Dante leaned against the door and peeped into the kitchen. When he noticed no one was present, he stealthily entered the kitchen. He rushed to the bin containing leftovers and pulled out the plastic bag he had hidden underneath his clothes.
His heart raced wildly as he packed as much as he needed. After breaking the plates and soiling the princess, Guirello denied him food.
Dante stuffed his mouth as he packed the food. In case he got caught, he would at least have a full stomach. The food was a little stale, but it was better than the ones the servants threw at him once in a while.
Besides, they were going to dump it because the king forbade them from feeding the dogs with stale leftovers. Dante chuckled at the thought.
His father didn't mind his son eating stale food but would punish the maids severely if his dogs were given day-old leftovers
"What do you think you're doing?", Dante froze on hearing the voice. He quickly pushed the bag under his shirt, gulping hard as the intruder approached him.
Sweat broke out from his forehead as footsteps approached him.
"Hello?" The feminine voice called again. Relief washed through him. Normally, the maids and other workers recognized him easily, even from a distance. This had to be someone new.
He turned around slowly and recognized her as the girl who was always beside the princess. Possibly a friend, because she did not look like a servant in any way. At least not by the standards of Greake.
"You?" Her eyes widened with recognition. The fear that died minutes ago, rekindled immediately. Her eyes dropped to the hands buried underneath his shirt. "What are you hiding?"
Dante shook his head quickly, "Nothing! I swear, it's nothing. Please don't report me to Guirello. I promise I wasn't doing anything…."
"Take a deep breath, okay? I am not reporting you to anyone", She tried to calm him down. Kitanna advanced towards him and he retreated quickly. She got a clear view of the bin.
Kitanna cast him a suspicious glance and headed directly to the bin. A very faint putrid smell hit her nose as she peered in. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"You're eating stale food?", She faced him with a grimace.
Dante stared at his feet, ashamed and helpless.
"I'm sorry. I haven't eaten for days. I t-thought I would have some y-yesterday, b-but I broke some expensive plates when I bumped into the princess…" Dante quietly said.
"And this was your best choice?" Kitanna asked. "There are lots of healthy things in this kitchen, why must you resort to this?" Kitanna asked.
Dante bit back a laugh. Steal healthy food? He wished he could relate his experiences to her, but he wasn't allowed to speak to anyone except if he was offering apologies or begging for mercy. He was grateful enough that she didn't immediately call him out. He didn't want to push his luck.
His silence and trembling figure made her feel uneasy.
"How about this? You drop the leftovers here, I'll make something nice and healthy for you", She offered. Dante clutched tightly to his food, clearly untrusting of her.
Before she could convince him further, a group of maids trooped in. Dante didn't waste time dashing out of the kitchen with his head and food safe.
Kitanna shook her head sadly. How could people instill so much in their fellow people? They tortured him so much that he was afraid of being seen. She couldn't imagine how many times he had attempted to end his life.
"Your Highness", The maids greeted, bowing with respect. Kitanna scoffed inwardly. She wondered how she would have been treated if they discovered she was only a maid like them.
"Princess Almira is hungry. She missed breakfast so please make some roasted fish for her ", Kitanna told them.
"Yes, your highness".
Princess Almira opened her door, hoping to see Kitanna with her breakfast, instead, she saw Xander.
"Good morning, Princess. Did you enjoy your sleep?", Xander asked.
"Until now", she replied. Xander simply chuckled.
"You are strange and funny, I like it. Mind if I come in?", He asked.
"No need, I was just heading out", Almira retorted. Stepping forward, she slammed the door shut. She pushed past Xander, sniffing the air to pick up Kitanna's scent. Instead, she picked out an intoxicating woody scent.
She didn't hesitate to follow it, forgetting the man behind her. She traced it to the garden, where the tattered human hid away. His mouth was buried in the plastic bag as he ate.
"You eat like a dog" Almira commented. Dante froze immediately. Almira wanted to walk over to him when Kitanna called out to her.
She took one last glance at the man or boy who pushed himself behind the flowers to hide. She couldn't help but wonder what he looked like.
"Use a spoon next time. It won't take anything from you to eat like a decent human being", She said to him before walking away.
