66
“…”
I felt a pang in my heart.
Feeling like my innermost thoughts were exposed, I instinctively lowered my gaze.
Brigitte spoke calmly, “There are times like that. When nobody helps me, and I feel so helpless…”
Her grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel the strength in Brigitte’s grasp.
“I’d rather hope for the day not to come.”
“Bri.”
“Of course, it’s just my thoughts. If it’s all just my imagination, if Elze doesn’t really need help… that would be the best.”
Brigitte stood tall and stared at me.
Her sincere eyes, looking straight at me, were simply dazzling.
“So, I’ll ask again. Does Elze really not need my help?”
“…”
I remained silent for a moment.
And then…
“No.”
I managed to speak, albeit with difficulty.
“I need help.”
“Okay.”
Brigitte replied readily.
“Elze has already helped me a lot. I want to repay you at least a little this time.”
“…In that case.”
After hesitating for a while, I cautiously continued.
“I hope you can forgive me for only being able to say this much for now.”
“Why would I need to forgive you?”
“Just in case. After you leave here… if you can act as the deputy of Marquis Martin.”
I glanced at Brigitte cautiously.
“Would you be willing to fulfill my request then?”
I had to be cautious with my words.
I could confide everything in Lucian, after all, because escaping the boarding school was our shared goal.
But Brigitte’s situation was different, wasn’t it?
‘I’m sorry if it seems like I’m doubting our friendship…’
If Brigitte hears about my plan and leaks it to Dante, it will be troublesome. However, I couldn’t persuade her with money or benefits like Benedict the informant. But then…
“Yes.”
Brigitte nodded without a hint of hesitation.
Her calm demeanor caught me off guard.
“Is it really okay for me to not even ask what I’m requesting?”
“Of course. I said I want to repay you, didn’t I?”
Brigitte grinned.
“If it weren’t for you, I would have lost my mind a long time ago.”
“Bri, that’s…”
“So, in a way, the rest of my life is indebted to you.”
Her calm voice made me swallow hard.
“My ability to escape from here alive, to face my son, to reclaim my family… it’s all thanks to your support.”
“…”
Of course, Brigitte also repaid the friendship she received from the original female protagonist. I had expected it to come to this from the beginning. Still…
“Thank you.”
Somehow, my heart felt warmer.
I shyly smiled.
Then Brigitte teasingly added, “From now on, try to smile like that more often. Don’t act like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders all the time.”
“Did… did I do that?”
I asked with a puzzled expression.
Brigitte shrugged as if it were obvious.
“Well, others might not have noticed, but that’s how it seemed to me.”
Then she casually rested her hand on my waist.
“Is the Marquis trying to deceive Elze? Tell me everything, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
It felt strangely delightful.
* * *
The next day.
As if celebrating Brigitte’s departure, the weather was clear and sunny.
In front of the main gate of the boarding school, a carriage adorned with the crest of Count Martin was already waiting.
“…”
Brigitte couldn’t hide her tearful face as she looked at the carriage.
Indeed, it would be a new experience for her.
When Brigitte was brought to the boarding school, she was roughly shoved into a corner of the luggage carriage.
‘I heard that the Count’s wife personally ordered Brigitte to be taken to the boarding school.’
With a somewhat cynical thought in mind, I approached Brigitte.
“Be careful, Bri.”
I hugged Brigitte.
Brigitte also hugged me back tightly.
“Elze, don’t forget what I said yesterday.”
Resting her face against my chest, she whispered in a low voice, so that others wouldn’t hear.
“If you need anything, be sure to contact me. Got it?”
“I will. Thank you.”
“Okay.”
Brigitte finally let go of me after patting my back a couple of times.
She confidently stepped onto the carriage.
“Take care, Elze!”
Brigitte waved her hand to me through the window.
“Goodbye.”
I waved back to her.
Finally, the carriage began to move.
I stood there, as if glued to the spot, watching the carriage’s retreating figure for a long time.
‘Envious.’
A strong impulse arose within me.
I wanted to escape from this oppressive boarding school right away.
To a place far away from here as possible.
If only I could stroll freely in a place where no one knows me…
‘No, it’s not the time yet.’
I tightly gripped the hem of my dress.
‘You know, Elze. To truly be free from the male protagonists… I have to be fully prepared.’
After repeatedly reassuring myself, I was finally able to move my feet.
With slow steps, I entered the boarding school.
Clang!
Behind me, the magnificent iron gate, shaped like a rose vine, slammed shut forcefully.
…I couldn’t breathe.
* * *
As I returned to the main building of the boarding school.
Suddenly, my gaze fell on the annex.
‘How about visiting Lucian after a long time.’
Actually, I hadn’t been very close to him like in the early days of his admission.
Although Dante and Liam often left the boarding school, the surveillance was still strong.
But still.
‘Lucian has grown quite mature compared to before.’
I smiled softly.
