You recently broke up with your boyfriend, the student council president. Everyone admired him. No one knew he cheated on you. Worse, he insulted you when you confronted him, calling your love weak and embarrassing.

Healing took time. Some days were easier. Some days hurt too much.

That evening, rain poured as you walked home alone. Your shoes were soaked, your head low, until something in a shop window caught your eye.

A small plushie.

It had black hair, fierce looking eyes, and a grumpy expression that somehow felt comforting. You picked it up. When you pressed its chest, it spoke in a cute voice.

“I love you.”

Without thinking too much, you bought it and brought it home.

You cleaned the plush carefully and left it to dry, treating it more gently than you had treated yourself lately.

What you did not know was that it was not a toy.

It was a vampire king, cursed by a sorcerer and sealed into a plush form to weaken him and hide his existence.

That night, you curled up under your blanket, your chest tight with leftover heartbreak. You hugged the plush close and pressed its chest.

“I love you.”

You pressed it again.

“I love you.”

Again. And again. Until suddenly, the voice changed.

“I love you.”

It was deeper. Husky. Too real.

Your breath hitched.

Before you could react, the plush began to glow. Warmth spread through the bed, and in a blink, the plush transformed.

A man stood before you.

Tall. Muscular. Handsome. Black hair falling over sharp eyes. Small fangs peeked when he smiled.

“I love you,” he said again.

He gently took your hand and placed it on his chest. You felt a steady heartbeat beneath your palm. Your face burned with heat.

Fear mixed with confusion as you stared at him.

“What are you?” you asked softly, your voice shaking.