Chapter 52 – A Night to Forget

Groggily, Dante felt his senses slowly return to him. He saw dark green walls illuminated by fluorescent plants and realized he was back in the village. He felt warm, comfortable, and relaxed. It felt like it was a long time since he was this calm.

Dante pushed himself up to look around—

"Ah!" He heard a quick exclamation below him.

It was at this point Dante realized one of his hands wasn't on soft bedding, but something more firm, and warm. Hesitantly, he looked down. A boy was below him, a pair of dog ears sticking out of his head.

"…Keel?" Dante stared wide-eyed at him.

"H-Hey, Dante…" Keel said in a slightly shaky voice. His arms were pressed against his sides. "How are you feeling?"

Horror started to fill him. Dante saw both he and Keel were completely naked, save for a single sheet that partially covered the both of them.

"Keel." Dante's voice was strained.

"Yes?" Keel seemed to shrink back at his name.

"Please say you came onto me." Dante said.

On Keel's body were countless blemishes. Hickeys, bite marks, and bits of dried blood covered Keel's neck and upper body. With the dried sweat Dante could feel on his own body, it wasn't hard to figure out what they did.

"What?" Keel asked, still looking up at him.

"Please tell me you had sex with me last night, and those marks on you were from me trying to push you away. I won't be mad." The alternative was far more distressing to Dante at the moment.

"I'd never do that!" Keel shouted, though he immediately shrank back again.

"I don't care what it was, just please tell me I didn't force myself on you." He'd done a lot of things, but Dante never did that to someone. He prayed that hadn't changed last night.

Keel slowly shook his head. "Not really…"

"'Not really'?" Dante repeated the words. "Keel, either I did or I didn't. There's not a lot of in-between."

"I'll tell you. But first, can you…cover yourself?" Keel turned his head away.

Dante winced. He moved himself off of Keel and pulled the sheet over his chest. He could feel the soreness in his body as he did so.

He took in a breath and asked, "What did I do?"

Keel pushed himself up, making sure he stayed covered down below as well. "What do you remember?"

Dante rubbed the side of his head. "It's…hard to remember. There were the parades. I rode on the dragon to the next town. You were there. Then…"

After that, it was too hazy. He knew he teleported them to the village, but he couldn't really recall anything else.

Keel nodded. "I brought you to your room here and got Rat. She examined you and said your curse was making you act weird."

"How did it get so bad so quickly?" Dante asked. "I thought it wasn't progressing."

"She said it didn't. It was getting stronger, but it wasn't becoming permanent or anything. She told you that, didn't she?"

Dante thought back. He vaguely recalled her mentioning it, but it didn't seem like anything was happening to him, so he disregarded it.

"And…the reason we're in bed together?" Dante went to the heart of his concern.

"She said…being with a man should bring you back to normal for a while." Keel said sheepishly.

"I see…" Dante murmured. He leaned his head back against the headboard of the bed. "I really screwed up."

"Huh?" Keel looked confused. "What do you mean? The curse made you like that, right?"

Dante shook his head. "Rat apparently warned me about this. I could have done something—anything—to prepare. Instead, I ignored her and stayed stuck inside my own head. Because of that, I let an easily preventable problem affect someone I care about." Dante turned his head to look at him. "I'm so sorry."

"It's fine."

"It's not fine." Dante leaned up again. "Was I…did I hurt you?" He remembered the time he spent with Khana and Sadeena. A few healing salves were used before they returned to the festivities.

Keel rubbed his arm. "A little, I guess."

This curse was a little funny at first, and only a little annoying. Now it's completely detrimental.

Sighing, Dante continued. "I've fucked up a lot since coming to this world, but this…To do this to a child—"

"I'm not a child!" Keel protested. "I'm a man! I'm an adult!"

"I'm an adult. You are 10 years old with a forcibly matured body and mind."

"So is Rifana, and she wants to marry you! I think Atla does too! I'm still an adult now! Besides, you look only about a year older than me!"

