Chapter 042
Annie’s eyes glinted maliciously.
“You’ve changed, Miss! How dare you cast me aside!”
This couldn’t be happening. Wasn’t Annie the benefactor who had taken care of Evelina all this time? She couldn’t just be discarded like this. Annie looked around her newly assigned room with a pale face.
Unlike her previous room, the wallpaper, curtains, and even the rug on the floor were all high quality.
Evelina had been enjoying these luxuries alone. Annie had the right to enjoy what Evelina was enjoying.
Who else would have cared for Evelina, who was dying, if not for Annie? If Annie left too, Evelina would have already perished alone.
Evelina knows one thing but not the other!
“Did you think I would give up so easily?”
Annie needed money. If she could just persuade Evelina well, she thought she could get paid. If it wasn’t for Evelina, there was no way for Annie to earn a large sum.
Otherwise, like before, she would have to sell Evelina’s belongings to gather some money. Annie bit her nails anxiously.
“…What should I do…”
As Annie muttered, her eyes landed on the snacks on the table. Nothing was more important than eating. And if she could get her hands on food, Annie could control her own fate.
Annie swallowed hard.
She licked her lips. Nothing stirs people’s hearts quite like food. Annie dashed down to the kitchen.
* * *
The Empress gazed quietly at Adrian, who lay on the bed. Since returning from Delint, Adrian had not gotten up for three days.
There was nothing particularly wrong.
It was just that Adrian’s energy had waned. All because he had just returned from Delint! Thankfully, his life wasn’t in immediate danger.
In this state, Adrian wouldn’t be able to achieve anything.
Clench.
The Empress clenched her fist.
How powerless it felt to merely watch his chest rise and fall regularly, how heartbreaking it was to know she couldn’t suffer in his place.
Those who haven’t experienced it wouldn’t understand.
“Your Majesty.”
Siena bowed her head with a haggard face.
“…Is that girl lucky, or are we just incompetent? I can no longer tell.”
“Your Majesty…”
“I vowed the year I married His Majesty the Emperor. No matter what, I would make my child the Emperor.”
“…”
“Yet the biggest obstacle would be that child.”
Empress Rielin let out a hollow laugh.
“Moreover, that child I brougsht from another world.”
Empress Rielin bit her lip tightly.
“I never imagined that child would be such a gem. Isn’t it too wasteful to kill her?”
“…”
“Is heaven not on my side? No matter how precious that child’s abilities are, what can I do?”
Empress Rielin’s nails dug into the armrest.
“I must meet with the Pope.”
“Do you think the Pope will reveal herself and cooperate?”
Rielin smiled coldly.
“That woman needs our Adrian to survive. The Pope will definitely act. I’m not the only one cornered right now.”
And at that moment.
Adrian opened his eyes. He wore a faint smile. He had returned once again without dying.
Adrian smiled slightly at Empress Rielin.
“Mother.”
“Adrian, you’re awake.”
“…I want something, Mother.”
Empress Rielin’s eyes widened.
“I want Evelina. She’s the woman I want, Mother. She’s the one who was meant for me. You prepared her for me, right?”
Empress Rielin took Adrian’s hand.
“Very well. I will grant you that. Whatever it is, this mother will give it to you.”
Adrian slowly closed his eyes. A strong desire ignited within him. He was curious about Alejandro’s expression after losing that woman.
Sincerely.
* * *
The moment I got into the carriage with Rebecca, a sigh escaped me. It was my decision to use Annie, and it was also my choice to keep her by my side.
But I never expected this would make me so exhausted.
What on earth is going on in Annie’s head that she can be so shameless and devoid of any sense of shame?
What’s truly fascinating is that Annie believes herself to be a true loyalist.
I shook my head.
“I’ve been so tired since this morning.”
“You’ve worked hard, Miss.”
Rebecca offered me a brief consolation.
“I can’t believe someone can be that brazen. In a way, it’s quite impressive.”
“I think so too. People like that are rare.”
Rebecca let out a deep sigh.
She had witnessed the small commotion that occurred this morning in its entirety.
“Has no one approached Annie yet?”
“She hasn’t even tried to go outside. She’s probably scared of being pushed out.”
Anyway, she’s quite the sly one.
“Since I’ve provoked her today, don’t you think she might move?”
“I hope so. I’ll let you know immediately if she does something strange while we’re watching.”
I nodded.
“Phew. Today feels like it’s going to be really long.”
And indeed, my trials for today were far from over.
* * *
Central Temple.
Empress Rielin held her head high as she gazed at the entrance of the temple. The temple, built of pure white marble, was decorated to appear as solemn as possible.
This was the kingdom that Rendia had ruled for the past 20 years.
Empress Rielin entered the temple with a cold expression.
“Your Majesty.”
A priest came out to greet Rielin, bowing respectfully.
“Guide me to your master.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She followed the young priest as he walked briskly. The Pope was waiting for Rielin in the prayer room.
“It’s been a while, Empress.”
“How have you been, Your Holiness?”
“…Oh, you know.”
“You’ve heard my news lately, I assume?”
“I’ve heard you’re failing at everything you do. Is it that the Empress’s people are incompetent?”
Empress Rielin chuckled softly.
“It’s not easy to sacrifice one person. Your Holiness, you promised to cooperate with me.”
“Indeed. I believe I’ve kept my promise. The holy knights in the temple still aren’t investigating the incidents you caused.”
Empress Rielin smiled sharply. It was different from the demeanor she had shown the previous day. She locked eyes with the Pope.
“I understand that you need my son. Am I mistaken?”
“Empress.”
“At this rate, both you and I will lose Adrian.”
“He’s still fine, isn’t he? If you just make the sacrifice, everything will be resolved!”
“You must assist me further, Your Holiness.”
Empress Rielin murmured.
“Adrian has collapsed. He’s been unconscious for the past three days. Do you truly think time is on our side? Will you regret being so complacent after losing Adrian?”
The Pope stiffened. Rendia barely moved her lips.
“W-what about Adrian?”
“I said he nearly died, Your Holiness. My son faces life and death every single day. While you indulge in luxury, my son is slowly dying.”
“Empress Rielin!”
“Do what you can! Are you afraid of losing your position to the point of losing your life?”
Rendia’s face turned pale.
It felt like he was choking. Rendia fiddled with her neck.
“…There’s no justification. Alejandro plans to use that woman as bait to catch the mastermind. What justification do I have to take that child away?”
“Just call her. After all, this temple is Your Holiness’s domain! If you keep calling, an opportunity will arise eventually—for either me or you!”
Pope Rendia let out a slow breath.
“I don’t even have a reason to summon that woman. Even the Crown Prince’s knights can’t enter this place.”
“…This is quite something.”
Rendia let out a hollow laugh. Her hand, touching her forehead, trembled slightly.
She realized that it was time for her to make a decision.
“Understood. I will follow the Empress’s wishes.”
Rendia said coldly.
“I’ll make her come periodically for prayers. Since she’s a soul from another world, I can use that as an excuse to cleanse her.”
That was all Rendia could do for now.
The Empress bowed her head.
“I understand Your Holiness’s deep intentions clearly. I will strive not to betray Your Holiness’s expectations.”
“…I trust you.”