Perhaps it was because the boarding school was unfamiliar at first, he behaved sensitively like a restless young beast.
But now he seemed more composed, ate well, and seemed to take care of his health.
In my own way, I was trying to support Lucian as much as I could.
Clank, clack!
However, to my disappointment, the solitary room was empty.
‘Where did he go?’
Well, it’s not like he escaped.
If he had, the boarding school would have been turned upside down already.
But then.
“Excuse me, Elze.”
A servant approached me with a polite demeanor.
I glanced at the servant briefly.
“Special student?”
“He’s in the gymnasium.”
“Hmm, I see.”
The gymnasium.
It was an outdoor exercise field allowed only for special students.
Feeling sorry for Lucian who was confined to his solitary room all the time, I persuaded Dante to create it.
[If the health of special students deteriorates, it will be a big problem, right?]
[….]
[I think it would be better to let them see sunlight regularly and exercise regularly.]
Dante smiled slightly, seeming reluctant…
[Alright, if you’re that concerned, I guess I have to make it happen.]
Eventually, he nodded.
But his following words were ironic.
[If that brat whines, he’ll have to stick with you. I don’t like it.]
Then he hugged me suddenly.
Surprised by the sudden increase in height, I hugged Dante’s neck tightly.
[Hoo, Marquis?!]
[Anyway, let’s stop talking about that damn brat here.]
Dante headed straight for the bed.
Thump!
I looked up at Dante with a bewildered expression as he collapsed onto the bed.
He climbed onto me quickly.
A lazy whisper tickled my ear.
[Now, focus on me, okay?]
Dante’s red eyes twinkled mischievously, then he kissed my lips abruptly…
In broad daylight… Yeah, there was that too…
My face flushed for no reason.
I fanned my face with my hand and quickly walked away.
And then.
‘Ah.’
I stopped abruptly for a moment.
Perhaps because it was summer, Lucian was doing exercises, hanging from the horizontal bar with his shirt off.
The sunlight pouring down on his well-defined muscles was dazzling.
…He looked like a meticulously sculpted statue by a god.
“….”
I stared blankly at Lucian’s back as he focused on his exercise.
‘When did he grow up like that?’
Suddenly, such a thought crossed my mind.
The skinny body that used to refuse meals was long gone.
Lucian had become quite a robust young man objectively.
More like a young man than a boy now.
“Ah.”
Lucian, who was finishing his exercises with stretches, happened to notice me.
A smile spread across his expressionless face.
That smile was like spring flowers blossoming.
“Lady Lepherian.”
…I felt dizzy for some reason.
67
What is this feeling?
It’s like the child who always seemed younger than me suddenly grew up.
This unfamiliarity and excitement…
After taking a short deep breath to calm my heart,
I smiled at Lucian.
“Have you been well?”
“Eh, so-so.”
Lucian shrugged casually.
“Have you been eating well lately?”
“Why are you suddenly asking? You see me every day.”
Lucian, who made such a sarcastic remark, shook his head again.
“But seriously, Lady, she always asks about my meals. It’s not like she’s my grandma worrying if her grandson has eaten after not seeing him for a long time.”
“…Really, what a comparison.”
I glanced at Lucian without malice.
Then I looked at the young man in front of me again.
“You’ve grown taller.”
“Oh, have I?”
Lucian blinked in surprise.
“Yes.”
I nodded.
Indeed, he was taller than before.
‘He seems to have grown at least an inch since we first met…’
But then.
Lucian suddenly lowered his head.
He looked straight into my eyes and squinted slightly.
“How do I look? Do I seem more like a man now?”
“…?”
Why was it that his question hit me so deeply?
Feeling a flutter in my heart, I took out the handkerchief I had kept in my pocket for no reason.
“Stop talking nonsense and wipe off your sweat.”
“…”
Then Lucian seemed to stare at the handkerchief I offered for a moment.
“Wipe it.”
With a swoosh, he closed his eyes and leaned his face towards me.
I furrowed my brows and retorted to Lucian, “Can’t you wipe off your sweat yourself?”
“Don’t wanna?”
Lucian replied brazenly.
His attitude somehow felt like a puppy begging its owner for attention.
“…”
In the end, I used the handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat off Lucian’s forehead.
Then Lucian closed his eyes and smiled softly.
“I can smell roses.”
“Well, I sprayed perfume.”
To my indifferent response, Lucian turned his gaze towards me.
“Ugh, must you retort so uninterestingly?”
The gentle summer breeze.
The clear sky.
And the beautiful youth, who willingly leaned his face towards me, as if crafted by a god.
It was truly a perfect moment, like a painting.
‘So peaceful.’
When I’m with Lucian, I feel less like the manager of this rose-shadowed mansion…
And more like just a normal ‘Elze.’
If only I could remain in this peace forever.
‘But…’
In an instant, my expression turned sharp.
‘It’s just a false peace anyway.’
