The Secret of Blood Mountain

☽ 10 ☾Remember Me

"You won't remember me once you're gone. I'll miss you," Jeongyl expressed with solemnity, hoping his words might alter her decision.

"You and Winter have been so kind to me. I would have gone insane if it wasn't for you."

"You are stronger than you think. Humans can endure so much. I wish you didn't want to leave us."

"If I stay here, he wins."

"There is no winning or losing. We all just live our lives."

"You call it living, but I was lured here to be a sacrifice. What about my life? The one I won't have."

"In our culture, it is a great honor to be the teind-payer."

"Then why don't you do it?" She retorted, her words tinged with anger. "I'm sorry. You don't deserve that."

"It's a great sacrifice, and it must be done willingly for it to have the necessary power."

"Willingly? It's not willing if the person chooses death over being a slave in the pit of the earth."

Jeongyl paused, attempting to comprehend her perspective. He saw her circumstances differently, considering it an honor to be chosen. To him, she was not a slave; slipping through the veil meant she was meant to be there. When Taeleorn chose her and granted her freedoms, it signified honor and that she could possibly become one of them. He refrained from sharing this, desiring only to make her feel safe and at home.

"I know you regret coming here, but I'm glad I met you," Jeongyl said, offering a warm smile as his hand covered hers.

"It's not easy even for us," he continued after a long sigh. "Sometimes we are overcome with the weight. I have experienced this, and I know it is terrible, but we have methods to cope. At those times, we seek solace from the golden cup."

Eve nodded, recalling her one sip from the golden cup that led her to the altar, giving herself to Taeleorn. She dreaded a repeat of that experience. She did not want to lose herself.

"You don't need to worry. You won't be sacrificed," Jeongyl reassured.

"No, but at what cost? I had to give up my baby."

"Perhaps if you accept your life here, if you accept Taeleorn as your partner, things would be different for you."

"I can't. I have no love for him. He has taken everything from me."

Jeongyl imagined being stripped of identity, memories, and all that was familiar, understanding the trauma it could cause.

"Keep your voice down. No one can know I'm here."

"Tell me again about my son's room," Eve said, letting go of her anger.

"It isn't done yet, but I have it all planned out," Jeongyl said excitedly. "I've painted a big window looking out into a garden at midnight. The flowers glow in the moonlight as I've used paint made from the luminous scales of the creatures in the pond. I want to add stars on the ceiling and make the enclosing space feel expansive."

"It sounds magical! You are very kind to do this," Eve said with a sweet smile.

"Couldn't you sneak me in for a peek?"

"No, Eve. You know I can't. The room is always guarded."

"Okay, I understand. Please tell me my son isn't in the dark all day."

"He isn't. I promise."

☾⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•☽

From the moment Jeongyl met Eve, he was extremely curious about her. She was not from his world, making her intriguing. Yet, unlike others from her world who needed potions to endure the darkness, she coped well, adding to her allure. He felt compassion for her strengths and weaknesses, determined to help her and her baby in any way possible, even if it meant letting her go if that's what she truly desired.

(Edited 1/28/24)