Chapter 122

I could feel my eyes darting around. I tried to calm myself, but I was still flustered.

‘Why am I like this?’

It was understandable when Johan acted like Shinwoo and I got shaken up. The two of them were as similar as twins.

But Dante was nothing like Shinwoo. Not just in looks—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say their personalities were polar opposites.

So why was I so disoriented just because he did something that reminded me of Shinwoo?

No, before that, how could I possibly see Shinwoo in two completely different men?

‘Maybe… I miss Shinwoo more than I realized. Yes, that must be it.’

That must be why my heart is trembling like this. There couldn’t be any other reason.

“Heal yourself.”

Dante released me and stepped back. As he turned toward the window, I grabbed his arm.

“Wait!”

“Why?”

“…”

The words lingered on my tongue, but I couldn’t bring myself to say them. I just moved my lips silently before letting out a small laugh.

‘You don’t happen to know who Shinwoo is, do you?’

To think I was about to ask that. Even though I knew it was impossible.

‘I’m really something else, so persistent.’

Dante didn’t press me, simply watching me in silence.

“Please, have a seat. I have something to tell you.”

I gestured for Dante to take the sofa and sat down across from him.

“Um, well, should I prepare some refreshments?”

Dante stared at me intently before the corners of his mouth curved into a smirk.

“…I’ve had enough sweetness. I’d prefer some cold black tea.”

“Did you sneak some cookies behind my back? What’s so sweet?”

“Your lips.”

“…”

I’m always amazed at times like this. How can he say such cheesy things and not sound greasy, but charming?

It seems that being ridiculously handsome can offset even the most common feelings of disgust.

“Consider yourself lucky you didn’t get slapped. I’ll let it slide this time since we’re colleagues, but there won’t be a next time. Try it again if you want to live the rest of your life without your molars.”

“One molar for a taste of your lips? Sounds like a worthy trade.”

“Did I say just one?”

“…”

When I said it with a bright smile, Dante’s expression faltered slightly.

“I’ll restrain myself.”

“A wise decision.”

I poured black tea into Dante’s cup and filled my own with water.

*Trickle.*

Only the sound of pouring echoed in the quiet drawing room.

His jet-black eyes traced a path down from my cheek to my lips. It felt as if his gaze warmed every spot it touched.

Making someone uncomfortable with just a look is a talent in its own right.

Suppressing an unexplainable tension, I began to speak.

“I think you’ll be able to return to the palace soon. The Duke had an audience with the Emperor yesterday.”

“For what reason?”

“The matter of selecting the Crown Prince, of course.”

“His Majesty won’t grant his permission so easily.”

“I haven’t heard the details from the Duke yet, so I don’t know how it went, but in the end, the Emperor will choose you, Your Highness. He’ll have no other choice.”

“…It seems Igrid has caused some trouble.”

Dante said without a hint of emotion, taking a sip of his tea.

His posture was impeccably graceful, yet there was an air of languid decadence about him.

My gaze was momentarily captivated by the sight, but I naturally averted my eyes to my water glass.

“Yes, as you’d know if you’ve seen the public forum, he caused a rather fatal problem. Forget being the Crown Prince; he’ll have to lay low for quite some time.”

A look of confusion crossed Dante’s face.

“The public forum?”

“You don’t know anything about it?”

“It’s been a while since I’ve checked the forum.”

“But it’s so popular right now… People won’t even include you in conversations if you don’t check it. They’ll say you’re behind the times.”

“I have no one to talk to. Nor do I want to.”

“…Please, go out and meet people. Don’t just hole yourself up in your bedroom.”

“It’s a bother.”

“What are you going to do when you become emperor? You’ll have to deal with people all day long. The Grand Chamberlain will probably stand by your side even when you sleep.”

“…The very thought makes me nauseous.”

A faint wrinkle appeared between Dante’s perfect brows.

He’s frowning instead of giving one of his seductive smiles. He must really hate the idea.

‘He seduces people as easily as he breathes, so I thought he was a social butterfly… Turns out he’s just a shut-in loner.’

I wasn’t a social butterfly by choice, but I still met a lot of people.

When I was young, it was for sports, and when I grew up, it was to earn money.

But Shinwoo was different.

He found the entire process of meeting people, talking, gauging their reactions, giving appropriate responses, and developing relationships to be a burden.

It was the same when he became famous while clearing gates with me.

He especially couldn’t understand the fans who sent him gifts, followed him to his house, and shouted that they loved him.

“How can you love someone you’ve never even spoken to? I hate that kind of thing.”

