Snow awoke and right away stood next to Mela as she heard Nero's father yelling at him which made Mela awaken with a bit of a startle and rub her head tiredly as she had to think for a second before she remembered about last night and looked up at the two older demons worriedly hoping they wouldn't hurt her.

"Valefar you know if she had left her room at all Duchess wouldn't still be sleeping outside Eofe's door... something's wrong I can tell... she wasn't in the kitchen... and I don't think she's in the library... she hasn't gotten up and went to sleep in anyone elses' room in years..." Vixen worried as she looked at Valefar and you could tell she was scared for their little girl

"I Won't let you talk about Mela that way! Mela is my best friend and I promise she'll be back home in the morning. I know you don't want me to hang out with her...and I promise that after today...I won't hang out with her again." he lied. His parents stared at him then glanced at Mela before looking at Nero again. Nero frowned and wished his father would let go of his hair, his head really hurt now. "You...freak child..." started Nero's mother. "I'd prefer that you don't hang out with my son. I don't want his reputation and image to be destroyed by you, He shouldn't be degrading himself by hanging out with you. My husband and I don't approve of it!" she hissed. "MOTHER! Mela is NOT a freak!" yelled Nero. His father yanked his hair harder, "Nero you do NOT talk to your mother in that tone of voice! Understood?" hissed his father. When Nero didn't say anything, his mother slapped him. "Insolent child!" she hissed.

"Okay you know what? I'll go look for her and bring her home. Please remain inside at all times, you can tell what happened if people ask, if not don't say anything." he said before starting to get dressed. When he was done, Valefar pulled her into a hug and kissed her lovingly. "Please don't worry love, try to relax okay?" he said softly and stroke her cheek lovingly.

Mela started to get mad at the two and before anyone could react she pushed Nero's father away and made him let go of Nero's hair but ended up getting slapped by his mother which made Snow start growling. "LEAVE HIM ALONE! You know maybe I wouldn't be so different if it weren't for people like you! Or at least I wouldn't be blind if it weren't for people like you! But you know what? I don't care if I'm different, you know your son is different too right? I don't know many kids my age or his age with as many piercings as he has but you don't see tones of people giving him grief, why am I so different hm? I'm just proof that different races can get along." she hissed darkly and this was actually the first time anyone had seen her snap at... well anyone for any reason at all.

"Okay just please be careful... maybe take Duchess with you, she can track Mela I'm sure." Vixen said softly after hugging and kissing Valefar back lovingly.

Nero's parents glared at her and his mother pulled at her hair. "You fool, you do not treat my husband that way!" she hissed only to have Nero pry her hand out of Mela's hair. "STOP! I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE!" he yelled and stood in front of Mela protectively. "Oh no...don't tell me you actually like this stupid girl?" asked his father. "Mela isn't stupid!" he spat and blushed at what his father said. "I do and what?! There is nothing wrong with me liking Mela...I mean...we're friends." he muttered and frowned sadly. I like her more than a friend...but she'll never know that...no one will. he thought to himself sadly. "Nero I suggest you lower your tone of voice before I yank out your piercings." warned his father. Nero knew he wasn't lying and was silent from the fear. "As for you...odd child, I suggest you leave, this sleep over is really over and you better stay away from my son for good!" hissed Nero's father. "No...Mela stays. I...I'll take her home tomorrow morning I promise, just let her stay here...p-please?" he asked. "No..." answered his mother. "Nero I am ashamed of you...hanging out with her when we clearly told you to stay away, you can do better than her trust me. Besides, who could ever love her?" she added and shrugged. Me...I can... thought Nero to himself and before he could stop himself he spoke, "I can. Mela may be different, but that's what makes her who she is...my best friend and probably the only person who actually understands me. I won't allow for any of you to show her any disrespect, she is a princess after all." stated Nero calmly.

Valefar nodded, "Okay then. Come along Duchess!" he called softly and sighed. "I'll be back in a few, I promise Love." he assured and started walking out of the castle, hoping that Duchess was following.

