31
I answered cautiously.
“That’s right.”
“Why bother?”
“Well, because Duke Kalleid is a very important student.”
“In what sense?”
“You could say he’s a student who can influence the existence of the boarding school.”
Dante’s questions were like sharp blades coming at me.
I struggled to parry those blades.
“For example, if Duke Kalleid were to expose that he escaped and was trapped in our boarding school, it would be a fatal blow to our school.”
I subtly observed Dante’s reaction.
He raised his eyebrows as if urging me to continue.
“If things go wrong, not only Duke Kalleid but even the students who passed through our boarding school with him might protest.”
Until now, I had been suppressing rebellion against Dante’s infamous reputation and power.
But Duke Kalleid, Lucian, was someone who could compete evenly with Dante.
In a situation where they were tightly confronting each other, the victory or defeat would ultimately be decided by who had the justification.
And this time, the justification was…
‘In Lucian’s favor.’
So, in the original work as well, wouldn’t this dreadful boarding school eventually collapse?
“So, I’ve been deliberately trying to maintain a good relationship with Duke Kalleid.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Yes. My efforts haven’t been entirely in vain, so… he seems to rely on me a bit.”
I licked my dry lips and calmly continued, “It’s like being a sister.”
“Sister?”
His red eyes sharply glinted.
“Yeah, well. It’s not entirely groundless.”
Just as Dante seemed to wipe my cheek, he grabbed my chin.
Looking into my eyes, he grinned.
“Our dear, did you make the mistake of not locking the door from the first day Duke Kalleid came?”
Damn it.
I internally cursed while smiling along with Dante.
I hoped my smile would appear as relaxed as possible.
“Did I really forget to lock the door?”
“So?”
“I wanted to teach Duke Kalleid a lesson. No matter how much he struggles…”
My soft-spoken voice sounded quite malicious.
“…he can’t escape from here.”
“Hmm.”
Dante narrowed his eyes and stared at me, as if trying to explore my true intentions.
Since it wasn’t a lie, I met his gaze without blinking.
“Alright, let’s say that’s true.”
Dante, with a bright smile, changed the subject as if he were inquiring about my mood.
“How did you find out about Viktor’s suspicious behavior?”
“I’ve been keeping an eye on Viktor for a while.”
Surveillance?
Oddly, it was Dante who showed a strange expression at my casual answer.
“Really? Why were you watching Viktor?”
“Well, Viktor was too suspicious.”
I openly expressed my dissatisfaction with Viktor.
For the first time, Dante looked puzzled.
“What?”
Ordinary people usually don’t resort to surveillance even if they dislike someone. It’s not common to go to such lengths.
“So, I tried to find some trivial flaws to kick him out, but I never thought he would collude with an outsider.”
But I maintained a calm expression.
Observing my expression, Dante threw another question.
“Why did you find Viktor suspicious?”
“Well, he always behaved rudely towards me, who is your lover.”
I shrugged.
“At least in Rose Cross Boarding School, no one should approach me.”
“Is that so? Why?”
“Why are you asking such obvious things, my lord?”
I widened my eyes and looked up at Dante.
“I’m my lord’s woman.”
Dante’s face twitched.
After a moment, Dante burst into laughter.
“Ahahaha!”
I didn’t understand what was so funny, but he laughed heartily, bending over and kicking his feet.
And then…
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Wiping away the tears gathered in the corners of his eyes, Dante nodded.
“At least in this boarding school, no one should dare approach my woman with improper intentions.”
Alright.
I inwardly sighed with relief.
Dante never tolerates anything that could damage his authority.
So, deliberately emphasizing that point seemed to be the right move.
Dante elegantly extended his arm towards me.
“Shall we go to the room?”
He treated a lady like a true gentleman.
…But he wasn’t the same man who escorted me so politely before.
I concealed my complex feelings and placed my hand on Dante’s forearm.
In that moment, I realized.
‘Viktor, you’ve already been killed.’
Under Dante’s well-manicured nails, traces of unwiped blood were evident.
* * *
“Where are you going?”
It was late at night, and I was about to return to my bedroom, but unexpectedly, Dante grabbed hold of me.
“After meeting your lover after so long, do you really think I’d let you use a separate room?”
Dante raised his eyebrows with a pathetic expression.
“My lord, are you too harsh on me?”
“…?”
No, he never showed any interest in me before.
Although his temperament is capricious, couldn’t he consider my situation, where I had to accommodate to his every whim?
…Even though such a retort crawled up my throat, I swallowed the words.
Then, I smiled gracefully.
“I must have hurt you, my lord. I apologize for that.”
I spoke sweetly, just like Elze, who ardently loved Dante in the original work.
