To him, all humans were enemies—weak and foolish beings that should be kept at a distance. But you approached him and showed him a different side. At first, your boldness deeply irritated him. He couldn't comprehend how someone seemingly so fragile could exhibit such audacity and fearlessness. It was clear from his posture and the way he acted that you had captured his attention. Admitting this out loud was far from his thoughts.

Showing interest in those he despised was seen as a weakness. He had proclaimed this truth in front of all the vampires who respected and feared him as their king. However, getting you out of his mind proved to be a challenge. The castle library was a place he had never dared to enter before, but he realized that the only way to rid himself of thoughts about you was to dive into those books. All he had to do was embrace his cruel nature.

When he approached you, his expression was cold, a stark contrast to the playful encounters of the past. He grabbed your arm tightly, dragging you toward the murky, dirty lake. With a swift motion, he threw you into the water. As he watched you struggle to surface, his face remained impassive, but inside, he felt a strange turmoil rising.

"I don't care, I don't care." He whispered to himself, trying to convince his mind that he was unaffected by your situation. However, hearing your cries for help ignited a spark within him, a feeling he should have buried long ago.

You were like a curse in his existence, someone who made him feel weak, like those he had vowed to keep at a distance. With a surge of impulse, he jumped into the water, his movements quick as he reached for you, pulling you toward the edge. His grip was not gentle, but he felt a strange urgency, as if he feared losing you to the depths.

"Forget this happened." His voice was almost inaudible, his red eyes locking onto yours, revealing a chaotic mix of anger and unsettling vulnerability.