Chapter 36
“There’s nothing like that.”
“Fine, then tell me what you were thinking.”
“…And why should I tell Your Grace?”
“Again.”
Dante narrowed his eyes.
Even now, she acted as though she carried the weight of the world on her own shoulders.
“Another lie, Riena. Is it a habit?”
“…And if it is? Not all habits are bad.”
“True. It’s not bad—it’s just irritating for me.”
Their eyes locked.
Finally, Riena exhaled a weary sigh.
This endless back-and-forth was exhausting. At this point, it almost seemed easier just to tell him something.
When she had been the Grand Duchess, he’d never cared what she thought about anything.
What on earth had gotten into him now?
“It’s really nothing. I just… find it hard to blend in naturally with others. What comes so easily and obviously to them—I have to work for it. And sometimes, that’s tiring.”
Of course, she still had no reason to bare her soul to him.
So she kept it vague, offering only enough to satisfy his questions.
Dodging him forever would look suspicious anyway.
But even though she hadn’t meant to, her voice carried a faint weariness.
She realized too late—she’d let a corner of her carefully guarded self slip out.
Dante paused, then suddenly asked,
“What kind of little things?”
“…Having light conversations over tea, strolling through the shops, sharing lunch with someone… things like that.”
“I see. As you said, they’re trivial matters.”
His reply was automatic, casual.
He gave a perfunctory nod, his words flat.
“That’s what I said, isn’t it? That they were nothing.” Her voice sharpened, tinged with hurt. If he was going to answer like that, why ask in the first place? Why drag it out?
Then Dante spoke again, slowly.
“Shall I help you?”
Riena blinked.
Had she heard that right?
“…What?”
“I said I’ll help. With tea and conversation, shopping, lunch—those little things. I can make them natural for you.”
It wasn’t his usual teasing tone, not laced with mischief.
His voice was low, earnest.
He meant it.
Something unpleasant crawled in her chest.
An itch she couldn’t scratch, a rising discomfort that made her want to tear free from her own skin.
Her mood plummeted.
Everything was unbearable—the lavender scent clinging to the air, the warmth of his jacket draped over her shoulders.
She wanted to rip it all away.
Riena clenched her fist against the ground.
Gritty sand dug into her palm.
“…No. Thank you, but no.”
“Suit yourself.”
Dante flicked a brow and turned his gaze back to the sea.
After a brief silence, he rose to his feet.
“Cold.”
With that single word, he turned his back on her. Riena watched him go.
***
Birdsong roused Riena from sleep.
She sat up, body heavy and stiff.
The chill sea breeze from last night clung to her bones, leaving a faint feverish heat in her skin.
Foolish of her to let him drag her out there.
For her, the sea had always been a place to empty her thoughts.
But with the Grand Duke beside her, she hadn’t found stillness—only a storm of confusion.
She sighed softly.
Dante Benacert. Petty, willful, capricious.
She thought she understood him, yet lately he was more and more a mystery.
The more their paths tangled, the more off-balance she felt.
But she couldn’t reject him outright either. He had reason—legitimate claim.
Face clouded, Riena replayed the night in her head, then pressed her eyes shut. She shook her head hard, as if to scatter the thoughts away. Enough. If she kept this up, she’d be late.
She dressed and fixed her hair swiftly, movements long since familiar. A year ago, others had done these things for her. Before that, she had always done them herself.
And now that her life had returned to its original state, she realized more than ever—she had never belonged in that gilded world.
She pushed the sudden surge of feeling back down where it belonged.
Dressed and ready, Riena’s gaze drifted to the jacket hanging neatly by her mirror.
His jacket.
He’d left alone yesterday, and she had ended up carrying it home.
For the first time, a stranger’s belonging had entered her small, private haven.
It felt strange.
And worse—that stranger was the Grand Duke himself.
Riena brushed the lifeless fabric with her fingertips.
The warmth was long gone.
***
The place Sharon had chosen was a café in the heart of the city, surrounded by shops and schools, in the busiest part of town.
