“Master,” Dante said as he entered the room. “It’s time to wake up.”
I parted my lashes lazily, staring at the wall as his footsteps clicked over to me.
As he cleaned off my nightstand with my single cup of water, I sat up, yawning as I rubbed my eyes.
He just adjusted my pillow so I could lean on it.
Dante smiled a little when I gazed up at him, and he handed me a mug of freshly boiled chai. “Made from cream and cinnoman this morning.”
I lightly took it from his hands and held onto it, staring into the mug as it warmed my palms.
Dante just stepped over to my dresser and started shuffling through the contents.
“Has there been any word from my mother?” I asked as he pulled out a pair of clothes.
“Sadly, not, my prince,” he said as he set the clothes on the bed, going back to closing the dresser drawer. “I think it is better that way. The closer you are to them, the more danger you’re in.”
I just hummed in agreement, sipping my chai.
“You slept well, I presume?” he said then.
“Yes.”
“Good,” he responded. “It seems that nighttime tea I concocted helped.”
I nodded again.
“For breakfast I made an omellete freshly cooked with cheese, shredded ham, garlic, and herbs,” he said gently, stepping over to me. “Is that suitable for you appetite, master?”
“Yes.”
He nodded then.
When I finished my chai, I handed it to him, and he gladly took it.
After setting the empty mug on the nightstand, he just set his hand on my back, helping me to a sitting position.
“Do you have any news?” I asked him. “Did anything happen last night?”
Dante smiled slightly. “Yes. Three angels came with ill intent within the span of three hours.”
“Did you dispose of them?”
“Naturally.”
“That’s good,” I said then, yawning when he guided my arms through the sleeves of his shirt. “I don’t feel like dying anytime soon.”
He just chuckled, pulling it over my head. “You know I wouldn’t allow that to happen.”
“I know,” I said gently.
He just folded the shirt and set it aside, and gazed up at me kindly. “How are you feeling? Was the pillow fine tonight?”
“Yes, it was,” I said honestly. “I don’t have neck cramps, thankfully.”
“That’s odd,” he responded, smiling a little as he stood and stepped over to my fresh clothes. “You’re so short, I thought you might have so much trouble with neck cramps with how much you have to look up at people.”
I glared then, teeth gritting. “Shut up.”
He chuckled and caught the clothes. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to iririate you.”
“Yes, you did, you liar.”
He stepped back over to me and set the clothes aside, kneeling down. “You are short, I’m afraid.”
“Are we still on this topic?”
“If you drank milk,” Dante stated, pulling the shirt over my arms, “then we wouldn’t have this problem.”
“And if you shut up,” I said angrily as he buttoned it, “I wouldn’t shove my foot up your ass.”
He just smirked.
I glared down at him when he helped me stand and guided my shorts on. “You’re nothing but a nusance.”
“Now you’re the one that’s lying,” he stated then, buttoning them. “I do everything around here, and you clearly apprecate me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I stated in annoyance, seeing him pulling out a bow tie with a small little cookie pendant in the middle, as well as a hair clip. “And you have two other servants.”
“Yes, but their maids.” He lightly brushed my hair down and pinned the bow into it. “I have to do everything else.”
“Oh, poor thing,” I said sarcastically. “It’s not like you’re a demon or anything.”
He smiled up at me, pulling my eye patch out from his pocket (which was also cookie-shaped). “Someone’s grumpy this morning.”
“Maybe if you didn’t test me, I wouldn’t be so annoyed.”
“But what’s the fun in that?” he said then, smiling gently as he placed the cookie eye patch over my eye, pulling the ends behind my ear.
I just gave him a bored look, and he gazed up at me in amusement.
“Is the theme cookies today?” I asked him, refering to my outfit.
“Wafer cookie, to be exact,” he responded. “It suits you. You’re crunchy, but a sweet thing deep inside.”
I glared. “I hate you so much.”
“I’m sure,” he responded, standing up.
I just closed my eyes, brow twitching when he pulled on my jacket and clipped it over my shirt, following with tying the cookie-like bowtie along my collar.
I tipped my chin up to make it easier for him.
Dante decided to pick out outfits after outfits for me about two years ago. Every outfit I wore had some kind of theme. One time is was apples, just... apples.