"That's not…ugh!" Dante really didn't want to argue, and he didn't have the room to complain.

"I was with you during those parades." Keel went on. "I knew something was wrong, but I didn't really do anything about it. I had to make up for it somehow."

"That was not your responsibility—"

"And I never had a way to thank you for saving us. You've done so much, and what have I done to repay you? Nothing." Keel placed his hands on his knees as he leaned forward. "A man has to pay his debts. A man should do what needs to be done."

Dante remembered a bit more from the parades, specifically the breaks. Aside from Dante petting him like a dog, Keel asked more about being a man, and how he should act. Dante couldn't remember everything he said, but that sounded like what he would say.

With a heavy sigh, Dante turned to fully face him, still covering his chest. "Sorry you felt like you had to…no, I'm sorry you did have to. I was out of my mind and needed help. If it was someone else, they may have gotten hurt beyond a few bite marks. If you didn't step up, who knows what would have happened. You did good, Keel."

Keel's eyes widened. Then, he beamed. "Thank you!"

Dante shook his head. "No, thank you."

While this outcome was likely preferable to a lot of possible alternatives, Dante wasn't satisfied with it. The highly visible marks on Keels body were plain evidence of what he did.

"I want to joke to lighten the mood a little, but I don't think I should." Dante said.

"…Go ahead." Keel replied.

Dante smiled. "At least I kept you away from those Siltvelt women."

Keel groaned. "You're the worst!" Despite his words, there was a smile on his face.

"I'll have to think of a way to reward you." Dante told him.

Keel quickly shook his head. "No, this was to repay—"

"Keel, I took your first time." Dante said. "To be with someone intimately…Your first should be with someone you cherish, not because you owe someone a favor, and certainly not with a crazed hero who'd hurt just about anyone else available."

"It wasn't that bad." Keel said before turning his head down. "I…kind of…"

"What?" Dante asked, still looking at him.

Keel's face started turning red. "I…liked it."

"Oh."

Dante didn't really consider all aspects of the situation. Sure, Keel needed to help with this, but that didn't necessarily mean it was a bad experience.

Keel went on. "It was just…really intense."

"Yeah, I can see that." Dante's eyes looked over the marks on him again. Given how long they were there, healing wouldn't clear them up right away. Keel's HP was already full anyway. "In that case, I'll just do something nice for you later because I want to."

"Okay." Keel nodded at that.

"For now, we should probably get dressed." Dante shifted on the bed and looked around.

"You're clothes are over there." Keel pointed to the corner of the room.

Dante saw his usual outfit there. In between there and the bed, he also saw one of the dresses that was made for the parades. It was quite thoroughly destroyed. Ignoring it, Dante got up and made for his clothes. The tailor had a few dresses made anyway, so it wasn't that big of a deal. The others were at the site of the next parade.

A thought occurred to him. "Hey, Keel?"

"Yes!?" When Dante looked at him, Keel quickly turned his head away.

Dante had a small smirk, but ignored Keel's obvious gazing. "Rat said having sex with a man would help for a while, right? How long until I lose myself again?"

Keel picked up his clothes from the floor, dressing himself under the sheet. "She didn't really say. I think it's going to slowly get stronger since she said, uh…"

"What?" Dante asked, but he was already suspecting what the answer might be.

"…She said doing that once a day should be enough." Keel couldn't even look at him as he said it.

Dante slowly nodded. "So, we'll be spending the night together for the foreseeable future."

Keel nodded, standing with his long shorts on. He pulled his shirt over his head, though it did little to hide the marks.

"Then I really need to do something nice for you." Dante finished dressing and walked around the bed.

There was the possibility he could get someone else to do it if he wasn't going to be aggressive with them. However, there weren't any good options easily available. The humans in this village were slaves before, so he felt like asking any of them would come off as a command. It was similar to the demi-humans, who he rescued from Reichnott's territory. He could ask someone from Siltvelt, but even with his limited political experience he knew that was a terrible idea.

