The Weight of the Apple
The inn where the laborers passed in and out had long been left behind. From that point on, they marched under the relentless sun, with no shade to be found. Serena walked slowly, without hurry. If this were her usual self, she would have avoided the blistering glare of the midday sun. But things were different now.
“Hey.”
Though she tried to hide her unease, her shoulders kept shrinking. Draconis leaned against a tree, tossed an apple, caught it, and sauntered over. He wiped the glossy surface of the fruit against his tunic, then split the apple in half and held one piece toward Serena. She accepted the fruit he offered, but did not bring it to her lips.
“You don’t like it when I do and say things, do you?”
Draconis’s lips curled into a sly grin. His gaze, watching Serena turn the half-apple in her fingers, was sharp and dangerous.
“Or do you still hold a soft spot for the Prince of Solinar?”
“……”
Serena said nothing. She lowered her eyes. Yet the words struck true; a tiny crack appeared in her porcelain-smooth, still face.
“You idiot,” Draconis sneered.
Serena’s shoulders trembled. Of all the trainees on Credo Island, she had never heard anyone call her a “stupid girl.” No one had dared before, but now an exception had been made.
Pride shattered under such open contempt, Serena could not even reply. She only turned the apple in her hand. A long shadow fell across her bowed head.
“So you’re finally ready to accept it?”
Serena took a shallow breath and shook her head. Her lips pressed tightly shut as if to block the foul words. Draconis’s dark chuckle seemed to crawl across her skin.
“How many times do I have to say it? You can’t refuse me now.”
“I-I need to ask my father first…”
Her tiny, frightened murmur earned a mocking laugh.
“Do you really think you can do anything to Arkin here? Your father already allied with Igninof long ago. You should know that.”
“No, Father is…”
“Serena.”
The proud princess’s dignity was too much for him to bear. The red-haired prince leaned in close, almost pressing his face to hers, and laughed mockingly.
“Your father was simply a coward. He couldn’t stand to show weakness in front of his precious daughter.”
“……”
“Serena, you’ve been dreaming of meeting Arkin at the tournament. By then your father had already agreed to our engagement. After all, Arkin and you could never be together. He simply never said it aloud. Why? Because your father was already lost to sweeter dreams…”
The hate in Draconis’s eyes was suffocating. He spat the next words.
“I sold you for the Magma Stone of Stonegard.”
“I heard nothing…”
“Of course you didn’t, Serena. You weren’t fit to discuss national affairs with your father. This is real politics. Do you think those brats over there know what it is?”
Draconis laughed and suddenly grabbed Serena’s chin.
“Ugh!”
Her head snapped up in shock. Draconis yanked her forward and rubbed his thumb roughly against her lips, forcing them apart and invading her mouth with rough, possessive strokes.
“In this matter, your role is simple.”
Serena’s eyelids grew damp despite her tightly closed eyes. The hand crushing her inside was merciless and brutal.
“So stop acting difficult. You’ll be shoved anyway every day. What difference does it make if you get it over with sooner? Besides, your marriage to the Prince of Solinar was political, wasn’t it? And your future husband is already being polite to you. Shouldn’t you be grateful?”
“Mmm… ugh…”
“If you’re unhappy, complain to your father. See what happens. But in Lakeium, even if you were taken early, no one would complain. You know why?”
Smiling coldly at Serena, Draconis chuckled.
“We’ve already finished our invasion preparations. The talks between our nations are over. Would Lakeium really back out now just because of a princess’s pride? Do you think your father will side with you?”
Tears slid down Serena’s cheeks. She could not even think of striking Draconis’s hand. She had no choice but to endure the invading fingers inside her. Draconis grinned at the humiliated sight.
“If that happens, Lakeium will become ashes, Serena. Your father handed over information from neighboring kingdoms just to get even a piece of the Magma Stone. That’s all I’m doing for you. We don’t need to be allies. Do you understand?”
His rough fingers tangled in Serena’s hair, then suddenly changed. He stroked the back of her head gently and whispered,
“But if you behave, Lakeium can remain cute even if Igninof conquers the world. Of course, I’m speaking from experience.”
The thick thumb slipped from her mouth. Serena gagged. Draconis gripped her throat and wiped the saliva from her cheek with his hand.
“Here’s our plan. Read it.”
He pulled something from his robe and tossed it at her feet.
“Read it. Since you’ve already boarded the ship, you should know our plan too.”
Serena finally unfolded the parchment. Her eyes widened as she read it over and over.
“D-Draconis… are you really going to do this…”
“Is there no signature from your father?”
“Still…”
“Stop being so stubborn.”
Draconis’s hand rested on her shoulder as he stepped behind her.
“No one will die. What’s the problem? This is just… a simple hostage situation.”
The hand on her shoulder suddenly clamped her delicate neck. A choked sound escaped Serena’s lips.
“When the combined armies of Igninof and Lakeium march on Stonegard, we’ll just make sure the so-called World Alliance doesn’t interfere. None of our people will die… for now.”
Draconis burst into laughter at his own words.
***
The morning lessons had been tedious, but the afternoon outdoor activities made the atmosphere lively. Each trainee received a bow and quiver and followed Seneca to the archery field.
“Ah, thanks to you, I get to hold a bow again.”
Seneca whistled cheerfully and lifted his quiver onto his shoulder.
Arkin, following behind Seneca, could not help but glance at the priest’s quiver. A small engraving on the bottom of the long tube caught his eye: a pierced-heart arrow mark.
…That’s from the Moribian army?
Arkin’s master had taught him to use sword and bow; the master had been from that kingdom and knew it well. Had the priest once been a soldier?
At the archery range, Seneca paired them according to skill. Some were excellent archers; others, like Amalfi, had never even held a bow. The difference was vast.
Petra was paired with Elio, who struggled just to draw the string. Draconis deliberately approached Serena. Kaichen, still lingering by Serena, was forced to pair with Stella; Zafiri stood with Nefetia.
And Arkin…
“Could you help Amalfi?”
The flower princess, whose beauty made him melt at a glance, made him want to avoid her. But Seneca had chosen, so Arkin had no choice. He stood behind Amalfi.
“Good. Amalfi, hold the bow like this… spread your legs shoulder-width apart.”
Arkin tried to guide her into the proper stance. But the problem was the slender princess’s arms were too weak to even lift the bow.
“Arkin, the bow is too heavy.”
“Wait… here, let me help.”
Arkin supported her wrist and adjusted her waist. It was going well until Amalfi realized she couldn’t even take the arrow from her back quiver.
“What now?”
“Oh, you just need to reach in.”
It was obvious, but Amalfi could not even pull the arrow out.
Why? Short arms? Or stiff body? Arkin did not know, but the desperate reach toward the quiver behind her back was pitiful.
“Wait, Amalfi… here.”
Arkin reached out. He covered her hand with his, guided the quiver closer, and finally pulled out the arrow.
“Well done, Amalfi. Now put the arrow on the string.”
“Arkin is such a kind teacher.”
Ignoring the trembling gratitude in her voice, Arkin turned to face her. The back of his neck suddenly burned. He glanced back…
“…Nefetia?”
He met eyes with Nefetia, who glared at him with a scowl. Unfairly embarrassed, Arkin’s cheeks flushed red.
“I can’t shoot a bow either.”
Nefetia said smugly.
“So teach me.”