Why? Don’t ask me.
He’s weird.
“So what are we doing today?” I asked him when he stood fully. “More shopping?”
His lips curled slightly, and he shook his head. “No, master.”
I arched a brow.
He just gazed up at me. “We have a guest for lunch today.”
“Lunch?” I echoed. “Is dinner not more suitable?”
“He insisted,” Dante said then, bowing slightly. “He said it was better for his schedule, my prince.”
I just sighed and lowered my lashes. “I see.”
He stood fully when I stepped past him and made it out of my room.
“Who is this guest?” I asked him then.
“His names is Garner Diez,” Dante stated.
I stopped immediately, and he did, as well, still behind me. “Garner... Diez?” I said.
“Yes,” Dante said calmly.
A small smile curled my lips, and my lashes lowered. “I see.”
“What would you like me to do, my prince?” Dante said then.
I just tipped my head back to face him, locking my eyes on his slightly reddened ones. “Give him the dessert of a lifetime.”
His lashes immediately lowered, and he bowed slightly. “Of course.”
I just turned and started back down the hall.
I stopped again. “Dante.”
“Yes, my prince?”
“Are you hungry?” I asked him.
He was silent then, and it fell among us for too long.
But he finally spoke, “Not yet, master.”
“Alright,” I said, starting back forward, “do let me know. I’d like you to have your meal before our guest comes over.”
I felt the darkness behind me grow. “Yes, master. I will be sure to let you know. I will not embarass you in front of our guest.”
“I know you won’t,” I responded, continuing forward to the dining room.
He followed behind me, stopping by the door when I did.
Dante just pushed open the door for me, and I stepped in the dining room.
I rubbed my eyes lazily when I made my way to my seat, finding my breakfast already set out before me.
I sat down onto my already open chair, and Dante pushed me in then.
“As I said earlier, omellet with shredded ham, cheddar cheese, and other herbs such as green onion, spinich, and parsley.”
“You call green onions and spinish herbs?” I asked him in annoyance.
“Would you prefer I say, greens?” he said then, smirking.
I just waved off his response, picking up my fork that was set gently onto a napkin.
“The omellet is topped with a creame,” he continued, sounding proud of himself, “made of sour cream mixed with lemon juice and chives. Served with a side of traditional spiced chai, hashbrowns, and crumbled sausage for optional topping.” He bowed slightly. “I hope you enjoy.”
I started eating my food then, and he remained at my side.
“You had another nightmare last night, master,” Dante said gently. “May I press and ask you if you’re feeling alright?”
“I’m fine,” I answered, taking another bite. “I’m exhausted, is all.”
“It was pretty bad...” Dante said then, pressing a little further, “you broke a bottle and threatened James with it.”
I immediately set my fork down, gazing up at Dante. “Is he hurt?”
Dante shook his head. “No, just spooked.”
I went back down to my food. “Bring him to the study after I’m finished eating. I need to speak with him.”
Dante parted his eyes and reguarded me. “Yes, my prince.”
Twenty minutes later, I found myself sitting in the study, scratching down notes on my finances as I held my chin in my hand.
A knock fell on the door.
“Come in,” I said.
The door parted, and Dante stepped in the room, holding the door when James walked in behind him.
I gazed up when James walked further in, looking oddly nervous and shy.
“Master...” he said quietly.
“Have a seat,” I said then, pointing my pen to the chair.
James stepped in then, and Dante closed the door behind him and stood there, watching numbly.
James then seated himself onto the chair, and I sighed, setting my pen down and kept my chin in my hand.
“Master,” he expressed, “I woke you rudely last night. I am very sorry—”
“You did nothing wrong, James,” I said then.
He paused then, gazing up in alarm.
A smile peaked through Dante’s lips.
“If anything,” I said then, lashes lowering, “I should be the one apologizing.”
“That’s new,” Dante said.
“Shut up,” I responded, focusing back on James when he snickered. “I am very sorry I threatened you, James. I... I don’t even remember it, to be honest.”
He blinked then, a bead of sweat slipping down his cheek.
He suddenly stood, and I gasped when he slammed his hands on my desk. “Master, do not feel bad! I was the one who woke you so rudely!”