"There is one thing." Keel gripped his arm, his face staying red. "It's just a little…"

"Keel, whatever it is, I'm sure it's less embarrassing than what happened yesterday."

Keel moved his hand up and down his arm. "Next time, could I…take the lead?" He cautiously lifted his head to meet Dante's eyes. "Sadeena gave me some advice before I came here, but I didn't really get to use most of it."

"Of course she did." Dante said, hands on his hips as he shook his head. It was probably very practical, with some added stuff to it. "Sure. I'm inconveniencing you here, so however you want to do it is fine."

Once he saw Rat, he'd make sure fixing him was her top priority.

Opening the door to the room, Dante was greeted with a mass slamming into his chest.

"Gau!" A violet dragon the size of Dante's torso clung to him, its eyes gleaming.

"Uh, hello." Dante hesitantly said, holding an arm under the dragon.

"Gau!" The dragon proceeded to lick Dante's face.

"Alright, alright." Dante held down its head to stop it. "Keel, do you know where this dragon came from?"

Keel cocked his head to the side. "Huh? That's the dragon you've been carrying, remember? It hatched…yesterday…"

"Oh…"

Now that he thought about it, he didn't recall holding an egg on the flying dragon before. There…may have been something clinging to his front on the flight.

I'm going to have to play catch up for the past few days.

From the makeshift window in his room, he saw the sun had barely made it past the horizon, so the rest of his party was likely still asleep. Fiadia was already awake and greeted them as they entered the dining area.

"Good morning, Lord Shield." She said, trying not to look anywhere in particular.

"Morning, Fiadia." Dante returned the greeting. Keel was looking to the side, already having transformed to his therianthrope form.

"How are you?" She asked him.

"Better, I suppose." He still had a few things to work out, but at least his mind was clearer now. "I've missed out on a few things, like this little cutie here."

"Gau!" The dragon happily snuggled in his arm.

"I was thinking I make breakfast, since I can't really remember how much I have recently. Would you fill me in while I cook?" He asked.

"Of course, Lord Shield." Fiadia nodded, following them to the manor's kitchen.

According to Fiadia, the village hadn't changed that much. The people finished constructing a ranch near the edge, and it was populated with a few monsters bought with the money from selling the mercenaries. Dante recognized a few of them, such as dunes and caterpillands, earthworm and caterpillar like monsters, respectively. There were filolials, too. Some were for transportation and travel, while others were for meat and eggs. Dante wasn't too worried about his kids' view on that, since JoJo once saw a filolial and thought it looked tasty.

A few of the people who had levels started hunting in the nearby forest. It wasn't particularly dangerous, mostly usapils and other weak monsters. Sometimes others in his party who weren't leveling with Sadeena would help out there. Fields were tilled and started to get seeded with less nutrient sucking plants than the bioplant. There was even a trader who would come by and buy up the extra medicine Dante continued to make with his shield. Apparently, Fiadia had already worked out a good deal between the two of them while he was out of it.

Integration between humans and demi-humans continued to improve, in no small part thanks to Dio and JoJo playing with the children. Fiadia spent a lot of time translating between the two races, so she was thankful a number of people with Dante spoke both languages. They also helped the villagers learn each other's language to reduce the need later on.

With the domestic affairs caught up, Keel went around to wake the others while Dante and Fiadia laid out the food. Dante set a separate plate on the floor for the dragon, who happily began eating it. They began to trickle in and take their seats, concern clear on their faces. Dante held off on speaking until everyone was there. Most of his regular party was present, plus Rishia and Elvira. Reiko was absent, hanging out in the lab with Rat.

Dante had asked Keel about Reiko as he talked with Fiadia, concerned she was going through something similar to him. Reiko had already noticed something wrong and decided to stay away from any boys, remaining in the lab until the curse was complete. It was part of the reason Rat asked Dante about any changes.

