Side Story, Episode 1

 

The Seporna Archipelago.
A famous imperial resort consisting of numerous islands.
Known for its stunning scenery and mild weather year-round, the archipelago was home to many villas owned by the empire’s nobility.

Among them was Rojas Island, the largest and most developed.
At the island’s highest point stood the Offenheir marquessate’s villa.

“It’s beautiful.”

Elze’s eyes sparkled as she took in her surroundings.

The blue sky, the sunlight shimmering off the brilliant azure sea, and the expansive stretch of sandy beach.
Even the pristine white architecture standing in contrast to the ocean seemed like a perfect picture.

But Dante had no interest in the breathtaking scenery of the Seporna Archipelago.
Instead, his entire focus was on Elze’s reaction.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

Elze, who had been gazing out of the carriage window, turned to him with a faint smile, as if to reassure him.
Only then did Dante’s tense expression ease slightly.

The carriage came to a smooth halt just then.

Dante stepped out first, extending his hand to escort Elze.

“Here.”

Elze gently placed her hand in his.

Waiting until her feet touched the ground, Dante softly rested his hand on her shoulder.

Elze didn’t avoid the gesture.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze with a warm smile.

“…”

Dante found his throat tightening.

Elze, who now naturally accepted his escort and no longer avoided physical contact with him.
He had once believed he would have no choice but to endure being abandoned by her.

Yet now…

“Let’s go inside.”

Elze spoke kindly, her voice soft.

“…Okay.”

Dante replied, his voice thick with emotion.

Elze no longer resisted his care or found his presence uncomfortable.
That filled him with immense joy and gratitude.

And yet, he couldn’t completely shake the lingering fear.

* * *

For the first time since escaping the dreadful cycle of regression, Elze was celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday.
To mark the occasion, Dante and Elze traveled to the Seporna Archipelago.

Elze seemed to enjoy herself immensely.
Though her naturally calm demeanor kept her from being overly expressive, her sparkling honey-gold eyes and the constant smile on her lips spoke volumes.

Watching her, Dante felt a pang in his chest.

‘I really have been so neglectful.’

Including the countless years in the repeated timelines, hadn’t they been together as lovers for nearly centuries?
And yet, this was their first trip together.

It hit him harder than expected, just how inattentive he had been to her needs…

“Hah.”

Letting out a short sigh, Dante’s eyes suddenly widened.

Elze was standing on the balcony, gazing at the far-off scenery of the island.

Her rose-colored hair danced in the sea breeze.
Her honeyed eyes, narrowed slightly against the sunlight, glimmered faintly.

She looked so achingly distant.

In that moment, memories of the safe house flashed through Dante’s mind.

The shattered window.
The shards of glass scattered across the floor.
Her pale feet, stained with blood.

Elze, so desperate to escape his grasp, looking ready to leap out of the window at any moment.

‘No.’

Dante clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm.

‘She wouldn’t do something so extreme anymore.’

His long lashes trembled slightly.

‘She didn’t push me away when we entered the villa earlier.’

From what he had experienced, Elze no longer avoided him.
She didn’t hesitate to approach Dante, to share a bed with him, to embrace him, to kiss him, to exchange warmth.

He knew that if she truly disliked him, she would have rejected him outright.
He knew it.
Logically, he understood.

And yet…

“Elze.”

Unable to hold back, Dante gritted his teeth and approached her.

Feigning composure, he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Elze turned her head in surprise, her wide eyes meeting his.

“Dante?”

Even in that moment, the sound of her calling his name made him unreasonably happy.

‘Hopeless,’ Dante thought, letting out a bitter chuckle.

Elze hesitated for a moment.

Though Dante tried his best to act as if nothing was wrong.

‘…His hands are trembling.’

She couldn’t help but notice the faint tremor in the hands holding her.

After a brief pause, Elze decided to pretend she hadn’t noticed anything and spoke lightly.

“The sea breeze is chilly. Shall we head inside?”

For a moment, Dante visibly relaxed, a look of relief washing over his face.

“Yes, it’d be a problem if you caught a cold.”

