Chapter 028
At that moment, Alejandro.
Alejandro was on his way with his subordinates to inspect the bridge that had collapsed due to the recent flood. The task of repairing the bridge had been assigned to someone from the Empress’s side, and he was going to check whether the construction was being completed satisfactorily.
While there was evidence of embezzlement in the process, minor amounts were usually overlooked as long as the bridge itself was intact.
It was a simple task and would be over quickly.
So why did he feel this way…
‘Type, type.’
He couldn’t shake off the inexplicable feeling of unease. Evelina looked at Alejandro with sparkling eyes, filled with a kind of affection and goodwill he couldn’t pinpoint.
Those very eyes could even unsettle the cold-hearted Alejandro.
Alejandro frowned.
In truth, this wasn’t worth his concern. Whether Evelina liked a particular man or followed someone else wouldn’t impact his grand plan.
Evelina was under Alejandro’s control and still subject to his authority.
Yet, for some unknown reason, Alejandro’s brows twitched.
“What’s going on with him?”
“I don’t know.”
Emil shook his head in response to his subordinates’ questions.
“How could I know the Crown Prince’s inner thoughts?”
His subordinates sighed in unison. All day, Alejandro’s sharp nerves had made everyone around him wary.
What had happened was unclear, but it was evident that Alejandro’s sharply revealed gaze was radiating dangerous energy.
Of course, the site they were inspecting wasn’t in the best condition either.
When the flood first struck and the bridge collapsed, nearly a hundred casualties were reported. It took a week for the rain to stop, followed by another week of construction to appease the spirits of the dead.
During this process, the budget embezzled by the Pope and the funds used for the current construction amounted to tens of millions of gold.
The Emperor had shifted all responsibility for this onto Alejandro.
Recently, the Emperor had been more engrossed in art than state affairs. Rumor had it that artists frequented the Emperor’s bedroom daily.
On top of that, with the Empress and the Pope also causing trouble, Alejandro had every reason to be in a bad mood.
“He must be troubled in many ways.”
His subordinates murmured.
When they arrived at the site, the responsible parties were lined up. The contractor for this project was a man named Wormtail, a relative of the Empress’s maternal family who had been given a position far beyond his abilities.
Wormtail glanced nervously at Alejandro.
“Cough, cough. There’s nothing for the Crown Prince to worry about. I’ve handled everything very well.”
“What part?”
Alejandro asked sharply.
“Pardon?”
“I asked what part you handled well. Didn’t you understand?”
Wormtail’s eyes widened.
“W-well, I meant that I did everything well.”
“I’m asking exactly what you did well.”
Alejandro’s voice was icy as he walked away. Wormtail, pale-faced, glanced nervously at Emil.
‘What’s going on with him?’
Emil shook his head.
Wormtail, looking distressed, followed Alejandro. The Empress had offloaded the task onto Wormtail, instructing him to do just enough to get by and to handle the job suitably.
If problems arose, the Empress would certainly dispose of Wormtail.
So, despite his utmost efforts, Wormtail faced Alejandro’s sharp scrutiny as if he had been sharpening his blade.
That day, Wormtail had to write dozens of letters of explanation and send hundreds of signed documents from the construction period to Alejandro.
* * *
“…That damn fool.”
The Empress gritted her teeth. The eyes of the usually composed Rielin were now twisted with fury. She had been fully briefed on how Alejandro had thoroughly grilled Wormtail.
In truth, Wormtail wasn’t outstanding, but he generally managed to do the tasks assigned to him.
Though Wormtail was officially in charge of this project, Rielin had been involved behind the scenes.
There was no reason for it to be problematic. The construction wasn’t done poorly, and although some money was embezzled, it was merely a trivial amount.
And yet, Alejandro was nitpicking?
This was clearly an attempt to target Wormtail and ultimately aim at Rielin.
“Siena, has Sera not contacted you?”
“Since that day, several people have been assigned around Lady Regnis. It seems the next opportunity will be in Delint. Outdoor settings are prone to having vulnerabilities. Also, the Lord of Delint has accepted our request.”
Rielin’s eyes sparkled.
“…No one will be carrying weapons.”
This was a rare piece of good news. Moreover, no matter how mad Alejandro might be, he wouldn’t be able to reveal his full capabilities there. A demon, no less. This is something that will make the god, Lucas, furious.
Rielin’s lips moved.
“There must be no mistakes this time. Purchase and deploy mercenaries who are worth their price.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Do not worry. This time, we will succeed.”
Siena reassured Empress Rielin with a soothing tone.
Click.
“…Are you truly that confident?”
Empress Rielin and Siena’s gazes met. A pale-faced man with a green gaze sat with an elegant demeanor. His inherent aura was so cold it resembled a block of ice, giving him a striking but not particularly approachable appearance. Nevertheless, he was undeniably handsome.
He had a facial structure and large eyes similar to Rielin’s, and his ever-tilted lips gave him a unique kind of beauty, distinct from the Crown Prince’s. Moreover, his frail demeanor added to Adrian’s allure.
“Adrian, do you have any complaints?”
The Empress’s voice softened. In front of Adrian, she was simply a mother with a sick child.
“No.”
Adrian smiled.
“I’m just curious about the lady who always avoids Mother’s net. I wonder what makes her so exceptional.”
Adrian’s voice was calm and serene, like water. It was rare for him to display his emotions.
“I would like to meet her too.”
“Adrian.”
“Since my health has improved, I’m thinking of going out.”
“……”
“That event being held in Delint, I’d like to attend as well.”
Adrian locked eyes with Rielin. As he said, his health had slightly improved. Thanks to the traces of the divine power he absorbed when Elizabeth died. Had Elizabeth awakened, Adrian’s health would have undoubtedly improved further.
It was a significant loss.
Moreover, the Pope had been providing everything possible for Adrian. The room was filled with sacred artifacts that invigorated Adrian.
“…If you end up worsening your condition…”
“I’ll be careful, Mother. Staying in this room all the time won’t make me better, will it? Besides, my presence might be of some help.”
Adrian persuaded Rielin with a calm voice. In truth, Rielin had never defied Adrian’s wishes. She nodded in agreement.
“If you want to go, then you should.”
A sick child is even more noticeable. Moreover, Rielin was always ready to grant Adrian’s wishes.
“Siena, can you get tickets? I want you and Adrian to go together.”
“I can get it.”
“Good.”
Empress Rielin nodded.
Thus, an unexpected variable entered the scene. Prince Adrian blinked lazily.
Life was tedious.
His mother, who fretted over the possibility of his death, and his father, who ignored him. And his brother, who lived only for his own pleasure.
Adrian was nothing more than an accessory stuck in there. All he could do was struggle to survive.
When the saintess could not overcome her own power and died, was there anyone who felt as much anger and despair as Adrian? At that moment, Adrian felt something within him awakening.
Adrian hid his dangerously cold gaze.
‘No one can save me.’
Adrian resolved to immerse himself in the muck of fate. Wasn’t it too unjust to die without having done anything?
That soul, which held the value of a sacrificial offering. Adrian would claim that woman with his own hands.
Adrian clenched his white knuckles.
‘I don’t want to die.’
A fierce desire stirred within him.
