The village of Smithwood was ablaze with torches. At the main hall, Chief Edmund Smith saw that the time had come to end the ceremony. But a few people still hadn't returned, so Edmund sent a group of hunters into the forest to search. Every year it was the same—some wouldn't make it back in time, and most ended up perishing in the jaws of wild beasts.
After escorting the sobbing parents away, Edmund began inspecting the results of those who had returned. No surprises there—the group led by Garrick Smith topped the list, having caught a tiger. As for me, I wasn't at the bottom of the board, at least. I ranked second to last with the achievement of one chicken, better than one guy who was carried back unconscious with nothing to show for it…
With the coming-of-age ceremony over, I had become an adult, free to live on my own, start a family, settle down…
Afterward, the villagers held a celebration. The stars of the night were Garrick Smith, Baldric Smith, and Cillian Smith, the three of them. Everyone swarmed around them, showering them with congratulations and praise that never stopped. Meanwhile, I sat in a quiet corner, watching it all—this bad habit of mine. Seeing me alone, my adoptive sister, Liora Smith, came over to comfort me, her voice like a meadowlark in the vibrant spring. Her soft hands gently ruffled my hair.
"Little brother, don't be sad," she said. "You're so clever, I'm sure you'll become an outstanding hunter one day."
Her smile, brighter than spring sunlight, made me drift into fleeting, idle thoughts… Not worth dwelling on…
Garrick Smith, amid the crowd, scanned the room with his eyes. Tonight was his chance—he had to confess his feelings to her. In his eyes, she was the most beautiful flower in the village, the only one he wanted to build a life with—Liora Smith. She was stunning, intelligent, caring, and so gentle. He had watched her for a long time, her grace and virtue the perfect model of the wife he dreamed of. In this village, he was the most valiant. Only he was worthy of her. Only he could bring her happiness. Only he, and no one else.
Before the curious gazes of the crowd, Garrick approached me. He invited me to hunt with him in the future. I snapped out of my wandering thoughts, barely processing before he sealed the deal:
"It's settled then."
Who am I? Where am I? In my confusion, unable to fathom why Garrick would invite me to hunt, he turned to Liora, his face brimming with confidence and authority, and said,
"Rest assured, I'll take good care of this little brother of yours."
Liora was caught off guard. She knew him—she'd met him before, even helped him a few times. But she was a year older, so technically, she should be called "sister." She was about to protest when he cut in, raising his voice:
"I, Garrick Smith, have admired you for a long time. Today, I want you to know my feelings. Will you agree to be my wife?"
The crowd fell silent, holding their breath, eyes fixed on the scene. Liora's face flushed, and she lowered her head. She was shy, mixed with a touch of anger. This little punk Garrick had embarrassed her.
Garrick gazed at her pure face, her cheeks rosy, his heart struck with awe. She was truly beautiful. I have to make her my wife, no matter what.
Liora's face burned with embarrassment. It was her first time being confessed to so publicly. She glanced around—curious eyes, nosy stares, pleading looks, jealous glares… But seeing my expectant gaze, she calmed herself and turned to respond:"I'm sorry, my little brother hasn't found his place yet, and if I were to marry, I'm afraid he'd fall apart. I have to let you down. Don't be too sad—you're a good man, and there's no shortage of girls who'd like you."
I sat in silence. Why would she reject him? He's a mighty man…
Garrick's smug expression turned red. He hadn't expected to be rejected so quickly, and for such a reason. He had no comeback…
He could only nod and walk away, his steps heavy…
The crowd reacted—some were happy, some angry, some laughed heartily at youth, some lost in memories…
Edmund stepped forward, his voice booming:
"Little Garrick, don't be too down. Back in my day, it took me two solid years of chasing to get a nod from my wife. You've got a lot of work ahead to win our village's flower. Keep at it—I believe you can do it."
Garrick snapped awake, bowing to thank the chief. He turned back and said,
"Rest assured, I'll take good care of this little brother of yours."
I watched his proud figure walk away… Little brother? I'm the same age as you! Has anyone asked my opinion? Do I even want to hunt with you?
"Sister, why did you reject him?" I asked. "He's a mighty man. He'd surely make you happy."
"You want me to accept him?" she replied. "I can't blame you. If you had his help, your future would be much more secure. If you really want that, I'll agree…"
Liora's eyes grew distant, her tone resolute, as if she could sacrifice herself for some greater good.
was stunned. Could she really be that selfless, putting others before herself? No, definitely not… Pfft, since when did I want a career in hunting, wrestling with forest beasts?
"Sister, your lifelong decision must be yours alone. How could you let it slip because of me?"
Liora shook her head.
"No, I don't dislike Garrick. But you and I, we're like siblings. Without me, you wouldn't last a day. Besides, I rarely interact with that Garrick—how would I know what kind of man he is? How could I just agree? Come on, let's go dance a tune out there…"
"So, you'll still reconsider him?"
In the Smithwood village, the feast stretched until nearly midnight before ending. Everyone returned to their homes. The lamps went out, the night silent, save for the chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves swaying in the wind.
In a cellar storing medicinal herbs at my house, this room lay underground, with a miraculous effect. Cool in summer, warm in winter, windowless yet airy, the entire space neatly arranged, free of any unpleasant odors from the mixed herbs. Since I was twelve, when they discovered my unique talent for identifying herbs, I'd been moved to live in this room. As my adoptive mother said, "Study herbs by day, sleep with them by night, and you'll master them in no time."
