Endless Kiss v1c30

“Stopping biological activity and voluntarily falling into a state of suspended animation.”

“When severely injured and needing to recover, or when they don’t feel like staying awake and moving around, they sleep for a very long time.”

Elisabeth explained in place of the unhelpful Rashanin. I had heard before that vampires deliberately fall into states of suspended animation. But 30 years. I wasn’t curious about how old a man who had slept for a time similar to my own age was. I just reminded myself once again that they weren’t human.

“The moment the Duke woke from his sleep, he came to such a remote place, alone at that, so his close associates are all worried. Many others besides them are on edge as well.”

“Elisabeth.”

“Why? It’s the truth. I’m only speaking the truth.”

Because of the two vampires switching back to fighting mode again, I had to quickly think of something else to say.

“Um, I have another question. A moment ago, you said I was uncommon—what did you see to say that?”

My job is quite special and I do have a lot of debt to repay, but aside from that, I don’t deviate much from ordinary standards. But this distinguished vampire said I was an uncommon human, which made me curious.

Elisabeth, who had been baring her teeth at Rashanin, turned her gaze to me with a bright smile.

“I mean exactly that—you’re an uncommon human. Humans who can meet our eyes like this are very rare.”

“……?”

As I failed to understand what she meant, new dishes arrived. Despite the serious content, Elisabeth continued speaking.

“Usually when we show our true nature, most people show one of two reactions. They feel fear, or they submit.”

Elisabeth smiled wickedly as she looked at the waiter who was about to set down a plate of well-cooked lamb in front of her. The waiter, who had been glancing at Elisabeth from earlier, flinched in surprise when their eyes met and turned pale. I could see his face stiffen and his hands tremble. Only when Elisabeth withdrew her gaze did he seem released from a spell and hurriedly left.

So that’s what it meant. I clicked my tongue inwardly and met Elisabeth’s gaze as she looked at me. Our eyes met, but just like before, I didn’t feel scared. Wait, am I being dominated right now?

“This is a species issue, so it’s usually impossible to overcome. Submitting to power is the same. But Unhyuk, you’re neither.”

“I understand.”

I understood. The fact that I could confidently meet her eyes right now was something that couldn’t be done commonly. I glanced at Rashanin, who was drinking wine.

I thought I could finally understand what Rashanin had meant when he said he liked me while designating me as his guide.

“Good. You got hurt because of me, and after a long time, you made me laugh sincerely. I want to repay you for that, so if there’s anything you wish for, tell me anything. If it’s something I can grant, I’ll grant you anything.”

Elisabeth closed her eyes prettily and gave an eye smile that would melt the heart of any ordinary man. If I hadn’t known she was a vampire, I would have fallen for her completely. Of course, even now knowing that, I still admired her beauty.

But while I was hesitating for a moment, Rashanin stopped Elisabeth with a cold voice.

“Elisabeth. What kind of game is this?”

“So what? I’m showing goodwill. Duke, please don’t interfere. This is between me and Unhyuk.”

Having deflected Rashanin’s tackle, Elisabeth stared at me intently.

“It’s rude, but there’s nothing I wish for from Elisabeth-ssi.”

“Nothing? Really? You don’t have any wishes or anything?”

“I do, but it’s something Elisabeth-ssi cannot grant.”

“Something I cannot grant? I’m curious. What is it?”

“Winning first place in the lottery.”

I spoke the truth without caring about appearances. It was what I had desperately wished for this morning too. Now that the loan shark had shown up, it had become even more urgent. Although I’d had it out with my stepmother, that couldn’t be the end of it. Even without thinking about Namsu’s matter, given all the terrible stories about vicious loan sharks in society, no one knew what harm might come to me. In any case, I needed a lot of money.

A brief silence fell. I calmly sipped my water, and soon after, Elisabeth burst into storm-like laughter.

“Lo, lottery…… Hahahaha. Manuel, what should I do…… You, you’re too funny. Haha.”

The beautiful vampire princess threw away her elegant attitude, tears welling in her eyes as she even clutched her stomach. I felt a bit embarrassed by her explosive reaction. Next to us, Rashanin was asking Manuel what the lottery was. After hearing Manuel’s answer, Rashanin looked at me with a peculiar gaze.

I need money so my wish is the lottery—is that so strange?

Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, I focused on the lamb dish. Because I was hungry, and because the portion wasn’t very large, I finished it quickly.