“But I’m glad.”
“Glad? About what?”
“I’m happy because it seems my lord values me so much.”
Dante looked down at me with a cold gaze.
I felt a bit tense.
“You say sweet things so well.”
His laughter, mixed with humor, cut through my ears sharply.
“But it’s a problem because it’s a lie.”
I stiffened my shoulders.
“A lie? What do you mean…”
“Is it really not a lie?”
My mouth felt extremely dry.
“If you were your usual self, you would have probably said you’d use the same bedroom as me before I even caught you.”
“…That.”
I licked my dry lips, then expressed my concern with a slightly trembling voice.
“You came late tonight; I was worried you might be tired.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Dante tilted his head in confusion. Suddenly, he reached out and lifted me as if cradling a princess.
I instinctively suppressed the scream that was about to burst out.
“My lord?”
I called Dante in a muffled voice, but he remained indifferent. Carrying me in his arms, Dante took confident strides.
Bang!
The door opened forcefully, revealing an opulent bedroom.
Dante gently placed me on the bed, and the plush mattress swayed like the sea.
I lay on the bed, looking up at Dante. He stared down at me with an inscrutable expression, lifting the corners of his lips in a smirk.
“It seems like my dear underestimates me too much.”
His long and elegant fingers playfully traced my cheek. Following the round contours of my cheek, he brushed over my plump lower lip.
Then, he lowered his head and pressed his lips against my neck, his sharp fangs lightly grazing my tender skin.
“Ugh.”
I barely managed to suppress the moan trying to escape. My heart pounded wildly. It was the moment that the original Elze in the source material would have longed for. Unlike her, I didn’t.
If I became entangled in an obsession with Dante, I might lose my rational judgment…
‘This is dangerous.’
Another alarm bell rang in my head.
“Perhaps it’s because I haven’t seen my dear in a while, or maybe I really like the gift my dear prepared for me…”
With his lips on my neck, Dante whispered in a honeyed and sticky voice.
“Far from being tired, I’m overflowing with energy.”
“My lord…”
“Maybe my dear is scared that I might not be as fond of her… is that terrifying?”
I shuddered for a moment. Despite his seemingly nonchalant words, Dante seemed remarkably restless.
To break his long-standing taboo and spend the night with me…
32
‘Why on earth?’
No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t understand the reason. The only thing I could grasp onto was Lucian…
But in the current situation, there seemed to be no need for Dante to be hostile towards Lucian. In the original work, Dante had no particular interest in Lucian, at least until the female protagonist appeared.
‘Oh, could it be?’
For a moment, I blinked.
‘Did Dante become sensitive and seek Elze because he thought Elze damaged his authority?’
It was a reasonable deduction. Since I was Dante’s lover, the scene where Lucian and I were alone together might have bothered him.
‘In that case, it makes sense that he investigated Lucian thoroughly.’
Dante’s emotions towards me were probably not much different from what a child would feel towards a toy. When a child loses interest in a toy and is willing to give it to another child, the child might later refuse to let go, claiming, ‘This toy is mine.’
It’s that kind of possessiveness.
“What are you thinking, my dearr?”
Dante whispered with a moist voice as he gently scraped his fingers along my neck.
“Hmm.”
Every nerve in my body tensed, and my toes curled involuntarily.
‘No, I can’t.’
I bit down on my teeth. I didn’t want to engage in this kind of relationship, not because it was inappropriate or unromantic, but for some innocent reason.
It wasn’t that innocent, though. After all, the original Elze and Dante had already been intimate several times.
Rather, it was more like, ‘I’m not the one who loves this man; it’s the original Elze.’
Yet, my head was already spinning. My breathing quickened, my whole body warmed up, and my senses became more acute.
This was not good. If I made a wrong move, I might get swept away by the emotions of the original Elze and lose myself.
And my goal was to…
‘Survive.’
To somehow survive and escape from this decrepit reverse harem romance fantasy world.
Breaking free from the fate of the villainess and living as myself.
To achieve that, I shouldn’t establish relationships with the male protagonists deeper than necessary—at least not in the current state of heightened emotions. Spending the night with someone should be avoided.
“Milord… you’re not a bastard.”
Dante froze for a moment.
“You said that forcing one’s feelings onto an unwanted partner and sticking to them is what a bastard does.”
I gasped for breath and repeated.
“Right?”
Dante fell silent for a moment.
In truth, Dante never engages sexually with someone who is not willing. This principle is related to Dante’s long-standing trauma.
Dante’s mother became pregnant with him through an unwanted relationship and blamed him for ruining her life. Dante resented his unknown father, who was as much to blame as the one who destroyed his mother’s life.
