33

A quiet night.

The heavy falling snow dyed the entire world a pale white.

The harsh winter wind whipped against the body like a whip.

I hung limply on the railing, staring blankly down below.

In the pitch darkness, a slushy, icy river flowed vigorously.

Anyone seeing me would probably be greatly perplexed.

A woman hanging on a railing, wearing only a thin, glamorous dress suitable for a warm banquet, with disheveled hair.

Of course, there would be no one who witnessed my messy appearance, and there was no need to worry about dignity, but still.

“…Ha.”

A dry laugh escaped my lips.

Here I was, competing against a man twenty-eight years older than me, with a substantial belly, who had just come out of a match.

Merchants, nobles, foreigners…

The men with various occupations and appearances had exactly three things in common.

First, they were at least twenty years older than me.

Second, they exhibited considerable resistance.

And third, they had experienced more than one failed marriage.

Probably to handle the extravagance of a stepmother and to pay off the gambling debts of a father.

And they were chosen as prospective husbands to secure funds for the flourishing Lepherian son… my stepbrother.

Since my mother passed away, I had been through matchmaking numerous times.

I had given up counting after around thirty attempts.

I tried self-harm, smashed everything inside the house in rebellion, ran away declaring my hatred for marriage, but now…

“Tired.”

Now, the act of rebelling itself had become exhausting.

Why was I born?

Born as the pretty daughter of a half-and-half noble family.

If the end of my life is to be sold as someone’s ward, to pay for the luxurious life of a bunch of people I don’t even want to call family…….

“Isn’t it better to put an end to this annoying life now?”

I leaned more on the railing.

As my body tilted downward, the rough flowing river below tinted my vision blue.

I closed my eyes slowly.

Now, without having to hear the nagging from my family, it felt somewhat refreshing.

But then…

“Hey.”

Suddenly, a reaching hand firmly grabbed my throat.

My vision spun, and before I knew it, I was facing a man.

A sculpture crafted by darkness and eyes.

The only vivid colors were the beautiful ruby-like red eyes and droplets of blood that stained the smooth marble-like cheek.

“Are you trying to die?”

“…”

I was speechless. Until just a moment ago, I believed that death was the only way to become free. But upon hearing that question, I realized otherwise.

“I don’t want to die.”

I replied with a hoarse voice.

“Then why are you standing here contemplating?”

“Dying… I think it’s better than living.”

“Oh? That’s interesting.”

The man brushed his disheveled black hair off his forehead and narrowed his eyes.

“Just a little while ago, I sent those beggars pleading for their lives to the gods one by one.”

His red lips traced an attractive curve.

“Now, I forcibly rescued a woman who thinks it’s better to go to the gods.”

* * *

I opened my eyes.

‘…Ah, of course, it’s a dream like this.’

It was about a year ago.

At that time, Dante, who had established a base near the Lepherian principality and was steadily accumulating wealth through smuggling, brought Elze, the original character, as if picking up a stray puppy.

‘How amusing.’

Just for that simple reason.

And Elze was delighted with Dante like a chick recognizing its parents for the first time.

Well, from Elze’s perspective, it made sense.

From the moment she took Dante’s place as his lover, her family could no longer pressure or torment her.

“Huh?”

I was about to gather my thoughts and try to get up, but I hesitated.

Long, muscular arms were tightly wrapped around my waist.

It was Dante.

“…”

I tried to somehow free myself from Dante’s arms, but he didn’t budge.

Having given up, I tossed and turned, lying on my back.

Dante was still in a deep sleep.

He appeared harmless, as if he could do no harm.

Impulsively, I reached out to Dante.

With my fingers, I gently traced his elegant forehead.

As I caressed his butterfly-like eyelashes that had settled like snowflakes, brushed past his sharp nose, and swept over his lips like a veil.

Dante continued to emit only heavy breathing.

It was confusing.

This intense affection I felt, the irrational emotion that felt like I would stop breathing if he wasn’t by my side, was undoubtedly the emotion of the ‘original Elze.’

Why couldn’t I completely let go of this tender feeling toward this man?

And then…

“Darling.”

Dante grabbed my fingertips.

Pressing my fingers to his lips, Dante lifted his eyelids.

His eyes, filled with the remnants of drowsiness, revealed ruby-red irises that shone like jewels in the morning sunlight.

“Good morning.”

Dante curved his eyebrows, presenting a slightly bewitching smile that could captivate anyone instantly.

I bit my lip tightly.

I wish I could love this man as fanatically as the original Elze.

If that were the case, there wouldn’t be such confusion.

I…

‘I’m scared.’

I couldn’t genuinely love this man.

Affection and fear.

Opposing emotions constrict my breath.

“Did you have a good dream last night?”

Offering a morning greeting, I gently pulled my hand away.

Dante furrowed his brows discontentedly.

To avoid his gaze, I subtly rose to a sitting position.

“You should get up now.”

“I’ll sleep a bit more.”

Well, considering he disposed of Victor after coming late to the dormitory yesterday, he might be tired.

“In that case, should I bring breakfast here for you?”

“Just handle it yourself…”

Muttering vaguely, Dante wrapped both arms around my waist.

“Let go, please.”

I tried to push his arms away, but…

“No.”

Dante immediately rejected my words and responded by burying his face in my thigh.

His arms around my waist exerted a strong force.

‘Why is he suddenly like this?’

I managed to swallow the sigh that was about to burst out.

I knew he had a capricious personality, but why this sudden stubbornness?

“My Lord, I’m the dormitory manager, right?”

I spoke tentatively.

“There’s a lot of work I have to do.”

“What… again.”

“I have to supervise the servants, manage special students…”

Suddenly, Dante raised his head.

“If it’s a special student, it’s Duke Kalleid, right?”

His questioning tone made the atmosphere tense.

In his voice, I could sense a sharp hostility that had suddenly surfaced.

“…Yes, that’s right.”

My mouth felt dry.

The warm morning from just a while ago disappeared completely, and a tension like walking on thin ice invaded my entire body.

“The presence of Duke Kalleid is kept highly confidential.”

“So?”

“Until now, only a very small number of personnel, including the managers, were in charge of managing him. Even that was in the situation where Victor was expelled.”

I smiled confidently, pretending to be at ease.

“Of course, it’s not a job that the busy Marquis himself can directly manage… There’s no one else suitable for the task, right?”

“Why isn’t there?”

Dante responded irritably, “There’s Liam.”

Liam.

The name of Dante’s closest aide who served him like a shadow.

In the original work, Liam was a competent secretary and right-hand man who remained loyal to Dante until the end.

“While I’m staying here, he’ll personally manage Duke Kalleid.”

“Is that so? That’s good.”

I nodded.

In that case, it would be better to refrain from meeting Lucian for a while and leave it to Liam.

Especially since Dante already found my contact with Lucian unpleasant.

‘If it’s Liam, he won’t act recklessly or cause harm to Lucian.’

This was quite reassuring.

“More importantly, darling.”

At the same time, Dante tilted his gaze towards me.

“Since yesterday, you’ve been calling me My Lord…”

As if trying to pry into my thoughts, Dante narrowed his eyes.

“Are you going to continue avoiding using my name?”