Primrose drops her belongings on the floor as she walks to her bed, plopping down onto the soft, cozy blanket. She doesn't care to take off her shoes, or that her manuscripts are scattered on the floor, she just wants to stay here, unbothered by her surroundings.

The scarf around her neck feels warm and fluffy. The greyish color reminds her of those beautiful eyes, the silver orbs shine brightly like the stars in the sky. Even to this day, she is still captivated by them. Never in her life has Primrose thought about seeing him again, and yet, this scarf and the warmth that still lingers around her prove her wrong…

Caleb Vatore…

Just the thought of his name makes her face heat up…

She remembers very well, those memories of many years ago when she was just a teenager attending a summer camp in Glimmerbrook, meeting Caleb for the first time.

If she had to describe their situation back then, Primrose would say that they had been through thick and thin together. From healing his wound to joining his quest to save his friend, Inna Cent, to celebrate their victory after defeating Professor Thebe. They have been through them all…

And during that time together, Primrose developed feelings for him. How could she not? He was the one who took her in after she was being chased by Professor Thebe, aiding her on the quest to find Marlin Ember and helping her destroy Thebe's wicked plan to turn the magic town of Glimmerbrook into the blood bank of house Straud. With Caleb by her side, she felt like she could conquer everything. His kindness and how he cared for her, the tenderness in his eyes whenever he patted her head gently, how safe she felt whenever he pulled her into a hug. Everything he did made her feel so special, so loved…

Caleb Vatore was her first love…

But falling in love with him was her mistake…

He said no to her feelings but never gave her a reason. He told her that he couldn't accept them, even though he was grateful that she loved him. Her heart shattered into pieces upon hearing this and then, the next morning, Caleb was no longer with her. He left before she could say goodbye, telling and Ember that it would be better if they hadn't met.

The intensity of her heartbreak was too much to bear to the point Primrose could no longer attend classes at Glimmerbrook School of Magic. So she went home, crying in her mom's arms as she mended her broken heart. But even when many years have passed by, somewhere in her heart still holds a small space for him.

"I'm crazy…" she murmurs under her breath, hanging onto the scarf tightly "I am crazy…"

She is crazy to believe that he came to see her after all these years. There is a fire light up in her heart, warm and cozy, something that she has pushed aside and ignored for too long. However, the way Caleb appeared in front of her, saying that he misses her dearly, something about that doesn't sit right and it would be a lie if she said that it's not painful to see him.

Too painful that she thought she might burst into tears in front of him…

But Primrose is proud of herself, she has to keep her dignity and it is not worth wasting her tears on the man who abandoned her years ago. She needs to keep her mind straight, she can't allow herself to be the victim anymore. This peaceful life of hers, he doesn't have the right to enter and be a part of it, and Primrose will make sure that he stays out of it.

She will make sure he can never enter her life anymore…

The first thing Caleb sees when he walks into his mansion is his sister's beautiful chocolate orbs shining with hope, the hope that her brother is able to find the woman of his life.

"Caleb!" Lilith walks up to him, behind her is a young man around her age whom she calls her husband, Kian "How was it? Did you find her?"

"Yeah, I did…"

The smile on his face is rueful as he trails off, slipping off his long coat and giving it to the butler.

"Thank you, Richard."

"Of course, my lord." the elderly man nods his head "I will prepare some tea. A good cup of chamomile will surely chase away those negative thoughts of yours."

Caleb chuckles as he sits on the elegant burgundy sofa, watching his younger sister and her husband settle down on the opposite side of the coffee table.

"How was it? Did she say anything?" Lilith's face beams up "She must be very happy to see you, yeah?"

"Lilith, calm down. Caleb can't answer anything if you keep asking him questions." Kian sweatdrops, tapping his wife lightly on her shoulders.

"O-of course…" she blushes at his comment "Sorry brother, I got a little too excited…"

"It's okay, I don't mind. Besides, it's not like she is happy to see me…"

Lilith bites her bottom lips, knowing that her excitement is inappropriate for his situation right now. She can see how those silver eyes are filled with sadness and disappointment as if he is blaming himself for everything that has happened up to now. She hates to see her brother sad, he has sacrificed everything for this family, for everyone around him and for the world of vampires to live peacefully with the humans once again.

