The Pill of Obedience

The first time Fren handed over a pill was the year Vanessa turned twelve.

That year was also when Vanessa could not focus on training because of growing pains.

Being in pain was truly a terrible thing.

“I can’t do it.”

In front of her, she forgot what kind of being an elf was, and what situation she herself was in.

Young Vanessa dropped her awl-shaped sword and burst into tears.

Fren, who had been sitting across from her watching the training, tilted his head slightly.

It meant, What are you talking about?

Vanessa repeated again.

“I really can’t do it. My legs hurt too much.”

Vanessa could not know what expression Fren had at that moment.

She could not see in front of her because of the tears, and all she could think about was that she did not want to train.

Only after her loud crying leaked out beyond the training hall did Fren finally speak.

“Then don’t.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Fren even nodding kindly, Vanessa instantly stopped crying and smiled brightly.

But that smile did not last long.

Fren ordered a servant to bring a small bottle of medicine.

Sensing something ominous, Vanessa’s lips slowly drooped, but Fren opened the lid as if he could see nothing concerning.

Small seeds like pomegranate grains poured onto the tray.

Fren picked up one and held it out.

“Here.”

“F–Fren, sir.”

Vanessa stepped back and picked up the sword she had dropped.

“I’m sorry. I’ll train. I’ll do it.”

“Why? You said you didn’t want to. Then you shouldn’t.”

With long strides Fren approached Vanessa.

Vanessa kept backing away, but soon a waiting servant blocked her path.

Terrified, she fell to her knees and begged desperately.

“I was wrong! Please let me train! I won’t complain again, please, just once, forgi— kuh!”

Fren grabbed Vanessa’s throat.

When Vanessa struggled like an overturned bug, Fren squeezed harder and warned coldly,

“Don’t disgrace yourself, Vanessa.”

Even in a moment so painful it felt like she could not breathe, the shock of those words crushed her chest.

Vanessa looked up with tears filling her eyes.

In Fren’s eyes were thick mud–like contempt and irritation.

No matter how annoyed he was, Fren had always treated her kindly.

She simply could not believe that Fren was looking at her with eyes like that, and she was terrified.

Vanessa stopped resisting.

At that moment, Fren mercilessly shoved the pill deep down Vanessa’s throat.

As she thought about how the nails scratching her throat hurt, Vanessa lost consciousness.

After that, Vanessa repeatedly woke briefly, swallowed a pill, and fell asleep again.

The sensation of sleepiness pouring in, unable to control her body or mind, was extremely unpleasant.

The punishment ended only after the pile of pills on the plate disappeared.

But the lethargy continued to torment Vanessa for a long while after.

She had no choice but to remain bedridden for three more days.

In truth, she should have stayed in bed longer for the effects to fade completely, but she could not.

She did not want to face the fact that she was a powerless being who could do nothing.

The day Vanessa forced herself to get up and return to the training grounds, Fren was already there.

He was sitting in a sunny spot, polishing Vanessa’s sword.

Smiling gently, Fren asked,

“How are your legs?”

“…They don’t hurt anymore.”

“Shouldn’t you rest more?”

“No.”

Vanessa bowed her head.

Resting felt more painful now.

“I am truly sorry for complaining.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Fren handed her the sword.

“Then let’s train again.”

“Yes.”

That day, Vanessa swore never to go against Fren again.

Being unable to move her own body was horrifying.

She never wanted to experience that again, so she was extremely careful.

There was nothing to be careful about, really.

She only had to move like a doll exactly as Fren commanded.

She did not distinguish between what she wanted and did not want.

She simply did everything without thinking.

Of course, she was human, so even with care she sometimes made mistakes.

Like this time, unintentionally upsetting Fren.

Whenever that happened, Fren punished her without fail, and Vanessa swallowed the pills without a word.

A reaction completely different from when she had first struggled desperately.

Whether she realized resisting was useless, or had gotten used to punishment, or because being asleep or awake made no difference anymore…

No one knew the reason.

“Are you awake?”

“…Yes.”

Vanessa woke from the latest punishment at the moment the sky was turning faint blue with dawn.

