The Weight of Unyielding Duty
Arkin Seilir, who had finished drying Nefetia’s body with tender care, brought over her tunic. With practiced precision, he rolled the garment and draped it over her head. While he fastened the brooch to secure her shoulder, neither spoke a single word.
Even though this was something he had never done in his homeland, Arkin moved his hands as if it were the most natural thing in the world. With her body resting trustingly in his hands, Nefetia relished every syllable he had spoken earlier, chewing on it until it hurt.
Now that she understood the decision had been made for her sake, she could no longer beg him to kiss her.
Yet what could she do? Nefetia’s eyes followed Arkin’s every movement as he tied the knot of her belt, watching him without blinking. If only she could, she would spend the entire day throwing tantrums at him and demanding to be coddled, all while suppressing the longing in her heart.
“Why do you do everything so well? Have you dressed me up many times before?”
If she revealed her heart, what would she say? Out it came, spitefully. Would he think she was being rude?
“I’m a prince too. Of course I’ve done it before.”
Arkin finished tying the knot and stepped back with a faint smile. The moment his large hand slipped away from her waist, her chest felt hollow and unbearably empty.
“I…”
He glanced around the cave, erasing their traces, and added quietly.
“When I appear before people, I’ve always had to dress to impress. One misplaced wrinkle and I’d be roasted for it.”
Now that she thought about it, the things he had always avoided felt suddenly real. It was easy to picture what life had been like for the prince who had lived his entire life in Solinar.
“One person breaking the rules is enough to get you into trouble. So… you must protect your dignity.”
“When you ascend the throne, make sure no one can stop you. And make sure that one day you never have to dwell on today’s mistake. You will be a king without a single blemish.”
But you…
Nefetia’s heart sank like a stone. Her gaze lingered on Arkin’s back as he turned to leave the cave.
Arkin Seilir… What did you give up when you made the choice to share a bed with me? How much were you prepared to sacrifice?
“Let’s go, Nefetia.”
Arkin led the way and glanced back. A dark mark of wet moss remained on the back of the tunic he had placed on the floor. As though an enormous flaw had appeared on the perfect life of a prince…
“…Arkin.”
Nefetia called to him in a trance. Her feet remained planted firmly on the ground, yet her heart thundered as if it would burst through her chest. Seeing her like a salt pillar, Arkin tilted his head and approached.
Nefetia stared at him in silence. When she looked at the man coming toward her, an overwhelming surge of emotion rose within her. The pure, unsullied delight she had felt until moments ago was now sharpening into something clear and unmistakable. A distinct name tag had appeared.
I…
I like Arkin. So that means…
Maybe… I love him…
“Must it be only once?”
“Nefetia.”
Arkin immediately showed reluctance, his expression troubled. As if he was saying, Why repeat something that’s already finished?
“We already know we’re each other’s Hetasept, don’t we? You said you slept well without nightmares.”
Arkin’s shadow, now looming over her after one more step, wrapped her in darkness. Her voice gradually faded within the shadow.
“If we stay together longer, you’ll feel better… and while we’re on the island… right?”
She did not give up. She deliberately attached the condition of “while we’re on the island.” Then…
“…Please. I’m begging you.”
For the first time in her life, she begged someone. And this time, she begged with desperate urgency.
“……”
Arkin stared at her face for a long time, as though it might have a hole punched through it. Slowly he bent his waist and met her eyes.
“I’ll ask you one thing.”
His voice was neither angry nor gentle, but firm.
“If I propose to you, will you become my consort and come with me to Solinar?”
“…I…”
Her breath caught. Arkin urged her again in a low voice.
“Answer me. Can you abandon everything and come to me?”
Nefetia looked into his eyes, her lips trembling, but she could not speak. Not a single word…
“See? There it is.”
A bitter smile curved Arkin’s lips.
“Nefetia. If we become too familiar with each other’s bodies, it will be dangerous. At that moment…”
Arkin paused, gathering his voice. The words that spilled from his lips came out rough and dry.
“…I can’t stand it. You know what I mean?”
Arkin’s face was shadowed as he could not tear his gaze from her. Could she read the meaning hidden behind his words that “it will be dangerous”? Probably not. That was why he was saying it this way.
Arkin clenched his teeth. The nails inside his tightly clenched fist dug into his flesh. He was trying to control the surging desire with every ounce of strength.
