The Sacred Island of Credo

Credo Island was as beautiful as paradise. The breeze brushing against her skin was pleasantly cool, and the sound of waves crashing onto the beach delightfully filled her ears.

Waiting while the sailors lowered the anchor and furled the sails felt far too tedious. Nefetia clung to the bow, her eyes sparkling ceaselessly as they drank in the island.

“It really is as stunning as I’ve heard.”

“Have you never been here before, Aunt Shadia?”

“In other kingdoms, even royals without rights of succession are sent to this competition. But Kepet’s laws are different, so I’ve never had the chance to visit.”

“I see.”

The dense jungle, something impossible to see in the desert, caught her eye first. What could be hiding in those dark woods? Oh, what was that? Nefetia’s eyes widened at the sight of a small creature running out of the forest on two legs. It had a tail as long as its body and walked upright like a person, covered in chestnut-colored fur.

“…Is that a monkey? It looks different from the ones we have.”

“Yes, Your Highness. There are many different kinds.”

The baby monkey skillfully climbed a tree, plucked a coconut, and dashed back the way it came, vanishing in an instant.

“Wow, it’s so cute! I want to pet it.”

While Nefetia was brimming with excitement, Shadia’s expression remained far from bright.

“You must be careful. If it bites you, it could be serious.”

Tsk. Just like my worrywart of an aunt, Nefetia thought as she busily scanned her surroundings. How could someone be so full of concern when such a beautiful landscape lay right before them!

“This island of Credo is said to have been formed when a god hurled an axe and split the earth.”

Shadia took hold of Nefetia’s arm and gently pulled her back so she could take in the entire vista. The island’s terrain was indeed unique. She had expected something like a volcanic island with a bulging center, but it looked more like a massive pillar sliced diagonally.

“This side is low-lying, but the far end up there is a sheer cliff. Do you see that roof in the distance? That must be the temple.”

To see the island’s peak, Nefetia had to tilt her head even further. She stood on her toes and pointed at the towering rocky mountain.

“It’s quite high up.”

After crossing the wide, shallow sandbar and passing through the forest, the path seemed to rise steadily from the middle of the island onward. From there to the summit stretched a jagged rocky mountain. Between those enormous gray boulders, the blue-painted roof of the temple peeked out. Though it was only as big as a fingertip from here, both its position and the rounded shape of its roof left no doubt—it was the famous temple of Credo Island.

“So when the competition ends… we receive the second oracle up there, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. The priests of Credo Island will explain everything in due time. But, Your Highness… about this…”

When Shadia bowed her head, holding out an ornate robe with both hands, Nefetia frowned.

“Shadia. That thing is cumbersome. It’s stuffy and hot.”

“The climate here is much cooler than Kepet’s, and I worry your precious body might catch a chill. Please wear this outer garment.”

“It’s not even that cold yet. Not at all.”

“I would ask that you wear it while outside. You may remove it once we’re in our quarters.”

“Didn’t you say we should wear whatever clothes we’re given? That’s why you wouldn’t let me bring my own wardrobe chest.”

Oh dear. Shadia bit her lip. She had forgotten that she had specifically mentioned this when they left all of Nefetia’s mountain of jewelry and garments behind.

“Then please wear it at least until the opening ceremony.”

Hah… Nefetia chewed her lip in irritation. Just looking at Shadia’s unyielding stubbornness made a sigh escape her. Why did Aunt Shadia have to be so overprotective? From the moment they left Kepet, the two of them had been engaged in a constant, subtle battle of nerves over one thing after another. No sooner did they get past one issue than another lecture would begin, leaving Nefetia desperate to part ways as soon as possible.

“If I’m going to take it off right away, there’s no point in bothering to put it on. I truly don’t understand why you’re so obsessed with this outer robe.”

When Nefetia snapped at her curtly, Shadia’s face grew deeply troubled.

“This is a gathering of princes and princesses around Your Highness’s age. It would be best to make a good first impression if possible.”

“They should be the ones trying to impress me. Why should I have any reason to impress them?”

“That is…”

Shadia chose her words carefully.

“Unlike in our Kepet, other nations consider it extremely improper for a woman to reveal her body.”

“So? That’s their custom, isn’t it? I should simply live according to the customs of my own country.”

“Of course, that is true, but Your Highness right now…”

Shadia swallowed hard. King Mahati had repeatedly emphasized how important this was; she had to get Nefetia into clothes somehow.

“I share your concern, but I’m not sure the princess will listen. Though we’ve spent quite a bit of time together now, she’s still so stubborn…”

“Yes, that child has always done as she pleases. The problem is that everyone obeys her words as if they were ironclad because of the oracle. And I bear much of the blame for how things turned out.”

