Chapter 71
Sera smiled brightly.
“Thank you for worrying about me.”
Pure concern and kindness, along with Evelina’s warmth. All of these were no different from a lethal poison to Sera. But why couldn’t she just abandon these feelings and run away? Why was she still facing Evelina when she could simply turn away?
Perhaps she was already addicted, like being poisoned.
“Sera… were you very sick?”
Evelina touched Sera’s forehead.
“A little. That’s why I’m like this.”
Evelina wouldn’t know what Sera had resolved to give up.
“What brings you here today?”
“Ah!”
Evelina’s eyes widened. Then she fidgeted with a pure expression.
“I don’t want to talk about this to someone who’s sick…”
“It’s okay, Evelina.”
“Actually, I came because of an article. Recently, there’s been quite a bit of controversy surrounding His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince—rumors of a plague, ghosts, etc. Now that it’s been resolved, I wanted to have it widely reported. But you’re the only journalist I know, Sera.”
Evelina smiled bashfully. It was an awkward smile.
“You want a favorable article about the crown prince.”
“If a big newspaper like Reginox could do that, it would help. Our Red Carpet is still quite small.”
“Still, its impact is tremendous.”
“Oh my, you’re saying nice things. I brought this from Dear Elizabeth, something I liked. Um, do you think you can eat it since you’re not feeling well?”
“Cake is always welcome.”
Evelina smiled brightly at Sera’s words. Perhaps she had become addicted to that smile. Sera forced herself to swallow her bitter smile.
After that, Evelina brought all sorts of medicine for Sera before finally leaving, promising to meet her in good health next time.
Evelina would never know. She wouldn’t know about the red blood staining Sera’s hands or the still-unhealed red gunshot wound on her thigh.
Sera gazed at the things Evelina had brought with a doll-like expression. Since that day, the empress had not contacted her once. And once Sera seemed to be well again, she would come back and push her into danger, as if it were only natural.
Empress Rielin was someone who took things for granted.
And Sera was exhausted.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Alejandro’s matter was settled for now. Although Sera looked a little unwell, she would definitely write the article. Sera had never broken a promise.
“I’ve decided how I’ll do the wedding photo shoot.”
“How so?”
Rebecca asked with wide eyes. Viviana was also looking at me curiously.
“I’m going for a solo photoshoot, not a couple’s!”
“A solo…?”
“I’ll feature Illiana Millane, Lehan, and other prominent figures from high society. I’ll put them on stage.”
“Not as a couple, but solo… That way, you might avoid being entangled in a scandal.”
“Exactly.”
And just showing that I, Illiana, and Lehan are close would have an effect.
No matter how kind-hearted I am, I wouldn’t be close to my fiancé’s mistress. This was a good opportunity to reveal that the article was false.
“And you’re preparing the next issue’s article well, right?”
“Of course.”
Rebecca clenched her fists. The main article would be none other than Culbain and Millane. It was set to delve deeply into the two families’ different paths.
No matter how impressive Duke Millane is, he couldn’t help but be shaken by such an article.
“So, has the son-in-law of the Culbain family caused any trouble again?”
If possible, I wished he would cause some major incidents.
“Ah.”
Rebecca wore a contemptuous smile. It seemed he had done something again.
“Recently, the village of Dreili was temporarily closed.”
“Yeah.”
I remembered. It was the village on the outskirts of the capital that had been closed due to the epidemic. It was also the place where the first infected person and casualty had occurred. I had heard that Alejandro was focused on restoring the village’s administration and comforting the bereaved families.
But why that village?
“That fool must have been there when it was closed.”
“And?”
“As soon as he got out, he rushed to tell his father-in-law. He claimed that he was trapped due to the closure of Dreily, and even after revealing his identity, they didn’t let him go. He made a fuss about almost dying from the epidemic.”
Oh.
That was an interesting opening.
“The Marquis of Culvain has a fiery temper. He immediately protested to the empress and supposedly grabbed the collar of the knight who was guarding Dreili that day.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go on!”
Viviana was also listening intently, her eyes sparkling. Rebecca chuckled.
“But the knight said this: ‘I never would have thought he was the marquis’s son-in-law. Of course, he did shout about who his father was, but I wasn’t in a position to take that seriously. Besides, he was with some vulgar-looking woman, so how could I have imagined he was that important!’”
“Wow.”
So, the reason he went to Dreily was to commit adultery, but that idiot, in an attempt to save face, reported the knight?
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the knight clearly remembered the events of that day.
“Crazy, really.”
This kind of drama was just the best.
It was excellent material to stir up the bored noblewomen. And it was also a perfect comparison between Illiana and the son of the Marquis of Culbain.
“But the next part is even better.”
“What is it?”
Rebecca knew how to build suspense. She knew exactly where to pause.
“After hearing that, the angry Marquis of Culbain slapped his son-in-law in front of everyone. The sight of that guy crawling away was quite something. I only regret not being there.”
“…This kind of thing is best experienced firsthand.”
That’s a real shame.
In fact, I had been receiving invitations to social gatherings quite frequently. However, I declined most of them. I truly didn’t have time to spend in such places.
Besides, I was getting summarized reports of the advantages to be gained in high society through Casper.
Thanks to that, I missed out on experiencing such moments firsthand.
“The article will turn out well, right?”
“Yeah, absolutely.”
I gave a thumbs up. With this, all the sources were gathered. Now, the next task was to push forward with the production of the next issue. The process had become so natural.
Watching Rebecca and Viviana gradually sync up made me feel so proud. With the next issue’s publication approaching, we spread gossip while also conducting a decisive poll.
<The Hottest Man in the Endrium Empire>
I decided on a spicy title, deliberately adding some drama. It was designed to capture everyone’s interest at least once.
I was confident. This time, Alejandro would surely take the top spot!
Aside from the epidemic incident, he had been the most talked-about person, and of course, there were rumors involving Illiana as well. Even if it was unintentional, how did that appear in the eyes of the public?
‘What kind of charm must a man have for two close women to be interested in him?’
If it were about choosing a man to marry, the chances would be slim, but he wasn’t just any hot guy. Moreover, Alejandro’s beauty was radiant, sparkling with an alluring glow.
With our Lehan’s face bringing in the benefits, how could people not notice? This felt like a game already won.
Hehehe!
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Adrian let out a long sigh.
Surely, thanks to whatever it is that makes them soulmates, after the ceremony with Pope Rendia, his body felt much lighter.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
“Don’t call me that.”
Rendia smiled gently.
“Didn’t I say we came from one soul? There’s no need to be so distant.”
Adrian concealed a cold smile. Every time Rendia looked at him with those heated eyes, he had to suppress the rising disgust.
He knew that without Rendia, he would perish. He glanced at the young priest who was to be the offering in this ceremony, replacing the vanished priest NJ.
Was his name Alex? He was a boy Adrian had seen a few times going back and forth to the temple. A boy who was nothing special, yet he was being used for such a purpose, so he must consider it an honor. Adrian gave the boy a cold glance.
Tears fell from Alex’s eyes, which he hadn’t noticed yet.
‘Being ordinary might be better, Alex.’
Now he finally understood the meaning of that.
