INWY~71

Chapter 71

“Why? Don’t trust me? I’m actually pretty good at this.”

“…Good at what?” Riena asked dryly, her tone skeptical. He’d put earrings on women before — and he was good at it? What exactly had he been doing, this man?

An irrational irritation stirred in her chest, and she forced a tight, awkward smile.

“Fine. I’ll trust you.”

Surely he was just teasing her. If not that, then he was bragging again. He always acted like there was nothing he didn’t know or couldn’t do.

Dante brushed aside a loose strand of her hair. The small, casual motion made her flinch, but he pretended not to notice. Then, with his fingers gently touching the warm curve of her ear, he said quietly,

“I’m putting it in. Tell me if it hurts.”

There was a soft clink as he adjusted the earring.

Then, with deft precision, Dante pressed the stud through her earlobe in one smooth motion. The earring slid in effortlessly, and he locked the clasp with practiced ease.

“Didn’t hurt, right?”

It really didn’t. So this time, he hadn’t been lying.

Still, something about it felt… uncomfortable. The awkward tension returned, and she puffed her cheeks slightly, pouting without realizing it.

“…Right. You’re really… good at this,” she muttered.

As she spoke, Dante clipped on the second earring and stepped back, releasing her.

“See? Told you I wasn’t lying.”

He raised an eyebrow, almost smugly — and somehow, that made him all the more irritating.

“What’s with that face?” he teased. “I did it neatly, without hurting you, and you look like you’ve been wronged. Our dear Lady Bronte doesn’t seem too pleased.”

His lips curved in amusement. Her reaction satisfied him more than he cared to admit. Riena herself probably didn’t even realize she was jealous. Just like last time.

“No, thank you,” she murmured quickly. “It’s just… better than I expected.”

Her voice trailed off. Better than expected? Skilled? Whatever she said, it would sound strange — and worse, she didn’t understand why she felt this odd pang of irritation in the first place.

Dante’s golden eyes observed her intently. Lately, Riena’s expressions had been transparent — her thoughts written all over her face.

Even now, her confusion showed. She was clearly upset, but didn’t even understand why.

Of course, Dante didn’t mind. In fact, he preferred it this way. He had no intention of explaining anything. He wanted her to struggle, to feel the same uncertainty he once had — until she finally understood it herself.

And he could wait. He’d wait as long as it took. Not that it would take much longer, anyway.

So for now, it was time to take a step back.

Dante quietly turned toward the door and grasped the handle.

“Rest well, Riena.”

“You’re leaving?”

Her head jerked up, startled out of her thoughts. Her eyes widened as she looked at his hand on the doorknob — he really meant to go.

He nodded calmly and turned the handle. The crack of the door let in the bright light of the corridor outside.

“You told me to go, remember?”

Right — she had. She’d told him she didn’t want him here, that they shouldn’t be together.

“Don’t fall asleep,” he said softly. “You’ll need to leave at dawn.”

He looked down at her — at her still-fragile transparency — and his lips curved in a faint, silent smile.

—

—

—

“Ah, there you are.”

Dante stepped into the salon inside the resort — not the grand ballroom, but a more private space — and smiled smoothly when he saw the man waiting for him.

“It’s been a while, Your Excellency the Grand Duke.”

Harold, the Chief Justice, bowed politely, the genial expression on his face barely concealing his tension.

“It’s a pleasure to see you here as well, Lord Justice.”

“This is a magnificent resort — and a splendid celebration. Thank you for the invitation.”

“Of course. I had to invite you. I’ve benefited from your support quite a lot since last year.”

From the annulment of the ducal couple’s marriage to the emergency warrant for the coachman’s arrest — all of it had been thanks to him.

Dante smiled faintly and sat down opposite the Chief Justice with his usual unhurried grace. Of all the people he was scheduled to meet tonight, this one mattered most.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting. I hope you’ll forgive the discourtesy.”

“Not at all. The party was delightful — I lost track of time just enjoying the view.”

Dante nodded slightly and leaned back into the plush chair. The Chief Justice stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Among those who knew him, the Grand Duke of Venachert reclining during a conversation was a clear signal: the real discussion begins now.

Whether that meant negotiation — or intimidation — depended entirely on what came next.

“Have you met with the Chancellor recently?”

The sudden question caught Harold off guard, but his expression barely changed. He had half-expected this topic.

“No. Not recently.”

“Really? You haven’t attended any gatherings hosted by the Duke of Winfield’s house either?”

“I haven’t, no. I’ve been avoiding them, truth be told.”

“Avoiding them?” Dante raised an eyebrow. “That’s unlike you. Did something unpleasant happen?”

“Not exactly,” Harold admitted, his expression growing more serious. “But lately, the atmosphere at those meetings has changed. They used to be simple — just friendly discussions about state affairs. But since last year, the Chancellor has been… consistently bringing up Your Grace’s name.”

Dante didn’t even blink. He could already guess the nature of those conversations. But in the end, it didn’t matter — those men could talk all they liked. None of them had the power to truly move against him.

“I take it you haven’t joined in,” Dante said lightly. “Considering you’re telling me this now.”

The Chief Justice’s eyes flickered. He glanced up quickly, relieved that there was no mockery in Dante’s face.

“…It’s nothing like that, Your Grace. Just an old acquaintance from the past.”

“Of course,” Dante said easily. “I’m glad to hear it. I’d hate to see you dragged into something unfortunate because of them.”

“Unfortunate? What do you mean by that?” Harold’s eyes widened.

“Just a hypothetical,” Dante replied smoothly. “But if a relationship is destined to collapse, it’s better to cut it off early — before you’re caught in the fall.”

“…Are you saying I should sever ties completely, Your Grace?”

“I’m offering you an opportunity,” Dante said calmly. “If His Majesty’s health should suddenly fail… this kingdom will tremble.”

The color drained from Harold’s face, as if someone had doused him in ice water.

He had expected talk of the Chancellor — perhaps rumors, perhaps minor politics. But this? To be told, so bluntly, to break ties… and in the same breath, to hear the Grand Duke speak of the King’s death — and what might follow.

If the King died, the foundation of the realm itself would quake.

And Dante — the Grand Duke of Venachert — was calmly stating that when that time came, he would move.

A revolution, if one wished to call it kindly.

Treason, if one spoke plainly.

Harold’s jaw tightened. Whichever side he chose, the conversation itself was dangerous. But it was too late to back out now. The predator before him had already calculated everything — and he, the Chief Justice, was caught in the snare.

After a brief pause, he asked quietly, “Why me, Your Grace?”

Dante exhaled a soft laugh through his nose and tilted his head.

He hadn’t expected the man to yield easily — Harold was known for his integrity, his discipline. It was precisely those traits that had made him a suitable Chief Justice in the first place.

“I know the other lords are deeply entangled with the royal family,” Dante said coolly. “Each of them clutching the scraps of power the Crown doles out.”

Beneath his composed tone, a flicker of restrained fury pulsed.

“You, Lord Justice, are the only one among them who’s remained upright.”

“…”

“You tried to protect the honor of my late parents,” Dante continued, his voice low and even. “Consider this… my way of returning the favor.”

At last, the meaning behind his earlier words — an opportunity — became clear. The Chief Justice’s eyes wavered, rippling with realization.

“And naturally,” Dante added, his golden eyes glinting faintly, “every opportunity comes with its due reward.”

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze unyielding.

“The position that should have been yours from the beginning — I’ll see that you have it. Just… stay out of their shadows from now on, Lord Justice.”