“Welcome home, my heir.” My father greeted me and as much as I wanted to fight my tears from falling, I just can’t. “Oh please don’t cry, darling. Your mother will definitely be shedding tears too if you do. Come in, we prepared your favorite.” 

This place didn’t change one bit. Everything stays as how it is, even the table I broke last time.. I can’t believe they managed to find a similar table like that one. My parents and Jiyoon then led us to the dining hall that’s filled with such savory aroma. It’s been long since I last had a proper meal, this feels great.

“So who is this new friend of yours, darling?” mom asked as she serves Soeun with a bowl of soup first before the rest of us. They’ve been really hospitable to guests. I remember when Eunji first came to this place, she’s been pampered by my mother so much.

“I’m Park Soeun. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Park!” Soeun said as lively as ever.

“I hope you don’t mind, my dear.” Does he really have to do it while we’re in the middle of our meal? Dad stood up from his seat and walk towards Soeun to hold her hand. 

Soeun being clueless, she stood up as well in respect to my father and let him do his thing. We watched his expression closely, too intimate that Soeun probably finds it weird that we’re looking at them this way.

Father soon nod and we relaxed in our own chairs and continue with our food.

“What was that?” Soeun whispered to me and I can’t help but laugh at how nervous she was to ask my father himself. 

“You don’t have to worry so much about it, Soeun-ah.” I told her.

And Jiyoon really had to mess with the new one, “Let’s just say that dad approved of you as Chorong’s new girlfriend.” she said making Soeun want to hide under the table from the embarrassment.

“Honey, do you think our daughter really forget about Bomi?” Mother. Here we go again, them talking in their heads as if I can’t hear it. 

“Wait until they get reunited and everything will work out, honey. Trust the process.” Father. But wait, trust the process? What process? Nothing makes sense in that sentence but I do have a bigger problem than Bomi. And I need to speak to my dad about it asap.

“Ahem. Dad, I actually need to talk to you about something.” I said as soon as everyone’s done eating.

“Oh darling, you just came home. You should try to relax and not dwell too much on what’s happening outside.” my mother said and I understand why she’s saying this. My parent’s territory has always been our run to when we get worked up, it’s our safe haven. And I know that she’s just trying to keep the energy of this place positive.

“It seems urgent. Let’s talk in my office.” 

I don’t know why I’m feeling tensed as we walk inside his room when I’m the one who called for this conversation. Is it because of the last talk we had in here? Suddenly his office becomes my own version of a principal’s office. “Now darling, tell me.”

“It’s about the increase in the number of ghouls, dad.” I started but I know I should ask for his forgiveness first so I let go of the topic at hand, “But before that.. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry, dad. For everything that I’ve done, for running away, and for loving someone that lead me to this sorrow.” 

“Don’t be. In fact, we should be the ones apologizing for not being there when you needed us the most. Everything happened so quickly and the next thing I know is that I should let you go, my child. Let you go to clear your mind.” He said as he motioned for me to sit on the opposite chair to this chess table. “Also, loving Bomi isn’t something you should be sorry for. Loving someone is not a mistake, especially when it’s as real as what you two have.”

Not being able to react to what he said, I started the game and moved a pawn. “I don’t want to talk about her, dad.” I really don’t. Meeting her in the forest confuses me as hell. 72 years passed of me trying to forget her, move on from her but with just one night.. she was able to make me throw everything away. It’s like my heart is back to be feeling all the affection I have for her and it drives me insane at how I could care for someone this much.

The moment he moved his pawn to c5, I knew he’s playing the Sicilian defense. I’ve played this kind of game before, a lot. A lot that I already knew that I’m no match for him no matter how hard I try. “Tell me about the ghouls then.” He said as we continue to play.

“Remember the knowledge we have of them? That they’re newborn vampires abandoned by their creator? Well, it’s not only the newborns that turn but vampires too.” I said expecting him to be bewildered by this revelation but he wasn’t.

“I know. There was a same case like it before but the government did hide that fact so our kind wouldn’t have an idea that it’s possible.” He said and that’s when I started to recall his words when we first encounter a ghoul, ‘it’s the end of our kind’ if only I read between the lines, I would’ve known as well.

Before Soeun and I reach my father’s place, I was thinking that he’d be taken by surprise to what information I have for him. But given that he’s been tracking me all these years, that he knows about how vampires are as vulnerable as humans to this transformation, I’m a hundred percent sure that he knows about the revolt as well. “You probably know this one too.. that different clans are behind it according to Soeun.” I continued.

“Checkmate.” Already?! I look at the chessboard and it’s true. I lost. Again. “Darling, when will you learn to not just protect the King but the Queen as well?” The chances of winning are indeed low when you lose a Queen. I shouldn’t have tried to continue playing after father took mine. And as practice, I knocked my King down as we end the game. “If what Soeun told you is real, then it’s time. You’re taking over my position, Park Chorong.”

“What?! No. Dad, I can’t. I haven’t been home for the longest years and I haven’t been back to my preparations for it.” I said objecting to what he’s asking me to do. I meant to ask for help in the situation, not