"N-Nero?" Mela blushed brightly as she heard the last thing he said but then something else caught her ear... a howl... from her guard dog.... one that made Snow sit up and made Mela look around a bit. "Nero... cover your ears..." she said softly and once he had his ears covered she placed two fingers in her mouth and made an extremely high pitched whistling sound which would hurt both of his parents ears but would catch the attention of Duchess no matter where she was. Duchess looked up right away when she heard the whistle before she started to take off in the direction knowing the prince would fallow.

Nero quickly covered his ears and widened his eyes when his parents grimaced in pain. When he thought it was safe, Nero lowered his hands from his ears and stared at his parents who were rubbing their heads in pain. "M-Mother...f-father...Maybe you two should get some rest don't you think? I'll go and make you some relaxing tea. Or would you prefer coffee?" he asked. His parents shot him a glare but nodded. "I'll have some tea Nero, and your father likes coffee. Make sure you get them done right." ordered his mother before looking at Mela. "Let this be the last time we see you here child." hissed Nero's mother before dragging her husband off to their room. "DUCHESS!" called Valefar before running off after here. He knew that she had probably caught Mela's scent and that made him very happy, he just hoped she was okay.

Once Nero's parents were gone Mela frowned deeply and looked at Nero. "Why do you put up with them Nero? They're so mean and nasty towards you... oh and so you know I wasn't trying to hurt them... I think Poppa is looking for me... I heard Duchess and that's how I call for her when she's further away." she said softly then frowned and looked down looking very sad now. "So... does this mean you won't be coming over to the castle anymore? Does it mean I won't see you anymore?" she asked sadly with tears welling in her eyes.

"I put up with them because they're my parents...the only ones I have. Besides...it could be worse...they could always do a lot worse than what you saw...and I'm used to it already so it's not so bad." he said quietly before pulling her along to the kitchen with him. Starting on the water for the tea and coffee, Nero listened and frowned. "Mela...I really enjoy visiting you and hanging out with you. I'm going to do what I can to see you...I'll sneak out and visit you...even if it's just to see you for three seconds. I don't mind coming home and being beaten around like a doll...you're worth it." he admitted and wiped away her tears. "Now then, don't cry. Your father will yell at me and think I hurt you." he said and chuckled before preparing the tea and coffee. "Wait here, don't move at all." he whispered before taking the coffee and tea to his parents.

"But... I won't want you to be hurt at all Nero." Mela whimpered some still crying a bit then stayed where she was as she waited for him to come back. She could soon hear Duchess barking as she got closer to the house and sighed softly letting out a soft whistle that only Duchess could hear which lead her over to the front door of the house where she sat on the porch and waited for Valefar.

"Thank-you Nero, you made it perfect as always." said his father. Nero only nodded his thanks before excusing himself to go back to Mela. "Please don't cry Mela." he whispered while wiping away her tears and leading her to the couch where he sat her down. "Would you like anything to drink?" he whispered. Valefar ran after Duchess and stopped when he saw her sitting on a porch of a house. "Mela is in here?" he asked Duchess before knocking on the door softly, hoping someone would open the door. Nero heard the knock at the door and opened it. "Oh, hello prince." he started and smiled softly. Valefar glared at Nero and noticed Mela on the couch. "So you kidnapped my daughter?" he asked Nero. "No prince...well yes but it is a very long story and if my parents find you here, well it won't be good." he explained. "I'm not afraid of your parents Nero." answered Valefar seriously.

Mela nodded some and hugged Nero before wiping away the rest of her tears as she heard Valefar outside and stood up and walked over to him and gave him a hug. "It's okay Poppa... Nero was just trying to keep me safe..." she said then looked at Nero for him to explain what had happened earlier so Valefar wouldn't get so upset and would understand.

Nero sighed softly and motioned for Valefar and Mela to sit down, then closed the door. "You see, as I was walking home today from the pierce shop and the candy shop, I overheard a group of bandits saying that they were planning on kidnapping Mela and hold her ransom for money but they were just going to kill her, you and Vixen once they got the money. S-so I decided to kidnap Mela and bring her here where she would be safe." he explained. Valefar hugged Mela gently and listened to Nero as he explained the situation. "I see, well thank-you Nero. It was nice of you to do what you did, it shows that you really care about Mela." said Valefar with a smirk. Nero blushed and looked away, "I don't mean to be rude...but I think it's best you both leave now before my parents see you." he commented quietly.

