Chapter 70
Early in the morning, at the Ponicha Atelier.
It was the most extravagant and grand atelier I had ever visited. Did Ponicha really achieve this all on her own? Truly amazing.
We decided to start our shoot at dawn to fit Ponicha’s schedule. And as she wished, we agreed to limit the photos for the photobook to seven.
Many people were already gathered in the atelier, preparing for the shoot. Among them, one woman stood out with her extravagant and dignified elegance.
Without asking, it was clear she was the protagonist of the day.
“Hello, Madame Ponicha.”
Rebecca greeted her first.
“This is…”
“I know, Rebecca.”
Rebecca smiled awkwardly.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Countess Regnis.”
“…It’s nice to meet you too, Madame Ponicha.”
Madame Ponicha smiled warmly. From her smiling face, one could read both the ease of someone wealthy and the arrogance of someone successful. Wow. That’s how one should age.
“I apologize for not having established a connection sooner, Countess. I’ve been meaning to reach out.”
“Not at all. I heard you’ve been busy. In fact, I used Lehan to cut in line. Thank you for your understanding.”
“I allowed it because it was a good proposal. That girl, Viviana, truly seems to love this work.”
Sending Viviana was, of course, a planned move. Madame Ponicha came from a common background, and so did Viviana. I thought Viviana speaking would be more sincere than either me or Rebecca.
And our strategy proved effective. Madame Ponicha was more favorable toward us than we expected.
“Viviana said that you saved her, Countess.”
“It was nothing special. I simply did what any human should do. I believe there would have been others to save Viviana, even if it weren’t me.”
This is insincere.
I admit it.
“…There are indeed many who turn a blind eye to their duties. I know a few such people myself. Ah, please sit, Countess. We’ll have time to talk while others prepare.”
I nodded. After all, the interview would happen after the shoot, taken care of by the journalist. Right now, it was about building rapport. If I could work with Madame Ponicha again, it would be an unparalleled honor.
“This is truly a wonderful atelier. The atmosphere is different from others.”
Madame Ponicha looked around and smiled brightly.
“It’s a place filled with my lifelong dreams. This place…”
Her voice trailed off.
“…was also the dream of the late Empress.”
“You mean Empress Melisa.”
Empress Melisa. She was an empress from the Delilah family. The reason Melisa, who initially had little interest in the Emperor, became empress was due to the Emperor’s love. The two had a passionate romance, which resulted in Alejandro’s birth.
Empress Melisa gave birth to Alejandro shortly after their marriage, but their love didn’t last long. There wasn’t any particular reason; it was just the whimsical nature of the sensitive and emotional emperor.
Still, Melisa was perfect as an empress. She did not shy away from her duties and ultimately earned the people’s recognition. She was an extraordinary person.
“Yes, that’s right. Empress Melisa wanted to help those in need through this atelier. I have continued her legacy by helping those in need.”
At that moment, a thought struck me.
“W-wait a moment!”
“Yes, Count.”
“Is the owner of this atelier…?”
“Crown Prince Alejandro.”
Eureka!! As expected, some people are destined for greatness! This atelier was one of the legacies that Empress Melisa left for Alejandro.
Ultimately, everything Ponicha has done will become Alejandro’s achievements.
“Countess?”
“Madame Ponicha, you are one of those who support and love Alejandro, aren’t you?”
“Why do you suddenly ask that…?”
“Am I wrong?”
“You are correct.”
Ponicha answered with a sigh.
“I must not forget the grace I received from Empress Melisa. I will remember it until my dying day. So, I cherish and admire His Highness the Crown Prince just like she did.”
“Then, could you help me?”
Madame Ponicha’s eyes widened. I explained my plan. Rebecca assured me that Alejandro would resolve the plague incident as quickly as possible.
We would write an article about it, but we needed a follow-up article to drive the next steps. I was confident that Ponicha’s atelier could fulfill that role.
“If that’s the case… I should certainly help.”
Madame Ponicha smiled faintly.
“However…”
“Yes?”
“You seem to really like His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Me? Really?”
“You were just sparkling. That’s how it is when you like someone.”
I awkwardly smiled.
No matter how much I tried to set boundaries and remain cautious, the heart cannot be controlled like that. Without realizing it, I had crossed the line and let my guard down.
It didn’t take long for my feelings of fondness for Alejandro to turn into love. Almost embarrassingly so.
“…But it’s a secret.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I haven’t heard a confession from Lehan yet.”
I may have realized and accepted it late, but I was the one who liked him first. However, I didn’t want to be the first to confess. Isn’t that a reasonable wish?
He even threatened to kill me.
“Aha. Youth truly is a wonderful thing. Yes, I understand.”
Madame Ponicha burst into laughter. In fact, those who date elegantly might not care about such things. They might not be fixated on confessions.
But I was old-fashioned.
There was still a girl inside me who wanted to be loved, and if I could have that love, I wanted to receive it from Lehan. More than anyone else.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
The photoshoot with Madame Ponicha was more enjoyable and smoother than I expected. A professional is a professional for a reason. Ponicha insisted several times just before we left that she would definitely create my wedding dress.
If that’s the case, why not sponsor a wedding dress for the photo book? She flatly refused that. People should be that decisive.
“Phew.”
“What’s wrong?”
Rebecca asked in the carriage on our way back.
“Nothing, I just feel like I’m being too soft, like mixing water with alcohol or alcohol with water.”
“You just realized that?”
“What?”
“I mean, why not just go for His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Rebecca clicked her tongue. She questioned how I could fall in love knowing that Alejandro was using me as bait.
I didn’t want to do that either!
“But what can I do if it doesn’t go my way!”
“That’s exactly what I mean by being soft. In the end, you forgave him, didn’t you?”
I had been soft on Alejandro from the beginning. How could I not be? I liked him from the moment I saw him.
“His looks… are really my type. Ahem.”
“Sigh. Anyway, having that personality with that face is a sin, you know.”
I agreed.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
The plague incident was quickly resolved. I heard that the nobles stepped in to sort things out. Although it did tarnish Alejandro’s reputation.
That incident instilled deep-seated hatred in some people. Regarding the red-eyed demon. And among them, some brought up past events. With the title ‘The Crown Prince Alejandro who devoured his mother.’
When Alejandro awakened, Empress Melisa died. She tried to prevent him from being consumed by demons. That incident left a painful scar on Alejandro. At the same time, it planted the perception of him being the ‘cursed crown prince’ in people’s minds.
A month before his awakening, Alejandro’s eyes turned red, making them a symbol of the curse.
People began to recall the events of that day. Perhaps this was what Empress Rielin was aiming for.
To cover all this up, the help of Reginox was also needed. So, as soon as Monday came after the weekend, I went to find Sera.
Sera looked pale for some reason.
“What’s wrong, Sera? Are you sick?”
“No, I’m fine. I think my condition has dropped after suffering from a cold for a few days.”
“Oh my! Sera, then you should rest! What are you doing here?”
At that, Sera smiled as if she might cry.
“Really, Evelina, you… are impossible to stop.”
What was that… such a male lead line.
