Chapter 107
“Mm―.”
Anaista let out a low, contented hum as she took a sip of her tea. Dante, having done the same with his coffee, set his cup down and asked,
“You didn’t have much trouble with the reservation, did you?”
“Oh, a reservation? No―not really.”
Her slow, lilting tone carried that familiar high-pitched nasal quality, almost like someone tipsy. Every word, every habit in her speech was exactly the sort Dante disliked.
It would have been far easier if she just addressed him flatly as “Your Highness” without any tone or inflection.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I really love this place. I could even live here if I wanted to.”
Of course. Dante merely smiled faintly, nodding to acknowledge her comment.
Florian was modest but charming, with its wide stretches of sea, sparkling beaches, and early-blooming flowers. It was easy to understand why Riena loved it. Even without overt praise for the resort, Dante felt a subtle sweetness, as if savoring a fine dessert.
“There are many beautiful spots throughout Florian. Small and humble, yes, but different from the views of Arbern or Behern, with their own charm.”
“Really?”
Anaista’s eyes lit up. Dante’s eyebrows twitched slightly, realizing he had almost made a mistake in what he said.
“If you wish, I could arrange for Calis to show you―”
“Oh, if Your Highness would accompany me, it would be the greatest gift of all!”
Dante hastily tried to hand the task over to Calis, but Anaista interrupted, cutting his words short before he could finish.
His mouth tightened imperceptibly at the interruption. Conversations with her always went like this—words never seemed to flow smoothly.
“……If there’s time, I’ll try to make that happen.”
Dante swallowed a sigh that wanted to escape as he gently sidestepped, subtly declining. Still, Anaista’s cheeks flushed pink as she smiled, acting as if he had granted her the request.
“Perhaps it’s time to rise, Anaista.”
The sun had long since set, and Dante gestured toward the dim exterior where sky and sea merged into one.
“Already? It feels far too soon―.”
Seeing her pout, he suddenly wanted a cigar. Suppressing the urge, he smiled wryly and continued,
“We can always continue our conversation another time.”
Though smiling, Dante felt his patience thinning. A glance at his wristwatch confirmed that an entire hour had already passed. By now, Riena should have been awake. Irritation simmered within him, but he forced a casual smile.
“Mm―Your Highness. I’ve heard the resort’s gardens are quite beautiful.”
Dante’s eyes narrowed, his tone casual. Flowers blooming here and there were all a garden needed, he thought sarcastically.
“They’re beautiful even at night. If you have time, you could enjoy a leisurely stroll.”
“Oh? A night garden too? How curious… Will you accompany me, Your Highness?”
Anaista smiled softly, her shoulders giving a delicate bounce. Those who had ever seen her smile knew instantly why she could capture anyone’s heart.
Dante lowered his gaze and sipped the now lukewarm coffee. A fake smile could be pretty? Ridiculous. A carefree, wholehearted grin would have been far more captivating.
“Another time, Anaista.”
***
“Ah, sir. You’re here?”
“Riena.”
Dante barged into the master room, his frown revealing just how exhausting dealing with Anaista had been. He unbuttoned his jacket roughly, tossing it onto the sofa with barely concealed irritation.
Calis, observing quietly, swallowed nervously and hesitated before speaking.
“She’s awake now… but, sir, I have something to report.”
“What is it?”
Dante called softly, and Riena slowly turned her head, avoiding his gaze.
“You wanted me to call Sharon, right?”
His words sent a surge of frustration up Riena’s throat. Of all times to meet a friend… when he himself had locked her in here.
“Yes.”
Her reply was short, as it had been for days. During her stay, she had learned to flip his patience on its head with these concise answers.
Dante blinked, swallowing the sudden rush of irritation.
“You’re asking something surprisingly simple for you. Were you always this relaxed inside?”
“…Will you call her?”
“And if I do, what can you do then?”
His tone dripping with sarcasm, Dante tilted his head. It was a childish, almost ridiculous question—one he hadn’t expected a proper answer to. Riena, silent for a moment, then replied evenly:
“What would you like me to do?”
Her calm, dry tone only heightened Dante’s vexation.
“……Even now, you speak as if you already have everything, as if you can grant every whim. Such a trivial request, and yet you act like it comes with a steep price.”
“……”
Dante snorted. Granting such a small request was no problem; he had already instructed Calis. Yet why did it irritate him so? Clenching his jaw, he scanned her with narrowed eyes.
Finally, he exhaled, twisting his lips slightly.
“Then at least say thank you, Riena.”
The word “thank you” struck Riena as amusing. Again, it was a demand for submission, a way to test her pride.
Yet she complied, calm and composed:
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Even if this was all he could take from her, she would give it willingly.
***
Sharon arrived at the resort the next day.
“Riena―!”
Her voice rang loud and cheerful, accompanied by the light, rapid footfalls of her running. Riena smiled as she watched her friend approach through the back garden.
“Sharon, how have you been? You’ve grown even more refined in just a few days.”
“Riena! Really! Why did you disappear without a word? I went to your house, and it was empty every time! Everyone around was wondering where you went!”
“Sorry. There were some things I had to take care of.”
Riena soothed her as she buried herself in her arms, a soft laugh spreading across her lips. She had worried unnecessarily that Sharon might have felt distant or cold toward her.
She glanced at Calis, who was watching from behind, and gave him a subtle nod. He quietly stepped aside, honoring her request to have a private moment with her friend.
“Sharon, let’s sit for a moment. I have something to tell you.”
After a short while, Sharon listened quietly, visibly flustered.
“…Yes? Well, I suppose that’s not too difficult, but… um, is it something you can’t tell the Duke?”
“For now, no. So please, just this once, help me out.”
Sharon tilted her head, puzzled by the seemingly complicated request. But when she met Riena’s determined gaze, she fell silent.
It wasn’t a difficult or impossible favor. Shaking off her doubts, Sharon finally nodded.
“Ah… so I just deliver the letters between Benjamin in Behern and you?”
“Yes. But… exactly as I say. When I send you a letter, swap the envelope and forward it to Benjamin. When he replies, you send it back to me as if it came directly from him.”
Sharon nodded again, realizing it was a slightly unusual request.
