"Akane-chan." Her grandmother said, walking into the room.

"Yes, obaa-chan?" Akane answered. The sweet girl had a feeling of what was going to happen. She had to be stuck in the house all hours of the day for years now.

If she went out, her grandmother accompanied her, and they went outside in a limo with black windows, such that she couldn't see what was happening.

Her grandmother was protecting her, she knew, but curiosity was starting to seep into her veins and she had to know what the outside world looked like and why wasn't she allowed to see it.

"Your 18th birthday is coming up." Her grandmother said, "And I have planned a masquerade birthday ball for you."

"Really, obaa-chan? That means I will get to see people." Akane said excitedly, smile wide on her face.

"Yes, I have a request for you, however, you must wear this red mask tonight. And whenever someone comes by you that's wearing one with a red star by his right eye. I want you to talk and dance with them." Her grandmother requested.

"Understood, obaa-chan. I will do that. How many people will be dancing with me?" She asked her.

"I think there will be several, there are a number of suitors that wish for your hand, you know." Her grandmother nudged her playfully. 

Just because she was her grandmother didn't mean that her Obaa-Chan was too old to tease.

"Okay, I should find a dress to match this mask then." Akane stood up and walked to her walk-in closet. Her grandmother had it specially made for Akane.

The racks were electronic so they would move and Akane wouldn't get lost inside, but at the same time, it was also entertaining. Akane could spend hours in the closet, not because she was materialistic. She would rather have a small closet any time.

No, she enjoyed looking at the rainbow of colors. She was home-schooled and knew what rainbows looked like in the sky, but she had never seen one before for herself.

So she had arranged her clothes by color, just so she could pretend every once in a while that she was looking at a rainbow.

"You should wear the white strapless dress, you know the knee length one." Her grandmother said.

"Oh, okay." Akane picked it out and let it hang on the side so it wouldn't wrinkle until tonight.

"Also, Akane-chan." Her grandmother started.

"Yes, obaa-chan. What is it?" She answered.

"Tonight, beware of the Jeemseung. It's a masquerade party so I'm sure he will try to sneak in." Her grandmother warned.

"Jeemseung? Beast? Who is that, obaa-chan?" Akane asked, her head tilted in confusion. She had never heard of this name before, her grandmother had never said anything about him before.

"He's only known as Jeemseung. But I know he will try to show up tonight and ruin your party. Please avoid him." Her grandmother said sternly.

"I understand, obaa-chan. I shall avoid Jeemseung." She said.

---

Akane had danced with many people tonight. She was looking for someone new that had the red star on his mask.

The other boys just weren't as interesting as she had expected them to be.

She was home-schooled, but that didn't mean she was stupid. They kept saying how they could teach things about this and that.

But she already knew all of those things they said already.

She wanted someone that would give her an adventure, something that would take her to see things.

Protect her like how her grandmother wished, but appeased her curious heart well.

A rather tall man across the room had finally caught his eye on the princess of the ball.

He was waiting all night for her to be alone and now, he could hunt.

Taking casual strides towards her, he stopped right in front of her as she turned to look up at him.

He was glad that he had heard about the red stars on the mask, now she had no choice but to dance with him.

Akane bowed nicely to the tall man, even in the suit, she could tell that he worked out a lot, he was buff. She had learned these things, health class was an important part of her home school education.

"You seem a bit lonely, princess." His deep voice rumbled in the air between them. The music seemed to soften in her ears as she only heard his voice and her heartbeat.

He seemed to know her. His eyes, through the black mask, she could tell he saw right through her. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "May I have this dance?" He asked.

Willingly, Akane gave him her hand to take as he led her towards the middle of the floor.

They spun and sway slowly to the beat before Akane found her voice again.

"I'm sorry, sir, but may I know your name?" She asked him breathlessly.

He smiled at her before answering, "Of course you may, princess. It's Taecyeon and you should never forget it."

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