Chapter 035
“I couldn’t find the lady anywhere.”
Rebecca trembled with a pale face. No matter how she searched the surroundings, Evelina was nowhere to be found. Viviana looked at Rebecca with a shocked expression.
“What?”
“I was supposed to help the young lady change for the celebration…!”
“No way!”
Viviana shook her head. Rebecca clenched her fists. Her stomach dropped coldly. She should have anticipated and prepared for this!
Had the sunlight of Delint and the beautiful lake made her lose her mind? Rebecca bit her lip hard.
“Viviana, I need to ask you for a favor here. I have somewhere I need to go.”
Viviana nodded with a pale face. Rebecca ran offstage. The guests had long since moved to the venue for the banquet.
Still, a few people remained near the stage, including Alejandro and Lady Millane. Count Delint and his lover were also there with them.
The four seemed to be having a conversation. Rebecca bit her lip again. Her heart felt like it was about to burst.
‘Thank goodness…!’
Rebecca opened her mouth.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince!!”
At Rebecca’s desperate call, Alejandro turned his head. He frowned.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah, the young lady has disappeared…! Your Highness, I believe it’s the work of them!”
Rebecca’s intuition was whispering. Alejandro’s gaze turned cold. After all, Evelina was bait arranged by Alejandro.
He should be pleased that the enemy had taken the bait, so why did he feel so grim? Alejandro smiled slightly to the side. His gaze towards the lord was like a blade of ice.
“Did you hear?”
“Y-Your Highness…!”
“There’s been an incident in your territory. What do you think you should do right now?”
Count Delint trembled.
“You had ensured that no weapons could be brought in.”
Alejandro’s calm and quiet tone was unsettling. The Count of Delint rolled his eyes.
‘To stir up such trouble…!’
He finally understood the Empress’s intentions. However, the deed was done, and if the Crown Prince learned that Count Delint was involved, he would not let him off easily.
Count Delint clenched his fists.
It was crucial to act nonchalantly. He must not let the Crown Prince suspect him in the slightest.
“That was a rule applied to everyone.”
“Is it still valid?”
“There are still many guests in the castle. I hope this matter can be handled as quietly as possible. Since Delint has its own soldiers, I will order them to search.”
Count Delint spoke as calmly as he could.
“I will close the castle gates.”
Alejandro smirked.
“So, my knights still can’t get in. Listen, Count Delint. You’d better find Evelina.”
A chill ran down Count Delint’s spine. Just then, as he awkwardly nodded, a desperate voice called out to him.
“Count!! Count!!”
He turned his head. The nanny, who should have been with the child, was running towards him, looking pale and shocked.
“Where’s Aria?”
Count Delint’s heart sank. He had a bad feeling about this.
“I’m sorry, Count! It’s all my fault!”
The nanny burst into tears. Count Delint staggered.
“Ah, the young lady has disappeared!”
Count Delint squeezed his eyes shut.
“No, no….”
Alejandro asked in a low voice, “Still can’t let my knights in?”
Count Delint gazed at Alejandro with tear-filled eyes. It could be the same culprits or different ones. No, it was more likely to be different ones.
What reason could the Empress have for kidnapping Aria?
His mind was a mess. He no longer knew what judgment was right. Count Delint grabbed Alejandro’s sleeves with trembling hands.
“P-Prince, Your Highness, please… save Aria… my daughter… please, my daughter…”
The icy gaze on Count Delint, speaking with a voice on the verge of breaking, was chilling.
“Can I let my knights in?”
“Yes, yes!! D-Do as you wish!”
Alejandro turned his head towards Rebecca. She lowered her head and hurried to do her part. Alejandro issued several instructions on behalf of the nearly unconscious Count Delint.
Close the castle gates immediately.
Expand the search area.
If the child was taken, there would be demands, so have someone ready to wait for contact.
Be aware that the kidnappers of the two might be different people.
Do not relax until both are found.
Lady Millane witnessed all of this. IIiana chuckled softly. Although Alejandro was issuing commands and acting very calmly, IIiana, who had watched him for a long time, saw right through him.
“Are you anxious right now?”
Alejandro glanced at IIiana.
This was the first time he had shown his emotions so openly. IIiana licked her lips. Truly, Evelina.
You are remarkable in many ways.
* * *
The banquet continued under Rebecca’s lead. It was strange that Evelina, who absolutely needed to be present, was nowhere to be seen, but no one was deeply concerned.
They were too busy discussing their impressions of the show they had just witnessed, completely immersed in the beautiful outdoor event.
Just how far had Evelina planned and prepared for this! Mats were laid out everywhere, and there were canopies to provide shade.
The servers carrying food were also dressed smartly.
There was space for leisurely walks and light outdoor games. Gentlemen gathered to smoke, while ladies sat together on the mats, enjoying tea.
Rebecca bit her lip at the endlessly peaceful scene.
Evelina must return safely. Therefore, the banquet must be successfully concluded!
Something caught Rebecca’s eye, filled with anxiety.
“…it seems to be Prince Adrian.”
“Isn’t that Lady Siena next to him?”
“It seems so!”
Prince Adrian? Why is Prince Adrian, who should be in the Empress’s care, here… Rebecca scanned the guests to find Adrian.
It was indeed him.
Prince Adrian was hiding like a rat. Fire ignited in Rebecca’s eyes.
‘They can’t be the only ones who can take hostages!’
Rebecca bit her lip hard. This was definitely somewhat planned. She never imagined they would move so openly.
But unlike before, she felt anxious and worried.
What has changed?
But that was something to look into after Evelina returned. Rebecca informed Alejandro about Prince Adrian’s presence.
“I know.”
“Then, right now, we should…”
“I’ve closed the train station in Delint, Rebecca.”
Alejandro smiled coldly.
“There’s no need to add anything more; he can’t leave this place. He’s a rat trapped in a cage. My knights are guarding the area. Rebecca, go do what you need to do.”
Alejandro reminded Rebecca of a truth she seemed to have forgotten.
“Evelina is not alone right now, is she?”
Rebecca’s eyes widened. Evelina is not alone, she isn’t alone!
“Lucifer…!”
Alejandro nodded slightly. He recalled the insufferable demon who had not contacted him lately.
It seemed that he had made some deal with Evelina. The bloodthirsty demon had not shown up to seek Alejandro’s blood.
It seemed like Evelina was providing the blood.
‘Where did she learn to handle demons?’
She was truly an intriguing woman.
Moreover, it seemed that Lucifer was quite fond of Evelina’s blood. There was no way Lucifer would let prey he liked die. Evelina would somehow return safely.
“There’s no need to worry too much.”
“But it’s not good for a demon to be revealed here!”
Rebecca said in a small, low voice.
“Who would allow that?”
Alejandro muttered quietly.
“All the culprits will be apprehended and moved to the underground prison of the Crown Prince’s residence. And those who have seen the demon…”
Alejandro’s eyes gleamed unnaturally.
“They will all be killed.”
