At that moment, his gaze, which had been staring blankly as if he was watching what I was doing, hardened. Dante, who gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, muttered softly into my ear.
"It's not bad."
His whispering breath tickled my ear.
"I've used up all the beauties."
I bit my lips slightly at his smiling voice. It was clearly my heart that was beating as if it was going to burst with embarrassment, even though it was clearly a play I had started.
"..."
"Yes. I don't know what you're up to, but I'll gladly accept it."
He chuckled and pulled my waist tightly. Then he spoke in a brazen voice so that everyone could hear.
"My wife is so upset, I can't help it. I have no choice but to go home for today."
My heart started to feel strange again from the heat that enveloped my waist. Was the 'happy couple' scene working out pretty well?
There was no doubt in the expression of the palace soldier who greeted me politely.
***
As I got into the carriage back to the Duke's residence, I sat in deep thought. At that time, I couldn't understand, but what my grandfather had said.
"Didn't Zenith... happen a few days ago?"
"Actually, that kid came to see me the night before. He got really drunk and said something strange. You know that kid has been hanging out with the 2nd Prince's group a lot lately, right? I think he went to the 2nd Prince's secret gathering that day..."
"It seems that the 2nd Prince overheard the plan to assassinate the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince was definitely involved in the deaths of my grandfather and my mother. However, there was still something suspicious. If White Face had been following my grandfather the whole time, there was no need to kill my mother. My grandfather hated being cumbersome, so he often went around without any escort.
'But the assassins killed my mother too...'
As if the two people were the targets from the beginning. What is it?
A very dirty premonition enveloped my mind.
"So. What are you planning this time?"
A voice suddenly came from the other side. I turned around and saw Dante staring at me.
"It's fun to watch what you do, but I don't really like being a bystander."
His red eyes sparkled with raw interest.
"Include me this time. In your plan."
His tone was closer to an order than a suggestion. I stared at Dante for a moment in silence. Should I tell Dante everything?
For a moment, such a thought crossed my mind, but at the same time, I already knew that it was a meaningless thought. I already shared a past with that man...I still couldn't completely believe it.
"You grew up so differently. It seemed like I needed more time to digest the fact that the pretty boy in my memories and the healthy adult man in front of me were the same person."
I explained the whole story to Dante. The conversation between my grandfather and my mother just before they were murdered. And all the stories from the past that I recalled.
'In fact, there is another clue.'
Five years from now, before I died, I witnessed a prisoner being hanged in the square. The prisoner had been interrogated so much that I couldn't recognize his face, and his appearance was so miserable. I thought his facial features were somehow familiar, but I couldn't remember them. Despite that appearance, the prisoner shouted out loud just before his head was cut off.
"The Crown Prince killed my brother!"
The guillotine's blade hurriedly fell on the prisoner's neck, but his last words had already caused a huge stir. After that, evidence poured out. The evidence that the prisoner had arranged right before he died was that the Crown Prince had intentionally deposed his brother and eventually killed him.
"The unpleasant rumors that have been circulating recently are the work of a group of traitors, and anyone who mentions them will be immediately punished for treason..."
The Crown Prince naturally claimed that all the evidence was fabricated, and the case seemed to be closed. It left people with only doubts. That memory, which ended so awkwardly, was the biggest reason I could suspect the Crown Prince.
'But I can't tell you this one thing.'
If I told him about my story of dying and coming back, Dante would seriously consider sending me to a mental hospital, let alone believing me.
"So..."
Tap, tap.
A long finger tapped the seat. The red gaze directed beyond the carriage window was serious. Unlike his usual relaxed expression, it was a heavy, slumped expression.
"Is your new revenge target the Crown Prince?"
"Yes."
I nodded and moved my lips. From the moment I regained my memories, from the moment I realized who my last enemy was, there was something I thought I had to say to Dante.
"So, Your Highness."
I took a deep breath and spat out the words as if I were vomiting them out.
"You can cut off our relationship here."
The fingers that were tapping the sheet stopped for a moment.
"..."
His gaze slowly turned to me.
"What did you say?"
