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"You... you cry blood!"
The young man, Seungcheol, screamed as he pointed his finger toward the other figure, who was sitting elegantly on the piano chair by the fireplace. Pulling a crimson handkerchief out of his jacket pocket, the pale creature laughed as he started wiping the tears off the corners of his eyes.
"Why are you so surprised?"
Seungcheol watched as the other slowly got up from the chair and began to walk closer to him. "I... please forgive me," he uttered, feeling shame for what he just did. His voice was low, a bit shaky, but it could still be heard. "Forgive me for my attitude. I know it was rude of me to raise my voice and point my finger at you, Master." He bent his head down, entirely losing his bravery.
The person whom Seungcheol just called with an honorific actually had a name. Known very well by the people in the village as Count Jeonghan. A distinguished gentleman who lived alone by himself in a massive castle up on the hill, near the largest pine forest to ever exist in the entire country. There was also a river located not so far from the ancient building where Count Jeonghan lived.
And Seungcheol was actually trapped in that place, at the Count's home, with no one to help him escape. He got lost in the complexity of the castle when he was trying to find Count Jeonghan, and now he found himself standing awkwardly in the music room full of antique instruments with his head down while at the same time being stared at by the Count with a look that Seungcheol himself could not quite decipher.
"Do not be scared," Count Jeonghan cooed with his tender voice. "I mean no harm to you," he added as he invaded Seungcheol's personal space.
Delicate but insanely cold fingers with sharp nails were slowly running along Seungcheol's jaw. They moved up to touch his puffy cheeks, and then a finger stopped abruptly to poke at one of his dimples in such a playful gesture. Only the sound of crickets and other insects who were living outside the castle filled the silence of the music room as Seungcheol was trying so hard to stay still and keeping his mouth shut as tight as he could.
"I apologize that you had to witness while I was indulging in my sorrow. I did not expect any visitors, especially the villagers, to come visit me at this very hour. Unless they want to bring me offerings." Seungcheol's breath hitched when the Count put his fingers on his chin and forced him to tilt his head up and look him directly in the eyes. "And also, I am sure that your name is not Mingyu or Hansol. Those two young men are always in charge of delivering what I ask from the village. I am not familiar with you. Care to tell me who you are, young man?" asked the Count softly. His pair of golden eyes pierced through Seungcheol's soul.
With his own dark eyes locked with the Count's, Seungcheol had to take a deep breath before answering since his heart was already beating a little too loud. "I am Seungcheol. I know I came here unannounced; my presence might as well bother your solitude. I am aware that I should not have entered your property without your permission, and... and wandering around. It was my mistake, forgive—"
"Did the Mayor send you here?" asked the Count straightforwardly, cutting Seungcheol off from saying another apology.
"Yes, he did." Seungcheol nodded. "Mingyu and Hansol have been ill for the past couple of weeks. Both have suffered from the same disease. That is why I am here to do their job," he explained. Droplets of sweat were starting to form on either side of his temples from how nervous he was at the moment.
"I see, very well then." The Count smirked. Seconds later, he finally withdrew himself and walked back to the piano. "May I know what you brought me for tonight, Seungcheol?" he asked while flipping over another page of the sheet music in front of him.
Seungcheol went silent.
The Mayor did not tell him to bring anything but himself. Seungcheol often paid attention when other young men from his village took a turn to deliver the things that Count Jeonghan always asked for once every month. Usually, four gallons of lamb blood, delivered by a carriage with one or two drivers together up to the castle on the hill. Always like that.
But today, something had changed.
The situation in the village had not gotten any better since last month. Mingyu and Hansol, they both came back from Count Jeonghan's castle after doing the delivery, looking so pale as if they had no more blood in their bodies. They were both trembling so badly that their eyes seemed unfocused. Neither of them wanted to speak, and things had gotten worse ever since.
Not a single person knew what happened to them; what was going on with the village and the disease that had infected both Mingyu and Hansol had been spreading so fast. No more gossiping amongst the villagers. They all acted like they were keeping something.
Everyone except Seungcheol.
He had no clue. He had spent his whole life just lurking around, watching from afar. He was aware of his position as someone who was not important, especially after the death of his parents. He barely talked to people. He used to only stay in the barn doing God knows what, while his parents were busy working on their farm, helping the villagers prepare for the blood. Then, when the disease spread, his parents as well as their farm were affected. Now, people only knew him as the sloth son of the altruistic farmers. No more than that.
