133: Birds in the bed

Birds in the bed

Music Recommendation: The memory of Danhyang- Oh Yeo Na2

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Before Anastasia could even open her eyes, tears welled up and escaped from the corner at the boy's sufferings she saw in her dream, and her eyes finally fluttered open. A shuddered breath escaped from her lips, and she turned to find Dante sleeping beside her, lying on his side. 

Anastasia couldn't believe that someone as strong and capable as Dante had gone through such hardships, where people openly looked down on him and called him names when he was only a vulnerable child. Her heart broke at his memories, and she gently placed her hand on his cheek, prompting him to slowly open his eyes. 

"Did you have a bad dream?" Dante asked her, his voice carrying a slight huskiness. 

"People are crueller than demons," Anastasia remarked, her heart feeling as heavy as yesterday, weighed down by the memories she had witnessed. "I will not let anyone hurt you."

Dante's gaze held a hint of curiosity as he smiled and said, "My brave and courageous rabbit." He could tell that she had ventured into his past, which their bond had allowed her to glimpse. He continued, "Don't be sad for what you saw. What happened in the past shaped my present, and it is the reason I am who I am today."

Anastasia couldn't help but question how his life as an earthling was painful, as was his time before his demon side awakened. He was much better off as a demon, able to shield himself from the pain inflicted by others. Her fingertips lightly brushed against his jawline as she stared at him quietly. 

"I wish you had a better father… not King William," Anastasia murmured, feeling melancholic. "You should have had my father."

A peaceful smile spread across Dante's lips, and he replied, "If I had him, then it would have been impossible for us to be together, wouldn't it? Besides, I wouldn't want to steal your father away from you." 

Anastasia pondered for a moment before replying, "I can share him with you now. You will like him." Though she wondered how her parents would react to the news that she was going to marry Dante, someone whose family had kidnapped her and her sister from them. "Did you sleep well?" 

"I guess better than the last few days. Having you near is soothing," Dante stated before bringing his hand to gently touch her neck where he had bitten her and staring at it. "If you need more rest, you should sleep some more. No one will disturb you."

She hadn't realised she had fallen unconscious, and she noticed light seeping through the gaps between the curtains. She said, "I think I am well-rested now." And not a moment later, Dante leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead. 

Dante murmured, "My beautiful girl," and this brought a smile to her lips. 

When they sat upright on the bed, Anastasia's attention was drawn to the markings on the backs of his hands, resembling the roots of a tree, which had spread even further. She frowned and asked, "What happened to your hands?" 

"It is the bond that has formed with you, just like on your neck," Dante's eyes fleetingly shifted to look at her neck once again. 

"My neck?" Anastasia inquired, then hurriedly scrambled out of bed and walked towards the mirror. As she looked at her reflection, she noticed how her hair looked tousled, resembling a bird's nest due to the salt in the sea and the wind. But then she caught sight of her neck and took a step closer. 

Similar to the black thorns marking on Dante's hands, there was a pattern of thorns etched on her skin, originating from the spot where he had bitten her on the side of her neck and disappearing beneath her dress. She pulled the neckline of her dress to the side to see where the marking extended  and was stunned that this was how it worked. 

Anastasia turned to look at Dante, who was watching her. To think that yesterday at this very hour, she had been overcome with sadness, and now her heart was full from all the happy things that had occurred. With a contented smile, she said, 

"Thank you."

"I didn't do anything; it is all thanks to you." Dante held a peaceful expression, and he stood up from the bed. He made his way to her and said, "You jumped from the ship. Not that I wouldn't have swum to get to you."

Anastasia felt shy under Dante's unyielding gaze because he never looked away from her; his eyes locked onto her without wavering. Her stomach grumbled as she hadn't eaten anything for many hours, and a chuckle escaped from his lips. 

"Do you want me to order someone to bring you food to the room?" Dante asked her, and Anastasia shook her head. 

"I think I will take a bath first," Anastasia replied, as she felt a little sticky, and even though Dante was being kind towards her, she wanted to be presentable rather than appear as if she were prepared to house birds in her hair. She said, "I… should go and take a bath." 

Dante didn't stop her and said, "You should, before I drag you into the bath right here." Even though the Golden Moon had disappeared, his urges hadn't, but he wanted to treasure Anastasia just as she deserved. He could have his fill later, he thought to himself.

When Anastasia returned to her room, she found Theresa already present. Hearing her footsteps, the older woman turned and smiled at her. She said, 

"I knew you were going to come back. They say the third time is always the charm. Welcome back, Anna." Theresa opened her arms wide, and Anastasia quickly walked over to her before hugging the woman. 

"I am back," Anastasia replied with a smile. 

If someone had told her in the past that she would be happy returning to the palace, she would have looked at them as if they had lost their mind. 

The older woman said, "I heard about you being the king's soulmate, Anna, and I am so happy for you! After everything you had to endure in the past, God has bestowed his blessings upon you." Anastasia silently hoped God would shower her with continued blessings because a part of her felt she still needed them. 

After thoroughly rinsing the sea salt from her hair and body during her bath, Anastasia donned a new dress. When she stepped out of the room, she found Dante patiently waiting for her. She turned to look at Theresa, who said with a bow, 

"I will have your clothes placed back in the cupboard, Lady Anastasia." 

Anastasia walked to where Dante stood, noticing him stare at her dress and murmur, "This should do for the trip later."

"Trip?" Anastasia asked while looking down at her dress. 

Dante smiled at her before he remarked, "My imp seems to have gone missing from the living realm, when I instructed him to complete his task. It is an opportune time to take a trip to the underworld, once you are fed."

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