Inside her room, Alina couldn't stop herself from thinking. So many questions were running through her mind. Why did he suddenly ask her to go to her room? Was he angry? Or was he trying to hide her from someone? The questions kept swirling endlessly in her head.
She sat on the bed, patiently waiting for Liam to call her out. After what felt like forever, she heard a knock on the door and immediately stood up to open it.
When she opened the door, one of the maids was standing there.
"Master said I should call you out to eat," the maid said.
Alina nodded and followed her.
When she got outside, she looked around but didn't see any sign of Liam.
"Master is in his room. He said he doesn't want to be disturbed," the maid explained.
"Okay," Alina replied, then walked to the dining table, ate her food, and returned to her room.
---
The next morning, Alina woke up early. After taking her bath and slipping into a fresh, simple dress, she stepped out of her room. She expected to see Liam sitting on the couch in the living room with his newspaper, but the space was empty.
For some reason, her heart sank. She didn't understand why. She should have felt relieved, after all, Liam's presence was usually intimidating, his eyes always sharp and cold, but instead, a strange sadness crept into her chest. It felt… wrong.
Why am I feeling like this? she wondered, shaking her head.
Sighing, she walked to the dining table where an array of dishes had been laid out. The fragrant aroma filled the air, but she barely noticed the delicious smell. Instead, she began picking out a few items and arranging them neatly on a tray: rice, some grilled meat, a small bowl of soup, and a cup of tea.
Once the tray was ready, she lifted it carefully and began heading toward the stairs. Balancing the tray in one hand, she used the other to knock on Liam's bedroom door.
Silence.
She waited, expecting to hear his deep voice telling her to come in, but nothing came. She knocked again, louder this time. Still no reply.
Biting her lip, she slowly turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
The faint sound of running water reached her ears immediately. She froze for a moment, realizing Liam must be in the bathroom. She considered leaving the tray on a small table and walking out quietly so as not to disturb him. But just as she was about to turn away, the bathroom door swung open.
Her eyes widened.
Liam stepped out, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. Water dripped from his damp hair, trickling down over his broad shoulders and sculpted chest, his chest hair glistening slightly under the light. His handsome face was calm, almost serene, unlike the usual cold mask he wore.
Alina's breath caught in her throat.
He looked like a prince who had just stepped out of a romantic drama, every detail of his physique carved to perfection. His six-pack abs were so well-defined she couldn't help but imagine resting her head on them like a pillow. Everything about him was dangerously perfect.
"What are you doing here?" Liam's deep voice broke through her daze.
Alina blinked rapidly, trying to regain her composure. "I… I brought food for you," she said, pointing toward the tray on the table.
"Why?" he asked, his tone unreadable as he walked toward a drawer.
"Nothing," she replied quickly. "It's just… I've never seen you eat before." Ever since she had come to stay in his house, she had only seen him drink coffee, never a proper meal.
Liam glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips before he let out a short chuckle.
"What's funny?" Alina asked, narrowing her eyes.
He didn't answer. Instead, he pulled something from the drawer and walked toward her—a hair dryer. Without a word, he handed it to her.
Alina took it with a questioning look. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Dry my hair," he said simply.
Her brows shot up. "Wow. You could at least say 'please.' You're so rude."
His eyes darkened slightly. "You eat my food and sleep in my house. You do whatever I tell you to do. Now, dry my hair."
Alina made a face at him but sighed in defeat. "Fine, Your Majesty."
She plugged in the dryer, switched it on, and began blowing warm air over his hair. The strands were silky between her fingers, and without thinking, she began gently running her hands through them.
The moment her fingers touched his scalp, Liam's eyes closed. He felt something warm stir inside him, a softness he didn't recognize. He didn't know why, but her touch made his chest loosen, his guard slipping away without warning.
This was the first time he had ever allowed anyone to touch his hair. Normally, he hated it, but right now… he didn't want her to stop.
Alina noticed his eyes were still closed when she finished drying. She smiled faintly, then, just for fun, decided to style it. Her fingers moved playfully, parting and twisting his hair into two ponytails with a small braid in the middle, making it look like a playful tail. His hair was so soft that she found herself lingering, unwilling to let go.
