I yawned after training and cracked my neck. I started walking back and was met by Artie in the hallway.

He smiled happily, "Look what I got to make today!"

I saw him holding a small teddy bear plush. It was so small it could fit in someone's palm. It had a blue bow around it's neck and looked professionally made.

My eyes watered from it's adorableness, "It's almost as cute as you! Almost..."

He rolled his eyes while still smiling, "Stop saying stuff like that. I really think Dante may kill me one day."

I shrugged, "Either him or my father."

He raised an eyebrow, "Your father? I wonder what he is like."

"Super protective."

He chuckled, "The way you act, you'd think he'd be a pushover."

I chuckled dryly, "Well it's true that he spoils me, but when it comes to men he can be pretty frightening."

Artie thought for a moment, "Hmm. I'm a bit curious now."

I gave him a sharp look, "Don't even think about it."

Artie pouted, "Oh come on... You're no fun."

Although I don't know what he was thinking about, I knew it couldn't be a good thing. His curiosity was what led to so many misunderstandings and troubles in the original novel.

He glanced at me, "So does your father look like you? Or do you take after your mother?"

"I definitely resemble my mother more." I pouted, "I don't look like my father at all. He gets to be so handsome and good looking while I look like someone hit me with the ugly stick."

Artie laughed at this, "I don't think you're ugly at all. I mean, you do have very unique features." He said making eye contact with my beastly hair. He continued, "But that's what makes you so alluring!"

I chuckled and messed up his hair, "You're such a good kid."

He pouted, "Why are you always treating me like a child? I'm the same age as you!"

"Actually I'm 26 years older than you."

"Haah? Did you hit your head during practice?"

I shook my head, "Nope! I did get thrown on my butt a few times though." My face darkened, "Dante truly is a beast. Even after all these years, he still won't go easy on me."

"Didn't you beat him in the competition? How can you not beat him in practice?"

"That's different. I was only able to win because he didn't know who I was and underestimated me. But now he knows it's me, so he's totally ruthless."

Artie sighed, "Looks like you have it bad."

I nodded, "I do indeed. But mark my words. One day I shall conquer the beast who is called Dante!" I threw my fist up in determination.

Artie just looked at me in disbelief, "You have strange goals."

"Strange goals are better than no goals."

"Thank you for your life lessons, wise one." He responded sarcastically.

On our way back to the dorms, I sighed and started fanning myself, "Why is it so hot outside?"

"That's because it's summer." He rolled his eyes, "If you're so hot, I could let you have some of my shorter sleeved outfits."

My face twitched as I looked down at my long sleeves that I refused to even roll up. I shook my head quickly, "That's unnecessary. I prefer long sleeves. It helps you sweat which helps you lose weight."

"Why do you need to lose weight? You look like a twig."

Curse this lanky body.

I sobbed internally, "Just leave me be."

"By the way... What's that?" He motioned to a cloth sack I had tied to my waist.

"Oh this? It's a bag of salt."

"Uhuh... And why are you carrying around a bag of salt?"

"For Mary."

"For Mary?"

I nodded, "Yeah. She keeps annoying the sh*t outta me. So I started throwing salt at her to make her go away."

Artie stared at me with a blank expression, "And why are you throwing salt at her?"

"Because salt is supposed to ward off demons and ghosts."

"Right... So again. Why are you throwing it at Mary?"

I thought for a moment, "She's similar enough to a demon. I figured it was worth a shot."

"Seriiii~"

Artie chuckled, "Speak of the devil..."

I turned around to see Mary rushing toward me with a bright smiling face. I immediately took out my bag of salt and tossed some at her.

"Go away. Shoo."

She pouted, "But I have something I want to give to you."

I hesitated. I feigned disinterest, "Why would I want anything from you?"

Ooo. I wonder what it is. Could I sell it for a lot of money? Was it food? Oh. I hope it's food.

She shook her head, getting rid of the salt that was stuck in her hair. She gave me a bashful smile, "You look really lovely today."

I crossed my arms and made an impatient face, "You can't just win me over with compliments."

More!!! Praise me more!!

She nodded with a saddened expression, "I know. You're much too smart for something like that."

"That's right."

Artie raised an eyebrow at my smug face. He whispered to himself, "She's definitely being won over..."

Mary held out a small bag tied with a purple ribbon. She blushed, "I made you something in cooking class today."

The sweet smell wafted over to me from the bag. My mouth watered in anticipation. "W-What is it?"

"Today I made some chocolate cookies."

I gulped.

She continued, "I heard you liked caramel so I put some pieces in it."

I wiped away some drool. My voice wavered, "I-I will not be won over by..."

She gave a devious smile, "Did I also mention it is extra chocolatey?"

My hands slowly reached out toward the bag. I drooled in anticipation as I stared at the bag with hearts in my eyes.

I quickly snatched the bag and opened it. I put a cookie into my mouth and felt my body go limp.

AAAAAAH! So delicious~

It just melts in your mouth exploding your taste buds with extreme sweetness.

And it's not poisoned!

Mary smiled with sparkling eyes, "Is it good?"

"It's so unbelievably amazing I must have died and went to heaven." I snapped myself out of my trance, "B-But don't think this means I like you or anything! I can appreciate your skill while still hating you."

She nodded expecting this result, "I see. Well I will just have to make you sweets everyday then."

My eyes lit up with excitement. Artie chuckled, "Are you really not easily won over?"

The next day I received more delicious sweets. Then the next day I received more. As the days went on, I was being spoiled with delicious tasting snacks.

