Crimson Moonlight

VIII. The Unveiling

   I sat at my desk in my small apartment, surrounded by a clutter of textbooks and lecture notes. The demands of university life had kept me occupied for days on end, leaving little time for anything else. I was knee-deep into a particularly challenging assignment for my mythology course, delving into the intricate details of ancient gods and heroes, when a persistent thought tugged at my mind— a longing to visit Mrs. Kim at the old bookshop.

   The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over my cramped study space. With a sigh, I set aside my thick mythology textbook and rubbed my tired eyes. Names like Zeus, Odin, and Anubis buzzed in my mind, their stories blending together in a whirl of myths and legends.

   Deciding I needed a break, I grabbed my jacket and keys, feeling anticipation grow with each step towards the familiar old building. The bell above the door tinkled softly as I entered the bookshop, greeted by the comforting scent of aged paper and polished wood. Mrs. Kim was hunched over a pile of dusty tomes behind the counter, his silver hair catching the light from a nearby lamp. He looked up at the sound of the bell, his face breaking into a wide smile.

"Eunchae!" Mrs. Kim exclaimed warmly, pushing his reading glasses up his nose. "It's been too long. How are you?"

   I returned his smile, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "I've been buried under textbooks," I admitted with a laugh. "But today, I needed a break. And I was hoping to catch up with you and see if anything new has come in."

   Mrs. Kim chuckled softly, gesturing towards a corner of the shop where a stack of old, forgotten books awaited our attention. "Funny you should ask," he said conspiratorially. "I found something quite extraordinary just the other day."

   Intrigued, I followed him to the corner, my eyes scanning the titles and dusty spines. Among the usual collection of ancient tomes, one book stood out—an ornate leather-bound volume adorned with intricate gold filigree. I reached out tentatively, feeling a strange pull as I opened its aged pages.

"The Vampire Prince," I read aloud, my voice barely above a whisper as I stared at the title page. My heart skipped a beat as I noticed an illustration that accompanied the text—a portrait of the Vampire Prince, his features strikingly familiar.

"Mrs. Kim, look at this," I exclaimed, showing him the illustration. "Doesn't he look just like...?". Mrs. Kim's eyes widened in recognition as he examined the portrait. "Sunghoon," he finished my sentence, his voice tinged with astonishment. "It's uncanny.". I nodded slowly, my mind racing with questions. "Could it be possible? Could Sunghoon really be...?"

   Mrs. Kim closed the book gently, his expression grave yet thoughtful. "It would explain a lot," he murmured. "His absence, his demeanor... Perhaps he was trying to protect us.". "But from what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "And why now? Why reveal this?". Mrs. Kim sighed, his gaze distant as he pondered the implications. "Some secrets are better left buried, Eunchae. But others... Others demand to be known."

   Silence settled between us, the weight of our discovery hanging in the air. I traced my fingers over the intricate patterns on the book's cover, my thoughts swirling with a mix of fascination and concern.

"I hope he's alright," I finally said, my voice tinged with worry. "He hasn't been here in a week.". Mrs. Kim nodded solemnly. "We can only hope," he replied softly. "In the meantime, we must tread carefully. This knowledge is a delicate balance."

   As we sat in quiet contemplation, my thoughts turned to the times I had seen Sunghoon in the alley behind the bookshop—moments fleeting yet etched into my memory. I glanced at Mrs. Kim, curiosity getting the better of me. "Mrs. Kim, you've seen Sunghoon in the alley before, haven't you?" I asked, my voice hesitant. "What was he doing there?"

   Mrs. Kim hesitated, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of caution and understanding. "He... He often came seeking solitude," he replied carefully. "I believe it was his way of... grappling with his own demons.". A pang of concern gripped my heart. "Do you think he'll come back?" I asked quietly, searching Mrs. Kim's face for reassurance. "I believe he will," Mrs. Kim said with quiet confidence. "Sunghoon is resilient. Whatever he's facing, I have faith he will find his way back to us."

   The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the bookshop, a reminder of time passing as we sat together, bound by our shared concern for Sunghoon and the mysteries that surrounded him.

   After a while, I reluctantly rose from my seat. "I should head home," I said, gathering my things. "Thank you, Mrs. Kim. For everything.". Mrs. Kim smiled warmly. "You're always welcome here,Eunchae," he said, his voice tinged with gratitude. "Take care, and don't hesitate to visit again."

   With a final nod, I left the bookshop, the cool breeze of early evening brushing against my cheeks as I walked home. Thoughts of the Vampire Prince and Sunghoon's absence weighed heavily on my mind, filling me with a mix of curiosity and concern. As I entered my apartment and settled back at my desk, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were on the brink of uncovering something extraordinary—something that would change everything we knew about the world around us.

   Walking along the alley, getting home, preparing myself for bed.... I just wouldn't get the thought that Sunghoon was the Vampire Prince out of my mind. It was as if that information was stuck there, as if it was a childhood trauma I couldn't forget. But why didn't he tell me...?

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