With that, he wrapped an arm around her waist and led her inside.

Click.

As soon as they stepped into the room, Dante shut the sliding door with a forceful motion.

It was as if the very sight of her standing alone on the balcony filled him with an unbearable unease.

* * *

Elze and Dante spent a peaceful afternoon together.

They dined side by side, enjoying a light dinner followed by dessert.
The meal wasn’t filled with Dante’s usual heavy, rich dishes but instead catered to Elze’s preference for lighter fare.

‘Did he consider my tastes?’

As Elze dabbed her lips with a napkin, she glanced at Dante out of the corner of her eye.

And then she blinked.

‘Ah.’

Their eyes met.

Dante, who had been staring at her intently, immediately softened his gaze the moment their eyes locked.

“Shall we go for a walk?”

“That sounds nice.”

Elze rose from her seat.

The meal had been so delicious that she had indulged a bit more than usual.

As naturally as breathing, Dante escorted her outside.

“Greetings to the lord and Lady Lepherian.”

Every servant they passed greeted them with utmost respect, their courtesy directed primarily toward Elze.

Even now, the reverence felt a little strange to her.

In the past, when she had first set foot in Offenheir’s townhouse, the servants had regarded her as nothing more than a vulgar woman trying to ensnare their lord.

And at the Offenheir safe house…

‘No, stop thinking about that.’

Elze’s expression stiffened slightly.

And Dante, ever observant, took note of the change in her face.

“…”

His expression darkened just a little.

* * *

The two stepped into the serene night garden side by side.
With every gust of the night breeze, the leaves rustled and swayed in the darkness.
Soft amber light spilled from the gas lamps scattered throughout the garden, casting a warm glow.

Elze instinctively made her way toward a nearby bench.
Beside it stood an ornate iron outdoor ashtray.

It was a habit of Dante’s to light a cigarette after every meal.
Naturally, she assumed he would do the same tonight and had headed in that direction…

“Why here?”

Dante raised an eyebrow before his expression shifted as if he understood.

“Oh, the cigarette? No need.”

“Pardon?”

“You don’t like cigarette smoke, do you?”

Shrugging, Dante popped a lollipop into his mouth instead.

He frowned slightly and muttered under his breath.

“Ugh, too sweet.”

Dante wasn’t fond of sweets to begin with, and since dinner had only just ended, the candy seemed even more unappealing.
It was clear he found the lollipop uncomfortable in his mouth.

Elze watched him with a peculiar expression.

‘It feels like he’s adjusting everything for me… almost too much.’

At that moment, Dante caught her gaze and looked back at her with curiosity.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Um, no reason.”

Startled, Elze quickly shook her head.

“It’s nothing. Just…”

“Just?”

Thinking quickly, she smiled brightly to defuse the situation.

“You’re beautiful, Dante.”

“…”

Dante fell silent for a moment.

“Oh, really now.”

His face flushed slightly as he exaggerated his reaction for effect.

“Saying things like that to make someone’s heart race—it’s criminal, you know?”

…That statement sounded utterly ridiculous coming from a man who had once ruled the underworld with an iron grip.
Someone who had likely committed every crime imaginable acting so innocent?

Suppressing a sigh, Elze gestured lightly to him.

“Lower your head for a moment, would you?”

Dante complied without hesitation.

And then.

A soft touch.

Their lips met.

“Elze?”

Dante’s eyes went wide as he stared at her.

Every time she initiated an affectionate gesture, he always seemed startled, as if he had never expected it.

Or more precisely…

…As if he believed he didn’t deserve to expect it.

Elze met his gaze firmly and spoke.

“Dante.”

“Yes?”

“I’m here with you.”

For a brief moment, his crimson eyes wavered.

Then, he let out a bitter smile and replied.

“Yeah, you are.”

Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to close the gap between them on his own.
So, Elze leaned in once more and captured his lips again.

This time, there was no trace of cigarette smoke on his lips, only the sugary taste of fruit candy.

A sign of his effort to consider her feelings.

That change brought her joy, and yet…

Looking at Dante in front of her, Elze couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.