Yet Seungcheol had heard some news about Count Jeonghan. Most of the villagers loved to talk about him, and he loved to eavesdrop whenever he got the chance. So, he did that most of the time when some people from the village came to their farm house to collect the animal blood. The news went from mouth to mouth, saying that the Count was actually not a human. Some creature who only consumed blood to live. All people were scared of the Count and what he was capable of, so they made a promise to always send offerings on the date that both the Count and the Mayor had agreed.
And the deal seemed to change since the Mayor ordered Seungcheol to go alone to do the delivery while also bringing nothing with him. He did not have those gallons of blood with him. Only himself. No one said anything to him when he had asked desperately, looking absolutely confused: "Why me?" and "What should I bring since we do not have lamb blood anymore to offer?"
The Mayor was the only one who responded with: "Just go, Seungcheol. Help us and talk to the Count. Make a new deal with him. Ask him for his mercy. Our village is dying." By that, Seungcheol could not argue anymore and just went alone. Bringing nothing but his body and soul. Riding his beloved horse up to the castle on the hill after the sun had set.
The journey to the hill was not as smooth as Seungcheol thought it could be. The fog was so thick that he almost got lost on his path when he rode through the pine forest. On the way, he kept thinking about how Count Jeonghan's appearance might look, since most of the people in the village said that the Count looked old and hideous. Though there were also some villagers who claimed to have seen the Count and were hypnotized by his beauty.
Seungcheol himself had never met Count Jeonghan before, not until now.
He arrived at the castle at almost midnight. It was raining by the time he reached the castle gate. Nobody was around to welcome him, so he just let himself in. The whole building felt dead. He was not sure if Count Jeonghan was even at home, but it all changed when he heard someone playing melancholy music out loud somewhere. He went searching for the source of the sound, and then here he was, silently watching the Count play another song on his piano.
Count Jeonghan did not look as monstrous as people had been saying about him. In fact, he looked quite the opposite. With his pale skin, fierce golden eyes that sometimes could be so sedative, red lips that matched the color of blood itself, strong cheekbones with sharp jawlines that both could easily cut any fingers that dared to touch them, and dark long hair that also styled perfectly. The dark attire that the Count was wearing also made him look more mysterious.
In Seungcheol's eyes, Count Jeonghan looked very enchanting. And adding to the point that this was literally his very first time seeing the Count in person.
One thing that Seungcheol found strange was when he accidentally witnessed Count Jeonghan cry after finishing his first piano session. The tears that came out of his eyes were not water like ordinary people had, but blood. Literal blood that strongly smelt like iron. He had never seen someone that could do that, and it made him wonder, also a little frightened.
"That is unusual," Count Jeonghan pointed out, which also brought Seungcheol back from his reverie.
Seungcheol did not know how long he zoned out and what conversation he was having with Count Jeonghan. He tried really hard not to make himself look like a fool that he already was. He nodded at whatever the Count was referring to and avoided any more eye contact. He was also still standing by the music room door, did not have the guts to move an inch.
As if knowing how restless Seungcheol was, Count Jeonghan said again, "You have not answered my question, my dear boy. Worry not because I have found it myself." His pretty fingers were still dancing on the piano keys. "The Mayor wanted to make a new deal with me, did he not?"
"Yes, Master." Seungcheol hesitated. "H-how? How did you know?"
In a blink of an eye, the Count was again standing before Seungcheol. "Peeking inside your head. Frankly, it was pretty easy for me since you are too weak to shield your mind, even right now," the Count amused. He then moved his head a bit forward to sniff around Seungcheol's neck, followed by a sudden nuzzle on his pulse point.
Seungcheol held his breath before he sighed heavily when Count Jeonghan left a peck on his bare skin. "You read my mind." It was not even a question, but it sounded like one.
That earned a soft giggle from the Count. "I did. It was fun, and I am feeling grateful for the way you think of me, Seungcheol."
"You are welcome, Master," Seungcheol replied sincerely. "I just do not understand why most of the villagers think of you as something so evil."
"Some mortals are not able to see the beauty that lives within the darkness. However, they are also afraid of what I can do." Seungcheol only stood in silence, his eyes both closed, as Count Jeonghan started to drag a long stripe on his throat with his tongue.
Seungcheol whimpered. "It was you that made both Mingyu and Hansol sick. It was you all along." Did not know what was gotten into him to become bold enough to confront the Count while also being kissed on the throat repeatedly. Seungcheol just wanted to let out all the things that had been bugging his mind since the first time he witnessed those young men's limp bodies being laid out on the Mayor's front porch.
