Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill

After finishing their plates, the group left the workers’ wing without drawing too much attention.

The murmur stayed behind.

Hallways again. Dark. Cold. Quieter.

Varis walked ahead, still looking miserable.

"...my beard..."

Dorian sighed.

"...get over it."

They turned a corner.

And—

CRASH.

Varis slammed straight into something.

"—HUH?"

A skeleton in black armor.

It fell apart instantly. Bones scattered across the floor.

The impact made what it was pulling wobble—along with the other skeletons.

A carriage.

It tipped over to the side with a heavy thud.

The same carriage from the hallway.

A deep voice came from inside.

"...what happened?"

No one answered.

The carriage door slowly opened.

A golden boot touched the ground. Then another.

And he appeared.

Impeccable gray suit. Jewelry. Too much of it. Rings. Necklaces. A gem-covered cane.

It was Dante.

His eyes scanned the scene.

The scattered bones.

The tilted carriage.

And finally—

Varis.

"...curious."

Pause.

"...what is a child doing crossing my path?"

Varis clenched his fists.

"...I am not—"

Sophie stepped forward.

"...sorry."

Everyone looked at her.

"...we were heading back to our work posts."

Dante turned his head. And saw her.

His eyes lingered on her for a long moment.

Too long.

Something in his expression changed.

"...well..."

Pause.

"...that I did not expect."

Varis frowned.

"...hey—"

Dante raised a hand without looking at him.

"...don’t worry."

Pause.

"...you’re just a child playing around."

Varis trembled with anger.

But said nothing.

Dante was already walking toward Sophie. He took her hand gently and kissed it.

"...it’s a pleasure."

He looked straight into her eyes.

"...to witness such beauty."

He straightened up and smiled.

"...Dante."

Pause.

"...the richest lord in this realm."

He winked.

"...though I imagine you already knew that."

Sophie looked at him, expressionless.

"...no."

She took a breath.

"...doesn’t ring a bell."

Neros stepped forward, tense.

Max stopped him with his arm.

"...no."

In a low voice.

"...let her."

Neros looked at him, annoyed. But didn’t move.

Dante blinked, surprised.

Then smiled wider.

"...interesting."

Pause.

"...it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t know me."

He leaned slightly closer.

"...but that means..."

His eyes gleamed.

"...you still have time to get to know me."

Sophie frowned slightly.

"...I already told you I don’t know you."

There was annoyance. Discomfort.

From behind, Max smiled faintly.

’...this is gold...’

Moon tugged on his sleeve.

"...Dad..."

She whispered.

"...shouldn’t we attack him now?"

Max shook his head.

"...don’t even think about it."

Pause.

"...we don’t know what he can do... and we’re inside the castle."

Dante spun his cane. The gems shimmered.

The bones on the floor began to move.

One by one, they reassembled.

The skeleton stood up as if nothing had happened.

Dante crouched beside the carriage. Rummaged inside, and pulled out a completely golden rose. Pure gold. He held it out to Sophie.

"...you didn’t tell me your name."

Sophie hesitated. Looked at the group. Max was making exaggerated gestures.

"Keep going. Keep going."

Varis gave a thumbs up.

Dorian too.

Sophie took the rose.

"...Sophie."

Dante smiled.

"...Sophie..."

Pause.

"...beautiful name."

He stepped a little closer.

"...I’d like to get to know you better."

He lowered his voice.

"...in a more private place."

Pause.

"...my room, tonight."

He smiled.

"...I can give you more of these."

He glanced at her clothes.

"...judging by your appearance... you could use them."

Sophie looked at him, serious.

"...I’m not that kind of worker."

Max’s eyes widened.

"No."

He gestured frantically.

Neros frowned.

"...are we really going to let this happen?"

Max, without looking at him:

"...it’s our best opportunity."

Neros clenched his jaw.

"...I don’t like it. She’s my little sister."

Moon raised her hand.

"...I want to explore the castle."

Dorian smiled.

"...I’m enjoying this. Feels like a romance novel."

Neros sighed.

"...come on, little dragon."

He looked at her.

"...before I get the urge to cut his head off."

They stepped away.

Dante, oblivious to everything, knelt in front of Sophie. He pulled out a key. Elegant. Golden.

He offered it to her.

"...don’t misunderstand me."

He smiled.

"...I just want to get to know you."

He stood up.

"...I have matters to attend to."

He looked at her one last time.

"...but give me a chance."

Sophie looked at the group.

Max, Varis, and Dorian were all giving her thumbs up. Insistent.

Sophie glared at them.

But took the key.

"...I’ll think about it."

Dante smiled.

He took her hand again and kissed it.

He got into the carriage. The doors closed. The skeletons began to move.

The carriage advanced.

Before disappearing, Dante leaned out. Blew her a kiss and winked.

Sophie felt a chill of disgust and discomfort.

She forced a smile. Waved.

The carriage vanished down the hallway.

Sophie slowly turned. Looked at the group.

"...this is for my friend."

Her eyes hardened.

"...but if that guy so much as touches a single hair on me..."

She raised a fist.

"...I’ll kill you all first."

Max raised his hands.

"...hey."

He smiled.

"...you did great. Now we have a chance to learn more about him."

Dorian and Varis laughed at the situation.

Sophie crossed her arms.

"...fine."

Pause.

"...what now?"

She looked at the golden key in her hand.

"...what’s the plan until tonight?"

Max brought a hand to his chin. Thinking.

"...act normal."

Pause.

"...like you actually work here."

He looked up.

"...I’ll figure out how to deceive that guy..."

He pointed at her.

"...and prepare you for the date."

Dorian clicked his tongue, interested.

"...if you want, I can help with ideas for the date."

He smiled.

"...I have a pretty effective sleeping potion... and a charming perfume."

He raised an eyebrow.

"...makes things much easier."

Max looked at him and smiled.

"...that’s perfect. We can hide in the room before he arrives."

His eyes gleamed.

"...and spy on everything."

Sophie hesitated. Tightened her grip on the key.

"...I don’t like the idea of going alone."

Pause.

"...but if I know you’re there..."

She lowered her gaze slightly.

"...I’ll feel safer."

Max nodded, serious.

"...I promise."

Pause.

"...we won’t leave you alone with that idiot."

Sophie took a deep breath.

"...I’ll try to get information out of him."

She looked up.

"...about where he might be keeping Lamia’s daughter. We owe her that."

Max fell silent for a second.

"...yeah..."

But his expression shifted. More serious.

"...although..."

He hesitated.

"...I’m not sure I fully trust the Ghost and his smugglers."

He frowned.

"...something feels off."

Dorian looked at him. And smirked.

"...to me it fits perfectly."

Pause.

"...it smells too good."

Max glared at him.

"...you’re disgusting."

Dorian shrugged.

"...just saying."

Varis sighed.

"...I just want my beard back... I hope that tonic is real..."

Max turned.

"...let’s go. We’ve got a castle to explore..."

He smiled faintly.

"...and a date to prepare."