Chapter 13

"I receive it in the afternoon. There's a delivery route, you know. Why? Do you want to see it, Miss?"

"Is there a way to get it sooner?"

"I can go out and buy it. Shall I get it for you?"

"Yes, please. I'd appreciate it."

It was rare for Elise to ask for something. What would a noble lady need to ask a maid for?

So, Regina was thrilled. She had a chance to be of use to Elise on her own.

"I'll be back like the wind!"

Regina left like a gust of wind.

Left alone, Elise locked the bathroom door tightly and undressed.

"Ah...."

A sigh of defeat escaped Elise as she looked in the mirror.

It was as expected.

Karan, usually far more courteous than any Bedrocan, had transformed completely in bed.

Elise stepped into the bathtub, looking at the mottled marks on her body.

Everything had been going smoothly since her regression. She felt like the goddess of fortune was on her side.

"Today, I'll be sure."

Elise was determined to identify the owner of the Alleycat Times. If one of the three people she suspected was involved, her story would certainly be in today's article.

"Who could it be?"

Elise's anticipation grew.

The next afternoon, Elise entered a small tea shop in the city.

The dimly lit tea shop had an atmosphere quite different from what noble ladies preferred.

Its location, far from bustling areas, made Regina ask several times when Elise said she wanted to go there.

"Do you really have an appointment?"

And for thirty minutes, Elise had been waiting for someone. Regina, tilting her head in confusion, asked her.

Yesterday, after Regina brought the Alleycat Times, Elise was certain about the publisher.

She immediately wrote a letter to the publisher.

If she received the letter, she would surely come to the appointment today.

'Even if it's to deny it.'

Elise trusted her intuition.

"Of course, Regina. If you're bored waiting, go out and explore the city."

"No way, Miss. How can I leave you alone?"

Though it was a safe place, Elise let Regina do as she wished.

Instead, Elise arranged a separate spot for Regina to rest comfortably.

There was also a reason to ease the guard of the person she was meeting.

"Order whatever you want."

"I should be by your side…"

"It's more uncomfortable with you here."

Regina reluctantly moved to another table.

Elise watched Regina settle at a distant table before picking up her teacup.

That's when a shadow fell over her.

'Finally, she's here.'

Judging by the timing, it seemed she hadn't appeared until Regina was seated at another table.

Elise was glad she had moved Regina.

"Being punctual is a very important virtue for a journalist."

"Duty indeed. But more important is security."

Elise's face reflected in the teacup was full of smiles.

Click, Elise set down her teacup.

She stood up and extended her hand.

"Welcome, Miss Devora Highbris. Should I rather address you as the publisher of the Alleycat Times?"

"Do you really believe I am the publisher of the Alleycat Times?"

Devora retorted sharply as she shook Elise's hand.

After a brief handshake, she sat opposite Elise.

"I didn't expect you to deny it after coming all this way. You were just talking about the stance of a journalist."

"I came here to correct Elise's misunderstanding. Anyone can understand the stance of a journalist if they think about it."

"Well, if that's what you think. Shall we order tea first since this conversation might take a while?"

Elise called the waiter. Devora ordered warm peppermint tea.

"Why do you think I'm the publisher of the Alleycat Times?"

Devora asked, seemingly impatient for the tea to arrive.

Elise poured milk into her teacup and stirred it leisurely. Devora furrowed her brows at her relaxed demeanor.

"Are you anxious?"

"Me? Why?"

"Exactly. Writing isn't a crime, so why be nervous?"

"Look, Elise."

"Your leg is shaking. You're also constantly biting your lip."

Elise rummaged through her small handbag and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to Devora.

"You're bleeding."

Devora glared at Elise and took the handkerchief, pressing it firmly against her lip.

As expected, there was blood.

"Your tea is ready."

The waiter arrived with the tea at just the right moment.

Elise waited for Devora to drink her tea and calm her nerves.

'More sensitive than I expected.'

Writing isn't a crime, as Elise said.

But there's no freedom from moral responsibility.

Especially the Alleycat Times, which often dealt with sensitive gossip, had many enemies.

'Many would think there wouldn't have been a problem if Devora hadn't written about the affair with a lover.'