“Hmm.”
A moment later, Dante, who had risen, stared at me with narrowed eyes.
It was as if the toy that had been playing well until the day before suddenly broke, and his oddly swollen face seemed to convey that.
“See? It’s different, as I expected.”
“Milord…”
“If it were the usual you, you would never have refused me.”
I would never refuse him, that’s what he said. Perhaps that statement was true.
Until now, it was Elze who had eagerly hoped for a physical relationship with Dante, and Dante had been the one pushing her away because he found her bothersome.
But when I heard that firm declaration, something deep in my chest wavered.
…The original Elze must have loved Dante that much.
“Well, your words are correct.”
Dante distanced himself from me.
“Since I’m not a bastard, let’s stop here for today.”
“Please go wash up and get some sleep soon.”
I flashed a bright smile.
Dante, displeased, clicked his tongue and walked toward the bathroom with determined steps.
*Splash*
After a while, the sound of water pouring behind the closed bathroom door echoed.
“…Ha.”
I sighed deeply, sprawling across the bed.
The tension melted away, replaced by a relaxed feeling.
Come to think of it, I’d been on edge since yesterday.
‘Tired.’
I pressed my eyelids firmly with both hands.
Inside my sight, red and black spots took over, blinking like stars.
‘…I shouldn’t fall asleep.’
The sound of water pouring like raindrops felt like a lullaby.
I tried to resist somehow, but the force pressing down on my eyelids was too strong.
My eyes closed with a soft swoosh.
I succumbed to sleep without resistance.
* * *
Clang.
The bathroom door opened.
A warm mist wafted out, revealing a finely chiseled man wearing only a loosely draped shower gown—Dante.
“My dear.”
“….”
“My Dear, Elze?”
But Elze still didn’t respond.
Frowning, Dante walked hesitantly toward the bed.
Soon, he noticed Elze, peacefully asleep.
“What’s this? She fell asleep in the meantime?”
Dante carefully sat beside Elze.
He scrutinized her sleeping face.
Long, lush eyelashes cast a light shadow over her smooth, doll-like face.
Slightly parted pink lips resembled a budding rose.
The rhythmic, even sounds of her breathing were serene.
…In stark contrast to Dante’s feelings.
“Ha, seriously.”
Dante chewed on curses while nervously tousling his hair.
His behavior today was so irrational that even Dante himself couldn’t comprehend it.
When he first returned to the dormitory and tore apart Viktor, Dante felt elated as if he were soaring.
However.
The moment he’d stepped onto the rose-covered grounds.
“Really, it felt like shit.”
The fragrance of blooming roses, the gentle breeze carrying the scent, and Elze’s radiant hair that flowed like waves.
The angelic young man, gently placing a rosebud in Elze’s hair with a clumsy gesture.
His honey-colored eyes, as if they could taste sweet when licked, looked up at the young man.
In that moment, Dante had to endure an intense discomfort, as if his entire being was twisting.
Why was it so discomforting?
Was it because Elsie, who had been so relentless in her pursuit of Dante’s ass, was looking at another man?
But one thing was certain.
Elze and Lucien standing side by side looked so perfect that they seemed unattainable.
The scene was excessively beautiful, and Dante wanted to trample it down and mess it up.
‘…Duke Kalleid.’
His crimson eyes sank coldly.
‘It’s irritating.’
Perhaps that was the reason.
He had intended to ask about Viktor first and, against his own will, his lips moved, asking about Duke Kalleid.
‘Was the sweet stroll you had a part of your special management too?’
Moreover, the moment when Dante kissed Elze on the forehead earlier.
The fierce gaze of Duke Kalleid was something else.
It was undoubtedly…
“Ha.”
Dante twisted the corner of his lips.
Moreover, Elze’s attitude was the same.
Her bright smile, like a fully bloomed flower, was as radiant as usual.
However, her gaze now often drifted away from Dante.
As if she was no longer interested in him.
“Hey.”
He called out straightforwardly, but Elze only let out a faint, trembling breath, refusing to answer.
“It’s not good to smile like that while looking at someone else.”
Dante gently whispered as he removed strands of hair clinging to her cheek.
“You’re trying to turn me away, aren’t you?”
Elze’s behavior, as Dante remembered, was always diverse.
She would cry, get angry, apologize, plead not to be abandoned, cling persistently…
Or she would put on a mask-like smile to hide her expression.
But Elze next to Lucian was smiling gently without any hint of distress.
It was the first time.
That Elze made such an expression.
More precisely, Dante couldn’t even imagine Elze making such an expression.
“…”
Dante clenched his teeth tightly.
Countless emotions bubbled up from deep within his stomach.
