When Dante got out of the carriage, he realised that the lights were on in the manor. What was surprising given that Faye had enrolled in the etiquette club. It was rather early for Ron to return, but it wasn’t impossible if he didn’t stay to rest in the Crimson Duchy. That honestly sounded like something Ron could do, especially after learning that Dante got engaged.

  He walked into the house, and the first thing he saw was floating Veyra taking a peek into the half-closed living room door. They were invisible, so that behaviour was strange, but when they turned to face Dante, their face twisted in annoyance.

  “Tell Darwin that it’s not fair to kick me out! I wasn’t gushing about your brother all that much!” He chuckled. Veyra liked pretty things, and it was their first time seeing Dante’s brother… Wait?! Edward?! – When he realised the gravity of the situation, he quickly opened the door to take a look for himself. He had expected his visit, but not so soon. That man has a job, for fuck sake!

  And of course, despite being the supposed responsible adult, Edward was sitting on Dante’s favourite armchair, legs crossed. Both he and Dante were pretty similar in looks. Both took after their mother the most, with deep black hair and long faces. Only the apparently very big bags under the red eyes were from their father's genes. Edward looked tired, like he hadn’t slept as much as he usually does, which would just mean: not at all. He wore glasses, as he always did at home. When he walked out, he used to put on a monocle, as just one of his eyes was worse than the other. Also, something that he got from their mother. Dante, thankfully, was spared vision problems other than seeing ghosts.

  Other than that, Edward was really a handsome man. He was tall, taller than Dante, his hair was shorter, always neatly styled, but the fact that he carried himself with the air of confidence and warmth must have been the reason he was voted first. Or maybe Velvet Whisper just compared him to his not-as-charming younger brother and father. How their old man was voted second was a mystery to Dante.

  Right next to Edward sat his butler; he and Ron were around the same age, both of them silver foxes, who never married. When Dante was a child, servants in the Crimson mansion always shipped those two. Their rivalry must have been the cause. He smiled softly at Dante, as always, the most level-headed person in the room. Ron, on the other hand, was nowhere to be found.

  “You’re supposed to be in lecture!” Of course, he would start with scolding.

  “Good to see you too, Ed.” Dante sighed. “The class walked out on the professor. I may have kinda caused it.” His brother cracked a smile at that, but he quickly composed himself, putting on his scolding face. Rose was right, he wasn’t all that scary, only a little scarier than Father.

  “Sit down.” His authoritarian tone indicated that he wouldn’t yield this time, so Dante listened and took an armchair in front of him. “Now you will slowly go over why you do that. I’m pretty sure Alicia is threatening you, and I refuse to accept any other explanation.” Edward smiled with his eyes closed, which made Dante look at Sebastian, seeking help.

  “No, Alicia is not threatening me.” For a second, he thought about what to say. Alicia was the one who wanted to make a big reveal, and she wouldn't let him live if he told Edward the truth now. “I just decided to be useful.” It was partially the truth, he wanted to help not only Alicia but also Peter, maybe he would finally learn how not to be passive.

  This answer made Edward sigh deeply and massage his forehead.

  “Dante, you are useful. Please don’t do it to yourself. I just want you to be happy.” He stood up and crouched down in front of Dante. Then took his hand, but his leg wobbled, apparently tired from riding a horse, and the other hand landed on Dante’s knee as the man didn’t want to fall flat on his ass. “Please, let’s talk it through, don’t make rash decisions.”

  “I am happy, Ed. Really.” Surprisingly, it wasn’t a lie; it was the first time in a really long time when those words sounded true to him. Maybe he needed that kick to stop hanging out with ghosts that much.

  “You’re gonna marry a woman, sacrificing yourself like that doesn’t sound happy to me, especially since Ron said that there’s a guy.” Edward didn’t believe him. He had no reason to, after so many times he heard Dante lie like that.

  “A guy? What guy?” He had a feeling that his brother was talking about Kelit, and it made him panic a little, but Ed ignored his questions.

  “I’ll talk to Alicia. Talk her out of it. She isn’t unreasonable. I’ll do everything, but please, for once in a lifetime, think about your own happiness, little brother.” There was no talking Edward out of this idea. Especially that Sebastian looked like he was wholeheartedly supporting his master as he nodded his head to every word that left Ed.

  “We can go visit her when Faye returns.” He gave up. It was better this way. Alicia will tell him, and Dante won’t have to deal with his over-protectiveness.

  “Faye?” He asked with brows furrowed.

  “I believe she is Ron’s student.” Sebastian cleared his throat. “It is good to see you, young master Dante.” Finally, someone decided to go through a proper greeting.

  “You too, Seb.” The man’s easy smile widened. “Where’s Ron?”

  “I put him to sleep after he almost passed out; he didn’t take a break in the main mansion.” The butler explained.

  “Which may be my fault…” Edward mumbled.

