The bandit Chief ran to the third Prince and hit him with the blunt side of the sword. He fell to the ground wailing in pain. The other men had caught up just in time to see Seri shot and fall to her death. They forcibly restrained the third Prince.

Millie was frozen to the spot as her eyes widened in shock. Dante rushed to the side of the wall to look down. The hay that had been prepared beforehand had broken Seri's fall, but her body was not moving.

Dante jumped over the wall without a second thought and landed on the ground. Simon rushed to the edge of the wall holding his breath as he looked down. Dante picked up Seri's body and held her in his arms princess style.

Her eyes were closed and her expression peaceful.

Her arms hung limply at her side.

The look of genuine fear showed on Simon's face as he looked at her lifeless body. Dante held her as he looked back up at Simon. His sharp golden eyes pierced into Simon's as if it were challenging him. Then, Dante turned and began to run from the Palace walls. Simon was frozen and unable to think clearly as his eyes stuck on the dangling hand belonging to Seri.

Millie walked to the edge of the wall and calmly sat on it. Her legs dangled over the other side as she prepared to jump down. However, she paused.

She looked at Simon with a look of defiance, "Wipe that frightened expression off your face. Do you really believe she could die so easily?"

Simon was stunned as she grinned at him confidently. Then with a humph, she hopped over the side of the wall and landed in the hay below without injury. She quickly darted off into the night to follow the one she would follow to the end of the Earth no matter what happened.

Simon let out the breath he had been holding. He closed his eyes in irritation as he recalled the look Dante had just given him, "Haaaaah. That little brat. Even after all these years he still gives me the same look."

He ran his hands through his hair in exhaustion as he watched the three disappear into the night. He felt himself take a step back from the wall feeling as if his body had suddenly turned to ice. He wore no smile as he looked at the ground.

Simon closed his eyes as he recalled his mother's final words.

He smirked in spite of himself, "You will think you have everything, but truthfully you will have lost all the things you have ever desired." He muttered in a low tone, "Now I see what your curse had meant, dear Mother."

Was his revenge and the Sanki Kingdom the thing he truly desired?

The bandit Chief rushed to him not allowing him time to ponder it, "Your Majesty! Should we follow the war criminal? Wasn't he to be executed for his crimes? It was clear he was fighting you so he must be an enemy. We can follow him and-"

Simon shook his head, "Don't bother. He has life threatening wounds. He won't survive."

The Chief glanced away unsure of himself, "B-But… The pale skin…"

Simon spoke in a cold voice devoid of emotion, "She is dead. No one can survive a gunshot." Simon glanced to the Prince who was being forcibly restrained, "Bring him over to me. I have some questions I must ask."

Dante carried Seri as he ran across the city. He had no idea where he was going nor what he would do. All he knew was that his beloved was now dead in his arms. His mind panicked as he tried to ignore the obvious.

______

[Author's note: It is now back to Seri's perspective]

I had been jolted awake as soon as he started running. The reason was simple.

IT F*CKING HURT!

Getting multiple cuts while fighting the King, getting shot in the f*cking chest, then falling and landing on my back WHICH by the way, my wound still hadn't healed.

IT ALL HURT TOO MUCH!

At least let me lay on the soft hay for a while to recover! Running immediately after I had just fallen made my body hurt. It felt like when you fall on your tailbone and could barely breath from the pain. I suppose I could say something, but now was an inopportune time.

The reason why I hadn't opened my eyes and revealed that I was still alive?

Because Dante was finally carrying me princess style!

KYAAAA!

DANTE! YES DANTE!

For once I wasn't being carried by him like a sack of potatoes. Why shouldn't I enjoy this moment to the best of my ability?!

THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE!

The pain is 100 percent worth it.

As I continued to pretend to be dead, I felt a drop of water hit my cheek.

Oi. What was that? Is it raining? It can't be raining.

His strained voice cracked, "Seri…"

More drops landed on my cheek.

D*mn! Is he crying?!

I opened one eye slightly to peek at his face. Sure enough, tears were rolling down his cheeks. His voice was weak, "Seri… I'm so sorry… It's all my fault… I should have… I should have jumped in front of the bullet… I should have done something…"

F*CK! I don't want to see him cry!!! This is breaking my heart…

But…

Princess style…

ARRRRGH!

