I looked over and noticed Dante sleeping with an innocent expression. If I hadn't heard the crass words he had just said, I would have thought he was an angel or something.

But this was no angel. This was a demon.

I crawled back out of his arms and jumped out of his bed. I looked at his sleeping face and took a deep breath.

Wow. That scared me. Who knew that Dante could be so terrifying when he was delirious?

Wait. Why am I surprised? Dante has always been terrifying. However just now, he's more terrifying in terms of ruining my purity.

I glanced at his sleeping face and poked it cautiously. He didn't even flinch away. I sighed and covered my heart.

Really. Such a dangerous man.

I continued to take care of him and noticed the sky getting darker. Well, I guess it's time to get going. I stood up and went to leave. I felt something grab my wrist preventing me from leaving. I turned around and looked at Dante in surprise.

Dante held my arm with hazy half opened eyes. He looked so pitiful it made my heart twist in my chest. He whispered, "Don't... Leave..."

I smiled warmly at him and took a seat next to him. I nodded and held his hand that still clutched onto me. "Alright. I will stay right here until you're better."

Dante's pitiful face revealed an innocent smile. At first I thought I was hallucinating. But not matter how much I blinked, he still smiled at me before eventually falling back to sleep.

So Dante's capable of making such a face?

I continued to hold his hand as he slept. I looked down at our intertwined hands mulling something over. This feeling is so calming. I guess it's fine if I have to stay like this all night.

Wait... I have to stay like this all night?!

I groaned. This is going to be a long night.... And I don't even have any snacks!! (QAQ)

Should I just leave?

I looked back at Dante's innocent sleeping face and sighed. No, I can't do that. I know what if feels like to be sick and alone. It's not a good feeling. Plus, he specifically asked me to stay.

No, I need to stay.

I tried to fall asleep while sitting next to Dante and holding his hand. It was almost impossible to do. I was starving and uncomfortable. Yet, I didn't dare move.

I noticed Dante scowling and fidgeting in his sleep. I looked at him curiously. I wonder what he's dreaming about.

"...Mother..."

I blinked. Did he just say Mother? I leaned closer.

"..Mother... I'm sorry... It was my fault..."

His fault? What was his fault?

Actually... What do I even know about Dante? I met him when he was eight. He had only been living with William for a few years at that point. He never wanted to talk about what happened before he lived with William, and I never wanted to force him to say anything either.

But, I can't help but feel curious.

The original novel never mentioned his life before William. In fact, it didn't mention a lot of things. Just like how Dante was a mystery in the original novel, he's a mystery even now.

I wonder if I will ever know...

I watched him fidget with a twisted expression. I reached out and rubbed his forehead in an attempt to comfort him. "There, there Dante."

His eyes opened slightly, but held a hazy appearance, "..Mother?..."

I paused, "Uhh... Yes?"

I guess that means he's still delirious.

He smiled and rubbed his face against my hand. He whispered, "I'm sorry..."

"For what?"

"For not smiling..."

Smiling?

"You don't need to apologize for that."

He had a complicated look on his face, "But because I didn't smile... You..." Dante didn't continue.

I frowned in confusion. I'm not connecting the dots here.

I spoke in a soothing voice, "Dante, you don't have to force yourself to smile around me."

"... Really?..."

I nodded firmly, "One shouldn't smile unless they want to." I added in a small voice, "Plus your fake smile gives me the chills."

"Hmm." He closed his eyes calmly as if he was reassured by my soothing words.

Aww. He looks so adorable like this.

I want to cry to the heavens. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to see a frail Dante!!!

Mary definitely missed this opportunity in the original novel.

But I wonder what that was all about. Was it just the delirium? Or was there more to it?

I want to ask... But I'm scared to at the same time. Whenever I brought up his parents in the past, his expression always became darker than usual. I don't want to make him angry.

I will just let him bring it up when he wants to. I guess in the meantime I will just try to fall asleep.

F*ck. I'm hungry.

____

Dante stirred and blinked looking around the room groggily. His eyes stopped when he noticed me sitting beside him holding his hand with a haggard expression.

I forced a smile, "Ah, I see you're finally awake. Are you feeling better?"

He looked down at our intertwined hands, "I am. I must not have slept long. It's still dark out."

My face twitched, "Oh no. You slept a long time. An entire day to be precise."

His eyes widened, "An entire day?"

I nodded holding back my tears, "Yes. I thought I was going to die from starvation waiting for you to wake up."

