Dante looked up at me, "Kill you?"

I blushed under his intense stare, "Yeah. You know... Like decapitation and whatnot."

His gaze grew colder, "Why would I do that."

"Because I caused a bookcase to almost fall on top of Mary. And you really like Mary."

Dante stared at me for a while before poking my forehead, "Is there even a brain in there?"

My mouth dropped, "Yes there's a brain in there!!"

He smirked, "Then why would you think I like Mary?"

"...You don't?"

"I hate her."

I blinked, "Well that's unexpected."

Dante continued to stare at me indifferently, "I would have killed her today if you didn't stop me."

"Dante... That's.. That's a bit cruel."

He only shrugged. Dante couldn't care about something if he didn't. There was no use trying to force him either.

I frowned, "But... Why were you on a date with Mary if you hate her so much?"

He tilted his head in exasperation, "It wasn't a date."

I crossed my arms and looked at him suspiciously, "Then what was it?"

"..."

I glared at him, "If you won't tell me, then I can only assume that you two were on a date."

"She was helping me pick out something."

I raised an eyebrow, "Pick out what? A ring? Are you two engaged now?"

He flicked my forehead, "There's definitely no brain in there."

I rubbed my forehead, "Ouch!"

He spoke in a calm tone, "I wasn't picking out anything for her. However, as to what it was, that will be a secret for now."

I frowned, "I don't like secrets. I'm curious by nature."

Dante reached out and played with my hair, "You'll find out soon."

I pondered his words for a moment. Then my eyes lit up, "Could it have been for me?!"

A rare chuckle escaped his lips as he smiled warmly at me. My heart almost stopped under that look.

If looks could kill, Dante would be a mass murderer.

I almost lost myself in that smile of his. I shook my head quickly to avoid getting lost in that handsome smile of his.

I stood up blushing, "Well, we should probably leave."

As I took a step away, pain shot up from my ankle causing my knee to buckle in. I gasped in pain. Dante was quickly at my side supporting me with a worried expression.

I chuckled lightly and waved him off, "It's fine, it's fine."

His gaze grew serious, "You're not fine."

I sighed, "I am. I just landed on the wrong foot. I probably just aggravated my previous injury. I just need to take a few days off and it will be back to normal."

Dante stared at me in silence. I kept glancing around the room because I felt awkward under that sharp gaze of his. He threw me back over his shoulder and started walking away.

"AHH! DANTE! What are you doing!?"

"Taking you back to your room."

I wanted to cry, "Please don't do that!! This is incredibly embarrassing!!!"

"..."

"DANTE!"

"No."

I struggled for a while longer before giving up. I sobbed, "You could at least carry me princess style."

"No."

I hid my face in shame as he walked through the school carrying me in such an embarrassing fashion. Everyone watched with wide eyes and whispered to each other.

Great. My father's definitely going to hear about this... Sigh. I hope he doesn't drag me to work again.

When we finally arrived at the dorm, I nodded to Dante. "Alright, thanks for bringing me back. You can just leave me-"

Dante opened the door and strolled in carefree. My mouth dropped, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

He looked around, "Which one is your room?"

I wanted to scream, "I'm not telling!!! Let me down now! You're going to get me in trouble!"

Dante ignored my pleas for mercy and started walking. He stopped when he saw the dorm manager standing in the hall. The old woman fixed her glasses and looked at Dante closely.

She grumbled, "Young lady, don't dally in the halls." Then she scrambled away.

I chuckled, "She thought you were a lady."

Dante continued walking, "Not very secure."

I mumbled, "Don't tell my father that."

He continued walking and I looked at him with a mix of horror and surprise. If he doesn't know what room I'm in... Why is he walking straight to it without messing up even slightly?!

We stood on front of my door and my mouth dropped. "Dante... How do you know what room I'm in?"

He ignored me and spoke, "Key."

"It's in my bag."

Dante was also carrying my bag. With his one free hand, he pulled out the key. He opened the door and stepped in. After letting himself into my room, he gently placed me on my bed. He then began to look at my ankle.

I frowned, "My dad's going to kill you."

He paused. Then looked up at me with an indifferent expression, "Don't tell your father."

I chuckled, "It's not up to me. He always finds out, one way or another."

"What about Bertram?" He looked towards the doorway, "He didn't try stopping me. Or even threatening me."

I sighed, "Well, that's my fault. I said some harsh words a few years ago and now he treats me differently. Before, he acted like a father. Now he just acts like a servant."

I sighed again, "It's a bit lonely."

"Why don't you apologize?"

I shrugged and scratched my cheek awkwardly, "I can't... I mean, it was so long ago. Wouldn't it be weird if I suddenly apologized? I think I've already missed my window of opportunity."

Dante just shrugged, "It's better than nothing."

I bit my lip, "Maybe..."

Dante looked at my ankle once more and began to dress it. He was so gentle I had a hard time thinking that it was actually Dante taking care of it. Once he finished, he stood there staring at me. I stared back.

"Uhh... Dante."

"Hm?"

"You can leave now."

"..."

"..."

"No."

Please leave. My heart can't take this much stimulation.

_____

While I was sitting in my room over the next few days, Dante refused to leave. If I needed anything, he got it. I wasn't used to this kind of attention from him.

My father's definitely going to try to get me to leave school again. Ugh. I will have to prepare a countermeasure just in case.

Even after my ankle healed and I could walk again, Dante still insisted on following me around. Why is he acting so sticky?!

I woke up one morning to Millie's smiling face, "Ah, you're up. Now hurry or we will be late."

As I got changed in my bathroom, I came back out and noticed her by the window. I sighed, "Is he out there?"

