RED VELVET Parallel Universe
Ep 38. In Exchange
After a messed up argument with Joy, Yeri left the Kingdom, furious.
Joy kept insisting on the fact that Saeron is suspicious, and Yeri just wouldn't believe it.
Why would she? They made up after all. They even spent time on catching up.
And none of those arose suspicion.
The queen and Wendy tried to keep her in sight, but she left the Kingdom anyway.
Yeri
She's got too much of her trust issues.
Yeri
I guess I'll have to prove her wrong.
With her own ways, she managed to reach out to Saeron.
Yeri
Are you sure it's okay for you to leave the Kingdom so suddenly?
Yeri took a few steps to get closer.
Saeron
It's fine. I'm sure nothing bad will happen while I'm gone.
Without a word, Yeri grabbed her by the wrist with an attempt to drag her away.
Saeron
Wait, where are we going?
Yeri
To MY kingdom...
Saeron
Y-your Kingdom?
Saeron chuckled softly. She never heard Yeri say that before.
Saeron
Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. But... what for?
Saeron
Location?
The other girl sighed. Even she couldn't believe she's actually in the urge of proving a point to Joy.
Now she's... embarrassed.
Ashamed of the thought that she's actually doubting Saeron as Joy wanted.
Yeri
No, forget it. Let's just... hang out.
Saeron
What's with the face? You've been frowning since I arrived here.
Yeri
Don't mind me...
Saeron
Okay? Uhm...
Saeron
I see we're here again.
They both looked around.
Yeri
You're right. We're always here of all places.
Saeron
A place where people are executed... That's funny.
Yeri
Maybe because we're bound to go next...
Saeron fixed her gaze at Yeri in disbelief.
Yeri
I mean... punished, because people from the opposite Kingdoms must not... If you know what I'm saying.
Yeri
It's... it's a joke!
Saeron
I k-know. I just thought that was too dark...
A moment of silence passed.
Yeri
But h-hey. Look at that...
She points at a tall unfamiliar figure, meters away from them.
Saeron
What's th-- Oh! It must be a new type of an archery boss.
Yeri
A new archery target? Isn't that too tall?
Yeri
Let me see--
Saeron
No... You stay here. I'll check. You should go and take one of those.
She points at a set of bow and arrows.
Yeri
Oh! Wow! It's been a while since I held one of those.
Saeron ran towards the unfamiliar looking figure, and she was right.
It was made up of thightly compacted hay and straw.
Beside it was a cloth unset.
Saeron
The target face!
She took the cloth lying on the ground and set it up.
Saeron
There...
Yeri
What took you so long?
Saeron
Oh, I set up the target face. It's an actual archery target. Just taller than usual. I guess this place became a temporary training ground.
Yeri
Makes sense...
Yeri
Aren't you gonna take one for yourself?
Saeron
No, I'm good. I haven't practiced my bow skills for so long. I don't think I can keep up.
Yeri
Suit yourself. I'm taking a shot since it's been a while. I missed shooting arrows.
Saeron
Hit the bull's eye for me then...
Yeri's arrogant smile came to light.
Yeri
Easy!
Saeron
Oh yeah? Then let's take a few more meters away.
The competitive kid didn't give in. She took a few steps back until the target was almost out of sight.
She has to hit it no matter what, she thought.
She represents weapon handling in her Kingdom. That fact makes it a matter of pride.
Aiming for her target, she keeps an eye shut. She was skeptical about putting her pride on the line, but shot her arrow anyway.
She was more than confident she'd hit the bull's eye...
And she did!
Saeron
W-woah... I thought it would take at least a few tries for you to make it.
Saeron
Now I see why you're called best...
The compliments from the young lady fueled up her arrogance, making her shot a few more arrows.
All of these arrows never left an inch away from the bull's eye. They were all on point.
Saeron was there, smiling so brightly. She was looking genuinely happy.
Yeri couldn't help but take glances... she missed.
Saeron
Oops... That was r----
Words left her as she looked at Yeri.
Yeri stood there, with her eyes fixed on Saeron. Her eyes were expressing too much, yet Saeron knew nothing about it.
She knew nothing because it was more than hard to tell what kind of emotion it was... what kind of expression she has.
Saeron
A-are you okay?
Yeri
Saeron...
Yeri
It's not true, right?
Saeron
What is it?
Yeri
You... you're not on your brother's side, right?
She was expecting a quick answer... but Saeron refused to speak
She looked away instead.
Yeri
A-are you?
Saeron
You're doubting me, aren't you?
Yeri
N-no? Yes? Maybe? I... I don't know--
Saeron
Fine. Let me give you an answer once and for all.
Saeron
Go and stand by the target. By the time you look back, you'll find the answers you want...
Yeri didn't understand.
What for?
The moment she got back to her senses, she found herself standing in front of the arrows she shot, just like Saeron instructed her.
She was standing in front of the target, confused.
Yeri
I'm already here before I know it... That means I trust her, doesn't it?
She whispered to herself.
She pretty much contemplated before gaining courage to look back.
There are two things that could happen when she decides to turn around.
Either she'll get shot by an arrow, or get to see Saeron smiling back at her.
She then turned around...
And it was nothing like she had expected.
Saeron ... was nowhere to be seen.
A loud thud suddenly echoed through the empty space.
Startled, Yeri looked around to see where the sound came from.
It was behind the tall archery target where she noticed the spreading red stain.
Taking a few steps further, Yeri's eyes widened as it never did before.
A loud yet oh so silent gasp refused to leave her stiffened mouth...
Numbness ate her as she turned pale...
In front of her lies a lifeless body. Blood... gushing with sickening determination from the head.
And for a fact, Yeri knew. That the blood was due to the piercing of arrows.
Arrows that she shot not too long ago.
She stared at the body. Tied on the limbs with a piece of cloth to keep the mouth shut.
It was no different from a sight of execution
Yeri
N-no... No! Byul!
She was as lifeless as the person she's looking at...
Her mind was not at all functioning... only to be interrupted by an extremely superior voice.
(TURN YOUR GAZE TO ME!)
Yeri felt her body being forcefully pulled to look away.
Irene
Close your eyes Yeri. That... is a royal order.
--
Author
😭 I feel so sorry writing this but yeaaah! I wanna apologize in advance.