Chapter - 3

When the blinding light around her finally dimmed, Yuna opened her eyes, her vision adjusting to the sudden darkness.

The man in front of her was smiling — no, grinning — like he'd finally gotten exactly what he wanted. His grip on her hands tightened ever so slightly, possessive yet careful.

Confused, she looked around. Nothing but endless shadows surrounded them — no trees, no pond, no sound… only darkness.

Her heartbeat quickened. "Where… where are we?" she asked, turning her wide eyes back to him.

"Ah… wait," he mumbled softly, reluctant to release her hand, but eventually let go of one, lifting it casually. With a sharp flick of his fingers — everything changed.

The man standing before Yuna transformed into someone she never expected… yet, deep down, exactly the one she'd always been missing.

His soft, approachable appearance melted away. In its place stood someone dangerous… dominant.

The light-colored clothing darkened to midnight black, faintly shimmering as though woven from the night sky itself. Crimson accents glinted like molten rubies. His silver hair cascaded down like moonlight, wild and untamed. His eyes…

Crimson.

Bloody.

Unforgiving.

His features sharp and regal, exuding raw, untamed power — the kind that whispered: this is not someone you mess with.

But what truly caught Yuna’s gaze was the glistening diamond-shaped black and red mark on his forehead, centered perfectly between his brows. It shimmered faintly, pulsing with an eerie energy.

He slowly opened his eyes, searching for her reaction. But when their gazes locked, the fear in hers was unmistakable.

His crimson eyes alone could make any mere human tremble — and Yuna was just that. Human. Mortal. Fragile.

Unconsciously, she stumbled back, slipping her hand from his grip. Her mind screamed confusion.

His expression instantly crumbled into worry.

"Yu-Yuna…? Wh-what happened?" His voice faltered, trembling with panic. "I didn’t… I didn’t mean to scare you…"

But Yuna couldn’t respond. She needed time to process… to breathe.

His heart sank further at her silence. He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to keep his emotions in check.

‘Why can’t I control myself? I should’ve waited… I promised myself I'd wait… gain her trust… show her everything slowly… But the moment I saw her… the real her… I couldn’t hold back… And now… now I ruined it again…’

Yuna's mind, meanwhile, was spiraling:

‘What… is he? Some kind of demon? A magical demon like in My Demon? But what does he want from me? How does he know me? Is this… a kidnapping? A magician-kidnapper? Oh, God… I’m doomed… But… he doesn’t look like a bad guy… Yuna, don’t forget… you always fall for handsome villains… Is he… a villain? But… that mark… That’s Indo-style makeup… But only women do that, right? And— wait, wait… why is he still so handsome? This should be illegal…’

She blinked, finally noticing his pout. His terrifying presence had vanished — replaced by pure, nervous vulnerability.

"What… happened?" Yuna asked softly, tilting her head curiously, her voice cautious yet unexpectedly gentle.

Hoseok's eyes shot open wide — utterly shocked by her tone.

"Huh?!" His jaw practically hit the floor.

"Umm… nothing… But… what’s this?" She lifted her hand, tapping her finger between her eyebrows. "On your forehead? Indo-style? Are you from Indo or what?"

He blinked in disbelief. She’s… seriously… talking like normal?

"You’re… not scared?" he asked hesitantly, still holding his breath.

"Why would I be scared? What’s there to be scared of?" She shrugged casually, completely ignoring how she'd been trembling moments ago.

A brilliant, radiant smile bloomed across Hoseok's face — so bright it almost glowed. Tiny pink heart-shaped sparkles floated around him, lighting up the darkness.

The reaction only Yuna could pull from him.

"You really aren't scared…? I didn’t scare you?" he whispered again, slowly reaching for her hand, cautious yet hopeful.

Her eyes widened at the contact, but this time… she didn’t pull away. Her heart whispered to stay.

"No… I’m not scared." A playful smile curved her lips as she gently patted his head. "But you’re kinda cute when you pout."

Hoseok purred softly at her touch, closing his eyes, nuzzling into her palm like a spoiled kitten begging for affection.