She nodded, "He is. He's waiting at the entrance like a good dog."

Seriously. What has gotten into Dante? It's not like I almost died or anything... Well. Sort of.

I glanced at Millie and mulled over my words before speaking, "Say Millie..."

She looked at me with a warm smile, "Yes, Seri?"

I scratched my cheek and glanced around the room, "You... You would never betray me, right?"

Her face froze over for a brief moment. "What was that?"

I shook my head, "Just... Well..." I cleared my throat, "Hypothetically speaking, what if there was someone who you really like, but that person was interested in another. What would you do?"

Millie likes William. That much is clear. Perhaps that's why she had targeted me and Mary. Maybe she thought we were threats to her relationship with William.

Millie tilted her head, "I'm a bit confused."

I clarified, "This is only hypothetical."

She nodded, "Well, I suppose I wouldn't give up."

"Would you hate the person that your crush liked?"

"I probably would."

My mouth felt dry, "Even if they were your best friend and they didn't like your crush back?"

Millie glanced at me with cloudy eyes. She smiled, "Well, I wouldn't give up without a fight. No matter who it was. But Seri, why are you asking this?"

I cleared my throat and looked away, "No reason."

Ugh. I can't believe this. What should I do? Should I call Millie out? Or should I just ignore it?

Well... Since she's not bringing it up, I won't either. But just what does Millie think of me?

I know she noticed me in the library. I know she knows I know.

A few days passed and Millie never once brought up the library scene. In fact, she acted so well, I wouldn't have known she was behind it if I hadn't seen her.

But why did she knock over the bookshelf? Why did she look so irritated when she noticed me and Mary were okay?

Every day I asked myself these questions, but I couldn't bring myself to ask her. I was too afraid of what the answer may be.

So, it was better not to ask.

I rubbed my temples from the stress headache it was causing. I looked forward and noticed Dante missing.

Wait, now that I think about it, Dante never met me at the entrance this morning like usual.

I glanced at William, "Where's Dante?"

William glanced up at me, "Dante? You're just now noticing?"

I made a guilty face, "I've been preoccupied."

William sighed, "You need to pay more attention to your surroundings. As for Dante, he's sick. He caught a cold and is staying in his room."

I blinked in surprise, "He caught a cold?"

Was it... Because of me? He's been waiting outside for me a lot lately. Not to mention it's been so cold outside because winter was about to start.

Ugh. I feel so guilty.

I grabbed my stuff and ran out the door. William rubbed his face, "Does no one take their job seriously?"

I made a quick stop at a store to get the necessary items. I rushed over to Dante's dorm, and quickly broke in. I flew into his room and saw him laying in bed. He heard me burst in and sat up. Even though he looked at me with a cold and indifferent face, I knew right away he was actually sick.

I rushed to his bedside and pushed him back down, "Don't get up."

He frowned at me, "Why are you here?"

I smiled, "I'm going to take care of you!"

"Me?"

I nodded, "Yup! Call me Seri the caregiver!"

As he laid down I felt his forehead. He shook off my hand, "No, I don't want to get you sick."

I chuckled, "Relax. My body is a lot more resilient than you think. I've only been sick the one time and that's because I tried to drink a lake."

He eyed me suspiciously as I smiled back. He wanted to argue, but he was too tired. I began to look through my bag and pulled out some medicine.

"Now sit back, and let caregiver Seri take care of you."

He smiled, "Alright."

I paused looking at that smile. I shook my head to regain control of myself. I began to take care of him. After I fed him medicine, I would replace the cold towels on his forehead.

He looked so oddly fragile like this. I never knew the great Dante could become sick. It was a rare sight indeed.

As I watched him sleep, I couldn't help but smile at his fragility. Wow, I really wish I had a camera. This moment would be too precious to pass up.

I sighed, "Dante... You really aren't good for my heart."

Dante was asleep and didn't respond. I watched as he breathed deeply and evenly.

I whispered, "Why do you treat me so well? I don't deserve it. I'm selfish and troublesome. I'm tainted with sin." I sighed, "You would probably be better off with Mary..."

I glanced up at him, but he still continued to sleep. I carefully looked at his handsome features. A tender feeling slowly crawled into my heart as I looked at his defenseless face.

"But... I'm a selfish person Dante... So I won't hand you over to her..."

I leaned forward and closed my eyes. My lips gently pressed against his.

....

!!!!

My eyes snapped open. I glanced down and saw Dante's closed eyes. I pulled away quickly.

WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST DO?!

DID I JUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DANTE?!

Although... I have to admit it felt nice....

NOOO! I'M A MONSTER!!

As I panicked, Dante stirred. He looked at me with a groggy expression, "Seri?"

I gulped, "It-Its not what you think!!!"

Dante grabbed me so quick, I couldn't even jump away in time. He pulled me onto his bed and wrapped his arms around me, refusing to let me go. He rubbed his head against my chest.

My face turned bright red, "D-Dante!?"

He mumbled, "Mine..."

I blinked and looked down at him in confusion, "Dante... Are you awake?"

His eyes fluttered open and he gave a strange smile, "Mine.."

Oh my God. He's delirious.

My face twitched, "Who's yours?"

"Seri."

I chuckled, "Oh? Well here I am. Now what do you want to do?"

Dante whispered into my ear. My face twitched from tickling sensation.

Then, my face fell. "What did you just say."

He whispered it again.

My face blushed from his brazen words. "DANTE! That's something only lovers do!!!"

He licked my ear, making me tremble in response. His soothing voice spoke into my reddened ear, "Good thing we are lovers."

"SINCE WHEN?!?"