As Shane made his way through the forest, he just kept thinking of the exchange that happened between himself and Jihoon.
All his time, he was used to being neglected. All this time he had spent as 'The Grim Reaper' he had always taken care of himself. Loralie had been there with him but it could be equivalent to nothing.
And then there was Jihoon, who he had not known at all and was caring about him. Shane knew he had nothing to do with him after he had taken away his soul.
Still, Jihoon worried him with his observant eyes, devil-like smile, and a glib tongue. It was a bad combination. Someone who knew too much and cared too little. It felt like he could see right through Shane's lies.
'Will you be okay?' Jihoon's question echoed inside Shane's head. It had sounded like Jihoon truly worried for his well-being. Just thinking about it made his heartache.
Shane squeezed his hands into tight fists and felt the tissue still wrapped around his right hand. It was tied in a neat bow despite the delicate material. he ripped it off, revealing skin that had already healed.
Perhaps he could tell Loralie everything. Loralie, even though she couldn't be the rightful heir to any of the thrones- be it heaven or hell-knew what to do. But that might mean Loraliewould take care of Jihoon, stealing Shane's chances of being crowned as a king.
And Loralie's mood was bound to be severe after her trip to the school. It would be best to keep Jihoon a secret a little while longer.
Loralie's house sat at the end of the road. The structure was made of glass and wood, open to nature all around it. The living room was pristine, not a mote of dust on any surface.
They were completely unpacked the same day they'd moved in. There would be no living with moving boxes for Loralie Kensington
Glass cases displayed relics from society's past.
Terra-cotta horses, posed for eternity with their regal heads held high. Given to Yena as a token of affection. The man had smuggled them into the country as proof of his love.
A six-pointed crown, dripping with jade beading and gold pieces. A gift to Loralie from a cousin of a king. Long jade binyeo, hairpins with smooth shafts. The ends carved and whittled into intricate maze-like patterns creating delicate vines tipped in lotus flowers. A set of them was commissioned by the head scholar at Sungkyunkwan.
Sometimes Shane felt like one of those antiques, something his parents and siblings had collected over her centuries of life. And that was Shane's Problem. How could he compete with thieves and princes and royal scholars?
he felt like he had to be stronger than the terra-cotta, more regal than the gold, and more beautiful than the jade. If he wasn't, would he be relegated to a glass case of her own? Packed away where everyone would just remember him from a distance. from a distance?
Shane made his way to his room. A poster of One Direction, his favorite band, hung over her bed. Something Loralie had originally protested. A child of Death idolizing something human? But Shane had been so resolute regarding this that no one could ever say anything about it again.
he clicked on the large TV in the corner. The sound of it in the background always helped calm Shane's nerves, drowning out the anxious thoughts that racked through his brain. The drama playing was popular right now and halfway through its run. That meant there would be fewer long, angsty looks between the main leads and more confessions of love. The middle of a drama was Shane's favorite part, however cheesy it used to be.
he'd barely had time to settle on the bed when there came a knock on her door. Without waiting for an answer, it swung open. Shane just shook his head in approval. "Hello, sis."
"You took a long time getting home."
"I'm sorry,"
"Don't be sorry. Be better."
Shane just nodded and gripped the hem of his shirt to keep her fingers still. A piece of tissue was still stuck to the side of his knuckle, reminding him of Jihoon carefully wrapping her cuts. He clamped his hands together, hiding the bloodstained tissue between them.
Loralie shouldn't know about what he did.
Loralie looked upwards as Shane stood up, her jade eyes peering darkly into Shane's emerald ones.
"What's with you giving me these weird looks?" Shane tried to sound tough.
"You know who you are right?" Loralie completely ignored her brother's question.
"Oshane Larson Kensington, the son of Time and Death, the crown prince of Hell." he hated using his name but he knew Loralie would accept no less.
"And what does that make you?"
"Smart."
"And?"
"Handsome."
"And?"
"Strong."
"Good." Loralie nodded, satisfied. "You should not let the mortals affect you. My daughter is better than that. And I expect better things from you than getting into petty scuffles with your classmates. Now, think about trying to take Jihoon's soul."
It was said as more of a command than comfort but still gave Shane strength.
"I'm sorry for causing problems today."
"I know," Loralie said, and left Miyoung alone with only the sound of the drama as a company.
Shane flopped himself down on the bed thinking how he would take away Jihoon's soul.