When the war between house Vatore and house Straud broke out, Caleb left behind all his dreams and ambitions to devote himself fully to the future of his family. And along with those dreams, he let go of the person he loves and holds dearly to his heart, the young girl he met at Glimmerbrook when he was rescuing Inna Cent.

Caleb, with his vision of living peacefully with humans and no longer relying on human blood to survive, was too progressive for an old vampire lord like Vladislaus Straud to handle. To Vladislaus, humans were only mere blood sources, a weak species that deserved no respect from them. However, house Vatore's idea became more prominent in the vampire world and Caleb rose to become an important figure, Vladislaud knew that only a war could settle the differences, once and for all.

A civil war broke out between house Vatore and house Straud, a battle to determine whose ideas would influence the next generation of vampires of years to come.

During such a critical time, Caleb had to put his family and people above everything, even if it meant casting away his own feelings for his beloved Primrose. No matter how deep and genuine his love for her was, it was not the right time for both of them. On top of that, Primrose was a human and to have a dhampir as the next heir of the family would throw house Vatore into another chaos, so Caleb chose to let her go.

Lilith remembers very well, when his friends came and tried to talk him out of that silly crush of his. It was when they got home after the successful rescue mission and Inna Cent called out his feelings for Primrose, believing that the love he had for her would cause a huge outrage and demoralize their army.

While the decision to leave Primrose lies solely on Caleb, Lilith can't help but want to blame his friends too. Those who force her brother to push aside his own needs and feelings and then have the nerve to introduce him to many female vampires to ensure a pureblood heir for the Vatore family.

"Don't worry, Caleb. I'm sure she will open her heart to you eventually…"

Kian looks at his brother-in-law, offering an encouraging smile. But his comment doesn't make Caleb feel any better. The way Primrose's eyes look at him, he can see how agonizing they are, as if she is looking at a ghost. To appear in front of her many years after their separation, he is not proud of himself for scaring her like that.

"I will go to bed now, it has been a long day…"

"Of course, Caleb. You deserve a good rest."

Lilith's brown eyes glued on her brother's back, sighing. Even when he is able to protect his family and people, even when he is praised to be the hero coming out of the civil war, even when he has many people who would lie down their lives for him, Caleb always looks so lonely, as if no one can understand the pain he carries in his heart.

"Don't worry, Lilith. Caleb is more capable of dealing with this."

Knowing his wife's worries, Kian steps in with words of advice, smiling as he plants a kiss on her cheek.

"But Kian, how can I not worry? Caleb, he's…" Lilith's voice trails off, not knowing what to say.

It hurts her to see that somber look in her older brother's eyes, the pain and disappointment that have haunted him for so many years, the guilt of leaving the person he holds dear to his heart and now, seeking for that person's forgiveness.

"Lilith, the way to one's heart is not an easy path to walk on. You know that, right…?" Kian's lilac eyes shine a light of understanding "Caleb will be alright. He is more than ready to take on this task, remember?"

"I guess you're right…"

Caleb closes the door behind him, running his hand through his hair and sighing heavily. The young vampire lord lays on the bed, ignoring the possibility of his clothes getting wrinkly. It is only behind the door of his private quarters that Caleb is able to strip off his professionalism and become more mundane with his life.

His body, despite its lack of natural heat, is surprisingly warm. The lingering of her apple scent is surprisingly soothing. His vampire nature gives him an enhanced sense of smell, which sometimes can be quite troublesome, especially when he is in a party setting, where the heavy perfume worn by the ladies can give him a headache.

But Primrose's bright apple scent is different, maybe it's because she only puts a little bit of perfume on herself, or maybe it's her natural fragrance. Either way, it's nice and soothing, and it keeps lingering on his clothes.

Primrose…

She has changed so much since the last time he saw her. But then again, it has been years since that day.

Her previous short hair is now reaching her waist, shining and lush. Her midnight-colored eyes shine bright like the sea of celestials in the sky, yet they hold a dreaded expression upon seeing him. The sweet and innocent face she had years ago is now replaced by a more mature and complex look, the light makeup adds a touch of color to her porcelain skin.

Primrose is no longer the little girl he knew years ago, she is an adult, a beautiful young woman…

But if there is anything that stays the same, it's probably Primrose's height. Her petite stature is a stark contrast to the mature and alluring vibe around her.