Count Jeonghan took a step back. He splayed his palm out on where Seungcheol's heart was thudding so fast. He gently told Seungcheol through his mind to open his eyes, to which Seungcheol complied easily. Then they both gazed at each other again. "Does that make you change the way you think of me?" the Count asked.
Seungcheol shook his head. "I know you had your reason. Who am I to judge?"
The Count raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling even more intrigued. "You really are fascinating." He flicked his finger, and then the piano played itself. "The deal. I would gladly renew it, but on one condition."
Seungcheol's eyes lightened up. "What is it, Master?"
"You have to stay here forever," the Count started to elaborate. "In return for it, I will not bother your village anymore. Although I am not sure I can guarantee that all those people who have been infected by my disease can be back to normal since the change is already happening."
Seungcheol gasped when Count Jeonghan returned to toying with him. "All of them are indirectly becoming my offspring," the Count announced proudly.
"The villagers," Seungcheol whispered, "are going to be just like you, craving for blood."
"Isn't that beautiful?" The Count cupped Seungcheol's cheeks. "You and I will watch it from up here as the whole place turns into total madness." He looked deeply into Seungcheol's eyes.
Seungcheol looked back at the Count. "You want me to be your bridegroom. That is why the Mayor sent me here without bringing anything. I am their human sacrifice. The last hope to end their misery, even when they do not know that they are actually creating more chaos themselves."
"You are indeed smarter than them, my dearest." The Count stole a quick kiss from Seungcheol's pouty lips. "Deal?"
Seungcheol licked his lips, contemplating. "You ask as if I have another option," he responded at last.
Count Jeonghan chuckled softly. "You are absolutely right," he whispered against Seungcheol's slightly opened mouth.
Again, Seungcheol closed both of his eyes as their lips connected. He felt a shiver down his spine when Count Jeonghan bit his lower lip a little too hard, drawing a single drop of blood to come out, which the Count licked off quickly. He tried to steady his breath but failed. The intensity of their kiss was making him feel dizzy.
Never in a million times had Seungcheol had the thought of sharing heated kisses with the Count. Let alone seeing him in person. He was a nobody, and it had remained that way for a long time. The whole thing was causing him to question himself about whether this was all a dream or a sweet touch of hellfire he was experiencing for real in his waking state.
On his way to the castle, he had nothing in mind but the thought of facing his own death. With the rumors about how dangerous Count Jeonghan was, he knew his life was about to end when the Mayor asked him to replace Mingyu and Hansol on delivery duty. He was aware of people in the village disliking him to the point that they wanted him to die. Putting all the puzzles together, he was fast enough to perceive that he was actually being thrown away as a sacrifice for the sake of the village's safety. He understood, even before the conversation he just had with the Count.
"I will appreciate it if you stop thinking about death," Count Jeonghan suggested. "Nobody is going to kill you if you are so afraid that I might end your life here and now." He finished his sentence before sliding his tongue inside Seungcheol's mouth.
Seungcheol was petrified, then he hummed a small apology between their connected lips.
Moments later, Seungcheol found himself laying on a big black velvet-carved sofa in the corner of the music room. Completely nude, with Count Jeonghan straddling him while slowly sinking himself down, wrapping himself around him. The feeling of his burning body was very contrast to the Count's icing one.
"I am making you mine."
There was nothing that came out of Seungcheol's mouth or the Count's other than soft moans and deep groans afterward. The night was still so young, and they had plenty of time to fulfill each other's desires until dawn. Seungcheol knew that he could no longer hide his thoughts from Count Jeonghan, so he would just let the devil wrapped in the angelic form who was currently enjoying himself on top of him know everything he was thinking about.
•••
"If you do not mind me asking." Seungcheol started as he softly stroked Count Jeonghan's dampened hair. The Count was putting his head on top of Seungcheol's chest. Both of them were too tired and had no intention to leave the sofa. They just decided to lay their filthy bodies on the fancy couch until they were disgusted enough by all the emissions they had released minutes ago, and then eventually get up and clean themselves. "What actually happened to Mingyu and Hansol?" he asked cautiously. Both of his eyes were up to stare at the ceiling above.
The Count answered lazily, "The lamb blood was only an excuse." His finger was running in a circle around the top of Seungcheol's hairless chest.