"Alright, so…" Dante began. All eyes were on him. He wasn't sure how to start his explanation. "As you've all seen, I've taken Keel as a lover." So, he started with a joke.

The silence in the room was deafening. Keel's face began reddening again, even under his fur.

"Someone please laugh." Dante said in a quieter voice.

"Hahaha!"

Dante sighed, giving a light chuckle. "Thank you, Atla." In this moment, he was thankful to have a yes-man. It helped him relax a little, helping him for what he needed to say next.

"I know I've been distant these past few days." He said, folding his hands in front of him on the table. "I've also caused problems. You should know…why I did."

"You don't need to say it, little Dante." Sadeena voiced, her easy-going smile back on her face.

Dante shook his head. "No, I do. After letting it get this bad—"

"No, Dante, we get it." Raphtalia said next. "We already know."

"You…do?" Dante glanced over at Keel, who turned his head down.

"Sorry." Keel muttered. "After Rat saw you, I told everyone what happened at the castle. I didn't know what else to do."

"Oh." Dante let his shoulders relax. "No, good. That's good." It felt like an easy way out, but Dante was happy he didn't need to say it. Even if he wasn't, he didn't really have room to complain.

"Was it really that bad, Mister Dante?" Rifana asked. "I thought that was why you were doing that."

"I knew it would happen eventually, but I never prepared myself for it." Dante admitted. "It's not just about getting that woman pregnant. It's everything that comes after. Or, what doesn't come after. Both…" He said helplessly.

"I don't understand." Rifana shook her head.

Fiadia spoke next. "I believe Lord Shield is referring to how the children will be raised, and how he won't be a part of it."

Dante nodded without a word.

"I've heard about this, but I don't understand." Eclair said, turning to the vampire in the group. "Lady Elvira, is there any rule against Sir MacRory raising the children he has with these women?"

Elvira shook her head. "Not a rule exactly, but it's expected. If Lord Shield were to act as a parent to these children, it would be seen as favoritism toward those families. To not draw any unwanted ire, he would need to marry the women in question."

"I see…" Eclair held her chin in thought.

"It's not as if you can't be a part of their lives at all, Lord Shield." Elvira continued. "You could always see them and claim you are merely visiting. However, if what you want is something more, I'm afraid that would be quite problematic."

It was about what Dante expected. At the very least, it didn't need to be the case that he was a complete stranger to them. Still, one important issue remained.

"What about…houses fighting one another?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" Elvira responded.

"If two houses fight, and both have a child from me, then…" He couldn't let the words he wanted to say out. "What if it was House Belmont and House Tepes? Would they…"

Elvira made a hard face. "That's…our situation is a bit unique, so it's not a good example." The meaning behind those words was clear to Dante. "For other houses, it would depend on them. They may fight one another."

That was it, then. His fears were justified. He'd hoped he wasted the past few days worrying over nothing, but in his heart he knew that wasn't the case.

"Even if Sir MacRory commands them not to?" Eclair asked.

"They might stop for the moment, but they'd find a way." Elvira said. "You are a noble, Lady Eclair. Don't you see? If two ambitious houses of Melromarc wanted to fight and your queen commanded them not to, would they still fight?"

Eclair looked to think for a moment before nodding in resignation. She then turned to Dante. "It appears I owe you an apology, Sir MacRory." She said, giving a light bow.

"For what?" Dante asked, confused.

"For accruing all those favors from the nobles of Siltvelt. If I hadn't, you wouldn't be in such a situation."

"Don't be ridiculous." Dante said, earning a confused look from Eclair in turn. "I saw which nobles provided what. While most of them were for freed slaves, plenty were for other things. Besides, they would have found a way to convince me to sleep with a lot of women anyway. It was just a matter of how much I personally benefitted from it."

