Chapter 69
Riena drew in a sharp breath, then bit down on her lower lip.
And then—she actually shook her head.
Dante, who hadn’t expected that at all, blinked in disbelief before letting out a dry laugh.
“What are you doing?”
“…Mmph!”
She mumbled something unintelligible behind her pressed lips. Dante squinted.
“…You’re saying no?”
“Mm.”
This time she nodded, earnest and stubborn.
He sighed, half exasperated, half amused.
Now she was even covering her mouth with both hands, as if to swear she’d never, ever give in.
It was adorable in its own way…
Dante ran his tongue lightly over his teeth, then leaned closer to whisper against her ear.
“I won’t take long.”
Riena shook her head again, faster this time.
“Just your lips. I won’t go further.”
Her shoulders twitched, and she shook her head even harder.
He almost clicked his tongue out of habit but instead let out a soft breath, his voice dropping to a low murmur.
Her ears were red enough to make him want to bite them. But he held back, smiling faintly as he murmured, coaxing.
“Just once. That’s all.”
Still, she shook her head.
“Then… you do it, Riena. I’ll stay still.”
This time, she didn’t move at all. Dante lifted his head slightly, the corner of his mouth tilting upward.
“You just have to brush your lips against mine and pull back. Simple, isn’t it?”
Her eyes flickered with visible hesitation.
He almost laughed—was this innocence or defiance? He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling.
“I’m the one at a loss here, Riena. Do you even know how much you’re wearing right now?”
He wasn’t wrong. What she had on—the gown, the jewels—could equal a year’s salary for a noble. For him, of course, it was nothing.
When he shifted the blame onto her with that nonchalant tone, Riena finally dropped her hands and snapped back.
“I never asked you to buy these! Who spends that much on something meant to be worn just for a day?”
“I know. I just wanted to. Still, you could sound a bit more grateful.”
He replied smoothly, his smile faint but teasing.
When he glanced back, Riena’s eyes were already trembling.
“You know this is ridiculous,” she murmured.
“I do.”
Sometimes pretending to listen obediently was the best tactic. Dante nodded quietly.
Riena let out a long sigh and shut her eyes tight.
Not many people knew how stubborn this man could be—but she certainly did.
Even when he bargained, this brilliant businessman never let go of what he truly wanted.
Fine. You win.
Defeated, Riena placed a light hand on his shoulder.
Even seated, the difference in their height was clear. When she leaned closer, his golden eyes lifted to meet hers directly.
She hadn’t asked for this, hadn’t wanted it—so why was she the one paying the price?
Suppressing the lump in her throat, she reached out and covered his eyes with her free hand.
Dante let out a quiet laugh, the warmth of her palm cooling the heat in his skin.
His pulse was racing just as much as hers.
And so, he waited—calmly—for her to close the distance.
But Riena froze. He really wasn’t moving.
He’s serious this time…?
“Y-you really can’t move. Promise.”
He nodded faintly.
There was no going back now.
At least the room was dim, the curtains drawn, sealing them from the world.
His lips—naturally red for a man—looked indecently tempting, and Riena felt her mind spin.
Memories of their past kisses flashed through her mind, and she almost screamed inwardly.
How long she hesitated, she didn’t know.
Finally, with the resolve of someone marching into battle, she lifted her chin, took a steadying breath, and leaned in.
Just a touch, she told herself. Just a touch, and it’s over.
Her breath brushed his skin. Dante’s hand clenched, veins rising along the back of it.
Then—
Tap.
Their lips met.
And at that very instant—
Dante’s hand slid up, cupping her nape as he tilted his head and kissed her deeply.
“…Mmph!”
Caught off guard, Riena’s eyes flew open wide. She struggled against him furiously.
That scoundrel had tricked her again!
She hit his chest and shoulders with both hands, but Dante didn’t budge.
She was about to grab his hair in sheer frustration when—
“Your Grace? Are you in there?”
It was Callis’s voice—from beyond the curtain.
“Ah—!”
Startled, Riena shoved him away hard.
Their lips broke apart, and she tasted iron.
“Hh—”
Her eyes widened in shock. Dante had fallen from his chair, sitting dazed on the floor, a grimace twisting his face.
“Are—are you okay?”
Riena reached out in a panic to help him up—then froze. Her gaze fixed on his mouth.
There was blood on his lips.
She touched her own, realizing the blood wasn’t hers.
Did I… bite him?
Before she could say anything, Callis’s voice came again from outside.
“Is everything all right, Your Grace? Should I come in?”
Panic flashed across Riena’s face. If he comes in now—!
“Don’t open the curtain.”
Dante’s voice was cold, steady.
Riena clamped her mouth shut, squeezing her eyes closed.
“Ah—yes, sir! I just wanted to ask when you and Miss Riena plan to return to your rooms—”
“I’ll handle it. Don’t come up to the fifth floor until I call for you.”
“Yes, sir!”
Unlike Dante’s low tone, Callis’s reply carried a faint note of cheer.
He’d heard. He’d definitely heard everything.
His footsteps receded. Dante rose from the floor, brushing dust off his sleeves.
He clicked his tongue softly, his lip stinging. When he glanced up, Riena was glaring daggers at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“What are you going to do now?!”
“What—about the bleeding? You tell me. It hurts.”
Riena gaped at him, speechless.
“That’s not what I meant! Callis definitely knows what happened!”
Dante only lifted an eyebrow.
His calmness made her even angrier.
“Do you think he’s stupid? And you—you promised not to move! How could you lie like that?!”
“I didn’t lie. It was… an impulsive mistake.
And I paid for it, didn’t I? You bit me.”
She stared at him, completely at a loss for words.
He bent slightly, bringing his face close to hers again.
“Can’t you see I’m bleeding? It hurts, Riena.”
Her mouth fell open in outrage.
“What—are you going to make me take responsibility for that now too?”
“Hmm. Should I?”
“I—I won’t! I’m leaving!”
Flustered and furious, she jumped to her feet.
Dante simply looked up at her, eyes narrowing in amusement—then he finally laughed.
A deep, genuine laugh that reached his eyes.
Riena’s face burned red.
That infuriating man!
“You’re like a dog, Riena. Always biting.”
“When did I ever—! I don’t—!”
“If you keep this up, it won’t just be Callis who notices.
If I walk around with a mark on my lips, what do you think people will assume?”
“They’ll think you got hit! Normal people don’t think like you!”
“Normal, huh?” he murmured, raising an eyebrow.
“I haven’t even done anything truly perverse yet, Riena.”
His lips—no longer bleeding—curved into a wicked, teasing smile.
