130: Mine, as much as I am yours

Mine, as much as I am yours

Music Recommendation: Lights are on- Tom Rosenthal1

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It took some time before Anastasia's tears finally ceased, and she calmed down. They sat on the ground, with her sitting on Dante's lap, her face buried in his chest, and his arms around her. 

Anastasia hadn't meant to cry this much, but once she started, she simply couldn't stop. He felt warmer than usual, as if she had found her way back home, and despite the recklessness of her decision, she was glad she had jumped off the ship. She wondered if the ship that had sailed without her would return once it was discovered that she was missing. 

"The fragrance of jasmine has now been replaced by the scent of the sea," Dante murmured as he caressed her head. 

Anastasia slowly pulled away from his chest, and her tear-filled eyes met his darkened ones. She asked, "You noticed?"

"I always notice, particularly when it concerns you," Dante answered, as his eyes drank her in without missing a single detail. He brought his hand to her face and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, allowing his fingertips to linger on the back of her ear, delicately tracing the contours of her skin and noticing the way she shivered in response. 

Having detected the scent of jasmine on her, Dante had to hold himself back from yielding to its compelling allure earlier. He asked her, "Feeling better now?"

Anastasia nodded, and before long, she felt Dante press his lips against her temple. He expressed, "Don't cry, little rabbit. It breaks my heart when you do."

Now that he was back to using his old endearments, Anastasia felt like she was floating on clouds. Curiously, she inquired, "How did your meeting with the Elder ministers go?" Because she assumed that was what had kept him from seeing her off. 

"I had to cut it short," Dante replied, taking her hand into his own and caressing it with his thumb. 

When Anastasia's eyes fell on his knuckles, she carefully took his hand with both of hers and asked him, "Are you still hurting?" She wondered if he still had those urges he had mentioned before.

"I don't think I care about it anymore," Dante stated, and internally, he was overwhelmed by what he had discovered. "Everything I have felt until now pales in significance to the present and the future."

Anastasia gently lifted one of his hands, bringing it to her lips, before pressing a kiss on the grazed skin. She said, "You shouldn't have to suffer alone, Dante. Is there nothing I can do to help?" 

Dante stared into her brown eyes, which earnestly looked back at him, and he pulled Anastasia closer to him. He softly said, "You forget I am a demon of the underworld, my rabbit. Simple wounds like these…" He revealed the back of his hand, where the wounds vanished, leaving her astonished. "My mind was preoccupied, and I neglected to mend it before you noticed. But, if you intend to grace my wounds with your kisses, I think I will allow them to stay."

His words brought a smile to Anastasia's lips, and she adjusted herself to face him completely. She saw how Dante wasn't merely looking at her but delving into the depths of her soul, as if he yearned to know everything, from her emotions to her thoughts. 

Anastasia felt her heart squeeze in her chest, but this time, it wasn't out of pain, but from a surge of happiness so profound it could bring tears to her eyes. 

"You don't have to do that for me to kiss you," Anastasia said to him, leaning towards him. 

Dante's fingers trailed along her jawline, and he murmured, "Is that so?" 

He closed the distance between their lips, capturing her lips in his and kissing her tenderly. She kissed him back with the same vigour, their emotions bursting through like the colours of the sky as they moved as close as they could, not wanting to be separated again. The kiss made her giddy, a sweet yet passionate kiss, making her melt in his arms. 

Anastasia asked him, worried, "Do I taste salty?" 

"You taste wonderful, my seasoned rabbit." Dante smiled before kissing her again.

Anastasia held onto Dante, her initially timid grip growing firm on his arms as seconds passed, with the water wavering and the birds returning to their nests as the sky gradually darkened. They continued to sit there, unbothered and undisturbed, slowly compensating for the time they had lost the last few days. 

"We should return to the palace so that you don't catch a cold," Dante suggested, as her dress was still wet.

"I can fix that…" Anastasia responded, and Dante's eyebrows rose slightly as he wondered what she meant. Like him, she had been too engrossed in her emotions to pay attention to whether her dress was wet or dry. She rose from his lap to sit next to him. Clearing her throat, she whispered, "Transform the dress into something dry and comfortable."

The dress emitted a glow before transforming into a pale shade of pink, leaving Dante taken aback. She explained, "Marianne had given this dress to me on the night of Lady Sophia's birthday. It is what I used to dress up as Tasia Flores."

"Even though I have seen many miracles, this one might be the most intriguing. It seems like this dress knows what suits you well, as many women were envious of your wardrobe," Dante said, impressed as he looked at her. 

When Anastasia's eyes briefly glanced at the sky, she noticed that the moon, which appeared more prominent than on most days, looked as if it were glowing. Still staring at it, she asked him, "Will every full moon affect you from now on?" 

"Just twice a year, when the moon is enveloped in gold," Dante replied to her, his gaze fixed on Anastasia, who was admiring the moon's golden hue. He continued, "Every time the Golden Moon makes its appearance, it brings out the innate nature of demons. However, there's more to it, as it is also said to draw soulmates together. Those who haven't formed a bond will be compelled to connect."

