I gripped the railing of the terrace with my breath caught in my throat. The sight Simon wanted me to see was one of my greatest fears.

Though it was quite the distance away, I could see the scene all too clearly. The North courtyard was several stories below the terrace. The courtyard had nothing except for a cobblestone ground, haybales and barrels scattered around, and a spot for cutting firewood.

The only remarkable thing in this courtyard was a single platform in the middle.

On that platform was a rope hanging while blowing gently in the wind. There was a larger man by a lever that would raise the rope which would strangle the unfortunate soul attached to it. There were several guards in the courtyard who had come for only one purpose.

However, I didn't care about these men nor the emptiness of the courtyard. There was only one thing that made my blood turn cold and my breathing stop.

A sight too horrible and too horrifying to see.

One single man stood in front of the rope swaying before him weighed down by heavy chains he was unable to break. His face was gaunt from fatigue and malnutrition. He had been beaten and mistreated; the signs were visible on his skin and ripped clothes. On his still handsome face was a look of dejection and acceptance of his impending doom.

I screamed out, "DANTE!"

The sword in my hand fell to the ground, clanging against the stones.

Dante's mouth opened slightly as his head turned towards my scream. There was a flicker of hope in his previously forlorn eyes. He gave me a weak smile.

It was a smile that knew there was nothing I could possibly do for him at this moment.

It was a smile to reassure me that everything would be alright.

Even if his fate was sealed.

Even if he were about to meet his death.

He still was thinking about me.

Seeing that smile only made my face pale more. My legs trembled as they threatened to go limp. I clutched the railing so hard my knuckles turned white. In a panic, I began looking everywhere to find a way down.

There is still time!

There is still time to save him!

The executioner forced the weakened Dante forward and tied the rope tightly to him. His heavy chains made it harder for him to fight back. At this point, not even the great Dante could stop the wheels of fate from turning.

I can't give up yet!

I looked down in a panic.

The executioner went to the lever.

Could I survive this fall?

He grabbed the lever with one hand.

From this distance if I didn't die upon impact, my bones would definitely be broken.

He pulled the lever, raising the rope higher.

But I have to find a way down! I can't just stand here!

The rope raised higher.

I spied a staircase to the left which went down to the courtyard. However, it was too far. Even if I ran down those stairs, I still wouldn't make it in time to save Dante.

Dante's face contorted in pain as the rope lifted his body upwards.

I may not have time, but I still have to try!

As Dante's body was raised into the air, I turned to run towards the far away stairway.

Suddenly, two arms grabbed me from behind and held me in an iron grip. I squirmed, but it was no use. Simon held me firmly while standing behind me. With one arm wrapped around my waist holding me in place, his other hand firmly held my chin forcing me to watch the scene below.

His cold voice whispered into my ear, "Now watch. Watch as your precious Dante is killed before you."

My eyes shook from horror.

My thoughts were emptied in a panic.

"NO! LET ME GO!"

Simon's sadistic laughter echoed in my ears, "THAT'S IT! THAT'S THE LOOK I WANTED TO SEE IN YOUR FEARLESS EYES!"

My body froze as if it were telling me that there was nothing I could do. I could only watch with overwhelming mental distress as Dante's face twisted and turned red from the lack of air. His bloodshot eyes were forced to close as he fought to hide his pointless struggle.

Tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably.

I failed.

All that work.

All that pain.

It was all pointless.

I really am a failure....

I really was trash all along...

Holy Empress… Dante… Original Seri… Everyone….

Please forgive me for being so useless…

In that moment when everything seemed lost, a petite figure in black clothes hopped over the wall surrounding the courtyard. They slid down the wall and landed to the ground effortlessly. Wasting no time, the figure caught sight of an axe stuck in a wooden log near the chopped firewood.

They grabbed it without another thought and hurled it towards the platform with frightening speed.

We all watched in slow motion as the axe whirled through the air flying towards the struggling Dante. The axe struck the rope with deadly precision. The rope was cut instantly causing Dante to crash to the platform gagging and coughing for air.

The figure wasted no time as the guards suddenly turned to attack. Her honey blonde hair fluttered in the wind as she ran across the courtyard throwing needles laced with poison.

The executioner was so shocked he did not even draw his sword. The last thing he would see was the crazed eyes and cackling laughter as he was violently stabbed to death by a creature who resembled a demon from hell.

Millie grabbed the keys from the guard and rushed to Dante who was still struggling to breath from his nearly crushed windpipe. She quickly undid the locks of his chains to set him free.

His voice was strained and hard to force out, "W-Why… Why would you… Save me?!"

It wasn't a secret that Millie despised Dante more than anyone else. Yet here she was; saving his life.

"Save you?! Pah!" Millie rolled her eyes in annoyance, "I was aiming for your head, not the rope. Now shut up and kill these d*mned mutts!"

Millie kicked the sword from a fallen guard to Dante who picked it up without hesitation. The two turned to fight off the rest of the guards that had entered the courtyard to stop them. I sobbed out in exhilaration as I watched them fight off the guards.

THIS! This is exactly why I kept that insane girl alive!

I cried out through my tears, "I f*cking love that psychopath!"

Simon was so surprised to see that Millie had interfered and prevented Dante's death that his grip loosened. I took advantage of his distracted state to throw my elbow into his stomach. He lurched backwards holding his stomach with a scowl. I rushed away from him towards the stairway I had found earlier.

He held his stomach with a twitching face as he watched me run away. He grinned mercilessly, "Where is the fun in taking candy from a baby? I have always preferred a challenge."

He carried his sword as he slowly turned to follow.

I rushed down the stairs and sprinted across the courtyard as fast as I could. My eyes were locked to the two still fighting on the platform.

I was forced to come to a stop as the guards turned to look at me in confusion.

Sh*t! I forgot I had dropped my sword!

The guards went to slice me with their swords and I braced myself for impact. However, I watched as their bodies fell to the ground with a thud. In their backs were a single needle.

Millie shouted to me, "Stop playing and help us!"

I picked up one of their swords and charged at the guards rushing to the platform. Even though I was exhausted from fighting the King, I was reenergized by the sight of Dante. I kept my eyes on him as I sliced my way through the men.

I didn't bat an eye as they fell under my blade. I finally jumped on the stage and grinned, "Dante!"

Dante gave me a warm smile, "Seri…"

Millie sighed, "Save the flirting. Let's finished these flies off."

We both nodded at her and continued to attack the guards. Fighting together, we were able to quickly take out the men. I spoke, "We don't have much time. We have to escape before things get too complicated."

Millie motioned to a ladder, "Climb up on top of the garrison. I have already placed hay on the other side of the wall so that we can jump down without getting injured."

We climbed on top of the overlook lining the wall. It was a wide area designed for guards to keep watch over the wall. If they needed to attack, they could shoot arrows to stop attacks while hiding behind the thick concrete for protection. How strange that we will now be using it to escape from.

A cold voice spoke from behind us, "Aren't you going to say goodbye?"