Flicking its bright red tongue, the snake’s eyes gleamed with desire.

Yet like one waiting for an opportunity, the white water snake remained motionless, keeping its position. It merely observed the situation quietly.

[Just letting me smell you is fine. Really. I’ll retreat right after.]

Seven months. For that long period, the snake had crawled relentlessly without eating or resting.

Blood and wounds festered on its scraped belly. The black snake barely lifted its head and coiled around the final branch.

Having no strength left to move, the forbidden fruit before it emanated a sweetness surpassing any delicacy.

An appearance tempting enough to steal one’s senses. Even the slightest bite would burst forth tart juices.

Savoring the fruit’s scent that overwhelmed reason, the snake approached slowly.

[Ah, ah.]

Its unfocused pupils were no longer those of the living. She trembled as she met the snake’s madness-filled eyes.

[You are truly beautiful.]

The more it absorbed the scent, the more it felt a strange vitality rising. With each lick of her body by its red-split tongue, reason flickered away.

[I’ll just taste a little, without hurting you.]

The snake carefully took the fruit in its mouth, hiding its venomous fangs.

She tensed her body tightly. Though true to his word there was no sensation of sharp teeth, it felt as if she would be swallowed at any moment.

The snake’s saliva soaked her body and dripped onto the branch. She shuddered at the thrills running through her skin whenever the viscous fluid wet her surface.

[Please, put me down now.]

She pleaded, unable to endure anymore.

But the other remained ominously quiet. Not even twitching.

Gulp, gulp. The sound of saliva passing down the snake’s throat echoed quietly.

[Ah, ah…!]

Pop, unable to withstand the pressure of the hard palate, her skin split slightly.

Through that gap, crimson juice trickled down. As the red flesh dug into the split and licked up the soft flesh inside, it was unbearable for her.

[Sweet.]

The pitch-black venomous fangs slowly began to reveal themselves. After tasting the juice once, only burning instinct remained.

Rough panting poured out with saliva. The body was already undergoing a violent transformation.

The snake opened its maw wide to deeply inhale her scent. The sweet taste and scent that crushed reason nearly made it faint.

If it closed its mouth now, the poison-filled fangs would pierce into the tender flesh. An uncontrollable impulse arose.

Not satisfied with just the scent and juice, if it devoured all of the red swollen flesh, it would be completely reborn.

Not as a filthy, vulgar beast, but as one who swallows the heavens…

BOOM!

At that moment, a sharp thunderclap split the sky.

It was but an instant when brilliant lightning struck directly at the tree supporting the world.

Crack, the long black body tilted. Branches split and leaves whirled like a storm.

The fruit slipped from beneath its jaw.

[Ah, aah. No.]

While desperately clinging to an intact branch, it stretched toward the rolling fruit but to no avail. It had only tasted a little. Far too little time to swallow it completely.

The snake threw itself to catch the fruit falling beneath the massive tree, forgetting that the branch it hung from reached the clouds.

The watching white water snake flicked its tongue – shhhk, shhhk. As if mocking his recklessness.

Plop! Plop plop!

Finally, the fruit that fell onto the grass rolled down the sloped hill. The lightning-struck tree’s body swayed precariously.

Divine punishment. The result of a moment’s mistake.

Watching her daughter’s form rolling to the ground, the mother sighed deeply with a grief-stricken face.

She could no longer protect her now. One who willfully abandoned the comfort of her embrace must protect herself.

[Child, you have committed three sins. First is the sin of tempting a corrupted beast, second is the sin of offering your flesh, and third is the sin of disturbing the world by defying your mother’s wishes. Thus, you may not set foot on this land again until you receive forgiveness for your transgressions.]

BOOM.

Soon after, the black snake’s body crashed into the mud. Its long, thick body heaved once greatly from the impact that crushed its bones.

Its tongue was severed from biting down during the fall. The blood that sprayed in all directions began staining the snake’s head and the rain-soaked earth red.

Shhhhh, sh- The metallic sound struggling out of its torn maw ceased.

