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Dahyun adjusted the mask she had on, making sure that it wouldn’t slip even with the briefest of movements. She fussed with her dress next, not used to wearing something so revealing, her shoulders exposed to the cool air. But it was the only dress that would help her blend in, trying to make herself look like any other noble.
She observed the people in the ballroom, donning masks like her. However, that wasn’t the only thing they were hiding. Her thoughts were interrupted when Chaeyoung, her guard and friend, nudged her.
“Be calm your highness,” Chaeyoung murmured. “Or you might attract unwanted attention.”
Dahyun huffed, still fussing with her dress. “I would be calm if this dress doesn’t try to slip every few seconds.”
Chaeyoung looked at her with pity. “Unfortunately, that is the only dress you have that the people have not seen.”
“I should have said I was a guard like you,” Dahyun sighed.
Chaeyoung chuckled, grabbing a glass from a passing servant, “Then you wouldn't be able to enter the party and meet your beloved”.
“She is not my beloved,” Dahyun refuted.
“Yet.”
“How can she be my beloved when I have not even met her.” Dahyun crossed her arms.
Chaeyoung toned it down a notch, patting Dahyun on the shoulder. “I know, I was merely jesting. That’s why we’re here, to see who she truly is.” When Dahyun didn’t say anything, she shrugged, inspecting the drink at hand. “At least the countess knows her drinks.”
“Is it really wine that you’re holding?” Dahyun murmured, smirking at her friend. She could never stay mad at her for long.
Chaeyoung glared, not amused. “Even though we’re in a vampire den, they still like their wine, your highness.” Despite the sass, she still sniffed her drink to make sure that it was wine and not something else.
Dahyun chuckled and was about to retort but the sound of the main door opening attracted their attention. Lady Im Nayeon walked through and parted the people like the Red Sea, making her way to the middle of the floor. Her mask was the most intricate, but it could never hide the redness and bloodlust in her eyes. The music stopped as she raised her hand.
“Welcome ladies and gentlemen, especially the prey—I mean humans,” she said mischievously, fangs visible as she smirked, earning a few snickers from the people around her.
“I haven’t heard that one before,” Chaeyoung deadpanned. Dahyun didn’t pay her any mind, attention fully captured by Nayeon.
“Thank you for coming tonight to celebrate the countess’s 150th birthday. She appreciates it very much but unfortunately, she could not join today’s celebration,” Nayeon said remorsefully, but Dahyun could detect a hint of annoyance in her tone. The room broke into murmurs and Nayeon effectively silenced them with a clap of her hand. “I know you all are dying to meet with the countess but do respect her wishes.” She picked up a glass and raised it into the air. “And her wishes are for everyone to enjoy the evening with the wine, food and entertainment that she has provided.”
Everyone raised their cup and cheered. Nayeon bowed and left through the door that she came from.
“Well, perhaps we should leave then your highness. She’s not here,” Chaeyoung suggested.
Dahyun pondered for a moment. She had come here intending to observe her soon-to-be wife, her father’s voice ringing in her head about how cold and inhumane she was, even though she was the one who proposed the peace treaty. “Let’s stay for a moment. Maybe she will appear by the end of the night.”
Chaeyoung looked at her warily but agreed. So, they stayed for a while, and Dahyun found herself enjoying the company of the so-called ‘bloodthirsty creature’ that her father insisted on calling, even though he agreed to marry her off to one of them for new land purposes (and peace, mustn’t forget that). Usually, she would feel suffocated being surrounded by people, having to put up a front because of their constant scrutiny of her every move. But here, nobody knew her, and they treated her as equals despite not knowing who she was, letting her talk their ears off and encouraging her even.
She was even starting to piece together what the countess was like. Her people sang praises genuinely instead of the fake buttering-up that her parents' ‘friends' usually did. The countess was new and had only been one for 20 years, but she was the only one who managed to unite the other vampire covens, ushering in a new era of peace. That was how she earned the respect of all vampires and the allies she gained only further solidified her reign. They dubbed her as ‘Mina the Wise’, the opposite of what her father described, and the knowledge only made her feel more eager to meet her.
The night went on without a hitch, and at some point, Dahyun noticed that Chaeyoung had disappeared. She concluded that her friend must have followed the tall woman that she was last seen talking to. She didn’t mind, feeling safe in the company of her newfound friends. Suddenly the ballroom dimmed, and people were beginning to gather toward the middle of the floor in pairs.
“What’s happening?” She asked.
“It is time for the grand waltz,” Jihyo, her new friend, told her. “Would you like to join?”