In a life where I constantly watch my back, fearing for my life if I make a mistake…
As the ‘villainous Elze’ who manages the boarding school…
I can never truly claim my own life.
So I couldn’t just settle for this peace.
Above all…
‘Winter’s Heart.’
There wasn’t much time left until the gala where the Kalleid’s goblet, which could awaken Lucian, would be auctioned.
So…
“Ah…”
“…Hey.”
I gasped and looked at Lucian.
Lucian was furrowing his brows and staring at me intently.
“How can you be lost in thought to the point of not even hearing someone calling you right in front of your nose?”
“I’m sorry. What’s the matter?”
Lucian paused for a moment.
“Uh… There was a discharge today, right?”
“Yes, the Countess Martine left today.”
“I see.”
Lucian’s expression turned oddly thoughtful.
Surely, his feelings must be complicated.
Seeing Bridgette leave, even regular students envied her.
As I gazed at Lucian, I suddenly asked, “What would you like to do once you leave here, Milord?”
Perhaps revenge against Viscount Craig, or perfect control over the Kalleid Duchy.
I expected such answers, but…
“Hmm…”
Lucian, who had been lost in thought for a moment, smiled slightly.
“I want to take a walk in the park with the Lady.”
His unexpected answer left me a bit stunned.
“With me… a walk?”
“Yeah. I heard from my parents that the roses in Bringen Park are incredibly beautiful.”
Lucian explained softly.
“Once you leave here, there won’t be any shackles or watchful eyes anymore. Isn’t that so?”
“…”
“So, I just want to walk freely.”
Listening to his simple wish, I felt a painful squeeze in my chest.
And I already knew what this emotion was.
…Guilt.
“You’ll definitely be able to go out.”
I forced a smile and hid my emotions.
Lucian glanced at me again.
“Will you walk with me?”
“Of course.”
I lied as if it were natural.
With just that answer, a bright smile appeared on Lucian’s face.
“Is it a promise?”
Suddenly, I felt like the fragile tower of lies we built around our relationship could crumble at any moment.
‘Nevertheless…’
I sincerely hoped that Lucian’s smile would last a little longer.
That he wouldn’t lose his innocence…
I truly wished for that.
* * *
After lightly washing up in the bathroom attached to the gym.
Lucian returned to his cell.
“Get some rest.”
Elze, who escorted him, left with a smiling face.
And then.
Click!
The door closed.
Without looking at the closed door, Lucian absentmindedly wiped his forehead.
The sensation of Elze gently tapping his forehead with a folded handkerchief.
The proximity that was almost tangible,
…even the sweet scent of roses tickling his nose.
“…”
As Lucian reminisced about that sensation for a while, he glanced briefly at the window.
Outside the window, the garden was filled with dazzling sunlight.
At the same time, he clenched his fist tightly.
‘Someday, for sure.’
He wanted to go out there…
and walk with Elze.
* * *
In the large room flooded with bright sunlight.
Dante was busy getting ready to go out.
“So, Countess Martine left?”
Today, Dante was dressed like a businessman straight out of a catalog.
A crisply ironed white shirt, diamond cufflinks, and a luxury suit.
His newly combed hair was neatly styled to ensure not a single strand fell out of place.
Around his neck was a gorgeous cravat that Elze had given him as a gift.
“Yes, my lord.”
Liam politely nodded.
“The discharge process went smoothly. We’ve also received all the signed documents.”
“Hmm, good….”
A satisfied smile played on Dante’s lips.
Liam looked at Dante with a strange expression.
‘Certainly, compared to before, it seems my lord has become more attached to Elze.’
Since the incident at the Diorance Club, their relationship had changed quite a bit.
Before, it felt like Elze was unilaterally attached to Dante, but lately, it seemed like Dante was paying some attention to Elze as well.
Especially, Dante’s change was quite noticeable.
Dante didn’t draw a strict line with Elze as he did before, without blood or tears.
Especially recently, the two of them looked just like ordinary lovers…
‘It seems Elze has changed, after all.’
In fact, Elze had changed quite positively, much like Dante.
Unlike the time when she only begged for love and used Dante for her own purposes,
These days, she was truly diligent in her duties as a manager.
And…
‘She’s more capable than I expected.’
Despite Victor’s disappearance long ago, the boarding school was running smoothly, which was evidence of her competence.
The monthly reports that came in were tidy, and it seemed like the servants followed Elze quite well.
At first, Liam didn’t trust Elze’s handling of tasks that much, but eventually, he had to admit it.
So perhaps Dante hadn’t even considered hiring a new manager…
“Oh.”
Liam paused for a moment.
Since Victor’s expulsion, Elze had been overseeing the boarding school alone.
Until now, Elze had been handling the boarding school’s duties without any complaints, so Liam hadn’t thought about it.
But now, with the workload, wasn’t it too much for Elze?
“Um, my lord.”
“Yes, go on.”
“Do you not plan to hire a new manager in the future?”
