Chapter 53
Illiana’s eyes glimmered with a distinct expression. Intense disdain radiated from her.
“That guy can no longer even open the door to Develin. I’ve heard he keeps sending letters to Karina.”
Illiana shrugged her shoulders.
“He should know that it’s too late for that.”
Alejandro promised to keep an eye on Karina’s situation until the end. With Alejandro positioned as the gatekeeper of Develin, Duke Sidney wouldn’t dare to treat Karina carelessly.
I had felt quite sorry for Karina while reading the novel, so I was truly relieved that we could save her like this.
And with this, we gained the goodwill of both Karina and the Develin family. Karina’s child would inherit the Duke’s house in the future, and the Develin family itself held a high reputation.
Hehe, it seems like I’m gaining such a solid backing on the red carpet.
“The Crown Prince has agreed to take care of things until the Duchess’s matters are settled.”
“That’s a relief. I never thought Lehan would take an interest in such things. Evelina has turned a beast into a human.”
Huh?
Calling our Lehan a beast.
Illiana showed no hesitation at all. Is this what they call the childhood friend vibe?
“Evelina has saved our empire too.”
Illiana smiled brightly. There was no hint of malice in that smile. She genuinely seemed to believe it.
“Hahaha, you flatter me.”
“And about the photo book, Evelina, please prepare it well. I’ll provide anything you need. Hmm, regarding my private life…”
Illiana seemed to fall into deep thought.
Illiana was very cooperative, and I was able to successfully wrap up the first photo book meeting. Now, I just needed to prepare for the photoshoot and write the article!
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Adrian stared coldly at Empress Rielin. The look in his eyes was chilling, far from one that a son would give to his mother. Empress Rielin, receiving that gaze, appeared somewhat weary.
“How long will you continue to give in like this?”
Adrian’s voice trembled.
His knees, which had knelt before the Emperor to save Wormtail and the Empress, felt as if they were still aching. It was a humiliation he had never experienced before.
Despite this, Adrian had gained nothing. They had to surrender everything as they wished.
“Adrian.”
Empress Rielin called out to him in a subdued voice.
“Who do you think the money Wormtail embezzled was used for?”
The Empress gazed at her son askew. She had raised him as a sheltered flower, oblivious to the world, but to be this ignorant of how things worked…
“I contacted the Alvaro Temple to save you. They constantly demand money. Do you know how much it costs to summon a single offering?”
Adrian flinched.
The strength drained from his light-colored eyes.
“You have no right to blame me, Adrian. You are the source and motivation for everything I do. I risked my life to save you.”
“…But nothing has gone right.”
“It seems that what I brought into this world is not an offering but a disaster.”
Empress Rielin rubbed her face. She had given away too much. She hadn’t expected the cunning Alejandro to stir up the citizens and organize the protests. That incident had moved the Emperor.
The eyes of Empress Rielin, revealed between her fingers, were stained with a hot venom.
“If we’ve given this much, we should receive something in return.”
They would not just suffer like this.
She would make sure to repay it, using everything in this world if necessary.
“You should consistently go to the temple as promised. Since your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, it will appear natural to others as well.”
“…Yes, Mother.”
Adrian replied in a softened voice.
“There will surely be an opportunity.”
Water seeps in and splits the rock. If you keep tapping away, eventually it will crack and reveal a gap.
He could endure and wait for that moment. As long as it takes.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Illiana was very cooperative. Moreover, her movements were so natural, as if she were a seasoned professional, and she could pull off any concept—was this truly a natural talent?
Sister, you should be a model instead of doing business…
“Did everything turn out well?”
After the shoot, Illiana, now dressed in comfortable clothes, asked.
“I’ll know once I develop the photos, but I think they’ll turn out great.”
Illiana smiled brightly. Her slender, curved eyes sparkled with intelligence.
This morning, a gossip magazine featuring Illiana was released. Articles about her spread across the world. Illiana maintained a relatively clean private life, yet she had a heartbreaking love story.
The decisive reason Illiana had stopped her arms’ development was because of that person.
It wasn’t provocative, but since Illiana Millane was a role model for many women, just mentioning her name would attract attention.
Other articles were composed in a way that ensured Illiana wouldn’t be overshadowed.
Since the previous gossip magazine had already caused a tremendous ripple effect, it seemed reasonable to keep this one a bit calmer.
“Meeting Evelina has allowed me to have various experiences. Thank you for your hard work, Evelina.”
“Thanks to Illiana, I think we can create a wonderful photo book.”
Illiana was an incredibly cooperative model and responded earnestly during the interview. This interview focused deeply on Illiana’s new business venture she was about to start.
Illiana was about to challenge herself in the field of finance. She had personally earned a fortune through her research in arms development and seemed to want to start an investment business based on that.
What a truly brainy and sexy woman.
It was clear she had a thoroughly scientific brain structure. Whatever Illiana did, she would likely succeed.
“My father showed me some photos of potential husbands this time.”
Illiana scoffed. No, why is her father doing that? Where else can you find a daughter who is so independent and successful?
A ducal title wouldn’t be too much for Iliana. In fact, the duchy might be able to take flight with Iliana.
“If I have to get married, I want to marry someone I choose.”
“I understand Illiana’s feelings.”
“Evelina, according to our promise, I want to ask for your help. I want to stop my father.”
She nodded with a serious expression. Preparations to elevate Illiana were already complete. Once the photo book was released, Illiana’s status would rise even higher.
The next step was to sway public opinion.
They needed to turn the Duke of Millane’s heart. It should naturally lead to a viral thought of, “How about Illiana as the next duchess?”
To do that, there needed to be someone falling while Illiana was rising.
There were indeed figures that could serve as a contrast.
“Illiana.”
“Yes?”
“What’s your relationship like with the Marquis of Culbine?”
The Marquis had only a daughter as well. He had long since set his sights on a son-in-law and was in the process of passing down his title.
He stood as a perfect point of comparison to Illiana.
“With the Marquis of Culbine… in what sense?”
“I plan to continually compare the Marquis and Illiana, raising awareness among people. I want them to think, ‘It would be better for Lady Illiana to inherit the title than for it to go to him.’”
“That’s a good idea.”
Illiana smiled coldly.
“There aren’t any particular issues with the Marquis of Culbine… but the Marquis is essentially aligned with the Empress.”
I nodded. I had chosen people with that point in mind as well. This kind of preliminary research was, of course, being handled by Casper.
In addition to the tasks I asked him to do, Casper gathered all sorts of gossip and informed me. He filtered out useful information from that and selected it for newsworthy content.
Not long ago, on the day I had a meeting with Illiana, I had the opportunity to meet Casper again after a long time. The materials I received that day included details about “how much the Marquis of Culbine’s son-in-law lost in the mining business.”
That’s where the idea hit me.
Moreover, as Illiana said, the Culbine family followed the Empress. Now that I was engaged to Alejandro, it would be hard to avoid politics in my life.
So, isn’t it wise to aim for a double benefit?
“Let’s proceed as planned, Evelina.”