  “No, he would do the same even without your encouragement, master.” So that was what servants and aids were calling Edward now. He wasn’t a Duke yet, but he clearly was doing all the jobs that fall under that profession. “He will sleep through the entire afternoon and night. I closed him in his room.” Sebastian showed Dante a key, looking very proud of himself, which made Dante smile.

  An hour and a half of Edward staring at Dante and pestering him to talk about emotions, which didn’t really work as the man had planned, the carriage with Faye was stopped by the future duke even before it crossed the gate. He couldn't sit still, even if his legs and ass, he let everyone know loud and clear about that one, hurt.

  Edward opened the carriage door with a grumpy good evening, which scared Faye more than the fact that he looked awfully similar to Dante, yet wasn’t him. Thankfully, his younger brother was just behind him, while Sebastian was left to explain everything to the driver.

  “That’s my brother Edward,” Dante said as he sat next to her and introduced him. Faye, who learned from her mistakes, bowed her head slightly in greeting and smiled, as she usually did, cheerfully.

  “Pleasure to meet you, master Edward.” She was either not bothered by the handsome face that smiled back at her, or perhaps she knew that this smile was rehearsed and meant only to be friendly. Most people, when faced with Edward, usually start blushing after just one of those. Or maybe she doesn’t like men. – Dante reminded himself. It wasn't good to assume someone else’s preferences. Even though in all the romances they’ve talked about, she was taken by all the male leads. He assumed they had the same type, but it was fiction. Then Dante looked at her slightly red ears. I was right after all. – It was just that, Ron must have somehow helped her create a perfect poker face.

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  “All mine, Miss Faye,” Edward answered, no longer looking at her, but at his brother. “Are you two friends?”

  Dante nodded, which probably made Faye the happiest person in the carriage. Soon Sebastian joined them. For the first time, Dante was thankful that it was hard for Faye to sit quietly. She chatted with the butler the entire ride, while Edward stared at Dante, like only his gaze was supposed to change his brother’s mind. Honestly, he nearly succeeded. Dante was ready to stab Alicia in the back at the end of the ride. Edward always had that effect on him, especially after he became more of a parent than a brother to him.

  He breathed out in relief when the entire Florent house-help ran out to greet them, realising that Dante wasn’t the only visitor. It mustn’t have been the first time that Edward visited; he was, after all, responsible for keeping in touch with other dukes.

  Alicia wasn’t prepared for the visit in the slightest, but she also didn’t care. She may not be in her night gown yet, but she was wearing the fluffy red robe. She didn’t look annoyed that they showed up uninvited. She greeted them in her study. It was room filled with books and papers, that smelled like lit candles and roses. She and her father couldn't have shared an office or they would probably attempt to kill each-other.

  “Good evening, Sebastian, brother-in-law.” Her smile when she spoke those words made it nearly impossible for Dante to hold back the laughter. To greet Dante and Faye again, she waved her hand at them in a childlike familiarity.

  “How did you just call me?” Edward skipped pleasantries again. “I won’t be your brother-in-law, not now, not ever. Do you understand me, Alicia?”

  “You’re breaking my heart, Edward.” She faked tears. “Does that mean you don’t think of me as your little sister?” She sniffled to make her charade more believable.

  Dante looked at his brother, who gritted his teeth, as if he was considering whether he should reassure her or stand his ground. Do crocodile tears really work on him?! I should start using that tactic too.

  “Of course I do, that’s why you two have to call off that atrocious thing called engagement. You know very well Dante doesn’t fancy women, so why are you doing it?” He settled in the middle ground.

  “I know, and I don’t mind that.” Now she was just trying to spite him and watched with an amused smile as his face grew redder with every moment. Finally, she couldn't hold it any longer and laughed at him. “You should see your face! It’s hilarious! And I can’t call off something that is non-existent!”

  Edward’s face went through many stages all at once. Surprise, bewilderment, anger, shock, and lastly betrayal. That made Alicia laugh harder. He looked at Dante, who suddenly found interest in poking flowers on Alicia’s desk. What was funny was that Faye was there with him, trying not to look at the future duke and her new friend Sebastian.

  “Excuse me, what?” He looked back at the young woman.

  “It’s fake, like your smiles at senate meetings.” She had wiped her eyes as they watered due to laughter. “We have a deal with Dante. You should be happy, your dear little brother started socialising!”

  “Dante?” He didn’t have to ask a full question. Dante already had a shiver running down his spine.

  “Well, it was her idea,” he pointed a finger at Alicia.

  “And he just went along with it,” she pointed her finger back at him.

  That was the moment when Edward sank into the armchair; he probably couldn't take any more bullshit. He sighed.

  “I forget that the two of you together are like two monsters from my worst nightmares.” Alicia chuckled, and Dante smiled. So when Edward looked at him again, his face softened upon seeing that sight. “You two are seriously getting on my nerves. I even screamed at Father, again. I thought he made you feel pressured.”

