Moving into Helen’s estate, he began transforming the place into something more fitting for Seo-yul.
The first step was strengthening security around the village and driving out the hidden criminals. Next, he worked on organizing the disorderly streets, repairing buildings, and gradually restoring the worn-down, shabby village.
At first, the villagers resisted fiercely, but over time, they began to accept the people of District 1 as they saw the benefits it brought them.
Weeks passed as he continued changing the once-quiet, lifeless town. This place, which had been the smallest and most unremarkable part of the border, was finally becoming something worth looking at.
The first few days were spent establishing order, but after that, he delegated most tasks to his aide and stayed at the estate, focusing solely on caring for Seo-yul.
But late one night, his aide brought unexpected news—someone unfamiliar had crossed the border, asking for him. With no choice, he left Seo-yul behind and headed to the outskirts of the village.
‘What was he trying to say?’
Even as he sat in the car, he kept replaying Seo-yul’s words in his mind. It felt like he had been trying to say something similar to what he himself had wanted to express, but he had been let down too many times before to be sure.
Still, if Seo-yul was willing to accept him… he was prepared to throw everything away. District 1, even the name of Shining—it all meant nothing to him.
‘Maybe this will be the last time.’
If Seo-yul rejected him, he would turn his cruel words into reality. He would build a prison just for Seo-yul, ensuring that without him, he could do nothing.
There would be no need for legs—cutting his ligaments to keep him from ever running away again wouldn’t be such a bad idea. The thought of Seo-yul having no choice but to cling to him, being carried in his arms every time he wanted to go anywhere, felt almost perfect.
But that would mean Seo-yul had to suffer. And he didn’t want that. Of course, if Seo-yul refused to accept him, he’d have no other choice, but… he could only hope it wouldn’t come to that.
“We’ve arrived.”
At some point, the car had stopped. He pushed aside his thoughts and stepped out through the door his assistant had opened for him.
The farthest edge of the border at night was unbearably cold and dry.
The guards, who had been gathered around a bonfire, noticed his approach and immediately bowed deeply.
“We greet the young master of District 1.”
He motioned for the guards to step aside and approached the uninvited guest beyond them. The person, who had been slumped on the ground with their head lowered, lifted the corners of their lips into a smirk upon seeing him approach.
“Been a while.”
“…Ina Shining.”
Half of his reaction was pure shock at the unexpected appearance of a Shining, while the other half was irritation at the fact that his location had been exposed. And judging by Ina Shining’s current state, an ominous sense of trouble crept into his mind.
“Did you come from the estate?”
“Where else would I have come from? But more importantly, you were supposed to be dead, and here you are, perfectly fine.”
“……”
“I knew it. No way you’d actually die.”
Ina had risked everything to escape the estate and had run straight to the border village where he was last seen. At first, it had been an even mix of trust and doubt, but there was no need to voice that out loud.
Vincent Shining was alive. That was all that mattered.
“Who started that ridiculous rumor?”
“…Who do you think?”
“No idea. How the hell would I know? But everyone in District 1 thinks you’re dead. Because of that, the estate is in complete chaos.”
Just as Ina had said, Vincent Shining’s death had become widely accepted as fact in District 1. Initially, he had spread the rumor himself to lure out those who had tried to kill him, but his perspective had since changed.
Staying here with Seo-yul, he had been searching for reasons not to return. That was why he had been reshaping this village to his liking. He hadn’t expected Ina Shining to show up.
“You alright?”
“I wouldn’t call it ‘alright,’ not even as a joke. You have no idea how much shit I went through to get here.”
Behind Ina stood a car in just as bad a state as its owner. The doors were riddled with bullet holes, crushed and misshapen, while the windows were shattered beyond repair.
Just looking at it made his head ache. If there were pursuers on their tail, things would get complicated. He turned around and signaled to his assistant, who quickly caught on.
“Help me out here,” Ina said, flicking a hand.
He gave a brief glance to one of his subordinates, who stepped forward hesitantly to assist, only to be ignored.
“Not you. You.”
Ina pointed directly at him and gestured again. Letting out a deep sigh, he had no choice but to comply, reaching out to support Ina. As Ina staggered to their feet, the heavy scent of blood filled the air.
Now that he got a proper look, her arm was wrapped in bloodied cloth, and her side was steadily leaking red as well. Driving all the way to the border in this condition—if she wasn’t a Shining, she’d already be dead.
“Aide.”
“Yes, Vincent-nim.”
“Call a doctor.”
“I don’t really need—ugh.”
Even as Ina’s face turned pale, she still tried to act fine. It was a Shining trait—never showing weakness no matter the situation. But now wasn’t the time for pride.
“You’re going to die if you keep this up.”
At his blunt remark, Ina’s eyes gleamed as if touched. Honestly, whether Ina lived or died was of no concern to him, but there had to be a reason she had risked her life to find him.
Please, don’t let it be anything troublesome.
For now, they needed to head to Helen’s estate.
***
No matter what, they always had dinner together. But even as the night deepened into pitch-black darkness, he didn’t return. Instead, one of his subordinates came by to leave dinner and left just as quickly. He didn’t touch it.
Standing so close to the window that he was nearly pressed against it, he gazed out into the darkness, waiting. But nowhere in the pitch-black night could he see the glow of headlights. It seemed he wasn’t coming back tonight.
Where did he go?
If he had known, he would have asked where he was going, when he’d be back. That way, he wouldn’t be waiting like this, staring at nothing.
I’m hungry…
His stomach grumbled, prompting him to finally shift his gaze toward the table. The soup and meat had long gone cold, left untouched. He reached for a piece of bread, tearing it apart and eating it slowly. But even as he ate, his eyes remained fixed on the window.
Even after finishing the first piece, his hunger wasn’t satisfied. He reached for another when—knock, knock.
Someone tapped on the door. It creaked open slightly as a figure stepped inside.
Choi Yeo-min.
“…Yeo-min.”
“It’s been a while, hyung.”
Yeo-min greeted him with a bright smile.
Though he was somewhat glad to see him, discomfort weighed heavier. He knew how pathetic he must have seemed—returning to the very place he had tried to escape from.
That was why, even knowing Yeo-min was staying at Helen’s estate, he hadn’t sought him out. He barely left his room aside from occasional walks, which was a good enough excuse to avoid him.
Even when he ate the soup Yeo-min made, he stayed by his side, never leaving. To be honest, he hadn’t even thought about Yeo-min before this. He had completely forgotten about him.
So now, asking if he was okay felt pointless. Instead, he chose to keep his mouth shut.
Yeo-min closed the door behind him and took a few steps closer, muttering as if to himself, “You seem much better now.”
“Not really—”
A hand grasped his chin, forcing his gaze upward. Yeo-min’s lips still held a faint smile, but his eyes were cold. A look he had never seen before.
“But it’s a relief. You struggled so much with the imprint pain, but now, you’re fine.”
“Yeo-min…”
The hand that had been rubbing his chin slid up to cup his cheek. Then, Yeo-min tilted his head as if about to kiss him.
Startled, he instinctively stepped back, putting distance between them.
Yeo-min froze, his eyes trembling.
Neither of them spoke, even as the warmth lingering on his cheek faded away.
“…Hyung, you said it yourself. That you wanted to leave. That you wanted to escape from Vincent Shining.”
He couldn’t deny it.
He had used Yeo-min’s feelings to escape District 1’s estate. And yet, here he was—back in Vincent’s grasp.
No wonder Yeo-min found it absurd.
Wiping his damp eyes with his sleeve, Yeo-min met his gaze again. He forced a smile, hiding his hurt, and held out his hand.
“Let’s run away again.”
