“If you’re so desperate for a man, come to me. I can at least find you a match that suits your level.”
Raios venomously poured out criticism as if possessed by an evil spirit.
“…I didn’t expect you to care so much.”
B*stard. I swallowed the curse that formed at the tip of my tongue. The unspoken word burned down my throat like a fireball and seemed to drop into my heart. My entire chest blazed.
How great it would be to fight with the crown prince. Regardless of who was watching, if only I could slap the crown prince and argue with him. In a world where I could never do that, I swallowed all my rage.
I calmly sipped my wine. I couldn’t fight. Then, the only way was to completely deflect the insults he threw.
“But Your Highness, you’re too busy whispering love to the lady on your lap, so you don’t need to bother with my love life.”
Raios’s face twisted. Seeing that expression was the last thing I did before I got up. Click-clak, then I walked away.
It’s okay.
All the nobles were watching. But that was it. No one dared approach. Of course, after being treated like this by the future emperor, who would dare approach me? They seemed to be avoiding me, as if fearing to speak to me might be seen as defiance to the crown prince. As if parting a wave, the crowd around me cleared.
It’s okay. I’m leaving this world anyway. Don’t bother about the social standing here. So…
At that moment, someone blocked my path. It was Rumie.
“Dana.” He smiled brightly, lifting my hand and kissing the back of it. “Are you leaving the banquet now?”
“…”
What is this? I blinked blankly.
Rumie, neatly brushing his silver hair, was in a splendid evening suit. It had been a long time since she saw him in such party attire.
“Let’s dance before you go. I rarely attend these events. It would be a waste.”
No…
I was awkwardly dragged by Rumie’s hand. I couldn’t even think of resisting, still in a disbelief state.
Has he lost his mind? What’s with his lively step? Didn’t he see how Raios treated me just now? Avoiding me as if I was a plague, indirectly ordering the nobles with his actions? What will he do if he falls out of favor with the future emperor?
Yet, before I knew it, I was led by Rumie, hands on his shoulder and arm.
“Ah, it’s fun to dance after a long time,” Rumie whispered in my ear as he led the dance. “Especially more enjoyable because I’m dancing with you.”
I sighed. Alright, just one dance. Leaving now would attract more attention.
“You’re brave, Brother.”
I held his arm, showing my willingness to dance properly.
“Didn’t you hear what the crown prince just said?”
“I heard. He’s still very jealous.”
Jealous? That was just the brutality of a foul-tempered man.
“And you still talked to me.”
“Huh? Shouldn’t I?”
“What if you fall out of favor with the future emperor?”
“You worry too much, Dana.” Rumie laughed as if amused. “It doesn’t matter. I’m an indispensable talent for the empire. Besides, I just received orders to deploy again.”
Deploy? Again? How long has he been back? But I didn’t ask. Even at that moment, I didn’t want to get close to him again.
“This time, it’s the barbarians again. They invaded the Northern Sea and attacked sailors.”
“…I see.”
“Yes. The moment I leave this banquet, I have to depart. So, in that sense…”
His words trailed off. We momentarily parted in our dance moves before coming close again.
“This is fortunate.”
“What is?”
“At least if I die this time, I won’t have any regrets.”
What does that mean?
The song ended at that moment. The distance suddenly widened, and he placed a hand on his chest, leaning forward. It was the end of the dance.
“Take care, Dana.”
“Ah, yes. Well.”
I replied nonchalantly and turned to leave when Rumie reached out. He lifted my chin and lowered his head. His nose brushed against my cheek, and his soft lips descended on my cheek. He then whispered quietly, “I’ll miss you a lot.”
“…”
Oh, will you? Because I won’t. I won’t miss you at all.
Instead of saying that, I just looked at him expressionlessly.
Rumie Windsor’s smile was beautiful and dazzling, just like the many days he had deceived me.
* * *
Allice’s POV
“Your Highness…” I whispered tremblingly from Raios’s lap. “Are you alright, Your Highness?”
Raios was behaving strangely. He was continuously drinking whiskey and intently watched Brother Rumie and Sister Dana dancing. The image of Sister Dana, as if she had forgotten all about her incidents with Raios, lightly stepping into the dance.
Raios shouting earlier and even dropping his whiskey glass were all unusual. Everything, literally everything, was odd.
“Your Highness? Are you really okay?”
“Yes.”
“But…”
Before I could ask further, he lightly tapped my lips with his fingertip and smiled with dry eyes. “Good girl.”
“…”
I bit my lip and nodded, then leaned my face on his shoulder.
Good girl? Does this mean not to ask anything and just keep my mouth shut?
But… I’m curious.
What is he thinking about? Why is his heart, felt through our bodies, beating so fiercely? Why is he breathing as hot as lava, just like a person turned furious?
I want to know…
Raios didn’t say anything. And I couldn’t ask anything.
* * *
Dana’s POV
It was a few days later. Finally, Viego Windsor returned from his business trip.
He’s finally here!
I immediately requested a meeting, and Viego surprisingly accepted quickly. It was quite unusual.
“Waaah, Brother Viego!”
But when I entered his office, I realized his invitation wasn’t only for me.
“Please, please reconsider!”
What’s happening? Allice was crying like a child. Her face distorted with sorrow and fear, her fingers trembling. Sandra was there too.
“Please don’t send me back to the monastery!”
Ah. I realized it immediately. Viego had ordered Allice to return to the monastery.
“Brother Viego doesn’t know. Do you know how hard it is to live in a monastery? How can you send me back there again!”
“…”
Viego sat in his leather chair, quietly observing the scene. His face, like glass, increasingly showed annoyance.
Ah, maybe I shouldn’t be here? Sparks might fly. Maybe I should leave. What excuse can I find? I struggled internally.
“Every day, I have to wake up at five in the morning! Every single day! Do you know what they serve for meals? Even food for rabbits would be better than that!”
Then Sandra eagerly chimed in. “That’s right, Patriarch. Allice has reflected enough. Couldn’t you reconsider?”
Viego, as if not wanting to engage, frowned and then turned his head to ask. “What do you think?”
I turned my head at his question.
“…”
“I will follow your decision.”
Why is he looking at me?
I blinked. Viego was definitely looking at me as he spoke. Don’t tell me? Is he really leaving the decision to me?
I was shocked. Could Viego really be entrusting me with the decision?
“Si-Sister?”
Allice was equally shocked.
“Brother Viego, why ask Sister?”
“That’s right. Shouldn’t such an important decision be made by the head of the family?” Sandra also urgently joined in.
Then Viego, pressing his temple, calmly replied, “Danae Windsor is my assistance.”
“…!”
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