He couldn’t determine the nature of these emotions.
Yet, he couldn’t help but feel restless.
“Damn it.”
Dante lay on the bed without caring if the sheets got wet.
He pressed his body against Elze, wrapping his arms tightly around her slender figure.
Only then did his restlessness subside a little.
“Really, it’s not like I’m a kid who can’t sleep without their mother by their side.”
Dante closed his eyes, forcing a bitter laugh.
The tension that had been building up finally loosened.
* * *
At that moment, in the prison cell.
Lucian was barely suppressing the surging anger.
Quack!
The scene of rough boots trampling on rose flowers was still vivid in his mind.
The man who kissed Elze’s forehead, looking into Lucian’s eyes as if declaring, “This woman is mine.”
Dante Dessaby Offenheir.
The one who held Lucian’s freedom and Elze’s freedom in his hands.
“…Annoying.”
In his azure eyes, there was a spark of vitality.
33
A quiet night.
The heavy falling snow dyed the entire world a pale white.
The harsh winter wind whipped against the body like a whip.
I hung limply on the railing, staring blankly down below.
In the pitch darkness, a slushy, icy river flowed vigorously.
Anyone seeing me would probably be greatly perplexed.
A woman hanging on a railing, wearing only a thin, glamorous dress suitable for a warm banquet, with disheveled hair.
Of course, there would be no one who witnessed my messy appearance, and there was no need to worry about dignity, but still.
“…Ha.”
A dry laugh escaped my lips.
Here I was, competing against a man twenty-eight years older than me, with a substantial belly, who had just come out of a match.
Merchants, nobles, foreigners…
The men with various occupations and appearances had exactly three things in common.
First, they were at least twenty years older than me.
Second, they exhibited considerable resistance.
And third, they had experienced more than one failed marriage.
Probably to handle the extravagance of a stepmother and to pay off the gambling debts of a father.
And they were chosen as prospective husbands to secure funds for the flourishing Lepherian son… my stepbrother.
Since my mother passed away, I had been through matchmaking numerous times.
I had given up counting after around thirty attempts.
I tried self-harm, smashed everything inside the house in rebellion, ran away declaring my hatred for marriage, but now…
“Tired.”
Now, the act of rebelling itself had become exhausting.
Why was I born?
Born as the pretty daughter of a half-and-half noble family.
If the end of my life is to be sold as someone’s ward, to pay for the luxurious life of a bunch of people I don’t even want to call family…….
“Isn’t it better to put an end to this annoying life now?”
I leaned more on the railing.
As my body tilted downward, the rough flowing river below tinted my vision blue.
I closed my eyes slowly.
Now, without having to hear the nagging from my family, it felt somewhat refreshing.
But then…
“Hey.”
Suddenly, a reaching hand firmly grabbed my throat.
My vision spun, and before I knew it, I was facing a man.
A sculpture crafted by darkness and eyes.
The only vivid colors were the beautiful ruby-like red eyes and droplets of blood that stained the smooth marble-like cheek.
“Are you trying to die?”
“…”
I was speechless. Until just a moment ago, I believed that death was the only way to become free. But upon hearing that question, I realized otherwise.
“I don’t want to die.”
I replied with a hoarse voice.
“Then why are you standing here contemplating?”
“Dying… I think it’s better than living.”
“Oh? That’s interesting.”
The man brushed his disheveled black hair off his forehead and narrowed his eyes.
“Just a little while ago, I sent those beggars pleading for their lives to the gods one by one.”
His red lips traced an attractive curve.
“Now, I forcibly rescued a woman who thinks it’s better to go to the gods.”
* * *
I opened my eyes.
‘…Ah, of course, it’s a dream like this.’
It was about a year ago.
At that time, Dante, who had established a base near the Lepherian principality and was steadily accumulating wealth through smuggling, brought Elze, the original character, as if picking up a stray puppy.
‘How amusing.’
Just for that simple reason.
And Elze was delighted with Dante like a chick recognizing its parents for the first time.
Well, from Elze’s perspective, it made sense.
From the moment she took Dante’s place as his lover, her family could no longer pressure or torment her.
“Huh?”
I was about to gather my thoughts and try to get up, but I hesitated.
Long, muscular arms were tightly wrapped around my waist.
It was Dante.
“…”
I tried to somehow free myself from Dante’s arms, but he didn’t budge.
Having given up, I tossed and turned, lying on my back.
Dante was still in a deep sleep.
He appeared harmless, as if he could do no harm.
Impulsively, I reached out to Dante.
With my fingers, I gently traced his elegant forehead.
As I caressed his butterfly-like eyelashes that had settled like snowflakes, brushed past his sharp nose, and swept over his lips like a veil.
