The Unsettling Pull of Fate

It felt strangely familiar, like the voice of a man, and Nefetia belatedly felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her neck. “Does it feel that way? It’s such an odd sensation.” A powerful, low voice slid into her ear, slow and lazy. There was no physical contact, no air of warmth, yet her breaths came short and choppy, her heart hammering against her ribs like it wanted to burst free. “…Mm-hm. No.” For some reason, the answer came out hollow. When Nefetia answered sullenly, Arkin’s face pulled away instantly. “There, you see?” Unlike her, who had only just managed to let out a shaky sigh, he was grinning as if every worry in the world had been neatly solved. “I’m glad the misunderstanding is cleared up. You should settle your heart too.” …That couldn’t be true. Nefetia glared at Arkin with resentment in her eyes. She simply couldn’t smile the way he did. Given that overwhelming pull, wasn’t the entire reason it had happened nothing but the island’s holy power? “Honestly, from the very beginning I thought something felt… off about this. So we’re just two people who just met, and how…?” Arkin kept tossing out random excuses, but Nefetia refused to accept them. It would take a long time for her to accept that her judgment could be so completely wrong, after all the certainty she had carried. “Well, I understand how you feel. Disappointed.” He spoke gently, as if soothing a child. “You must have thought you’d found your fated match by pushing through the impossible odds. That would be a shame. But at least, I’m not the one.” The prince who had been frowning the whole time was now laughing like a mischievous child under the warm sunlight, his deep blue-grey eyes soft and kind. “Oh dear. Aren’t you in a good mood? One day someone else will appear. Whoever he is, wouldn’t a man reject his soulmate?” …He had rejected her, hadn’t he? Nefetia pressed her lips shut and turned her gaze away. Above all, what hurt most was the carefree smile on Arkin’s face as if he had just cleared his name. Even a prisoner who had been unjustly accused wouldn’t feel this light. Who else would feel this happy that they hadn’t become Kepet’s Hetasept? He was only a prince from another kingdom; if it had been in Kepet, he would have been beaten within an inch of his life. “Anyway, Nefetia. Please take care of me for the remaining time.” Arkin extended his hand, offering a handshake. Nefetia stared at his large, long fingers, then finally took it. There was no mysterious sensation. Just the warmth of his palm, solid and big, pressing against hers. It sent a small jolt through her, but it was only the natural warmth of a man and a woman. Arkin cleared his throat and withdrew his hand. “I was worried it might be… but I’m glad it isn’t.” He turned his gaze toward the distant side of the courtyard. Priests were calling them with urgent voices near the altar. “…Then, I’ll see you later.” The golden-haired prince bowed gently and turned away. Without waiting for an answer, he walked off with quick steps. Nefetia stood frozen, watching the prince’s retreating back. She still didn’t understand what had happened. Had she really been too hasty? Or was it just a mistake? Nefetia’s body moved on its own. She followed the priest who was summoning the princesses, then suddenly reached out and caught up to Arkin. Click— the tip of her fingers brushed the edge of his red cape just as Arkin was about to leave. …Still there. The world had not spun around them like it had that first day, and no earth-shaking surge of energy had erupted. But the sensation that slid across her skin was subtle, yet unmistakably present. Startled, Nefetia stopped in her tracks. “…Arkin?” But he was already far ahead. The assistant priest guiding the princes was calling their names one by one. *** “Come along now. Men, follow me this way.” The man with brown hair styled neatly and a slender face introduced himself as “Apprentice Priest Titus.” “I’ll show you the place you’ll be staying for the next six months.” Titus was kind, but he never once called them “Your Highness” or “Noble sirs.” The muttering of the white-haired prince behind them was ignored as he strode forward briskly. Arkin followed quietly. Passing through a narrow side passage, a quieter, tighter corridor appeared. Lined with white gravel, the path was flanked by towering palm trees and dense, unnamed plants that blocked the view completely. “We have arrived.” Emerging from the shaded thicket, the accommodations finally came into view. A gleaming white marble building that looked like a miniature version of the main temple. The sun had begun to dip, painting the outer walls in a golden glow. “The view is nice, isn’t it?” Behind the residence, the edge of a cliff offered a breathtaking view of the vast blue sea. The salty sea breeze drifting in from the beach was unfamiliar and thrilling. Arkin stared at the glittering water for a long time. “Ah, one more thing—be careful.” Titus pointed toward the opposite side of the entrance they had come through. Colorful flowering trees and thick underbrush formed a natural wall. That path, he explained, led to the central garden and the women’s quarters, so they must not take the wrong turn. “We’ve had some mix-ups before. The buildings and paths are perfectly symmetrical, twins. Even if you get lost, don’t cross the garden by mistake.” Who in their right mind would make that mistake? Or if they did, they would be committing sacrilege. Arkin clicked his tongue, then suddenly imagined the Kepet princess wandering into the building by accident and his expression hardened. They would be sharing this island for six full months. If she were the Kepet princess, she could probably do almost anything. Perhaps she would appear at the entrance one morning and declare in a loud voice, “Arkin, I think we really are fated mates!” No, that couldn’t be. He had already touched her and confirmed it with his own hands. It had all been a misunderstanding. No such worry would ever come to pass. Arkin tried to push the troublesome thoughts out of his head, but Titus added briefly, “As you know, Credo Island is a sacred place. While you are in training, you must keep your conduct pure at all times. Under no circumstances is contact between men and women permitted.” Titus walked swiftly and pushed open the door to the red-tiled entrance hall. At the center, a courtyard with a skylight. From there, identical long corridors stretched out on both sides. At the front of the courtyard, Titus pointed to the right corridor. “On the right are the small reception room and the simple bathing quarters. After dinner, the servants will bring hot water. You may bathe and then retire.” He reached toward the opposite corridor. “Here, the left corridor contains your rooms. There are three bedrooms on either side of the passage, six in total.” Titus led them to the room and checked the nameplate. When Arkin saw the silver plate engraved with “Arkin Seilir” and a leaf emblem, a strange thrill ran through him. “In this building, you will only sleep and bathe. All meals and other activities will be held in the main hall. Please enter your rooms to change clothes, then gather back here for dinner… Hmm?” Titus looked confused, glancing around. “Wait, why are there only four of you?” “Idiot. What do you think you’re asking us? You didn’t escort us properly, that’s why.” The one who had been waiting impatiently for the priest had apparently been scolded and was now sulking with a white-haired prince. Titus ignored him and pulled a scroll from his sleeve, scanning the list. “…Let me see. Arkin of Solinar, Draconis of Igninof…” Titus glanced at the white-haired prince with a flat look. “The next one is Kai Chen of the lightning kingdom Voltrion.” “What? You?” “And the final one…” Titus narrowed his eyes, paying no mind to Kai Chen’s flushed face, and tilted his head slightly as if listening to something. “Prince Elio of Baylon. Are you there?”