  “He didn’t. It was her, she said she needs help.”

  “Oh, wow. That’s a first.” Edward snickered, mocking Alicia, who rolled her eyes. “Explain the deal now.”

  They all took a seat, while Alicia started from the beginning, not omitting her displeasure with her father’s decisions. Edward understood why Dante didn’t tell Ron anything, and Sebastian looked quite excited, probably ready to torment his friend. Then Alicia moved on to their little rebellion plan. Somewhere in the middle, Ophelia joined their little meeting. She made a fuss about how tall and handsome Edward is, and then she let her daughter continue. She was having too much fun for someone who was never interested in politics.

  “So, according to your plan: I’m going to be a catfish…” Edward started, but he was cut off by Ophelia.

  “A very handsome one.” She was drinking her flower tea like there was no care in the world, while her daughter groaned.

  “Thank you, aunt.” Edward chuckled. “I’m not against that idea, but every good catfish needs an equally good plan. I can’t just show up and expect her to come running to me. And I have to return; I have a job, and Vespera requested my help with the Mist City matter, and because now two dukes out of four have beef with Duke Balterion, I have to deal with that crusty old fart. How long is he gonna live, seriously?” Alicia barked a laugh. “Laugh while you can, your father owes me for that.”

  “This man is invincible; he was poisoned at least two times when I was young, and he’s still standing. He’s gonna live for at least two thousand.”

  “Thank Death he’s soon passed the half of it.” Edward sighed. “But back to the topic. I can help, but it’s your job to give the ‘catfish’ a good reason.”

  Alicia looked at Dante, as if she expected him to think of something on the spot. She probably had a plan, but wanted to torment him a little. Or maybe she just thought that he would think of the same thing she did.

  “Promise her to do the same as you did with the Crimson Peak Academy.” He simply said, which made her smile and roll her eyes at the same time. She must have expected him to elaborate on this. Too bad, he wasn’t as outgoing yet.

  “Why should I invest in the academy that isn’t even in my duchy?” Edward called the duchy his, and no one corrected him; Ophelia even smiled. He must have already called a Duke on numerous occasions because of that confidence.

  “Because, we aren’t gonna do it. And I offered, mind you.” Alicia lifted her cup, and instead of drinking, she just smelled the floral scent of the tea. “The headmistress refused, as she said she wants to distance the academy from the nobility and social hierarchy. It’s gone just great for her.” She snickered with sarcasm.

  “While you not only invested in the academy in our duchy, but also proposed a ladder system, where everyone starts at the rock bottom, but because this system is under your name, she can’t use it here. If you propose the investment, she will not only gain money for the unfinished renovation, but also an occasion to ask for your permission to use the system.” Dante took over the talking because he was sure that if she continued, she would spit some insults toward the headmistress.

  “Exactly, and if you forgot, Crimson Duchy is known for its scientific and technological reformation; every self-respecting scholar would be happy to hear from the Crimson Family head.” She busted Edward’s ego a little.

  “That’s not the worst idea. But you need her here, I need to be in Crimson Duchy.”

  “For now, you’ll meet with the current Academic Senate, Bernadette says they’re useless, and they most probably won’t tell the headmistress about the meeting. The system you made would be a threat to them.” Alicia nodded quickly, guessing what he had in mind.

  “Some time after late, when you already return home, we will post an article about this occurrence. Saying that the headmistress herself turned you down, though you put in an enormously generous offer, and if she were to reconsider, you will only meet her in her own academy. This way, we get Headmistress here, the current senate is in trouble, and you can change the offer however you want it, as it will be her ‘second chance.’” She let the words sink in before adding: “I’ll make the article reach her even if I have to pull strings with a Velvet Whisper.” Edward choked on his tea upon hearing the tabloid’s name.

  For a moment, he looked between them quietly, like he was trying to decipher which one of them was the master mind. He always did this, even when they were only playing as children. Sebastian was very pleased and supportive, even if he paid only half attention to the conversation, as he was being fast-talked by Ophelia. Faye wasn’t yet as quick as the man, and she now desperately tried to talk the duchess out of the idea of buying a dress for her, too.

  “You two are scarier now as adults, you know that? I was always agreeing to your plans back then, because no matter how stupid it was you sounded reasonable, but now it’s even more scary and I still don’t know which of you pulls the strings.” Edward voiced what made Alicia laugh again.

  Dante wouldn't admit it, but for him it felt like the first time; even though it wasn’t, Edward acknowledged him as an equal, not just a younger brother or the child he failed to protect. It felt good, like he finally belonged. Despite himself, he smiled widely for the first time since his mother died, since he made himself a ghost.

  Before he could protest, Edward, who was sitting next to him, nearly knocked the chair to the floor while rushing to give him the hardest hug Dante ever received. And just like that, the bubble was broken.