Chapter 179 - Seri Gets The Cold Shoulder

So, Millie may not be the most stable person at the moment. However, she seems to be getting better. At least on the surface.

"Here." I handed Millie a mask as we put on cloaks.

She took the mask and raised an eyebrow, "What is this?"

"Since you are in my gang now, you will need to hide your identity. I had this mask specially made for you." I noticed her looking at it with a strange expression. "Isn't it cute? It's a butterfly mask. I thought it perfectly suited you."

She glanced up at me, "Did you make this?"

I smiled, "I did! How did you know?"

"Because it's really creepy."

My face twitched, "It's not creepy. It's cute."

"You're right. It's really cute." She smiled flashing her teeth at me.

"Alright Bertram. Let's go speak to Charles now."

Bertram stood beside us with a flabbergasted expression. After I told him what happened, he froze and his brain malfunctioned. I pulled the broken Bertram along with us as we went to visit Charles. We walked in using the side door to avoid detection.

Charles greeted us, "Oh my! Who is this?"

I frowned at him, "Charles, we are wearing masks to hide our identity. Why would we tell you who we are?!"

Charles nodded a bit disappointed. He spoke, "Then what does everyone call her?"

While we don't tell anyone who we are, the townspeople still gave us nicknames. They referred to me as The Black Deaths Apprentice and Bertram was called the Steel Man. Even Dante was nicknamed the Laughing General. This was most likely because I made his mask with a large creepy smile across it.

I spoke, "This is her first time with us in the red light district. She doesn't have a nickname yet."

Charles snapped his finger, "Aha! The Butterfly of Death!"

"Butterfly of death?! Why so dramatic!?"

Charles smiled smugly at me, "Because she looks beautiful yet deadly."

Millie giggled, "I like it."

Charles nodded and looked at me with pure excitement. "See? She likes it! Don't you think it suits her? Her voice is as lovely as honey, yet her eyes look much too dangerous. Now, my dear butterfly, just what kind of weapon do you prefer?"

Millie answered, "I usually use sedatives and tranquillizers."

Charles clapped his hands proudly, "Say no more! How about darts? You can take them down from the distance then move in for the kill."

Millie nodded, "That sounds lovely!"

"WAIT!" I shouted quickly, "We aren't here to find her a weapon!"

Charles frowned at me, "Why would you come here then? Do you want her to be a helpless associate? Or is she merely for decoration?"

"She's not for decoration!!! It's just that she still needs to prove herself to me before I give her a weapon."

Charles waved his hands, "Fine. Fine. I won't say anything more since you are so stubborn." He leaned over and whispered into Millie's ear, "Come find me later when your boss isn't around."

Millie giggled, "I will."

"CHARLES!" I shouted in anger, "Do you want to make me angry?!"

Charles smiled at me as he changed the subject quickly, "What do you need me for today?"

I stated firmly, "Have shock collars been invented yet?"

Charles's smile twitched, "Shock... Collars?"

"You know. Like a dog collar, but one that will shock the recipient for being naughty."

"N-No... I don't think that has been invented..."

I sighed, "D*mn... Well then can you just make a metal collar that she won't be able to take off?" I motioned towards Millie who smiled under her mask.

Millie giggled happily as she held her face, "Aw! You want to make a collar just for me? You really spoil me."

Charles looked at us, "Uh... Sure. Follow me to my workroom." As he led us down the stairs he muttered to himself, "Weirdos."

I frowned, "I heard that." Charles looked at the material and began to measure Millie's neck. I added, "I want it strong enough that it won't break off, but thin enough to hide."

Charles spoke to himself, "Kids these days have such weird hobbies. By the way, what happened to Bertram?"

As he worked, Bertram stood behind us still in a daze. I answered, "He received a big shock and still hasn't recovered."

Charles chuckled, "I would hate to find out what kind of thing could shock him to that extreme." He motioned to me, "Do you want to put your mark on it?"

I smiled and took the torch, "Of course! It's my gift to her after all. I need to sign it." I used his torch to make my insignia on it.

"Alright, now come here miss butterfly." She walked over and he put the band around her. He spoke, "Now, this might feel a bit warm, but it shouldn't burn your skin.... Probably."