Thinking about it, Jaralis's favor proposal was really good. It gave Dante stuff for something he was expected to do anyway, and at a cost to Jaralis. If it was a tactic to get on Dante's good side, it was working. He really was someone worth having around. If he wasn't as power hungry as he was from the books, Dante would seriously have to consider taking one of his daughters as a wife, if for no other reason than his political expertise.

"Anyway, that's why I've been so distracted lately. I hope you all will forgive me." Dante lowered his head as he spoke.

"Of course we forgive you, Miss Dante." Atla voiced immediately.

"She's right, little Dante." Sadeena agreed. "Most of us know how much you care about family. Of course you'd be distraught over this."

Dante smiled. "Thank you."

"But, there is just one problem." Sadeena rested her chin on her folded hands. "Why didn't you tell us before?"

Dante winced. "Because…it was a personal problem. One that I caused for myself. I…didn't want to…" He couldn't properly put his reasons into words.

"I see." Sadeena placed a hand on her face. "Then, if I have a problem that only affects me, should I keep that from you?"

"What? No! Why would you keep…" He saw what she was getting at and quieted down.

Sadeena smiled sadly at him. "If something is bother you, if something is hurting you, please tell us. Little Eclair told you that before, didn't she? Don't hold this back from us. Don't hold it back from me."

"I-I know. I'm sorry. I won't." It was stupid to hold that in. He knew that. Especially toward Sadeena. She'd told him her worries, her fears, her regrets. He did the same with her. And yet, he couldn't even bring himself to talk with her about this.

"As long as you understand." Sadeena smiled sweetly at him and stood from her seat. "But, I think you need a punishment~." She walked around the table and stood next to Keel. "Would you stand up for moment, little Keel?"

"Uh, sure." Keel nodded and stood.

"Could you transform?" Sadeena asked, still smiling.

"Uh…" He looked around, most eyes on him now. With the mood improved, JoJo and Dio had started eating, passing occasional glares at the dragon. "Do I have to?"

Sadeena nodded. "It's for little Dante's punishment~."

Keel audibly gulped and did what he was asked. When he did, the marks around his neck were fully visible due to his shirt's very open collar. At least he wiped off the blood.

"Fehhh-!" Rishia made her noise and covered her mouth at the sight.

Sadeena leaned over slightly and brought up her hands. She adjusted the top of Keel's shirt to get a better view. "Let's see here~. One, two, three…"

Meanwhile, Dante held his head in his hands.

Oh god, she's really doing this! Why are you doing this to Keel? Think about Keel's feelings! I mean, he said he was okay doing that for me, but this is too much! Using someone else to punish me is…wait, I did that to Fohl. Shit, this is karma!

After what felt like an eternity, Sadeena straightened out. "Oh my~! That's quite a lot!"

Poor Keel transformed back and covered his face with his paws, kneeling on the ground. JoJo hopped down from his seat and patted him on his back.

"This just won't do~. I'm so jealous now~!" Sadeena swayed closer to Dante. "This is more than you ever left on me, and when we had fun with little Khana~."

Dante felt like crying. "Sadeena, I love you so much for lightening the mood, but please!" He almost hated how well she knew him, knowing this wouldn't be a truly hurtful experience.

"No, no, I won't have it~." Sadeena stopped behind Dante, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "I'm afraid I'll need a kiss for every mark you left on little Keel~. That comes to—"

"Please, stop!"

"—47 kisses."

If Sadeena wasn't holding him right now, he'd be right next to Keel, trying to hide from the world with his hands.

"What does that have to do with mating?" Dio asked innocently.

"Stop!" Dante couldn't take it.

"Oh my~! I almost forgot!" Sadeena stood back up and plopped her fist in her open hand. "Since little Keel volunteered to help you until you're cured, I'll need to join in to keep better track~."

"Why are you like this!?" This curse has definitely awakened something in Sadeena, Dante was sure. He hoped it was a joke, but he really couldn't tell.

"47…" Atla muttered softly. "Miss Dante, if I could have helped you, I would have. So, Sadeena, please let me have some of those kisses!"