Dante continued to emit only heavy breathing.
It was confusing.
This intense affection I felt, the irrational emotion that felt like I would stop breathing if he wasn’t by my side, was undoubtedly the emotion of the ‘original Elze.’
Why couldn’t I completely let go of this tender feeling toward this man?
And then…
“Darling.”
Dante grabbed my fingertips.
Pressing my fingers to his lips, Dante lifted his eyelids.
His eyes, filled with the remnants of drowsiness, revealed ruby-red irises that shone like jewels in the morning sunlight.
“Good morning.”
Dante curved his eyebrows, presenting a slightly bewitching smile that could captivate anyone instantly.
I bit my lip tightly.
I wish I could love this man as fanatically as the original Elze.
If that were the case, there wouldn’t be such confusion.
I…
‘I’m scared.’
I couldn’t genuinely love this man.
Affection and fear.
Opposing emotions constrict my breath.
“Did you have a good dream last night?”
Offering a morning greeting, I gently pulled my hand away.
Dante furrowed his brows discontentedly.
To avoid his gaze, I subtly rose to a sitting position.
“You should get up now.”
“I’ll sleep a bit more.”
Well, considering he disposed of Victor after coming late to the dormitory yesterday, he might be tired.
“In that case, should I bring breakfast here for you?”
“Just handle it yourself…”
Muttering vaguely, Dante wrapped both arms around my waist.
“Let go, please.”
I tried to push his arms away, but…
“No.”
Dante immediately rejected my words and responded by burying his face in my thigh.
His arms around my waist exerted a strong force.
‘Why is he suddenly like this?’
I managed to swallow the sigh that was about to burst out.
I knew he had a capricious personality, but why this sudden stubbornness?
“My Lord, I’m the dormitory manager, right?”
I spoke tentatively.
“There’s a lot of work I have to do.”
“What… again.”
“I have to supervise the servants, manage special students…”
Suddenly, Dante raised his head.
“If it’s a special student, it’s Duke Kalleid, right?”
His questioning tone made the atmosphere tense.
In his voice, I could sense a sharp hostility that had suddenly surfaced.
“…Yes, that’s right.”
My mouth felt dry.
The warm morning from just a while ago disappeared completely, and a tension like walking on thin ice invaded my entire body.
“The presence of Duke Kalleid is kept highly confidential.”
“So?”
“Until now, only a very small number of personnel, including the managers, were in charge of managing him. Even that was in the situation where Victor was expelled.”
I smiled confidently, pretending to be at ease.
“Of course, it’s not a job that the busy Marquis himself can directly manage… There’s no one else suitable for the task, right?”
“Why isn’t there?”
Dante responded irritably, “There’s Liam.”
Liam.
The name of Dante’s closest aide who served him like a shadow.
In the original work, Liam was a competent secretary and right-hand man who remained loyal to Dante until the end.
“While I’m staying here, he’ll personally manage Duke Kalleid.”
“Is that so? That’s good.”
I nodded.
In that case, it would be better to refrain from meeting Lucian for a while and leave it to Liam.
Especially since Dante already found my contact with Lucian unpleasant.
‘If it’s Liam, he won’t act recklessly or cause harm to Lucian.’
This was quite reassuring.
“More importantly, darling.”
At the same time, Dante tilted his gaze towards me.
“Since yesterday, you’ve been calling me My Lord…”
As if trying to pry into my thoughts, Dante narrowed his eyes.
“Are you going to continue avoiding using my name?”
34
“Ah.”
I smiled as if I had just drawn a full smile on my face after a brief pause.
“I used to behave quite rudely towards you, My lord.”
What?
As if asking about it, Dante frowned and stared at me.
I spoke calmly, “Please forgive my inappropriate behavior. I sincerely regret the time when I insisted on calling you by your name. I promise I won’t do that again.”
“Elze.”
“I won’t do it again.”
I looked at Dante with a serious gaze.
“I want to be a woman who suits you, my lord.”
“Oh, really.”
Dante exaggeratedly widened his eyes.
“I never thought you’d say that. Have you finally matured?”
“…”
I stared at Dante with a smiling face.
At the same time, Dante wiped his chin with a subtle expression.
“But it’s strange. I’ve always hoped for you to mature, but why do I feel so uncomfortable now?”
“…”
What does this man want from me, exactly?
I suppressed a sigh and offered a polite apology.
“I’m sorry if I upset you. That wasn’t my intention.”
“No, no. I’m not expecting an apology from you. It’s my issue.”
Dante, waving his hand casually, unexpectedly asked me, “Shall we have breakfast?”
