Unknown...

Ivan blinked before looking downward at himself. He had some explaining to do. "Well." Ivan began. "When that man from before tried to kidnap you, I realized that I needed to become strong enough to protect you. I remember that Headmistress Moor banned the students from going into the mountains because of dragons. I went so I could gain access to the power of a dragon. It's all so I can protect you. It was either risk getting killed by a dragon or risk getting killed on the inside by your kidnapper. I chose to risk my life, and now that I have what I went after, everything will be fine." As Ivan finished his explanation, he smiled. "Don't worry about me. I'll be just fine..." He turned a curious eye to Scarlet. "What's for lunch?"

Ivan winced when Scarlet hit him. What hurt more than anything, though, was Scarlet's tears. He had to make it up to her, even if it meant spoiling the surprise. He turned and ran through the door after Scarlet. "Wait! I'm sorry! Can't we talk about this?" He called after her.

Ivan frowned. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone. I realize now how stupid it was for me to go into the mountains to look for dragons. I could have been killed... But I did get your ring, just like I said I would." He held out the case. Within was a finely crafted diamond ring that Ivan had spent a fortune on. "I hope you're not too mad at me. I understand how ridiculous my plan was, but I felt like it had to be done. I didn't tell you this morning because I didn't want you to worry and I would never forgive myself if I let you into that much danger." He paused. "Now I see how foolish I was: If I wanted to keep you out of harm's way, maybe I should have stayed out of harm's way, too... I'm willing to spend the rest of my life making it up to you." Ivan was more serious now than he ever had been.

Ivan held Scarlet close. "I love you, too, and I always will... When I was trapped between the mother and her children, I realized something; It would be almost impossible for them to kill me: I have too much to live for now. That said, I'll try not to put my life on the line again. After this incident, I realize how much it hurts me to see you cry. It hurts even more than when you punched me in the chest; At least with a punch it only hurts for a while. When I make you cry, the pain lasts until I see your smile again." It was a windy night. So much so that Ivan felt as though his glasses would be blown right into the bushes.

Meanwhile:

The phone rang. With no one inside to pick it up, it transferred the callers to the answering machine, bidding them to leave a message. "Ivan? Ivan, dear, pick up the phone. I wanted to talk to your fiance! ...I guess you're not home. Call me back!" A woman's cheerful voice called out, followed soon after by a click as the answering machine stored the message away to be checked later.

Ivan felt releived, as though a gigantic weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. "Of course I forgive you! I would be upset too if you put yourself in danger... Now, uh... What's for lunch?" He asked curiously. He wasn't intending to change the subject; He was just hungry.