Chapter 039
Adrian carefully scrutinized the woman in front of him.
Just a moment ago, Siena had been ranting that Evelina was undoubtedly a witch.
‘We must punish her, Your Highness! She can’t keep getting away like this!’
When he pressed her for details, it turned out that the Empress had set a trap for her today.
‘That woman was supposed to be a sacrifice for judgment today.’
Siena, who was striking her chest while shedding hot tears, muttered curses. She seemed to have forgotten that Adrian was right in front of her.
“It’s okay, Siena. I’m fine too. We still have time.”
After much effort, he had managed to calm Siena down and bring her here. The effort was not just because he was curious about the woman who had caused his mother so much trouble, but also because he was intrigued by “Adrian’s thing.”
The thing that Alejandro had taken from him.
The woman was softer than he expected. She looked like she would melt sweetly if you put her in your mouth. Her smile was innocent and harmless, and the only thing special about her was that her eyes sparkled unusually.
“It is an honor that Her Majesty the Empress thinks well of me.”
“You’re too kind. If there’s another occasion like this, I would love to be invited as well.”
“I will do my best, Your Highness.”
With every gentle movement, a peach fragrance that perfectly suited the woman wafted through the air. Adrian wrinkled his nose. For someone who had little experience with women, it was quite stimulating.
Adrian smiled softly.
“I would like to stand on stage next time as well. I heard that Alejandro also took the stage as the main character? And it was his first too.”
Evelina beamed brightly. It felt like a peach bursting open in a delightful illusion. Adrian slightly furrowed his brow.
“That’s a very generous offer, Your Highness. It would be wonderful if someone like you could be the main character!”
Evelina clapped her hands innocently.
“Don’t forget what you just said!”
“Of course.”
Adrian nodded. In truth, he hadn’t intended to make such a promise, but the idea of stepping onto the stage seemed interesting.
Adrian chatted with Evelina a bit more before leaving. It felt like a shame to sacrifice her.
“Your Highness, you shouldn’t get close to that witch-like woman.”
Adrian cast a glance at Siena.
Siena was a loyal servant favored by Empress Rielin. Perhaps because of this, she sometimes crossed the line, trusting the Empress too much. It was the same now.
Did she really think she was in a position to speak to Adrian like that?
“The witch isn’t Evelina.”
Adrian whispered softly.
“There is another witch, isn’t there?”
“Your Highness…!”
“Siena.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed gently. He spoke in a soft voice.
“I am not my mother. I have no reason to be lenient with you.”
Siena’s face turned pale. Adrian spat out sharply.
“Just be careful.”
Siena bit her lip and lowered her head. Adrian was right. A master does not need to acknowledge the efforts of a servant.
The Empress was unusually lenient with Siena.
Siena replied in a choked voice.
“Yes, Your Highness. I will keep that in mind.”
But inside, she was seething. This was all because that witch-like woman had enchanted Adrian. She would report this in detail to Her Majesty the Empress!
***
Aria had safely recovered from the ordeal. Count Delint, holding the crying child, looked different from before.
I take back my previous insult.
“Due to my negligence, both Aria and the young lady have gone through unnecessary hardships. I apologize.”
He had become very polite, unlike before. It seemed that Alejandro had done something. However, Alejandro was calmly sipping tea with a nonchalant expression.
Those red eyes…
So damn beautiful.
I almost lost my focus but quickly snapped back to reality.
“No, Count. Thankfully, she’s fine now.”
“Thank you for your understanding, milady…!”
Count Delint replied in a voice that sounded like he might cry. He looked like he had been through a lot of emotional turmoil.
Moreover, technically, it wasn’t Count Delint’s fault. The one who orchestrated everything was someone else: Empress Rielin.
Count Delint didn’t have to feel this sorry.
In fact, Count Delint had suffered losses because of this. His daughter had been kidnapped, after all. If I hadn’t chosen Delint, if the Empress hadn’t stirred up trouble, and if Alejandro hadn’t deliberately ignored the situation, Aria wouldn’t have been kidnapped.
How tormented must the Count have been holding his daughter like that?
“I’m glad Aria is safe.”
“Milady…”
The Count sniffled.
“Dad, are you crying again?”
Aria asked cutely.
“I’m completely fine!”
“Then why did you sneak out of the castle by yourself!”
“I wanted to see Jaymon! Dad won’t let me go anywhere.”
“That’s because it’s dangerous! I’ve told you several times. When Aria grows up, I’ll let you go out!”
“Ten years old is already quite grown up.”
Aria replied sulkily. It seemed that Count Delint was a good father, at least to Aria, regardless of whether he had a new woman in his life or liked luxury.
As Aria was having a heated discussion with Count Delint, she got down from his arms.
“Evelina.”
“Yes?”
Aria suddenly hugged me tightly. I leaned forward from her unexpected action.
“Aria?”
“I wasn’t scared because you were there. Actually, this isn’t the first time I’ve gone through something like this.”
That explains it. The girl really looked brave.
Aria hadn’t cried at all; instead, she had threatened the culprits.
“But this is the first time I haven’t been scared.”
It shouldn’t be something to thank me for.
If I hadn’t been there, she wouldn’t have had to go through it. I awkwardly smiled.
“Can I come find you when I visit the academy?”
Aria asked with sparkling eyes.
“Me?”
“Yes! I want to be an adult like you. When I turn 15, please be my chaperone!”
…Oh, I just received a rather unexpected proposal.
* * *
After saying goodbye to Aria, we got back on the carriage heading to the capital. The carriage was filled with many guests besides us.
There were guests I had encountered at the show yesterday, as well as some I hadn’t.
“…Wow. It feels like I’ve been here for a month.”
“Me too.”
Rebecca shook her head.
“What about Crown Prince Alejandro? Did you get what you wanted?”
Alejandro, who had seemed strangely subdued since yesterday, turned his head toward me. He stared at me with his red eyes.
Don’t look at me like that; it makes me flustered.
Alejandro smiled coldly.
“I heard you met Prince Adrian yesterday.”
“Ah.”
Rebecca flinched.
“Prince Adrian is someone who would sacrifice the lady to save his own life. Weren’t you scared?”
“Prince Adrian? Hmm.”
Well, if you’re asking how I felt when I met Prince Adrian yesterday…
“He was handsome.”
“Evelina.”
“Um, um.”
My true feelings slipped out without me realizing it. But what can I do? It’s the truth. Isn’t that why he played the male lead?
“I wasn’t scared. It was an open space… and Prince Adrian himself seemed harmless.”
“That face is exactly what makes him good at stabbing people in the back.”
Alejandro’s words were heavy with meaning.
“He could have killed the lady right there if he had wanted to.”
“Isn’t that unlikely? Lucifer was there… and Rebecca was right next to me.”
“Does that mean you plan to meet Adrian again in the future?”
“If necessary.”
Alejandro smiled fiercely. I felt I understood what it meant for a smiling face to look fierce. His red eyes glinted.
“The lady is truly fearless.”
“Your Highness, I…”
“You might end up with a short life.”
Why is he suddenly acting like this? What’s his problem?
“Should I be afraid? After all, you’ll protect me, right? You wouldn’t just stand by and let me die, would you?”
“Milady.”
“You’ll come to rescue me no matter where I am. I trust you.”
Even in that moment of being kidnapped yesterday, I was trusting Alejandro, even if he was the man who let it happen.