On hearing the retreating footsteps, Danre stretched his head out to make sure she was gone.
"How dare you make the princess uncomfortable?". His blood ran cold when he heard the words. Xander approached him with a murderous glare and Dante pushed himself into the flower bed to hide.
He didn't succeed, because Xander grabbed his hand and yanked him out roughly. Hot tears brewed in Dante's eyes.
"I didn't mean to, please. I-I d-didn't know S-She would c-come h-here… " Xander yanked him up by the collar.
"The nerve of you to lie to me! I witnessed everything, you bastard!" Xander barked, punching him across the face. Dante winced, spitting out blood.
"I-I'm s-sorry…." Dante managed to apologize. Xander shoved him to the floor.
"Be rest assured that I will inform the king about this. You will be duly punished" Xander snarled.
"No.. no.. no.. don't do this to me, please. I was only eating, I swear. P-Please, believe m-me…" Dante pleaded, grabbing his feet to prevent him from leaving.
"I don't care for your stupid explanations. Let go of me, this instant!" Xander barked.
"Please…"
"Don't make me repeat myself!"
Dante quickly let go and Xander walked away without another word.
Dante hugged himself tightly, unable to shed the tears that stung his eyes. Punishment was inevitable for him, no matter how well-behaved he tried to be.
He remained on the spot, waiting for the guards to arrive. A few lashes wouldn't kill him, that is if they were planning on just whipping him.
"Do you like it?” Kitanna asked. "You're not the one who made it, so why are you eager for a review?” Almira asked. Kitanna pouted. "It was just a question. You don't have to be mean about it”. "I don't like it. I prefer them fresh,” Almira answered. Kitanna opened her mouth to complain, but Almira threw her a look that made her shudder. Kitanna watched the Princess clear the plate and looked away as soon as Almira looked up. "More?” "You said you don't it,” Kitanna reminded her. "I don't like it, but I am hungry. Can I get some more?”. "You will have to come with me then. They have lots of frozen fish, so I can fry as many as you want. You can fry too if you want “, Kitanna said. “Smart mouth! You are the servant here, not me. I don't have to help with the cooking,” Almira stated, and Kitanna's excitement vanished. She picked up the plate, muttering incoherent words. Almira ignored her grumbling and stared ahead. "You're not coming?” Kitanna asked. "You're not going to st
Dante couldn't move from the spot. His whole body hurt, and his chest tightened with each breath. It was a struggle to even open his eyes. "You were lucky, today. Get your pathetic self out of here”, A soldier hissed, kicking him over. Dante let out a weak groan. Almira stopped in front of Kitanna. “Happy now, or do you want me to carry him too?”. “Thank you”, Kitanna smiled. Almira rolled her eyes and walked away. The maid quickly rushed to Dante when she noticed the soldiers ganging up to kick him around. "Enough!” She ordered. They moved away in shock, surprised that the two gorgeous women were going out of their way to save him. “You will harm him no further! Pick him up and follow me”. The soldiers exchanged glances. Her beautiful emerald eyes burned like a flame, challenging them to defy her. They cowered, pulling Dante by his hands off the floor. Kitanna wasn't sure where to take him. Bringing him to Almira's chambers would enrage the princess. She had to find a safe
Everyone was surprised to see Dante ok his feet. They expected he would at least take a week or two to recover. Even Dante couldn't explain the speedy recovery. Though his wounds were still fresh, they didn't hurt nearly as much as they should have. Most people consider speedy recovery a good thing until Dante was involved, then it became sorcery. He kept his eyes on the ground, walking briskly to the kitchen. "Ahhh! Here you are! I was almost sure you wouldn't survive yesterday's torture. Don't you get tired of proving us wrong?" Guirello asked with a sweet smile like his words were innocent.Dante lowered his gaze, willing the ache in his heart to disappear. He had existed in this misery for twenty-one years. One would think he would have gotten used to hurtful words. "Is there anything you want me to do today, sir?" He politely asked. Guirello took a look around the kitchen. "Mmm.. nothing for now. How about you help yourself with some leftovers?".Dante looked up,
