
The Emperor was considering Rendia’s desires positively. The opportunity to grasp divine power was tempting for the ambitious.
The Pope and the Emperor had long been at odds as guardians of the temple and empire. Although they were currently treated as equal leaders, there couldn’t be two suns in the sky.
The long-standing conflict between the temple and the imperial family continued to this day. Although it was unknown what proposal Rendia had made to the Emperor, the Emperor thought that if Prince Adrian were to recover, marrying him to Rendia might not be a bad idea.
Knowing this, Riellin found Rendia even more detestable. The Empress’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“So.”
Rendia took a step closer to Rielin. People were watching the two. Rendia whispered in a tone too soft for the surrounding crowd to hear.
“Empress, what efforts are you making to save the Crown Prince?”
Rendia’s breath tickled the earlobe of Empress Rielin. Rielin had to do her best not to back down.
It felt as if a rotten stench was emanating from Rendia.
“For my son… I would even give up my life.”
“Hmm.”
Rendia smiled as if she knew something.
“Then what are you doing for my son, Your Holiness? I am aware that you covet my son.”
Though she disliked Rendia, her power and capabilities were useful.
It was unfortunate that Rendia’s divine power could not heal Crown Prince Adrian.
“For my son, you must do whatever it takes.”
“Your Majesty.”
Rendia smiled brightly, but her innocent face hid a revolting inner nature.
“I, like you said, will do anything to save the prince. Even if it means betraying the gods.”
“…Show me the results, Your Holiness. My son is dying. As someone trapped in the palace, there are limits to what I can do.”
“I understand, Empress. If you need anything, feel free to contact me at any time. I will always keep my door open for you.”
“Thank you, Your Holiness.”
Rendia and Rielin confirmed each other’s intentions with smiles. Their desires had blossomed like a flower. It was a tragic harmony created by fate.
* * *
Afterward, the harvest festival proceeded with a solemn atmosphere. The empire’s plains were prone to flooding, which often resulted in crop damage. The ritual was to prevent such disasters.
Whether the gods would truly heed the prayers was uncertain.
“Ugh, it’s suffocating. Are you alright, Your Highness?”
“I’m fine.”
As expected. The Crown Prince is different.
“Oh, by the way. I understand that Your Holiness and the Crown Prince are close. You said that Her Holiness the Pope asked you to protect me.”
Alejandro nodded.
People were bustling around us. Some seemed eager to speak to me and Alejandro. Just keep going. I don’t see my favorite character every day either.
“So, does Her Holiness dislike Alvaro?”
“It seems that disliking Alvaro and fulfilling duties are different matters.”
Alejandro answered somewhat kindly.
“Excluding Alvaro is a duty of the Pope. But as for personal feelings, that’s not something I know about.”
Wait a minute.
So, this insidious woman might have planned to kidnap me and use me as a sacrifice, and when it was discovered, she might have pretended to be innocent and told Alejandro to protect me.
What the…? Is this a joke?
I suddenly felt like I was suffocating.
“You said you would protect me on behalf of the Pope, didn’t you, Your Highness?”
Alejandro’s smile deepened for a moment.
Could it be that you’re an accomplice too? No, that’s not possible. I can trust you, right?
“Yes.”
“Then, is the Pope on my side?”
I swallowed nervously.
“That could be, or it might not be.”
It’s also possible that the Empress was behind the plot and didn’t know what role I played, so she just had me captured and handed me over to Alejandro.
Otherwise, they might be holding me to trade for Prince Adrian’s life.
Ugh.
“Are you curious?”
When they had descended about three steps, Alejandro stopped. He turned to face me, his red eyes standing out against the halo of light streaming from the temple behind him.
“What is it?”
“Who is trying to use you as a sacrifice?”
I swallowed nervously.
“You said you didn’t know, Your Highness.”
Could that be another blatant lie? I started to think that it might be true. Rebecca helps with my business but is not truly one of my people.
Rebecca is absolutely Alejandro’s person.
Thud, thud.
Alejandro descended two more steps.
“Do you really think I don’t know?”
Alejandro’s crimson lips curved into a thin smile. My heart started racing.
“You might be pretending not to know. Or, maybe you’re on the same side.”
“…Or maybe you’re the one hiding something.”
The words slipped out a bit curtly. Despite my admiration for Alejandro’s looks and my love for his story, it’s true.
Just as Alejandro might not trust me, I don’t trust him either.
Alejandro had once hinted at the possibility of offering me as a sacrifice. I know it was not a lie or a joke, but a real intention.
This world is full of such people.
I don’t understand why they create such threats and disturb people.
“This is truly vicious, Your Highness.”
If you keep doing this, I’ll get twisted, you know?
* * *
Alejandro burst into a hearty laugh. His long eyes, marked with tears, curved with amusement. Emil looked at Alejandro with a strange look.
‘Did he put poison on the documents or something?’
Contrary to Emil’s expectations, Alejandro was reflecting on the conversation he had with Evelina earlier that day.
Evelina was not always just cheerful. She was thoughtful and intelligent.
Indeed, the fact that she thought about starting a business after her family’s downfall shows she is no ordinary person.
‘…Or maybe you’re the one hiding something.’
The face that had boldly questioned him kept coming to mind.
In fact, provoking Evelina today was somewhat impulsive. Evelina always looked at Alejandro with eyes full of love.
He wondered if that feeling would persist in any situation. His own understanding of love was calculative and skeptical.
He was curious about why Evelina confused him with such unconditional affection.
He thought that if he threatened her appropriately, she might act like ordinary noblewomen and flee. That she wouldn’t look at him with such eyes anymore.
He expected her to be afraid, to revere him, and to change like other noblewomen. However, Evelina exceeded those expectations once again.
Evelina’s gaze did not change. Instead, he had even criticized him, calling him vicious.
Alejandro chuckled again, this time with a hint of irony.
