The Blood Of Forgotten

Two

A dinner filled with laughter echoed throughout the house while Andy sat quietly on his bed, waiting for the celebration downstairs to finally end. He wasn’t hungry anymore—he had already eaten earlier and secretly kept some food inside his closet just in case.

“Allan said you have a son. How come we haven’t seen him tonight?” Mrs. Lang asked curiously, making the Kwons laugh lightly.

“My son is a little shy,” Mr. Kwon explained. “He got tired early today, so he went straight to bed. Kids these days are always full of energy.”

“It must be difficult for him to join us since we’re still strangers to him,” Mrs. Lang replied with a gentle smile.

Mr. Kwon waved his hand dismissively. “No, he’s simply awkward around new people.”

Andy scoffed quietly from his room, which wasn’t too far from the kitchen. They had completely forgotten that he had already met his cousin’s boyfriend before.

“Maybe he just needs more time to get close to everyone,” Mrs. Kwon added, though her fists tightened beneath the table. Andy knew that tone—she would probably scold him later.

Soon, Anita excused herself with her boyfriend, leaving the adults alone at the dining table to continue their conversation. Andy stayed silent in his room, absentmindedly listening to their voices through the walls.

“I heard your sister and her husband from the Park family were killed,” Mr. Lang suddenly said before taking a sip of wine.

“That witch wanted to live like royalty,” Mrs. Kwon mocked with a laugh. “Look where that family name got them. I don’t even know if her son and daughter are still alive.”

Andy’s brows furrowed the moment he heard those cruel words about his biological mother. Even if his real family had abandoned him, he still couldn’t stand hearing people insult them like that.

He was about to storm out of his room when he accidentally kicked the box he had received earlier.

Right… he still hadn’t opened it.

Slowly, he picked it up and placed it on his bed, staring at it nervously as if something unexpected might happen the moment he opened it. He let out a shaky sigh.

“Just open it, An… maybe you’ll finally know the truth.”

As he untied the red ribbon around the box, he could still hear the loud laughter coming from downstairs, but he forced himself to ignore it.

“Having red hair in the Park family is considered a blessing,” Mrs. Lang suddenly mumbled downstairs.

Mrs. Kwon forced a smile, still trying hard to impress them so their son would eventually marry her daughter.

“Well, it seems you already have one,” Mrs. Lang added with a strange smile.

The Kwons stiffened in their seats.

“You know we can smell blood. There’s royal blood inside this house.”

Her gaze slowly shifted toward a certain door upstairs.

“If I were you… I’d save myself before it’s too late,” she whispered softly beneath her breath.

Meanwhile, Andy’s attention stayed fixed on the contents of the box. Inside was a brand-new pair of glasses—the exact kind he had always wanted.

Beside it was a black card. Curious, he picked it up and read the engraved words.

“Light a candle.”

Confused but curious, Andy immediately crouched beside his secret box under the bed and searched for a candle. Once he found one, he lit it with a match and carefully held the card above the flame.

Slowly, glowing letters appeared in the air like a hologram, forming a three-dimensional image before him.

“Dear child, I know growing up without us has been difficult. Your father and I have always loved you. Never forget that, Andy. They are waiting for your return. Love, Mother.”

Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as his heartbeat pounded violently against his chest.

All this time, he believed his real family had forgotten him… but they had actually been waiting for him.

Before he could process his emotions, a loud scream suddenly echoed downstairs.

“Who are you?!” his uncle shouted. “Let go of my wife!”

Something shattered, followed by Anita’s terrified scream. Someone had broken into the house.

“If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police!” Mr. Kwon yelled desperately.

Then came a deep, chilling laugh—something almost inhuman.

Without hesitation, Andy quickly put on his new glasses and grabbed the nearest weapon he could find. Whatever was happening, he couldn’t just abandon the only family he had left.

But before he could open the door, an icy gust of wind swept through the room.

Andy froze.

He was certain he hadn’t opened the window.

Suddenly, a strong hand wrapped around his waist while another covered his mouth, stopping him from screaming.

“Don’t go out there,” an unfamiliar voice whispered against his ear. “They’ll kill you too.”

Andy swallowed hard, his body trembling from fear and confusion.

“We need to leave. Now.”

“C-can I trust you?” Andy whispered shakily.

The stranger stayed silent for a moment before asking softly, “Will you trust me?”

Without realizing it, Andy slowly nodded.

“If I let go, don’t scream.”

The stranger carefully removed his hand from Andy’s mouth. Andy gasped for air, only now realizing he had stopped breathing entirely.

“W-who are you?” he stammered.

The mysterious man smiled faintly.

“Let’s just say… I’m an angel in disguise.”

Before Andy could react, the stranger grabbed his hand and suddenly ran straight toward the wall.

“Wait! We’re going to crash!” Andy panicked, trying to pull away, but it was already too late.

He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the impact—

—but nothing happened.

When he opened his eyes again, the world around him had completely changed.

They stood in a place that looked like it belonged to another era, filled with grand Victorian-style buildings and glowing lanterns.

“Where are we?” Andy whispered in shock, staring around in disbelief.

A strange excitement slowly bloomed inside him, as if the invisible chains around his life had finally broken.

“To the place where you truly belong,” the stranger answered softly.

Andy turned around immediately.

“Wait… what do you mean—?”

But the man was already gone.

Andy was left standing there alone in the unfamiliar world, surrounded by silence.