“James,” Dante said calmly, voice stern, “sit back down.”
He glanced back before looking at me.
His cheeks flushed, and he bowed quickly. “I am very sorry, master! That was very agressive of me! I did not mean to scare you!”
He then sat back down, keeping his head lowered.
“There’s no need to apologize,” I promised him gently. “And be honest with me.”
He gazed up then, brows drawing together.
“Are you injured at all?” I asked him, lashes lowering. “Hurting anywhere? Did I cut you?”
He shook his head. “No, master. My skin is porcline.”
“I see,” I said then, closing my eyes. “Due to this inconvience, I shall increase your pay today to a thousand an hour.”
He gazed up then, eyes widening. “Master.”
“Just for today,” I told him, gazing up. “Go do your chores now.”
He stood quickly and bowed. “Thank you, master!”
And he turned and left, Dante opening the door for him and then closing it behind him after he walked out.
Dante just let go of the handle and gazed back at me. “That was kind of you.”
I picked up a paper, scanning the numbers on it. “Don’t expect a raise, too, you nusance.”
Dante just smiled. “Aren’t you going to be nice to me? You threatened me, too.”
“With the bottle?” I said then.
“Yes.”
Something cold consumed me.
God, was I just threatening to kill everyone today?
I gazed up then, lips parting as I lowered the paper. “Did I hurt you?”
He shook his head. “No, master.”
I then went back to my paper. “Then shut up.”
He stepped further in the room. “Did I see you look concerned for a second there?”
“No.”
“Yes, I did.”
“I’m not paying you to tease me,” I said then, scribbling down notes.
“You’re not paying me at all,” he responded. “Well... money.”
I gazed up at him then, lashes lowering. “Is this you telling me that you’re hungry?”
He just bowed, shaking his head. “No.”
He then gazed up, smiling slightly. “I’m just teasing you, is all.”
I just looked down to my papers. “Do you want money?”
He kept the smile. “No, I have everything I want, master. And... the food you give me is priceless, anyway.”
I just switched to another paper, sighing. “Well, if you do, let me know.”
He just smiled.
Are you being kind to me? his voice echoed through my thoughts.
“Shut up and go do something useful.”
He chuckled and walked to the door, pausing for only a moment before glancing back at me. “Crunchy on the outside, sweet on the inside.”
I threw my pen at him.
He caught it, laughing slightly. “So aggressive.”
He then tossed it back to me, and I gazed down in boredom when it landed in my pen cup gracefully. “Try not to make such a mess, master.”
“Do you have the reports processed?” I asked him then, sighing as I rubbed my temples. “I’m going insane doing all these by hand.”
He opened his mouth to respond.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from outside.
I gazed up at Dante then, brow arching.
He just closed his eyes and smiled. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment.”
He then turned and left the room.
I just sighed and set my papers down, standing up and dusting off my pants. “I fancy a glass of water anyway.”
Right as I made it to the door, I opened it.
To find Dante standing there.
I blinked, sucking in a breath when he held a glass pitcher filled with water (and a slice of lemon) and a cup in his other hand.
“Thirsty?” he said then, tipping his head to the side.
I just gazed up at him, annoyed. “You sure are fast.”
He just smiled.
I stepped out from the room, feeling him follow behind me as I went to the right... to the sunroom, and sat in my usual seat.
Dante just poured some water into the cup gracefully, setting it down beside me.
I just crossed my legs and tipped it into my mouth.
He just held the pitcher gracefully.
I gazed up at him lazily, brows drawing together when I saw the pitcher shaking slightly in his hands.
I then looked up at him, finding his eyes closed.
He looked calm.
I just arched a brow. “Dante.”
“Yes, master?”
“Are you hungry?” I said then.
He gazed down at me then, eyes shifting color like a computer glitch. “Yes, master.”
I smiled then, lashes lowering. “You don’t hide it well.”
His just gazed down at me.
I sighed and undid my tie, letting it fall before lightly unbuttoning my collar.
His lashes lowered immediately.
I just exposed my neck, gazing up at him.
He just set the pitcher side, lips parting when he stepped over to me.
I watched as he dropped to his knees before me, breaths slow and unsteady.
