Chapter 16 - The Immortal Goes to the Fair

The nightingale crest belongs to one of the most powerful clans in the Vampire World and I am the sole heiress to an empire. This was a fact that I dare not hide but I do forget that the little one is afterall a fragile human being, and I might have dropped a huge 'bomb' on him yesterday night.

When all else fails, I call on the help of my best friend.

"You just have to drop that information on him, huh Alice?" was the first thing Jaemin said as soon as he entered my loft bright and early the next day. He had brought some food for the poor boy, and I had informed Jaemin about what had happened last night. He told me he'd come over to explain properly to Jiminie.

"I'm sorry, I thought he needed to know," I explained. "Since he knew what I am, I thought it'd be safe to know about this fact."

"Yeah but you can't just unload most of the crucial information onto him like that," he pointed out flatly. "He needs time to understand our world. He needs to know your world first. He's a human child, he doesn't understand anything yet, much less the inner workings of the vampire world."

"Ah, that's true," I admitted. "I must've gotten excited."

Jaemin looked at me and broke into a smile. "It's fine," he said. "Where is he?"

"Ought to be sleeping."

"Sharing a bed, I see."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Quit acting like a virgin," I grumbled.

"I am one," he answered.

"You shut the fuck up."

"You're getting vulgar the more you stay here, Alice."

I glowered at him.

.

After Jiminie had woken up and showered, I was told to remain upstairs, listen to songs so I wouldn't overhear what they would speak below. Jaemin was adamant about it. Grumpy, I headed upstairs and threw myself onto the bed – whining about his treatment of me – while grudgingly putting on my earpiece to listen to some music.

I didn't know how long it took him to explain but I find Jiminie crawling into bed next to me and slotting himself onto me, his head cradling between the crook of my neck and shoulder. Control yourself, Alice. He's not ready yet. I heard him letting out a sigh, his breath hot against my skin and I patted his back with a free arm.

"Are you okay?" I asked, pulling the earpiece off my ears and pausing the music.

"Yes," he answered. "You're such an important person, and I didn't know."

"You're equally important to me," I said. "That matters more."

"How can you say such things without getting awkward?" he whined. I could feel his face heating up against my skin. "Why do you like me so much, Alice?"

"Because you're you," I replied. "And I'll wait for you till eternity. Take the time to learn, and I'll be right here waiting for you. I'll spend an eternity with you, my love."

He let out a whining sound. He must be feeling overwhelmed with what's happening and what Jaemin was saying. As we cuddled on the bed, Jaemin appeared at the top of the stairs as he needed to get to the bathroom and he gave me a sly look as he saw us on the bed. Waving at him to fuck off quickly, he took his time.

"If you take a photo of us, I will make sure your life is hell, Jaemin," I warned.

"Hey, that's not nice," Jaemin answered.

"Get out!"

"Okay boss."

Jiminie chuckled softly. "I keep forgetting just how powerful you are," he said softly, as he moved slightly and pressed his face into the crook of my neck. "I still don't know how you came to like me, Alice."

"Quit trying to understand," I said.

He chuckled again. "Let's go out," he decided.

"Where do you have in mind?"

"There's a fair in town," he suggested. "Let's go there."

"Okay."

As we took turns to take a shower, a thought came across my mind. I should probably arrange for space to put his things when he stays over the weekend so he didn't need to keep bringing over his clothes and other items. However, would he be okay with it?

After he stepped out of the shower, I raised that question over to him and I watched as his face turned bright red.

"So does that mean you don't want to?"

"No!" he cried out. "No! I'd love to! I'm just … it's embarrassing."

I blinked at his reply. "Why would you be embarrassed?" I asked. "You're staying over every weekend. I don't want to make you carry your stuff over every weekend."

"It's just … I wasn't expecting you to say it," he explained and he trailed off. "I'm happy that you suggested it and …"

"And?"

"And we're kinda taking this to the next level, so I feel flustered."

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Jiminie."

"No, you're not," he grumbled with a pout.

"You're adorable."

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are adorable to me. I want to keep you in my pocket," I said with a soft smile and added, "I want you to set the pace. I don't want to rush and scare you off. I'm fine with whatever you're fine with."

