"Oh. Um." He ran over to throw the severed head back in. He looked at her apologetically, "Sorry. I didn't want you to see that."

"Murder?!"

He shook his head, "No… Well yes… I should have told you first. I am a mercenary. This man was wanted dead for terrible crimes against the Imperial people. I need to bring his head back as proof I killed him."

The Holy Empress couldn't say anything as she watched him speechlessly.

He scratched his head awkwardly, "If you don't want to come with me, I understand. I can imagine this is quite the shock."

She gulped and looked down at her baby. This man had already saved her and this child's life. Could he really be that bad of a person? The better question is: Was he worse than the ones who chased after her?

She turned back with an expressionless face, "Let's go…"

He nodded and led the horse. During the entire journey, the child in her arms never stirred and never opened his eyes. He would only eat and sleep. She was worried for him, but her priorities were to get to safety first. As they walked, they spoke to each other. It was mostly Bertram speaking, but every so often the Holy Empress would answer.

"What will you name the child?"

She shrugged. She hadn't thought of a name yet. She looked back at Bertram, "You have kids?"

Bertram beamed with pride as he talked, "I do. I have one daughter. She is the cutest thing you will ever meet. Every time I come home; she bounces over to me with a large smile. Her pronunciation is still bad, but that's just what makes her so cute. Whenever I am in a bad mood or missing home, I just think of that big smile of hers and I feel much better."

The Holy Empress watched as he spoke about his family with a large smile on his face. Her stiff face began to smile faintly from seeing how happy he was. She turned to the child who was still sleeping in her arms. Seeing Bertram's happiness, she began to believe that she and this child will soon be able to have a happy life like that as well.

Bertram sighed, "I wish I could see them every day. However, because of my work I am sometimes gone for weeks at a time."

"Why not quit?"

"Unfortunately, this is the only thing I know what to do. And the only thing I am good at…" She gave a weak nod in understanding. He looked at her with a hopeful glance, "What will you do when you get to the Imperial City?"

The Holy Empress was speechless. She hadn't thought that far ahead. She shook her head in response.

"Well… If you have nothing planned, what if you stay with us? Just until you can find a job and a place to live."

She looked at him in surprise, "Really?"

He nodded, "My wife is always complaining about not having enough friends. If you were there while I was working, I would be reassured that she wasn't bored. We could also help you look for a place to work so you could support your child as well."

The Holy Empress smiled, "Thank you."

Bertram cleared his throat awkwardly at the surprising smile. He didn't know she could make a smile like that. He looked away, "A-Anyway… I will take you to a doctor first so that you and the baby can get looked at."

They entered into the Imperial Kingdom without any issues. Bertram was able to bring her in because he was part of the Mercenary guild. As such, he got treated better than regular citizens. Once they made it to the Imperial City, he brought her to the doctor.

The doctor gave the diagnosis after seeing them, "The baby is perfectly healthy. As to why he hasn't opened his eyes yet, perhaps it is because he was premature. I wouldn't worry too much. I am sure he will open his eyes when he is ready."

She nodded in understanding.

The doctor continued, "I would like you to stay here for a few nights so that we can make sure you are both healthy and don't have any severe issues. Sometimes these premature births can seem fine at first, but a few days later there could be problems. I would rather you stay here just in case something bad were to happen. Then we would be able to treat you quicker and have more of a chance to save your life."

The Holy Empress agreed. Bertram paid the doctor and stopped in her room. He handed her an address, "I have to return to the Guild and my home. Once you are released, come find me at this address."

She gave a nod and said goodbye. After a few days, she was released from the hospital and walked to the location on the paper. The baby still hadn't opened his eyes and she still hadn't given him a name. As she walked cradling him, she found a large crowd in front of a house. She looked at the paper and confirmed this house to be the address listed.

But why was there a crowd?

She walked and tapped someone on the shoulder, "What's happening?"

The man spoke, "You haven't heard? The family was brutally murdered a few days ago."

Her face paled, "…What?"

