Chapter 100
“Stop right there.”
His voice dropped low, a growl thick with warning.
The way he glared at her—sharp, blazing—was all too familiar.
Riena recognized that anger.
She had seen it before.
Once, twice… perhaps too many times.
But she didn’t flinch. Not even a blink.
“Let go of me.”
Her words were crisp and unwavering.
“Let go—?”
“I said I like Bailey.”
“……”
“You.”
It sounded almost like a sigh—flat, incredulous.
Dante let out a short, humorless laugh and twisted his lips.
As if any of that made sense.
As if that weren’t the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard.
Still, he released her chin as she’d asked.
Riena’s heart, pounding violently a moment ago, finally began to calm—
“……!”
She jerked, trembling.
What…?
Her dark brown eyes rippled with shock.
Because the moment he let her go, Dante reached out again—touching her cheek.
No—this wasn’t a grip. It was soft.
Like someone gently stroking a small kitten, his palm cupped her face and his thumb brushed slowly across her cheek.
Her loose hair slipped between his fingers like silk.
The warmth of her cheek spread against his hand.
Completely different from the brutal tension just moments ago.
But Dante… Dante was furious.
Boiling.
Heat churned inside him, his entire mood thick with anger.
And the reason was obvious.
Because she—Riena—was resisting him with everything she had.
He didn’t care why she was lying.
He didn’t care about Bailey.
But—
Over something like that… you dare show this much resentment toward me?
You? Against me?
Staring right at her, Dante finally spoke.
His voice was gentle—absurdly gentle—soothing, at odds with the violent rage inside him.
“What will you do if you don’t stay still?”
His thumb stroked her cheek as he said it, and Riena’s lips tightened.
His tenderness was wrong.
Terrifying.
But she didn’t have time to recoil before Dante’s hand slid behind her neck and he pulled her forward—abruptly, decisively.
Her knees buckled.
He leaned in until their faces were breath-close.
Riena’s brows knit sharply.
She was vividly aware that her flushing face must be completely visible to him.
And he—of course—would twist it however he wished.
And indeed, his next action didn’t stray far from her fear.
Her unshed tear—still clinging to her lashes—caught his attention.
He brushed it away with the lightest touch of his fingertip.
Like he was comforting a lover.
“Hmm?”
His tone was unbearably tender as he toyed with the tear sliding down her cheek.
He hadn’t asked to hear an answer.
Riena couldn’t even open her mouth.
His behavior didn’t match the situation.
It was slow, calm… chilling.
He was angry.
Tremendously angry.
Anyone could see it.
His eyes alone declared it.
He’s furious, but he can do… this?
How can someone flip so suddenly? He’s not—he’s not normal.
Fear seized her fully only now.
And with fear came clarity.
He was unhinged.
This man was not in a sane state.
The realization struck her like cold water.
And then—Dante tilted his head slightly and said,
“Alright. Fine.”
He answered his own thoughts, a faint smile forming in his eyes.
If that’s what you insist on…
“Riena, should I tell you the way?”
He wasn’t asking.
Riena shook her head instantly, her teeth clenched.
She didn’t want to hear whatever that “way” was.
“There’s only one.”
“……”
“If you want to protect that Bailey you love so much.”
Despite her refusal, Dante continued lazily, his voice slicing through the suffocating air.
It sounded like a joke.
But the threat hidden inside wasn’t meant only for her.
“Abandon Bailey.”
And still, his voice was unbearably gentle as he whispered—close enough to brush lips.
“Just as coldly as you did to me.”
Riena no longer cried.
Her brows tightened; only the corners of her eyes trembled faintly.
Dante studied every twitch.
Even that, he found pleasing.
Like this… how could I ever let you go?
After all—
Wasn’t she the one who started it?
From the very first moment he saw her.
From the moment she threw herself into his carriage—
she had handed herself over to him.
So if she wasn’t his… whose could she be?
His golden eyes glimmered with a possession so deep it looked ready to devour her.
“Choose, Riena. It’s simple, isn’t it? You said you wanted to save Bailey.”
Again, Dante smiled sweetly—charitably—like he was offering mercy.
The oppressive atmosphere made Riena swallow her breath.
He said choose, but she knew.
There was no real choice.
If she refused, Bailey would be torn apart instantly.
“……Ha.”
A faint, suffocating breath slipped from her lips.
Her chest tightened painfully.
“Why no answer? Ah… are you planning to run away with Bailey? Convince him somehow… beg him to take you and flee again like last time?”
His soft voice broke into smooth, sharp fragments.
“No. I told you not to even think of that. I’ll catch you, no matter what.”
His whisper was so calm it didn’t sound like a threat at all.
“I’m not stupid enough to let you escape twice.”
“…You’re insane. Your Highness—you’re out of your mind.”
Riena finally said it.
Dante chuckled softly.
That was the reaction he wanted.
He didn’t care if she cursed him.
He would strip everything from her until she had nothing left to give.
“I know. You’ve told me plenty of times.”
No, you’ll never know.
Riena bit her tongue hard.
“I’m not an object. I’m not your possession.”
“Really?”
Dante leaned in.
His breath brushed her ear, making her shiver.
He stroked her back lightly, as if comforting her.
“That’s why I told you to choose. Whether you’ll save Bailey.”
“…I don’t—”
“Even if I forgive you, I won’t forgive Bailey.”
“……”
“You know, Riena. My patience isn’t very long.”
Riena bit down on her trembling lip.
Nothing made sense—none of his words, none of this situation.
But it was happening, right here, terrifyingly real.
Everything was twisted.
But Dante Venachert above all.
There was no escape.
So, in the end, Riena had to answer.
She drew a long, shaking breath—and nodded.
Dante’s golden eyes lit up brilliantly.
He turned his head slightly and pressed a brief kiss to her cheek.
Riena didn’t pull away.
She only flinched instinctively.
He considered kissing her lips for a moment…
but then he smirked and pulled back.
There was time.
And now that he could get rid of the obstacle—
“Sleep well, Riena.”
The sudden farewell made her lift her head.
Ah.
And Riena’s face twisted again.
Dante was smiling.
A deeply satisfied smile—
the kind a man wears after getting exactly what he wants.
