Side Story, Episode 2

Once Elze became aware of Dante’s anxious demeanor, she found herself increasingly preoccupied with him.

It was still the early hours of the morning, long before sunrise.

‘…He hasn’t slept again, has he?’

Feigning sleep, Elze squinted her eyes slightly open and observed Dante, who remained wide awake.

Even though she had reassured him countless times the previous day that she would stay by his side, it seemed her words alone weren’t enough to fully dispel his unease.

‘Dante… he’s been like this a lot lately.’

Recently, Dante had often stayed up through the night.

Even during the nights they spent together, immersed in moments of passion and intimacy, his obsessive crimson eyes never left her.

When her body finally gave out and she fell into an exhausted slumber, Dante would always remain by her side, attentively ensuring she was comfortable.

But afterward.

Whenever Elze stirred awake at dawn, she would inevitably find Dante watching her with a desperate gaze, as though terrified she might vanish into thin air.

Sometimes he would quietly stare at her scarred bare feet, marked by memories of the past.
Other times, he would gently brush her disheveled hair, or even check repeatedly to make sure she was truly still by his side.

‘…Even now, he’s doing it again.’

Elze bit her lip gently.

She couldn’t say she didn’t understand the source of his anxiety.

After all, she herself had not fully forgiven him yet.

Even though they were at peace now, there were moments when a surge of anger would suddenly well up within her.

‘If only you had loved me a little more.’

If, just once, you had chosen me over Marguerite…

“Dante.”

Her voice, low and rough from sleep, called out to him.

Dante flinched and stiffened before turning to meet her gaze.

“Why have you been skipping sleep lately?”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

Dante responded awkwardly.

“Did I disturb you?”

“…”

Elze narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing him.

Had he always been so quick to apologize?

She vividly remembered the heartache his arrogance had caused her. Though her resentment toward him hadn’t completely faded, she hadn’t wanted to see him so burdened with insecurity.

Suppressing a sigh, she spoke deliberately, her tone feigning a touch of petulance.

“I want to sleep more.”

She tapped the empty space beside her with her hand.

“Are you not going to give me a pillow?”

“…”

Dante, who had been watching her with a shadowed gaze, immediately wrapped her in his arms.

His strong embrace held her tightly, as though trying to shield her from slipping away.

Elze rested her forehead against his chest, feeling his once-racing heartbeat gradually slow and settle.

‘What am I supposed to do with this man?’

Her heart heavy with mixed emotions, Elze unconsciously furrowed her brow.

* * *

The next morning, Dante and Elze left the villa.

After indulging a bit too much at dinner the previous night, they planned to spend the day exploring the island and enjoying a light brunch.

“This feels like an entirely different world,” Elze remarked, stepping down from the carriage and taking in her surroundings with wide eyes.

“It’s like being in another country.”

They were now in Hismarion Street, a famous landmark on Rojas Island.

As one of the empire’s most renowned vacation spots, every corner of the island was meticulously maintained.
Hismarion Street, in particular, was the most affluent area on Rojas Island.

The broad-leafed trees typical of warmer climates and the stark white buildings with their sun-bleached exteriors painted an exotic scene, so different from the capital.

“So, where do you want to go?” Dante asked.

“A gift shop,” Elze replied casually.

“A gift shop? Why there?”

A soft smile spread across Elze’s face at his question.

“I want to pick up something for Brigitte and Joseph. I’d like to send them a card too.”

“…”

For a brief moment, Dante’s expression grew faintly sour.

Throughout their time as lovers, including the seemingly endless cycles, Dante had taken so much from Elze—things she should have been able to enjoy naturally, like a simple friendship.

He knew, logically, that he shouldn’t interfere.

But still…

“This is…”

…It felt like her attention was being stolen away from him.

Of course, there was no way he’d ever admit to such petty feelings.

Feigning indifference, Dante nodded.

“Alright, let’s go to the gift shop.”

Once inside, Elze’s mood brightened immediately.

“Dante, how about this?”

She held up a large teddy bear, showing it to him.

“I’m thinking of giving this to Joseph. Or maybe a toy carriage would be better?”

She turned her gaze toward the toy carriages on display, her eyes wide with excitement.

Her face radiated happiness.

There was an undeniable liveliness in the way she browsed for gifts for Joseph and selected a card for Brigitte.

“Well, whether it’s a teddy bear or a toy carriage… shouldn’t he be grateful for whatever he gets?” Dante replied, shoving his hands into his pockets with a slight smirk.

Elze paused, her expression turning slightly skeptical, and then asked, “Dante, are you in a bad mood?”

“No? Why would I be?”

Dante quickly dismissed the idea, but Elze didn’t hide her suspicions.

It wasn’t hard to notice—since they’d entered the gift shop, he’d been wearing a sulky expression. Only someone blind would fail to pick up on it.

“Are you jealous because I’m buying gifts for Brigitte and Joseph?”

Elze teased playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

At her words, Dante stiffened slightly, then frowned and shot back, “Why, am I not allowed to be jealous?”

Huh?

Elze blinked in surprise at the unexpected response.

“No, it’s not that. I just… didn’t expect you to say that,” she replied, shaking her head before a soft smile crept onto her lips.

“It’s kind of nice to know you get jealous over me.”

“…”

Dante gave her a disgruntled look, clearly unamused.

“It used to feel like I was the only one who was desperate for you, always clinging to you.”

Elze’s smile deepened.

“So this is what it feels like to be the one someone’s jealous of. I think I like it.”

Her radiant smile, completely free of shadows, was like sunlight piercing through the clouds.

Facing that smile, Dante felt his heart race helplessly.

* * *

After purchasing all the gifts, Elze and Dante headed to a brunch café.

The café, known for its delicious menu, was already bustling with customers despite the early hour.

However, the weight of wealth carried its perks, and the two easily secured a seat on the balcony.

Warm sunlight and a gentle breeze made for a pleasant atmosphere.

And Dante found himself craving a cigarette.

‘I really need to quit for good this time.’

Suppressing the urge with effort, he popped a lollipop into his mouth instead.

His eyes flicked to Elze, who sat across from him, her attention fixed intently on the menu.

“The pancakes and ham-and-cheese sandwiches are supposed to be popular here. Oh, and the Cobb salad with chicken too. But it might be too much for just the two of us…”

“Why not order everything?” Dante suggested, unable to hold back.

Elze looked up at him, her expression serious.

“No, that’d be wasteful if we can’t finish it.”

Dante shrugged nonchalantly.

“Then we’ll just pack up what we don’t eat.”

“Oh!”

With that practical compromise, they ordered all the dishes they wanted.

While waiting for the food, Elze leafed through a morning paper provided by the café. Her honey-colored eyes widened slightly as she came across a familiar headline in the business section.

**”Schmaikel Merchant Guild and Duke of Kalleid Reach a Dramatic Agreement!”**

It referred to the conflict where Benedict had leveraged the Schmaikel Merchant Guild to pressure the Duke of Kalleid for Elze’s whereabouts.
The article reported that the issue had finally been resolved amicably.

Elze’s eyes dimmed slightly as she read.

‘Well, it seems Lucian and Benedict are managing just fine.’

She no longer kept in contact with them.
Seeing them only brought back painful memories she preferred to leave buried.

Some things in life were best left untouched, beautiful only when left behind.

Most of all…

“Something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Elze folded the newspaper with a smile, brushing the matter aside.

She didn’t want Dante to feel unsettled by those two men anymore.

Because to her, Dante was now the most important person in her life.