Chapter 47
Riena collapsed face-first onto her bed, just as she had exactly a month ago. The only difference was that today, she and Dante hadn’t fought.
But the outcome was no different.
I ruined everything.
She had been regretting it from the moment she walked home.
Those few hours with him had felt like a dream—until she shattered it with one careless question.
“When you saw me again…?”
That single line, and the dream dissolved into nothing.
Why had she asked it?
Grinding her teeth, Riena clawed at her pillow as though she could rip the shame out of herself. She knew better than anyone that once words left her mouth, she could never take them back.
What did you want to know, Riena?
He was right. What had she even been trying to ask? She didn’t even have the courage to hear the answer.
After lying there for what felt like forever, she slowly pushed herself up. Her tangled hair slid messily down her shoulders as she straightened.
Her reflection in the small mirror on the nightstand was pale, but steadier now. She brushed her hair back and let out a long sigh.
“Should I tell you? Do you want to hear it, Riena?”
That cold voice, those frozen golden eyes—they still rang sharp in her ears.
Now that her thoughts had settled, clarity returned. Whenever she was with him, her heart slipped out of her control. She couldn’t let herself cross that line again.
Yes. Don’t ask.
He was right. There was no need to dig up the past. No reason to bring up a place she could never return to.
All they had to do was keep things at arm’s length. Pretend to be nothing more than old friends meeting again after a long time, and then part ways.
Grand Duke Venachert would eventually return to Behern Palace.
And when he did, she would leave. That had been her plan from the beginning.
Her eyes lingered on his jacket, still draped across her room, far too large and heavy for such a small space. She stared at it for a long time.
***
Days had passed since Dante had rallied the staff at the banquet hall.
“Ha. Damn it all.”
A bitter laugh, and a curse followed.
The storm had broken.
Callis kept his head bowed, unable to meet Dante’s eyes as the Grand Duke’s fury radiated through the office. He had delivered the papers with his own hands—there was no avoiding it.
The story was simple. Early that morning, Miles, head of Florian’s Citizens’ Council, had appeared at the resort.
Callis had been on his way to the annex for the morning briefing when he spotted the man loitering in the lobby. When he approached, Miles shoved a thick envelope into his hands with a scowl and left without another word.
“Ah, hello, Mr. Miles? I’m Callis, the resort manager—”
“Forget it. Just give this to your boss.”
The voice had been sharp, laced with hostility, the gesture rude. A chill had run down Callis’s spine.
As soon as Miles disappeared, he tore open the envelope—only to sprint to Dante with the contents.
Now, in Dante’s hands, the papers fluttered violently.
“This is unbelievable.”
His golden eyes flashed like a predator’s. Every word that left his lips was half snarl, half curse.
It was a formal declaration: the Citizens’ Council and residents of Florian opposed the resort’s opening. Worse, it threatened a sit-in protest if Dante ignored them and forced the opening anyway.
“And he thought bringing me this scrap of paper was enough?”
“Sir! You mustn’t tear it!”
Callis nearly panicked when Dante looked ready to rip the declaration apart on the spot. He snatched the papers back just in time.
“Fine. A sit-in, is it? Then I’ll call in the royal troops to clear them out.”
The words were whispered so coldly that Callis nearly screamed inside.
He means it. He would really do it.
“S-sir! Perhaps… we should arrange a meeting with Mayor Lester instead? I can head to his estate at once—”
“No. Lester won’t help. First, bring me this Miles.”
Dante clicked his tongue, lip curling. This was his fault. He had given them a choice—pretending to value their opinion—and now it had come back to bite him.
This was no time for opposition. Not when he had his own plans moving forward. If anything, the schedule had to be accelerated, not dragged into scandal.
“Yes, sir! Please wait just a moment!”
But an hour later, Callis returned, pale and drenched in sweat.
Dante narrowed his eyes.
“Well?”
“Sir… Mr. Miles said… he’s too busy with farm work. If you want to see him… you’ll have to go to him directly…”
Dante let out a low, disbelieving laugh.
Arrogance. Nothing less.
“H-how should we proceed? Should I tell him you’re away, and I’ll go in your stead? Or perhaps we send a representative—”
All the while, Dante had been drumming his fingers on the desk. At last, he stood.
“Have the car ready. I’ll go myself.”
“What? You’ll… meet him directly?”
Callis’s eyes went wide. No matter how much Miles thought himself above others, surely he knew who Dante truly was. He would recognize him after a single conversation.
But seeing the Grand Duke already shrugging into his coat, Callis could only swallow his protests.
“…Yes, sir.”
As he left to ready the car, Callis pressed both hands to his face. He wanted nothing more than to faint and wake up when this was all over.
***
“Come to think of it, the Grand Duke hasn’t been visiting lately, has he?”
At Sharon’s innocent question, Riena’s hand froze on the orange she was peeling. But only for a second. She forced her fingers to keep moving.
“He must be busy.”
It had been days since he last stopped by the café. No doubt it was because of that night.
Sharon gave a knowing hum. “Well, with all that going on, of course he can’t. Honestly, adults are always the problem.”
“…All that going on?”
“You don’t know?” Sharon blinked.
“It’s the first I’ve heard. What happened?”
“Oh, right. You’re an outsider here… makes sense they didn’t bother telling you.”
Her expression soured, full of irritation. With a sigh, she leaned closer.
“The resort. The Citizens’ Council made a public declaration against its opening. They even issued a formal statement.”
“…What? A declaration? But didn’t the residents already give their consent?”
“Well, yes. That was three years ago. Everyone agreed back then. Though of course, nobody knew the Grand Duke himself was behind it.”
Riena frowned. “So it was already approved, construction finished, and now—right before opening—they’re objecting?”
“Yeah. And it’s not just anyone. It’s Miles—the Council President now. He’s hated the resort since the start. But three years ago he didn’t have enough support, so it was dismissed. Now that he’s in power…”
“I see. He’s dragging it out deliberately.”
“Exactly. He’s got no shame.”
Sharon huffed, but then paused when she realized something strange.
For the first time since she’d known Riena, the woman’s face had hardened—not with fear or confusion, but with a sharp, calculating air.
She looked… just like the Grand Duke.
Oblivious to Sharon’s wide eyes, Riena was lost in thought.
The resort… it’s opening soon, isn’t it? You and the staff must be busy.
Busy, yes. But seeing them give their all, I feel proud. Excited, even.
His words echoed in her ears.
If only she hadn’t seen the light in his eyes when he said them.
Riena sighed. Then, lifting her chin, she asked, “This declaration—does it need a majority to take effect?”
“Huh? Oh… I think so. It’s not exactly a vote, but it won’t mean much without one.”
“And you?”
“Of course I didn’t sign. But most people probably will. They don’t want to cross Miles.”
It was true. Small towns worked like that. Nobody wanted to be on the bad side of the council president.
And Miles had made it clear she didn’t count here—she was an outsider, even after a year of living among them.
She bit her lip to stop herself from clicking her tongue.
This wasn’t something she could fix.
But maybe… she could help.
“Thanks for telling me,” she said at last.
Her eyes gleamed, sharp and resolute. She had lived here for a year, and it hadn’t been wasted.