"Atla!" Dante and Fohl yelled in unison. His yes-man had betrayed him.

Despite Dante wanting to shrivel up and die, breakfast proceeded.

They talked a little more about it, specifically how reacted. It wasn't that any of them were mad about it. If anything, they saw him as more human. Sadeena brought up how he focused so heavily on everyone gaining levels when they were in Melromarc. He would get up early enough to cook breakfast for everyone and always made sure they were set for the rest of the day. He would continue to fight in every battle, even while others switched out to rest, comparing him to a golem that would repeat the same task again and again without fail. It was in moments of weakness like this that they were reminded he wasn't some perfect hero, but a man doing his best. That part, at least, got Keel to calm down a little. He really latched onto that.

That was when Fohl decided to add her two cents. She stood from the table and walked around to Keel, offering him her hand. She told him she was impressed that he was able to survive Dante's assault and thanked him for keeping Dante away from Atla. Keel accepted the thanks with a good amount of embarrassment. Fohl also slipped in how Dante acted like a perverted beast. While Dante didn't care for the characterization, he was losing the ability to refute it.

Seeing an opportunity to poke fun at Dante for his teasing, Raphtalia joined in. She pointed out that Dante admitted to spending plenty of nights with women in his home world. Not wanting to be attacked from all sides, Dante fired back. He told her she should learn to please a woman before talking about such things. In response, Eclair put down her silverware, dabbed her mouth with her napkin, and looked Dante straight in the eye with a smile on her face.

"Perhaps we should learn from Miss Sadeena and Keel. If their nights spent with you as a woman are any indication, they are thoroughly proficient at it."

Once again, Dante and Keel tried to hide from reality. Sadeena took it as a compliment and laughed heartily. The only consolation they had was that someone else was far more out of it. Poor Rishia looked catatonic at that point.

"By the way, Dante," Raphtalia said after they cleared the table, "we've noticed something strange in our status. It says 'link available'. Does that have something to do with what you had Reiko doing?"

"Oh? Ohhh." Dante did somewhat remember Reiko saying something yesterday morning. He even had something his status now to verify it.

"I really don't like that smile." Raphtalia looked at him cautiously.

"I'm going to enjoy this. Let's all go to Rat's lab before we get on with our day. You too, Fiadia." Dante led them from the manor, a renewed pep in his step.

Once they were outside, Eclair stopped. "Sir MacRory, could I have a word with you privately first?"

"Sure thing." Dante let the rest of his party go on.

"Gau!" The little dragon, however, stayed by his side.

"Hey, you don't get to stay with Mom if we can't!" JoJo pouted. He and Dio had been giving dirty looks to her throughout breakfast.

"Gau!"

Keel transformed and turned around. "Hey, come with me. You remember me, right?"

The dragon hobbled over to Keel and gave him a sniff. "Gau!" She then jumped up at Keel, grabbing hold of his shirt and snuggling into his neck.

Keel smirked. "Looks like you're not the only one monsters like!" He gloated to Dante.

"That's because Keel smells like Mama." Dio said with a pout.

Keel's face froze. He turned around and slowly walked away. As he did, Dante could hear him mutter, "I need a bath."

Man, I feel bad for him. Stepping up only to be part of my deserved teasing?

Shaking his head, Dante faced Eclair. Rishia, too, had stayed, standing just behind Eclair.

"What's up?" He asked the pair.

Eclair turned to Rishia. "Go on, ask him."

"Fehhh-!" Rishia cried out, again covering her mouth with her hands.

"It's alright." Dante eased her. "I'm not going to bite—I won't be mad." He quickly changed his wording, given her reaction to last night's events.

Rishia slowly stepped around Eclair, her fists clenched against her chest. "Um, Master Dante—"

"No 'Master', please."

"Fehhh-!" She cried out again. She turned to run off, only to be held back by Eclair.

"Sir MacRory…" Eclair gave him a look.

