Chapter 043

“What about the appointment with the Duchess of Sidney? You know we need to hurry, right?”

“Yes, miss. I tried to contact her, but it seems she’s having difficulty moving since she’s in the last month of her pregnancy. She didn’t want to go outside.”

Unless she knows about her husband’s affair.

The scandal of the Duke of Sidney’s infidelity would soon spread through high society. In the novel, the Duke’s affair becomes a hot topic in social circles for some time.

“I knew it all along! He’s still seeing the woman he was with before the marriage! Even though I knew, I pretended not to; at least I shouldn’t have had to see such a dirty sight!”

Those were the words of the Duchess of Sidney at the banquet. That day was a celebration prepared by the Empress to honor the awakening of the saint.

I remembered it because it happened at such an event.

I also remembered why the Duchess caused such a scene that day. The opera singer in question was pregnant. Hearing the story from Viviana made her realize the gravity of the situation.

In any case, it was a matter of when the news would break and who would get ahead of it. However, I wanted to uphold her duty as a person. I didn’t want the Duchess of Sidney to be made a fool of.

“Then we have no choice but to go see her directly. It would be best if we could do it when the Duke isn’t around.”

“Hm. I think I can help with that!”

Viviana raised her hand eagerly.

“Do you have a plan?”

Viviana smiled brightly.

“As it happens, I’m meeting that fellow singer in the evening. If I subtly probe her, I think I can find out the date she’s supposed to meet the Duke. From what she said, it seems she meets the Duke two to three times a week.”

“Wow, that’s great!”

Rebecca smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Viviana.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Isn’t she a close friend?”

“Oh. We just meet.”

Viviana shrugged her shoulders.

“She likes to brag, you know. I think other colleagues will be there tonight, not just me. She said she’s going to make a big announcement this time.”

If that’s the case, I can proceed without guilt.

It was while we were discussing the detailed plan that a messenger knocked on the office door.

“I’m looking for the boss!”

The messenger smiled brightly and handed me an envelope with the temple emblem on it.

“Her Holiness asked me to deliver this!”

The Pope?

Viviana and Rebecca came closer. I opened the envelope in front of them.

[You are invited.]

An invitation?

No, what kind of nonsense is this?

It pretended to be polite, but what was inside was pure intimidation. It stated that she knew I came from another world and that if I didn’t respond to her summons, I would no longer have the Pope’s protection.

Ah, why is my day going like this?

It really feels like a terrible start.

So annoying.

* * *

And what ruined my day the most was dinner.

“I prepared a meal just for you, miss. These are the dishes you used to like, right? From now on, I’ll make sure to prepare your meals.”

Was this Annie’s last resort? It was absurd. She was forcing her way without caring about the other person’s intentions.

“Eat up, miss.”

I wondered what food I could eat here. I could only guess what Annie had done. I would rather trust a passing dog than trust that woman.

I cannot trust her.

What excuse should I use to refuse this time? My stomach churned. I felt like I was going to vomit.

As I glared at the dish, Annie urged me.

“Hurry and eat, miss. It’s full of my sincerity. I prepared it for you all day long.”

I felt like I might throw up. Wasn’t I the one who was keeping this woman around? I should have just kicked her out. Why does she keep putting me through these tests?

It was at that moment.

“How dare you?”

A low voice was heard.

“To touch the rules I set in my house. Who do you think you are?”

Alejandro!

Alejandro stood casually by the dining room door. Annie stepped back, her face pale.

“Y, Y, Your Highness!”

Annie stuttered as she called him.

“In my mansion, the chef I appointed cooks, and the maid I appointed manages the dressing room. So how dare you change my rules?”

Annie trembled at his chilling words. She looked at me with pitiful eyes.

Behind Alejandro, the mansion’s servants were visible. It seemed like all the servants of this mansion had gathered.

“What authority do you have to drive away and torment my people?”

“I-I’m not trying to… I just hoped to serve the miss better…”

As soon as I called Annie over, she caused trouble. She harassed the people Alejandro hired, so what could they do? They would tell Alejandro.

So Alejandro would be able to save me too.

It seemed like light was shining on Alejandro’s face. Sparkling. I felt like the weight that had been pressing on me was lifting.

“I hate those who don’t know their place the most.”

“I-I’m sorry! If you could just forgive me this once, I promise it won’t happen again!”

Annie lay flat on the floor. Where had the woman who had been so arrogant and oppressive gone?

I would have preferred to just kick her out. Or to handle it like Alejandro.

“Evelina.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Please decide. Do you want to kick this woman out? I recommend it.”

Alejandro smiled, revealing his teeth. With his fierce expression, Annie trembled as if her knees were giving way.

“Oh, miss…”

Unlike before, Annie was looking at me as if I were a goddess. It was a change brought about by a few words from Alejandro. Truly, you are my god, you are my light, you are my sunshine…

I let out a deep sigh. Annie was shedding tears.

I felt not a shred of sympathy.

“Annie, I told you. I’m in a position where I can’t act recklessly because I’m receiving help from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, yes! You’re right, miss.”

“But because of Annie, I keep getting into trouble.”

“Oh, miss…”

I locked eyes with Alejandro. He gave me a sideways glance, as if to say to do whatever I wanted.

“But how could I kick Annie out?”

This was the last chance. And now Annie was perfectly cornered. She must have been certain that her situation wouldn’t improve any further.

Especially with Alejandro stepping in.

So Annie must have been thinking something else inside.

“Thank you, miss! Thank you so much!”

Annie banged her head on the floor.

“I won’t cause you any more trouble!”

Annie’s tears dripped onto the ground. I really thought today would be a complete mess, you know? I was even considering forcing myself to eat that food I didn’t want.

But Alejandro saved my day.

Just like he always saved me from danger.

“Thank you, Annie. Thank you for understanding me.”

My eyes met Alejandro’s. He was smiling as if to say I did well.

Please, for our sake, Annie needs to cause a scene quickly. Right, Annie?

* * *

Why did he come suddenly without any contact?

And at such perfect timing, like a true prince.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I really needed you.”

“Rebecca said that Annie would do something today. So I thought I’d check in.”

Alejandro replied succinctly.

“And I heard the Pope threaten you, milady.”

“Oh, that.”

So that issue was still lingering. However, this was a problem that Alejandro wouldn’t be able to solve either. He was still relying on the Pope’s help.

“…I plan to visit the temple tomorrow. I don’t think it’ll be a problem if it’s just a meeting.”

“The temple is a dangerous place. Especially for demons.”

“Excuse me?”

“Even Lucifer won’t be able to exert his power there. You must go with Rebecca.”

Did he come just to give that warning?

He must have a lot to do.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Of course, nothing will happen to you, milady.”

“Really?”

“You said you trusted me.”

That…

“I want to repay your trust.”

Thud.

That was the sound of my heart sinking.​