Chapter 63
I don’t know why Adrian showed up, but since he was here, I thought I’d probe him about the epidemic.
“It seems Evelina is feeling fine. Or maybe you’re just oblivious.”
I didn’t expect to receive such a vague accusation in this situation. If you’re going to insult me, just do it; don’t make it confusing.
Honestly, it was easier to deal with Alejandro than Adrian. For one, Alejandro’s looks were more my type. Alejandro doesn’t confuse his words; he’s straightforward!
Lehan is definitely my type.
“Hahaha, is that so?”
He answered ambiguously.
“If you’ve seen such an article, shouldn’t you do something about it? You should have at least pulled the hair of Alejandro or Lady Millane.”
“I’ve done enough already. I’ve heard the Crown Prince’s explanation too. He said it was just a business meeting.”
“Do you believe that? You shouldn’t trust politicians’ words.”
The most untrustworthy person said that.
“Hahaha, I believe it because it’s believable. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
“Concern, huh?”
Adrian chuckled softly. His expression was quite twisted. Although Adrian was supposed to be the male lead, the sweet and loyal type, what stood before me was just a twisted outsider.
“Alright, let’s say it’s concern.”
How nice it would be if I could just hit that mouth once. I awkwardly smiled.
“Ah, do you know what kind of woman Alejandro likes?”
You probably wouldn’t know.
“Alejandro is someone who can easily discard anyone who doesn’t benefit him. Women are no different.”
Why is he saying such things to me?
“No, I mean…”
Adrian cut the steak on my plate into manageable pieces.
I don’t think I’ll be able to eat any of it.
“If a moment comes when you have nowhere to go, think of me. I’m always ready to welcome Evelina.”
I’m definitely not going.
“I won’t forget, Your Highness.”
I smiled brightly.
It seemed impossible to pry any information about the epidemic from this guy, didn’t it? What a waste of time.
After that, Adrian continued to ramble on about trivial matters before leaving. Seriously, why did he come?? Just to tease me?
“Ugh!”
It was disgusting, and let’s avoid seeing each other as much as possible, okay?
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
At that moment, the Empress was with the Pope. The Pope’s gaze at Empress Rielin was intensely piercing.
“An epidemic, you say? That’s quite excessive, Empress.”
“Your Holiness, shouldn’t we do everything we can before we’re cornered? We need Alejandro to fall so that we can easily get the sacrifice.”
Rielin replied gently.
“You might get caught.”
“If we’re too afraid of danger to do anything, we’ll end up losing everything.”
Rendia squeezed her eyes shut. Rielin’s schemes were becoming increasingly bold. She had a bad feeling that the end was approaching.
“Ah, did you see Adrian last week?”
The pope nodded.
Adrian and Evelina had been visiting the temple every Friday. They would read the scriptures and pray there. After all the rituals were over, Adrian would stop by to spend time with Rendia before heading back.
“Who would have thought the concept of soulmates would be so effective?”
The Empress’s smile deepened. Adrian’s health, after spending time with Pope Rendia, had improved more than before.
Soulmates.
Often, in this world, souls are born split in half. One half was Rendia, and the other half was Adrian. Because Rendia was born with exceptional power, Adrian naturally had to grow weaker.
Just being together, Adrian and Rendia became a source of energy for each other.
And for Adrian, that influence would manifest even more strongly. Adrian and Rendia had shared each other’s blood. When Empress Rielin first heard about that ritual, she was taken aback, but now was not the time to hide it.
Adrian’s condition was worsening.
“Fortunately, a priest with strong divine power has arrived this time. It’s a young and healthy female priest named NJ. Soon, NJ’s divine power will reach its peak. The day I absorb NJ’s divine power, send Adrian to me.”
The empress’s eyes gleamed.
The unethical table of those who had given up their humanity continued. Empress Rielin’s voice trembled with joy.
“Can we extend Adrian’s life?”
“At least for a few more months, yes.”
“Thank you, God. It’s clear that God has arranged this for Adrian and Your Holiness.”
Whether the gods and Priest NJ truly thought so, who knows? Pope Rendia smiled coldly. When Rendia first proposed this plan, she had looked down on it. Now, it seemed as though Empress Rielin was the one waiting eagerly.
“If the Empress believes so, then it must be true. So don’t forget. It’s in two days.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
The Empress smiled gently.
This was merely a temporary measure to buy time. The answer lay with Evelina. By then.
‘I won’t let this old fox get away with this.’
The empress bit her red lips.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Just before sunset, Illiana came to find Evelina. She had wanted to arrive as quickly as possible, and now was the time.
“Evelina.”
“Oh, Illiana!”
Illiana’s eyes widened. Evelina’s lips were swollen.
“…Did a bee sting your lips?”
“Ah…”
Evelina awkwardly smiled and covered her lips.
“Um, um. Illiana, I have something urgent to attend to this evening. Can I hear what you need first?”
The office looked incredibly busy. Fly swatters and some unknown clubs and whips were scattered everywhere.
These were things she didn’t want to know about. Illiana awkwardly looked around the office and said, “Ah, actually, I came because of the article. I was worried Evelina might have misunderstood.”
“That article!”
Evelina’s eyes went wide. It was clear she had completely forgotten about the article. Illiana chuckled awkwardly.
“It’s okay, Illiana. I know you didn’t do anything wrong. You were just caught up in it, right?”
“How did you know…?”
“Lehan told me. Anyway, I’m fine. Honestly, why would I care about something like that with Lehan!”
The moment Evelina blurted that out, the gazes of Viviana and Rebecca, who were working in the office, turned towards her.
But that wasn’t what mattered to Illiana.
“I’m glad to hear Evelina didn’t misunderstand. I want to get along well with you.”
“I feel the same way, Illiana. I think you’re a really good friend.”
A warm conversation flowed between them. While Illiana felt relieved that Evelina hadn’t misunderstood, she also found it strange.
‘Does that mean I’m not attractive enough? Or is it that Evelina has confidence in herself?’
But these were just pointless thoughts. Illiana had no intention of getting involved with Alejandro at all. Shaking off her useless thoughts, Illiana spoke.
“But what’s going on right now? The office seems especially chaotic. There seem to be strange… objects as well.”
“Oh, there are people lately who have been imitating ghosts and bothering others.”
“Are you planning to catch them yourself?”
Evelina nodded solemnly.
“Wouldn’t it be better to hand this over to the police?”
“No. This is something I can only solve myself.”
Illiana, confirming Evelina’s determination, fell into thought for a moment. Then she spoke up.
“Can I go with you? I think I can help Evelina.”
“You, Illiana?”
“I may not be able to catch ghosts, but I can catch humans.”
Illiana opened her handbag. With a click, the bag revealed a small weapon inside.
“This is a gun?”
Evelina’s eyes widened.
“Yes. I took it with me when I left the lab, and it’s still usable. With this, I should be able to catch a person, right?”
“Absolutely!”
“Then I’ll go with you, Evelina. I won’t be a hindrance. This is my way of repaying you for the article.”
“Okay!”
Evelina nodded eagerly like a puppy. Thus, a new squad of four was formed.
