"Did you think about what I told you?" Kitanna asked Dante. 
"I… I guess…" he responded with uncertainty. Kitanna wasn't pleased with the skepticism. How hard was it for him to just return her feelings? From The events she witnessed, she was hundred percent certain no one had eyes for him and he didn't like anyone either. 
So why was he still thinking about her proposal? 
"I want to be with you, Dante. I don't know how else to prove to you that you mean so much to me. Why are you being unnecessarily difficult?" She asked.
Dante didn't utter a word. If he had a way, he would escape the situation. Kitanna's persuasiveness was beginning to get to him. 
He wanted to take his time. He needed to be sure he was making the right decision. He didn't want to give in to pressure when he felt nothing for her.
"Won't you say anything?" Kitanna asked when he remained silent for too long.
"I don't know what to say. I like you a lot but I don't know if it extends beyond friendship. What if I make the wrong decision and end up hurting you in the future?" He asked.
"And why do you think accepting my love would be a wrong decision? To the best of my knowledge, you don't like anyone," she said, then paused for a few seconds, "or do you?"
No reply.
"You like someone?"
No reply.
"Dante?"
"I'm not sure," he finally answered.
"So there is a possibility of you liking someone else? Who is that person? Does she treat you better than I do?" Kitanna asked, unable to hide her jealousy.
It broke her heart that Dante did not even try to deny it. He just remained silent, watching her keenly.
"Here we go again. It has gotten to the point where you ignore me too?" Kitanna raised her voice. Dante flinched, shocked by the sudden switch.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that you are pressurizing me and it makes me anxious. Your feelings… I am not against them. I'm just not sure how to respond. I don't want you to regret it in the future," he said lowly.
The frustration she felt was evident in her eyes. Dante shifted away softly, afraid she would go physical on him. 
Kitanna stood up, desperate for fresh air. "I will see you later. It's obvious this conversation is not working." 
"I'm sorry," he apologized but she walked out without sparing him a second glance. 
"Maybe I should have just accepted her," he thought aloud.
"Accepted who?" He heard a familiar voice behind him. "Hello, Dante," Kimorra smiled, taking a seat beside him. 
Dante put space between them when he noticed how close their skin was. The last thing he needed was busy contact with noble blood. It ended up with scolding and punishments that were ten times heavier than the crime. 
"You don't have to move so far away, Dante. I don't bite," she laughed softly. 
"I am fine here, your highness," he replied without a hint of humor. Kimorra sighed.
"You don't have to be so serious around me. Like I said, I come in peace, as a friend if you want," she said. 
He clicked his tongue to keep from replying to what was in his mind. He couldn't help but wonder why everyone around him suddenly became so persistent. 
He was used to going unnoticed until he committed a crime, but now they all seemed to be coming after him for unusual reasons. Reasons he should have no business with on a normal.
"I understand you and I have nothing against you seeking friendship. I just want you to be honest with me. If you want something, tell me so we can both move on. I don't want to get used to this and then you leave because you have gotten whatever you wanted," he said. 
The words got to her. She knew within her that he was right. She would leave the minute she got the information she wanted.
"Fine, but you must promise to tell me the truth," she said.
"If I can," he humbly replied.
"Good enough," she shrugged. "The day you went…" she trailed off, searching for a suitable and less insulting word for it. 
"What day?"
"The day you… episode, yes! The day you had an episode, Kitanna went looking for you and she found you drowning… "
"Dante!" Kitanna called from a distance and he got off the seat and hurried to her without glancing back. 
Kimorra cursed inwardly. She was more than sure that Kitanna had called Dante on purpose. 
Meanwhile, Almira had just returned from her kingdom and Dante was the first person she asked about.
"Your Highness!" Dante squealed and plunged into her arms before he realized it. Almira laughed and wrapped her arms around him.
"I take it, you missed me."
"Yes, I did. It was so boring without you," he said and Almira grinned. 
"I missed you too. I hope Kitanna took good care of you. Did you get into any form of trouble?" She asked and Dante shook his head. 
When Almira glanced at Kitanna, she immediately sensed that something was off. The girl was sad, almost heartbroken.
"What happened, Anna?" She asked through the mind link. 
"I'll tell you later," Kitanna responded. 
Almira turned her focus to Dante and cupped his face affectionately.
"How many books did you read in my absence? Tell me all about it," she said and he gave a beautiful smile.
"Lots of them. You might get bored."
"Let's talk about that inside," she said, releasing his face to hold his hand. 
Kitanna trailed behind them sullenly. She couldn't help but notice the closeness between them. The excitement on Dante's face the minute Almira showed up. She couldn't help but wonder if Almira was the reason Dante refused to acknowledge her feelings. 
Just then Xander appeared from nowhere and pulled Almira away from Dante.
"It's a pleasure to have you back, honey. Now you're here, we can go ahead and prepare for our engagement."