Unlike their cozy, quaint little café, this one was wide and elegant, with high ceilings and an entire wall of glass that made it feel vast and open, almost like stepping into a grand museum.
Glancing around curiously, Riena spotted Sharon already seated by the window.
She lifted a hand in greeting.
Sharon’s face lit up as she waved back.
“Rena!”
“You came early.”
“It’s our first time meeting outside like this! I’m so excited I could burst!”
Riena chuckled.
Sharon always said exactly what she felt, freely and without hesitation.
It was endearing—and enviable.
“Honestly, I was looking forward to it too.”
“Hehe. Then I’ve picked the perfect treats! We have to order the open sandwich and the vanilla ice cream with walnuts. They’re famous here!”
Her laughter was bright, her tone conspiratorial as she whispered the recommendation.
“Really? Then let’s have those.” Riena smiled, shoulders relaxing.
Chatty as ever, Sharon guided the conversation so effortlessly that Riena had no chance to feel bored.
By the time their drinks arrived, Sharon was telling a story about drinking at a bar and fending off an unwanted suitor, her voice full of mock outrage.
The sandwich, stacked with ham, cheese, and thinly sliced apples, looked delicious on its patterned plate.
The apple juice, glimmering with ice and mint leaves, sparkled under the sun.
As Riena admired the spread, she suddenly noticed something odd.
“Sharon? Why are there two extra servings?”
“Ah, well…”
Caught, Sharon fidgeted, then broke into a sheepish smile.
Before Riena could press further, she leapt to her feet and waved over someone behind her.
Just as she had waved to Riena earlier.
“Noel! Over here!”
…Noel?
Startled, Riena turned her head.
A man with light brown hair neatly swept back strode toward them.
He wasn’t tall, but his steps were confident and eager.
Stopping before their table, he greeted Sharon with a nod before looking down at Riena with a gentle smile.
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Noel.”
“…Yes, hello. I’m Rena.”
“Sit, sit!” Sharon beamed, vacating her chair so Noel could take the seat across from Riena.
His sky-blue vest and tie gave him a prim, tidy air.
Riena forced a polite smile and darted Sharon a questioning glance.
Who is this man?
But Sharon only grinned mischievously and looked away.
Riena’s stomach sank.
She understood at once what was happening.
Of course.
This was a setup.
“I’ve heard so much about you from Sharon,” Noel said warmly. “You’re from the capital, aren’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“Compared to the capital, Florian is small, though not too small. Strange we’ve crossed paths so often without meeting sooner. I regret not knowing you earlier.”
His words were smooth, his gaze persistent.
Riena bit the inside of her lip and lowered her half-eaten sandwich.
Suddenly, she had no appetite.
The conversation that followed was full of small talk—about Florian, about her acquaintance with Sharon.
When she finally sipped her apple juice, it was watery, the ice having melted.
Bland and empty, much like this situation.
She glanced at the clock on the terrace wall.
Should she excuse herself?
Claim an errand?
Just as she was about to decide, Sharon clapped her hands.
“Oh! I need to go. I have a fitting for my evening gown today!”
She sprang up, snatching her bag.
“…You’re leaving?”
“I’m sorry, Rena, I forgot to mention it earlier. But I really do have to hurry. Still, don’t forget to try the ice cream with Noel—it’s a must!”
“No, Sharon, I’ll go with—”
“And Noel’s paying for today!”
Riena froze.
She turned to see Noel shrug with a shy smile.
“Make sure you walk Rena home, Noel!” Sharon teased, winking.
“Of course. I’ll take care of her.”
“Good! Then I’ll be off!”
Cheerful as ever, Sharon waved and dashed out of the café before Riena could stop her.
Left behind, Riena sat in stunned silence.
“Now that Sharon’s gone,” Noel said softly, leaning toward her, “we can finally talk, just the two of us.”
His eyes glowed with earnestness.
Riena’s vision darkened.
Yo that was uncool of Sharon.