It barely raised its head. Its fiercely burning gaze remained fixed on the bottom of the hill where she had rolled.

The target remained unchanged. The sweet scent pickling its lungs once again ignited desire.

That blindly terrifying lust trampled even the pain cutting into its skin. There was no way to suppress the greed without devouring all of the red swollen flesh.

[Wait.]

The snake muttered slowly as it dragged its body.

The body that had greedily swallowed the fruit juice now resembled a lesser dragon more than a snake. The white water snake with its head split in two soon moved silently along the tracks left by his crawling body.

* * *

“In Hitais, typhoons are a bad omen.”

The clattering sound crossed the quiet garden. Ipea explained while slowly trimming flower stems to place on the glass table.

“When summer comes, the breeding season, beasts descend from Mount Odepotos to attack settlements. A typhoon always passed through before that. But don’t worry. The royal palace is the safest place.”

Purple hydrangeas decorated the last table. A sad smile played across Ipea’s face as she gazed at the beautiful decorative flowers.

“They’re beautiful… Father would always bring flowers when he came home from work. Sometimes they were wildflowers, sometimes fancy bouquets from the market. Mother would always put father’s flowers in a vase on the dinner table…”

There was no time to dwell long on memories. Today was important. Queen Tiltia had returned from her recuperation in her hometown of Southbren. The servants were busy preparing the queen’s welcome luncheon, receiving the palace’s mistress after three months. Servants who had finished setting the tables lined up in front of the arch-shaped door decorated with rose vines. Shortly after, the door opened and royalty wearing clamys embroidered with golden swans, along with attendants and invited guests, began entering.

Antor, Achilleon, and Selina. Hari served while avoiding the uncomfortable faces. As the queen filled the seat of honor last, the lyrist’s melodious performance began flowing into the lazy afternoon air. The dew-laden pale green lawn sparkled with light reflected from jewels.

“Mother, you look much better. Seeing your improved complexion puts me at ease. The air in Southbren must have been good.”

“Your uncle took very good care of me. The food was excellent, and the sea air was so fresh that I took walks every morning.”

“It’s famous for seafood dishes that perfectly preserve the ocean’s flavors. I’m glad you seem to have enjoyed sufficient rest, Mother. Father will be pleased to see you in good health.”

The queen’s face was gaunt as she exchanged warm greetings with her two sons. Since Crown Prince Dictys passed away in a horse-riding accident, the queen who suffered severe emotional distress went on regular retreats. Achilleon had surprisingly similar features to her first son whom she had loved with all her heart. Though their personalities were completely different, the queen’s expression softened as she looked at Achilleon with eyes resembling Dictys’.

“Achilleon, isn’t it time for you to take a partner?”

“There are still many matters that need attention. The systems for the merged kingdoms and colonies aren’t properly established yet.”

“The festival isn’t far off. The day of your coming-of-age ceremony five years ago. Shouldn’t you fulfill your duties as prince and leave the complicated affairs to the foreign affairs minister?”

The imprinting ceremony performed by Hitais royalty. According to custom, Achilleon should have performed the imprinting with Selina, who was designated as his princess, during his coming-of-age ceremony five years ago, but Achilleon, then eighteen, had refused and chosen to go to war instead.

While such behavior became a target of harsh criticism, when Achilleon returned after annihilating Galate, the suzerain state of Rodos, the nobles changed their stance. However, it was an issue that could become a point of criticism again at any time. It was natural for the queen to feel urgent.

Antor also expressed agreement, as if understanding his mother’s concerns.

“Since Mother wishes it so, you should settle down and start a family too. Not playing around with unsuitable women for entertainment.”

“I-I feel the same way! I want to make the queen happy by quickly bearing Achilleon’s heir!”

Selina, who had been waiting for an opportunity, eagerly chimed in. Her glaring look at Hari was not pleasant.

“Selina, I didn’t expect you to attend this gathering.”

Selina flinched under her prospective mother-in-law’s gaze.

“It’s curious that this engagement still continues when my son seems to have no intention of marrying Lady Karnos.”