Ein kränklicher junger Mann, der in die Song-Dynastie zurückreist

Kapitel 1

Crystal Shoes

This is a story unlike any fairy tale, with an ending no one could have imagined. Many times, I've wondered why those who pass down fairy tales would cloak a blood-stained story in a warm and romantic guise. Is it possible for a prince and Cinderella to live happily ever after?

Lying in my narrow space, isolated from life and death, I often felt Louisa's soft, red lips gently brush against my ear. "Quide," I heard her call me, her voice like a wisp of gauze, "Did you hear me, Quaide? Forgive me for not being your eternal companion, but I already exist in your eternal memory. The three of us are destined not to be from the same world, so we are destined to exist only in each other's memories."

Yes, she exists in my memory. Her silky brown hair, her crystal-clear blue eyes, her full and lovely lips, her melodious voice, and all the memories she gave me, whether joyful or painful, will remain forever in my memory.

I first met Louisa over two hundred and fifty years ago, in the autumn. You don't need to ask where it was; just know it was a cemetery. Yes, I am a vampire, and vampires are naturally often associated with cemeteries. On quiet, clear moonlit nights, I like to stroll in this world of death. The putrid stench of death in the cemetery refreshes me, and occasionally I ponder questions like "to be or not to be." Years of hunting have made my sense of smell exceptionally keen. When the wind carries the scent of life, the alluring fragrance of fresh, red bodily fluids, you can imagine my excitement—this is a midnight snack bestowed upon me by heaven.

What followed was, naturally, my prey, hidden behind the graves, captured—a woman who had recklessly stumbled into the Cemetery of Death in the middle of the night. My prey screamed in terror, her head drooping to one side. I gripped her slender neck, pulled down her hood, revealing my long, sharp teeth. The pale moonlight shone on the woman's pale face, and what did I see? Was it Emily? My poor, tragically deceased cousin? God, how much she resembled her! Her waist-length brown hair, her beautiful face, even the sorrow in her closed eyes. Emily, my little Emily, have I hurt you again?

As my trembling hand fell to my side, I heard gunshots and men's shouts. When I looked up, my cloak had been pierced by a musket shot. I released the girl just in time and disappeared into the darkness of the cemetery. Of course, I didn't go far.

Perhaps the girl's screams attracted passersby, for three young men rushed over. Like in all tales of heroes rescuing damsels in distress, one of them, a young knight who had fired a shot at me, and his companion roused the girl and offered her some kind of solicitous suggestion. The girl thanked them politely, but as the distant tolling of monastery bells drifted in, she glanced at the young knight in a panic and quickly fled the cemetery. The young knight picked up the lilies the girl had dropped, gazing longingly at her retreating figure.

I returned to my manor and woke my servant. Adam, he wasn't a vampire; the only reason he was willing to live with me, besides repaying a debt (he was once a convict whom I rescued), was for my money. Before I became a vampire, I was one of the wealthiest lords in the Pyrenees. And I never drank his blood, simply because I needed him to do some things for me in the sunlight.

Adam quickly understood my intention, whistled, and went back to sleep. Actually, I had already recognized the girl from her clothes as a boarder at the nearby convent, so I hoped that after Adam figured out the girl's identity, I could see her again.

As the first rays of dawn broke, I retreated into my coffin. In the suffocating darkness, I painfully recalled that distant era and the love that had driven me to despair and changed my life. Emily, my Emily… I clutched the necklace around my neck, the one containing my cousin's portrait, and murmured her name over and over again.

Night fell quietly again. As I idly played the piano, Adam brought me the news I wanted to know. His shrewdness and quick wit allowed him to easily glean information about the boarding girls from the doorkeeper, the gardener, and others. The girl, who bore a resemblance to my cousin, was named Louise, the daughter of a wealthy merchant named Arno from a nearby village and his ex-wife. After Louise's mother died, Mr. Arno married the widow of a fallen baron. This sharp-tongued woman brought her three pampered daughters with the baron, and within three days of their arrival, she banished Louise to a convent. A month earlier, Mr. Arno had died of illness, and the former baroness, disgusted by the harshness of country life, had used the merchant's money to buy a house in the capital. That very morning, she left with her daughters, and Louise was taken away with her.

I believe that last night Luisa was in the cemetery saying goodbye to her deceased father. Luisa, was that her name? An angelic girl, oh God, I almost ruined her.

That night, I suddenly realized that even after four hundred years of being baptized in blood, my heart was still so sensitive. Was this me? A cold-blooded hunter with four hundred years of vampire experience? I thought Emily's death would be enough to chill my heart to the bone, leaving me to live forever alone in the world of darkness. But Emily returned, transformed into Louisa. Did this reunion foreshadow something? Was it possible for me to find my love again?