"Sorry, but I draw the line there. I'm fine with 'Mister' and 'Sir', but not 'Master'. The only people who called me that are Dio and JoJo, and that was before they were my kids." He'd rather not have any sort of titles from his party members, but that's how it was.

"Nevertheless, go easy on her. She's a 14-year-old girl who was sold into slavery." Eclair told him.

"14? I thought she was around 17." Dante said.

Eclair raised an eyebrow. "How could possibly think she was that old?"

"Because…never mind." He didn't really care about the discrepancies from his book knowledge anymore, especially small factoids like that. "Please continue, Rishia."

"O-Okay…Sir Dante?" Rishia tried. Dante looked at her for a moment before shrugging. "I'm sorry to ask you this again, and I would be truly grateful if you changed your mind, but would you please let me go home?"

"'Again'?" Dante looked to Eclair for verification. She gave him a nod. Dante sighed, annoyed by forgetting something else from the past few days. "Sure, I can do that."

Rishia's face lit up. She clasped her hands together. "Truly?"

"Yeah, but it won't be right away." Dante clarified. "My schedule is a little wonky, and I might have agreed to something I shouldn't have." There was no telling if anyone added an extra town or some nearby settlements to the parade route. Thankfully, he was lucid enough to save the place he needed to go to today. He'd check when he got there. "I should be able to take you home in the next few days, or at least before Melromarc's next wave."

The wave would be its own can of worms, but one that Dante was more equipped to handle.

"Thank you so much, Sir Dante!" Rishia repeatedly bowed to him at the waist.

"Alright, alright, it's fine." Dante tried waving her down. She was moving so fast he was afraid she might sprain something. "Keep doing what you have been for now. At some point, I'd also like to hear your story."

Now that he was thinking clearly again, he wanted to know how she ended up in Siltvelt of all places. It might clue him in to what Itsuki was up to, if not the vigilante stuff Dante assumed he'd be doing.

With that cleared up, the three of them went to Rat's lab with the others. The moment Dante set foot inside, he was berated by Rat for not saying something sooner about his condition.

"How can I help if I don't know your symptoms!? You need to be more conscious, Lord!" That and many others were among her complaints.

Dante stood there, taking the lecture like he deserved. It was a better experience than breakfast, at any rate.

Once Rat was finished, Dante asked about the project Reiko was working on.

"Yes, the monsters are ready." Rat told him after collecting herself. She shook her head slightly. "It was interesting, if somewhat strange. Reiko is in the back with them now. Shall I go fetch her?"

"If she's able." Dante said. In her tirade, she mentioned how Reiko was far more responsible when it came to the curse. If Reiko stayed far enough back, she'd be fine.

"So, what's this about?" Fohl asked, eyeing Dante. "You had this weird look in your eye when Raphtalia asked about it."

"It's a surprise~." Dante sang out.

"Does it have to do with the blood Reiko asked for from us?" Rifana asked.

"It does~." Dante had a happy smile on his face.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Eclair lamented.

"Because you can think of it as revenge for the totally justified teasing I received a little bit ago." Dante gave her a smile. "By the way, sorry if this is weird, Keel. Just focus on everyone else's reactions."

Keel gave a non-committal nod in response. He looked over at the door on the opposite side of the lab as it opened. His eyes widened at the sight of the group of monsters.

Raphtalia looked over as well. "How bad could it—what is that!?" She shrieked.

One particular small creature bounded over to her, jumping up and being caught in her arms. It looked at her with tea leaf colored eyes that matched her own.

"Rafu!"

Author's Notes:

It started out shocking/funny (depending on your point of view) and ended on a high note, if I do say so myself.

I was planning on ending elsewhere, but the breakfast scene ended up being much longer, and I felt this was a better chapter end than what I originally planned.

For anyone hoping to see Raph-chan in this story, rejoice! For those who didn't want Raph-chan, eat your heart out, heathens!