INWY~66

Chapter 66

Dante’s white car slipped quietly through the rear gate of the resort.

The sky had already deepened into twilight, and the golden lights flooding from the La Floriena resort gleamed like a lighthouse guiding ships across the dark sea.

From a distance, Riena could see the main entrance where carriages and luxury automobiles lined up in a long row. The guests, elegantly dressed, stepped through the grand doors one after another.

Even without trying, she could tell they were the true guests of honor — nobles and merchants from Behern and Arbern, the ones who were either loyal to Dante or frequently did business with him.

Her gaze lingered briefly, cool and heavy, before Callis spoke softly beside her.

“Your Ladyship, this way, please.”

When she turned her head, she saw a smaller side door tucked near the back of the building. Though called “small,” it was large enough to rival the front door of most mansions.

“Here…?”

“Ah— yes. It’s the staff entrance. The Duke was worried there might be too many familiar faces at the main gate. I’m sorry.”

Callis watched her carefully, worried she might take offense. But Riena simply smiled faintly and shook her head.

“No, this is much better for me. Thank you.”

It was only natural. She wasn’t in the same position as those other guests. There was no need to feel strange about using a different door.

Holding up the hem of her gown to keep it from brushing the floor, Riena followed Callis down a quiet hallway.

“The staff passages are designed like this,” Callis explained. “They connect to the basement and the service corridors. Most of the facilities that keep the resort running are hidden here. It’s completely separate from the lobby, so you’ll be safe. No one will see you.”

“Do only employees use these areas?”

“Yes, Your Ladyship. Guests never see these corridors. It’s the same for most hotels — staff are meant to remain unseen.”

Riena let out a small murmur of awe. She’d only ever seen the elegant surface of hotels, never the hidden systems beneath them.

They soon arrived before an elevator.

“His Grace is currently in the lobby,” Callis said. “He asked that you wait upstairs for now. You’ll see him very soon.”

“I hope I’m not troubling either of you by coming here,” Riena murmured. “I know both you and His Grace must be busy tonight.”

“Not at all. Truly, not at all,” Callis said quickly, nearly flustered.

Trouble? he thought silently. If you hadn’t come, I’d be a dead man!

He didn’t dare voice it, but the sentiment was loud in his head. The Grand Duke had made it very clear what would happen if the Duchess didn’t appear.

“His Grace personally selected the dress, the shoes, even the jewels,” Callis added carefully. “Every piece was chosen by him.”

To his surprise, Riena’s cheeks flushed faintly pink.

“I see… thank you.”

Callis tactfully turned away, pretending not to notice. The fact that the two had grown so close still amazed him — though, truth be told, he had no desire to know just how close.

When the elevator reached the fifth floor, Riena followed him through a familiar hallway until they stopped before a tall curtain.

When Callis drew it aside, a magnificent ballroom spread out before her — the same one she’d glimpsed days ago.

A quiet gasp slipped from her lips.

“This structure is identical to an opera house’s private box,” Callis explained proudly. “The fourth and fifth floors of the resort are the suites. From here, you can overlook the entire ballroom.”

“This section is reserved for suite guests only. Even if someone in the hall looks up, they won’t see you clearly. So please, enjoy the view comfortably.”

It was a space prepared just for her — a way to let her witness the ceremony without being exposed to the crowd below.

“If you grow tired, the suite you stayed in before has been left vacant for you tonight,” Callis added. “You can rest there anytime.”

“Thank you.”

Riena dipped her head politely. Callis waved his hands, flustered again.

“No, no. Everything here was arranged by His Grace. I’m only following orders. Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I must return to him.”

When Riena nodded, Callis gave a deep bow and disappeared through the curtain.

Left alone, Riena turned her gaze to the brilliant scene below.

From her high vantage, the ballroom looked like a living jewel box — glittering guests, silken gowns, and chandeliers spilling gold light across marble floors.

Even from the fifth floor, it felt dizzyingly high; the distance between her and the crowd made her feel both safe and strangely isolated.

And then—

A murmur rippled through the hall.

At the top of the grand spiral staircase, a tall figure appeared — sunlight hair gleaming under the chandeliers, his black tailcoat as if sculpted to his frame.

Dante Venachert.

The master of this place.

Before she realized it, Riena had risen from her seat, both hands gripping the balcony rail.

As if sensing her movement, Dante lifted his head — and their eyes met.

Or did they? She blinked, uncertain.

No… it wasn’t her imagination. He was looking directly at her, though the distance was vast.

For a breathless moment, the soft darkness of her balcony and the golden light below seemed to connect through that gaze.

Then, Dante’s lips curved in a smooth, knowing smile.

Thump. Thump.

Her heartbeat quickened — no longer unfamiliar.

Dante descended the spiral staircase at a measured pace, stopping at the center of the stage.

His voice, calm and composed, spread across the hall.

“Thank you for traveling such a long way from the capital to join us here in Florian. As many of you already know, tonight marks a new beginning. I am Dante Venachert, owner of the La Floriena Resort.”

A wave of applause filled the air — the official start of the grand opening ceremony.

***

As the night deepened, the ballroom overflowed with glitter and chatter.

The arched ceiling shimmered beneath golden chandeliers. A live orchestra played soft melodies while champagne glasses chimed and delicate finger foods adorned every table.

Every detail, every imported piece of décor whispered luxury — so much that several nobles gasped in admiration.

“My word, I wondered who would build a resort in such a remote city! To think it was the Grand Duke himself!”

“Ah, so that’s why His Grace vanished from Behern’s social scene. I never imagined I’d meet him here!”

Even during the opening speech, nobles gathered in small groups, whispering excitedly among themselves.

And who could blame them? Not a single invitation had borne Dante’s name — only the initial L, the same as the resort’s.

La Floriena.

The invitations had come with a simple request:

Please keep this confidential until the opening day. — From the owner of the resort.

For an entire month, gossip-loving nobles had struggled to keep the secret, curiosity eating away at them.

Now, standing in the glittering ballroom, they could finally see the truth — and their excitement doubled.

“Can you imagine? I wonder who will become his second wife now?”

“Indeed. The richest man in the Behern Kingdom, and now the head of this magnificent resort. How enviable!”

As laughter rippled through their small circle, one noble leaned in and whispered, lowering his voice.

“But… ‘La Floriena’— doesn’t that name come from the former Grand Duchess?”

The cheerful mood froze for a moment.

“Perhaps… a gesture of remembrance?” another offered hesitantly.

“Let’s hope so. Otherwise, the next Grand Duchess might not appreciate it.”

“Speaking of which,” another added, eyes gleaming, “surely it must be Lady Anaista. She’s waited four years, after all.”

At that name, everyone’s attention sharpened.

Four years ago, the scandal surrounding the young Lady of House Winfield had been the talk of the entire social world — and tonight, it seemed, the gossip was about to begin anew.