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Dana stared at him intently.He’s back.She had heard that he returned after finishing a naval battle against barbarians invading the territorial waters. But she had only heard about it, not yet encountered him…
“You’ve gotten even prettier since I last saw you, Dana.”
But why is he acting so familiar? What did we talk about right before he left for his expedition?
“Your sense of entitlement is suffocating.”
“Did someone tie you up and prevent you from leaving?”
Right, Rumie had spouted such words. And now, here he is, acting as if nothing had happened. Dana was at a loss for words at his shamelessness. Glaring at him, she then turned away without a word. But she stopped right away.
It was because her hair and back were damp. Rumie had splashed water from the fountain at her. When she turned around, Rumie was, as expected, grinning mischievously and flicking his fingers to spray the water from the fountain.
“Right now…” Dana wiped the water off her face and glared coldly at him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Trying to get your attention.” Rumie ran his fingers through his wet silver hair and smiled. “Don’t ignore me, Dana. Every time you ignore me, it hurts my feelings.”
Dana was overcome with a strong urge to push him into the fountain. Because he hadn’t changed at all.
Is he playing jokes on me now? Just like before, acting like nothing’s wrong? After saying those kinds of things to me?
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have done things that deserve to be ignored.” Dana retorted coldly and turned away.
Right after that.Splash!
Drip, drip. With her back now soaked, Dana looked back at him slowly.
“I told you not to ignore me.” Rumie dipped his fingers in the fountain with a smile.
Dana shot back fiercely. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“As you can see, getting you wet.”
“Why on earth would you do that?”
“Because you were about to just leave.” Rumie gave a half-smile, almost like a sigh. “I don’t like being ignored.”
At that moment, Dana understood clearly.He really hates me.
When she had confirmed the rumors about Raios and Allice and Rumie had defended Allice, Dana thought she was just siding with her sister. That criticizing her was a means to protect his sister. But no, that wasn’t it.That has nothing to do with Allice.
Rumie Windsor dislikes her. Otherwise, why would he be picking up a fight with her like this?
Why does he hate me? Since when? If he disliked me, why did he stop her from leaving that day? Was he just messing with me, like Noah did? If so, why hide his feelings until now? Why reveal them just now?
Dana wanted to ask. But she couldn’t utter a word. She simply couldn’t muster the strength in her tongue. There was no motivation or energy to do that.
I don’t need to know.Right, there’s no need to know. This is a world she’s going to leave soon anyway, and he’s someone she’s going to part ways with. Why bother knowing the inner thoughts of such a person?
But I can’t just let this insult go.
Dana strode over him and shoved his shoulder hard. As Rumie staggered backward—
A strong force pulled her. Rumie was pulling her toward him.
Splash! Dana and Rumie both tumbled into the fountain and flailed about. Her nose bumped into his chest.
Ouch! Why is his chest so hard?Her nose stung, and tears welled up.
What on earth was so funny?
Rumie laughed out loud even while drenched in the fountain.
Dana managed to crawl out and glared at Rumie. Moonlight poured over her soaked clothes, revealing her fair skin. And Rumie was staring blatantly at my disheveled state. How ungentlemanly.
“You think it’s funny? Because I don’t.”
“Ah, it’s okay. I think it’s funny.”
“What a rotten personality. Why did you hide it until now?”
“I didn’t really hide it.”
“You bad b*stard…”
“You’re the real bad b*tch.”
What? What did he just say?Dana glared in disbelief, but Rumie just sneered at her crookedly.
“I came back alive after a pretty dangerous battle, but you don’t seem happy to see me, not even worried, and don’t even ask if I’m hurt. Isn’t that too much?”
“I’m hurt, Dana.”
What is he talking about… Wait. Why am I even listening to this?Suddenly feeling ridiculous, Dana didn’t reply and just turned away sharply. At least this time, Rumie didn’t splash her with water again.
I’m stupid. Such an idiot.Her angry steps echoed her frustration.
Dana had considered that twisted jerk a good cousin! Was she blind before? But… he was really a good cousin, at least in the past.
Memories of Rumie made her laugh—his pranks, his jokes, his silly stories. Dana liked them all. Sometimes he’d give her serious advice too. Hadn’t he also listened to her talk about her relationship with Raios more than once?
They used to be close enough to share everything. Rumie was the first person she confessed about her possession too…
“I don’t care who you are.”
Back then, Rumie had hugged her warmly.
“I love the you who laughed and talked with me. Whether you are Danae Windsor or not, it doesn’t matter to me.”
Because Rumie had said that, she found the courage to confess to others as well. He was someone who had been on her side like that…
No. Calm down.Dana took a deep breath as she stormed off.Don’t get swept away. All my energy should be used to obtain the holy relic.With that though, her raging emotions slowly calmed.
Right, I should manage my condition for tomorrow.Hadn’t she agreed to dine with Viego tomorrow? They’d surely discuss the Windsor Bank check. It was a very important meeting. She needed to come across as someone worthy of becoming the deputy head.
“Good night, Dana.”
Dana did her best to ignore the voice that came from behind.
“You resolved the matter with Liten Bank.”
The next day, Viego started the meal with those words.
“But you were overly aggressive. You completely crushed Marquis Liten’s pride and made him your enemy.”
“Viscount Manus said your approach was rough.”
“People naturally fear those who are rough.” Dana neatly sliced her steak with a knife and smiled. “No one is afraid of the weak. Isn’t that right, Brother?”
Dana pierced a piece of steak with her silver fork and put it in her mouth. After chewing and swallowing, she smiled. “I’ll take the blame and criticism. So when the strength and roughness are needed, leave it to me.”
She could do anything. Whatever it took, whatever the role, it didn’t matter.As long as I can leave this world quickly.If only she could get that damned deputy head’s ring… She was ready to do anything.
Maybe it was because she ran into Rumie yesterday, she felt the air of this world even more suffocating.If things get delayed any longer, I might just cut Carl’s finger off myself.So she was determined to win Viego Windsor’s trust with all her might.
“Brother, I’ll be Windsor’s shield.”
Then Viego’s smooth lips drew an arc.
Ah. He’s smiling.
Although it was a mocking smile.
“I’ll handle the dirty work. You’ve seen what I can do.”
“You’ve only helped twice, yet you’re already so arrogant.”
“Then I’ll prove myself even more.” Dana smiled sweetly, looking into Viego’s expressionless face. “Order me anything. I’ll do it.” She spoke more gently and softly than ever before. “I want to serve you in the Windsor family for the rest of my life.”
Unlike before, lying like this didn’t bother her at all. She thought she’d hesitated or felt some attachment like before. But now Dana felt calm, as if something inside her had worn away.
“So, please, Brother.”
Dana was sure her lingering tone was sweet at the end.
But no answer came.
In the silence, Viego lifted his wine glass. It was unusual that he was drinking wine in the morning. And then he spoke. “Have you heard any news from the Windsor estate?”