Upon hearing this, Dante tilted his head quizzically.
“Why the sudden concern? Is it because you think she’s incompetent in her duties?”
“No, Elze’s performance in her duties is flawless. However…”
Liam carefully continued his words, his voice trailing off for a moment.
“I just thought that handling everything alone might be a bit difficult for her.”
It was a reasonable concern.
Originally, the boarding school was managed by both Victor and Elze, and Victor had taken on much more work than Elze.
But now, it seemed like Elze was handling all of that alone.
“Of course, I’ve been overseeing the work personally until now, but I also have my own tasks to attend to. I can’t focus solely on the boarding school’s duties.”
“Hmm.”
Dante, who had been lost in thought for a moment, soon raised his head.
“No, for the time being, let Elze handle the boarding school alone.”
68
“May I ask for the reason?”
“Well…”
Suddenly, Dante remembered Elze.
A midsummer day when clusters of lilac hydrangeas bloomed, as if gathering the sweetest and most fragrant things in the world.
A woman, as if made from gathering only the most vivid hues, looked at him with those distinct honey-colored eyes.
Looking into those clear honey-colored eyes.
At that moment, he felt the impulse to swallow the woman whole.
[If I lose even the position of the manager like this… I might become utterly useless to the lord.]
[I’m afraid of that.]
Elze whispered with lowered eyes.
That sorrowful expression pierced Dante’s eyes.
…Such expressions were truly not something he wanted to see.
“Because she might dislike it.”
Dante muttered unintentionally.
Since his voice was already quite low, Liam couldn’t hear the muttering properly.
“What?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Dante, tilting his head, asked Liam.
“More importantly, how is today’s schedule?”
His intention to clearly change the subject was evident.
However, instead of questioning Dante about it, Liam simply opened his notebook.
“For now, you have to meet with Viscount Reed. Lately, there have been reports that his jurisdiction has been noisy.”
“Ugh.”
Dante grimaced.
“That brat can’t even properly manage his own jurisdiction? Really, how annoying…”
Even with Dante’s grumbling, Liam didn’t bat an eye.
“Just bear with it.”
“…”
Dante furrowed his brow deeply.
Whether he liked it or not, Liam continued to list the schedule.
“After that, you have a meeting with the manager of the Arthur Hotel. There have been some issues at the hotel casino lately, so it seems you need to intervene. And then…”
After laying out various schedules like this, Liam finally concluded.
“…After meeting with Marquis Alburton, the schedule for today should be completed.”
“Why Marquis Alburton?”
“Well, it’s about time to open the auction house, isn’t it?”
Liam asked Dante with widened eyes.
“If Marquis Alburton puts up his collection for auction, we can surely attract guests to our auction house.”
“Well, it makes sense, but…”
Dante looked at his loyal secretary with a troubled expression.
“Liam, sometimes it feels like I have the weight of ten bodies on me.”
“Well, the heavier the crown, the more difficult it is to bear its weight.”
“…”
Dante’s expression became oddly mischievous.
And Liam conjured up the magical words that could soothe Dante.
“As soon as this schedule is over, we’ll take you straight to the boarding school.”
“…”
Although Dante kept his mouth shut, his furrowed brow had subtly relaxed.
Liam subtly continued.
“It’s been a while since you’ve seen Lady Elze, hasn’t it?”
“…”
“I’ll arrange a day off for you to rest with Lady Elze.”
Dante, who had been annoyed, looked serious.
“What, just one day?!”
“I can’t do more than that.”
Liam responded firmly.
“Tsk.”
Dante clicked his tongue briefly and strode out.
“Alright, let’s finish quickly.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Liam followed with a satisfied expression.
Anyway, it was fortunate that Dante’s enthusiasm had ignited, indeed.
* * *
Time flew by quickly, and before they knew it, it was past midnight.
Dante, drunk, leaned against the carriage.
“Ugh, really…”
Liam inwardly sighed.
“I didn’t expect to persuade him in this way.”
After finishing all the schedules today, Dante met Marquis Alburton to discuss the last issue regarding the auction house.
For the auction house to attract guests, there needed to be valuable items, and the viscount’s collection was enough to arouse curiosity among the guests.
Moreover, the viscount’s financial situation wasn’t good.
So, instead of providing financial assistance…
[About those collections, can you put some up for our auction?]
They conducted negotiations that could be read as persuasion but were more like threats.
During the process, they drank a bit too much to serve as a lubricant.
While Dante managed to walk out on his own, Marquis Alburton was carried out unconscious.
“He’ll probably be bedridden for a few days.”
Given the amount of alcohol he consumed.
Liam, who was discreetly observing, cautiously spoke up.
“Um… We’ll take you to the townhouse.”
“Why?”
Dante, blinking slowly, suddenly shot Liam a sharp glare.
“We agreed to see Lady Elze today.”
“You’re drunk.”
“So?”