Feeling Dante's eyes on her, she turned to meet his eyes as he said, "It allows us demons to be able to find the person who was made just for us."

A breeze swept over where they sat as Anastasia's eyes slowly widened, and a surge of adrenaline seemed to flood her mind, stealing her breath away. Her heart started to pump faster as she asked, "You mean… we are…" She felt goosebumps form on her shoulders. "We two are meant for each other?" 

"We are each other's soulmates, Anastasia. You are mine, and I am yours for eternity," Dante revealed to her. 

For a fleeting moment, Anastasia wondered if she was dreaming while aboard the ship. But she hadn't forgotten the fact that she had ingested seawater before emerging from it. She asked, "H—How do you know for sure?" What if it was incorrect?

"It is the unique scent that you emit. Each person has a particular scent that only their partner can detect. Earthlings don't possess abilities like demons or half-demons like my family and others," Dante remarked, gently taking her hand in his. "You carry the scent of air after rainfall," he added, closing his eyes. 

Anastasia's eyes welled up upon Dante's words. She knew he wouldn't take another woman, but to know that they had been soulmates all along brought a smile to her lips, even as her eyes teetered on the verge of tears. 

She drew in a deep breath, and then uttered, "I am so happy," as if her heart were ready to explode from the pure happiness that filled it. Dante smiled at her warmly because he was equally happy. 

Dante rose to his feet and helped Anastasia stand while pulling her into another embrace, as if he couldn't get enough of her. "There are a few matters to attend to, but once we return to the palace," he informed her, and Anastasia nodded in agreement.

Before Dante and Anastasia mounted the horse, the resounding blare of a ship's horn echoed through the air, and soon, the ship she had boarded earlier made its way back to the dock. She turned, embarrassed, as the ship gradually drew nearer until it came to a halt alongside the dock. 

"Your Highness, please forgive us for our negligence!" One of Dante's men, positioned by the railing, expressed himself apologetically before stepping down onto the dock. The men appeared worried, their expressions marred with dread. "We didn't realise, because that man almost fell into the water and—"

"There's no need to fret," Dante raised his hand for the man to stop spluttering. "You can unload Lady Anastasia's trunks and continue with the voyage."

The men visibly relaxed as they realised they weren't going to face any punishment, while Anastasia's gaze shifted towards the ship, catching sight of Gabriel standing by the railing. He observed the king's arm encircling the young woman's waist before he looked at her, noticing she was in a better mood compared to a while ago. 

Anastasia was thankful for Gabriel's help earlier, and she smiled at him, observing him shake his head in response, returning the smile. Dante's men boarded the ship again, and they finally departed with Gabriel, along with the trunks that Dante had intended for Anastasia's family. 

"Ready to head back?" Dante asked, causing her to tear her gaze away from the sea to look at him.

Anastasia smiled and replied, "Ready." They walked over to where Oasis stood, and once Dante mounted the horse, he assisted her in settling in front of him before they rode back to the palace. 

Back in the Blackthorn Palace, as the guests continued to celebrate the new king's reign, they remained oblivious to the grim truth that three people had died and their lifeless bodies were being dragged to the dungeon. Meanwhile, on the forbidden side of the palace, Raylen stood drinking a bottle filled with blood as he stared at the Blackthorn rose. 

Taking another sip from his bottle, Raylen left from there, before instructing the servants to bring down his three trunks. And as the servants carried the luggage towards the palace's entrance, he followed closely behind. Along the way, he encountered the worried Mother Queen, who looked surprised upon seeing him walking with the trunks. 

"You are leaving?" the Mother Queen asked him, her question arising while she awaited Dante's return to the palace, as he had been missing since Aziel last saw him. 

"I have had a wonderful time here, but I received summons to return to Storm Kingdom yesterday. And I don't believe there's any reason for me to extend my stay here," Raylen stated, offering the older woman a polite smile. "I am sure that Dante can handle the rest."

The Mother Queen heard a muffled sound, and her gaze shifted towards the trunks. Raylen said, "I think you might like to take a look at the Blackthorn rose." 

Seeming to grasp the situation, the Mother Queen remarked, "It was nice having you here, Prince Raylen."

"Wishing you a pleasant evening, Queen Ginger," Raylen conveyed, watching the woman quickly head towards the restricted side of the palace. He patted one of the trunks and ordered the servants, "Careful with this one. It contains something precious, and I'd rather it remain undamaged on my journey back to my kingdom. Have these ready for my departure." 

The Mother Queen arrived where the Blackthorn rose was rooted, her quick footsteps gradually slowing as her attention was drawn to an array of golden curves filling its surroundings with light. The rose was trying to restore itself, as its withered petals began to gradually regain their suppleness and colour. 

"It is coming back to life!" the Mother Queen exclaimed, punctuating her words with a delightful clap and a hearty laugh. As the light dissipated, she saw that the rose had returned to its former glory, but it was yet to stand upright from its wilted position. "Just a little longer... Aziel!" she shouted for her minister, as if he would appear at her word. "Open that bottle I have been saving just for this occasion!" 

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