Jiminie looked like he was about to combust anytime soon. I tried to stop myself from laughing, and he covered his face with his hands; the tip of his ears tinged red. Snickering, I took out my phone and snapped a few photos, wanting to immortalise this moment.

"Jiminie, hurry up and get changed!"

He let out a whine. "Okay"

.

Twenty minutes later, we got out of the car and made our way towards the fair. We had parked quite a distance away as they had taken up the streets around it and the parking lots in a three kilometre radius were full. We managed to get a parking lot after rounding the area for five minutes.

Walking out of the car park, we held hands as we retraced our steps towards the fair. The street we were in was mostly made up of two-storey historical buildings that were built during the colonial era. The government had decided to keep them, maintain them and ensure that their history was never erased.

Due to their historical and cultural importance, each owner was required to maintain the building as it is and is not allowed to rectify or add anything extra unless special permission was granted. Additionally, due to their early construction, most of the streets were narrow and were only one way streets so only one car could fit at any one time.

Jiminie was in a good mood and so was I.

As we drank in the sights around us, the walk to the fair took us an additional fifteen minutes and as we arrived at the entrance, there was a snaking queue to get in so we joined in at the back. We held hands the entire time, while I listened to Jiminie gush about his school and his dance club.

Being with him makes time slow down, and it made life less painful, less lonely. I was happy to be spending my eternity with him. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Slowly, the line moved up until we were able to purchase tickets to get in. As soon as we got in, Jiminie let out a sound of wonder at rows upon rows of colourful tents that were filled with various rides, games and selling an assortment of foods. The tents spread all the way to the end of the street.

"Let's go!"

First off, Jiminie wanted to ride on a rollercoaster. The queue was snaking as well, and we waited for half an hour before we were able to get to ride it. As we sat in the middle row, Jiminie lowered the bar till it locked in place, securing us in the seat. I was curious as to how the rollercoaster worked, while Jiminie was gushing at how high the ride was.

I could see the track peaking ahead, and I knew it rose up to the sixth floor. I glanced over at Jiminie. "Is this a thrilling ride?" I asked as the staff checked each bar was locked properly before she went to the main control panel. I watched as she took a few seconds and pressed a green button.

Jiminie looked like I was sprouting three heads and we shot off into the night. I let out gasp at how fast we were going and Jiminie let out a shout of delight, whooping in excitement as the ride rose up - following the track to the peak. I could feel the rollercoaster tipping upwards gradually.

"When we're at the top, you should raise your arms and scream!" Jiminie yelled.

I looked at the boy and he showed me how. As soon as the rollercoaster tipped over the edge, it was a fast-paced ride that I didn't have time to figure out what's happening. Throwing my arms up as instructed, we let out sounds of excitement and giggles as we were thrown about the seat whenever the ride made a sharp turn.

As soon as it began, the ride grinded to a stop and the bar was released so we could get out. As we climbed out from the ride, we were in an adrenaline high and giggling over each other as we climbed down the stairs to the ground floor. Wiping away a tear, I sucked in a deep breath and let out a sigh.

"So, where next?"

"This one! Let's go!"

After a round of rides, Jiminie decided that it's time to take a rest and I was already getting tired from all the adrenaline rides that we took. I was an immortal, but this is not for me at all. Finding a seat amidst the crowd, Jiminie went to grab some food and drinks from one of the stalls.

He brought enough for three people as he brought back a tray filled to the brim with various foods. I stared at the food - knowing that he was hungry and watched as he set the tray down. He eyed me, knowing that I was about to comment but I didn't say a word, so he began eating.

I took a piece of onion ring.

"By the way, about your friend Nathaniel," I started speaking.

"Wait, how do you know I have a friend named Nathaniel?"

"Well, he's a vampire," I replied. "And I invited him to my welcome party."

"Really? I didn't think he was one."

"Yes," I replied and pulled his wrists so he was looking at me. "I need to tell you something important."

He gulped. "W-what is it?" he asked.