“It would be better to visit Lady Elze after you’ve sobered up…”
“Go.”
Leaving only that command behind,
Dante closed his eyes stubbornly.
“I feel like crap.”
“My lord.”
“If you enter the townhouse alone like this…”
Dante’s brow was deeply furrowed by now.
As if he were recalling a dreadful memory repeatedly.
“You might have a crappy dream.”
And every time Liam’s master insisted like this, Liam had never once managed to break that stubbornness.
So, he could only nod quietly this time as well.
“Yes.”
The carriage slowly picked up speed.
Liam looked worriedly at Dante sitting across from him.
“…Even though it’s for work, it’s rare for my lord to drink so much.”
Dante enjoyed alcohol, but he didn’t overindulge unless absolutely necessary.
Liam vaguely speculated, “Perhaps it’s to ensure that work isn’t affected,” but in reality, it was for much more instinctual reasons.
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake.’
And Dante was currently paying a harsh price for his overindulgence.
When his brain was soaked in alcohol, unwanted remnants surfaced even in his dreams.
The elaborate marble bathtub.
Long, silvery hair floating in the cold, crimson water.
A waxen pale face.
A large scar remaining on a slender, white wrist.
Even the bloodied silver knife lying haphazardly on the floor.
‘…Damn it.’
Unable to bear it any longer, Dante muttered curses under his breath.
“I feel like I’m going to vomit.”
At that, Liam protested.
“No, you mustn’t. We’re almost at the boarding school, so please endure a little longer. Or should I stop the carriage now?!”
“Shut up, you’re making my head spin…”
Dante muttered the obscenities quietly.
He missed Elze.
If he could just hold her in his arms, breathe in her unique rose-scented fragrance deeply into his chest…
…Maybe this intense uneasiness would subside.
Throughout the carriage ride to the boarding school, Dante never once opened his eyes.
Afraid that if he even lifted his eyelids,
something terrible, something dreadful, might grasp his ankles.
* * *
Finally, the carriage came to a halt.
“…Phew.”
Dante let out a long sigh and lifted his eyelids.
Liam couldn’t hide his worried expression as he looked at his master.
“My lord, you’re too intoxicated. Shall I assist you?”
“Forget it.”
Dante waved his hand dismissively and stepped out of the carriage.
Simultaneously, he furrowed his brows.
“…Annoying.”
It was because the lush rose vines had come into view.
Normally, he wouldn’t have paid much attention and would have passed by.
But today, oddly enough…
‘The lady’s hair color and the color of the roses are completely indistinguishable.’
That whisper, affectionately directed at Elze, by that damn brat Kaled, and even Elze, who looked at Lucien with adoring eyes…
Perfect like a scene from a masterpiece, that image he wanted to trample on somehow kept flashing before his eyes.
“…Damn it.”
Dante, muttering curses, staggered forward.
His retreating figure looked somewhat precarious.
* * *
As darkness descended, the Rose Cross Boarding School seemed eerie.
One by one, the lights in the dormitories went out, and most of the students and staff went to bed.
But the lights in my office still hadn’t gone out.
Because the deadline for the report I needed to send to Liam was looming.
“…I didn’t expect to be this busy.”
The aftermath of Brigitte’s departure had subtly affected everything.
Actually, it was inevitable.
Until now, the departure of a student had been so rare in the history of the boarding school.
It was only natural for the students to be unsettled.
After calming them down, checking on Lucien’s condition, and overseeing the staff, time had flown by…
‘I wonder if Brigitte returned safely?’
I suddenly thought of my kind friend.
In the original work, Brigitte safely became the mistress of Lord Martin.
And thanks to the female protagonist of the original work, my shattered heart had been healed.
And now, I had become strong enough to stand on my own without the help of the female protagonist.
‘Well, nothing serious should have happened.’
I comforted myself.
But perhaps because she was the first friend I made…
I felt a little uneasy.
“Forget it, it’s better to focus on work at a time like this.”
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I started fiddling with the pen again.
Since it was already too late to go to bed early, I planned to finish everything today and take it easy tomorrow.
Only the sound of pens scratching and papers shuffling echoed.
The surroundings were quiet.
After a while, as time passed…
Thunk.
As I put down the pen, I leaned back in my chair and let out a long sigh.
“…Sigh.”
Perhaps because I had been looking at documents for too long, my eyes felt heavy.
‘I should rest for a bit.’
After concentrating for hours, the report was almost complete.
Now I just needed to finish it and send it to Liam.
As I blinked my dry eyes and gazed into space…
The door suddenly opened without even a knock.
And the person who revealed themselves through the crack of the door was…
“My lord?”
It was Dante.
69
It seemed like he had just come from a meeting with a business partner, as he was dressed in a luxurious suit.
However, despite making the effort to dress in a suit, Dante at the moment was far from the cleanliness typical of a businessman.
‘Why is his attire like that?’
The neatly tied tie, which should have been nicely arranged, was hanging loosely around his neck.
