Viella pov

The moment we stepped out of the car, I adjusted my dress and straightened my back.

I didn’t hold Dante’s hand- not because I was being distant, but because, well... I didn’t notice he even offered it. Its not like i expected him to do so.

Oops.

I only realized when we were halfway through the grand entrance and I caught a glimpse of his hand lowering stiffly back to his side. Oh.

Awkward.

But too late now. We walked side by side into the luxurious ballroom

And then I felt it.

The stares.

Like, actual, full-body laser glares from every corner. I could practically hear the whispers.

"Isn’t that Lady Vielle?"

"Didn’t she go crazy at the last dinner?"

"She still have the audacity to show up with lord Dante."

"Seems like she had a glow-up"

I wanted to yell, "It’s called a glow-down, losers, I stopped using five layers of contour!"

But I stayed classy. Ish.

I didnt have to glare at them to shut up because Dante already did that for.

Oh? I looked at him with hope but he just tuned away.

As Dante greeted some other mob bosses (yes, those shady types with scary smiles), I felt my phone buzz.

Unknown Number :

"You’re looking gorgeous. Welcome to the party. Hope you enjoy the game."

Ah. Closet guy is back.

I texted back quickly:

"WHERE’S THE BRACELET, TELL ME."

"Aw. You ignored my compliment. Quite rude."

Ugh. This man really needs therapy and a to-do list.

I cleared my throat and casually looked around, pretending to be very party-aware and not paranoia-texting-a-mystery-spy.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Dante glancing at me with his signature "you up to something" look.

I gave him my best What? I’m innocent. I just stand weird face.

Another buzz.

"You’ll find a clue very soon. Until then... enjoy the party."

This man.

Just then, the crowd stirred and a hush fell across the ballroom.

Cue dramatic music in my head.

I looked up and, of course, it was Alina. Looking sweet, glowing, and wearing—

Hold on. THE dress I wanted.

It suited her better, damn it.

That soft sparkle chiffon with flowy sleeves? On me, it’d be bold villainess moment. On her? It screamed pure maiden who deserves the crown prince.

I subtly glanced at Dante.

Your girl is here, sir. Better go obsess.

But-plot twist-his eyes were still on me.

My brows twitched. Why? Was he still waiting for me to trip on my heels or start yelling at the staff?

"Alina is invited too," he finally said. "So don’t cause any trouble."

Ah.

That’s why you were staring.

How cute of you to assume I’d stab someone just because of past crimes.

I muttered a "Tch" under my breath and made my way to the food section. Priorities, people.

I needed energy to solve a mafia murder-bracelet mystery

I stuffed a mini quiche in my mouth, eyes darting around the ballroom for clues like some high-class villainess detective.

And then, across the hall- I saw Alina.

Surrounded by boys.

Handsome, tall, laugh-too-loud-for-their-own-good boys.

Clearly, they didn’t know she was Dante’s "not official but don’t touch" person.

I turned, just in time to watch Dante stiffen like someone insulted his entire bloodline. His drink clinked. His jaw ticked.

And I, of course, grinned.

Jealous much, Mr. Mafia Boss?

Well I remember this plot from book where Dante left without her just to keep distance and get rid of his obsession because his so call ego can’t be soften for anyone bla bla. Yet in party seeing her catching attention gives fuel to his obsession and jealousy. Yah I read that Chapter cuz of it.

But then a guy blocked my view.

He held out his hand.

"Are you willing to accept this one dance Lady Viella?"

He was... handsome. Sharp jawline. Tall. Nice eyes. Not bad.

But not as Dante.

Just as I was about to say no-

My wrist was grabbed.

"She’s taken," came a cold, familiar voice. As he particularly pushed me on his chest

Dante.

Dante started taking me away from food counter.

I blinked. "Dude, my food-"

"You got some eating disease or what?" he muttered as he pulled me toward the dance floor.

"You got some rude disease or what?" I shot back.

His jaw twitched. "You know I don’t like people who talk back."

"Well, if no one talks back, how are you supposed to have a conversation?"

Touché.

He didn’t reply. We were already mid-dance, swaying under crystal lights, eyes glaring, feet kind of stepping on each other’s but in a weirdly romantic mafia way.

I could feel someones gaze on me just as I tried to look around,

Suddenly-

I got pulled away.

"Eyes on Me Dear Fiancee" Dante said as his eyes looked straight at mine.

Just as i stared at his cold eyes i realized theyre actually mesmerizing, Before i could say anything the dance changed and I got tossed

Another dancer. Different hands.

He was tall. As tall as Dante. I can feel his sharp features. And his expensive cologne

The lights dimmed. The room blurred for a second.

He leaned in close to my ear.

His voice sent chills.

"Dante is also here for the clue."

My whole body froze.

What.

Before I could process, he whispered again.

"Let’s see who gets to the man wearing all white, holding a wine tray."

And then- the lights came on.

The dance ended. The stranger was gone. Like vanished. Again.

I stood still, heart racing, brain screaming.

Was that... the closet guy? Was he at the party this whole time?

I scanned the room, but no trace.

"This party is insane," I muttered. "And I still haven’t eaten dessert. Now I have to find that probably waiter because who else is wearing such cloths. Damn I am genius"

--- 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

I kept looking around for the waiter

Then...

There. I saw it.

The waiter and

The bracelet.

Glinting subtly, wrapped around the stem of a wine glass.

On the tray.

Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD — THAT’S IT! THAT’S THE BRACELET

he hide it so well that no one noticed

My eyes widened. The wine tray was heading directly across the ballroom, and I traced its path—

Straight. Toward. Dante.

