3

But as soon as I entered the bar, I spotted a familiar figure. A satisfied smile crept across my face. It seemed like fate was on my side.

But while others might attribute their fate to destiny, mine was orchestrated by human hands. This was something I would only realize later.

As I walked towards Martin, I noticed two women trying to flirt with him.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but their desires were evident on their faces.

But it appeared that Martin had turned them down.

The two women left in disappointment.

"What a coincidence," I said, sitting down next to Martin and ordering a bourbon.

"Actually, I don't usually come here," he replied, looking at me with a shy smile.

I tilted my head slightly, not quite understanding what he meant. However, the fact that he had rejected those two women but not me made me very happy.

"I wanted to try my luck and see if I could run into you again," Martin said earnestly, looking into my eyes.

His eyes were beautiful—dark and shiny like obsidian, captivating enough to mesmerize me.

"Were you waiting for me?" My pupils trembled at his words, stirring something within me.

Suddenly, Martin leaned closer, causing my heart to race wildly as if it might leap from my chest.

Wearing a blood-suppressing bracelet, I successfully kissed him that day.

We quickly fell deeply in love.

Vampires can amplify emotions. The joy I felt with Martin was intoxicating, pulling me deeper into his gentle trap.

I had fallen for Martin.

Every day, I reveled in the sweetness of finding my beloved. My entire world was enveloped in love. It was the first time I experienced such bliss—finding a loyal partner felt like this.

My infatuation continued until my parents sent me a message insisting that I break up with him and return immediately.

But I refused adamantly. They were powerless against my resolve and could only advise me to stay safe and not get hurt.

I didn't realize that would be my parents' last communication with me.

Martin told me he studied chemistry. The specifics were unclear to me since I had little interest in that field and didn't ask further questions.

Martin and I loved each other dearly.

We engaged in many wild adventures together.

I had fallen deeply in love with him.

But I was a mixed-blood vampire.

I couldn't be exposed to sunlight. I could only come out at night or during overcast days.

I worried that Martin would become suspicious. Even though he worked late hours, it was still light outside when he finished his job.

That night after our date, I returned home late.

"Princess," Kevin and Casey were waiting for me as I walked into the hall.

I glanced at them but didn't pay much attention. They were sent by my parents. They were probably there to persuade me to break up with Martin or leave this place and return to my own territory.

Ignoring them, I headed toward the blood pool.

"Your Highness, please come back with us," Kevin and Casey followed closely behind me.

"I'm not going back." I leisurely stepped into the blood pool, lying down as cracks appeared on my face, revealing my crimson eyes as I savored the rich scent of blood.

"Are Darl's people here again?" I casually asked while pulling someone who was soaking at the edge of the blood pool and biting into his neck without hesitation to drink deeply.

Kevin and Casey kept their heads down in silence.

I chuckled softly.

Why should I go back when no one was causing trouble? I had found my beloved. I wanted to be with him fully.

Darl had caused me trouble several times before, but each time he failed miserably. He simply overestimated himself.

4

After sending Kevin and Casey away, I continued living my carefree life.

For many days now, I've only appeared at night. This situation left me unsure how to explain things to Martin.

There were also many things we couldn't do together—like watching sunrises and sunsets, which are so romantic. Sometimes I resented being part of this race. But then again, if he were of my kind, wouldn't we be able to be together forever?

I loved Martin deeply. Such selfish thoughts flashed through my mind briefly.

I considered telling Martin about my identity. If he agreed, I could transform him into one of us.

But then fear gripped me—what if he was scared and left? Let alone becoming one of us. This inner conflict trapped me in turmoil.

That day, I chatted with Martin under the moonlight.

"Do you believe in zombies and vampires?" I asked while sitting beside him.

"Others might not believe it," Martin paused for two seconds before chuckling lightly.

"Oh?" My interest piqued. Did that mean he believed?

"I've done some research," Martin replied, gazing ahead with a slight smile on his lips as if it were a casual remark.

Yet his nonchalant statement sent chills down my spine.

I had seen how biological research institutes captured vampires and zombies for study—how they dissected us, observing our bodies regenerate organs time after time... They even tried extracting immortality genes from us.

Staring blankly at Martin, I thought he was just a scientist focused on research.

I never imagined he worked at a city research institute studying vampires and zombies!

A wave of doubt washed over me. Panic set in as suspicion arose—was he approaching me for ulterior motives?

If it wasn't for some hidden agenda, then having researched these creatures meant he likely knew about our habits and he could easily discover who I really was!

I couldn't help but feel anxious and asked him what exactly he studied.

"It's not what you think," Martin said, his gaze fixed on me with a hint of mockery—as if sensing that my thoughts were filled with terrifying notions.

He explained that he wasn't professionally involved in this field. It was merely a personal interest of his because he found such creatures fascinating—especially vampires. He had heard they were beautiful and wished to meet one in real life someday.

As he spoke those words filled with yearning and curiosity about new things, I gradually relaxed.

What would Martin think if he knew the very kind of creature he longed to see was right beside him?

However, I didn't dare tell him directly.

"What if I'm a vampire? What would you do?" I leaned closer to him and tentatively asked by his ear.

"Then turn me into one," Martin suddenly turned to look at me with an intense gaze that sent shivers down my spine.

"I don't have that ability," I chuckled lightly to brush it off.

"Just kidding," Martin held my hand and pulled me into his embrace.

Smiling faintly, a shadow of doubt settled in my heart—did Martin want to become a vampire?

But since he said it was just a joke and didn't press further on the topic, it faded away quietly between us.

Having been sheltered all my life without witnessing the darker side of humanity made me naive enough to believe that Martin wanted to become one of us out of love for me. Thus an idea began to take root within me. I wanted to become him.