It was clearly pulled and adjusted in a manner that showed frustration.
Moreover, even the hem of his clothes was wrinkled haphazardly.
Dante, who usually preferred a neat appearance, even if it meant avoiding criticism from others, didn’t seem like himself.
“Ah.”
Just then, his crimson eyes found me and blinked a few times.
Then they curved into a crescent shape, looking pleasant.
“Hello, darling.”
A lazy greeting echoed.
Leaning against the door, Dante, who had been staring at me intently, suddenly threw a question.
“Darling, are you working until this late?”
“Ah…”
I alternated my gaze between the pen and the papers clenched in my hand and answered diligently.
“Yes, because the deadline for the report is tomorrow.”
Upon hearing this, Dante furrowed his brows as if in realization.
“Oh, I see. I’ll have to scold Liam for this.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t even nag at you, darling, right? Yet, Liam, that cheeky secretary of mine…”
“…”
Where is this conversation going?
I narrowed my eyes subtly.
At the same time, Dante stepped into the office.
Then he staggered heavily.
“My lord!”
Surprised, I jumped up from my seat.
Dante, who had just adjusted his posture, suddenly erupted in frustration.
“Ah, this is annoying. Why does the floor keep moving?!”
“…”
I was momentarily speechless.
It was only when his figure was revealed under the light that Dante’s appearance became clear.
His eyes, dulled by alcohol, his disheveled attire, and the flushed cheeks.
‘…So, that’s it.’
As I blankly stared at Dante, I subtly furrowed my brows.
‘Amidst all this work, I have to deal with a drunkard… Is this really happening?’
At the same time, Dante approached me again.
However, it seemed that he was trying to walk straight, but he couldn’t overcome the effects of the alcohol.
His voice wavered meaningfully.
“Stay still. If you fall over…”
I hurriedly tried to approach Dante, but he moved a little faster.
Dante, who had come close to my face, gently wrapped his hands around my cheeks.
It was a careful touch as if handling a precious treasure.
His palm touching my cheek felt warm as if it were touched by fire.
“Are you… drunk by any chance?”
Of course, a person who is drunk wouldn’t readily admit that they are drunk.
Still, just to be sure, I asked.
“Um…”
Dante, rolling his drunken eyes, chuckled sincerely.
“Yeah, I’m drunk.”
“…”
It’s quite a skill to proudly admit to misdeeds.
Thinking with a slightly troubled feeling, I subtly glanced at Dante.
‘Aside from that, it’s almost unheard of to see Dante drunk like this.’
Dante fundamentally despised showing his weak side to others.
And that ‘others’ category included ‘the original Elzé’.
Whether it’s alcohol or drugs, rather than showing a disheveled appearance to others when drunk…
He would prefer to maintain his composure and show off, even if he had to maintain his composure by any means necessary.
But then…
Dante suddenly lowered his head.
Over my lips, hot lips brushed lightly and passed by.
Chu.
Unlike usual, it was a light kiss that felt like a bird pecking.
The strong scent of whiskey lingered.
Pulling away from my lips, Dante whispered in a soft voice, like cotton.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“…”
The gentle red eyes gazing down at me were warm.
It felt somewhat strange.
Dante wouldn’t treat me so preciously.
Rather than looking at me with such tenderness, he would rather push me away recklessly for his own pleasure…
Thunk―.
Just then, as we moved, the documents on the desk spilled onto the floor.
Dante furrowed his brows slightly.
“Oh no.”
“It’s okay, I’ll pick them up.”
I hurriedly tried to bend down.
But Dante tilted his head and bent down first.
“No, I spilled them.”
Though he may have been clumsy at times.
Dante managed to gather all the scattered documents.
Then, sitting down with a huff, he squinted and looked at the papers.
“Is Liam saying that our darling is incredibly capable?”
“It’s an exaggeration.”
“No, I have eyes too.”
Dante chuckled and handed me the mess of papers he had gathered.
“I’m not the only one who deals with documents. I work too. Right?”
“Oh, yes…”
“I’ve read through all the documents you’ve worked on too.”
…That’s a bit unexpected.
As I took the documents, I glanced at Dante out of the corner of my eye.
In reality, the miscellaneous documents from the dormitory weren’t something Dante needed to review.
He had far more important matters to attend to.
Yet, making time to sort through documents…
“It’s like he’s paying attention to me.”
Well, it’s probably just my imagination.
With that thought, I neatly arranged the documents Dante handed me on the desk.
“Having such a capable partner like this, I’m really lucky.”
“I’m grateful for your kind words.”
I casually replied, but inwardly, I trembled with fear.
The man who laughed foolishly, making nonsensical remarks, was the protagonist of this world, the man who held my life in his hands.
‘…I didn’t want to find out about Dante’s drinking habits like this.’
I didn’t mind knowing Dante’s human side.
There was no need to build intimacy, was there?
