I walked through the woods, the silence was deafening, a heavy blanket that suffocated me. Ralph’s occasional whistling pierced the stillness, grating on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard. “He can whistle so damn fucking freely,” I thought to myself, seething with resentment. “Yet he doesn’t even consider initiating any sort of conversation.”

The crown incident still lingered in my mind, a festering wound that refused to heal. After that, Ralph had made it clear he didn’t want to talk to me, and I was left to simmer in my own anger and frustration. But I couldn’t help myself – I kept finding ways to pick a fight with him, to provoke him into reacting. Ralph, however, remained infuriatingly calm, his expression a mask of indifference that only fueled my ire.

The trees seemed to close in around me, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching out to snatch me. The rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs underfoot were the only sounds that broke the silence, and I felt like I was walking through a graveyard, the weight of my own emotions crushing me. I couldn’t take it anymore – I needed to confront Ralph, to make him see that I wouldn’t be ignored. But as I turned to face him, I saw that same maddening smile, and my anger boiled over once again.

Today, when I decided to hang out for a bit, I thought I’d finally get some much-needed time to myself. But, of course, Ralph had to follow me without an invitation, like a shadow that refused to leave my side. It was infuriating, to say the least. I’d already apologized for my past mistakes and promised to keep my temper in check, going to extreme lengths to tone down my anger. Yet, here he was, still trailing behind me like a constant reminder of my failures.

“Hell’s sake, is he dumb or what?” I thought to myself, exasperated. “Can’t he see that I’m trying to move on from our past conflicts? Does he really think I enjoy being at odds with him all the time?” I shook my head, my mind racing with frustration. “Where the hell is mere mercy in this demon’s heart?” I wondered, feeling like I was talking to a brick wall.

Just then, a slight chuckle was heard from beside me, and I turned to see Ralph's smirking face. “You think a lot, always don't you?” He said, his voice dripping with amusement. I scoffed, rolling my eyes, and walked ahead, leaving him to his own devices. How could he possibly understand what it was like to be me, to be trapped in this never-ending cycle of anger and frustration?

I quickened my pace, my feet carrying me further and further away from Ralph's annoying presence. But, of course, he kept following, his footsteps echoing behind me like a constant reminder of my failure to shake him off. I sighed, feeling like I was stuck in some kind of twisted nightmare, with no escape in sight.

As we walked, the trees seemed to close in around us, their branches tangling above our heads like a canopy of disapproval. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel Ralph's eyes on me, boring into my skin like a cold, hard stare. I shivered, despite the warmth of the day, and wondered how much longer I could keep this up. How much longer could I bear to be in his presence, to be constantly reminded of my own failures and shortcomings? Only time would tell.

“Now he grew horns and decided to talk.” I thought to myself, exasperated. “Not just any random talk, as usual, he mocked me.” I couldn't believe it. Why did he even choose to follow me? Did he enjoy seeing me squirm? Ruffling my hair, he continued laughing, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Your head might burst at this rate if you keep stressing and overthinking.” I felt a surge of anger at his flippant comment.

Elbowing him, I moved away, trying to put some distance between us. “Don't touch me, you stupid, self-absorbed idiot.” I hissed. “And stop reading my thoughts. I keep on blabbering, yet you've zipped up your mouth as if you're some torn-up jeans in emergency need of first aid.” I glared at him, my eyes blazing with fury.

Ralph, however, just hid his hands behind his back, a smirk still plastered on his face. “I already have a perfect sewed zip,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Then how's it possible that my zip is damaged?” I gritted my teeth, my anger boiling over. How could he be so infuriatingly calm?

I stomped away, my feet carrying me as far away from him as possible. But, of course, I couldn't resist sneaking a glance behind me. And, sure enough, there he was, trailing behind like a puppy, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity.

On the other end, a group of girls who were camping noticed him and rushed ahead, their eyes shining with excitement. “Are you single?” one of them asked, her voice laced with hope. “I'm sure he is,” another chimed in, “seeing he's walking alone.” Watching the scene unfold in front of me, I felt an inexplicable urge to pull him away from them, to save him from their clutches. But on what basis or ground did I have the right to do so? He was, after all, a free agent, and I had no claim over him.