“I don’t have a partner, unfortunately,” Dahyun said sadly. Maybe if Chaeyoung were around she would’ve asked her.
“I can be your partner,” a soft voice offered.
Dahyun whipped her head toward the voice, coming face to face with a beautiful woman. She could tell that the woman was someone of a noble status with how intricate her mask and gown were, a mix of black, silver and gold. How did she completely miss this woman before? And why did her voice sound familiar?
The woman extended her hand for Dahyun to take. “If you like.”
Dahyun didn’t know what compelled her to do so (maybe her hypnotic red eyes), but she took her hand, noting how soft it felt and how perfectly it fit with hers. She blushed when the woman kissed her hand.
The woman pulled her along gently toward the middle of the floor, surrounded by other couples. They got in position and started dancing when the music started. They waltzed perfectly together, gliding through the floor with not a care in the world, harmony in every step. They danced to two then three then more compositions, losing track of time.
The music changed again, slower this time and instead of gliding through the floor, they slowly swayed side to side. Dahyun didn’t mind the change of pace, finally being able to take a breather. She had not danced that enthusiastically in such a long time, her previous partners never managed to keep up with her.
“Are you enjoying the party, your highness?”
Dahyun jolted, almost stepping on the woman’s foot, flustered by the question. “I-I, yes,” she stuttered. “How do you know who I am?”
“I have to know considering you are my soon-to-be wife.”
“Countess Mina,” Dahyun breathed out.
“Princess Dahyun. It’s nice to finally meet you. Though, I thought it would be ways away from now.” Mina twirled her once, then pulled her in tighter.
Dahyun tried to come up with an excuse, not wanting Mina to know why she was there. “I heard it was your birthday, so I came to celebrate,” she lied.
“Very kind of you,” Mina chuckled. “Thank you for coming.”
“My pleasure,” Dahyun murmured, feeling a twinge of guilt for lying. She quickly changed the subject. “I thought you had a lot of things that needed to be done, that’s why you couldn’t join the party.”
“I came down because I love joining the grand waltz,” Mina paused, a hint of pink on her cheeks, “and I knew you were around, so I wanted to see you.”
“How did you know?” Dahyun asked, curious because only she and Chaeyoung had planned this.
“I heard your heartbeat,” Mina said softly, as if hesitant to say those words to her.
Dahyun was stunned by the answer. There were a hundred or more people in the ballroom, with a hundred or more different heartbeats but Mina could somehow pinpoint the one that belonged to her; it was endearing in a way. “And how did you know what my heartbeat sounds like?”
“I heard you the other day, listening in to our meeting.”
Dahyun then remembered that she indeed did that, sneaking into her father’s study, hiding behind a false wall because she was curious as to why a vampire would set foot in a kingdom that hated them. “Is it really that unique?” Dahyun asked playfully.
“To me? Yes.”
Dahyun couldn’t help but smile bashfully, warmth encompassing her whole body because of how sincere Mina was as if she were someone significant. Most of the people that courted her made her feel less, just a stepping stone for them to finally reach the throne that they had dreamed of. “You know, I’ve been taught since birth to hate your kind,” she said contemplatively.
“Do you?”
Dahyun shook her head, looking at Mina in the eyes. “No. I don’t think I can.”
Mina smiled wide, her gum showing and Dahyun thought that was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen, despite the mask covering the vampire’s face. “I’m glad,” she murmured.
They kept on dancing, swaying gently side by side, enjoying the moment until Mina broke the silence. “Do you want to take a walk in my garden?”
---
“I’ve never seen this type of flower before.” Dahyun examined the flowerbed, completely entranced by the colour and species she had never seen before.
“Those types of flowers are only native to where I’m from.”
Dahyun turned to look at the countess. “And where are you from countess?”
“A land far away in the east. I don’t remember where though. It has been some time since I set foot there.”
“150 years or so.”
Mina chuckled. “Yes exactly.” She glided toward Dahyun and plucked a flower. “These are called camellias.”
“It must have a meaning. Every flower does.”
Mina smiled. “To warriors, it’s a symbol for a noble death.” She then slipped the flower into Dahyun’s hair. “For us simple folks, it means love.”
Dahyun could feel her cheeks heat up as she looked away from the woman, too stunned to speak.
“Was that too forward, Your Highness? I apologise,” Mina said sheepishly.
Dahyun shook her head. “No, I quite like it.” Her heart jumped when Mina beamed at her, despite the mask adorning her face. Speaking of masks, she began taking off hers, comfortable to show her face in the presence of the other woman. What she didn’t expect was for Mina to do the same.