Dante sat up and looked into my eyes, "Why did you stay?"

"Because I told you I wouldn't leave."

He frowned, "It would have been fine."

I shook my head, "Nope! A promise is a promise. Plus, starving isn't so bad. Or at least, in this situation it's not."

Dante still didn't look convinced.

I winked at him, "But if you still feel bad, just treat me to a nice meal once you've recovered. Then we will be even."

He gave a slight nod.

I reached out and held his forehead, "Oh good. You're not running a fever anymore. I guess Mary's father really is good at making medicine."

And drugs.

He expressionlessly looked up at my hand on his forehead. He spoke calmly, "Did anything happen while I was asleep?"

I tensed up, "You mean like did you attack me and drag me into your bed, then whisper horribly crude and graphic things into my ear while holding me in your arms?"

He blinked, "Yes."

I shook my head, "Nope. Nothing like that."

"Are you... Sure?"

I nodded, "I am."

"But that was oddly specific."

I shrugged, "I mean, some other things did happen."

"Like what?"

My gaze dropped from his eyes and hesitated on his lips. My face turned red and I looked away awkwardly. "It was just a joke. It's not like I attacked you or took advantage of your frailty or anything."

"..."

I stood up and rubbed my eyes, "Well, since you're feeling better, I will take my leave. Don't forget to keep taking your medicine."

"Seri..."

I paused and turned back to him, "Yes?"

He gave me a dazzling smile, "Thank you."

I blushed and scratched my cheek, "O-Of course."

I quickly turned around and left before I could be pulled back in to his trap. I sneakily made my way down the hall.

D*mn. This is the most intense version of the walk of shame. Luckily it's so late at night that no one should be out in the hallway. Ah, I'm almost to the door. First thing I'm going to do is stuff my face with food.

I turned the corner and froze.

Lucius had just entered the door and froze upon seeing me.

I frowned, "You're past curfew."

He blinked, "What?! You're not my mother!!" He shook his head, "Wait, no! What the hell are you doing here?! This is a boys only building!"

I rolled my eyes, "No sh*t. Thanks for letting me know."

Lucius smirked, "Oh, you know. I just realized that you and Dante were both absent today. And here you are... Could it be? You and Dante were too preoccupied with each other that you couldn't even attend class?"

"Hey Lucius."

"Yes?"

"Do you enjoy your *****?"

His mouth dropped, "What?!?"

"Because if you keep talking, I'm going to castrate you. Then you won't be able to entertain anyone anymore."

Lucius went pale at my threat. I snuck around him and made my way back to my building. Before I went to my room, I stopped by the kitchen to stuff my face and carry back all the food I could. I collapsed on my bed and sighed.

Ugh, so tired. So hungry.

After I ate a few more things, I got comfortable in bed and closed my eyes. Wow, too many things have happened. I got to see another side of Dante... And I even attacked Dante.

My eyes snapped open.

I almost forgot I took advantage of Dante's weakness to kiss him. But what made me do that?! I'm pretty sure I've never done such a thing before. So why now?

I got out of bed and paced around trying to figure it out. I stopped and looked at my floorboards. I opened my secret spot and pulled out all of my adult romance novels.

I'm sure I can find the answer in one of these.

Yes, this is research. Just research.

I lounged around in my room reading a book. Around me, several books were scattered. Although I didn't bother decorating my room, I certainly had more than enough books. Maybe I should invest in a private library.

As I flipped through the pages humming carefree, my door suddenly flung open. I looked over and saw Bertram with an urgent expression.

I frowned, "Does no one respect locked doors anymore?"

He spoke quickly, "We have a problem."

I sighed and sat up, "A problem? What kind of problem?"

He opened his mouth and paused, "Wait. Why do you look more tired than usual?"

I frowned, "Don't I always look tired?"

He nodded, "Yes, but... Today you look particularly sleepy. Also, what were you doing these past few days?"

I forgot I had ran away to Dante without even telling Bertram. Bertram looked at the books scattered around me.

He frowned, "What's this?"

I cleared my throat awkwardly, "This is... Research."

"Research?"

I nodded, "Yes research."

Bertram eyed me suspiciously, "Research for what?"

I cleared my throat, "Anyway, you said that there was an urgent matter?"

His eyes widened as he remembered why he had burst in so quickly. He nodded, "That's right. There's trouble in the red light district."

"Trouble?"

"Apparently there's a band of thieves calling themselves the Thieves Guild. They are directly opposing the Black Death."

I frowned, "Well that won't do."