Foolish

"Have you forgotten what happened after your previous trials? You were in a coma for days and you could barely walk for a week."

She walked up to him and whispered in his ear, "You would not live to see her again, my precious son."

Dante felt his heart drop. His eyes widened in shock at the realization. He knew his mother was right. He was never going to see Laina again. Dante clenched his jaw and tightened his fists. How could he be so foolish?

There were so many things he wanted to say. Time was not on his side. 

Despair. 

The Empress was delighted. She had hoped it would not come to this. But alas, he had forced her hand. 

"But if you were to ascend the throne and become the Moon Emperor, it may buy you some time."

If he ascended the throne, Dante would be imbued with the power that came with the title. An increased resistance to curses like the Love Curse would mean his life would be prolonged.