Liam stayed still, sensing what she was doing but strangely not stopping her. When she was finally done, she grinned proudly, her eyes sparkling like she had just completed a masterpiece.
"Like it?" she asked in a sing-song voice, tilting her head like she was speaking to a child.
Liam opened his eyes and caught sight of himself in the mirror. For a second, he was stunned, then a frown slowly formed. The style made him look completely different, almost… normal. Not the cold, intimidating man he was used to seeing in the mirror.
"No," he said flatly.
Alina's smile faltered, her shoulders sinking. The disappointment was sharp. She had put in the effort to make him look good, well, at least cute, and all he could say was "no." Couldn't he at least pretend to like it?
Her chest tightened. Before she realized it, tears welled up and began to spill down her cheeks. She quickly turned away, trying to hide them, but the ache in her throat was too much.
Without saying a word, she ran out of the room.
Liam stared at the door, watching as Alina ran out of the room, her tears glistening in the light. His brows furrowed in confusion.
Why was she crying?
All he'd said was that he didn't like it. Was that really enough to make her upset?
He turned back to the mirror, tilting his head slightly as he studied his reflection. The sight of himself with two ponytails and a little braid in the middle was… ridiculous. He couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped his lips.
Alina lay sprawled on her bed, her face buried in the pillow as soft sobs escaped her. She didn't even fully understand why she was crying; maybe she just needed to let it out, but deep down, she knew she was upset with Liam.
It wasn't just about him not liking the hairstyle she made for him… it was the way he said it. No smile, no hint of appreciation, just cold words that felt like a slap.
Her chest tightened with frustration. Ungrateful man, she thought, sniffing.
The quiet of the room was broken by the sound of her door opening. She lifted her head slightly, and even without looking properly, she knew it was him. The maids never opened her door without knocking.
She turned to glance toward the door. Liam stood there, tall and composed, his face unreadable as always. But what caught her eye was his hair, the braid she'd worked so hard on was gone. His hair was back to its usual style, the perfectly neat look that made him seem even colder… and, annoyingly, even more handsome.
Her lips trembled in a pout, and she let out a little whimper before burying her face in the pillow again. She cried louder, almost dramatically, like a spoiled princess throwing a tantrum.
Liam stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He had come with the intention of scolding her, of punishing her for doing something he hadn't asked her to do. But now… seeing her like this, with her eyes red and her lips puffed out from crying, made something inside him falter. He didn't know whether to feel irritated or strangely soft.
"Stop that crying," he said firmly, but there was no real sharpness in his tone.
Alina sniffled loudly and ignored him, clutching the pillow tighter as if it could shield her from his cold voice.
Liam sighed. "Alright," he said after a pause, "stop crying and I'll take you to the park."
At once, Alina's teary eyes widened. She lifted her head, blinking at him as if she wasn't sure she'd heard correctly. "Really?" she asked, her voice a mixture of hope and disbelief.
He crossed his arms. "I'm giving you one minute to meet me outside before I change my mind."
A sudden burst of joy lit up her face. "Yes!!" she squealed, bouncing on the bed in excitement.
Liam lingered for a moment, watching her jump up and down without a shred of shame, like an overjoyed child who had just been given her favorite candy. Something about the sight tugged at him in a way he didn't want to admit. He shook his head, turned around, and walked away, muttering under his breath about her being "too much."
---
Liam and Alina sat in the back of the car, while Caleb occupied the driver's seat, waiting for his master's instructions.
"Drive to the nearest park," Liam said coldly.
Caleb froze for a moment, then slowly turned to glance over his shoulder at the man in the backseat. Surely, he had heard wrong. His master? Going to a park? That was… unheard of.
"Deaf?" Liam asked, his gaze sharp, catching Caleb still staring at him with a look of disbelief.
"I was just wondering if you made a mistake," Caleb said carefully.
"I don't repeat myself. Now drive," Liam replied, his tone firm.
Caleb quickly nodded and faced the wheel again, starting the engine before pulling out onto the road.
Alina, sitting beside Liam, turned her attention to the window. Her eyes lit up as she took in the passing scenery. The gentle breeze slipped through the open window, lifting strands of her hair so that they brushed against Liam's face.
