Chapter 72

Empress Rielin pressed her throbbing head firmly. Damn it, Culbain. Thanks to him, she had been thoroughly embarrassed. For having such a subordinate.

Thinking about the Marquis of Culbain, who had recently become a laughingstock in high society, an unbearable headache surged.

Rielin let out a sigh.

Leaning back in her chair, Rielin’s eyes sparkled with various colors. Before Empress Melisa’s death, Rielin had been just a mere concubine. A concubine whom the Emperor had taken in on a whim and then forgotten.

It was only after Melisa’s death that she could step into the light, which had been overshadowed by Melisa’s brilliance. Rielin considered it a divine revelation.

However, it seemed that even the will of the gods was capricious, as they sought to take everything Rielin held in her hands without leaving a trace.

“Melisa…”

And her son, who looked so much like that woman.

Alejandro.

Every time she saw his red eyes shining through his black hair, a chill ran down her spine. Although the color of his eyes was different, his gaze was strikingly similar to his mother’s. Seeing Alejandro felt like looking at Melisa, which stirred up indescribable emotions within her.

When that woman died, Alejandro should have died too. Empress Rielin blinked slowly.

Still, there was a harvest. The epidemic incident had caused people to recall Alejandro’s past. The past that had driven Melisa to her death.

Moreover, there was still one last move left.

“Siena.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Siena placed a glass filled with cold water next to the Empress. Standing straight, Siena responded softly.

“You mentioned that Lord Delint had contacted you before.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Bring that letter here.”

Siena immediately found the letter and handed it over. After Rielin checked the letter, she lifted her lips in a smirk.

“Tell Lord Delint to come at once. Don’t delay; have him come up immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Siena bowed her head deeply.

People and words are meant to be used. Regardless of the intent behind this letter, it would serve as strength for Rielin. Rielin let out a small laugh.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Evelina’s office.

So, it was the first time since that day that I was meeting Alejandro directly. I had heard about him indirectly, though. Alejandro’s last appearance… those affectionate eyes watching me from the bed.

I could vividly understand what he was trying to say, yet those lips remained tightly closed. What could possibly be so difficult?

Those eyes awakened my emotions, yet he seemed completely oblivious to it.

This was a meeting with that Alejandro. I couldn’t help but feel giddy, as if I were on a first date.

“Ahem.”

But perhaps it was only me.

“What are you doing? Sit properly. At this rate, you’ll fall under the chair.”

At those words, I pushed my bottom deep into the sofa. Why do you have to point that out so precisely… making me embarrassed!

“I-I’m not falling! Um, how have you been?”

Alejandro narrowed his eyes. His gaze toward me was filled with curiosity.

“Did you really not hear about me?”

“That’s not what I meant, Lehan.”

I pressed down my feelings and spoke softly. Alejandro squinted and smiled. That sly fox.

“Why are you so tense? It makes me want to gobble you up in one bite.”

I flinched.

To gobble me up? I crossed my arms in front of my body.

“Don’t be so wary. You’ll make me want to become someone truly worth being cautious about.”

I subtly lowered my hands. Just a few words, and he was toying with me. Huh, I’m definitely the adult here, and I’m the older sister. Am I lacking in inner strength?

Alejandro smiled at me.

“You seem to be in a bad mood?”

“…No, I’m fine. Huh.”

Calm down, Evelina. Are you just going to be swayed like this? Show him what an older sister is capable of.

“Today, I have something to discuss with you, Lehan. I’m planning to feature you in a photoshoot for the next magazine, and the concept is wedding-themed.”

“Ah, so we’re practicing for our wedding?”

“Oh, please!”

I shouted without thinking. The eyes of everyone in the office turned toward me. Alejandro stared at me with narrowed eyes.

Lehan didn’t seem to be in a good mood either.

“Why are you acting like this? You know what I’m saying.”

“Does that mean you don’t want to get married? But you’re okay with being engaged?”

“Lehan.”

I didn’t understand why the conversation was veering off course again. Our sharp exchange caused everyone in the office to flee as if in unison.

Before I knew it, only Lehan and I were left in the office.

His gaze toward me was calm.

“I don’t understand you, Evelina.”

“I feel the same way.”

Alejandro tilted his head.

“You act like you’ll give me everything, but when it really matters, you step back.”

“…That’s the same for Alejandro! You’re just playing around with me like that…”

I unconsciously pouted my lips. This is really petty! I didn’t want to say something like this.

“Are you really serious? This isn’t a joke?”

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m not crying.”

Even so, I couldn’t cry. I rubbed my eyes.

“No matter how messy our start was, I believe that relationships between men and women can change at any time.”

“Evelina, why on earth…?”

Alejandro wore an incredibly tired expression. His face, exhaling a sigh, looked worn out.

“…I have a lot to do, but I’m worried about you. I feel like I’m going to lose my mind because of you.”

“So, why?”

Alejandro muttered in a voice mixed with sighs.

“What exactly do you want to hear from me?”

“Is it that hard to say that one word? You’ve said all the harder things to me! Like if things go wrong, you’ll use me as a sacrifice or bait! You’ll take advantage of me! You’ve said all those difficult things, so why is this one so hard?”

My heart raced. There’s nothing more petty than demanding what you want to hear from others. In the end, the answer is predetermined.

But isn’t it okay to do that right now?

I bit my lip and glared at Alejandro.

“Ha.”

Lehan brushed his hair back.

“I don’t understand the feelings you’re talking about. That great love. Is it really that important to you?”

“……”

“My father and mother had that great love too. But my father’s heart was incredibly short. My mother was abandoned and lived her life in loneliness. Do you really think that’s love? If that’s love, I’d rather…”

“I’m different. It’s cliché, but I will be different.”

“Evelina.”

“If you don’t change, I won’t change either. So just say it. The words I want to hear.”

Over the past three months, countless things had happened between me and Alejandro.

When the cold, sharp man softened only in front of me, when he started to give me only gentle looks, when he worried about me.

Moments I didn’t want to know but couldn’t help but know.

“So say it. Hurry!”

Alejandro let out a sigh.

“Fine, I like you! I like you.”

Alejandro rubbed his face.

“Damn it. What’s so important about this? I really can’t understand…”

“I like you, Lehan.”

Alejandro’s eyes widened. The red in his eyes distinctly rippled as he looked at me.

Alejandro’s lips trembled.

“Evelina, right now…”

“I like you. In fact, I can’t even remember when I started liking you.”

It took very little time for my fan feelings to turn into love. This was my heartfelt truth.

Alejandro stared at me blankly. The playful smile that always felt seductive had long disappeared. I leaned closer to Alejandro. His red eyes drew nearer.

This time, I went first.

I kissed Alejandro’s lips briefly.

“Evelina…”

“How is it? Nice, right?”

“……”

“The words ‘I like you’ coming from me sound good, don’t they?”

Alejandro let out a hollow laugh. He rubbed his face, revealing his flushed cheeks. Our eyes met again, and Alejandro was smiling more beautifully than ever.

“…I see.”

Next was Alejandro’s turn. He engulfed my breath.