Nefetia and her entourage firmly believed no threat could touch them on this journey, but King Mahati had grown increasingly anxious as the training competition drew near. The thought of being separated from her precious daughter for six whole months seemed to offer little comfort, even from the power of the oracle.

Of course, Shadia, who had been watching over Nefetia, felt exactly the same.

The princess had only just come into full adulthood, and she was the very embodiment of sensuality in motion. Within Kepet, no one would dare to harass her, but it was painfully obvious how men from the outside world—men not of their kingdom—would look at her.

Her soft, graceful movements like a sleek leopard, those proud and elegant golden eyes framed by captivating black lashes. The slightly upturned corners of her eyes, her straight nose, and those full lips…

With a face like that, the princess remained innocently bright, completely unaware of the dangers of the world. It would be no surprise if she got into all sorts of trouble with those hot-blooded princes over the next six months. What if some despicable prince used his silver tongue to seduce the naive princess? Just imagining it sent chills down her spine.

And if there was one more serious issue adding to her worries…

“Your Highness, I picked an apple from the island. You must be hungry—please try it.”

During a brief lull in their conversation, one of the workers must have slipped ashore and plucked a perfectly ripe fruit. Nefetia accepted the apple with a smile and reached out to gently stroke the man’s head. It was the gesture of bestowing a sacred blessing upon a loyal subject. The porter, overwhelmed with awe and unsure what to do with himself, placed a hand over his heart, bowed repeatedly, and withdrew with a face flushed with deep emotion.

“…Your Highness, this is not Kepet. From now on, you must be careful about touching people.”

“I know. They aren’t subjects of Kepet, so I must be cautious.”

At least she recognized the need for restraint when extending her hand so casually. Taking some small comfort in that, Shadia brought up the matter of clothing once more.

“And about your attire. If you set foot on the island dressed as you are now, there will undoubtedly be men who fall into disrespectful, impure fantasies about our Kepet’s sacred and noble princess.”

“Impure fantasies?”

“Yes. Or the princesses from other countries might look down on you, or perhaps think you a little…”

“A little?”

“That is… they might think there is something… lacking.”

“About me?”

Nefetia looked utterly shocked. Rather than feeling offended, she seemed unable to comprehend the very possibility that someone might disapprove of her.

Shadia closed her mouth for a moment. It felt as if she had slammed into a massive, impenetrable wall.

“Lady Shadia! What should we do with the offerings?”

A servant urgently called for Shadia, cutting their conversation short once again. There was no more time. No longer able to hesitate, Shadia unfolded the robe and draped it firmly over Nefetia’s shoulders.

“Your Highness, please, for the sake of this aunt of yours, just wear it. This is a request from a subject of Kepet and from your own aunt.”

When Shadia pleaded so desperately, Nefetia let out a sigh and put on the garment.

“I’ll take it off if it gets hot.”

“Just bear with it a little while, Your Highness. Once the opening ceremony ends, they’ll provide training uniforms right away.”

Even though she had put it on, the robe barely clung to her shoulders and could slip off at any moment. Still, Shadia decided to settle for that much for now.

At the very least, those long, slender legs were now covered. The skirt had long slits on both sides, revealing her thighs and calves in a refreshingly breezy way that had made Shadia’s heart race with anxiety. And though the thin fabric over her chest still fluttered precariously, it was better than nothing.

“Then I’ll step away for a moment, Your Highness. Please wait here while I organize the luggage and come right back. I’ll be quick, so stay right here.”

“…Fine.”

Nefetia answered half-heartedly, staring fixedly at Shadia’s retreating back. Or rather, she glared at it from the corner of her eye.

That nagging, nagging, endless nagging—I’m so sick of it!

Her body was itching to run off into this new world, yet how long was she supposed to wait?

The moment Shadia disembarked with the servants, Nefetia yanked off the robe and hurled it to the deck.

If the problem was the people looking, then they should just gouge out their eyes! Why should she have to cover her own body? It seemed Aunt Shadia had spent far too long living among commoners.

Nefetia kicked the robe that had tangled around her feet and strode toward the empty opposite side of the deck.

It was then that she spotted a long ladder dangling from the railing all the way down to the beach. When she looked down, the end of the swaying rope ladder was dipping into the seawater that rose to about ankle height, rippling gently.

As Nefetia gauged the distance to the ground, a mischievous glint slowly spread across her face.

This should be easy enough to climb down. Why not go get some fresh air?

The princess lightly swung herself over the railing and hooked one leg onto the rope ladder. Suppressing a giggle, she carefully descended the swaying ladder. No one witnessed the princess escaping in search of her freedom.