The guards had taken my sword from me when I was captured. I had no idea where it was, but I desperately needed it if I was going to lead a rebellion. I looked at Simon who sat across from me, "Do you know where my sword went?"

He answered casually, "Of course. It is locked up in the armory."

My face lit up in excitement. Perfect! I will be able to get it back!

He continued, "Do not even think about getting it. It is heavily guarded and my father would never let you have a weapon at your side."

I deflated in defeat. Why did I think I could even get it back? D*mn. That was the sword that Dante specifically made for me. He even carved that romantic message on the side.

Simon tussled my hair, "Don't pout. We are back now, so don't forget to smile unless you want others doubting us."

I kept this in mind as I followed him back to the room. I flopped down on the bed exhausted while Simon sat on the couch. He began to look at documents in a strangely good mood. I stroked Fern as I stared at the ceiling and patted the papers I had stuffed under my shirt.

I was reenergized once more and sat up to speak to Simon, "Where did your mother spend her time at?"

Simon's mood suddenly turned sour, "Why are you asking about that?"

"I'm just curious about it. You don't need to get your panties in a knot."

"Panties?" Simon found this strange but did not feel like fighting. He stood up, "I will show you. She stayed in a room adjacent to the library. You can't enter her room, but the library is open to everyone."

I jumped up, "Lead the way!"

He tossed me an angry scowl and I quickly shut my mouth as if my life depended on it. For a moment I really thought that he would hit me or something. I guess I forgot just how terrifying Simon could be when he was angry.

I timidly followed him as he stomped through the hallways with an angry expression. I glanced over and saw the servants standing along the walls bowing. I heard them whisper to each other. "Looks like the Prince is angry with the future princess."

"She did not last too long, did she?"

"Shame the King is going to kill her…"

I gulped in fear. They are already saying this from just one moment?! He is not even angry with me!

...I think.

AHH! I can't die yet! Forgive me Dante!

I hugged Simon from behind in front of all of them. I forced myself to speak flirtatiously, "Now darling~ Don't be so angry. I promise I will give you more attention from now on~"

The whispers suddenly stopped as they saw me embrace Simon. Simon was still furious, but when he turned to look at me his anger dissipated at the sight of my sparkling eyes. He decided not to break any of my fingers. Instead, he sighed and picked me up princess style.

My eyes shot open in surprise, "EH?!"

He smirked at me, "If you are really sorry then you can give me a kiss."

I felt my body freeze as many of the servants stared at me. Each one waited for me to give him a kiss to prove that he was not in fact bored of me.

I spoke back through a clenched jaw, "You can kiss me then."

He grinned sadistically, "Nope. If you want me to forgive you, then YOU will give ME a kiss."

I broke out into a cold sweat under the accusatory glare of the servants. Each one seemed ready to go report to the King that I was no longer in favor and should be put to death.

UGH! Why did he put me in this predicament?! He is doing this on purpose!

I took a deep breath and forced myself to kiss him. As soon as our lips met, I forced back the urge to puke. I quickly pulled away and made myself smile. However, the stiff smile caused my face to twitch.

Simon smiled triumphantly and started walking while still carrying me. I whispered to him, "You can put me down now."

"Nope."

"…"

I feel like crying. I have always wanted to be carried Princess style, but who would have known that it would have been Simon carrying me like this?! I wanted my first time to be with Dante…

I wanted Dante to be my first for many things.

I looked down with a pout once the servants were out of earshot, "Urg… Is Dante even going to take me back after all this?!"

This seemed to cheer up Simon even more, "If he does not, I will gladly take you."

"…"

Why do I feel like everyone wants to own me lately?

I squirmed in his arms, "Okay, you can put me down now. The servants aren't around anymore."

"I don't think I will."

I looked up at him in disbelief, "I am not asking! Put me down!"

"Nope."

"Do you want me to have Fern bite you?"

Simon looked down at me with a cold glare, "If you have Fern bite me then what do you think will happen to you? If I die, you die. Your little friend down in the dungeon certainly dies as well."

I was speechless at his merciless demeanor. It is true that I really can't have Fern bite him. Or I can't until I at least have Dante safe.

But why did he call me out on it?!

I wish I could voice my concerns, but that look on his face is a bit terrifying. He looks like he is going to snap me in half or something.

I looked away with a pout, "Yeah I know that, but you don't need to say that… Now… Could you please put me down? I'm sure I am too heavy for this…"

He held me tighter and looked forward with a cold look in his eyes, "No. I am not in a good mood right now so stop asking. If you keep irritating me, I am not sure what I may do to you."

I closed my mouth quickly. You do not have to tell me again.

Once we got close to the Library, he suddenly put me down. He spoke, "This hall has all of the portraits from the Royal family Kings and Queens."

I stepped away from him and started walking down the hall along the portraits. There were several paintings of arrogant looking royalty. Each one wore different extravagant outfits, but they all had the same look on their face. A frown and a sadistic look in their eyes.

That was, until I came to the last painting.

I stopped as I was shocked into silence by the young beauty in the portrait. It was a woman with a passive expression on her face. Her eyes drooped slightly giving her a look of mystery and elegance. She was dressed in fine jewels, but she did not look like the other Queens in the paintings. Unlike them, she did not seem to have a haughty look on her face.

She looked like a goddess who walked on the Earth with no desires.

I unknowingly reached out and gently ran my fingers across the painting. I was captivated by her face. Not because she was an otherworldly beauty, but because she looked so similar to Dante. They shared the similar hair color, similar bone structure, even a similar aura. The only difference was the color of their eyes.

In fact, the Holy Empress eyes were different than the rest of the previous rulers and family. They all had dark brown eyes, but in this painting her eyes were completely black. One couldn't even see the pupil of her eyes. They were so dark and deep they practically drew you in.

Had it just been the style of the painter?

"Follow me to the Library."

I flinched from Simon's sudden voice. As he started walking away, I abandoned the painting of the Holy Empress to follow him. He opened the door and I stepped inside in awe. The room had several floors, each one completely filled with rows of bookshelves.

It was incredibly impressive.

"How are there even this many books?"

He turned away from me to look at the room coldly, "This room technically belonged to the Holy Empress. The King had this built for her because he did not want her to leave this wing of the building unless he allowed her to. This was where she spent most of her days."

I looked around the room that was clearly cleaned on a daily basis, yet there was no one there.

Simon went to the window and laid down on the couch. He closed his eyes as if he were going to take a nap, "When you are done, come wake me up."

I left the demon to sleep as I explored the many aisles of bookcases. I had no idea what I was looking for, but I knew I would know what it was when I found it. I yawned as I made it to the second floor. I still had not found a single thing that was out of the ordinary.

Let's see… If I were the Holy Empress, which section would I want to visit the most?

The historical documents of previous Sanki rulers?

No.

Science fiction?

Not a genre yet.

Romantic poetry that will one day become a staple in society?

Nope. Too boring.

So which kind of genre would be her favorite?

Could it be… Erotic novels?!

Nope. Impossible. Only I am interested in such a thing.

But… It could not hurt to look, right?