I sat in the student council room staring at the door in anticipation. William glared at me in irritation, "Are you really that excited for her to bring you snacks?"

"No." I said without my eyes never leaving the door.

Millie giggled, "Seri... Your tail is wagging."

The door opened and Mary walked in carrying a plate of cookies. She put the plate down in front of me and I excitedly reached for it.

She smiled, "Today I made sugar cookies. How are they?"

My eyes watered from overwhelming happiness, "They are delicious."

Lucius blinked in disbelief, "She acts just like a dog..."

William nodded his head in disappointment, "There's a reason why she's nicknamed the Mad Pup."

I went back to work while mindlessly eating the plate of cookies. After finishing the plate of cookies, I rested my head against the cold refreshing table. "Urg. Why is it so hot?"

William continued to look at his papers, "Because it's summer."

I groaned, "I know it's summer. But it's so unbearably hot."

Mary spoke, "Is it not usually this hot where you're from?"

"No. We only have one season."

It was only ever mild weather. The only time the weather was different was when there were storms. And that was only because it was a scene from the original novel.

Everywhere else was the same. It was either cold. Hot. Or mild. There was no changing of seasons. It's probably due to the author being too lazy to describe the weather elsewhere. All their creativity was used on the Imperial City.

But d*mn. Is it really too much to ask to have at least air conditioning here?!

I sobbed, "I'm going to have a heat stroke."

William glared at me, "Then stop wearing long sleeves."

I grudgingly sat up and mumbled, "But it's light weight."

William sighed, "Sometimes I don't really understand you."

I looked at the papers in front of me and shrugged apathetically, "I guess I take after my mother much more than I'd like to admit."

Dante's eyes widened as if something had just clicked inside his head. He stood up abruptly making everyone jump. He walked over towards me with a disturbingly terrifying face.

I looked up at him startled and confused. He grabbed my hand and started dragging me out of the room. Everyone was so shocked they didn't have time to react.

"Oi! Dante! Wait a moment!"

He dragged me so fast, I barely was able to walk on my own feet. He brought me outside to an isolated spot, hidden amongst the trees.

"Why are you bringing me to an abandoned location?! Are you going to kill me?!"

I still have a year until the dreaded library scene. There's no way I could have raised the death flag so soon?!

He stopped and turned around to face me. Before I could react, he pulled up my sleeve in a quick motion. My eyes widened in horror as my face turned pale. I tried to pull my hand out of his grasp, but he wouldn't let me.

He traced his fingers over the scars, "This is...?"

I bit my lip. My breath caught in my throat as one of my fears were just realized. I tried to force myself to speak, "I-It's a long story..."

I don't want you, William, or Millie to ever know about it.

He never took his eyes off of my arm, "What happened in those three years?"

I sighed deeply, "It's not like I want to hide it or anything... But..."

I tried to speak but no words came out.

The truth was I didn't want him to know.

I didn't want any of them to feel burdened with my problems. What if I told them and they felt I was too bothersome?

What if they stopped talking to me?

What if they no longer wanted to be my friend?

I know I won't be able to handle such a devastating blow. In this world, they were all I had.

Dante watched as my face twisted, unwilling to speak. He bent down and placed a gentle kiss onto my wrist. My face blushed abruptly at the sudden intimate action.

"Oi Oi Oi! What are you doing?!?"

He raised his head and smiled gently at me. His smile was so dashing and otherworldly, it almost blinded me. My face turned bright red from embarrassment.

"Put that weapon of mass destruction away!!!"

He chuckled once and let go of my wrist. He untied his handkerchief and put his wrist against mine. I looked down in surprise. I saw an old scar with a clear bite mark outlined in his skin.

"We match now." He said in a charming voice.

I groaned recalling the moment I had left that scar on him.

D*mn. I really do destroy everything I touch.

I raised an eyebrow, "Don't you find me disgusting?"

After all, this world frowns down on woman with scars. And the one's I have... Well you could say it was an even bigger taboo.

He pulled me into his embrace. My brain was completely overwhelmed by the unexpected situation. My arms flailed wildly, not knowing if I should hug him back or stand there awkwardly.

He smiled lightly, "To me, you're still the most beautiful person in the world."

I blushed and pretended I wasn't embarrassed by the compliment. "Oi. Stop being so cheesey."

He gave a light chuckle in response. He spoke in a low tone, "You don't have to force yourself to tell me what happened. You can tell me when you're ready. I will always be here to listen."

I stopped fidgeting and smiled. I felt as if a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I whispered, "Thanks."

I leaned into the hug and wrapped my arms around him. For some weird reason I felt oddly relaxed in his arms...

My eyes snapped open as I suddenly recalled my surroundings. I pushed him off of me while blushing.

My father was right. He really is a wolf. I need to be more careful around him.

I glanced at his other hand and saw the familiar handkerchief. I couldn't help but smile, "You still have that?"

He nodded, "I always wear it."

"Always...?" I raised an eyebrow, "Even when you bathe?"

"..."

Dear God. He wears it even when he bathes.

"That's unhygienic, Dante. Please don't do that."

"..."

"Dante."

"Okay."

I rolled my eyes with a faint blush still present on my cheeks. "We should get back before William has a meltdown."

I paused. I turned back around and stomped over to him. I grabbed his wrist and planted a kiss on his scar. His eyes widened in surprise.

I glared at him trying to refrain from blushing, "There! Now we are even!"

Hah! I win!

I walked away victoriously. When we reentered the student council room and sat down, I saw his red ears.

Wait... Did I really win? Why do I feel like I lost?