A week later, I arrived in the capital. My newly purchased house was located next to Mrs. Arnaud's house, so that I would have the opportunity to be close to Louise.

Every night, I would linger in front of my neighbor's door, lost in thought, often muttering to myself like a poet pondering over words. My elegant attire, rather handsome face, and pensive gaze easily attracted the attention of the woman who frequently passed by and her three daughters. They would giggle and strike poses in my presence. But I never saw Louisa, the woman I longed to meet.

One evening, at Adam's urging, I took my six-stringed guitar and played a beautiful serenade under the girls' window. Instead, the owner's three daughters, each with a distinct appearance, appeared on the balcony. The youngest, with her pointed face and monkey-like cheeks, giggled and whispered something to her fleshy older sister, only to be punched hard by her. "He likes me!" the older sister shouted. Her younger sister cried out hoarsely, her claw-like fingers scratching wildly at her older sister. And so, the two girls started fighting right before my eyes, on the balcony. The second sister, with her sparse blond hair and pockmarked face, seized the opportunity to lean over the balcony and beckon me coyly, calling my name in a sweet, childish voice. A letter, folded to the size of a palm, fell at me. The nauseatingly strong fragrance emanating from the letter almost knocked me out; I fled back to my lodgings.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [4]: After closing the door, Adam was chuckling by the window. Of course, he wouldn't miss my embarrassment. I even suspected that he had anticipated this outcome and deliberately made me look foolish. I showed him my sharp, shiny teeth and glared at him fiercely. Adam sat on the windowsill nonchalantly, picked up the violin I had thrown aside, sang a line from the serenade I had just sung, and then said, "Master, you should have bitten those three ladies to death, not me."

"I'd rather starve to death than taste such filthy blood." I slumped into my chair, beginning another long sigh. "Luisa, Luisa, where are you hiding..."

Adam sat on the windowsill singing, driving me crazy. I was almost ready to kill him without thinking, when he finally told me some news: apparently, in a few days, the king would be choosing a bride for the prince, and a grand ball would be held at the palace for three consecutive days, open to all eligible young women in the city. Of course, I didn't believe the prince would choose a girl of ordinary status as his wife; it was just a formality, and everything had already been decided before the ball. But the most important thing was that I might see Louise because of it.

On the night of the ball, I awoke from my sleep, opened the coffin lid, and was greeted by the cacophony of voices from the streets. Looking out the window, I saw a constant stream of elegantly dressed young women, luxurious carriages, and servants in gilded uniforms passing by on their way to the palace. It was as if the entire city was celebrating; lively crowds thronged the street corners, pointing and gossiping about the foreign dignitaries invited to the ball, and of course, they didn't overlook the city's own ladies and socialites.

The neighbor's door opened, and I stared wide-eyed as Madame Arno, swaying her hips, emerged with her three daughters. Even as they boarded the carriage, the three sisters, behaving grotesquely, continued their incessant bickering. One tugged at another's embroidered sash, shouting that it was hers; the other fiercely snatched her sister's linen handkerchief, their struggle turning red in the face. "I'm going crazy! I'm going crazy! You fools, shut your mouths!" Madame Arno shrieked, looking as if she were about to faint. "The prince, your goal is the prince, don't act like country women..."

The onlookers kept jeering, and I saw Adam caught in the middle, adding fuel to the fire by praising the eldest sister's bow and saying that the second sister's diamond brooch would have been more suitable for the little sister. Finally, Mrs. Arno slapped each of her daughters to stop them, but the three daughters continued to curse and swear at each other.

I didn't see Louisa until the carriage left. Where was she? Why was she nowhere to be seen during this joyous festival? Had she been sent to the convent again? Perhaps I should go check on her at the neighbor's house. Yes, I should have done so long ago, but I hadn't shown my magic because I wanted to interact with Louisa normally.

Under the cover of night, I quietly used magic to open the side gate to my neighbor's garden.

A silent courtyard, a silent house. There was no trace of Louisa in any of the spacious, clean rooms. Where was she? Was she really not here? I asked myself, stepping out of the deserted hall and retracing my steps towards the garden gate. The trees swayed gently in the night breeze, rustling softly, seemingly mingled with low sobs. It was the girl crying! At the same time, I smelled that familiar scent. Louisa, it was Louisa! My heart pounded as I slowly walked towards the source of the sound.

It was a corner of the garden, overgrown with miscellaneous trees. In the corner of the wall covered with vines, there was a dilapidated well, and a girl dressed in tattered clothes was lying on the well's edge, her shoulders heaving slightly. Although she was not making a sound, I knew she was crying.

“Luisa?” I said softly.

The girl's body jolted violently, and she turned her head in alarm. I knew she couldn't see me clearly in the dark thicket. But I could see the tears welling up in her sorrowful eyes.

"Who are you?"