The Alleycat Times occasionally did social exposés, resulting in fines for some nobles.

At least ten people would want revenge on the publisher of the Alleycat Times.

'It's natural to be cautious. It's a world where the guilty are more indignant.'

Elise understood Devora's position and thus continued the conversation in a softer tone.

"I've read every issue from the first publication to today. I found out that the publisher of the Alleycat Times belongs to certain circles. Like Lady Ettua's flower arranging club, Smith's riding club. And you were invited to Prince David's birthday party three years in a row, and attended in person. But not to Prince Chase's birthday."

"There must be many people like that."

"Exactly three. You, Devora, and then Patricia, and lastly Jasmine."

Devora looked up, having previously kept her gaze down.

"Could that tea time be…"

"Yes, it was a meeting created to find the publisher of the Alleycat Times. There, I dropped a story worth writing about. Have you seen today's Alleycat Times?"

"I have."

Devora's nonchalance in responding, despite having written it herself, slightly impressed Elise.

Today's Alleycat Times included some of the stories shared during Elise's tea time.

Titled 'Ladies' Secret Confidential Talks', it was written like a novel, but it contained Elise's kissing experience.

Anyone else might not have noticed, but Elise, who had shared the story herself, instantly recognized that she was the protagonist in 'Ladies' Secret Confidential Talks'.

"Now you know why I identified you as the publisher of the Alleycat Times."

"I don't see it."

Whether she was pretending not to understand or truly didn't, Elise wasn't sure.

If it was the former, Elise was ready to applaud her acting skills; if the latter, she would be disappointed in her obtuseness.

Elise exhaled. If she continued to deny it, Elise would make it undeniable.

"Patricia wouldn't write anything favorable about me. I could tell she doesn't like me from our meeting that day. And Jasmine wasn't interested in my story. Precisely, the topic of 'kisses'. At first, she seemed interested, but then she asked me what I was wearing when I kissed. If Jasmine were the publisher, the Alleycat Times would have filled a page with what we were wearing that day, the accessories we had on."

Devora chewed on her lower lip.

"Shall I drive the final nail in the coffin? Handwriting."

"The handwriting would certainly be different, wouldn't it?"

Hearing Devora's question, Elise smiled triumphantly.

The question was as good as Devora admitting she was the publisher of the Alleycat Times.

Realizing her slip-up, Devora sighed.

"Fine, I'm the publisher of the Alleycat Times. So what? Do you want me to confess that in front of the nobility and apologize?"

"Of course not."

"Or are you going to threaten me to stop publishing the Alleycat Times?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Because the next article is about…"

Devora stopped mid-sentence.

Before coming here, she had received a confidential tip about Elise.

The content was so shocking that, despite being a scoop, Devora was debating whether to write about it or not.

Not out of concern for Elise, but fearing the backlash if it turned out to be false.

Especially since royalty was involved, she had to be more cautious.

"It's fine, write whatever you want about me."

Even without knowing what it was.

Devora's lips twitched. Just to be safe, she decided to keep the tip a secret.

"You didn't figure this out just for fun. What do you want?"

For three years, Devora had been publishing the gossip magazine alone.

During that time, she had experienced many harsh realities that ordinary noble ladies couldn't even imagine.

There was no need to be intimidated just because she was caught. Devora lifted her chin defiantly.

"I don't particularly want anything, I'm just offering you information."

Devora narrowed her eyes.

As a gossip magazine publisher, Devora had learned many things, one of which she held as an absolute truth.

Nothing in this world is free.

Those who provided information, the printing press that published the gossip magazine, the kids who delivered it – none of them worked for free.

The world didn't operate on mere affection, vanity, or notions of social justice.

You give and take to avoid trouble later.

"Trust me, I mean it."

So she knows about the tip.

Devora relaxed.

"Ha, you're beating around the bush just to tell me not to write the article. I'll ask you one thing. The rumor about you and Prince Titris is a lie, right?"

"It's true. Please write that article."

"...!"

Devora's face cracked with surprise.

Amused by her shocked expression, Elise smiled lightly.

"If you really need to feel like you owe me something, then write the article very explicitly and sensationally. Let that be my request."

Devora's mouth fell open in astonishment.

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This novel has been translated up to chapter 30.

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