* * *
Afterward, Dante and I had breakfast in the bedroom.
The aroma of butter-filled croissants, strong coffee and juice, various butters and jams.
Eggs fried generously in oil, sausages, and even a salad.
It was truly a luxurious breakfast.
‘…Can all of this fit in my stomach from the morning?’
I looked down at the food with a disgusted expression.
Meanwhile, Dante was devouring an enormous amount of food effortlessly.
What surprised me the most was that, despite clearing his plates in an instant, he didn’t look at all unpleasant.
His elegant manner of consuming the food without violating any dining etiquette made it look sophisticated.
‘Well, if you’re going to engage in bloody battles and fights, you’ll need an enormous amount of calories in your daily routine.’
I just took a sip of hot coffee.
“Darling, isn’t your portion too small?”
Dante, having just sipped some juice, glanced at me with a side glance.
“I’ve lost my appetite; maybe it’s because it hasn’t been long since I woke up.”
“Hmm.”
Dante, who was furrowing his brows displeased, took the plate in front of me.
Cutting a piece of sausage into large portions, he pierced it with a fork and brought it to my lips.
“…”
What on earth is he doing?
I stiffened slightly, and at the same time, Dante seemed to poke at me with the fork.
“Don’t act all stubborn; just eat, will you?”
I blinked in rare confusion.
‘So, is he trying to feed me right now?’
Considering Dante’s usual personality, it seemed unlikely for him to take care of me like this…
Dante, noticing my dazed state, chuckled again.
“Hurry up.”
Although eating greasy food in the morning was usually not my preference, I reflexively lowered my eyelids.
“Yes, thank you.”
I swept my hair behind my ear and accepted the sausage.
It had a savory yet oily taste that lingered on the tip of my tongue.
‘Oh, I’m definitely going to regret this.’
While thinking that internally, I maintained a cheerful expression outwardly.
“It’s delicious.”
My reaction seemed satisfactory enough, and Dante also wore a contented expression.
Afterward, Dante surprisingly took care of my breakfast with great care.
Honestly, swallowing those greasy foods from the morning was itself a struggle, but I diligently ate as much as I could.
In the midst of that, I couldn’t help but think, ‘How is Lucian doing right now?’
Inevitably, Lucian was on my mind.
Perhaps it was due to what happened yesterday.
Being the son of the Empire’s top aristocratic family, Lucian had a subtle sensitivity about him.
He even skipped meals due to stress before.
Glancing at Dante’s reaction, I cautiously opened my mouth.
“By the way, the breakfast for Duke Kalleid…”
Dante, who was spreading butter and jam on a soft bread, momentarily stopped his hand.
Crimson eyes stared directly at me.
I felt my mouth go dry.
“…”
“…”
After a sharp silence,
Dante chuckled lightly and shrugged his shoulders.
“Why, do you think I would let the Duke starve?”
“No, of course not.”
I faced Dante with the most indifferent expression I could muster.
“Just, I’m the caretaker in charge of Duke Kalleid.”
Dante continued to scrutinize me as if urging me to say more, but he didn’t say anything else.
I desperately moved my tongue, trying to prevent it from stiffening due to tension.
“Of course, I know Liam said he’ll take care of it now, and I believe Liam will handle it well, without any doubt, but…”
I calmly continued my words.
“If, by any chance, the condition of the special student worsens, it might feel somewhat like my responsibility.”
“Hmm.”
Dante, who had been scrutinizing me as if observing, suddenly burst into a gentle smile.
It was a subtly sunny smile.
“I didn’t know our self had such a strong sense of responsibility.”
“As I mentioned earlier, I want to be a woman who suits the Marquis.”
I casually shrugged my shoulders.
“I won’t throw tantrums like a child to the Marquis anymore, and I won’t neglect my duties.”
“Is that so?”
Dante tilted his head with a sly smile.
“I’ve heard some admirable words.”
His voice, complimenting in a sophisticated manner, sounded as if dealing with ants struggling beneath his feet.
It was like offering a condescending mercy, treating the ants that struggled even if they rebelled, never leaving a mark.
“I appreciate your hard work, but I told Liam to take good care of the Marquis. You don’t need to worry so much.”
After saying that, Dante placed a piece of bread into my mouth.
“Now, you need to have your meal too.”
Mechanically, I chewed and swallowed him.
The texture of the soft bread, the rich butter, and the sweet strawberry jam mixed chaotically in my mouth.
After finishing the meal like that,
Dante, who had cleared the food trays in the bedroom, glanced at me.
“Dear, I’m thinking of attending the Dolence Club after a long time. What do you think?”
Dolence Club?
I perked up my ears.