By fifteen, my knowledge of herbs rivaled that of my adoptive father, Alric Smith. I could wield medical skills to save lives…You could say my talent was exceptional. In the future, I might surpass my adoptive parents. A bright future awaited me. But fate is hard to predict.
Late at night, everyone was asleep. In the room, I lay neatly on the bed, my lower half bare. Above me, my sister moved ceaselessly, occasionally letting out dreamy, lilting moans. They punctuated the melody of the rhythmic sounds of flesh against flesh.
Gazing at my sister's soft silhouette, pink and flawless, a masterpiece of creation. Her sleek, jet-black hair flowed, swaying with the rhythm.
The sensation below tightened more and more.
"Sister, you should think carefully," I said. "Garrick is a mighty man. A perfect match for a beauty like you… Don't miss this chance because of me… ah…"
"Garrick, huh?" she replied. "He's indeed fierce, with a strong body, and brave enough to confess to me in front of everyone… ah… You should learn that courage from him… ah… Back then, he moved me… I did consider giving him a chance… ah… Slow down… You're good too, you know. Every time, you make me so satisfied I could die and come back to life… Maybe you're better than him at this…"
Me… Hah, so proper on the outside, but so different inside… No need to slow down…
"Sister, he's fierce, with that muscular body. I'm sure he's no slouch in that department. You'd definitely be satisfied…"
Suddenly, my sister Liora moved faster, harder…And… The volcano erupted…
Liora's breathing slowly steadied, her cheeks flushed like blossoms. She turned and asked,
"Little brother, are you sure? Are you certain he's great at that…? Better than you? This isn't something to joke about…"
I boldly nodded. This sister is too wild—if I don't push her to marry soon, she'll drain me to death. Twice a day, an hour in the morning, two at night, every single day. Since she completed her coming-of-age ceremony over a year ago, there hasn't been a single exception… I can't take it anymore…
"If you're so sure, I did take a look at him earlier. That Garrick's not bad—he's decent, sturdy. I like him. But I'm hesitant—you wouldn't amount to anything if I left too soon. If you say so, I'll have to think it over carefully… But if I marry him and on our wedding night, it's revealed I'm not pure, what then? My parents would be shamed, and I might even be shaved, smeared with lime, and cast adrift on the river… No, too dangerous. Best I don't marry at all—I'll stay a widow with you forever…"
No way…
"Sister, don't worry. With me here, you've got nothing to fear. We just need to fake the scene, add a few drops of blood, and it's done. Don't look at me like that—I just want you to be happy."
"If you say so, what, you'll be there with me on my wedding night…? A moment worth a thousand gold, and if he doesn't satisfy me, you'll step in to help… This was your idea, so you have to back me up. I want a perfect wedding night… Like a dream… With you helping, I'm less worried… I can finally get married…"
As she spoke, she rose, pulling away from that place. White fluid spilled out, clinging to the edges of flesh. Then she slowly moved back until she could lean down and kiss that part of me. Staring at the wet, rosy, endlessly enticing depth before me, pulsing rhythmically, my mind froze. Only one thought remained: Why has my sister become like this…? Why don't I resist…? Why…?
After her teasing, it hardened again. She turned and sat atop it. The warm, tight sensation enveloped me once more. My sister leaned close, her face near mine.
"Marrying Garrick, huh? We'd make a fine pair. But I'm scared he's like Uncle Fan and Aunt Lang up in the mountains. Aunt Lang died from being loved too fiercely… I don't want to die… How about this?
Tomorrow, I'll ask him to stroll somewhere, maybe up the mountain to pick herbs. You come with me, just in case…"
"Sister, what's your plan, asking him to the mountain for herbs? You're not thinking of doing that, are you…? Don't do it—he'll run for the hills. Aren't you afraid this'll reach our adoptive parents' ears…? Or maybe you don't want to marry at all…"
She stared at me, still moving a few times, her face reproachful.
"Why do you keep pushing me to marry? And if you want me to marry, you won't even help…
Or is it that you can't stand the thought of me doing that with someone else…? Even so, you've already done it with me. And you don't dare take responsibility. Coward…
You and I have been at it for over a year—don't tell me our adoptive parents don't know. They've tacitly approved. They like you a lot—if you spoke up, they'd surely agree… But look at you now, pushing me to someone else…?
How can you face our adoptive parents…? Don't you like me, this body? Or do you have someone else…?"
Me…
"Sister, don't trick me. I've already checked with them—they don't know about this. You're my sister, everyone knows that. It's best no one finds out, or our adoptive parents will lose face. I don't want them shamed, so we can't…"
"What's stopping us? You've completed your coming-of-age ceremony—you're an adult now. You and I aren't blood relatives, not kin at all. Why let good water flow to someone else's field? You're smart, decent-looking, and that part—it satisfies me so much. You're destined to run this clinic. How could I let you go out there for others to use…? Family gets first dibs…"
"Stop being so perverse. So that's why, huh? Back when you came of age, you took advantage of my illness to steal my innocence. Don't you feel guilty…?"
"Didn't you enjoy it back then…? Let me tell you a secret—I overheard our adoptive mother say they raised you to be their future son-in-law. That's why they don't interfere, no matter how close I get to you… Don't overthink it—I'm this beautiful, you're not losing out."
"Today's your coming-of-age day, so I've decided to stay here tonight, not go back. I'm done with contraceptive herbs—I want to have your child…"As she spoke, she moved fiercely, the sound of flesh colliding echoing through the room…
I was stunned… My mind spun with a single thought:
Why is it like this? Adoptive parents, why…?
Why don't I resist?
Why does it feel so good…?