The Vampire King's Rose

CHAPTER II: When It's Gone

II | When It's Gone

Jin finally reached the castle's borders after an hour of trekking without his sentry alongside him --- a rarity he always capitulated to.

While he was on the dusty road, he was looking over his shoulder from time to time, making sure he was not seen wandering alone. He finally heaved a sigh of relief when he arrived at the mouth of the dense forest, knowing he would be safe from the prying and watchful eyes because of the forest's thick foliage and the pale waning moonlight. He unclenched his tight hold of the reins and dismounted from his horse, keeping his gaze at the small hut with a smoking chimney which was built on the edge of the borderline.

It was where the Black Witch lived.

The villagers living nearby said she was a good witch, that she protected the forest and the animals taking refuge. Jin also heard from one of his servants-in-waiting about how she treated sick people who could not afford to pay for doctors or buy medicines from the apothecaries. But Jin, although he had been a quiet and submissive one all these years since he became mated and made as the King Consort, knew better.

When Taehyung was nowhere to be seen in and around the castle, or whenever Taehyung would not allow him to leave the castle, Jin would spend a lot of his time in the archives room reading scrolls. In one of those written accounts he once read, Jin came across a bizarre and mysterious record that had him curious. For months without anyone knowing his business, Jin poured hours investigating the same report by gathering more information he could find, and later discovered something sublime.

Jin's eyes suddenly became sharp and dark when he heard a very subtle movement behind him, smelling a foreign scent at the same time. He turned around --

"My greetings, Your Grace," the female witch dressed in black and golden hanbok greeted him, curtsying before him then standing back up on her feet. "Whilst I am pleasantly surprised to have been graced by your presence, all alone in this part of the forest without His Majesty or your sworn sentinel--- I am truly delighted to know you have thought of me and have decided to pay me a visit."

"It is my intention to come here to speak with you," Jin said with candor.

"I understand." The Black Witch smiled knowingly, sauntering past him towards her home. She opened the door to her hut, looking back at Jin. "May I invite you into my humble abode, Your Grace? It's not as big as your castle, but it is rather warm and comfortable."

Jin understood the implication of her words. He may have everything: the castle, the title, every material wealth - but he was cold - the fire which kept him warm had dissipated into tendrils of smokes.

Jin followed her inside.

Her home was small, but it was indeed warm, cozy and peaceful --- a place where the atmosphere did not suffocate him and force him to run away. The exterior and interior walls were covered with moss, making it more like a house of a fae rather than a witch's. On the shelves were numerous potions and brews she had concocted, scrolls and jars filled with peculiar things Jin did not dare to describe, while her hearth was blazing with charcoals of fire. In the middle was a wooden table filled with herbs and plants like mugwort, sage and rosemary, and with only two chairs.

"Please, Your Grace. Make yourself comfortable while I brew you a cuppa tea-"

Sitting in one of the wooden chairs, he muttered, "Please do not worry yourself. I will not be staying for long."