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“If you’re so desperate for a man, why not ask me? At the very least, I could choose a lover suitable for your level.” Raios lashed out viciously, like a man possessed by evil spirits.
“…I didn’t realize you would be so considerate.”
B*stard.Dana swallowed the curse that formed at the tip of her tongue. The unspoken word burned down her throat like a fireball and dropped into her heart. Her entire chest felt ablaze.
How great it would be to fight with the crown prince. Regardless of who was watching, if only she could slap the crown prince and argue with him. But in a world where such a thing was impossible, Dana swallowed all her rage. Calmly, she took a sip of her wine. Since she couldn’t fight him, she would simply deflect the insult entirely.
“But Your Highness, you seem quite occupied whispering sweet words to the lady you favor while she sits upon your lap. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with my romantic affairs.”
Raios’s face twisted. Seeing that expression was the last thing Dana did before she got up.Click-clack,then she walked away.
All the nobles were watching. But that was it. No one dared approach her. Of course, after being treated like this by the future emperor, who would dare approach her? Rather, they seemed to avoid her, afraid they might be seen even speaking to her. Like the Red Sea parting, the crowd receded from around Dana.
It’s okay.She would be leaving this world eventually. There was no need to care about her reputation in high society. So…
Just then, someone stepped into her path. It was Rumie.
“Dana.” Smiling brightly, he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “Are you leaving the banquet already?”
What is this?Dana 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.
“Before you go, dance with me. I rarely attend events like this. What a waste if we don’t.”
What…Dana was awkwardly pulled along by Rumie’s hand. Too stunned, she couldn’t even think of pulling away.
Has he lost his mind? What’s with this light, carefree stride? Didn’t he see how Raios just treated me?It was practically an unspoken command to nobles to avoid Dana like a plague victim.What if he earns Raios’s displeasure?Yet before she knew it, Dana found herself placing her hand on Rumie’s shoulder and arm as he guided her into the dance.
“Ah, it’s fun to dance after a long time,” Rumie whispered in her ear as he led the dance. “Especially more enjoyable because I’m dancing with you.”
Dana sighed.Alright, just one dance. Leaving now would attract more attention.“You’re quite brave, Brother.” She tightened her hold on his arm, signaling her intention to properly follow through. “Didn’t you hear what His Highness just said?”
“I did. He’s still terribly jealous.”
Jealous? That wasn’t jealousy. That was just the cruelty of a foul-tempered man.
“And yet 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 a talent the empire needs. As it happens, I’ve just been assigned to depart for battle again.”
Deploy? Again? He had barely returned. Those thoughts crossed her mind, but Dana didn’t ask. Even at this moment, she had no desire to grow close to him again.
“It’s the barbarians again. They’ve invaded the Northern Sea and attacked sailors.”
“Yeah. The moment I leave this banquet, I have to depart. So, in that sense…” His words were cut off as their hands parted briefly in the turn of the dance. When they drew close again, Rumie continued. “It’s fortunate.”
“At least this time, I think I wouldn’t have any regrets even if I died.”
What does that mean?
The song ended at that moment. In an instant, he stepped back, placing a hand over his chest and bowing. The dance was over.
“Take care, Dana.”
“Ah, yes. Sure.”
Just as Dana replied nonchalantly and turned to leave, Rumie reached out. He lifted her chin and lowered his head. The bridge of his nose brushed her cheekbone, and soft lips touched her cheek. After placing a light kiss there, he murmured softly, “I’ll miss you a lot.”
Oh, will you? Because I won’t. I won’t miss you at all.Instead of saying that, Dana merely looked at him expressionlessly.
The sight of Rumie Windsor when smiling was beautiful. Just as dazzling as during all the days he had deceived her.
“Your Highness…” Allice whispered from Raios’s lap, her voice trembling. “Are you alright, Your Highness?”
Something was strange about Raios. He kept drinking whiskey while staring fixedly at Rumie and Dana as they danced beautifully. The image of Dana, as if she had forgotten all about what had just happened with Raios, lightly stepped into the dance.
It was strange that Raios had shouted earlier. Strange that he had dropped his whiskey glass. All of it was strange.
“Your Highness? Are you really okay?”
As she was about to ask further, he lightly tapped Allice’s lips with his fingertip. Then he smiled with dry eyes. “Be good.”
Allice bit her lip and nodded. She then leaned her face against his shoulder.Be good? Be… good? What does that mean? That I shouldn’t ask questions and just keep quiet? But… I’m curious. What is he thinking? Why is his heart pounding so violently against my body right now? Why is his breath so hot, like molten lava?It was as if he were a man driven mad by rage.
But Raios didn’t say anything. And Allice couldn’t ask anything.
It was a few days later. Finally, Viego Windsor returned from his business trip.He’s finally here!
Dana immediately requested a meeting, and surprisingly, Viego accepted it quickly. It was quite unusual.
“Waaah, Brother Viego!”
But when she entered his office, Dana realized she wasn’t the only one granted an audience.
“Please, please reconsider!”
What’s happening? Allice was crying like a child. Her face distorted with sorrow and fear, her fingers trembling. Sandra stood beside her.
“Please don’t send me back to the monastery!”
Ah. Dana 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. The irritation gathering on his glass-like face was visibly deepening.
Ah, perhaps there’s nothing good about me being here.She might get caught in the crossfire.Should I step out again? What excuse could I use?Dana pondered intensely.
“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!”
Sandra eagerly chimed in beside Allice. “That’s right, Patriarch. Allice has reflected enough. Couldn’t you reconsider?”
Viego frowned as though he didn’t even wish to engage with them. “And what do you think?” He turned his head and asked for an opinion. “I’ll follow your decision.”
Why is he looking at me?
Dana blinked. Viego had clearly directed the question at her. Surely he didn’t mean he would actually follow her decision, right…?Ah, or does he? Is he really leaving it to me?
Dana was shocked. Could Viego really be entrusting her 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.
At that, Viego pressed his temple lightly and answered in a composed voice. “Danae Windsor is my aide.”