Millie remained obedient as the band was put around her and welded together. She giggled, "Oh, that's a bit hot."

Charles nodded, "There. Done."

The collar looked more like a choker necklace on Millie. A small ring hung from it so that way I would be able to tie her up like a dog on a chain. I admired the handiwork, "It looks very nice."

Millie touched it and felt her heart flutter. She ran to embrace me and nuzzled into me, "Oh! I love it so much. With this I definitely belong to you!"

I scratched my head and sighed in exasperation, "This was meant to be a punishment... But since you like it then I guess take it as a reward for you not killing me in my sleep?"

Charles blinked at us, "What."

Millie smiled enticingly at me, "Are you still upset about that? I told you that I decided not to do it after all... I thought about what you said and decided that maybe I shouldn't strangle you while you slept. Waiting to kill you did sound rather enticing."

I rubbed my throat unconsciously. It still hurt a bit from the night before, "I'm glad you came around."

Charles suddenly realized the shock that made Bertram break. How could she really allow such a dangerous person to stay at her side?! Was she crazy?

I waved to Charles, "Alright. Thanks again for the help Charles."

"U-Uh.. Yeah. No problem." He watched me walk out with Millie still clinging to my arm. He called after us, "I will start working on your personal weapons Miss Butterfly!"

I shouted back, "No you won't!"

As we walked back to the dorm, Millie spoke to me. "Are you going to let me go to class tomorrow?"

I nodded, "As long as you behave."

She smiled, "Don't worry Seri. As long as you won't ignore me again, I won't misbehave."

Threat received.

The next day.

The chain on Millie worked like a charm. She wasn't able to get it off and sneak into my bed this time. She was a good dog and stayed on the bed I made for her on the ground. She helped me get ready before getting ready herself.

Mary joined us while we walked to class. Mary stared at Millie and I with a worried expression. Millie paid her no attention as she smiled peacefully. Mary forced herself to speak, "Are we just going to ignore that Millie is being tied up in your room?"

I nodded, "We are."

Mary looked ahead, "Oh... Okay." She cleared her throat, "You both look much happier now. I was a bit worried for you both."

Millie looked at Mary out of the corner of her eye. She responded innocently, "I am much happier now. I won't try to kill you anymore. I'm going to be a good girl for Seri from now on."

Mary nodded, "Ah, well that's good... Wait. Did you say kill?!"

Mary looked at Millie in a panic only to see her smiling peacefully, giving nothing away. I sighed as I patted Mary's back, "Don't ask Mary. You wouldn't want to know the answer."

After class, we went to the student council room. Millie was overly clingy as she smiled and nuzzled me lovingly. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought I actually did gain a Doberman dog as a pet.

Dante glared at Millie as she giggled and gave him a smug smile. I wanted to try to ease his anger, but he kept ignoring my curious looks. Artie and Lucius watched the scene feeling utterly confused. Artie finally spoke, "Wait. So they are friends again? What happened?"

William answered in a bitter tone, "It's best not to ask."

Lucius spoke, "They seem even closer than they were before."

Dante slammed his fist into the table causing it to crack. Everyone jumped back from the table as it broke in half and caved in. William took a deep breath and rolled his eyes, "Was that really necessary?"

Dante just stood up and stomped out of the room leaving us behind with bewildered faces. I tapped on the table and felt just how thick the wood was. Artie almost cried from the fright, "What was that about?!"

William looked at me with a frown, "Dante's angry at someone for their stupid decision."

Lucius gulped, "I would hate to be the person Dante's mad at right now."

I stood up, "Um... I will go see if he is alright. After all, I'm partially to blame."

William clicked his tongue, "Partially?" Everyone watched as I ran out of the room. William turned to Millie, "You're not going to interfere?"

Millie shrugged nonchalantly, "I made a promise to Seri to be obedient. I won't disobey her wishes."

William smirked, "I'm surprised your are not jealous."

Millie turned to him and stopped smiling. Her serious expression was much more terrifying, "On the contrary, I'm quite jealous right now. I want nothing more than to rip him apart. Piece. By. Piece. However, when I remember that Seri will be mine for eternity, I don't mind as much."