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She was smiling, softly, innocently, like someone seeing the world for the first time. For a brief moment, he simply watched her, wondering how such a simple thing could make her so happy. Then, with a quiet sigh, he leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes as if to block out the unfamiliar warmth creeping into his chest.
When they arrived at the park, Alina practically jumped out of the car before Caleb could even open the door for her. She took in the sight of green grass, blooming flowers, and people laughing in the distance, her face lighting up like a child on Christmas morning.
"This place is beautiful!" she exclaimed, spinning around with her arms wide open. She felt happy to be out, though a part of her wished Helen were here to enjoy it with her. Still, she decided she would take pictures and send them to her later.
Liam, on the other hand, stepped out slowly, shoving his hands into his pockets. His expression was as blank as ever, but inside, he was already wondering why he'd agreed to this in the first place.
Alina ran ahead to watch a group of kids flying kites. The breeze tugged at her hair, and she laughed, clapping her hands when one of the kites soared higher. Meanwhile, Liam stood under a tree, glancing at his watch every few minutes.
She spotted an ice cream vendor and immediately ran to buy one, turning back to ask, "Do you want one?"
"No." His voice was flat, almost impatient.
"Your loss," she said cheerfully, licking the ice cream as they walked. She stopped to admire flowers, feed the ducks, and even watch a street performer juggle, completely unaware that Liam's patience was wearing thin.
By the time they'd been there for an hour, Liam sighed heavily and said, "Five more minutes, then we're leaving."
"Already?" she pouted. "I feel like I just got here!"
"Whatever," he muttered under his breath, his eyes drifting toward the parking lot.
But even as he stood there, clearly eager to go, he couldn't help glancing at her from time to time, wondering how someone could find so much joy in something so simple.
Then it hit him.
A faint but sharp scent drifted through the air, making Liam freeze instantly.
It wasn't the sweetness of flowers or the fresh smell of grass.
No… this scent was darker, heavier—unmistakable. He already knew who it belonged to.
His eyes narrowed as he scanned the park. People laughed and strolled like nothing was wrong.
"Alina." His voice was calm but laced with urgency.
She turned, smiling. "Hmm?"
"Get up. We're leaving."
She blinked in confusion. "What? Why? Please, let's stay a little longer…"
"Now." His tone left no room for argument.
Something in the seriousness of his eyes made her freeze. She opened her mouth to protest, but decided to keep shut.
He placed a hand on her back, guiding her quickly toward the car. Caleb had already caught the same scent, his face tightening as he started the engine without being told.
The moment they got in, Liam shut the door and said sharply, "Drive."
Alina looked at him, still puzzled. "What happened? Did something…"
"Don't ask," he said coldly.
When they arrived home, Liam went straight to his room and locked the door behind him. In the next second, his figure vanished, and he appeared inside a dark, damp cave.
"I knew you would come," Kian said, lounging on a long chair that resembled a throne.
"How dare you follow me around? Do you have a death wish?" Liam's voice was like steel.
"You know what I want," Kian replied with a sly smile. "Yesterday, I asked you for a favor, but you struck me instead. And ever since, I haven't been able to stop thinking about that sweet human blood… Just give her to me… Please."
"You're losing your mind, Kian. Have you forgotten who you're speaking to?" Liam's eyes narrowed.
"Of course not. I know I'm talking to the devil himself," Kian chuckled darkly. "But why do you have a human living in your house, still breathing? That's not like you, Liam."
"I won't warn you again. Stay away from me."
"I don't think I can," Kian said, his grin widening. "I need her blood."
"Okay then."
In an instant, Liam eyes turned blood-red, and a surge of power crackled in his hands.
"What are you planning to do, Liam?" Kian asked, rising from his throne.
Liam didn't answer. He simply stretched out his hand toward Kian and released a powerful strike, forcing Kian to drop to his knees. With a flick of his wrist, Liam conjured a glowing cage of energy and sent it hurtling toward him.
Kian's form dissolved into black smoke, but the smoke was sucked into the cage, where it solidified.
"Let me out, Liam!" Kian roare.
Liam didn't spare the cage a glance. Without a word, he vanished into thin air.