The sight of the countess made her heart skip a beat (she hoped the countess didn’t hear it). The day Mina came to the castle, she could only catch glimpses of her and never her face because of the cloak she was wearing. But seeing her face-to-face under the glow of the moonlight, Dahyun couldn’t help but feel like she was in the presence of a Goddess. What caught her attention was her deep burgundy eyes; so strange but so mesmerizing. She must’ve been silent a tad bit too long because Mina’s eyebrows were starting to furrow.
“Your Highness?” Mina called softly.
Dahyun snapped out of it and let out a nervous laugh. “I apologize for staring. That was very rude of me.” She was startled by Mina’s cold hand enveloping hers but got over it at how comforting it felt despite the temperature.
“There’s no need to apologize your highness. I quite like it,” Mina parroted back what she had said moments prior.
They found a bench and stayed glued together, Mina’s hand on top of hers as they converse, sharing anything and everything that came to their minds. Dahyun would talk about her childhood adventures or any fond memories while Mina would talk about her time exploring the world and what she got into with her friend Nayeon.
There was a lull in the conversation as they basked in the comfortable silence. She couldn’t deny that Mina had been nothing but perfect the whole time she was here, to the point that she was beginning to question whether what she learned about vampires growing up was even true. Safe to say she got the answer that she was looking for.
“I have something that I must tell you.”
Mina immediately perked up as she sat up straight. “I’m all ears.”
Dahyun wrung her hands together to calm herself. “I came here to observe you, out of curiosity. I didn’t even know it was your birthday.” There was a pause in the air as the truth came out and Dahyun wasn’t sure it was a bad one or a good one.
“And did I manage to satiate your curiosity?” Mina asked a hint of playfulness in her tone.
Dahyun let out a relieved sigh. “You did.”
“I’m glad.”
“You’re not irked by that? It’s as if I don’t trust you.”
Mina shook her head. “I would say it is smart to be wary. Even I would do my ‘research’ so to speak.”
“So, you’ve done your research on me then?”
At this, Mina looked away, as if embarrassed. “May I be honest with you?” She murmured.
“I thought that is what we are doing at the moment,” Dahyun teased, but it seemed to further embarrass the other woman and she couldn’t help but think how darling she was.
“Well, since we are on the topic of research, I,” Mina faltered, “I have seen you before—out of chance, of course, a year ago” she corrected herself. “I was in town near the kingdom, trying to map out the land and as I walked through a street, I noticed the royal carriage parked in front of an orphanage and naturally, I was curious,” she chuckled. “I got nearer and noticed you in the front yard, playing with the children.” She turned to look at Dahyun. “You were radiant,” Mina whispered.
Dahyun was surprised by the admission. She remembered how enjoyable it was that day to be surrounded by those children, playing along, and giving them all the love that she could give. She also remembered how unkempt she was because of the constant running, but for Mina to think of her as radiant, she was touched.
“I’ve wanted to meet you ever since, even though I don’t know who you are.”
“You didn’t?”
Mina shook her head. “I didn’t think a princess would be able to run around like that.”
“I wasn’t supposed to, but I did it anyway.”
“Of course you did,” Mina chuckled. “The sound of your heartbeat was etched onto me from that day on.”
“Oh.”
“Just like right now, beating so beautifully.” Mina gave an enigmatic smile. “That’s when I realized that fate has decided to weave our strings together.”
Dahyun could feel her cheeks getting warmer. “I’m flattered.”
“Good to know.”
They talked until a sliver of light began to peek on the horizon.
“It’s almost morning.” Dahyun noticed when the ray of light hit her in the eyes. She immediately got up when she remembered what the sun could do to Mina. “We have to go in—”
Mina squeezed her hand in reassurance. “It’s quite alright, Dahyun. A little sun wouldn’t hurt me. Though, I think it’s time for you to go, lest an army come knocking on my door.”
The word army seemed to snap her back to the presence. Her father would probably do something as absurd as that. “I guess so.” Her heart felt heavy after saying that. She had a good time with the countess and hoped with all her might that the night would go on forever.
Mina got up, hand still holding onto hers. “Let me lead you inside. We’ll find your friend first.” She pulled Dahyun along back into the castle through the way they came from. As they walked through the hallway, they came across a flustered Nayeon ordering the maids to close the curtain because it was beginning to get brighter.
“Mina!” She called. “And—” she stopped in her tracks and made a curtsy. “Your Highness, I didn’t know you would be here!” She glared pointedly at Mina.