His red eyes stared blankly at me. His expressionless eyes radiated a cold energy. It felt as if the warmth inside the carriage had frozen in an instant. After moistening my dry palate, I opened my mouth.
"I know that too. Just saying that the crown prince... is my enemy is a serious crime that is considered treason. So..."
"Yes."
Dante leaned back deep into the backrest and raised the corners of his mouth.
"That's why it's fun."
'... Fun?'
I was speechless for a moment and stared blankly at him. Treason?
"When I'm next to you, only interesting things happen."
His red eyes flashed. They were eyes that were shining with a sense of triumph. Even though the other person was a member of the royal family, there was no trace of hesitation or fear in his eyes. Rather, he seemed like a hunter who was excited by the prey he could catch. He looked straight at me and said,
"How can you make me happy without getting tired even for a day? It's amazing."
My heart started to pound. My heart started to speed up. It was now familiar.
'... Again. Fun, interesting, ... or fascinating.'
That man would say such things to me without hesitation. Every time he did, my heart would lose its composure and race, which was now pitiful. I tried to pretend not to notice my heart racing, but Dante continued.
"So don't say things like let's break up or something."
The smile he had been wearing until just now disappeared as he stared at me.
"That's not fun."
I nodded my head naturally, like a clockwork doll.
"...Yes."
He smiled broadly as if I had done well. Only then did I relax a little. Dante crossed his arms leisurely and muttered softly.
"There were rumors that there was dirty collusion during the current Crown Prince's abdication."
When I looked at him with surprised eyes, he smiled and added.
"Rumors that are kept quiet in the system. easily spread on the battlefield."
"That's right... I see."
I nodded slowly. It was a hopeful story. The fact that rumors were circulating meant that there were clues, even if they were circumstantial.
"But Ariana, there's one thing you're mistaken about."
"Yes?"
"The assassin I was interrogating. The Crown Prince wasn't the one who hired him."
I opened my eyes wide at the unexpected story. The dirty premonition that had been gnawing at my mind the whole time went down my spine.
"Your father."
"..."
I held my breath.
"Your mother was on her way to file for divorce at that time."
"..."
"If that had been filed, your father, who was your grandfather's son-in-law, would have become a commoner again."
"I still can't believe he had an affair. Not only the affair but how could you have a child!"
My mother's voice came to mind. Since my father was at fault for the divorce, if my mother had divorced him, he would have been kicked out penniless, not to mention the title, without even receiving a single penny of the property...
Ah. I could hear all the puzzle pieces coming together in my head. The reason that assassins had to kill my mother. The reason I still had doubts about was really simple. My father, who had tried to avoid the divorce, had joined hands with the Crown Prince who was trying to deal with my maternal grandfather.
"Haha, ha..."
A dry laugh escaped my mouth. Of course, my father was not a good person. No, in fact, he was closer to the worst father. He betrayed my mother, had an affair, and had a child outside of her. But even so, I couldn't hate my father. Just as I had begged for Edward's affection and tried to be good to Elena, I had also been desperate for my father's approval.
'Ah.'
How, how pitiful and foolish I was. I closed my eyes weakly. There was still room for betrayal.
Another red line was drawn on my already bruised heart. I thought of my father lying in a nursing home. He had been unconscious from acute alcoholism for a long time and had been kept alive on a respirator for ten years. I felt an impulse to rush to the nursing home and remove the respirator right away.
'But, father.'
I don't want you to die without knowing it. That would be too unfair.
"Ariana."
A soft voice seeped into my ear at that moment.
"Don't cry."
Only then did I realize that my cheeks were soaking wet? Dante grabbed my cheek gently and said as if he was swearing.
"You just have to pay me back. Exactly ten times over."
I stared blankly at him. The world I had lived in my entire life was all lies and deception.
"It wasn't me who hated you, it was your fault. Your very existence was the seed of disaster for our family!"
As if Elena's curse was true. But, Dante, are you really the only exception?
I slowly closed my eyes. Tears flowed down between my closed eyes and soaked my lips. His lips came down on them as if comforting them. This time, there was no passion or enthusiasm, just a soft and shallow kiss like a bird's feather.
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