After a few more days with my family, my mother forced me to return. Millie joined me as we went back. Since she behaved herself, I decided to allow her to stay in her room again. Unfortunately, Millie didn't really like this idea. It took me several hours, but I finally managed to convince her to return to her own room.

As we walked to class, I had a skip in my step. I was humming while feeling excited to start the day. Why? Because this means I would get to see Dante in the student council room.

Mary carefully watched as I walked cheerfully. She smiled at me, "Seri. Why are you so happy today?"

I giggled, "Well Mary for a matter of fact, Dante and I are-" I froze in my steps causing Millie and Mary to stop walking and turn back to me in surprise.

Wait... What exactly is my relationship with Dante?! Now that I think back, I only told Dante that I liked him. Other than that, we didn't have a conversation about what that made us. I'm a modern girl. So naturally first comes dating and then eventually, maybe, marriage.

However, what is the natural dating process in this world? So far I've noticed that everyone just jumps straight into marriage, but I have some issues with that. I can't just get married so casually! I need to sample the goods first.

So what is our relationship? Are we stuck in limbo?!

I gasped, "Oh... My... God..."

Mary's face held concern as she looked at me, "What is it?!"

My bottom lip trembled, "I'm in limbo!"

Mary tilted her head, "Limbo?"

I tapped my chin and started to think. Since I am stuck in limbo, I need to figure out how to get out. I can't just stay here. Of course, it would be easy to just declare to Dante that we are together. However, my pride won't allow me to be the one that brings it up.

Also, where is the fun in that? I wouldn't mind being chased.

I tried to think of what to do. I slowly continued walking to class while Millie and Mary followed behind me. I could tell they had a lot of questions, but I didn't have time to entertain them.

I sat in my chair waiting for class to start. As usual, Mary was sitting behind me at her desk while Artie was sitting on my desk. Millie stood next to me smiling down at me with that gentle, yet slightly threatening smile.

I sighed and sat back in my seat, "I just don't know what to do about it."

Artie frowned, "Just what is she talking about?"

Millie shrugged, "She's been muttering strange things all morning."

I groaned and looked to my left. I jumped, "Holy sh*t! Who are you?!"

There was an average looking boy siting next to me. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes. He didn't look ugly, but he wasn't attractive either. To put it simply: He was just average.

He flinched at my sudden shout. Artie chuckled, "Seri. This person is your seatmate."

Each table was large enough for two seats. Therefore, every person in the room had a seat mate. It was just that I only now realized I also had a seatmate. How was I never aware of him before?

I shook my head, "No. I don't think so. Have I always had a seatmate?"

The average boy hung his head in dejection.

Millie giggled, "Seri. He's been sitting next to you since we first started attending the academy. Not to mention he is actually from our hometown. We have been schoolmates our entire lives. How can you not remember him?"

I studied him closely, "It's not my fault I didn't remember. Look at him. He has zero presence. He is like a background character."

The average boy suddenly felt like crying.

I studied his face carefully... Then. The most beautiful thought popped into my head. A grin spread across my face.

Everyone in my vicinity instantly felt fear.

I scooted my chair closer to him and batted my eyelashes, "Hey. You're pretty cute."

Artie nearly fell off the desk from shock, "Seri?!"

Millie's face froze, "Is there something wrong with your eyes today, Seri?"

The average boy gulped in fear as he leaned away from my proximity. His eyes were practically begging for me to ignore him. However, I had other plans in mind.

I scooted closer with a coy smile, "What's your name?"

"J-Johnathon." He managed to squeak out.

Wow. Even his name is average.

"Fufu. Well, Johnny boy. I find you incredibly interesting."

His eyes watered slightly, "Please don't..."

I giggled in response, "Heh... Too late."

Johnathon looked as if he had been pierced with arrows. His face paled instantly as his body trembled in fear.

Although, I don't understand why he looks so scared. It's not like I plan on killing him or anything. I just plan on using him for a bit. Nothing could go wrong with this genius plan of mine. Well... He may get punched in the face... But not murdered!

As to why Johnathon was so frightened, that was because there was several vicious eyes glaring at him. Although Millie's glare was definitely the scariest, Artie's and Mary's glare was terrifying in their own way.

________

I spent the next few days pestering poor Johnathon. I would compliment him loudly whenever anyone was around. I would make sure to walk with him to class. But most importantly, I remember to fawn over him whenever Dante was around.

Have I ever mentioned how delicious Dante looks when he is seething with anger?

I walked with Johnathon as I poked his face, "Hey. Johnny boy. How come you look like you are going to die at any moment?"

He sobbed, "Because I am... Please, can't you just let me go?"

"Nope. I already told you. I need you as cannon fodder."

"Please have mercy..." He begged me and looked at me with round eyes.

I giggled, "Puppy dog eyes won't work on me."

He looked ahead with a pitiful expression, "Don't you realize they are going to kill me?"

I shook my head, "Nah. You will be fine. You are still nobility." I added in a mutter, "Albeit a lesser tier one..."

"Do you not realize who your friends are?"

I looked at him with an eyebrow raised, "What do you mean? I know William is pretty scary since he is the Prince. However, he is actually harmless and well behaved."

Johnathon looked at me with a blank face. He stated in a matter of fact tone, "I was not talking about Prince William."

"Then who?"

Johnathon sighed, "I was talking more about Millie and Dante."

I waved my hand to dispel his fear, "Oh? Them? Nah. They are like harmless kittens."

Well... Harmless lions?