Almira watched him intensely. Dante felt uncomfortable under her scrutiny and shifted in his seat several times. Kitanna noticed his movements and turned to Almira, who didn't even blink. "Are you sure you're full, princess? You've barely eaten anything, though you were scolding me for being twenty minutes late", Kitanna attempted to steal her attention away from Dante. "You talk too much", Almira replied without looking away from Dante. "Is my gaze making you uncomfortable?"Dante choked at the question. Kitanna quickly poured him a glass of water. Dante finished it in one gulp and dropped the glass. "So…. What exactly made you choke?" Almira smirked. He almost choked the second time. Deciding he couldn't handle further embarrassment, he opted to leave the table. "T-Thank Y-You for the meal. M-May… I leave now?" He asked, bowing his head. "No, you may not. Finish your breakfast, I'm leaving anyways". Almira stood and walked out of the kitchen after that. Da
There was chaos in the palace. Dante had gone wild, attacking everyone and destroying everything he came in contact with. The soldiers quickly sent words to the King, informing him of the situation. "Why do you have to inform me of everything the monster lets loose? Do I have to repeat the same instructions a thousand times over before it sticks in my memory? Throw him in the damn well and cover it up until he lets go of those demons!" King Edwardo snapped. The soldiers flinched and scurried away.Queen Adora held her chest with a gasp. "Throw him in the well?" "It's the only way he'll get back his senses. I don't know why I put up with that nuisance for this long. I give him food, and put a roof on his hideous head, what does he do in return? He injures my workers and destroys my property. How can he be any more worthless?" Edwardo bawled. "Do not speak of him like that, he is our son! He was unfortunate to be born that way. He didn't ask for it. I feel so ashamed of
"I was thinking of a tour around the kingdom," Kitanna said, gently massaging Almira's feet. "A tour around the kingdom, you are yet to finish touring the palace" Almira replied. Kitanna pouted. "Whose fault is it?" "Well, it isn't mine" Almira shrugged, then sighted Prince Xander from afar. When she let out a groan, Kitanna followed her line of sight. "Why does he have to be so clingy?" "You were the one who disrupted his wedding. There were better options than that. You gave him hope, now he wants to be by your side," Kitanna chuckled. Almira stared at the man approaching them. "I never promised him love or marriage. I told him plainly that he had something that belonged to me". "You said he couldn't get married while he has your heart. There are many interpretations to that sentence, princess". "Greetings, beautiful ladies," Xander said with his usual charm, bowing slightly. Almira rolled her eyes while Kitanna grinned. "How are you doing today, princess?
Almira watched as Kitanna struggled to pull off the lid. Dante's cries were deafening to their sensitive ears. "Can you tone it down? I get that you're suffering but you do not have to be so loud about it", Almira said in a voice loud enough for Dante to hear.Kitanna stopped trying to push it open, "How about you help me with the lid so we can get him out faster? Do you think he enjoys screaming? He is clearly in agony, you don't expect him to laugh about it". "He doesn't have to be so weak. It's irritating!" Almira retorted. "Are you sure you have a heart? Every minute, you make me believe that this journey was in vain," Kitanna seethed. Almira ignored her and crushed the lock. She pushed the lid open, mentally noting it was unusually hot. Kitanna felt a little stupid for not noticing there was a lock, but she was glad it was open anyway. "L-Let me o-out p-please…." Dante sobbed. "I'll be good, I promise…"It was evident from his voice that he was in severe pain. K
Dante forgot to breathe for a second. "They are so blue…"Dante blinked, snapping out of the initial trance. He searched her eyes thoroughly. It couldn't be right. "What are you searching for, Dante?" Almira asked, softly. His eyes widened and he looked away. His heart pounded as the sleek fingers caressed his face. "Is this why you wear the mask and gloves?" She asked. Dante was surprised at the question. The way it casually rolled from her lips like it was no big deal. His appearance made people uncomfortable. It made them despise and ridicule him. Why was she giving the opposite reaction?Her eyes held his in a way that made his heart flutter, which was a very bad sign. "Why do you look at me differently? Are you not afraid of being infected?" He asked timidly. Almira laughed. "Infected?" Dante bit his lip. How can she find his situation funny? "Is that what the books say? That you infect others by eye contact?" Almira asked. He chewed on his nails nerv