Chapter 044
Alejandro smiled brightly.
“Milady, I know exactly how to handle situations like this.”
Of course. What on earth is he saying? Making my heart race.
“Let’s get engaged.”
“…Excuse me?”
Did anyone just hear what my favorite character said?
“That’s the most certain way I can protect you.”
Alejandro’s red eyes were fixed on me.
His curved violet lips seemed to shake everything inside me. It felt like the ground was shaking and the sky was flipping.
“Please accept, milady.”
Alejandro whispered. This is crazy. I feel like I’m going to have a nosebleed.
* * *
Alejandro leaned back in his chair. He can’t forget the expression on Evelina’s face when she received Alejandro’s proposal just moments ago. Her cat-like golden eyes wide open, lips forming a perfect circle.
Alejandro chuckled softly.
Once the title of Crown Princess is attached to her, no one will dare treat Evelina carelessly.
Even the Pope is meddling so much, so Alejandro should at least build a shield of some sort, shouldn’t he?
He was quite pleased with this engagement as a shield he thought of this time.
Evelina was a free spirit. Someone who wouldn’t hold back for what she wanted. Engagement brings a lot of restrictions.
Alejandro would gain the right to be involved in every move Evelina makes. The same goes for her.
If Evelina, for example, wanted to meet someone like Dear Elizabeth’s ferret, he could ask for a reason and impose restrictions if necessary.
Because of the engagement!
Alejandro rubbed his lips with his fingers.
Evelina said she would think about it, but she didn’t have any intention of refusing.
“With those eyes looking at me…”
How could she possibly reject Alejandro?
It was an intense, sparkling gaze, as if she were going to devour him. That gaze hadn’t changed since Evelina had woken up.
So, Evelina’s feelings must not have changed either.
Alejandro comfortably settled into his chair. It seemed like he would sleep very well tonight.
* * *
“Ughhh!”
I screamed, stuffing a pillow into my face. I can’t sleep! How can I possibly sleep after hearing that? This, crazy, Alejandro…
Isn’t it time to sue him…?
For heart assault.
Oh no, I really thought I was going to collapse from a heart attack. A proposal from my favorite character. No, it was a proposal, right? He did say let’s get engaged, so this is real, right?
Everything happening right now felt surreal. If we were to form such a relationship, as Alejandro said, then surely no one would dare treat me carelessly.
Even if they cursed me behind my back as Cinderella, it would be harder to kidnap or kill me. Isn’t this a world where status is everything?
“It must be for strategic reasons…? Could it be that Alejandro likes me, or loves me… or wants to live together… No, it couldn’t be that reason, could it?”
I swallowed hard.
Such an implausible thought. It can’t be true, right?
Let’s say my life becomes a bit easier to preserve with the engagement to Alejandro. Then what about Alejandro?
What benefit does Alejandro gain from this?
Is my life important to Alejandro as well? In a world like this, isn’t marriage usually seen as akin to an M&A merger or something done out of intense love that feels like boiling water?
Given the various nuances in marriage, it’s likely to be the latter.
“Or maybe I have some potential…?”
Am I actually a hidden gem?
As I indulged in all sorts of imaginations, the sun was already rising. My day is ruined. This is all your fault, Lehan. Take responsibility…
* * *
Rebecca slowly checked my outfit and nodded.
“This looks impeccable!”
Usually, I choose my clothes, but today I completely entrusted them to Rebecca. I had no idea what would be appropriate for visiting the temple.
The etiquette in this world is still so difficult for me…
The dress Rebecca chose was a deep navy blue with buttons that reached the neck. My hair was neatly styled up with a pearl-adorned hat.
I chose pearls and sapphires for my jewels.
“It may look a bit shabby, but it’s best not to give the Pope any reason to criticize.”
Shabby… Thank you, Rebecca…
“I don’t think the Pope will care; that woman has other things on her mind.”
“Well… seeing the state of the young lady, it seems her mind is quite muddled. She might have us come to the temple every day to copy the scriptures. It’s possible she could make us do that.”
“That’s absurd!”
Is this the Joseon Dynasty? Making us do such things!
“Absurd? Pope Rendia is incredibly strict with young women. She says the empire stands strong only when its women do.”
“What about the men?”
“They’re usually the heirs of their families. If they waste their time on such things, the family heads will not be happy.”
A dirty world.
“Please keep your words to a minimum. As you said, the Pope desires only one thing. If you give her a reason to have you visit the temple frequently, it’s the same as exposing yourself. Only I can enter the temple with you.”
“Lucifer…”
Rebecca smiled coldly.
“The devil wouldn’t have the strength to lift a spoon inside the temple.”
I guess she doesn’t like demons much.
Anyway, after listening to Rebecca’s passionate lecture, we were finally able to set off for the temple. It was unthinkable for a lowly noble like me to ignore the Pope’s summons, so I had to hurry in the morning.
With tense expressions, Rebecca and I entered the temple.
It was pure white and majestic.
A building that seemed like it belonged in Greece appeared before us.
The temple stood tall, basking in sunlight among the lush green trees, looking sacred just by its existence.
Even if it might not be so inside.
“Let’s go in, Miss.”
I felt reassured to have Rebecca with me.
“We have come to see His Holiness. I am Evelina Regnis, and this is Rebecca.”
“His holiness is waiting.”
The priest who greeted us guided us immediately.
I had heard that the Pope usually meets people in the prayer room. However, the priest stopped near the waiting room and said,
“Lady Rebecca, you may wait here.”
“I would like to see Her Holiness with her.”
“Her holiness did not permit it.”
I had read in a novel that the Pope was the king of the temple. It seemed that was indeed true. Rebecca hesitated and stood still. Her gaze upon me was resolute.
‘Call for me if anything happens. I will come running right away.’
That’s what it seemed to say. I nodded slightly and followed the priest into the prayer room. The priest closed the door behind us.
In the end, it was just me and the Pope left here.
At the front, on the high dais, the Pope was seated. She looked imposing, as if she were an emperor.
Look at that gold. How much would it sell for?
“Lady Regnis, I’ve only heard about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”
“I am honored to meet you, Your Holiness. I am Evelina Regnis.”
“Haha. I heard you’re from another world, but you seem quite accustomed to this one.”
Pope Rendia smiled brightly.
Just as the novel described. She looked like she was barely 20, yet spoke like an old person.
What a greedy expression!
“I called you here because I have something to ask. Alejandro seems to be quite fond of you.”
My Lehan?
As expected of my Lehan.
“What do you wish to do while you’re here?”
Pope Rendia asked, watching me closely.
“When your life here ends, you’ll be able to go somewhere else.”
That’s quite… direct.
“But what are you trying so hard to live here?”
Isn’t that the same for Adrian? If he dies here, he’ll surely be reborn elsewhere!
If I said such a thing, my head would probably roll. Ah, really. A dirty world.
“When I’m reborn, that person won’t be me anymore. I want to live my own life.”
“Anyway, this life isn’t yours. Isn’t it Evelina’s?”
“It’s mine now. It’s my soul and my accomplishments.”
Pope Rendia smiled coldly. I don’t like her.
