Chapter 55
Sera, who had always been relaxed, looked flustered.
“Count, you’ve become a count before I knew it.”
“You can just call me Evelina. After all, I am Evelina. It’s not like I suddenly became someone else.”
“Then, Evelina.”
Sera took a deep breath. She looked cuter than usual.
“Right, Sera.”
As I smiled slightly, Sera burst into laughter.
“Um, actually, I was pushed by the editor-in-chief to come today.”
“Your editor-in-chief?”
What could be happening?
When your boss insists, you have to go even if you don’t want to. There’s an old saying that if you want to put an elephant in the refrigerator, you should make an intern do it.
I felt a pang of sympathy. I had those days too. And now that I’m at the editor-in-chief level… Ah, it’s making me emotional for no reason.
I wiped my nose and guided Sera to her seat.
“What’s going on? If it’s something I can help with, I will.”
“Well… the editor-in-chief has quite a good intuition.”
That’s why he got that position. There must be a reason.
“But the editor-in-chief said that Illiana Millane’s actions are quite unique.”
“What about Iliana?”
Of course, my sister is impressive.
“…Could it be that Illiana Millane is coveting the family seal?”
Coveting the family seal means she’s aiming for the head of the family position. Sera’s delicate face, looking at me, had stiffened with tension.
Sera spoke to me when I didn’t respond.
“Evelina, soon enough, anyone will notice and bring it up first. It seems like you’re also publishing aggressive articles for Lady Illiana right now.”
“What power do I have?”
“You stirred up a protest with just one article. It was just gossip.”
“That wasn’t my doing. It was His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Oh, where do you think you’re going, digging into someone else’s trade secrets?
There was a limit to what I could share with Sera. She is my business partner, not someone on my side. Sera is undeniably a journalist for Reginox and writes articles for Reginox.
“Everyone in this world knows that His Highness the Crown Prince is behind Evelina, and some people think that His Highness is trying to move the world through Evelina.”
“You know that’s not true, Sera.”
“Of course. In reality, Evelina is leading everything.”
“That’s also a misunderstanding.”
A very correct misunderstanding. Heh, do I really look like such an impressive person? Am I the real power behind the scenes?
“Anyway, Sera…”
Hmm, but Sera’s words aren’t entirely wrong. There will come a time when Illiana Millane’s ambitions must be revealed. It’s a matter of who brings it up first.
Moreover, Reginox is one of the more trusted media outlets. If Reginox brings it up first…
“…Sera, if you have the time, it would be good to meet Lady Illiana directly.”
Sera’s eyes widened.
“Can you really arrange that?”
“However, all articles must be written within the bounds of our discussions. If it interferes with what Lady Illiana is thinking, Reginox will absolutely not escape the consequences.”
“I understand! Got it!”
Sera nodded enthusiastically. After making Sera wait, I called a messenger and sent a letter to Illiana.
If it’s a small article featuring Reginox, it might be possible. Just carefully asking a few questions should be fine.
[Illiana Millane, Regarding Her Potential.]
I would pose a small question at the end of such an article.
“Isn’t the Duke family of Illiana Millane unimaginable?”
Fortunately, Illiana Millane was working at a hotel in the city. She said she could spare a moment, so I headed there with Sera.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
“You really don’t give up.”
Alejandro muttered. The tenacious Illiana Millane presented her business plan to Alejandro. Despite Alejandro’s declaration that he would never meet her publicly, she clung to Emil and eventually secured an opportunity.
“Really, it’s fine, Lehan. Just trust me.”
Illiana chuckled.
Her reaction was somewhat subdued compared to before. As people say, it’s possible that Evelina really has made Alejandro more human.
“Not bad, right? Isn’t that so?”
Illiana said to Alejandro.
“…Certainly…”
Alejandro raised his head and looked at Illiana. Even Alejandro could see that Illiana’s business proposal was not bad. In fact, it was much better than the mediocre ideas of those who only boasted about being heirs to their families.
“See!”
Illiana smiled brightly. With Alejandro showing such a reaction, it felt as if the business was already a success. Alejandro had a good sense for these things.
“Illiana.”
“Speak.”
Illiana, in a much better mood, replied in a softened voice.
“Are you really trying to become the master of the Millane Duchy?”
Illiana stiffened awkwardly.
“…Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
The look in Illiana’s eyes as she turned to Alejandro was cold and hardened. Despite the sudden change in atmosphere, Alejandro remained unfazed.
“It seems Evelina is helping you.”
“Evelina is smart. It’s proof that she knows who the future trendsetter is.”
Alejandro smirked cynically.
“You’re not using Evelina, are you?”
“That would apply to you as well, and Evelina is using us quite sufficiently.”
“Illiana.”
Alejandro crossed his legs with an arrogant posture. The red of Alejandro’s eyes was particularly cold as he leaned back in his chair. Illiana shivered at the chilling aura.
“I don’t care what you do. I could support this business, and I could even hand over the Duke family to you.”
“…But?”
“Don’t involve Evelina in dangerous matters.”
Alejandro warned in a low voice.
“Socializing and having fun is fine.”
He tapped the business plan with his hand.
“But not to this extent. Not Evelina.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Do you think I don’t know your intentions? You plan to eliminate anyone who gets in your way, right?”
Men who could become Illiana’s husband and distant relatives. Whoever it may be, if they obstruct Illiana’s path, they would be dealt with in any way necessary.
This business was the blueprint for that.
Alejandro saw through it at once.
“It’s different from when you were quietly researching. You’ve become dangerous now.”
Illiana bit her lip hard.
“Not Evelina.”
At the warning conveyed by Alejandro’s cold gaze, Illiana let out a breath.
“…Okay, I get it. What about you, Lehan?”
Alejandro narrowed his eyes and then nodded. Gaining the Millane Duchy wouldn’t be a bad thing after all.
A smirk appeared on Illiana’s face as she looked at Alejandro. She never thought the day would come when he would say something like that.
‘Evelina really is impressive.’
Yet, Alejandro was fully using Evelina for dangerous matters.
‘Regretting it later is your problem.’
There was no need to offer advice.
Just as Illiana and Alejandro were finishing up their business discussion, Evelina arrived, accompanied by Sera.
Evelina waved at them with a bright smile.
“Oh, you’re together! Illiana, Lehan!”
Her face was kind, without a hint of malice.
How unsettling for the villains.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
I spotted Illiana and Alejandro sitting side by side from a distance. It was Alejandro discussing business.
In the novel, they were engaged. Maybe that’s why they looked good together. In fact, they were the most compatible pair in terms of status.
Ugh.
What is this?
Am I feeling sick? I pressed on my solar plexus.
Illiana called out to me as she spotted Sera and me. Alejandro’s gaze also turned towards me.
I waved my hand with the biggest smile I could muster.
Naturally, I took the seat next to Alejandro, while Sera occupied the seat next to Illiana. Sera looked quite uncomfortable, perhaps because the Crown Prince was also present.
“What’s going on, Evelina? You mentioned you had something urgent to discuss.”
“Oh, it’s Sera.”
Sera cleared her throat and, unlike before, continued in a small voice.
“…So, at Reginox, we would like to support Princess Millane and cover the story.”