She could not move even a finger due to the drug, but she felt relief just from being awake.

Vanessa rolled her eyes to see what Fren was doing.

Her gentle Fren was sitting with a sketchbook, drawing a bird perched on a tree.

Even from afar the sketch was skillful and clear.

After drawing the last feather with practiced strokes, Fren asked kindly,

“Would you like tea?”

“Yes.”

The moment Vanessa answered, Fren lifted her in his arms.

Struggling to move her stiff tongue, Vanessa asked,

“Aren’t I heavy?”

“Not at all.”

Chuu.

Fren kissed Vanessa’s forehead, then sat her in a chair like placing a doll into a toy chair, and poured tea into a cup.

Steam rose from the warm tea.

Fren smiled blissfully as he enjoyed the fragrant aroma, then asked,

“It’s nice, isn’t it?”

Vanessa could not lift the cup yet, her fingers stiff.

But she smiled faintly and answered just as before.

“Yes.”

No one knew the reason Vanessa became so quiet.

Truly no one.

After attending the party hosted by Nefer, Fren stopped going outside and devoted himself to his artwork.

He urgently needed a painting to gift to an important person.

Vanessa stayed silently and loyally beside him.

And at last, the day the artwork was finished, Fren put down the brush and let out a long breath.

Vanessa was shocked when she saw the completed painting.

“This is…”

“How is it?”

Vanessa hesitated for a long time before finally speaking,

“As expected, you are incredible, Fren.”

“No, it’s nothing special.”

Replying soullessly, Fren leaned against Vanessa and stared at the painting blankly.

Vanessa wondered what more she should say, but it was a useless thought—Fren spoke first.

“You must have been confused these days, right?”

“…About what?”

“Whether you’re really the protagonist or not.”

“No. How could I ever doubt your words, Fren?”

“Don’t believe my words. Believe yourself.”

Fren held Vanessa’s face gently and whispered,

“Wherever you are, you’re the protagonist. Who do you think created you?”

After saying that, he cupped Vanessa’s cheeks and kissed her.

As always, the kiss was soft like flower petals, overflowing with affection.

Noticing Vanessa’s dazed delight, Fren pressed lightly on her cheek.

“Then let’s get ready to go.”

Today was the day of Artua’s exhibition.

The dress code was “Gods attending a banquet.”

Slaves had to dress like fairies serving the gods.

Fren and Vanessa began preparing their attire.

“Congratulations on the successful opening of the exhibition, Your Highness.”

“I heard Your Highness attempted something new this year?”

Artua Anata Mren, third in line to the throne and someone who felt inferiority toward Fren.

His exhibition hall was luxuriously extravagant.

It was customary for the host to greet guests at the entrance, but someone of his power did not need to.

Even from a corner, people gathered around him automatically.

Surrounded by guests praising him, Artua sipped wine.

“You’re truly amazing, Your Highness.”

“This exhibition will be sold out too, I’m sure.”

It was not simply flattery.

Though the exhibition had just begun, most artworks already displayed “sold” signs.

The worries he had last night were meaningless.

Artua smiled inwardly as he drank another glass.

‘Catching up to Fren is impossible, but if I work steadily, I can do it. Devoted followers who love only my work are appearing.’

Artua boasted Fren was his rival, but secretly he knew the truth.

At his current skill, he could not compare.

He felt that painfully while preparing the exhibition.

At first he thought it was impossible to finish all works in time.

But he proved his former self wrong, and the audience response was overwhelmingly positive.

‘I’ve grown.’

Even his greatest enemy—his past self—could not deny it.

But the joy did not last long.

“Fren Pronia, Elder of the Council, has arrived!”

Snapped out of his dreamy joy, Artua turned.

Just as announced, Fren and Vanessa were entering the hall.

Fren wore a golden crown woven from wheat–ear ornaments.

Vanessa wore matching wheat–ear hairpins on both sides of his head.

Their pure white garments, elegant yet unadorned, made them look like true gods beyond earthly beings.

At a glance their clothing was almost identical.

Except that Fren wore shoes, and Vanessa was barefoot.