With Elze’s emotions from the original work, just having Dante in front of me already made my heart race incessantly.
“Really. Thanks to you, I feel relieved.”
“You’re welcome.”
“No, you’ve been a great help, haven’t you?”
…Did I sound so indifferent in my response?
Dante suddenly stared at me, his expression changing.
“Are you ignoring me right now?”
“…”
Dealing with a drunkard is truly annoying and tiring…
In the midst of it, Dante, true to his drunken self, came up with another ridiculous act.
As he tried to get up from the floor, he staggered and ended up plopping back down heavily onto the ground.
Startled, I quickly supported Dante.
“Wait, why did you end up drinking so much?”
I didn’t mean to scold him, but I couldn’t help but sound bewildered.
Then Dante leaned on my shoulder and mumbled.
“That bastard Albert is so persistent… I’ll tell him to back off.”
The problem, however, was the difference in size between Dante and me.
I objectively had a slender build, while Dante boasted a robust physique among men.
In the end, I was almost buried under Dante’s embrace.
“Wait a moment, Lord Dante. Please, get up first…”
But Dante didn’t budge, instead, he leaned closer to me and murmured softly.
“Since he won’t listen at all, I have to keep feeding him until he loses consciousness…”
“…”
Even that grumbling ceased for a moment.
“Haha, hahaha…”
Dante suddenly burst into laughter.
I looked at Dante with a puzzled expression.
Even though there were times when he wasn’t entirely sober, isn’t this a bit too much?
Meanwhile, Dante, who had been muttering to himself for a while, proudly declared:
“But I won in the end.”
“You won?”
“Yeah, that bastard, he was completely wasted and passed out. Haha!”
His smile was so innocent that I was left speechless.
After fumbling around for a while, Dante leaned his forehead on my shoulder again.
He exhaled a warm breath.
“Darling.”
“Yes?”
“I missed you.”
For a moment, I stiffened my shoulders.
‘He… missed me?’
In the past year, Dante’s attitude towards me had become somewhat toxic.
But he had never been so openly affectionate before.
I’d rather spend the night together…
‘Ah.’
Suddenly, I snapped out of my thoughts.
It was because his strong arms had wrapped around me tightly.
“It’s real.”
70
“…”
“So, even though I worked so hard because Liam gave me a day off again… how hard I worked…”
His rambling words gradually faded away.
It seemed like drowsiness was taking over, probably due to the effects of alcohol.
“Lord.”
“…”
“Lord?”
I called Dante several times, but he just tightened his arms around me, not showing any intention to respond.
‘He’s not trying to fall asleep here, is he?’
That couldn’t be.
I couldn’t stay sitting on the floor with this drunkard…
That desperation gave me a surge of supernatural strength.
After much effort, I managed to free myself from Dante’s embrace.
I addressed him as I tried to soothe the situation.
“Just wait a moment; I’ll call the servants…”
Suddenly, his loosely closed eyelids snapped open.
His once lethargic red eyes were now wide open.
“No.”
Simultaneously, Dante caught my arm.
“Don’t call anyone else.”
…Given his capricious nature, and now adding alcohol to the mix, it was becoming unbearable.
With a complex gaze, I sighed deeply.
“But I can’t move you alone.”
“Why should you move me?”
“Well, I don’t want to see you sleeping on the floor.”
“Can’t I just walk there myself?”
Dante raised an eyebrow and questioned me.
“Then you won’t call anyone else?”
Wow, he’s really a mess…
Even though I thought so in my head, I nodded obediently.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Dante struggled to stand up, taking a few unsteady steps.
I hurriedly tried to support Dante, but he stopped me.
“It’s fine.”
Dante shook his head and staggered forward.
‘Even in such a drunken state, his pride is still intact or something.’
Watching Dante’s unstable figure with a troubled expression, I quickly followed behind.
‘Luckily, the bedroom is right next to the office.’
A small door between the office and bedroom allowed easy access without going outside.
If the office and bedroom were arranged like a typical house, far apart from each other…
‘Ugh, I don’t even want to imagine it.’
I internally expressed my disgust.
Dante, swaying, walked into the bedroom and plopped down on the bed.
Then, he grumbled as if instructing me.
“My throat… feels stuffy.”
So what?
Staring at him with that meaning, Dante flashed a mischievous smile.
“Untie the cravat for me.”
“…”
…Normally, when someone is drunk, they become like a dog.
Why did Dante have to act like a child?
However, despite my cynical thoughts, I was in a situation where I had to obey that damn male protagonist.
“Stay still for a moment.”
I simply untied the cravat.
Dante leaned on me like a gentle lamb.
‘Well, he can’t sleep in a suit…’
Since I was already helping, I also took off the suit jacket and vest.
Finally, unbuttoning the densely packed shirt up to the neck, I gently opened it.
“Now, please sleep quietly, understood?”
Then, Dante suddenly threw a question at me.
“What about you?”
Huh?
