Love in a Forbidden World

Morning — Scarlett's Chamber

A gentle breeze drifted through the open windows, rustling the velvet curtains of Scarlett's darkened chamber. She sat quietly on her throne-like chair, her wounded hand still wrapped in bandages. Daren sat beside her, his face cold and unreadable, yet his eyes betrayed the concern he refused to show.

> Daren (quietly): "Why did you come in between... for a mere human?"

Scarlett lowered her eyes, her voice subdued.

> Scarlett: "Master... I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. When I saw you going toward him... my body just moved on its own."

> Daren (sharply): "No. You didn't step in to stop me. You stepped in to protect him."

She flinched at his words.

> Scarlett: "No, Master. How can I dare to break the laws of our world? He's just a human—"

> Daren (interrupting): "Really? Then let me ask—if I were to kill him right now, would you let me?"

Her lips parted, but no sound came. She froze.

> Daren (sighing): "You can't answer. Because you can't bear the thought."

He stood slowly.

> Daren: "Scarlett, I'm telling you this for your own good. Don't let that human into your heart. It will only destroy you."

> Scarlett: "Yes... Master."

> Daren: "Good. Rest well. I'll check the hotel before I leave."

He turned and left.

Scarlett watched him go, then slowly lowered her gaze to the floor. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she placed her hand gently over her chest.

Hotel Hallway

As Daren stepped out of Scarlett's room, he spotted Cathan leaning against the wall, looking down.

> Daren (sternly): "What are you doing here? It's daytime. Go home."

> Cathan: "But... Miss Scarlett will need me."

> Daren (flatly): "No. She doesn't need a human."

Cathan's chest ached, but he kept his composure.

> Cathan: "Master... why do you hate us humans?"

Daren scoffed.

> Daren: "Hate? That word is too small. Throughout history, humans have been the root of countless disasters—whether as mortals or as spirits."

> Cathan: "Yes, that's true... but we humans also love. That's what makes us beautiful... doesn't it?"

> Daren: "Love? You humans don't love. You pretend. You perform love."

Cathan's eyes dropped. He said nothing.

> Daren: "Go home. Come back later—on time. Let Scarlett rest. And do your job properly. Because next time, she won't be able to save you."

> Cathan (bowing): "Yes, Master."

As Cathan turned away, he glanced once more at Scarlett's door.

> Daren (to himself): "So you're back... to destroy her all over again."

Outside the Grocery Store

Cathan walked down the familiar street, lost in thought.

> Old Lady: "Cathan!"

> Cathan (smiling faintly): "Good evening, ma'am."

> Old Lady: "Mike already left for school. Here—take the spare keys."

> Cathan: "Thank you."

She studied his face with concern.

> Old Lady: "Why do you look so sad?"

> Cathan (quickly): "Oh... nothing. Just thinking."

She chuckled softly.

> Old Lady: "My boy, sometimes... you should listen to your heart, not your head."

Cathan blinked, confused.

> Cathan: "Oh... right."

> Old Lady: "Here. Take this apple. Eat it when you get home."

> Cathan: "Thank you, ma'am."

He waved and walked away. Behind him, the old lady watched silently, her smile fading into something unreadable as she entered her shop.

Cathan's House.

Cathan opened the door to a quiet home. A note sat on the table:

> "Brother, I waited for you but it seems you'll be late, so I'm heading to school. I didn't make breakfast today, but there are rice cakes in the fridge! – Your little Mike."

Cathan smiled sadly, but instead of eating, he climbed upstairs, took a long shower, and returned to his room. He saw the apple from the old lady, bit into it, then collapsed onto the bed.

Sleep took him quickly.

Cathan's Dream

A peaceful forest.

A giant tree loomed above. The wind was soft, birds chirping. Cathan looked around—when he saw her.

Scarlett.

But she looked different—dressed in a delicate ancient gown, her long hair braided with silver threads. She smiled brightly and ran to him.

> Scarlett: "Elvin! Where did you go? I've been looking for you all day!"

> Cathan (confused): "Miss? Why are you calling me that? I'm... Cathan."

> Scarlett (pouting): "You're teasing me again. I hate it when you do that!"

Her innocent smile melted his heart. His eyes softened.

> Cathan (smiling): "Alright. I'm sorry. I won't tease you anymore."

> Scarlett (sweetly): "Then stop calling me 'miss'. Just call me Scarlett, like you always do."

His heart raced. He stepped forward and took her hands.

> Cathan: "My Scarlett... you look so beautiful."

She blushed.

She leaned in, placing a hand on his chest. Their lips touched—gentle, soft, warm.

But just then—BOOM!

Thunder tore through the dream sky.

The forest turned black. Gloom swallowed the trees. Strings dropped from the sky like chains, wrapping around Scarlett.

> Scarlett (screaming): "AHHHHH!! ELVIN!!!"

> Cathan: "Scarlett!!!"

He reached for her, but she vanished into smoke.

> Voice (echoing): "You cannot be with her."

> Cathan: "Where is she!? Bring her back!!"

> Voice: "She's somewhere you cannot reach. Not now."

> Cathan (shouting): "I'll find her! Even if I must walk through the heavens or burn through timelines—I'll reach her!"

> Scarlett (faint): "Elvin… help me…"

Cathan's Room — Sunset

He jolted awake, drenched in sweat.

> Cathan (panting): "Scarlett…?"

He sat up, looking around.

> "A dream…? It felt so real…"

He stared at his shaking hands, then quickly glanced at the clock.

6 PM.

> "I'm late!"

He rushed to get dressed.

Scarlett's Chamber — Evening

Scarlett sat in her chair, sipping wine. Her hand still bore the bandage, though the bleeding had stopped.

The door opened.

> Cathan (bowing): "Good evening, Miss."

> Scarlett: "Oh. You came."

His eyes landed on the wine in her hand.

> Cathan (stepping forward): "Miss… give me that."

> Scarlett (snapping): "What's your problem!?"

> Cathan: "Until you're fully recovered, you're not drinking."

> Scarlett: "Then how do you expect me to recover?"

> Cathan (gently): "If you don't get better, I'll never forgive myself."

Scarlett blinked at his sorrowful eyes but composed herself.

> Cathan: "Once you're well, I'll get you all the best wine in the city."

> Scarlett (rolling eyes): "As if you're rich enough."

> Cathan: "As your personal secretary, can I at least know your expenses?"

> Scarlett: "Sure. My ex-secretary filed a report. It should be on the bookshelf."

Cathan rummaged through the shelf and pulled out a thick folder.

> Cathan (jaw dropping): "Miss!! You spent this much on wine!?

> Scarlett: "It's not that much."

> Cathan: "Not much!? You could buy a country with this!"

> Scarlett (laughing): "Look at your face! You're drooling with greed."

> Cathan: "I'm hurt you think so."

> Scarlett: "Acting like a kid, as usual."

> Cathan: "I'm not a kid. Stop calling me that."

> Scarlett: "You are. I've lived for generations. You're barely born."

> Cathan: "Then your tantrums are more childish than mine."

> Scarlett (scoffing): "You're like a child throwing a fit."

> Cathan (stepping forward): "I'm not a child. I'm a man."

> Scarlett: "Oh really? And what can you do besides pouting and being dramatic?"

> Cathan: "I… I can do this."

He closed the distance, gently wrapped his arms around her waist, and leaned in.

He kissed her.

Scarlett's eyes widened in shock.

The room fell into stillness.

Only the wind whispered through the window… as time seemed to stop.

To Be Continued…