"You always say that," he mumbled, the words slipping from his lips unconsciously — as if from another life.

Yuna paused, hand stilling in his hair.

"I… always say that? When did I…?"

She pulled her hand back, frowning in confusion. "Okay… seriously. Who are you? How do you know my name? And what’s with this forehead mark?" She fired her questions rapidly, not giving him room to breathe.

"The answer…" He tapped the diamond-shaped mark. "…is right here."

Yuna frowned deeper. "What? You talk in puzzles, I don’t get you."

Hoseok chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're going to be mad at me after you get your answers… but also, I'll finally get my Yuna back."

Yuna rolled her eyes dramatically. "There you go again with your weird nonsense."

"Alright, alright… But promise me… you’ll listen and not punch me after." He batted his eyes innocently, practically weaponizing his good looks.

‘Ugh… why is he so hot and cute at the same time? This should be a crime… Even Jimin and Tae use that trick on me… How can I say no to those eyes?’

Yuna cleared her throat awkwardly. "Fine… I promise."

His grin returned — brighter than the sun against his midnight-black clothes.

"You’re so nice, Yuna. That’s why I lo—" He paused, biting his tongue mid-sentence, quickly changing the topic. "Anyway! Let’s start."

‘Weird… but… he’s handsome… and knows magic… Guess I'll stay delusional…’

“…Okay… What do I have to do?” she asked, curiosity outweighing caution.

Hoseok's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Just stay here… and do exactly as I say. Can you do that?"

"Sure… I guess."

He closed his eyes, whispering ancient chants under his breath. His hands formed intricate symbols — pinkies and thumbs touching, fingers weaving together in a sacred gesture.

A faint golden glow began to radiate from his body, growing brighter with every whispered word.

Finally, he opened his eyes, the glow illuminating his sharp features.

"Yuna…" His voice was soft. "Can you… touch the diamond on my forehead… with your index finger?"

She blinked, snapping out of her daze, and nodded hesitantly.

Taking a cautious step forward, she lifted her finger… and gently touched the mark.

A sudden electric shock zapped through her. "Ahh!" She yanked her hand back, eyes wide.

Hoseok looked equally shocked. "What the— I… I did everything right…"

"You trying to kill me with shock?!" Yuna snapped, pointing an accusing finger at him.

"I’m confused too!" Hoseok groaned, pulling at his silver hair in frustration.

"You’re an idiot! What do you even want? And where even am I? I wanna go back!"

Yuna marched toward him, shaking his arms furiously.

At her words, Hoseok's demeanor shifted. His grip tightened on her wrists. His aura darkened, crimson eyes blazing with fury.

"No." His voice was low, deadly. "You’re going nowhere. You hear me? You’re stuck with me… now and forever."

Yuna struggled, trying to yank her hands free. "Le-let go! You’re hurting me!"

But instead, he pulled her flush against him, locking her arms behind her back, his possessive hold unyielding.

Her eyes widened at the closeness — their racing heartbeats echoing in the stillness.

Hoseok's eyes devoured her features — her flushed cheeks, trembling lips… and without thinking, he crashed his lips onto hers.

It wasn’t gentle. It was hungry. Desperate. Possessive.

Yuna's eyes widened, her mind still recovering from earlier shocks — only to be swallowed whole by this one.

Hoseok's lips moved hungrily, biting, sucking, tasting her. His hands gripped her tighter, desperate to keep her close.

The electric sensation coursing through her returned — stronger, almost overwhelming.

His lips never left hers as he pulled her closer…

But suddenly… her body slumped against him.

She fainted — not from the kiss, but from something deeper.

Maybe the earlier spell…

Maybe the diamond…

Maybe… fate.

Hoseok's crimson eyes widened in panic as he held her limp form.

"Yuna?!"

.......

.......

...To know the reason ........

...Read the next chapter....

...End of Chapter...

...💖🪽🌌🌙💫🌸🤍🔮✨🌿...

...That's all for today...

...Bye bye, Starling 👋!!...

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