"Me? I'm a friend you met once before." I tried to soften my voice. "A friend from a long time ago. Perhaps you've forgotten me."

The girl stood up and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"Miss, what happened? Is it your stepmother...?"

“Sir, I’m fine. Please leave.” Louisa said coldly, struggling to lift a bucket of water, and staggered toward the house.

“Miss, tell me about your situation after leaving your hometown. I want to help you,” I said, following behind her.

Louisa walked into the kitchen without a word and poured water into the sink, which was already full of pots and pans.

I stared at Louisa, her face covered in dust and grime, made even more filthy by the tears that had flowed. Was this the same convent boarder from just over ten days ago? She now looked exactly like a lowly maid.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [5]: The kettle on the stove gurgled, and Louisa rushed to pour water, while I looked around at that moment.

In a dark corner of the kitchen, there was a straw-covered bed with a wooden crucifix, a Bible, and several other books on it. Several mice squeaked under the bed, their round little eyes staring maliciously at a large pumpkin not far away.

"You...sleep here?" I said.

“Yes, I am a servant here,” she said calmly, her voice as melodious and sweet as when I first met her. She turned her face, and when she saw me clearly in the light, I saw her eyebrows lift slightly. “Good heavens, sir, you must leave. This is not a place for someone as distinguished as you.”

I knew she didn't recognize me.

“No, I want to help you, Miss,” I said sincerely. “My father is a friend of your father’s, and Mr. Arno’s daughter should not be in such a situation.”

“Sir, you don’t understand,” Louisa shook her head, “I am not… Mr. Arno’s biological daughter. I was an abandoned child, and he adopted me, so…” She didn’t finish her sentence.

“Yes…I see. But he has already taken you as his daughter, and your stepmother and her three daughters can never treat you as their servant.” I looked at her and slowly approached her. “Luisa, you are crying. You don’t want this, do you? Tonight, all the unmarried girls in the city have gone to the palace. They are wearing their most beautiful clothes and their most valuable jewelry, dancing and laughing with dashing gentlemen, vying to show their most charming and lovely side to win the prince’s favor. And you, Louisa, once the most beautiful girl in Nolan, can only hide in the dirty, damp kitchen, with a bunch of rats and a few cockroaches. Miss, don’t you think…”

“Sir, please stop. Sir!” Louisa interrupted me, her face already streaked with tears.

I took a breath and handed Louisa a damp, wrung-out towel.

"Wipe your face clean, and you might find that everything will be different."

As she wiped her face, I walked around her body with my hands behind my back, muttering incantations. When I stopped in front of her again, a dazzling light swept around her, and colorful stars enveloped her, twinkling and dancing. When the stars disappeared, the girl's drab and worn clothes had been replaced by a gorgeous dress adorned with exquisite lace.

Perhaps the dazzling starlight startled the girl, for Louisa lowered her towel. I smiled at her and gave her a graceful bow.

"Miss, do you notice anything different about yourself right now?"

Louisa slowly lowered her head. "Oh my God!" I heard her exclaim. "Am I dreaming?" She lifted her skirt. "I'm dreaming, I must be dreaming. It's a dream, but I want it to be a dream!" She twirled happily.

“This isn’t a dream, Louisa.” I gazed into her diamond-like eyes. She was truly beautiful after the stains were removed, especially her smile—so genuine, so pure, so moving, like an angel. At that moment, I realized I had fallen in love with her; my burning feelings for her were no longer because of her resemblance to my cousin.

I gently approached her and untied the cloth covering her hair, revealing a cascade of long hair draped over her back.

“There should be a diamond crown here,” I said, my hand gently gliding through her silky hair, and a magnificent, shimmering crown instantly appeared on her head; my hand softly touched her slender, graceful neck, “and there should be a sapphire necklace here, which will make your eyes appear even more azure and beautiful.” With my incantation, a sapphire necklace appeared around her neck.

“You, sir, please tell me who you are?” Louisa exclaimed, stroking the necklace in amazement.

“Me? The last descendant of an ancient family.” I quietly brought my lips close to her earlobe. “A magician.”

"A magician?" She trembled slightly, looked up, and I quickly took a step back.

“Yes, miss, I am a magician. A magician who wholeheartedly wants to grant your wishes and wish you happiness.” I took her hand and tapped the wall next to the cupboard with my cane. A flash of silver light appeared, and a large floor-to-ceiling mirror appeared on the wall. “Come, miss, admire yourself as you are now. I wonder what you are lacking?”

“Oh, I’ve lost my mind. I, a former marquis, have gotten your attire wrong. Miss, for your first social ball, you should be wearing a white dress.” I slapped my forehead and swung my cane at Louisa. The blue velvet dress transformed into a more luxurious one, adorned with diamonds and embroidered with silver patterns.

