Chapter 033

Adrian stepped off the train.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had traveled this far.

“Your Highness, if you’re feeling unwell, you must tell me right away,” Siena urged with a worried expression. Adrian smiled faintly. He had been born weak and had lived with illness. The chronic illness Adrian suffered from was not something that could be cured.

He had spent half his life lying down and the other half relying on medication. The time he spent in the temple was likely longer than the time he spent in the imperial palace.

This was his first time in Delint. Adrian smiled to himself. He felt much better. The air in Delint seemed different from that of the central region.

“It’s alright. If it gets hard, I’ll let you know.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

Siena’s sigh tickled Adrian’s ear. After staring at Adrian for a while, Siena looked around with a worried expression. She bit her lip anxiously.

‘Siena, Sera will definitely be there. And we can’t miss this opportunity. The mercenaries are already in Delint. We must catch our prey.’

Siena swallowed hard. Fear and tension surged within her.

Then, a woman wearing a veiled hat stepped off the train next to Adrian.

“Hmm.”

Iliana smiled.

It definitely felt like her heart was opening up, being in a resort area like this. Iliana walked lightly.

People glanced at Iliana.

“Oh my, Lady Millane has really appeared!”

“She won first place in the vote, and now she’s showing up at this event.”

“For the proud Lady Millane to take an interest in Lady Regnis’s show, it seems like Lady Reginis is truly the trendsetter now.”

And it wasn’t just Iliana who made her appearance. All the prominent figures who had been nominated for the voting were present.

It was as if the entire social scene had been transported here.

It wasn’t hard to imagine how many people who couldn’t attend this event would be kicking themselves. Evelina’s second event was about to begin.

The weather was clear, as if to wish for success.

The sunlight was warm, and the gentle breeze felt just right.

Then, the last guest for today’s show stepped out of the carriage.

“Oh my! His Imperial Highness is here too?”

Someone exclaimed.

* * *

“Viviana! Are you all ready?”

“Yes!”

Viviana replied with an excited face. As I checked the outfit Viviana was wearing, Rebecca came running over.

“You’re a little late!”

“I had something to take care of for a moment.”

Seeing Aria reminded me of my younger self, and I couldn’t look away. It was admirable to have feelings for someone.

I understood what it felt like to passionately like someone without any conditions. Aria looked lovely. I hoped that feeling would remain a good memory for her.

The feeling of liking someone can also be a motivation for living in this world.

“I think this is perfect. Viviana, you can do it!”

“You can do it!”

Viviana smiled brightly. She looked much better than on the day we first met.

Viviana held my hand tightly.

“Since meeting you, I’ve found a dream. I used to think that making a living was the most important thing. But within that, there’s life. I will definitely find a good husband, have children, and live happily.”

“I think this is all part of the process to make that happen.”

“Viviana…”

“You are the one who has allowed me to dream. I will be the one to make your dreams come true. Today, I will not make any mistakes.”

Viviana’s eyes sparkled like stars. At that moment, a strong premonition struck me.

Today’s stage would definitely be a success.

* * *

Aria blinked.

“Hmm.”

She had heard that a big event was being held in the Delint territory. All the guests currently staying at the castle had come for that event.

Thanks to that, her father had been busy. Since her father, who always had Aria by his side, was busy, there were gaps in the people watching her.

Aria tightly clutched her dress.

‘Today, I must…’

Aria blinked. The Countess had died of illness after giving birth to Aria. The Count of Delint believed that the outside world was dangerous and did not allow Aria to go out.

For Aria, who was suffocating, that boy was her only breath and wind.

Since he always came to see Aria, she planned to go see him today.

‘He said he works at the boat dock by the lake.’

He had mentioned doing errands and getting paid for it. Right now, that was all he could do, but he said his dream was to become a knight.

‘Jaymon.’

Aria muttered to herself.

As expected, the guards were relaxed. The maids and nannies, who usually kept a close eye on Aria, were too busy attending to the guests. Moreover, everyone was talking about what kind of event was happening this time.

Aria quietly slipped out of the castle.

The path to the boating area was one Aria could navigate even with her eyes closed. It was a place she had visited several times with her father. She had even walked there holding his hand.

Aria clenched her fist tightly.

Today, thanks to Evelina doing her hair and picking out her dress, she felt truly beautiful. Aria walked slowly, carefully observing the path.

Getting lost was something only little kids did.

Aria was already 10 years old, so she would never get lost!

* * *

The sunlight, which had only felt warm before, now felt vibrant, and the gentle surface of the water sparkled like jewels. All these changes began with the show.

The stage prepared by Evelina seeped into the hearts of the people.

“…The dress looks really luxurious.”

“I heard that the fabric is hard to get. Apparently, only Maria’s clothing store has it. And they poured all of that fabric into this show.”

The noblewomen chatted as they enjoyed the show.

And near the front row, Iliana Millane was seated, with Alejandro’s seat right next to hers.

Iliana casually spoke to Alejandro while watching the show.

“I never expected to see you here. It’s been a while, Alejandro.”

“……”

Alejandro merely glanced at Iliana in lieu of a greeting. In truth, they weren’t close enough to exchange warm pleasantries, so Iliana didn’t mind.

“What’s your relationship with Lady Regnis? I’ve heard rumors that you’re quite smitten.”

“……”

“Is that true?”

“Just as it appears.”

Alejandro avoided giving a clear answer. Iliana let out a small laugh. Regardless of their relationship, what mattered was that Evelina had a significant influence on Alejandro.

Evelina was accomplishing what no one else could.

‘My choice was right. As it always has been.’

If Iliana had stubbornly rejected Evelina, it would have been a ridiculous situation. She didn’t want to waste her time on a man she had no feelings for.

With a lighter heart, Iliana enjoyed the show.

Meanwhile, Prince Adrian couldn’t sit in the best seats as he was attending as a guest of Lady Siena. Lady Siena was treated with respect because she was the Empress’s lady-in-waiting, not because of her own rank.

However, Adrian didn’t mind at all.

He was capturing with his own eyes the things he had only heard about.

Evelina’s show was more impressive than what people had talked about. The creativity and courage to realize things no one had thought possible. Did Evelina know she was going to succeed?

‘It seems my mother has brought something remarkable.’

Prince Adrian chuckled to himself.

Moreover, so many people had gathered to see this. It meant that it wasn’t just Adrian who recognized the value of this stage.

At the very least, the people gathered here acknowledged Evelina.

Adrian licked his lips with his tongue. A faint pink hue appeared on his pale face. He had never been to a place so full of life as this.

“Your Highness, your face…”

“I’m fine, Siena. Really, there’s no need to worry.”

Adrian cut off her excessive concern.

While he was distractedly watching the stage, his eyes caught Alejandro and Iliana sitting across from him.

‘Alejandro.’