The forest was no longer a place of terror. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting a silver glow on the mossy path. A cool breeze brushed past them, carrying the scent of pine and the unspoken tension between two souls.
Jinwoo walked beside Prithvi, his presence no longer intimidating, but protective. He broke the silence with a soft, rare tone.
"Hey Prithvi… where is your family?"
Prithvi paused for a microsecond, a fleeting shadow of sadness crossing her face. "I don't have a family, Jinwoo. I live alone in a rented house. It's just been me for a while."
"Oh… I'm sorry," Jinwoo whispered, genuinely feeling the weight of her words. He hesitated before asking his next curiosity. "Is there… anyone else? A boyfriend?"
Prithvi let out a light, musical smile. "No. To be honest, I've never really felt that 'love' connection with anyone. That deep emotional bond… it just never happened."
They walked in silence for a moment, the moon shining brightly above them as if listening to their secrets.
"What about you?" Prithvi asked softly. "I know you're the last Vampire King and you're alone in this world. But have you ever loved? Or is there someone now?"
Jinwoo looked up at the stars, his eyes reflecting centuries of solitude. "No. My life has been nothing but cold steel, blood, and survival. Love was a luxury I couldn't afford to feel. I've never known what it means to belong to someone."
"Then what is your dream?" Prithvi asked, her voice dreamy. "Your future plan?"
Prithvi didn't wait for him to answer. She looked ahead, a small smile playing on her lips. "My dream? I want to love someone who truly cares for me. Someone who protects me no matter what the situation is. I want to travel the world, get married, and build a small, cozy home in a place just like this—surrounded by forest. Just a life of long-term happiness."
Jinwoo was mesmerized. Her dream was so simple, yet so profound. "That... that sounds beautiful, Prithvi."
"Now you tell me," she nudged him. "What does the Vampire King dream of?"
Jinwoo stopped walking. He looked at her, his voice deep and sincere. "I want to love a girl who is loyal. Someone who understands the monster inside me. If the whole world turns against her, I will stand by her side, holding her hand. I would destroy the entire world just to keep her safe."
He continued, his gaze intense. "We would have a small home in the forest, a calm place she loves. And maybe… a little girl. A mini version of her. That's when I feel my life would finally be complete."
Prithvi's smile widened. "Wow, Jinwoo. You might be a vampire, but you have such a soft heart. Any girl would be lucky to have someone like you. But… what if that girl didn't want a baby? What if she wanted to live her life differently?"
Jinwoo didn't hesitate. "Then her choice is my command. If she doesn't want a child, that's okay. That pain and that choice belong to her. I would be her baby, and she would be mine. Her happiness is my only goal."
"You're a good man, Jinwoo," Prithvi said softly as they reached the edge of the city. "That girl is going to be very lucky."
"It's you," Jinwoo thought, his inner voice screaming the truth he couldn't speak. "I'm already in love with you. I'll wait for as long as it takes for you to feel the same."
As they reached the city lights, the magic of the forest began to fade. Prithvi turned to him at her doorstep. "Thanks, Jinwoo. Today was... the best day."
"Bye Prithvi. Stay safe. I'll be around," Jinwoo said.
He watched her go inside and then looked up at the moon once more. It was calm, silent, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Just like Prithvi....