“Ah, sir, you are truly a miracle,” Louisa exclaimed.

“No, miss, you will be a miracle tonight. Will you dance?” I asked.

"Ta-la-la-la, ta-la-la-la..." Louisa clapped along, took my hand, and twirled around twice. "Sir, do you think I can dance?" she winked at me playfully.

“Call me Quaid. Well, miss, what do you think you’re missing? Oh, right, a carriage. A lady of status can’t walk to a ball.”

I glanced around, pointed my cane at the large pumpkin in the corner, and chanted a spell. Amidst the squeaking of several mice, the pumpkin rolled out of the kitchen and transformed into a magnificent golden carriage in the garden.

I turned around and caught sight of the mice staring blankly under the bed. "Oh, and you guys too. We can't just separate the mice from their long-awaited feast," I said with a laugh, tapping the mice under the bed with my cane.

Several black balls rolled out of the kitchen and transformed into four white horses and a few servants dressed in gold-trimmed velvet robes and wearing silver wigs beside the carriage. These rat servants looked a bit shifty up close, but they would do; no one would care what a servant looked like.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [6]: Louisa watched me intently as I used magic, her eyes flashing with astonishment, but even more so with heartfelt gratitude. “That’s wonderful, sir. Tonight you’ve made me a princess. How can I possibly thank you enough?”

“Miss, I don’t need your gratitude. In my eyes, you’ve always been a princess.” I took her hand, walked out of the kitchen, and helped her to the car.

As she lifted her skirt to get into the carriage, I noticed her oversized loafers and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "How could a princess dance in such shoes? Wait for me, Louisa."

I rushed out of the garden and into my dwelling. In the coffin in my bedroom, I retrieved a jeweled silver box that had always been placed beside my head while I slept. The lid was adorned with an eagle and two swords—my family crest. Inside the box was a pair of sparkling crystal shoes.

Bathed in moonlight, the crystal shoe shimmered with a pure and beautiful light, just like the bright eyes of its former owner, eyes that even angels would envy. I seemed to see Emily again. On the verdant grass, my cousin, wearing a flower wreath in her hair, tossed a handful of petals into the air. She twirled and waved her arms in the rain of petals, her crystal shoe sparkling like the snow-capped peaks of the distant, majestic Pyrenees.

I knelt on the ground, kissing the cold, smooth surface of the shoes with tears in my eyes.

"Emily, my dear Emily, you will forgive me, won't you?"

When Louisa picked up Emily's tiny crystal shoes, I was a little worried about whether they would fit. But perhaps she truly was Emily reborn; the shoes seemed tailor-made for her. She danced a few light steps and, with my help, climbed into the carriage.

"I hope I'll have the chance to dance with you tonight." Standing by the carriage, I calmly suppressed my surging emotions and said, "Miss, there's something I must tell you: everything around you created by magic can only last for a limited time. You must leave before midnight, otherwise everything will revert to its original state when the last bell tolls. Remember, midnight. Alright, Miss, you may go now. Have a good time!"

I turned my head and gestured to the rat servant driving the carriage. Just then, Louisa suddenly leaned out of the carriage, wrapped her soft arms around me, and gently kissed my cheek.

"Sir, thank you for everything you've done for me."

The wheels began to turn, and Louisa retreated into the carriage. I stood by the fountain in the garden, gazing at the carriage emerging from the back door, my fingers touching the spot she had kissed, my heart overflowing with happiness and sweetness. This was the first time in four hundred years that I had changed my life! The darkness that had accompanied me for so many years seemed to have vanished in that moment, and I was back in the sunlight, back in the warm and bright sunlight of my distant memories. I seemed to smell the sun's scent emanating from the grass, the leaves, and the earth—so alluring, so fragrant. The glaciers that had been frozen for four hundred years began to melt, the glacial water turning into babbling brooks, shimmering in the sunlight.

If I had known beforehand that my vanity would lead to irreparable consequences, I certainly wouldn't have supported Louisa's participation in the ball. But at the time, I was blinded by love, dizzy and overjoyed. I wanted to see Louisa succeed, and even more so, I hoped to dance with her face-to-face at the ball.

Upon returning to my residence, I immediately mounted my horse and rode to the palace.

As I entered the brightly lit palace, music was already playing. The first thing I saw was the beautiful Louise dancing gracefully with a richly dressed young man. The young man was handsome and elegant; I felt as if I had seen him somewhere before.

The people standing on both sides whispered amongst themselves, and I heard them speculating about Louisa's identity. Under the canopy of the hall, the plump, white king sat on his throne, tapping his scepter to the rhythm while speaking in hushed tones to the prime minister, dressed in cardinal's robes. The queen sat there, her expression cold as she watched the dancing couple.

More people started to dance. But Louisa and her companions remained the center of attention at the ball.