Chapter 021
Thanks to that, I was able to come to “Dear Elizabeth” alone. The café was bustling with people today, as usual. There were especially many young ladies who loved sweets.
“Which one did you vote for when they handed out the flyers for the red carpet?”
“What do you mean, who? Of course, she voted for herself. Everyone has to at least give themselves one vote.”
“Who do you think is better? There’s even a rumor that any young lady who doesn’t get a single vote won’t be able to marry!”
The chattering voices of the girls stuck in my ears. Oh, so there’s a rumor like that going around. The Red Carpet is the magazine company I created, so I tend to pick up on related news even if it’s just a whisper.
“Will you take responsibility if I can’t get married?”
“My brother said he voted for Lady Millane this time.”
“Lady Millane?”
“Yeah.”
Lady Millane, huh. She was considered the most beautiful woman in the world and had become friends with the female protagonist. The event that triggered that was…
“May I take your order?”
Casper smiled softly. He had common brown hair and deep yellow eyes. It made sense that people didn’t see him as anything special. The only one who saw Casper as special was the female protagonist.
“Saint Elizabeth.”
Casper’s brows twitched slightly. I noticed it and smiled. As expected, he still hadn’t forgotten about her because he reacted to the word Elizabeth.
I pretended to examine the desserts and strolled in front of the display case. I could see the customers behind me getting impatient.
“If you want to discuss anything related, set a time and call for me in 10 minutes.”
Casper shot me a sharp look. But right now, he couldn’t say anything to me. There were simply too many people here.
“I’ll take this and this. I’ll have these here. And please wrap the cheesecake with raspberry puree to go.”
“…Yes, customer.”
Casper’s eyes sparkled. Did he understand what I said correctly?
His answer to my words was written on the tray he handed to me. On the tea coaster placed under the teacup, the location I needed to go to was written.
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Casper bit his lips. He briefly left the shop to an employee and went upstairs to the second floor, which hadn’t been opened yet because the interior wasn’t finished.
Shortly after he went up, a woman with a clear face followed—Evelina Regnis.
Not long ago, she regained her senses and started a business with groundbreaking ideas. Even now, the magazine Evelina created is still being talked about at Dear Elizabeth.
No, its popularity was actually growing.
“Lady Evelina of the Regnis family. Do you have business with me?”
“Oh my. Straight to the point?”
Evelina smiled sweetly. Seeing that face made anger surge within him. How dare she speak the name of Elizabeth!
The nobility and royalty of the empire should never mention that name so carelessly.
Faced with his intense hostility, Evelina covered her lips with her fingertips.
“Hmm. I wondered why you became an information broker. Now that I see you, I think I understand.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You want to know how Elizabeth died, right? Whether there was any mistake during the awakening process, or if there were any issues when Elizabeth died. Something like that.”
“How do you know that?”
Casper’s voice sank noticeably. The name Elizabeth was common. The first empress was named Elizabeth, and since then, it had been a popular name among the noble ladies of the empire.
It was so frequently used that in some villages, there could be as many as five girls named Elizabeth.
Yet Evelina had specifically mentioned Elizabeth, who had been taken away, said to have the qualities of a saint. She was Casper’s only friend.
Not just for Casper, Elizabeth was like a beacon of light for all the children in the alley. The entire village loved Elizabeth. But when she said she would return as a saint, that was the last they saw of her.
She never came back.
The imperial family, who had forcibly taken her despite her protests, remained silent, and the temple kicked out Casper and his friends.
“You, are you involved in that incident?”
Casper, showing his anger, pressed Evelina.
“Of course not. I just happen to know what it is you want.”
“Explain yourself properly.”
“Exactly what I said.”
Evelina shrugged. “I want the same thing you do.”
Casper likely wanted to know the truth and see those responsible for the crime punished. Evelina felt the same. She guessed that either the Empress or the Pope had orchestrated this.
It was clear they were deeply involved in Elizabeth’s death. In the novel, those two had gained the most from Elizabeth’s awakening.
“How about we join forces?”
Casper gritted his teeth. “I don’t trust nobles.”
“Neither do I.”
“What?”
“I’m a victim too.”
Evelina shrugged again. “You’re capable, Casper. Why don’t you find out what I’ve been through?”
“And you call yourself a victim while enjoying the Crown Prince’s protection?”
“I’ve already nearly died twice, Casper.”
Evelina’s voice lowered.
“For their desired goal. I also want their downfall.”
Casper’s eyes wavered. The mention of nearly dying seemed to strike a chord within him.
It was as if the image of Elizabeth, who had been wrongfully killed, was superimposed over Evelina’s. Casper clenched his teeth.
“…I need time. It seems like you’ve already learned enough about me, so give me some time as well.”
“Alright.”
Evelina backed off without resistance. Casper wasn’t someone she could push and get what she wanted from. It was only because their goals aligned that they could have this much of a conversation.
Evelina smiled bitterly.
Even though she had eaten sweet desserts, she couldn’t understand why everything tasted so bitter.
Evelina left first, and Casper followed shortly after. After that, Casper didn’t make any moves until Evelina was gone.
It was as if there was nothing between them.
‘This is how it should be,’
If Casper truly sided with her, he would be a great help.
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
When I arrived at the theater in time for the opera, Alejandro was already waiting.
Oh… so this is what it means when they say someone’s face shines.
You are the light. The light that illuminates me.
And it wasn’t just me who was drawn to Alejandro’s looks. Every young lady passing by turned to glance at him.
And how could they not?
A face like that is rare. No matter how much they say red eyes are cursed, it doesn’t detract from his appearance.
Moreover, with Prince Adrian slowly dying, Alejandro’s power was unmatched. Wow, whoever ends up with him is really lucky.
“Am I late?”
“No, milady. We arrived around the same time.”
That’s a relief. I dare not keep you waiting… every minute and second is precious.
“Let’s go inside quickly. The opera might start soon.”
Whether I’ll be watching the opera or your face today remains to be seen.
“Alright. Rebecca insisted that I must do something important today.”
“Ah.”
I remember that. How could I forget? Viviana had to be the main model for the next show. It was obvious why such bastards were always scheming toward Viviana.
Because she’s beautiful.
The kind of people who wouldn’t dare speak to noble ladies like Lady Millane would poke at Viviana simply because she’s vulnerable and has little to her name.
However, I admired Viviana’s determination to stand firm despite it all. It’s impressive that she’s working here without being swayed.
And such women naturally gain the favor of other women. While some may envy and be jealous, most will feel a sense of kinship with a strong and beautiful woman, especially in a time when class and discrimination are prevalent.
Moreover, beautiful clothes on a beautiful woman easily spark fantasies. ‘If I wear that dress, maybe I can be like her?’ Perhaps magazines are about selling these illusions to people.
In any case, if we can attract Viviana, we will achieve great success once again.