The thought draws out a chuckle from him…

But the reality is hitting him, that dreaded look on her face, how terrified she was upon seeing him, how she looked like she was going to cry. Primrose didn't want to see him…

Caleb can't blame her, he knows the pain he caused her. He was the one who chose to deny her feelings and left without saying anything. For a young girl at the age between teenage and adulthood, the rejection hurts Primrose deeply.

It was for the sake of his people that he had made that choice, a choice that had left Primrose heartbroken. Even when he had reasons for what he did, to Caleb, they were unacceptable.

He could have done it a different way, but the thought of seeing her again the morning after rejecting her feelings made his stomach turn, so Caleb left. The rejection and abandonment cause Primrose her heartbreak to the point that she can not continue her studies at Glimmerbrook. Caleb knows about this because it was Marlin who informed him about this. If it wasn't for Marlin Ember, Caleb would never be able to find Primrose.

For the fire sage to set aside his irritation and give Caleb a second chance to redeem himself, the vampire lord is forever grateful.

After the civil war ended and he ascended the hierarchy ladder to become the most influential vampire lord of the supernatural world, Caleb found himself always looking out to the window with guilt slowly eating him. He had never forgiven himself for doing that to her. Days turned into months, months turned into years, Caleb still yearned to see her again.

Lilith, his forever supportive little sister, told him to face reality and follow the calling of his heart. Caleb hesitated at first, but the thought of seeing her again lighted a warm fire inside him, something that no woman had been able to do.

He wanted to see her, he yearned to meet her, his lovely raven head...

Inna Cent, his friend, tried to reason with him but no more would Caleb allow anyone to dictate his heart. He had followed her advice and left Primrose heartbroken, while his action was for the greater good, he hurt her, the woman that Caleb swore to always protect.

Caleb contacted Marlin Ember, an acquaintance of his and Primrose, and asked about her whereabouts. There were scoffing and sneering here and there, but the blond mage gave in and asked him to come to Glimmerbrook School of Magic if he wanted to learn more about Primrose. Caleb accepted the request.

Upon arrival, he is greeted by a nonchalant Marlin Ember and a disappointed . They told him everything they knew about Primrose, her heartbreak, her decision to leave Glimmerbrook and her request to learn magic under them instead, they let him know it all. To Caleb, these were valuable intel but at the same time, they were also the constant reminder of the pain he caused her.

Marlin agreed to give him Primrose's location, but fought against it, believing that Caleb had no right to know anything after his grave mistake. She refused to let him hurt her precious student again. But the fire sage stepped in and offered a piece of advice for Lumera, telling her that what Caleb did was valid due to the intensity of the civil war at that time.

Lumera, still holding skepticism over Caleb's wish to see Primrose again, knew that she could not argue her husband out of this, decided to drop the topic and left angrily. But before she teleported away, Lumera gave Caleb a warning of what she would do if he hurt Primrose again. The venomous look in her deep purple eyes is as if I can strike him down immediately.

And now, finally able to see her after years of longing almost makes Caleb acts on his own instinct, to whisk her away and tell her how much he misses her and how sorry he is for breaking her heart. But the young lord knows that it takes more than just a few heartfelt words to work things out between them.

The scar he has left in her heart is undeniable, the pain that even after so many years passed by still resides in her mind. Caleb is not a fool to be oblivious to this, he too holds onto the guilt of leaving her. Primrose has never been a good liar, his lovely raven head is someone who wears her heart in her sleeves.

When she tells him to leave her alone, those pretty onyx orbs have betrayed her. The vampire lord can see through her lies, that spark of affection still resides in the depths of her eyes, longing but also afraid. She is afraid of this, of his sudden appearance, of what can possibly happen between them, of how she can not endure another heartbreak. The once beautiful bud of blossom finally grows, but her growth is nothing but agonizing and despairing, as the lovely flower – Primrose – is fragile and vulnerable. Her heart, guarded by many layers of walls, protects its owner from the potential pain and heartache.

Caleb knows that he can't rush this delicate process of rebuilding what he has broken. Primrose needs time to process what is going on and he has to earn her trust again. But despite the future hardship of his quest for Primrose's heart, Caleb is determined to do whatever it takes to make amends for the pain he has caused and give her the love Primrose truly deserves.