Chapter 57
The person to be photographed for the second photoshoot was a lawyer who provided free legal assistance to the poor and did not accept payment. His name was Lexan. He was an elderly man with thinning white hair.
I naturally felt respectful.
Society has such heroes. People who prioritize others over themselves, who pursue justice over money. It is because of such people that the world becomes a better place.
His face, adorned with a gentle smile, looked precious even without expensive clothing or jewelry, and he was more beautiful than anyone else. It seemed as if the lives of countless people he had saved were supporting him.
A true noble, recognized even by the aristocracy.
Such a person deserves respect.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lexan. Thank you for agreeing to this meeting.”
“Not at all. I’m surprised you want to take pictures of an insignificant old man.”
“What are you saying, Mr. Lexan? How many people respect you?”
That’s why he was voted for, after all.
In fact, you could see many beautiful and stylish people in magazines published on the red carpet. However, the significance of this photoshoot was different.
This man was someone who fit the photoshoot better than anyone else.
Fortunately, after some persuasion, Mr. Lexan accepted the photoshoot and interview. To match his image, we would keep it from being too extravagant, simply showing Mr. Lexan as he is.
It might have a slightly documentary-like atmosphere, but that was fine. Trying something new is always an exciting endeavor. After successfully finishing the meeting with Mr. Lexan, I leisurely stopped by Dear Elizabeth.
“Casper.”
For some reason, there weren’t many customers today, allowing us to chat comfortably.
“Have you been well?”
“It seems you’ve been doing well.”
Casper handed me an envelope. Inside were materials about the Pope.
“Have you found the evidence?”
“Not yet.”
Casper replied in a gloomy voice.
It’s not an easy task. The Pope was a cunning person. She must have taken action, confident that she would never be caught.
“Can we make contact with the priests in the temple?”
“…We can try. But they have strong faith in the Pope. If things go wrong, our identities could be exposed.”
Casper clicked his tongue. That’s why, even knowing what had happened to Elizabeth, he couldn’t recklessly approach the Pope’s side.
“Hmm.”
“Why?”
“There’s a priest who comes to me every time I pray. They say he has the Pope’s favor.”
“Having the Pope’s favor means…”
Casper’s eyes widened slightly.
“That’s right. It means there’s a high probability he’s involved in this, either as a perpetrator or a victim.”
Casper paced around the second-floor space. He was tall, and although his eyes weren’t particularly large, his facial features were harmoniously well-proportioned.
He always tied his slightly long bob, and it suited him remarkably well.
Casper had a precarious aura, as if he were walking a tightrope between danger and ordinariness. Because of that, he seemed to be popular among noblewomen.
This was one of the reasons many guests were glued to their seats at Dear Elizabeth.
For one, Rebecca liked Casper.
Whenever she came to Dear Elizabeth, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
While I was watching Casper, he said, “Let’s try. If you dig any hole, a path will appear.”
I nodded.
“Absolutely.”
Casper gritted his teeth.
“By any means, you must… bring them down.”
“I promise. It would be good to investigate the relationship between the Empress and the Pope as well.”
“Right.”
Regardless of how popular he was with other women, Casper was devoted to the deceased Elizabeth. It was a shame for such a face to be wasted.
I bought some desserts for Casper and returned. While unwrapping the packaging in the office, I found an extra cake inside.
“What is this?”
“What’s wrong, Miss?”
“It wasn’t what I bought. Did they give me extra because I bought a lot?”
I didn’t mind. All cakes are delicious!
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
An article about Iliana Millane was published in Reginox. It was a small, short piece occupying a corner of the page, but it caused a stir among the nobility.
“It seems the daughter of the rigid Millane Duchy might inherit the title.”
“The times are changing. It makes sense. Iliana Millane is quite the talent. With such an outstanding figure born, it’s time for that fellow to change his mind.”
The nobleman took a deep puff from his hookah, and thick white smoke rose.
“…There’s no better match for His Highness the Crown Prince than this lady.”
“Aren’t the qualities of Regnis and Millane different?”
The seasoned nobles sighed.
They firmly believed that Iliana Millane would become the Crown Prince’s match, but suddenly, Evelina Regnis interrupted and took that place.
It wasn’t that Evelina was incompetent. She was single-handedly sustaining the declining Regnis family. It couldn’t have been easy for a woman, so it was clear that Evelina was also a capable woman.
However, simply being a ‘capable woman’ was not enough for the seat next to Alejandro.
She had to be a perfect person. She needed to be someone who could earn admiration rather than scorn from others and someone who could contribute to the future operation of the empire.
Evelina Regnis did not fit such a role.
“Have you spoken with Lady Iliana Millane?”
“It seems she has no particular thoughts on the matter.”
“Since it is said that Lady Iliana and Countess Evelina are close, that may be even more so. However, just because the young people are acting foolishly, we cannot be drawn into their games.”
“That’s true. The Pope and the Empress, unaware of their impudence, pointed a knife at His Highness the Crown Prince. We need the strength of a family that can protect His Highness. It’s clear that family isn’t Regnis.”
All the nobles nodded in agreement. Evelina Regnis was not suited to be the Crown Prince’s match. That was their conclusion.
“You mentioned knowing someone in Reginox?”
“I’ll take the initiative. Don’t worry too much. They aren’t married yet, after all.”
All the nobles supported this.
They needed to separate the two very naturally. It was clear that coercive methods would not work. They needed to teach Evelina Regnis to step back on her own.
Who suits Alejandro better!
It might be seen as the stubbornness of the old men, but it was also a legitimate concern. Crown Prince Alejandro was of legitimate royal blood and must inherit the throne.
No one else could be accepted.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Meanwhile, in Alejandro’s office.
“Did you say there’s an epidemic?”
The news reached Alejandro’s ears first, as he was the most sensitive to the state of the nation. It was a word that sent chills down his spine. An epidemic.
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Emil replied with a haggard face.
“Last night, the informants confirmed it. The epidemic that started on the outskirts of the capital is slowly spreading towards the slums.”
“Is it certain that it is only spreading in the capital?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Alejandro gritted his teeth.
If it has already begun to spread, the top priority is to suppress it to prevent further escalation.
“Control the roads and prevent people from coming and going. Also, gather detailed information about the epidemic and deploy experts. Lock down the area, but ensure that there is enough food, clean water, and medicine available.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Emil added in a voice mixed with a sigh.
“However, this epidemic is strange.”
Alejandro frowned. It wasn’t unusual for an epidemic to spread at this time. It was a summer with recurring heat, and the conditions were not favorable for bacteria to survive.
But it was definitely strange.
It had been a long time since the floods had passed, and there were no precursor symptoms.
“People are calling the epidemic the ‘Red-Eyed Plague.'”
“Tell me more.”
“They say that the day before they fall ill, they invariably see a ghost with red eyes.”
“A ghost with red eyes.”
“Isn’t it too clear what it is targeting?”
Emil’s gaze turned toward Alejandro’s eyes—his cold, fiery red eyes.