It was difficult to understand the meaning of the question.
I tilted my head in confusion.
‘Isn’t it obvious? The drunkard sleeps here, and I sleep in another bedroom in the dormitory.’
Simultaneously, Dante struggled and asked me.
“…Alone?”
“…”
In the dim red light, his red eyes glowed eerily.
It was a desperate gaze.
Eyes reminiscent of a child on the verge of being abandoned by their mother.
Why is that?
Facing such Dante, I found myself feeling a bit sorry for that arrogant man without even realizing it.
“I’m here.”
Dante squeezed out the words as if it pained him.
“I don’t want to be left alone by anyone.”
“Your Grace.”
“I really… hate it.”
Though his voice sounded calm,
why did it echo in my ears like a desperate plea to not be abandoned?
…Even though that couldn’t be the case.
“I don’t want to leave you alone.”
I kneeled in front of Dante and gently cupped his cheek with my hand.
“Just because… Your Grace drank too much.”
Dante stared at me silently.
The usually haughty face that always looked down on others,
now seemed as vulnerable as a wounded young beast.
“Maybe it would be better to rest a bit and have a conversation after the alcohol wears off?”
“I am indeed drunk, that’s true.”
Dante interrupted me.
“But even so, I know what I want right now.”
“…”
Dante leaned his cheek into my palm and whispered.
“No matter what happens… I won’t leave your side.”
“…”
It was a voice so fragile that it was hard to believe it came from Dante.
Suddenly, I remembered Dante’s long-standing trauma.
‘Come to think of it, Dante’s mother…’
I heard she not only overdosed on sleeping pills but also cut her wrists in the bathtub.
Her actions seemed like a desperate longing for death.
Moreover, Dante was the one who discovered the body of the princess who committed suicide.
At that time, Dante was…
‘Only seven years old.’
A severe deficiency of affection.
A man who longs to receive absolute love from someone, yet cannot love anyone himself.
Dante will never be able to fill this void in his lifetime.
…Even after meeting the female protagonist of this world.
Even her affection, like the sunshine she generously shares, could not complete Dante.
Dante wanted to completely possess her.
But the female protagonist was someone who wouldn’t be monopolized by anyone.
“Please.”
Dante whispered as if in agony.
“…Stay by my side today. Okay?”
It was the first time.
Dante showed his raw emotions.
“You said you love only me.”
His dark, intense gaze seemed to devour me.
“But why… don’t you say you love me now?”
After hesitating for a moment, I approached Dante.
I gently embraced his neck and rested my forehead against his body.
“I love you.”
Though I had resolved not to love Dante, and that decision still held, for now…
I hoped that, at least for this moment…
I could bring some comfort to Dante.
Even if my affection for him was nothing more than a shallow pretense, unknown to even myself.
Even if it was unreasonable empathy, like sympathizing with a tiny mouse about to be devoured by a giant beast.
Still…
“…I hope my voice reaches him.”
At the same time, his crimson eyes sank into darkness.
As he swallowed my lips, a powerful scent of whiskey flooded in, as if to engulf my entire body.
The clothes that enveloped me fell roughly to the ground.
In an instant, my body grew warm.
It was the beginning of a long night.
* * *
Thin fingers clung to Dante’s shoulder like a spider.
[Dante.]
Ruby-like crimson eyes gleamed sharply as they looked down at Dante.
[It’s because of you.]
[……]
[My life has been ruined because of you.]
Disheveled silver hair scattered around, leaving tear stains on the pale face.
The princess whispered to young Dante over and over again.
[Why were you even born?]
[……]
[I wish you had died in the womb. No, no……]
Muttering softly, the princess, who had been shaking her head wildly, continued.
[You should never have taken a place in my womb from the beginning.]
[……]
[If only you weren’t here……]
The hand clinging to Dante’s shoulder tightened with force.
“It hurts.”
Dante stiffened his trembling body.
But he couldn’t shake off this touch at all.
Because.
“Mother spoke to me.”
Even if it’s a voice stained with hatred, resentment, disgust, and loathing.
It’s better than passing by his side without even a glance.
Because Mother looked at me like this……
[Why are you still alive?]
[……Mother.]
After hesitating for a while, Dante timidly murmured.
He wanted to call her mother even like this.
Then.
[Don’t call me mother!]
The princess raised her voice as if having a fit.
“I never wanted you even once.”
Looking at Dante as if looking at the most terrifying thing in the world, the princess trembled as she spoke.
“Why were you born at all?”
Shaking Dante’s shoulders vigorously, the princess exploded again.
“Answer me, were you born to drag me into the abyss?”
[……]
[Why aren’t you dead! Why!]
The princess’s outburst continued for a long time.
Dante, who had been staring at her with empty eyes, murmured.
“Would you truly be happy if I died?”
At that question, the princess, who had been thrashing around like mad, suddenly stopped moving.
She nodded decisively.
“Yes.”
