Far from the humane village—away from civilizations, deep in the forest no one dares to approach; there lives a lone creature, over 200 years-old. "He's no harm to us." That was what everyone's been saying and believed.
He was the healer to any human being; he was God in their eyes. However, with every wish there's a price to pay.
Today, marks the twenty-fifth day of the twelve-month. A day where two occasions had collided. One was the day she was born, and the other was the day he found a bride born on this day.
For years there has been a rumor going around from city to city, town to town and village to village. There is a so-called "God" from the Hidden Mist Forest, who can cure anyone of any disease; he could turn the dead back to living.
Lives were saved, thousands—no, millions of times yet not a single human soul were able to pay the unfortunate price.
For a wish to be granted, a virgin girl who was born on the twenty-fifth day of the twelve-month and in the year of the dragon, must be the sacrifice.
"Nu'er[1]—" The sixty-years-old man glances at the petite girl beside him. "I'm sorry, Nu'er."
The sadden apology from her Father crack a sigh from her. She took a deep breath before saying, "There's no need to be, Father. Mother will live."
Bai Xue[2] and her Father stood in front of Garden of Blood's gates. Ahead of them lies the dark creepy castle where the King lives.
Even before taking a step inside the property, Bai Xue felt cold chills running down her spine as if someone had their eyes on her the whole time, piercing through her.
The gates' door opened before they had their hands on it, surprising the two.
The Father and daughter pair nervously glances at one another before taking their first step inside. They knew that once they fully entered there is no way out. The pair walked side by side along the path into the castle door.
"So, I see you finally came." A voice echoes in their ears.
No time to react, both Bai Xue and her Father automatically kneel down on their knees.
Bai Shuiren had visited the castle a month ago, begging the "God" to help cure his dying wife.
Being from a lower-class family, most of his ancestors have been servants in the Royal Palace or been divided to the wealthier family to serve them.
Bai Shuiren, although he was not a servant, he still struggle to support his family. His wife who had been consider Middle-Class has come from a well-off family. He cannot bare to see his wife live a life, holding onto her last breath.
He knew of the condition for the sacrifice, his daughter happened to be born a dragon on the twenty-fifth day of the twelve-month. When he discuss his thoughts, Bai Xue did not hesitate to agree. Anything to help cure her Mother's illness was worth sacrificing for.
"Wang Lei[3]!"
"Stand up, we're going to be family soon there's no need to stand ceremony with me."
"My King—are you really able to save my wife?"
Wang Lei stands on top of the stairs staring down at both Father and daughter. "Humans sure are selfish living beings." Letting out a scoff. "You're going to give up the life of your beloved daughter just so you can save the life of your wife? I pity her."
"What do you know?!" Furiously, Bai Xue stood up from her stand as she could no longer take the words being said to look down on them.
What does he know?
Her Father saw the anger in his daughter's eyes and tried to pull her down, but she remain steady, not moving from her spot as she stare right back at the man.
"Continue, enlighten me."
"How can a monster, I mean—" Stump, she was unable to find the best word to describe him. What was the man?
"I am what you want me to be." Although his tone seems like he does not mind, she felt a smirk behind the darkness between them.
"What do you know about love?"
The smirk on his face immediately disappear. "Love? Such a beautiful yet dangerous word to use, Young Lady."
"If only you know what love is, you would do the same as what my Father is doing."
"And you're happy with the decision?"
"Y-yes." Her stuttering reply gains a smile on his face.
She was scared of him while trying to put up a strong front.
"Even if I give the cure, just look at them. How long will they have to live?"
"Even if they do not have a long time, at least let them have the last remain days together. I have nothing to lose."
Wang Lei heave a sigh and pointed to the potion on the table in the middle of the room. "Fine. The 'love' of your life will be better in no time." He emphasis on the word.
Bai Xue did not hesitate after hearing the potion to cure her Mother was right before her eyes. She quickly snack the bottle like someone was going to take it from her if she was one second late. She handed the bottle to her Father. "I will be fine, Father. Hurry and take this. Mother is waiting for you."
Sadly, one piece of him did not wish to leave without his daughter while another piece cannot leave his beloved alone back home. "Nu'er, Father is sorry. Should there be another chance in life next lifetime. I wish you be born as my daughter again."
"I will be your daughter repeatedly no matter how many centuries has passed."
"Take care, my daughter."
"I wish you and Mother the best." Bai Xue bid her last goodbye before sending her Father off.
When she turned around, her head bumped into his steady chest. She glance up to see his face for the first time. Surely it was nothing a monster would look him.
Anyone would say it's love at first sight the way his eyes look at her. But only he knew, he have had feeling for her way longer than anyone could imagine. The sacrifice that had been spreading like fire was indeed just a rumor. No special qualification exist…he just wanted her.
*[1] Nu'er = daughter/my daughter
*[2] Bai Xue – also can be translated to White Snow
*[3] Wang Lei – the 'Wang' in Chinese refers to King or Monarch, also the name of Male Lead.