Mela paused as she listened to the last thing Nero said and frowned. "Y-you will come to visit right?" she asked softly and was really worried that he wasn't... she really liked him... she didn't want him to stop coming over... she wanted him to come over and hang out more really.

Nero frowned. "I don't know Mela. I'll try to visit...but I can't make any promises. I might not be visiting for a while....but I'll try to sneak out a few times and visit really quick if I can." he answered. Hearing this confused Valefar, "What are the both of you talking about?" he asked. "Oh...well my parents just don't like me hanging out with Mela. They forbid me from visiting her and yell at me if they find out I'm with her. It's nothing to worry about Prince, really. I'll visit Mela when I can." he answered. Valefar frowned and looked at Mela. "Come along little Mela, you're mother is very worried about you." he said as he stood up. "Thank-you again Nero for protecting her." he said. Nero only nodded and stood up.

Mela frowned but nodded before giving Nero one more hug then placing her hand on Duchess' head as she walked down the porch stairs to leave with Valefar. She was still upset of course but what was she to do? There was nothing she could do as far as she could see really it seemed.

Once they were gone, Nero sighed sadly and went to check on his parents who were now sleeping and quietly grabbed the empty cups before going to wash them gently. "Mela what's wrong?" asked Valefar as they began to walk back home. "Are you still upset about what Nero said?" he asked her.

"Yeah kinda... I mean he's my best friend... I don't want to not be able to see him anymore..." Mela said softly and sadly as she stayed close to Valefar and Duchess as they walked home.

Valefar stopped walking and looked at her. "Well Mela, is there anything I can do to make you happy?" he asked and began to think. "I know it's hard to think that you might never see him again...but I'm sure there has to be a way where you'll be able to see him a lot. I don't like having you two away from each other...best friends are supposed to stay close." he explained softly.

Mela paused and looked down as she thought deeply before looking up at Valefar hopefully. "Can he come and stay at the castle? We have plenty of room?" she asked softly and hopefully as she looked up at Valefar pleadingly.

"Mela..." Valefar started as he removed some hair from her face. Being daddy's little girl, he always gave her what she wanted so this request didn't surprise him. With a nod of his head, Valefar smiled. "Yes, I think he can come and stay at the castle. We just have to ask him if he wants to do that. If his parents have something to say, they can say it to me." he explained and kissed her cheek. He knew his parents wouldn't let Nero stay at the castle...but Valefar had his ways to make things happen.

Mela smiled softly and hugged Valefar lovingly. "Thank you Poppa." she smiled lovingly before yawning a bit still seeming a bit tired since it was just now turning dawn.

Valefar smiled softly and hugged Mela before picking her up. "I'll carry you home, you're mother is going to be very happy to see you. Also, I think it would be best that we let your mother know that we decided to have Nero stay with us...we'll also have to ask Nero if he even wants to though...but we'll do that tomorrow." he explained as he began to head back to the house. After a long time walking, they arrived back home and Valefar quietly walked back inside.

Mela smiled and after awhile fell asleep in Valefar's arms as he carried her home just seeming comfortable and tired. Vixen was waiting in the front room when Valefar finally walked in and looked at the two a bit worriedly and curiously but didn't say anything since Mela was clearly sleeping.

Valefar smiled over at Vixen and carefully carried Mela back to her room where he tucked her in and kissed her forehead. Looking at the open window, he sighed and quickly closed and locked it before looking at Mela and gently smoothing out her hair. "Goodnight and sweet dreams my little Mela." he whispered before closing the door and walking over to Vixen. "See? Safe and back in her room where she belongs. "Has anyone woken up yet and asked?" he asked her quietly.

"No no one... where was she? What happened?" Vixen asked after fallowing and watching Valefar then saw her pets going back to sleep with her.