He stood there, grinning meekly, answering their questions with a charm that made my heart twist with annoyance. “At the end of the day, he's like every other male who would definitely use his chance to coax up to any girl who finds him interesting.” I thought to myself, my mind racing with skepticism. Confirming that his catch-up session wouldn't end anytime soon, I scurried away, leaving him to his newfound admirers.

But little did I know, Ralph's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for me, his face creased with worry. “I can't see my girlfriend,” he said, his voice laced with panic. “She was right here. Sorry, ladies. Gotta go, priorities first.” In a split second, he had taken off, forgetting that he might have just exposed his identity to the unsuspecting girls.

The latter were dumbfounded, fear creeping up their bodies like a chill. They exchanged nervous glances, their minds racing with the implications of what they had just witnessed. “Did he just say girlfriend?” one of them whispered, her voice trembling. “Oh my god, we've been talking to a demon's partner!” Another exclaimed, her eyes wide with terror.

As they quickly packed up their belongings and scurried away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Ralph might have thought he had won, but in reality, he had just revealed his true colors. And now, he was all alone, searching for me in the wilderness, his pride wounded and his ego bruised. A smirk spread across my face as I disappeared into the trees, leaving him to his own devices.

Ralph saw me sitting near the lake, staring at the water with an intensity that seemed to pierce the depths of the lake itself. I was throwing pebbles into the water, muttering profanities under my breath as if the ripples could wash away my frustrations. “Why did you come here all alone?” he asked, his voice laced with a hint of concern, but I ignored him, continuing with my ritual of pebble-throwing and muttering.

But then, he asked the question that would shatter my composure. “Are you upset with me?” This was the final strand to break me off the hook, and I couldn't help but snap. Swiveling my head to glare at him, my eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt, I unleashed a torrent of words.

“Your highness, the future hell king.” I spat, my voice heavy with sarcasm. “Why would I be angry or upset at you? It's not like I own thy existence, do I? Why are you worried about how I feel? Didn't you already make me feel like shit the past weeks, ignoring all my attempts to sort stuff out with you? So why do this blatant empathizing drama now?”

Ralph saw the various sentiments that rushed through my eyes - anger, hurt, frustration, and a hint of sadness. A smirk curved up his lips, and he got closer to me, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint. “Are you perhaps jealous?” he asked, his voice low and husky, as if he was savoring the possibility.

As I look into Ralph's eyes, the words tumble out of my mouth without a single thought. “Yes, I'm jealous. I'm extremely jealous. I'm jealous of the way they had your attention, I'm jealous of the love you showered on them. I'm jealous that they could make you smile while you stayed all grumpy with me. I'm jealous because you don't look at me the way you look at them.”

I can see the surprise in his eyes, followed by a radiant smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “You're so cute,” he coos, his voice dripping with affection. Before I can react, he pinches my cheeks and kisses them, his lips soft and gentle.

I feel my face burning with embarrassment and frustration. I'm not pleased with his reaction, and I don't want him to see the emotions written all over my face. So, I shift my position, turning my back to him. I can sense his confusion and amusement, but I refuse to turn around, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my face.

I sit there, with my back facing him, I can feel his eyes on me, sense his presence behind me. I'm exasperated, my nerves reeking with frustration. Why can't he take me seriously? Why does he always have to make me feel like a child?

But as I sit there, I can feel his warmth radiating onto my skin, his gentle breath on the back of my neck. And despite my frustration, I can't help but feel a flutter in my chest, a softening of my heart. Maybe, just maybe, Ralph's affection isn't so bad after all.

“Are you still pissed at me?” Ralph asks, his voice laced with amusement.

“Of course I am.” I reply, my voice firm and cold.

Ralph chuckles, clearly enjoying this. “Hey! I'm speaking to you now though.”

I growl, plucking at the grass in frustration. “I don't want to speak to you. Go to those women you were having a gala time with.”

Ralph holds my shoulders, and I try to shrug him off, but he's too strong. He shifts positions, sitting down facing me, his eyes locked on mine. “Don't try anything funny, Park. I'll bury you alive in this very woods.”

I glare at him, my anger and frustration boiling over. But before I can react, he nods and tilts his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Well, since my death is near, I should do something meaningful before dying. Shouldn't I?”

And the very next moment, his lips are on mine, soft and gentle, yet firm and demanding. I'm taken aback, my mind racing with confusion and anger, but my body betraying me, responding to his touch.