I looked back to see the old lady smiling at me with a sparkling eyes. She gently placed a pair of cloths on the table and motioned me to use it. I turned back to look at the painting once more to make sure it wasnt him but just a look alike. I slowly walked to her, hiding the tears that formed in my eyes. Looking down at the dress, I gasped again. It looks exactly like the dress that Tan bought for me on my birthday.
"Who are you?" I asked trying to read her thoughts.
"That should not be your concern, sweet heart. Please change into these and come so that I can serve you my special kimchi soup." She patted my shoulder and walked into the semi opened kitchen before I could read her mind.
I picked up the dress and hugged it close to me while walking into a random room to change. My heart have been beating faster since the moment, I opened my eyes in Busan. What is happening to me?I sniffed the dress trying to catch the scent but it was mostly the smell of cinnamon and cloves leaving me with no clue.
"Are you done, dear?" I heard her calling for me awakening me from the deep thoughts once again.
I walked out of the room to be welcomed by the smell of steaming kimchi soup. I didnt know whether I can consume food anymore as I havent been doing that since some long time. All I take into my system is human and animal blood that I have forgotten about human food. I sat in the counter chair confused about what to do.
"Its okay, you can have it. You wont be having any problem." The old lady assured me once again as if she read my thoughts.
"I- what are you saying? Why are you doing all this for me?" I didnt want any more suspense thriller as of now.
"Well, dont think too much about me as you will never find an answer. I am here to take care of you so please make yourself comfortable." She said placing a piece of cinnamon cake in front of me.
"Who was that man in the painting?" I asked pointing at it anxious to know more.
"That is Yi Won Beom. He was the last crown prince of Busan whom we all truely respected and obeyed." She said with a proud face.
I couldnt process the unexpected answer that I got. That man looks exactly like Tan but its not him as the painting looks old but how can the king of Busan look like Tan? Tan is not Korean by birth, thats what he told me. He is filipino even though he look exact Korean. This is total confusion.
"Madam, are you sure that the painting is of the King?" I asked with a raised eyebrow while she looked at me with a wide eyes.
"What kind of doubt is that? Everyone in Busan knows about him. He is our king, sweetheart." She said moving the soup more into me.
I was feeling light headed so instead of questioning her more, I decided to drink the hot fuming soup. To be honest, that soup made me feel a lot better in minutes and I finally felt full in several days. The soup tasted different than the normal ones as there was a bold flavour adding to it.
"I just added a small amount of royal blood into it so that your body will get better." She said making me choke on the last spoon of cake I was having.
"Bl-blood?" I was caught and thats the end.
"Sweetheart, as I said..I know who you are Shea." She smiled at me taking the soup bowl to the kitchen.
What?? Did she just say my name for real? How does she know me? Why did she add blood. I felt like I fucked up a big time now as my identity is revealed. I am not safe here anymore as she may inform about me to someone else or what if she is a wolf? Did she find me by my smell?
"I am not a wolf, Kang Shea." She answered my thoughts once again.
"Then who are you?"
"I just happened to be your grandfather's second wife. I am Sung hae, and I am a vampire myself." She turned around to look at me with a bright red eyes making the hairs on my whole body stand up.
"What?"
"I have seen you growing up with my own eyes and I must admit you are so beautiful just like your grandmother. I always envyed her for her looks."
"How do you look so old when you are a vampire?" I clearly remember the old ones in our family looking young as ever even when they are thousands of years old.
"Well too much of doubt as of now. I will explain those later and staying with me will be safe for you. So make yourself home." She said walking out to the bakery when a customer rang the bell.
Why is a vampire running a bakery? Did she also run away from the clan? But when did grandfather marry her? Too much of doubts and confusions with literally no answers. I walked into the room from where I changed dress earlier and jumped on the bed.
The painting had my whole mind at this point even though bigger stuffs happened. The king of Busan? Yi Won Beom? That picture looks exactly like my Tan. I will never forget anything about him..not even the smallest detail because he is the only reason that I ever felt love and happiness.
Kim Tan...My Tannie...I will find you soon.