Nope. Nope. Nope. NOPE.

If he gets that first, I’m screwed. Like extra crispy screwed.

I darted a glance at him. He was scanning the crowd. Sharp, focused

He’s looking for someone. Don’t tell me He got the clue too!

My brain kicked into overdrive.

Must get. Bracelet. Before. Mafia boss.

I took a step—

And BAM.

Someone slammed into me from the side. My heels skidded.

THUD.

Someone collapsed right into the waiter’s path. Wine glasses clattered. Red liquid splashed everywhere like someone summoned low-budget horror effects.

I stared.

"...Alina?"

Face pale, lips trembling "I-I didn’t Meant to--"

Alina was on the floor. Again. Wine everywhere. Again.

I WILL END- oh no I won’t I will breath

She really does have a thing for floor and beverages, huh?

The crowd gasped. Whispers flared.

"Did Vielle push her?" "She’s doing it again." "She probably want attention again."

"What a waste of beauty"

Oh, come on! I didn’t do ANYTHING this time!

I was too focused on the bracelet to even process Alina’s dramatic floor moment. My eyes darted around.

Where did it go?! The glass broke—did it fall? Did someone take it?

My hands moved quickly, scanning the shards scattered on the marble.

Nothing.

Gone.

The bracelet vanished.

No. No. No. I was this close! And now everyone thinks I fake-tripped her again just to flirt with Dante? I’m too broke for this reputation damage.

And just as I was about to grab the waiter by the collar and demand answers—

CLICK. CLICK.

Dante.

Marching toward me like he’s the mafia judge, and executioner.

His gaze dropped to Alina on the floor, then rose to me.

"What the hell are you doing?"

I opened my mouth, brain buffering. Again.

He stepped forward like he was about to full-on drag me across the hall when—

"THAT’S ENOUGH"

Boom.

A voice. Cold. And oh-so-familiar.

The voice wasn’t Dante’s.

It was deeper. Calm.

Everyone turned.

A tall man stepped from the crowd. Sharp features. Cold expression. The kind of aura

His eyes gold-honey sharp - locked Into mine.

And that’s when I noticed.

Wait. I know that face...

My brain short-circuited for a second.

That’s... that’s Vielle’s brother. Wait... wait-he’s Dante’s friend?!

The realization hit me like a plot twist I wasn’t ready for.

He looked at Dante. "There was no fault of hers. I saw everything."

Dante narrowed his eyes. "You’re vouching for her now?"

"I don’t vouch. I state facts," he replied, eyes still on me.

That’s definitely Vielle’s brother. Crap.

Before I could say anything, he grabbed my arm firmly not painfully, just enough to yank me from Dante’s mafia line of fire.

"We’re leaving."

"Huh?! Wait-MY BRACELET-I MEAN- ALINA!- I MEAN-FOOD!"

Didn’t matter. I was dragged off like a bag of rice

---

Later

In His Car

He slammed the car door shut with a loud THUNK.

I winced.

Then he turned to me. Anger practically steaming off his very expensive coat.

"Are you seriously still pulling this crap with Alina? What is your problem?! I told u so many times to stay away from that filthy girl why cant you understand?"

His voice was sharp. Loud.

But I barely heard it.

My head spun.

I was too busy trying not to cry over the bracelet.

My eyes blurred. I clutched my coat like it could hug me.

That bracelet was my lifeline. The only clue. The only hope. And I lost it. It was RIGHT THERE-

I didn’t even reply. Just... sat there. Eyes wide. Breathing fast.

That’s when he paused.

Noticed the panic in my face.

He inhaled deeply, exhaled, trying to calm himself. Then slowly, he reached into his coat pocket-

And pulled out-

"You were looking for this werent you?"

THE BRACELET.

I gasped.

"YOU HAVE IT?!"

I immediately leaned forward. "Yes! Yes! Give it to me!"

He tilted it out of reach. "What is this? What are you up to, Vielle? Tell me what did you do this time"

Crap. Brain, think. LIE MODE: ACTIVATE.

I composed my face and crossed my arms

"It’s a gift from Dante. Romantic, right? Look- our names are carved on the inside. " i prayed and hope so its true

He narrowed his eyes, scanned the bracelet, and sure enough, there it was

V ♡ D

i breathed out

(Thank god Viella made that jeweler engrave it after the last fake romantic moment she staged for PR. Who knew it’d save my ass now?)

He leaned back. "Romantic, huh? Dante giving you expensive jewelry now? Since when?"

"Yep. Hes Super into me." I flipped my hair. "Jealous?"

He snorted. "More like suspicious."

I reached forward. "So can I have it back now?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You sure it’s just a gift?"

"Yes. 100%." Maybe.

He stared at me a long moment. Then...

"I’ll give it back."

Thank you, plot gods-

"On one condition."

I paused. "Here we go."

"You’ll babysit my snake."

I blinked.

"Sorry, WHAT?"

"She’s a boa constrictor. Her name is Lucefeirna. My maid quit. You’re hired."

"Rephrase it"

"Oh well that maid quit from this world"

Silence

"YOU KIDNAPPED ME FROM A MAJOR MAFIA PARTY OVER A SNAKE?!"

He smirked. "You’re good at handling dangerous creatures. Seemed fitting."

"I was literally trying not to DIE back there, and now I’m being made a reptile nanny?"

"Snake. Not reptile. Get Her name right"

I stared out the window, dead inside.

Just wait. When I reincarnate again, I’m choosing a farming sim world. No mafia. No snakes. Just carrots and peace.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

To be continued