He nodded, "Apparently, the Mercenary was out getting a bounty when the man he put in prison found where his family lived. The man tortured and killed the daughter and mother in such a cruel manner."

She spoke quickly, "T-The mercenary? Where is he?"

"He left to go track the murderer down. I do not envy that murderer either. That Mercenary is huge and terrifying. His body is like an unmovable boulder. Once he finds that man, he is sure to rip him into shreds."

The Holy Empress was stricken with guilt. He should have returned to the Imperial City sooner, but because of her he had been delayed. What if he could have saved his family?

Was it her fault for Bertram's family's death?!

She wanted to find Bertram to beg for forgiveness, but she couldn't find him. After murdering the man who tortured and murdered his wife and daughter, Bertram never returned to the Imperial City. Only years later would Seri give him the courage to face his demons.

The Holy Empress left the scene with a somber feeling. If Bertram's family became like this, then how could she care for this child who still hadn't opened his eyes?

She walked full of hunger and came to an orphanage. The nun working the orphanage turned to see her walking towards her with a baby. She was used to this kind of thing. They both knew that she had come to give her child to the orphanage in hopes that the child would be able to live a better life. Although the child wouldn't have parents, he would at least have hot meals and a place to sleep. It was far better than starving on the street.

She took a deep breath and turned to the child, "My darling… You will be safer here than with me… You will be fed good food and get to live a full and successful life…"

The nun running the orphanage smiled at her, "Don't worry. We will take good care of the boy."

The Holy Empress hesitantly held out the child with tears running down her face. The baby, who had felt something off opened his eyes. His bright golden eyes shimmered in the sun as he stared into his mother's dark eyes. The contrast between the two were like night and day. She broke into a cold sweat at the sight.

Golden eyes?!

"Ma'am?"

The Holy Empress took a step back from her as she trembled in fear. If she were to give this child to her, the golden eyes would undoubtedly start to spread rumors. Eventually the Sanki King would hear of a golden eyed child and come to kill him. Without any parents, how could this child survive?

No. How could the rest of the children and workers in the orphanage survive? After everything she has been through, she couldn't allow more innocent lives to be lost because of her.

She stepped away and shook her head quickly, "No! I changed my mind!"

The nun watched as the Holy Empress ran away. She shouted after her, "If you ever change your mind, you are welcome to return!"

The Holy Empress panted heavily after running too far. She stopped in a random alley and slid down. She sobbed silently as she looked at the baby's bright golden eyes. She gave a weak smile and reached out to tenderly stroke his cheek. He blinked still wearing a stoic expression not suiting that of a baby.

Suddenly, she felt as if her mouth was possessed by an otherworldly force, "…Dante."

The Holy Empress knew that this name was his destiny. And it was up to her to make sure he would be able to fulfill that destiny.

"Who are you?"

She flinched and abruptly hid the baby and her face under the cloak. She didn't answer as she looked at the feet of the woman before her. The woman took her fan and forced her to look up. The Holy Empress was surprised to see such a gaudy looking woman with a scowling expression.

The woman smiled, "Are you trying to hide?"

The Holy Empress made no noise.

The woman took this as agreement. "I think you have good looks. How would you like to come work in my brothel? I run the most luxurious brothel in the entire Imperial City. If you work for me, I will give you a place to sleep and food to eat. All I ask is for 60% of your earnings. So? How about it?"

The Holy Empress didn't mind working at a brothel. After all, she had been forced to be with the Sanki King despite not wanting to. What was wrong with subjecting herself to that again? At least this time she would be making money and have more freedom. However…

The Holy Empress looked down, "I have a child…"

The woman waved her fan, "Lot's of my girls have children. Once they are old enough to walk, they will work."

"But…"

The woman looked at her meaningfully, "My establishment is best known for hiding those who do not wish to be found. No one knows the workers or the patrons who visit. You and this child would be able to hide without stress."

The Holy Empress bit her lip and gave a nod. She followed the Madam of the house while holding the baby close to her chest. She gave a low whisper, "Don't worry Dante… Mother will protect you."