“I didn’t know either.” Mina grinned.
“I’m terribly sorry for not informing,” Dahyun cut in, noticing how tense Nayeon was. “I came here out of curiosity and did not want to make a fuss.”
“By yourself?”
“With my guard.”
“We’re looking for her actually.” Mina stepped aside from Nayeon, pulling Dahyun with her.
Nayeon looked confused. “You lost your guard?” She asked. Undeterred by Mina’s evasion tactic, Nayeon strolled alongside them, prompting an eye roll from the countess.
“Yes and no? Last I saw her she was following a beautiful tall woman with a silver feathery mask,” Dahyun answered, feeling embarrassed at not being able to provide more information.
The two vampires looked at each other, communicating with their eyes. Dahyun didn’t want to be privy but she felt a sense of jealousy at how easy they were to communicate even without verbally doing so. One day, she thought. Nayeon then looked at her, grimacing. “I think I know where she is.”
---
They arrived at a bed chamber, seemingly belonging to one of the nobles in the castle. Nayeon impatiently knocked on it, offering apologetic smiles toward Dahyun as if she were embarrassed. The door opened to reveal the tall woman that Dahyun saw at the soiree. She was beautiful just like the rest of the vampires she had seen.
“Tzuyu where is she?” Nayeon asked.
Tzuyu tilted her head, trying to appear innocent. “Who?”
“The princess’ guard,” Mina interjected.
Tzuyu looked surprised and then she giggled. “I guess she wasn’t lying,” she murmured. She opened the door further to show Chaeyoung who was in the midst of getting dressed. “Your princess is here,” she called out to Chaeyoung, prompting a blush on the guard’s cheek.
“I will wait Chaeyoung, please take your time,” Dahyun teased.
Chaeyoung had the decency to look embarrassed as she stepped out of the room. “Your Highness.”
“Chaeyoung, I hope you had a lovely night as I had.”
Chaeyoung blushed even harder. “I-I did,” she stuttered.
“Good. Unfortunately, we have to leave now,” Dahyun sighed, turning around to face Mina who also had the same expression as her, sadness.
They all made their way to the foyer, a carriage at the ready outside to bring the royal and the guard back to their kingdom. She told Chaeyoung to head in first and stood face to face with Mina, feeling her heart constrict at the thought of leaving the countess. Despite only spending time together for a few hours, Dahyun couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her. From the look of it, Mina had the same predicament as her.
“Please,” Mina pleaded softly.
“What?”
“Please don’t look at me like that. I wouldn’t be able to let you go.”
Dahyun let out a watery laugh, tears already forming and threatening to fall at any second. She didn’t think it would hurt this much to be separated from the countess. “I want to stay,” she whispered.
Mina grasped both of her hands and brought them up to her lips, kissing them tenderly. “I want that too but it’s not time yet.”
Dahyun sighed in anger and then she felt Mina’s cold finger brush away her tears. She closed her eyes to bask in the feeling. When she opened her eyes she took in a sharp breath, surprised at the look of pure devotion on Mina’s face.
“In one year I’ll be yours,” Mina declared. “Yours to love, yours to command and yours for eternity.”
“And I am yours too,” Dahyun answered. “In one year. Everything of me.”
“If it is not too forward of me, may I hug you?” Mina asked.
“You have danced with me all night long,” Dahyun teased.
Mina pouted. “Doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be a gentleman about it.”
Dahyun answered her by stepping forward into Mina’s space, letting herself be embraced by the vampire. The moment their body made contact she couldn’t stop the sigh of relief from escaping. Everything was Mina, Mina, Mina, engulfing her very being. She held on tight, savouring this very moment, etching the smell, feel and sound to the deepest part of her mind so that it would tide her over until the moment comes.
“I love this heartbeat of yours,” Mina murmured. “Soft and content. I’m glad I could make it so.” She pulled back looking at Dahyun straight in the eyes. “I will hear it in my wake and my sleep. Something to keep me sane.”
Dahyun swooned, heady at the effect Mina had on her. Before she could do something stupid, like kissing Mina senselessly and ending up staying, she pulled herself back but never fully breaking contact; their hands intertwined just so. She had to go.
Mina led her to the carriage with an umbrella in hand shielding them from the sun. She kept holding onto her hand, helping her into the carriage and only had to let go in order to close the door; Dahyun missed the coldness of it.
“Write to me?” Dahyun asked shyly.
Mina smiled, the radiance brighter than the sun. “I will.”
Dahyun didn’t stop looking back even until the castle was out of sight, still feeling Mina’s gaze upon her.