Princess Hea stood gazing at the purple-stained sky, the soft wind playing with her long hair like a gentle lullaby.
“Princess, the King requests your presence in the main hall,” a maid said, bowing respectfully.

Hea turned, her serene smile gracing her lips as she nodded. Gathering the edges of her gown, she walked gracefully, her servants following behind.

As she ascended the marble staircase, her eyes locked with someone already watching her.

His gaze pierced into hers—intense, yet soft.

She didn’t look away.

He did. Just slightly, a shy smile tugging at his lips.

“I called you here to introduce you to him,” the King spoke, gesturing toward the young man. “He is Taehyung, a sculptor and poet from the real human world.”

Hea’s eyes drifted to the man who was still looking down, shy and composed.

But when he sensed her gaze, he looked up again—meeting her eyes with quiet wonder.

“May I ask why he needs to see me?” she questioned, her voice calm but curious.

“He is here to create your sculpture. It will be placed in front of the kingdom,” the King declared proudly.

She stepped forward, eyes pleading. “Appa, this isn’t necessary.”

“It is,” he said firmly.

“You may begin,” the King commanded Taehyung, who bowed respectfully and nodded.

Hea’s expression turned faintly melancholic.

“Hea, go with him to the Arts Room so he can sketch your image,” the King instructed.

Hea with some of her servants goes to the art room.

---

Inside the Art Room…

Taehyung sat before the canvas, glancing at Hea, who sat silently across from him. Her maids stood protectively nearby.

“Could you leave us for a moment?” he asked gently.

The maids hesitated but turned to Hea for guidance. She gave a small nod. They bowed and exited.

Taehyung opened his bag, retrieving something.

“The sky without the moon is like a blank thought… just like a face without a smile—it’s incomplete.”

He said that softly, lifting his camera.

Hea looked up, puzzled.

“You’re beautiful even without a smile. So now, I’m curious—how do you look with one?” he asked, leaning toward the table with a boyish glint in his eyes.

She blinked, caught off guard.

“When I say smile, look at this... okay?”

“1… 2… 3… smile~”
Click. Click.

He looked at the instant photo with satisfaction.

“It’s done.”

“What is that?” she asked, pointing to the camera.

“Oh, this? In the human world, we use it to capture moments.”

“But the humans in the vampire village… they’ve never seen this.”

“That’s because they’re part of this magical realm. I’m from the real world—a place without powers, where people drive vehicles, not creatures. I live with only my natural strength.”

He handed her the instant photo.

She gasped, marveling at her own image.

“Is this... a mirror?” she asked.

“No. A mirror reflects for a moment, but this—it captures forever. Memories stay alive here.”

He paused, stepping closer.

“But... our hearts hold memories even stronger than this,” he whispered, his eyes fixed on hers.

Then, barely above a whisper—“Wish our child has these eyes~”

Her breath caught.

“What!?”

“I-I mean… I hope your child has eyes like these,” he stammered, stepping back, flustered.

She blinked—and then, unknowingly, smiled.

“Aren’t you going to draw me?”

He shook his head and placed a hand over his heart.

“The sketch is already complete. Right here.”

Her cheeks flushed faintly. She stood.

“Then I shall take my leave. Goodbye.”

“I prefer ‘see you soon’ over goodbye,” he said, smiling.

Without turning, she replied softly—“See you soon.”

He grinned wider, and though her back was turned, she felt it.

---

To be continued...