TWENTY: Brewing
PurebloodNaeun was serious when she said that this lesson isn’t going to be easy. It’s 9 in the morning and we’re here in front of the public library, waiting for its doors to open. Thank goodness that the weather today is nice despite the peaking summer season.
The moment we entered, Naeun was quick to talk to the librarian in charge and I watch them converse. One thing’s for sure this lady she’s talking to isn’t human, she’s one of us. The librarian gave Naeun a set of keys, one of those probably is the key to where the restricted books are located. That one I assumed.
“Go get a table, I’ll be back in a sec.” Naeun said as she noticed that Bomi and I intend to follow her. I thought we’ll stay in that isolated room far from the nerds that’s eager to ace whatever exams they're about to take to be in a place like this, at a time like this.
“Shall we sit?” Bomi called me over, pulling a chair for me like a perfect gentleman and I couldn’t be more moved. “I can’t believe that this is the way she’s going to teach you.” She said as we glance over to Naeun who’s back from that restricted room with this pile of books in her hands.
“Why? How did this kind of training go for you?” I asked curiously.
None of us know how the chosen one prepares given that the President is the one training their successor personally. There’s no vampire nor any council member was there to witness the process, one reason why my heart’s never at ease whenever I think about how those 50 years of Bomi’s intensive training went. The only time that they’re seen in public is whenever the President has to deliver a speech or simply roam around the government’s territory.
“It’s the total opposite of what’s bound to happen today. There was no reading, no books.”
“Okay hush now you two. We wouldn’t want to be kicked out of this place.” Naeun said as I saw her index finger, the only visible part of her behind this tower of books, pointing at the sign on the wall. Silence. “Chorong unnie, I figured we’d cover the laws up at the end of our session since we’re very much knowledgable about it given that there’s Namjoo and Hayoung.”
“May I ask how well-informed our Park Chorong here about the laws, Naeun-ssi?” Bomi asked and I wonder, how aware am I exactly?
“Let’s see.. remember how Chorong was so afraid of turning you? It’s because of the consequences behind it for the laws she’ll be violating.” Naeun stated and it brings me back to that very night when I’m forced to pick whether to go back to my dull life without Bomi or run away with her. Turning her was never an option, leaving my family for a human for a couple of years is enough disgrace that I’m putting our clan in. I would never add up to that.
After the wild increase in the number of ghouls, we vampires are forbidden to turn a human without a good reason behind it. It's not as easy as it was back then during Eunji’s time when we can simply turn anyone as long as they give consent and we supervise the newborn during their early years. I can’t just go to the council and say that I’m turning Bomi because I love her, can I?
“She’s right, Bbom-ah. Back then the only acceptable option I could think of for me to not be exiled, or worst sentenced to my final death is for us to escape. But then again look at us now.”
“Chorong unnie did contemplate hard on matters that involve the government, unlike someone we know.” Oh if only Naeun could see the smirk printed on Bomi’s face after hearing that sentence. “Please tell me you’re smiling because I’m afraid to pick a bone with the chosen one.” She followed up in panic given that Bomi’s mind is a well-guarded box.
“I totally find your words humorous, Naeun-ah.” Bomi said.
“Okay, so leadership! Here are the books that would help you understand its importance, qualities that a leader should possess, leadership strategies, ethics..” Naeun’s words drifted far from my hearing as I can’t help but be distracted by the presence of humans around us. Not only that they reek of human blood, but it seems like the signage on the wall doesn’t help as they all chant different lessons and lectures in their head. Everyone’s mind is wildly thinking, memorizing and the noise they emit are similar to how eating at a food court would be. “Chorong unnie? Are you listening?”
“Hmm?” I asked dividing the pile of books that separates us from Naeun, “Why do we have to do this here? I mean there are better place that are rather peaceful than this library.”
“Why? It is quiet though.” Bomi said as she picks a book and started skimming through its content.
“Quiet for you since you don’t hear the minds of the people around us.”
“Oh it’s a pureblood problem, I see.”
“You’re actually quite lucky that I’m handling you right now and not Professor Hyung Don. He took me to a courtroom back then.” Naeun shared and I
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