He would say it as if it were pathetic… Back then, as a secret fan of a certain Hunter, I felt a pang of guilt.

So I knew very well just how stressful human relationships were for people like Shinwoo.

“If you hate it that much, do you just want to give up? As I’ve said several times, my plans won’t be affected even if you don’t inherit the throne.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because you want it, Princess.”

“…”

“Am I wrong?”

This man often has a way of leaving me speechless so casually.

“That may be true, but… I don’t want your one-sided sacrifice, Your Highness. I prefer a relationship of give-and-take.”

“Then you can help me, Princess.”

“Me? In what way?”

“Stay by my side. Even after I become emperor.”

“…”

I was almost moved. Where does he come up with these ridiculous propositions…?

I narrowed my eyes.

“Are you asking me to work like a dog in your place? While you laze around in your bedroom?”

“Oh dear, you’ve found me out.”

Dante, who had sighed in mock regret, smiled like rich chocolate.

“You’ll stay by my side when I sleep, too, won’t you?”

“Don’t even dream of it.”

“Ah, so cold.”

Honestly, it’s impossible to have a serious conversation with this man.

“Anyway, you’ll be returning to the palace soon, so just be aware of that. It won’t be more than a month at the longest. Even if you feel stifled, please bear with it for a little longer.”

“I don’t feel stifled.”

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s a little… unsettling.”

For someone who’s so bad at reading expressions, how did he know I was looking at him with pity?

I took his hand firmly and patted the back of it.

“You must have been alone for so long that you don’t even realize how suffocated you are… Your Highness, I’ll be your friend.”

I expected him to get angry and ask if I was mocking him, but to my surprise, Dante pulled my hand closer and whispered in my ear.

“I don’t want to be friends. You’re my lover, after all.”

“…”

Dante’s sultry, low voice seemed to cling to my ear.

A shiver ran down my spine, and just as I was about to rub my ear, the chat window caught my eye.

‘Why are they fighting again?’

The constellations, who usually showed incredible focus whenever a steamy atmosphere was created, were surprisingly too busy fighting to notice.

— Anonymous Constellation: Nn, not me.

— Anonymous Constellation: Not me either!!

— Anonymous Constellation: Then who was it? It has to be one of us!!!!1

— Anonymous Constellation: Don’t you know the thing Astell is most embarrassed about is being seen getting her ass kicked by someone else?

— Anonymous Constellation: And you posted a clip of her getting slapped by that pathetic bird bastard on the public forum??? Are you insane???

— Anonymous Constellation: Come out now. Confess before Astell foams at the mouth!!

— Anonymous Constellation: Don’t fightttt ㅜㅜ We’re all gonna die at this rate ㅜㅜㅜㅜ

I shot up from my seat as if I’d been electrocuted.

“What? A clip of me getting slapped was posted on the public forum?”

No, that can’t be.

I frantically accessed the public forum, where I found a brand-new post that had just been uploaded.

[Hot Clip] The Humiliation of a Certain #1 (♥11)

“What brings you here—.”

*Smack!*

“What brings you here—.”

*Smack!*

“What brings you here—.”

*Smack!*

It was a clip, only a second or two long, that repeated the same scene over and over. And there was only one person in it.

The only problem was that the person in it was me, my head snapping back as I was struck by Igrid.

As I trembled with surging shame and anger, Dante asked quietly.

“Who is this?”

“…What do you mean?”

“The person slapping your cheek, Princess. Who is it?”

“…”

Dante’s aura felt like the calm before a storm.

When I didn’t answer, Dante didn’t ask again.

Instead, he narrowed his eyes, focusing on something, and soon, the corner of his mouth lifted.

“It’s Igrid.”

“…”

I swallowed hard. It was uncanny. He’d identified the person just by their hand.

Dante slowly rose and approached the window. I hurried to block his path.

“Wh-where are you going?”

“To the guesthouse.”

“Ah…”

My face flushed in an instant.

Why did I assume Dante was going to find Igrid?

“You look disappointed. Should I stay here?”

“N-no. Be careful on your way back. Don’t get caught.”

I stepped aside, and Dante slipped silently out the window.

I rested my chin on the windowsill and watched as Dante melted into the darkness.

“His ability to erase his presence is truly on an animalistic level… But this is no time for that.”

There was no time to stand around admiring him. I would find the culprit, even if it meant banning every last one of the constellations.

I stepped back from the window and cracked my neck from side to side. *Crack, crack.*

Then I interlaced my fingers and stretched them until they popped. *Crack, crack.*

Placing those same hands on my hips, I glared at the chat window.

“Show yourself.”