The thread between us

The next day, Ryu Hwan sat on the floor beside his bed, his back leaning against it.

His eyes were heavy with restlessness, and his hand clutched his chest —

as if trying to calm a pain that was not just physical,

but something deeper…

older…

haunting.

And just like that, he slipped into the shadows of a past he could never forget —

the first time he met Ji Ah…

not in this life… but the one before it.

---

[A Glimpse into the Past – Centuries Ago]

Ryu Hwan once lived in isolation, deep within the mountains.

He was an Imoogi — a dragon who had yet to fully evolve.

At 986 years old, he had only 14 years left before completing the 1000-year cycle to become a full-grown dragon.

Imoogis had no wings, and their form resembled giant serpents.

Feared and misunderstood, Ryu kept his distance from all living beings —

and he preferred it that way.

One afternoon, while resting under the shade of an old tree,

he suddenly felt a soft hand gently stroking his hair.

His eyes shot open.

"Do you have a death wish, child?" he growled.

"Do you even know what I am?"

The girl, barely 12 years old, smiled innocently,

"Yeah. You're a snake."

Offended, he straightened up.

"I am not a snake. I am a young dragon. An Imoogi."

She tilted her head, curious,

"Imoogi? Is that your name?"

"No," he replied with slight irritation,

"That's what we are — dragons who haven't fully evolved yet.

And anyway… why am I even talking to you? Go home. It's dangerous to wander here alone."

The girl pouted,

"Fine, I'm going.

But hey—since you don't have a name, why don't I give you one?"

She held out her hand toward him —

a gesture of friendship so unexpected,

that Ryu simply stared at her.

How was this little girl not scared of him?

His red eyes, his pale white skin, the dark gray hair that flowed behind him,

and the visible scales along his neck — everything about him screamed "danger."

And yet, she stood there. Brave. Smiling.

Just as he was about to reach for her hand, a voice called from the distance,

"Princess Seol-Hwa! Where are you?"

He froze.

"You're the emperor's daughter… Yi Seol-Hwa?"

The girl turned back to him with a giggle,

"I'll be back here next time too, okay? Don't forget to come!"

And with that, she ran off.

Ryu sat in stunned silence —

How could this little girl speak to him so freely?

So fearlessly?

---

Years passed.

Ten whole years.

She returned to that same spot every time —

and he was always there, waiting without ever admitting it.

Now 22, Princess Seol-Hwa had grown into a bold and graceful woman.

And Ryu Hwan was nearing his final transformation.

He was now 998 years old.

One day, by the quiet lake he often visited,

Seol-Hwa joined him again.

Their bond had grown deeper —

and that day, standing beside him under the soft light of dusk,

Seol-Hwa gently placed her hands on both his cheeks…

…and softly kissed him.

Without needing to say it, her feelings were clear.

She had fallen for the Imoogi.

---

And then…

the memory Ryu Hwan tried to bury… returned.

That final moment —

when Seol-Hwa drove a sword through his body.

That betrayal —

the truth behind it…

known only to Ryu Hwan.

Why she stabbed him…

Why, even after piercing his heart, the Imoogi did not die…

was a secret tied to a fate far deeper than either of them understood.

Fighting the tears that burned his eyes,

Ryu Hwan slowly climbed back onto the bed.

Just then, Ji Ah entered the room.

"You're still not ready?" she asked softly.

"We were supposed to leave today.

You look… distracted. Is something wrong?"

But before she could finish, Ryu Hwan cut her off.

"Will you come with me somewhere?"

Ji Ah raised a brow,

"I'll go wherever you want — but first,

did you check the commander's email? It's about the mission—"

Before she could finish, Ryu Hwan walked toward her,

his expression unreadable.

"You're with me all the time, Ji Ah…

but your heart feels far away.

Why is that?"

With those quiet words,

he left the room.

But before disappearing completely, he added,

"Don't stress about the mission.

And yeah… be ready by this afternoon.

There's somewhere I want to take you."