79.

Suddenly, Dante had a thought.

He wondered if his abnormal possessiveness had deprived Elze of the ordinary happiness that other ladies enjoyed daily.

“I think I’ve been too greedy. The Marquis has given me so much…”

Elze’s voice trailed off weakly.

Meanwhile, seeing the shadow cast over Elze’s face…

‘I don’t like it.’

Dante felt an odd sense of discomfort.

Elze lowered her eyes and finished speaking.

“I won’t do it again.”

“…”

Dante stared at her with a complicated expression for a long time.

Then he leaned in and kissed her forehead loudly.

“Marquis?”

Elze looked up at him with a slightly surprised face.

Dante gave a bitter smile.

“You can meet her.”

“What?”

“You can meet Countess Martin.”

Elze’s amber eyes flickered briefly.

Then.

“Thank you.”

Elze smiled brightly as if she had gathered all the happiness in the world into her arms.

Seeing that smile, Dante felt a deep ache in his chest.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before, except when dealing with his suicidal mother.

…It was guilt.

* * *

Later.

As Dante followed Elze into the bedroom, he encountered a strange sight.

Dante couldn’t hide his bewildered expression as he looked at the outdoor balcony connected to the bedroom.

“A pigeon…?”

In the shaded area of the balcony, there was a birdcage.

Inside the cage, a white pigeon with black eyes rolled them around and looked at him.

“Coo.”

The pigeon cooed softly.

“What is this? Why is there a pigeon?”

“Oh, I got a new one recently.”

Elze, with a soft smile, approached the birdcage.

She reached out and stroked the pigeon’s head, then turned to Dante and asked kindly.

“Isn’t it cute?”

“…Hmm.”

Dante let out a noncommittal hum instead of answering.

It didn’t seem like Elze expected a reply, as she turned her attention back to the pigeon.

“When Countess Martin left, I felt a bit lonely.”

There was a faint smile in Elze’s voice.

“But taking care of this little one has made me feel much better.”

“…”

Dante remained silent.

Once again, he felt a prickling in his chest.

What was this unpleasant feeling?

He couldn’t figure it out, so he frowned.

Elze, still focused on the pigeon, spoke again.

“Marquis?”

“What?”

“…Tonight.”

Elze hesitated before cautiously asking.

“Could you stay with me?”

Dante looked at Elze silently.

Feeling his gaze, Elze’s grip on the birdcage door tightened slightly.

“I know you’re busy with the auction… but it’s too late to return to the townhouse now.”

She whispered softly.

“…Am I asking too much?”

“…”

At the same time, Dante strode towards Elze.

He pulled her slender frame into a tight embrace.

Elze flinched and stiffened.

“Why would you think that?”

Dante spoke soothingly.

“You’re allowed to be selfish.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Elze leaned gently against Dante’s chest.

“Then.”

Her soft voice tickled Dante’s ear.

“Stay with me.”

At that moment.

Dante’s arms around Elze tightened firmly.

* * *

In the darkened bedroom.

Elze lay sprawled across the bed, deeply asleep.

Having endured so much pleasure, she had fallen into a near-faint state of sleep.

“…”

Dante sat leaning against the headboard, staring down at the sleeping Elze.

Seeing how exhausted she looked, he felt a pang of guilt.

‘Did I push her too hard?’

But at that moment, he couldn’t help himself.

Even with Elze right in front of him.

He had an inexplicable feeling that she might slip away.

So he clung to her, clung and clung again…

“Tsk.”

Dante clicked his tongue softly and gently rearranged the stray locks of rosy hair on her white forehead.

He slowly caressed her elegant nose, smooth cheeks, and slightly parted, blushing lips.

His touch was surprisingly tender.

Knock, knock.

A cautious knock sounded at the door.

“…”

Dante glanced at the bedroom door for a moment, then got up, throwing on a robe hastily.

Opening the door quietly to avoid making any noise.

Liam stood on the other side, looking weary.

“Report.”

Dante ordered with a nod.

“During our auction, it appears Lady Elze was with Countess Martin.”

“Is that so?”

Dante raised an eyebrow slightly.

It matched what Elze had said.

Liam nodded cautiously.

“Yes. Recently, Countess Martin has been staying at the Kamano Hotel, and there are reports of a woman with red hair entering the hotel.”

Liam hesitated for a moment.

“However, since she was wearing a large hat, it’s hard to be completely certain it was Lady Elze…”

“Hmm.”

Dante recalled the image of Elze shortly after she returned home.

In her small hand, she had been holding a large hat.

And.

[I’m sorry. As a manager, I should have set an example by adhering to the boarding school’s rules.]

[Even though it was against the rules, I went to see Countess Martin.]

Elze’s dejected voice came to mind.

‘…So she would have had to hide her face.’

She would have been worried about her friendship with Countess Martin being exposed.

After pondering for a moment, Dante nodded.

“Understood. You may go.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

Liam bowed and left immediately.

Click.

The door closed.

Dante returned to Elze’s side.

He stared at her for a long time before speaking in a calm voice.

“Elze, you love me, don’t you?”

“…”

There was no response from the deeply sleeping Elze.

Dante muttered to himself as if trying to brainwash himself.

“So… you wouldn’t deceive me, right?”

Dante continued to keep Elze in his sight for a long time.

Until the moon waned, dawn arrived, and the world finally took on a bluish hue.

He stayed by her side, not moving an inch.

* * *

The next day.

Fortunately, Dante had returned to his usual self.

Meaning, he was back to his generally mild demeanor.

“Did you have a good dream, Darling?”

Facing Dante’s smiling eyes, I felt relieved.

“I slept so well that I didn’t even dream. How about you, Marquis? Did you sleep well last night?”

“No, not really.”

Dante shrugged lightly.

“I was too busy watching your face.”

“…”

I couldn’t tell if he was joking or being serious…

I looked at Dante with a puzzled expression.

Just then.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked urgently.

When I opened the door, it was Liam.

“Lady Elze, I’m truly sorry, but…”

At the same time, Dante glared at Liam.

The meaning was obvious.

‘Don’t say it.’

That’s roughly what it meant.

But Liam was already overwhelmed by his workload.

“May I take the Marquis for a moment?”

Liam, looking exhausted, pleaded.

“The auction work isn’t finished yet…”

Well, it was to be expected.

Yesterday, Dante had left all the auction tasks to Liam and came to the boarding school.

Hosting the banquet for the guests, delivering the auction items, and cleaning up.

Liam had to handle everything by himself.

“Sorry, Darling.”

Dante, apparently still possessing a shred of conscience, sighed briefly and stood up.

“I guess I should go.”

“It’s alright.”

I quickly put on a big smile.

I was more than happy about it.

Because of the events at the auction yesterday, Dante had been a bit awkward for me to deal with.

“You stayed with me last night. That’s enough.”

“…”

Hearing that, Dante looked at me with a complicated expression.

‘Why is he looking at me like that?’

I wondered, but I kept my smile.

After a moment.

Shaking his head, Dante pressed a kiss on my forehead.

“I’ll come again.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I replied obediently, like a loyal pet, and grabbed my light outerwear.

“I’ll see you off…”

“No need.”

Dante gave me a playful smile.

“Aren’t you tired from putting up with me yesterday?”