Chapter 040
“From the moment I arrived here until now, Your Highness has been protecting me. So, I trust you.”
At least regarding my life. If we have a common goal, it’s that I don’t die.
At my words, Alejandro’s expression noticeably softened.
“You trust me. So, you’re not scared?”
“…Well, you could say that. It’s not that I’m completely unafraid.”
“So, it means you’re not scared because you trust me, right?”
It’s a bit strange.
“To sum it up, yes.”
Alejandro smiled brightly. His previously fierce face transformed into that of a gentle cat. I wonder what part of this he likes.
That I trust him?
I really can’t figure him out.
* * *
The Crown Prince’s office in the capital.
Today, Rebecca entered the palace herself to meet the Crown Prince on official business.
Rebecca clicked her tongue.
Alejandro might not realize it, but he was already emotionally invested in Evelina’s matter. He’s not someone who usually shows such feelings.
He was sharp and prickly, but suddenly his mood changed and he became cheerful.
What’s up with him, really?
“…For that reason, I think this time we will publish an issue related to Your Highness in the gossip column. Is that alright with you?”
“Isn’t it rather something to be grateful for? At first, I thought you were going to use me as a sacrifice, but it seems I was a treasure instead.”
Emil smiled cheerfully.
“What other articles are coming up?”
“A scandalous affair article.”
Rebecca shrugged lightly. Evelina was truly a genius at attracting the attention of wealthy and bored people. Since Evelina was under Alejandro’s protection, the article couldn’t be too politically charged, but Rebecca had said she would use attention-grabbing articles to attract people’s interest instead.
“A-an affair article?”
“That’s right, Sir Emil.”
Rebecca answered neatly.
“According to Viviana, not long ago, Duke Sidney had an affair with an opera singer while his wife was pregnant.”
“Wow! Duke Sidney… isn’t he known for being chaste and devoted to his wife?”
“The reality was different.”
Rebecca chuckled.
When she first heard that story, Rebecca was also quite surprised. Only Evelina remained calm after hearing it.
‘It’s terrible arrogance to think that he’s different. They’re all the same, men and women.’
That cynical attitude of hers… she should learn from it.
“She wants to talk to Duchess Sidney before publishing this story.”
“Evelina?”
“Yes. She said she doesn’t want to make a hasty decision on something that could ruin a person’s life with just one article.”
Alejandro let out a small laugh.
It was such an Evelina-like statement.
“Proceed as you see fit.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Evelina really seems to be trying to keep her promise. She was changing this world one step at a time. And Alejandro’s world, too.
* * *
I felt sorry for Sera.
In fact, if it weren’t for me, Sera wouldn’t have gotten involved in such matters. So, I made plans to visit her.
“Are you going to Reginox?”
“Yeah, I want to see Sera.”
Rebecca tilted her head.
“Are you going to meet that journalist?”
“That’s right. It seems Sera got caught up in unnecessary trouble because of me. Do you want to come along?”
“No.”
Rebecca shook her head. For some reason, Rebecca didn’t seem to like Sera much. But, I’m sure she’ll warm up to her after meeting her a few times.
I also found Sera a bit off-putting at first, but now I was okay with her.
“Well then, I’ll be back! I’ll return before lunch.”
“Yes, miss. I’ll be looking over the materials for the next issue.”
It seems Rebecca is now more dedicated than I am. She said she finds fulfillment in this work.
Before heading to Sera, I stopped by Dear Elizabeth. I bought a cake for Sera and also wanted to meet Casper.
Fortunately, since it was early, there were hardly any people around.
“Casper, please pack just three of these.”
“Are you heading out right away?”
I nodded. Casper wrapped the cakes and handed them over in a paper bag. I slipped a small note between the money and handed it to him, and Casper checked it.
When our eyes met, Casper smiled brightly.
“Come again next time, guest.”
“Have a good day, Casper.”
I exited Dear Elizabeth. This time, I instructed Casper to inquire about the Pope. The only information I had was basic.
In the novel, the Pope disliked Elizabeth.
Elizabeth saved Adrian, but she also became his lover. While people often referred to the Pope as a sub-female lead, the novel did not clearly depict Rendia as having feelings for Adrian.
Rendia occasionally referred to Adrian as her “soulmate.”
Since she also disliked Elizabeth, she was cast as the sub-female lead. Although Rendia maintained her youth, her age in the novel led many to criticize her.
I wanted to know what that “soulmate” meant. Rendia absorbed the life force of other priests to maintain her vitality, so I wondered if that was related.
I thought Casper might be able to find out.
I took out the materials from the paper bag. Casper had put them in a way that only I could see when he wrapped the cake.
I needed to understand exactly what black magic was to prepare myself.
And Alejandro’s words also lingered in my mind. He had mentioned that I could be used as a sacrifice to attack the enemy.
“Tsk.”
Casper had neatly compiled and organized everything about black magic.
[Why are you looking into black magic? Are you interested in it?]
Shh. It’s not like that.
[If you want to practice black magic, I can help you.]
Lucifer said with a teasing tone.
[You just need to offer an appropriate price.]
Ignoring Lucifer’s whispers, I turned the page. Among black magic, those that require sacrifices are particularly dangerous. If black magic fails, the backlash can be severe, and it’s common for the caster to lose their life.
Most practices are conducted under the supervision of priests, and due to the risks involved, few dare to attempt them.
It’s different from the spells used by witches. Witches accumulate the power of nature within their bodies, while priests do not possess such abilities.
And the types of black magic are generally divided into two: those that preserve life and those that harm it.
“Life is an equivalent exchange…”
One life for one life.
“But for equivalent exchange, you must select a soul that matches in weight and fate, so the conditions are quite strict…”
So that’s why I was drawn here. Because my wavelength matches with Adrian.
If that’s the case, Alejandro could kill me to kill Adrian.
A chill ran through my chest. Is there really a possibility that Alejandro would do that? If necessary…
Fear surged within me.
“Hey, Lucifer.”
[Are you becoming interested in black magic? Tell me! What do you want to do? Who should I help you kill!]
“…Would Alejandro kill me?”
[Alejandro? That guy? Well, I don’t really know.]
Lucifer chuckled.
[Are you worried about that? Then how about killing him before he gets a chance to kill you? I could do that.]
Lucifer seemed to find this situation amusing. This is what makes demons, demons.
“That’s not what I meant.”
I had no intention of killing Alejandro. What I wanted to know was the possibility of Alejandro killing me to kill Adrian. I believed it was unlikely… but one should never fully trust anyone.
[Tch. Boring. Well, I don’t know what he’s thinking. But, you know.]
Lucifer said in a sulky voice.
[I at least don’t think he’ll kill you.]
“In what way?”
[If he had that intention, he would have killed you already. And I doubt he would ask me to protect you. Wouldn’t it be easier for him to just kill you and eliminate the possibility?]
It felt like I had been hit in the head.
Eliminate the possibility by killing me?
I see. That’s what he could have done…
A deep sense of relief spread through me. He didn’t intend to kill me. That adorable guy.