"Nathaniel does not belong in my clan," I explained. "He actually belongs to another clan, under a different Master. He is also one of the Seven Emperors but he is a bad egg. This vampire leader is called Chang Taehyung. He is unlike me, he despises humans and he despises anyone who disobeys him."

Jiminie has turned pale by now.

"The problem right now is that Tae doesn't like it when his own people leave his clan and disappear without a trace, which was what Nathaniel had done. He entered my territory illegally but he got his papers so according to the humans, he is a student in this city."

"What are you going to do with him?" he asked in a whisper.

"I am not going to do anything to him, little one," I said softly, rubbing a soothing thumb across the back of his hand. "I am going to let him stay and study here. He did not leave his clan for nothing. I am not about to rob him of his dream. He has assured me that he will not cause trouble."

"I don't think he's the type to cause any trouble, Alice."

"Not that kind of trouble, Jiminie," I said softly. "There is also something else that I want you to know, little one. But not here."

"Okay, then let's head home."

I was surprised. "What? Didn't you want to play and win a toy?" I asked.

"No, I can't concentrate right now," he answered. "I want to know what it is. You won't be saying these things if it's not important."

I kept quiet.

"Come on, Alice."

"At least finish your food, bub."

He sighed.

.

"It might take some time."

"Okay, I'm ready."

We were back in my apartment, cuddling on the sofa with soft music playing in the background and I had lit up a lavender candlelight for calmness. It's orange light was lighting the room and I was staring at it as I took a few more seconds to get my thoughts together.

I was worried about how he'll take it. It was very gruesome.

It's time to let him know the truth about Tae.

"Before I met you, hundreds of years ago, I had a partner," I said quietly. "We were supposed to wed not long after. But Tae, I knew Tae since I was a kid. His parents were friends with my parents, so we grew up together. Tae had an obsession with me, and he gets territorial with whoever that I was close with."

This story had been buried for a long time.

It was scary to say it again.

Jiminie tightened his hold on me as if sensing that I needed it. He pressed his chin on my head, the muscles on his arms bunching up as he held me close to him - his warmth calming me down.

"When we were kids, everyone thought it was cute. I thought I was special, you know? But when we were teens, I started liking boys like any normal girl would and his obsession started getting crystal clear. He would spread nasty rumours, start unnecessary fights just to get the others off my back and away from me."

"Because of Tae, I was alienated and feared. I was groomed to be the heiress of my clan, and I hated how he's gotten control over everything in my life. I swore that I will never be like him, despising those who are beneath him and taking control over everything. I didn't think it would get any worse but it did."

"When he found out that my parents had agreed for me to marry the one that I wanted, he didn't take it well but we thought it was just a normal reaction from a close friend. His parents didn't think much nor did my parents. I thought it was strange, and I confronted him."

"He claimed that I was his, and his alone and that no one will ever be able to take me away from him," I continued. I took a pause, letting out a sigh. "He went on a rampage and tore him from limb to limb. He didn't stand a chance against Tae; the future heir of his clan. I … I was distraught and heartbroken so I fled."

"And I found you," Jiminie added.

"Not a hundred years later," I corrected softly.

"Do you think he'll do the same thing to me?"

"I won't lie to you, Jiminie," I said softly. "But yes, he will. Once he finds out about Nathaniel's disappearance, and where he had ended up, he will investigate more. I have tried my best to conceal your presence for twenty years now, but I cannot remain hidden for too long as my clan needs me. Word may spill and he will find out."

"Is this why you said that you were afraid that I'll hate you?"

I smiled sadly. "Yes," I replied. "I couldn't protect my old partner. I watched him die and I cannot forgive myself for it. If anything were to happen to you, I would also never forgive myself. I am afraid of losing you, Jiminie. If I do, I am scared of what I will do."

"I know you will protect me from harm," he said firmly. "I trust you with my life, Alice."

I was afraid that he'd say something like that but I knew that he'd say it. I knew that he trusted me, and I knew that I had to do something to protect the life that I had struggled to maintain. I buried my face into the crook of his neck, wrapping my arms around his back so I could squish myself into him.

On that fateful day, as Jiminie gave me his banana milk, that was the day my plan went to fruition.

All I need is more time.

But will I get it?