It was a club hosted by Dante’s uncle, the second prince.
A club where high-ranking officials, celebrities, and nobles from prestigious families mainly attended.
To become a member, you needed an invitation from the host or sponsorship from at least three club members of noble status.
So, being a member of that club itself was a very honorable thing.
Furthermore, the fact that Dante was admitted to the club as a member proves how aware the royal family is of Dante.
Dante added with a beautiful smile, “Every time my uncle sees me, he makes a face as if he’s chewing something. It refreshes my mood.”
…Really, it’s as if someone thinks he’s a villain.
Twisted personality and all that.
I chuckled inwardly.
Well, it was natural that the members of the royal family were quite uncomfortable with Dante.
Actually, it was expected.
Led by the current emperor, the members of the royal family pretended not to know the tragedy of Dante’s mother.
But then.
Dante casually said, “Get ready. You are going too.”
“….”
I was silent for a moment.
When a club member takes someone as a partner, it means they take the relationship seriously.
At least there should be no hesitation in revealing that partner to the outside.
‘Dante wouldn’t do that, would he?’
Moreover.
‘…It feels subtly unpleasant.’
I felt my stomach twist.
I didn’t even ask for an opinion, and there’s this arrogance that he thinks I’ll naturally accept it.
And Dante oddly had a gaze filled with anticipation.
Like wondering what reaction he would get after giving a present to a child.
But I wasn’t the original Elzé, so I wanted to answer right away why I had to go with him.
‘Well, that won’t work.’
I turned my head for a moment and calmly opened my mouth.
“Of course, I’d love to be with my lord, but… I can’t go.”
Dante’s face tightened slightly in that moment.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I can’t cause trouble for my lord.”
“Trouble?”
Facing Dante with a furrowed brow, I lowered my eyes in a truly regretful manner.
“Yes. I haven’t made my debutante ball yet.”
35
Debutante ball.
It’s an event where young ladies make their first appearance in high society.
Typically, the royal family hosts a debutante ball once a year during the spring social season.
Ladies attend the party to enter society, but truly prestigious families sometimes hold their debutante balls independently.
And I am twenty years old this year.
Usually, noble young ladies finish their debutante balls at the legal age of eighteen and begin looking for potential marriage partners.
By the time they turn twenty, they often engage in formal arrangements for marriage.
In other words, I’m already quite late to have a debutante ball, and as for engagement…
“…”
I involuntarily sneered.
It reminded me of my parents.
During my youth, when I was as young and pretty as possible, they hastily matched me with various men to get a good bride price.
Suddenly, someone called me.
“Dear.”
I snapped back to attention.
Red eyes were staring at me intently.
“What are you thinking?”
Ah.
I smoothly smiled, concealing my expression.
Regardless of what emotions I may be feeling, showing them to him would be nothing but a hassle.
“Just some old memories that briefly crossed my mind.”
“Old memories?”
“Yes, from before I met My lord.”
“I see.”
Dante, who had been reminiscing for a moment, suddenly widened his eyes.
“When I picked you up?”
It was as if recalling picking up a puppy on the street.
After all, for him, whether it’s picking up an animal or bringing me along, it probably doesn’t feel that different.
“Anyway, since I haven’t had a debutante ball yet, it doesn’t seem appropriate for me to stand as my lord’s partner.”
I expressed my refusal tactfully.
“Especially in gatherings where society’s elites, like the Diorlunce Club, come together.”
It was true.
A lady who hasn’t had a debutante ball is treated as if she has some flaw.
Well, I’m practically abandoned by my family.
I do have a flaw, but…
But Dante seemed to interpret my words in a different way.
“If that’s the case, I’ll host the debutante ball, just for us.”
Dante gently lifted my chin.
Perhaps due to tension, my shoulders stiffened.
His red eyes stared at me intensely.
“Aren’t you going to refuse me anymore?”
“…”
For a moment, I felt a chill down my spine, as if I had stepped on a landmine.
‘I thought it was a reasonable reason to refuse.’
I expected Dante to back off by now, but this response was unexpected.
Usually, Dante didn’t try to take me to formal events.
More precisely, he didn’t bring any of his past lovers to such events.
That was because all the lovers Dante had encountered so far were just toys.
They weren’t equal partners.
Forming a serious relationship with a toy seemed absurd.
The only exception to that for Dante was the female protagonist of the original work.
But now, he wants to host a debutante ball for me?
‘…Even accepting to be publicly associated as “lovers”?’
Honestly, I wasn’t pleased at all.
Instead, I felt uneasy about why Dante was behaving this way.
‘But.’
I swallowed my dry saliva.
‘If Dante comes out like this, I can’t refuse more.’