The other four blinked as they watched Millie and William's conversation. Artie shouted, "Just what exactly happened?!"

I ran after Dante, "Dante! Wait for me!"

He started walking faster. Is it just me or is he purposely trying to ignore me!?

"Dante!"

No response.

"DANTE!"

No response.

I tried to catch up to him, but he only quickened his pace more. I tried running, but then he started running as well. I collapsed gasping for air as I watched him run away.

Did he... Did he just run away from me?!

Did I really upset him that badly?! Ugh. I have a uncomfortable feeling in my chest. It makes me want to puke... Perhaps it is from running too fast...

After that, I tried speaking to Dante. However, he avoided me every single time. I thought he would cool off after a few days, but he still kept running away and avoiding me. He even stopped going to the student council room. My mind felt like static. It was starting to drive me crazy.

Why did he keep running away? Does he not like me anymore? Does he not even want to be friends?! Why can't he just yell at me? Why does he have to ignore me completely! I don't like being ignored!!!

F*ck. Now I know what Millie was talking about. I feel like I'm going crazy. The cold shoulder treatment truly is a terrifying weapon.

Next, I tried to corner him and force him to talk to me. I dropped from the ceiling and landed in front of him. I held my hands out preventing his escape, "HAH! Now you have no where to go! Now you HAVE to talk to me!"

Dante glared at me with cold eyes, but made no effort to speak. He calmly picked me up by my waist and set me down behind him. He continued to walk down the hall. I blinked in disbelief at how easily I was moved out of the way. I snapped out of my stupor and began to chase him down through the hallways.

I yelled as I sprinted after him, "Wait! Dante! Stop running away from me!!! I will do anything you want if you stop ignoring me! And I mean anything!!! ANYTHING! I won't kink shame!!! You can tie me up in your dungeon! I will even do THAT to you! Just stop running away d*mmit!"

But even then, I wasn't successful.

I sobbed on my bedroom floor, "Why does he keep ignoring meeee?!"

Millie sat on my bed flipping through one of my erotic novels with an indifferent expression. She spoke in a gentle tone, "He's angry at you. Just leave him alone and eventually he will calm down."

I sniffled, "I don't want to wait... It's driving me insane... My chest feels stuffy and I can't sleep..." I sobbed, "I even told him he could do whatever he wanted to me! Maybe he didn't hear?"

Millie chuckled, "No, he definitely did hear. In fact, the entire school heard. You really are interesting, Seri. I'm surprised you were brave enough to yell out bed related matters down the hall."

I sighed, "Well, the headmaster was too. He's putting me in a remedial class to teach me what is appropriate in society."

Millie smiled, "Good luck with that."

I groaned, "What should I do, Millie? I can't wait for Dante to calm down. What if he never forgives me?"

Millie looked up at me, "Why don't you just trick him into kissing you? He always seemed to cheer up before when you two would kiss."

I looked at her in disbelief, "I can't believe you just suggested that."

Does this mean my therapy is working?!

Millie shrugged and answered in an apathetic tone, "It makes me extremely angry thinking about it. I feel like ripping him apart slowly and watching him bleed out. However, I'm trying those meditation techniques you taught me. Am I getting better?"

"No... I think you're just getting better at hiding your anger."

Millie blinked, "Oh..." She propped up her head with her arm as she smiled at me, "But why do you care so much about whether Dante ignores you or not? I didn't think this kind of thing bugged you."

I hesitated. Wait. Why do I care so much? Is it really just guilt?

I blushed, "I don't know why... I just do... Okay?"

Millie nodded, "Then you should try kissing him. What could go wrong?"

I groaned and laid my head back down, "I don't think that even a kiss will solve this situation..."

"Then you should just get naked and hide in his bed. When he lays down, you can embrace him and nibble his ear. He wouldn't be able to ignore that."

I sat up and looked at Millie's innocent expression. She blinked back at me with a gentle aura. I stood up and walked over to her calmly. I snatched the book from her abruptly.

"That's it. No more erotic novels for you."