Love in a Forbidden World

500 Years Ago — Daytime, Deep Forest

The dense canopy of ancient trees filtered golden sunlight through the leaves. In the heart of this sacred forest stood an enormous, enchanted tree—the original form of Hotel Alma. Vines wrapped its bark like ornaments, and blue spirit flames floated gently in the air. It wasn't just a tree. It was a portal. A resting place. A secret bridge between the dead and the divine.

Scarlett, dressed in flowing ancient robes of crimson and silver, stood beneath the tree. Her youthful face bore no trace of warmth—stoic and elegant, the classic mask of a soul reaper.

And then—he appeared.

> "I'm Elvin. I heard you're seeking a human secretary," he said with a charming, crooked smile.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow.

> "You're not what I expected."

> "Neither are you."

From that day, Elvin became her first human aide. Days turned into weeks, weeks into years. Scarlett—who had once known only death—began to laugh. To feel. To love.

In time, that love blossomed like a forbidden rose. Quiet walks in the misty woods. Secret conversations beneath the stars. And one night…

> "Miss Scarlett," Elvin whispered, brushing her cheek. "Even if the heavens rage, I will never leave your side."

They kiss under the moonlight.

One Fateful Night

Thunder shook the skies. Scarlett jolted awake in her hut, sensing a dark presence.

> "Who's there?! Show yourself!"

A voice, powerful and echoing, answered from the darkness.

> "Scarlett. You've broken the law of the heavens."

> "No… please—don't separate us. I love him."

> "A soul reaper does not love. You must face punishment."

Terrified, Scarlett ran barefoot through the forest to Elvin's hut, tears streaking her face. She banged on the door.

> "Elvin! Wake up!"

The door opened with a creak. Elvin blinked in confusion.

> "Miss Scarlett? What's wrong?"

She threw herself into his arms.

> "They're going to take you from me…"

The sky darkened unnaturally. A bolt of blue fire struck the tree outside.

> "Human. You must die."

> "NO!" Scarlett screamed. "Take me instead! Let him live!"

> "You are immortal. You cannot die. But you can choose—trade your memories for his life. If you do, you'll forget him. Forever."

Scarlett hesitated. Her soul ached.

> "I accept… Let me forget. But let him live."

Elvin grabbed her arm.

> "Scarlett, no! I would rather die than lose what we have. These memories… they're the most precious thing in my life."

> "I can't watch you die!" she cried.

Elvin looked up at the sky, proud and defiant.

> "If this is my fate… I accept it."

Lightning surged toward him—but Scarlett leapt into the path, screaming.

The bolt struck her instead.

Her body shimmered into fragments of light.

> "No… SCARLETT!!" Elvin rushed forward, collapsing as her form dissolved.

> "Heavens! I'll destroy your world if you don't bring her back!"

> "Only one may remain," the voice echoed. "If you wish for her return, you must disappear. When she returns, she will not remember you."

Elvin looked up at the sky one last time.

> "Scarlett… I'll come back to you. Please wait for me."

The lightning struck again—and he vanished.

Present Day – Hotel Alma, Scarlett's Chamber

Scarlett sat on her velvet bed.

> "I can see human lifelines."

Cathan, half-joking: "So you can see mine too, right?

Scarlett looked away.

> "I can't see yours. But… I saw your brother's."

Cathan's smiled.

> "I bet he will live long like a bald old man in their 70s, right?"

A pause.

> "He doesn't have much time."

The silence that followed was deafening.

> "Liar…"

His voice shook.

> "You're lying!"

> "Why would I lie for a mere human?" Scarlett replied coldly.

> "He's not just a human! He's my everything!"

> "Then get lost!" she snapped. "Go cry to him if it matters that much."

Cathan turned and stormed out, his eyes burning with rage and sorrow.

4:00 AM – Cathan's House

Cathan quietly entered Mike's room.

The boy was asleep, curled under the blanket, breathing peacefully.

Cathan stood over him for a long moment, forcing a smile, though tears welled in his eyes.

He turned to leave, but—

> "Brother…?"

Cathan wiped his face quickly.

> "I just got home. Go back to sleep, Mike."

> "Okay. You sleep too. You've worked all night."

Cathan nodded and left, slumping onto the sofa. He took the old photo of their parents in his hands.

> "Mom… Dad… What do I do now? How do I protect him…?"

He cried silently until sleep finally took him.

Morning

He woke up to a breakfast on the table and a note:

> "Brother, you were sleeping like a baby, so I didn't wake you. I'm going to school. Eat well and rest! Your little Mike"

Cathan held the note to his chest. He ate slowly—each bite filled with warmth, pain, and love.

Cathan sat on the breakfast table choking on the food as he shed quiet tears.

8:00 PM – Hotel Alma.

Scarlett paced in her chamber.

> "He's late. How dare he! Mr. Secretary was never late in 50 years!"

Knock knock.

> "Come in."

Cathan entered, bowing, his eyes swollen from crying.

> "Good evening, Miss."

Scarlett blinked, startled by the sight of his face

> "You—what happened to you?"

> "I'm sorry, Miss."

> "I didn't ask for an apology! Ugh, whatever. Go check all the rooms. See if any customers want their last wish granted."

> "Yes, Miss."

He left. Scarlett crossed her arms.

> "Tch. These humans. One death and they lose it. I've seen thousands and I'm perfectly fine."

Later That Night.

Cathan returned with a notebook in hand.

> "Miss, I've checked and verified everything."

> "Good. What's the customer feedback?"

> "Mr. John wants another chair—"

> "Stop." Scarlett raised her hand. "Change your expression. I hate looking at that face."

Cathan looked down, and suddenly—tears rolled down his cheeks.

> "I can't, Miss… I can't."

> "Ugh. You're making your face uglier."

> "It's not the time to joke!!" he shouted.

> "Who's joking?"

> "Do you even understand what love is? What family means? You're just some arrogant woman with powers who plays with people's fates like they're toys—"

Suddenly, BOOM!

Blue lightning cracked through the ceiling as a tall, terrifying figure appeared in the room.

Daren.

His blue flame blade blazed in his hand.

> "How DARE you speak to her like that!"

He charged forward to stab Cathan—

> SPLASH!

Scarlett stepped between them. The blade slashed her palm as she caught it mid-air, blood dripping down her fingers.

> "Scarlett?!"

Daren's eyes widened.

Scarlett swayed and fell into his arms, her eyes fluttering shut.

> "Miss…!"

Cathan froze, unable to move, his eyes glued to her bloodied form.

To Be Contined...