She regretted the words almost as soon as they left her lips. It wasn’t her place to sound so protective, and yet she couldn’t help it.
Dante’s lips curved, amused by her concern. "Don’t worry."
And before her eyes, his features shifted. She blinked rapidly as his crimson gaze lted into a deep forest green, glowing faintly before settling into a natural shade. The polished curve of his horns dissolved into nothingness, leaving him looking deceptively human once again.
Alina nearly swerved the car. "Oh my god—sir!" she gasped, pressing her foot steady on the brake as her heart pounded. "You can’t just—change like that while I’m driving!"
Dante leaned back, unbothered. "It is efficient."
Alina let out a shaky laugh, torn between exasperation and awe. Efficient, he said. anwhile her heart was still trying to climb out of her chest.
When they reached the mall, Alina parked the car carefully and glanced at Dante from the corner of her eye. He was sitting so still, so composed, yet his tall figure and sharp aura stood out no matter how much he tried to look ordinary. The mont they stepped inside, humans would notice. They always noticed him.
Her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her hand bag as she gathered courage. "Sir," she said softly, "if you need anything, just call , alright? Don’t try to manage everything alone."
Dante paused, turning his head toward her with one brow raised. "Call you?" he echoed, his tone neutral but his eyes curious.
"Yes," Alina said quickly, forcing a smile. "I’ll be nearby, and you can just... you know... call if you feel lost."
He gave a short nod, as though indulging her, and pushed open the door to step out. But when his back turned, a flicker of confusion crossed his face. Lost? Why would he ever be lost among humans?
Yet, sothing lingered in his mind—her expression. There had been genuine worry in her eyes. A human woman, worrying for him.
Why?
She should be worrying about her own kind! A demon walking among humans was no harmless matter—he could end lives in an instant, snuff them out with nothing more than the snap of his fingers.
His steps slowed as they entered the mall, the bright lights reflecting off the smooth floor. He could feel eyes already turning toward him, lingering, whispering. He ignored them, but the sensation of Alina’s earlier words stayed with him.
Worry. For him.
His jaw tightened slightly. He didn’t know whether to be irritated... or strangely ward by it.
***
Alina brought flowers, a basket of fruits, and peach pastry—Aunt Lyla’s favorite. Her face carried a soft smile as she walked down the ward floor, the sound of her footsteps echoing lightly in the quiet hallway.
She opened the door gently and her heart sank a little when she saw her mother sleeping peacefully. Still, she smiled again when her eyes fell on her aunt.
"Aunt!!" Alina said cheerfully, her voice full of relief. She placed everything on the small table and leaned down to hug her.
But her arms stiffened. Aunt Lyla didn’t hug her back.
Alina blinked, pulling away slightly, confused. "What’s wrong with you, Aunt??" she asked softly, her brows furrowing.
Lyla’s face was strained, her lips tight, and her eyes didn’t carry the warmth Alina was used to.
"Lina," her aunt said suddenly, her voice low and heavy. "Tell the truth. Where do you work?"
Alina’s smile faded, her hands froze at her sides. Her face turned pale, and her throat felt dry. "A-aunty..." she stuttered, "I... I work at... Little Fang Kindergarten..."
She forced the words out, trying to steady her voice.
But Lyla only grew stiffer. "Where is it?" she asked sharply. She pulled out her phone, fingers moving quickly across the screen. Her brows furrowed as she scrolled. "There’s no result for this place. No kindergarten by this na exists."
Alina’s stomach dropped. She bit her lip hard, her heart racing.
"Aunt—" she started, but Lyla’s voice cut her like a knife.
"Alina, are you lying to ??" Lyla’s eyes glistened, tears already pooling at the corners. Her voice cracked, but her tone was sharp, almost accusing.
Alina shook her head desperately, her hands trembling. "No, Aunt! I would never lie to you!"
But Lyla only pressed her lips tighter together. Her tears slipped free. "Don’t lie! A man ca to . He said he knows you." Her voice broke, her hands trembling as she held her phone tightly. "At first, I didn’t believe him. I said my Lina would never hide things from ! But then—" her chest shuddered, and her tears fell harder, "then why can’t I find your kindergarten?? Why are you hiding things from ??"
Alina’s breath caught, her own eyes stinging. She took a shaky step closer, her voice breaking. "Aunt... I’m telling the truth. Please, you have to believe ..."
But Lyla’s shoulders shook as she whispered, half-broken, "You’re really lying to , Alina?"
And in that mont, Alina’s world felt like it was crumbling.
"No, I really work at the kindergarten!" Alina said quickly, her voice trembling as she tried to steady her breath.
"Lina..." Lyla’s voice cracked, her shoulders slumping. "I’m tired. Please don’t lie to . I am so tired of people lying to all the ti." Her eyes looked exhausted, worn, the kind of tired that ca from both work and betrayal. She reached out and squeezed her forehead as if even speaking took effort. "At least you tell the truth..."
Alina’s heart throbbed painfully. According to her agreent with Dante, she couldn’t reveal the truth about the supernatural world. She had promised. "No, Aunty, I am telling you the truth!" Alina said firmly, though her throat felt tight. "And who approached you, Aunt? Who is feeding you these lies?"
"I don’t know!!!" Lyla burst out, tears spilling down her cheeks as she clutched her phone. "But he showed your photos—photos of you and so tall man! Tell , Alina... are you secretly dating soone rich?" Her voice trembled, not in anger, but in helpless fear—fear that her niece was being used, that Alina was being dragged into sothing dangerous.
Alina froze, her hands curling into fists at her side. Riccardo. Of course. Who else could it be? He was the only one who had seen her with Dante, the only one who’d carry such venom against her.
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