"Do you not realize how crazy they are?!"

"Crazy seems a bit..."

He looked at me with a serious expression, "If, and I am saying If. If Dante does not kill me because he thinks I am trying to hurt you or steal you, then I will definitely be killed by Millie."

I was slightly surprised by this. I glanced at him carefully, "Why do you think Millie will kill you? She is as gentle as anyone can be."

Johnathon frowned, "Gentle? I have been in her class with you for years. She's anything but gentle. Do you not realize what she would do to us whenever your back was turned?"

I tapped my chin trying to think of it, "Uh... Would she just stick her tongue out at people?"

"No." He gazed at me with an expression that looked as if he was looking at an idiot.

I crossed my arms in irritation, "Then what?"

"She liked to torment us."

I broke out into laughter, "How could Millie possibly torment anyone? She is too adorable looking."

Truthfully I know exactly how terrifying Millie actually was, but he could not possibly know all that. I had to maintain her image.

His expression turned grave, "She once chased me around with sharp scissors because I accidentally bumped into you."

God d*mmit Millie. You were even this crazy as a child?

I glanced away and tried to speak confidently, "Well you don't have to worry about that any longer. I managed to convince her to calm down."

Johnathon looked at me as if he didn't believe me. As we walked around the corner, I caught sight of Dante and William standing off to the side talking. I grinned and immediately clung to Johnathon, making sure Dante was watching.

I giggled, "Oh Johnathon. You are too funny."

Johnathon's eyes watered from sensing his upcoming doom. His expression pleaded with me to let him go and to stop endangering his life.

Lucius and Artie stood back in the distance watching from afar. Lucius leaned over to Artie, "And what exactly has been going on with Seri and that nameless person?"

Artie clicked his tongue in irritation, "I think Seri is trying to make Dante jealous."

"Oh." Lucius nodded in understanding. He spoke again, "Is it working?"

They both looked at Dante who was glaring at the two causing the entire room to drop significantly in temperature. Artie spoke, "Oh yeah. It is definitely working."

Millie walked out from the background and glanced at Dante, "Dante. Shouldn't you go punch that man? He is clearly moving in on our property."

Dante glanced at Millie not even hiding his anger. "She's not our property."

Millie shrugged and spoke nonchalantly, "But he still needs to be punched in the face."

Dante grunted in response. He didn't disagree with this logic. He stormed towards the two people walking. Artie looked at him, "Oh. Dante's going to kill him."

I looked over and saw Dante stomping over to me. I secretly cheered in my head. Yes! It worked! I hope he doesn't hit Johnathon too hard...

Johnathon looked at the situation before him and immediately wondered if he should just collapse on the floor and pretend to have died.

However, much to everyone's surprise, Dante grabbed me by the collar and started dragging me off. I allowed him to drag me away as I was too surprised to put up a fight. He pulled me to an isolated spot and released me.

Dante crossed his arms and glared at me with his golden eyes.

This isn't going according to my plan! Dante was supposed to feel threatened by Johnathon then they were supposed to fight over me. That's when I jump out to dramatically stop them and let Dante know that he is the only one for me. Then, he would say the same thing. After that, we would declare ourselves together officially.

It seems to work in dramas...

However, now all I got was an angry looking Dante in front of me. He completely obliterated my entire plan! Did all my efforts go to waste?!

I forced a smile on my face, "Hey Dante. You look nice today."

"..."

I shifted uncomfortably under his intense stare. Why won't he speak?

Finally, after what felt like agonizing hours, he finally spoke. "Why have you been with that man every day?"

I flipped my hair with a smug smile, "I just realized how interesting and handsome he was. I wanted to get to know him more." I turned back to Dante with a large grin and twinkling eyes, "Why? Were you jealous?"

His face didn't change at all, "I know you were just doing that to make me jealous."

My smile instantly disappeared and I clicked my tongue, "And here I thought I was being convincing..."

Dante glanced away and spoke calmly, "I just now realized how beautiful Mary is. Perhaps I should go follow her around everywhere?"

My hair raised up like an angry cat. I spat out, "Don't you dare!"

He looked back at me and spoke coldly, "Now you know how I feel."

I opened my mouth to speak, but closed it. Sh*t. He has a point. I looked away from his face in guilt. I began to stomp the ground angrily while puffing out my cheeks.

I muttered, "I just wanted for us to declare ourselves together officially and start dating."

Dante raised an eyebrow, "Dating?"

I nodded slowly, "Yeah... Like boyfriend and girlfriend... Going on dates... That sort of thing..."

"We don't have that here. If you want something official, we can get engaged."

I glared at his smug smile. I had an urge to slap it off. "No! I can't just get engaged to someone so quickly! I'm a modern girl." I crossed my arms, "Modern girls date people first. Sometimes for a few months. Sometimes for a few years. However, only after dating do we typically get married. So, we can't get engaged first. First, you must become my boyfriend."

A wry smile spread across Dante's face as he looked at me tenderly. "Then why didn't you just ask me?"

I looked at him with innocent eyes and shrugged, "Uhh... Too much work?"

His face twitched, "It seems far easier to ask..."

I shook my head quickly, "No! My pride will be damaged! YOU have to be the one to ask ME to be YOUR girlfriend!"

"Alright..." Dante grabbed my hand gently, "Then will you be my girlfriend?"

I looked away blushing slightly as I twirled a strand of hair around my finger. I pretended to be flippant, "Oh... I don't know..."

I nodded at him quickly, "Yes."