The moment he discovered the other self within him—the dark, bottomless pit of Arkin—was right after he confirmed the traces of blood on her.
Even though his kingdom was built on sand, Arkin Seilir was widely known as the sole heir of Solinar. Despite countless rumors and plots, Arkin remained unblemished because of his stubborn, relentless spirit.
His flame of passion that had once burned toward the throne flickered. He did not want to let Nefetia go. The desire to keep her by his side, no matter the cost, surged through him.
His desire, now taking on a clear form in an instant, quickly whispered concrete plans. There must be a way to possess her. Once more, then again. Perhaps, in time…
…You’re insane. You’ve gone mad?
Arkin was shocked. He had never imagined he could think such a thing…
“Nefetia.”
No answer came from the bowed head of Nefetia. Arkin carefully observed her, as though he needed to say something.
“Nefetia… are you angry?”
“No.”
It was the barest reply, but inwardly, just like Arkin, Nefetia was in the midst of fierce internal conflict.
She knew in her head that Arkin was right. She should not be greedy. She should step back, like he had done for her, and protect him…
Nefetia’s hand moved on its own. When her fingertips brushed Arkin’s chest, he inhaled sharply. Even this small gesture made her feel dangerously on the edge.
She was selfish, yet she had no way to let him go. She had begged a man for the first time in her life, “please.” She had always been someone who took whatever she wanted. Now, sensing the crisis that she might have to give up the most precious thing in her entire life, a sudden surge of frustration exploded within her.
…God, please give him to me. Arkin, at least give him to me.
Nefetia touched Arkin’s body as if entranced. She looked up at the one who had been hers until yesterday. The rims of Arkin’s eyes, standing rigid and pale, turned slightly red.
…Idiot.
In the end, Nefetia coaxed him. With eyes that slowly shed her resolve, she made another suggestion to Arkin.
“When we both want it, we hold hands and embrace. That much I can do, right?”
She removed her hand from his abdomen and crossed her arms as though negotiating. Pretending to be calm, she added coyly.
“So right now I… will be carried in your arms.”
Nefetia spread her arms and lifted her chin.
Like a willful princess acting spoiled, but with her heart burning black at the thought that he might reject her again and cruelly,
Please…
Please don’t reject me…
“H…”
Arkin pretended to be defeated and lifted Nefetia into his arms. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, his mind rang with a thrill. His whole body burned with an overwhelming desire to push her down and kiss her right then.
Nefetia buried her nose in his firm chest and breathed in his mature scent. She felt so pitiful about herself for destroying his ironclad restraint with her childish whims that she swallowed the complex emotions and acted spoiled anyway.
“Arkin, hold me tighter.”
“I’m already holding you.”
“Hold me harder. If you’re not going to kiss me, at least do this.”
Arkin’s arms tightened with a faint chuckle. The lips of Arkin descended onto her hair, which he felt clearly. After a few silent, secret kisses on her head, he asked cautiously.
“Compared to the palanquin carried by muscular men, is this more comfortable?”
“Yes, of course.”
Nefetia closed her eyes and murmured. Just as on the way to the cave, her long legs dangled and kicked lightly over Arkin’s arms.
When they finally exited the cave entrance, the darkness was so complete that Arkin did not notice the change in the forest. Instead, a rich floral scent wafted on the wind, as if he had brought the buds to his nose.
“Do you like it… that much?”
“Yes.”
The instant reply made Arkin’s cheeks heat up. Every time her breath brushed his nape, his spine tingled.
“Arkin, look. Butterflies.”
A swarm of butterflies fluttered past them in the darkness. One of them paused for a moment with a wingbeat on the back of Nefetia’s hand before vanishing back into the night.
“See? Even the island is happy because of us?”
“Hey, what…”
Arkin, walking lightly, felt a stimulation at his chest and looked down. Nefetia’s fingers were now poking and prodding over his clothes.
“I said I would only hug you.”
“Sorry.”
Nefetia pouted. Arkin lifted her body while holding back the surging desire at his throat.
“I can’t do this anymore. You pervert.”
Nefetia’s body draped over Arkin’s shoulders like a grain sack. Hey! Her small, mischievous fist thumped his broad back, but the prince carried the spoiled princess and crossed the forest in long strides.