Seungcheol took a short glance at Count Jeonghan, then stared back at the ceiling. "You did not consume every gallons we gave you; instead, you consumed the people who delivered them to you," he concluded, trying to articulate what the Count was trying to tell.
Count Jeonghan nodded. "I was enjoying myself too much last time, until I almost drained out those two young men."
Silence followed after that.
Seungcheol started again. "Are you going to consume my blood too?" He moved his large hand to rub soothingly against the back of the Count's body. "You are done using me. I think this is the time, is it not?"
Seungcheol felt Count Jeonghan shift from his sleeping position. He was shocked when the Count got up and bounced to sit on his bare chest. For the first time, he could finally see those sharp fangs unfolding themselves right in front of his eyes. The tip of the soft tongue danced temptingly on both of the razor-edged teeth, as if the owner proudly wanted to show them off to Seungcheol, who was currently staring in awe.
"Do you want me to eat you?" Count Jeonghan asked. He bent his head slightly to the side while looking at Seungcheol with a lustful look.
"Will I turn into something like you? The same thing that has threatened the people back in the village?" Seungcheol responded out of curiosity.
"You will change, but not the same as them." Count Jeonghan said.
"What makes me different?"
"I will let you take a piece of me in return. After that, you will turn into something much better than all those mortals. You will become my equal."
Seungcheol gulped down the non-existent lump in his throat. "Alright." He nodded. "Do it then. Take as much as you need." He closed his eyes and slowly bared his throat to give the Count better access.
The sun would rise in three hours from now. Seungcheol's life would also change after he let Count Jeonghan consume him. He knew this was going to be another bad decision he took in his life. No one cared anyway. He had made a lot of mistakes in the past, and even when he did something right, people would always judge him the wrong way. He was also tired of living in a village where all eyes were on him, treated him as if he were an outsider. And he was all by himself right now. His parents had died miserably; nobody would miss him.
To become Count Jeonghan's equal. Being his bridegroom. Perhaps all these things happened for a reason. Maybe this was his destiny.
The Count himself also let Seungcheol see him through his mind. Either it was an accident, or he really did it on purpose. Seungcheol had seen everything during their intimate session earlier. Everything. From how the Count was created to why he remained to live a hidden life in the shadow alone. He saw everything. Including the tragic death of his beloved spouse. So much had happened.
"Master," Seungcheol groaned painfully. He had his hands holding both sides of Count Jeonghan's shoulders for dear life. It stung. The same feeling he once felt when he took a syringe when he was a child. The reason he had trauma of any kind of needle.
The Count just hummed.
Seungcheol's head was being held by those icy hands while the fangs slowly sank down just below his pulse point. The direct contact created two tiny holes. Two significant bite marks, which were not too deep, were still able to let Count Jeonghan feed on him. The biting part only took a short amount of time before the Count retracted his teeth and eventually sucked everything he needed from the holes he just made.
This time, Seungcheol moaned desperately. He felt a strange sensation as Count Jeonghan kept sucking passionately. He could almost feel how ravenous the Count was. It felt like the Grim Reaper was here, taking his soul out of his body. On the other hand, the sensation also excited him. He sensed his whole body burning up while it was actually becoming cold.
Seungcheol could finally steady his breath that he had been holding for a little too long and opened his eyes right after Count Jeonghan pulled himself away from his throat. Well fed at last. A satisfied smile appeared widely on the Count's face. There was also a single drop of blood streamed down so slowly from the corner of the Count's lips. Seungcheol found it extremely luscious.
"You tasted good," Count Jeonghan complimented, then licked the mentioned blood off of his lips.
Seungcheol was not really sure what to say, so he just nodded and smiled. He watched the Count become more eager as he magically grew out his point finger's nail. The previously sharp nail turned into something even sharper and longer. He brought the nail to his other hand, then cut his palm forcefully all of a sudden. That took Seungcheol off guard and made him wince. He thought the cut was rather deep, seeing how rapidly the blood came out of the slashed skin.
The familiar voices inside his head ordered Seungcheol to open his mouth widely, and he did it just so. Count Jeonghan very carefully moved his cut hand to stay just an inch above Seungcheol's mouth, then leisurely turned it slightly to the side so that the blood could drop into Seungcheol's waiting mouth in a precise way. Did not want a single drop to go to waste.
"It is your turn, my darling."
One drop. Two drops. More and more.
Seungcheol did not count how many drops of blood he had drunk. Though all he knew was that, at this exact moment, he was completely owned by Count Jeonghan. Forever.