Vampire Brothers

Chapter 16

Haneul gaped, "So you drink artificial blood?" Vernon nodded. "Does it taste the same?" she asked.

"It's disgusting, to be honest," Dino frowned. "Artificial blood tastes nothing like the real thing. It's more diluted compared to real blood," Vernon explained.

"For your information, we have real blood in this house," Wonwoo added with a smile.
"Really?" Haneul looked surprised.

Vernon nodded again, "We keep it in wine bottles."

"You mean the ones wrapped in cloth? They have real blood in them?" Haneul asked, and they nodded. She gasped, "So that means S.Coups oppa was drinking blood that night."

They all looked at her in surprise. "You saw him drinking?" Dino asked.

"Not exactly. I just saw the bottle on the counter and a wine glass with some red liquid, which I assumed was wine. He was drinking it, I guess, but he stopped when I entered the kitchen."

"But other than S.Coups oppa, how come I've never seen any of you drink that?" Haneul asked.
"We do. When you leave for school, we drink some. Real blood is hard to find in the human world, so we have to be considerate of each other," Wonwoo explained.

"Oh, and one more thing should know about us, Haneul—we can't be out in the sun," Vernon said. Haneul looked at him puzzled.

"Just like in the movies, vampires can't be in the sun. But garlic doesn't bother us. That's an incorrect myth. We have nothing against garlic," Vernon smiled.

Haneul remembered something. "So that's why none of you walked me to school on the first day," she said.

Dino nodded, "The sun can burn our skin. It's like we're allergic to it." "But what about me? Can I go out in the sun? I mean, I've been fine before," Haneul asked.

Wonwoo sighed, "You're a special case, Haneul. Like we said, we've never come across a case like yours. There must be some secret behind your birth—like who your parents are, if you have any siblings or relatives, things like that."

"What about Mingyu oppa and S.Coups oppa?" Haneul asked.

"What about them?" Dino replied.

"When Aunt Sofia helped me with my fever, she said S.Coups oppa and Mingyu oppa went out to get ice. Are they okay?" she asked.

"Mingyu hyung and S.Coups hyung are from a different line of the family hierarchy. They're both special. They should explain it to you themselves—they know better," Dino said. Haneul nodded.

The grandfather clock in the living room struck midnight, letting out a loud chime.

"Look at the time. We should head to sleep. You, princess, still have a lot to learn. Make sure you're ready for it," Vernon said as he stood up and bowed to them. "Good night, everyone."

Dino also stood up, "Make sure to brush your teeth before you sleep, princess." Haneul nodded with a smile, "Good night."

"I'll walk you to your room," Wonwoo offered. "Thank you, oppa." She smiled.

It was already past two in the morning, and Haneul was still staring at the ceiling. *Come on, Haneul. Sleep!* she scolded herself. She tossed and turned a few times, but sleep wouldn't come. She sat up. "Weird! Why can't I sleep? Usually, I'd be so sleepy by now," she murmured to herself.

She then heard something crash against the wall next to her. She turned to her right. "What's that?" Haneul wondered aloud as she got out of bed. She left her room and went to the room on her right. She knocked a few times on the door but got no answer. She tried the doorknob, and it was unlocked. *He's still awake?* she thought.

Haneul poked her head into the room, "Woozi oppa?" she called. From where she stood, she could see Woozi resting on a chair, looking frustrated. Near the wall next to her room, pencils and pens were scattered on the floor, and the case was nowhere to be seen.

"Oppa," she called again.

Woozi woke up and turned to her in surprise. "Haneul! Did I wake you?" he asked curiously.
She walked up to him. "No, I couldn't sleep, and then I heard something against my wall." She looked at the mess on the floor. "I guess that's what caused the sound." Haneul smiled softly. 

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Woozi nodded before getting up to pick up the scattered pencils and pens. "I just ran out of ideas."

Haneul looked around Woozi's room. She was always amazed by him. His room was one of a kind—he had turned it into a studio with a recording room. The only furniture was a large sofa bed; the rest of the room was dedicated to his hobby: composing music.

Haneul sat on his bed. "Why don't you sleep first, oppa? Maybe you'll get some ideas in the morning," she suggested.

Woozi turned to her, "You know vampires can't be in the sun, right?" She nodded.

"We sleep during the day and are only active at night," Woozi explained. "Really?" she asked.
Woozi nodded, "You can check every room—we're all awake right now. After you leave for school, then we go to sleep."

She nodded again.

Woozi looked at the clock before turning back to her. "Aren't you sleepy? Normally, you'd be sleepy by now."

Haneul grabbed a pillow and hugged it. "I'm not sleepy, and I don't know why."

Woozi stared at her. *It's probably because her vampire genes are starting to kick in. She's beginning to experience what a normal vampire would.*

"Oppa?" she called him again.

"Oh, sorry." Woozi smiled. "Should I play something for you?" "Wouldn't that trouble you more?" she asked.

Woozi shook his head with a smile, "I'm out of ideas anyway. I have plenty of time." He stood up and went to his white grand piano.

Haneul smiled. "Thank you, oppa."

Woozi's graceful fingers slid across the piano keys, producing a soft, gentle melody. Haneul closed her eyes, enjoying the sound.

After a few minutes, Haneul finally fell asleep. Woozi got up from his seat and walked over to her. He adjusted her sleeping position. Half asleep, Haneul looked at him. "Thank you, oppa," she murmured before yawning.

"It's my pleasure, my princess. Good night." Woozi planted a kiss on her head before switching off the light.