I flung open my eyes, "Hark! Your tears have brought me back to life!"

Dante stared at me in disbelief and came to an abrupt stop. I stared back at him with an innocent smile.

He frowned, "You… You're not dead?"

I looked back at him, "Uhhhh…. No?"

"…"

I blinked at him flirtatiously.

His golden eyes looked down at me with the tears still lingering, "Were you faking?"

I looked away awkwardly, "Faking makes it sound bad…"

"Were you?"

"Not at first…" I looked at him with a pout, "Do you know how painful that was? The wind was knocked out of me and I could barely breathe. Then, you just picked me up and started running. Even if I wanted to say something, I couldn't!"

That's right! Pity me!

Dante hung his head and groaned in exasperation.

I poked his cheek in a panic and tried to act cute, "Please don't be mad…"

He turned to look at me with a gentle smile, "Not angry… I'm relieved."

I looked at his smile feeling my heart flutter. I just want to tease him more.

I made a painful expression, "Oh! Oh no! I'm dying! Ack! Here comes the light! Nooo!"

I closed my eyes and stuck out my tongue to pretend to be dead once more.

"…"

I opened one eye and whispered, "Psst. You are supposed to kiss me."

He tilted his head, "Why?"

I rolled my eyes. Seriously? Hasn't he ever read a romance novel before?

I whispered, "I can only be revived by my true loves kiss."

He chuckled, "Oh. I wonder where your true love is at."

I opened my mouth to complain, but my words were sealed by his deep kiss. I felt my face heat up as his tongue intertwined with mine wanting to own it completely. My eyes swirled from the intoxicating feeling I had long craved. My hands grabbed onto his shirt wanting to feel the delicate skin underneath.

I desperately wanted to rip off those clothes right then and there.

He pulled away and I panted trying to catch my breath. My body seemed to scream out in aggrievement from not receiving more. I watched as his golden eyes stared at me as if they were taunting my reaction.

I tugged at his hair with a pout, "Come on... A little more?"

He bit down on his lip trying to quell his desire. He shook his head, "First, we must escape. I am sure Simon won't let us go that easily."

I stared at him starry eyed as he was trying to think of where to go. I almost couldn't believe my eyes that Dante was now here before me. I just want to touch him all over.

All.

Over.

"…Are you listening to me?"

"Yes. Go forward." I responded vaguely. He gave me a peck on the lips before continuing forward. As he carried me, I stared at his handsome face as I tried not to drool.

Ugh… I can't help it… Staring at him from this angle makes me so happy…

I felt the tears start to roll down my cheeks as I stared up at his handsome profile. He heard me sniffling and looked at me in a panic, "Are you okay?! Does it hurt?!"

I wiped away my tears and smiled cheekily, "No… It's that I am so happy…"

Dante's panic subsided. He looked at me with warm eyes, "Happy?"

I nodded, "Yes. I am happy that you've finally carried me princess-style."

"…"

I continued dreamily, "It has always been my dream to be carried princess style. Who knew that all I had to do was be shot and knocked off a high wall? If I would have known that is all it took, I would have done it sooner."

"…Should I drop you?"

I opened my eyes in a panic, "What?!"

He chuckled at my reaction, "Kidding." He leaned down and rubbed my forehead with his, "Now… Shouldn't we be leaving the City? Do you know the way out from this direction?"

Ugh. I forgot we were still being pursued.

I sighed, "Which direction are we?"

Dante looked around, "We are South."

"The bandit's hidden entrance to the city is in the complete other direction."

He shook his head, "We can't go back. Simon's army is that direction."

Then that only leaves…

"F*ck."

He raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"The only way out of the city in this direction is through the main gate or…"

"Can we go out through the main gate?"

"Not if we value our lives."

While Dante could fight, I most certainly was not in the shape to attack anyone right now. Plus, they would probably shoot us with arrows or not open the gate. It was too much trouble.

"Then?"

I sighted, "Then that leaves only one option."

He tilted his head, "What?"

I turned to look at the familiar looking outhouse, "A secret tunnel?"

"…"