Chapter 024
The Empress has everything to lose. If she loses Prince Adrian, she risks losing it all. She will stop at nothing to eliminate me, even if it means sacrificing everything.
“You don’t need to worry too much. The Empress has always failed in the past, and she will continue to fail.”
“Right.”
After discussing various matters with Rebecca, I returned to my room, feeling utterly exhausted. I dismissed the maids and lay down on the bed, closing my eyes.
The nanny who had cared for Evelina all her life chose money over her. She sold her unconscious body for profit and now seeks to exploit me. The only one truly protecting me is the Crown Prince. Yet, to him, I am merely valuable bait—an object to capture both the Empress and the Pope. I am not seen as a person.
Rebecca shows some compassion for me; she seems to genuinely care and makes an effort to look after me. But that’s where it ends.
Wow, I’m really…
I suddenly felt tears streaming down my face. I experienced more sorrow now than when I first arrived here, now that I understand the true nature of those around me. I truly have no one.
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Meanwhile, in the temple.
Rendia stared coldly at the table. She had done everything in her power to save Adrian, using her divine powers for him. Yet he rejected even a fragment of her power, waiting instead for the saintess mentioned in the prophecy to arrive.
The saintess had appeared—a young, beautiful girl, possessing qualities that Rendia lacked: a freshness only youth could have.
Lastly, her divine power surpassed her own.
A character more noble than her.
To save Adrian, they needed Elizabeth’s divine power. They knew that Elizabeth’s vessel was not yet mature and that her awakening was dangerous, but to them, Adrian’s life was more important.
The Empress and Rendia had deliberately pushed Elizabeth into awakening, ultimately leading to her demise. In the process, the remaining energy that Elizabeth left behind was all poured into Adrian.
“…It’s not like you can save a life that’s meant to die, Your Holiness.”
The tearful face of the young girl and her words echoed in Rendia’s heart. ‘The Prince must live the lifespan ordained by the gods. Forcing an extension will only bring harm.’
It was unavoidable. Adrian was the person Rendia had awaited throughout her long years. When he was born, she was already seated as the Pope.
The moment she saw him at his baptism, Rendia felt her soul stir—a destiny striking like lightning.
It was not a trivial emotion like romantic love; it was something different.
—Save him!
The voice of the gods pierced through her being. It was a divine mission given to Rendia. Since then, she had become obsessed with Prince Adrian, disregarding any stigma that might come from her actions. She felt intensely alive in his presence, her divine power surging.
“Why isn’t my divine power responding?”
If her mission was to save Adrian, this should not be happening.
It was incomprehensible.
Rendia nervously chewed her lips, aware that Empress Rielin was also scheming to save Prince Adrian.
Rielin, reckless and unscrupulous, boldly interfered with Alvaro’s temple.
Stopping Alvaro was the Pope’s duty, and she should have acted long ago, but Rendia chose silence, claiming the evidence was not yet conclusive. Despite this, Rielin had still not succeeded.
Rendia rose abruptly from her seat.
On the day of the harvest festival, she had seen the face of the sacrificial victim and directly observed those brilliantly shining golden eyes.
She suspected that the sacrifice could be the key to saving Prince Adrian.
If that were the case, she must guide the sacrifice toward their destiny according to her mission. With this resolution, Rendia’s eyes gleamed.
“I will send a letter to Crown Prince Alejandro.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
Rendia had ample reasons to retrieve the sacrifice. She had kept the sacrifice close to Alejandro to avoid acting personally.
However, hearing that Adrian might not survive the year made Rendia feel as though her insides were melting and her heart was being torn apart. She had to make the decision to save Adrian at any cost.
By any means necessary.
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Rebecca nervously pounded on the stone wall. Alejandro had instructed her to keep all secrets from Evelina, but why had he let everything slip? Especially to someone already so anxious.
Seeing Rebecca’s sullen face, Alejandro crossed his arms. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Why did you tell the young lady everything?”
“I can’t keep treating her like a child forever. She can’t remain ignorant about everything…”
Alejandro narrowed his eyes. His actions today had been impulsive. His true feelings—filled with thoughts of using the unaware Evelina—twisted inside him, despite the innocent smile she had shown.
“She was worried about me.”
“What?”
“She was worried about me using her. So, is it right to leave her blissfully ignorant?”
Alejandro’s smile was cold. In truth, her ignorance benefited him, yet he didn’t want to continue this way. He hoped Evelina would become his equal. He wanted her to use him as much as he used her, and he was willing to let her do so if she had the resolve.
“I’m prepared to pay the price for putting Evelina in danger.”
Rebecca tightly pursed her lips, her brows furrowing. What was he thinking? Recently, Alejandro seemed to display human-like emotions. Thinking of others…
Thinking of others? Really? Alejandro seemed heartless, whether it was because of what was inside him or because it was his innate nature.
He’s unaware of his own danger and the danger of others.
But Alejandro was thinking of something for Evelina…
“Are you thinking of doing something for the lady?”
“…”
Even Alejandro didn’t know yet. What on earth was he thinking of being so generous to Evelina? He was aware of it, but he didn’t want to change it.
“It seems the Pope might act personally.”
“Pardon?”
Rebecca’s eyes widened at the sudden statement. Until now, the Pope had taken a step back to maintain his position. Alejandro had delayed the investigation and caused trouble, but he hadn’t directly interfered.
“So, you’re saying we should take Evelina to the temple?”
Rebecca frowned.
“Are you just going to let that happen?”
“I can’t let her go alone.”
Alejandro’s eyes gleamed coldly. “I’m a devout and righteous crown prince, so I’ll accompany Evelina.”
“But if the Pope wants the sacrifice, shouldn’t we just hand her over?”
Alejandro smiled with an inscrutable expression. “I have a plan to prevent that.”
Rebecca sighed, sensing an ominous premonition. However, Alejandro would never fully reveal his true intentions.
“Evelina will return safely. But since we don’t know what the Pope might do, increase your vigilance.”
With the Empress already a threat, and now the Pope was involved too.
Alejandro smiled coldly.
“I will assign Lucifer to you.”
“What?”
Rebecca’s eyes widened. So that was the purpose. Alejandro waved his hand, and a pitch-black demon emerged from his shadow.
It was one of the demons he kept sealed within himself, stretching out in its small form.
