"His son grew up with the fear that the next day he would die. He wasn't hoping anything good in his life, even at a young age..." tears misted Arianna's eyes "....he couldn't do things he wanted. He couldn't go where he wanted to. Everyone wanted him dead. Every day he would cry and beg the heavens to bring his mother back so she could take him away. He wanted to see her, because he envied those who grew up with their mothers."
"When he was five, his father the King was forced to the get married to a woman who already had a lover. She bore two children for him which both never intended to have. Because it wasn't their will. They were drugged on both occasions, to bring a true heir. A true demon. After that, she disappeared and the King never bothered to look for her. But he cared for the children she bore. He loved them, but he loved his first son the most. The one whom his true love bore."
"Time passed, and the half breed survived the demons. He was fierce, brave, as well as being kind and loving. But sometimes he was scared of himself. He had thought it was because of him, because of his existence that his mother died, so he tried not to hurt others."
"He was a good elder to his half siblings and they loved him like never before. Even when people tried to poison their minds against him. The half breed began protecting humans, since his mother could not be saved. He wouldn't just let her kind go extinct. But then they used it against him and asked for his death..." Arianna gasped
"The King tried to make sure they wouldn't kill his beloved son but the Queen dowager came with her decision. Banishing him to the human world and placing a curse on him. He would always protect humans with an aching heart. He would suffer pain at every cry for help until he finds his bride who would break the curse. Only then would he be accepted in their world."
"The King couldn't do anything. His mother already cursed his son. All he could do was send the court maid who was his lover's friend and his most trusted general to go with him. Since then, the half breed have protecting humans and until now his curse hasn't been broken"
"You mean... he's still alive?" Arianna asked and Zariel nodded in response.
Arianna wiped her face that had been wet with tears. "He must have gone through a lot." she sniffed "I can't imagine the pain he felt all these years."
"But... How do you know all this?" Arianna asked
"Because... it's young master's story"
Arianna's eyes grew wide. "What?" Her voice was barely heard.
"We're not humans, Anna." Zariel said "We're demons"
"Y-You can't be serious" fear slowly gripping her heart.
"Young master is part human, part demon. His mother was my friend and Chairman Park was the king's general."
Arianna clutched her shirt, breathing heavily. She knew it. She had felt it since she came here. But she couldn't tell if they were demons or not. Now it's clear.
"Don't be scared, Anna" Zariel spoke "We won't hurt you"
Arianna lifted her eyes and stared at her, dumbstruck. She gulped down her heart. Her eyes lowered "Mr Han....is a demon. I'm... living...with demons" her voice was barely heard. A demon who saves her.
She lifted her eyes to Zariel staring deeply. And then she smiled. Zariel blinked repeatedly. Why is she smiling?
"I'm living with demons!" She exclaimed
"Anna? I didn't tell you anything" Zariel said, incase she goes telling it around.
Arianna did a zip-mouth sign, grinning from ear to ear.
Zariel smiled in satisfaction, but then it hit her. "But....why aren't you scared?"
"I'm not scared because..." she leaned forward "I know you wouldn't hurt me." she smiled. "Imagine me having someone to protect me for the rest of my life. I can't be scared of anything." she beamed.
"I've got a demon for an angel. Oh, I'm so very happy!!"
Zariel wasn't expecting this. She expecting her to be scared to her bones and avoid them, but here she is, happy.
"Thank you for this news, Ms Jung. But I've already forgotten what you told me"
"Hahaha..." Zariel laughed.
Settling down and suppressing her laughs, she asked "Did he go out to save a life?"
"Lives maybe. The last time he was out for this he was badly hurt. This time I don't know if he'd be okay" she took a breather.
That explains the wound she saw on his chest. No wonder he's so cold. He's has gone through so much pain.
They talked for a long while, before Arianna went back upstairs. To his room which he has instructed for her to stay. Tch!
She waited, reading a book with her back against the door. The sun had gone down and still he wasn't back. As she read, she heard the door slam shut, without having to hear when it opened. She turned to it, standing up at who she saw.
Ryan stood by the door, his head lowered, breathing through his mouth. The side of his lips was broken and blood had seeped from there. He was drenched in weakness, his hair was ruffled and his hand bruised. He took a weak step, and another.
"Mr Han...." Arianna took steps towards him "Mr Han, are you okay?"
Ryan lifted his heavy eyes to her, his chest going up and down. And the next moment, he fell on her. His jaw resting on her shoulder. Arianna wavered backwards, trying to balance.
"Mr Han..." She nudged him but he didn't budge. Struggling, she took him to the bed and made him lie, breathing heavily after that, before placing his head on the pillow. Ryan's eyes were closed, breathing slowly through his mouth. He was completely weak.
"Are you alright?" She asked him but he didn't reply. "I'll get the first aid box to clean your wounds." She turned to leave, but then Ryan grasped her wrist, pulling her to himself, making her lie on him. Her hands rested on his chest, her eyes on him, her heart raced also.
"Don't go" his voice was barely a whisper "Stay with me, Aria" he tightened his hold on her waist and she gulped.
"Y-You need...to clean your wounds" she stuttered, but he said nothing. Was he even listening? She tried to get up, but his hold was tight. She struggled, but he wouldn't let go.
They stayed in that position for minutes, until she could feel his grip release. She moved his hand away and got up. Going out, she went to get the first aid box.
She came back and cleaned his wounds. He could barely even open his eyes. Only hissing at the pain he felt. After cleaning his wounds, she turned off the lights as she had noticed he doesn't sleep with lights.
Walking to the bed, she laid on it, her back against him. After a few minutes, she felt Ryan's arm around her, and he pulled her close. Her back was against his chest, and she clutched the sheets, biting her lips in nervousness.
"Let's stay like this" she heard him say "I need someone to help me reduce what I feel inside. You're the best person for the job" he nuzzled his face in her hair, drinking in her scent.
Arianna felt a tingle in her stomach. She bit her lip again. His every touch made her heart skip a bit.
"Mr Han, I..."
"Shh...." He cut her off "I'm trying to sleep"
Arianna didn't know what to do. She was trapped in his arms. They were so... so warm.
"You smell nice, Aria. I could hold you like forever" Ryan said. His voice slow and somehow weak. He held her tight, so tight that even when he slept off, his grip was still tight. Fearing she might run away.
Both slept in that pos
ition, listening to each other's heartbeats.