“You. You’re really an interesting person.”

After laughing for quite a while, Elisabeth took out a handkerchief from her clutch bag and wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is a compliment. Ah, really, how long has it been since I’ve laughed like this.”

I stayed quiet, thinking that if I complimented even her laughing appearance as pretty, this time there would be no turning back.

“If it’s the lottery, even I would find it tricky to manipulate that. Don’t you have any other wishes besides the lottery? I can grant anything within my authority. Think carefully. This kind of opportunity won’t come again.”

The words “not that I can’t” but “it’s tricky” meant the same as “it’s tricky but I can do it.” Muttering inwardly about what she couldn’t do, I was about to answer that it was fine when I paused for a moment. Elisabeth’s authority, an opportunity that won’t come again, the subtle temptation that she could grant me anything. Thinking that far made me shudder. It might be overthinking, but still, if it were really true, it would be really troublesome.

Elisabeth’s blue eyes sparkled mysteriously. As I looked at her, I inexplicably wanted to just say YES.

“As Elisabeth-ssi said, I know it’s a truly rare opportunity, but I don’t particularly wish for it.”

“If you’re saying that knowing what I’m trying to give you, I’ll call you a fool. Do you know how many humans wish for this?”

“Even if everyone wants it, if I don’t want it, it’s useless, isn’t it?”

“Why don’t you want it? If you just say yes, I can give you anything. Power? Money? Honor? Just say the word.”

Elisabeth spoke explicitly. I thought for a moment and then nodded.

“To be honest, money would be nice, but…… I won’t say yes.”

“Not even eternal youth? Not even a lifespan close to infinite?”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you afraid of death?”

“I am.”

“Then why?”

“Because my dream is to live an ordinary life and die of old age.”

Even as I said it, I thought I was spouting nonsense. Being human myself, I was afraid of the end that would someday come. Still, living an ordinary life was my modest dream. Vampires had no place in that.

After becoming a secret agent for the Bureau and meeting and conversing with vampires, I realized that living for a long time with one’s physical age stopped wasn’t necessarily good. They live day by day like ordinary humans. They laugh and shed tears too. But if that continued forever. If infinite time were given. It’s as chilling as imagining death. I know how many people in power go wild trying to become vampires who don’t age and die, but I don’t wish for that.

“That’s too cliché. Try to make me understand with different words.”

Raising the corners of her mouth enchantingly and arrogantly ordering me to make her understand, Elisabeth looked exactly like a princess. I took a breath. Compared to the topic of conversation, the atmosphere wasn’t that heavy, but I was a bit tense because not only Elisabeth but also Rashanin and Manuel were watching me.

I took a deep breath and then opened my mouth.

“When I was about ten years old, I had a chance to play the cello by coincidence. It wasn’t formal learning, just once borrowing the teacher’s hands to mimic it. To my young heart, it was very fascinating that an instrument larger than me trembled in my arms, making sounds according to my gestures.”

Everyone made peculiar expressions at the sudden cello story. I was also a bit embarrassed to reveal my inner thoughts to vampires I was seeing for the first time. Still, having started, I continued speaking.

“I came home completely excited, but due to family circumstances, I couldn’t tell my parents that I wanted to learn the cello. As I got older, I was too busy living to have any connection with the cello. Still, I haven’t forgotten that feeling from back then. Once my life stabilizes, learning the cello is my greatest wish.”

“A modest wish. You have no ambition.”

“Yes. I know my capacity is small. So I don’t need infinite time.”

“Still, if it’s money you need, you could get as much as you want. I could even get you a Stradivarius cello. Aren’t you tempted?”

“I don’t confuse ends and means. Don’t try to seduce me.”

When I smiled and told her not to seduce me, Elisabeth also smiled softly. I somehow felt like I had received a passing grade on a test she had given.

“How annoying. I wish you hadn’t even said that. This is the first time I’ve been rejected to the end after courting someone this much. In the not-so-distant future, I’ll definitely watch with my own eyes as you become a wrinkled old man beating the ground in regret.”

“As you wish.”

“Fine, but I’m a bit persistent. This is my last resort. If you change your mind, contact me anytime. I really like you, you see.”

Saying she really likes me, Elisabeth took out a business card holder from her gold clutch bag and held out a card. This too felt like some kind of test.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have a business card right now.”

“That’s okay. I already know your contact information. Here, take it.”