chapter: 0.47 : Crimson Eyes and a Whispered Kiss

The kitchen remained silent.

Rina sat in the warm glow of the mana-laced lights, her head resting lightly on her arm, eyes growing heavier with each passing minute. She hadn't meant to fall asleep—but the calm, the quiet, the memories of yesterday—all of it wove together into a lullaby.

And then…

**The clock struck midnight.**

A soft sound—barely audible—broke the silence. Footsteps. Steady. Light. Almost feline.

The door creaked open gently, and **Jin** stepped into the kitchen.

His hair was damp, tousled from a recent shower, the strands of inky black clinging to his pale skin. Drops of water still clung to the ends. His crimson eyes—sharper than blood, deeper than velvet—scanned the room, then paused.

He saw her.

There she was—sitting in the same chair as last night. Her fiery red hair spilled over her shoulder, her nightgown slightly rumpled, lips parted in soft, shallow breaths.

A tiny smile curled on his lips. Playful. Curious.

He walked over to her silently, the obsidian tiles not making a sound beneath his steps. He crouched beside her, his voice low and velvety, a whisper brushing against the shell of her ear:

**"Wife-to-be… why are you asleep here?"**

His words stirred her.

Rina blinked, golden eyes fluttering open, still hazy with sleep. The first thing she saw was **his face**—so close, so impossibly handsome. Damp hair. Soft lips. Those mesmerizing, mischievous eyes.

Still lost in the fog of dreams, she murmured, **"I want… a kiss."**

There was a pause.

Her eyes widened as her own words reached her ears.

*What did I just say?!*

She flinched back, face instantly flushing a violent red, and jerked upright in the chair, hands trembling.

"I—I mean—I wasn't—I didn't mean—!!"

But Jin was already laughing softly, a rich, low chuckle escaping his throat.

His crimson eyes sparkled with wicked amusement.

**"A kiss?"** he repeated, tilting his head with mock innocence. **"Well then… if that's what my fiancée wants—"**

He lifted a single finger and pressed it teasingly to his lips.

**"Go on. I'm all yours."**

He leaned closer, eyes narrowing with playful intent.

**"I'm sure your lips taste delicious… Wife-to-be."**

Rina's mouth fell open, her breath caught in her throat.

She was *mortified.*

Her entire body froze—face burning, heart pounding against her ribs like a war drum.

"I—I didn't mean it!" she blurted. "I was half-asleep! It wasn't—it's not like that!"

Jin arched a brow, amused. "Mm-hmm," he hummed, clearly not buying a single word. He leaned an elbow on the table, chin resting against his palm.

**"Then you don't want a kiss?"**

His tone dropped slightly, more teasing now.

**"That's a shame. I was starting to get my hopes up."**

Rina's fingers curled into fists on her lap. She wanted to melt into the floor.

She shook her head wildly. "No! I mean—yes! No—wait—I didn't mean *yes* as in I *want*—I mean, I *did* say it but—agh!!"

Her words tangled like knots in her mouth. She buried her face in her hands again.

Jin grinned wider.

**"Adorable,"** he said simply.

She peeked through her fingers, golden eyes glaring weakly at him. "You're enjoying this."

"Of course," he said, unapologetic. He leaned back, stretching slightly, the light catching the faint sheen of moisture still clinging to his collarbone.

Her eyes darted away quickly.

"Why are you even here?" she asked, desperate to change the subject.

"I could ask you the same," he replied. "But if you *really* want to know… I was hoping to find something sweet."

He gave her a sideways glance.

**"Looks like I did."**

Rina blinked, stunned. "…Huh?"

He rose to his feet and walked to the counter, opening a cupboard and pulling out a mana-infused bottle of cold tea. He poured a glass, then turned to her again.

**"Want one?"**

Still flustered, she only nodded.

He placed the glass in front of her, then sat on the edge of the table, legs crossed, watching her sip with trembling hands.

A silence settled between them—warmer now, no longer awkward, but *curious.* Tender. Something was shifting between them, like mist curling in moonlight.

Jin's expression softened.

**"You came here hoping I'd show up, didn't you?"**

Rina froze.

Then, slowly… she nodded.

She didn't know why she admitted it.

Maybe it was the way he looked at her. Or the way her chest felt when he was near. Or the way the silence didn't feel lonely anymore.

He gave a low hum. "That's brave of you."

She looked up, confused. "Brave?"

He met her eyes again. "Most people run from me."

Rina stared at him, her breath caught once more.

"…I don't want to run."

Jin didn't smile this time.

But his eyes shone with something deeper. Quieter.

Respect.

Interest.

Maybe even—connection.

...... 

Heat: Note: I mentioned before that Jin doesn't like sweets, but he said that he came hoping to find something sweet. He meant Rena in short, he meant her lips indirectly, and Rena understood that. He meant her, or something sweet.