I forced a smile and pulled my lips.
“Refuse? No, that’s a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“Of course. How could I refuse Hujak-nim?”
I removed Dante’s hand, which was gripping my chin.
Leaning against that large hand, I continued my speech, imitating a woman deeply in love.
“You know how much I love Hujak-nim.”
Then, I raised my eyes slightly and looked at Dante.
“But the social season is already over… Is that okay with you?”
After all, debutante balls are conventionally held during the social season. It was already late May, and the social season usually took place between March and May.
However,
“Why is that?”
Dante, with a cute look, looked down at me and asked.
“Do we really need to conform to others? If we want to have a debutante ball, we can do it whenever we want.”
“…”
It was a terribly arrogant statement.
But, that arrogance suited Dante very well, and he looked at me from top to bottom with narrow eyes.
“Leaving that aside, did I torment you quite a bit?”
“What?”
“In the past, you would have happily hugged me, saying you’re delighted. Isn’t this a bit hurtful?”
Oh.
I chewed on the soft flesh inside my mouth.
Then, with a casual expression, I spoke.
“Of course, I’m happy. It’s just that from now on, I want to maintain the dignity befitting my lord’s lover.”
“Dignity?”
“Yes. It seems childish to throw a tantrum just because I’m happy, don’t you think?”
“…”
Dante, as if trying to penetrate my soul, stared at me for a long time.
I pretended not to know anything and smiled subtly.
After a while,
“Anyway, think about how we’ll host the debutante ball.”
Dante chuckled and stood up.
“Whether it’s decorating the venue, dresses, or jewelry… I’ll provide whatever you want.”
“Really? Can I still do that?”
“Of course. It’s my lover’s debut in high society, after all.”
Dante asked, shrugging his shoulders.
“At least it should be a lavish party that will be talked about for a hundred years, right?”
“Well, I’m just happy that My Lord is hosting a debutante ball for me.”
I replied as if it was the answer I had been waiting for.
Dante’s smile deepened.
‘What’s going on?’
Feeling something odd, I unknowingly became a bit tense.
“After the debutante ball, we can also go to the Diorlunce Club together.”
But instead of expressing displeasure directly, Dante smoothly changed the subject.
Feeling relieved, I asked a question in my mind.
“When is the club opening this time?”
“June 25th.”
I was momentarily taken aback.
“So… you mean we have to host the debutante ball within a month?”
“Correct.”
Dante’s eyes curved into a slight smile.
As innocent as that smile looked, it reminded me of a pure boy.
I wondered if the original Elze might have loved such a smile…
…My stomach felt uncomfortable, as if I had swallowed a blade.
* * *
Dante, who had walked into the office, sank into a chair.
Then, he lifted his gaze briefly to look at his executive secretary.
“Liam.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Liam, who had been in the office, raised his head with curiosity.
“We’re going to host a debutante ball for My dear.”
“Yes?”
For a moment, Liam looked puzzled.
“So, whether it’s drinks, food, or party decorations… prepare everything in the finest quality. Understand?”
Dante reiterated his instructions.
‘Hasn’t he always abhorred forming special relationships with lovers?’
‘Moreover, Elze’s debutante ball is already way overdue, so why now?’
Numerous questions swirled in my mind, but Liam quietly nodded.
“Understood.”
Well, Dante’s whims are like natural disasters. Questioning them only leads to losses.
Dante raised the corners of his mouth and smiled gently.
“Besides, it’s an opportunity to mess with the nobles’ feelings for a change, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean…?”
“Since it’s our dear’s debutante ball, we should pay attention to the guests. Invite all the dignitaries from the empire this time.”
Leaning back in his chair, Dante laughed heartily.
“Those people may grumble, but they’ll eventually attend, right?”
Probably, unable to refuse this invitation, they would reluctantly show up.
They would do whatever it takes to attach themselves to Dante and throw in a word.
Imagining that pathetic scene, Dante, who had been chuckling, suddenly hardened his face and asked a question.
“Duke Kalleid?”
“Understood.”
“Manage it well. He’s the top water source of our boarding school.”
Lucian von Kalleid.
Thinking of him, my stomach twisted strangely.
Probably because of…
[“You know how much I love My lord.”]
“…If we host the debutante ball.”
Dante opened his mouth casually.
“Would my dear be pleased?”
“Wouldn’t she? It’s a fact that Miss Elze loves My lord passionately.”
Liam answered sincerely, though looking perplexed.
In the past, I wouldn’t have doubted those words.
To the extent that even Liam would say that, there must have been an obsessive corner in Elze’s affection for Dante.
But now…
“This is annoying.”
Dante flashed me a teasing smile.