He then leaned forward as his canines extended past his lips.
As he caught my shoulders, his fangs sliced into my neck.
I cried out, gripping onto his shoulders tightly.
I shook as my nails bit into his shoulders, breaths short and uneasy.
He drank kindly, but held me to him protectively, as if preventing someone from taking his meal away.
I closed my eyes tightly as the pain from the wound coursed through me.
No matter how many times he did this... it never hurt less.
I took a couple deep breaths, trying to remain calm.
In the past, Dante would buy sheep’s blood and other animal blood for his meal. He would store them in his fridge for food and such, but... now that I was this big famous billionare and I had to keep my status from the press, I couldn’t buy him blood anymore.
It would be all over the news that the infamous Luca Belle had been storing bottles of sheep’s blood in his fridge. People would think I was a psychopath.
Because of that, I was Dante’s meal every time he got hungry.
Two years ago, when I offered him the idea, he was reluctant. He said he didn’t want to hurt me, but I assured him that I would be fine.
He could give me pills to help me so I wouldn’t get anemic. Angelic pills, if I recall.
I winced when he finally let go and pulled his teeth out.
When I gazed up at him, his lips were stained red, and blood lightly slipped down his chin.
I just pulled out my hankerchief and wiped it off, and his eyes clouded when I wiped it off and cleaned his face... although... I couldn’t really get the red off his lips.
“Was that enough?” I said at his mournful expression. “You look ill. Do you need more?”
He shook his head, gazing up at me. “No, master. It’s just... your blood is so delicious.”
I just set my hankerchief aside and gazed up at him. “Is it better than money?”
“Yes.” He sounded deseperate.
I smiled a little. “I have to fatten your stomach instead of your wallet? That’s depressing.”
He just leaned down, and I gasped when he slid his tongue along the wound, licking off excess blood.
I closed my eyes tightly as heat shot through me.
He then released me. “Thank you, my prince.”
I nodded.
He then settled back into himself slightly, and pulled a bag of pills from his pocket.
I held my hand out when he placed two of them in my hand, followed by a glass of water when I popped them in my mouth.
After I swallowed the healing pills, I watched as he picked up my hankerchief and gently started dabbing the wound.
I winced slightly, sucking in a breath.
“It’ll heal in a second,” he promised gently.
I nodded then.
After about a minute, I felt the edges of the wound stitching together, and I breathed out a sigh.
Dante smiled then, finishing with cleaning off the blood, followed by buttoning my shirt, and then tying the bowtie around my collar.
As he finished tying, he adjusted my hair clip back in place.
“Dante,” I said as he brushed down strands that popped off my head,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs7dt8l40C
“why do you enjoy my blood so much?”
He just smiled lightly. “Master, you’re marked by me in three ways. Your blood is accustomed to my taste due to the fact.”
My lashes lowered.
“You know, you never once asked me what would happen if I couldn’t hold back anymore,” he stated then, smiling slightly as he stayed on his knees. “Aren’t you afraid I will kill you?”
I smiled then. “Why should I be?” I lifted my shirt slightly, making him blink when I exposed the crescent-shaped scar on my side. “You aren’t allowed to let harm come to me. You are my protector. You take care of me and stay by my side every second. So why should I fear you hurting me?”
A smile formed on his lips, and he gazed up at me as his eyes glowed a bright red. “Never fail to disapoint, do you, master?”
My lashes lowered.
Biting me would’ve inflicted a wound, but it didn’t violate the contract because Dante healed me straight afterward.
I just stared down at him when he brushed the strands of my hair down again. “Do I look presentable? There’s no blood on me?”
He shook his head. “I was careful not to ruin your status.”
I just sighed.
“Our guest will be here relatively soon,” Dante explained to me. “I made the preperatio—”
A loud crash echoed from outside again.
I glanced at the window and back to him.
His eyes glowed a slight red as he watched the window, and he looked back at me, closing his eyes while smiling again. “If you’ll excuse me for one moment, master.”
He then stood and walked off, leaving me stranded in the sunroom.
“Jesus...” I muttered while setting my chin in my hand, “at least be more subtle about it.”
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMkDcO7efa
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFldM1Xqcq
