Abs of Agony and the Truly Bad Sister

People who've done really intense workouts probably know this all too well, but the most excruciating spot when you wake up the morning after pushing yourself to the limit is your abs.

The answer is abs.

Every tiny movement, every breath brings agony. Chest or leg days are brutal too, but the pain after shredding your core to the absolute limit defies imagination. One deep breath or even a little cough, and you're clutching your stomach, groaning and rolling around on the floor.

"…Save me."

I wanted nothing more than to lie in bed all day at the dorm, but today was my library meetup with Second Princess Chloe.

Squeezing out every last bit of strength from nursing days gone by, I staggered to the library with Amber's help.

The walk from the dorm to the library here was a gauntlet of suffering.

I couldn't even stand up straight, so I had to shuffle along hunched over like a shrimp, taking breaks every few steps.

…Oh, isn't that the hostage dragged in from the south?

He seemed fine, but looks like he got tortured… Poor guy.

I overheard the palace servants whispering about my pale face and bizarre hunched gait, but I didn't have the energy to make excuses.

Well, working ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out is basically forcibly tearing and expanding your muscles, so it is a form of torture… Maybe they're not wrong?

…Doesn't this place have something like the Geneva Convention? Torturing prisoners and all…

Of course not.

But seriously, in a world with smartphones, how does it lack so many basics?

I'd read it once in my past life, but reading it again this time felt completely different.

"…Should I skim it once more before she arrives?"

I reached for it to read ahead before Chloe showed up, but my body locked up from the horrific muscle pain, and I gave up.

"Prince Ian, it's nice to see you again."

A moment later, a familiar, soft, velvety voice reached my ears. I turned to see Second Princess Chloe approaching with elegant poise, a book hugged to her chest, a faint rose scent wafting ahead of her, and a graceful smile on her lips.

"Ah, Your Highness… You've arr… Ugh!"

As I tried to stand properly and greet her, a sharp pain shot through my entire abdomen from forcing it straight.

My body reflexively jerked, curling up like a shrimp again as I collapsed back into the chair with a thud.

"Kuh… Haa…."

My face twisted involuntarily as I gulped down ragged breaths. I clutched my stomach, trying to endure the pain, but I could only bite my lip against the throbbing agony.

In that instant, Chloe's expression, watching me, hardened coldly for a split second.

"……"

The curious, gentle, childlike smile that had lingered on her lips vanished without a trace.

A heavy, chilling aura crushed the air in the corner of the library.

"……Prince Ian."

Chloe sat quietly in the seat across from me and asked in a low, sunken voice.

"Tell me honestly. Who did this to you?"

"…Pardon?"

"You're not being physically abused by someone in this palace, are you?"

"Pardon? Ah, no, it's not abuse. Nothing like that."

"You don't have to hide it. Every breath hurts you, and you can't even straighten your back in front of me—your body is clearly damaged."

Chloe's violet eyes gleamed sharply.

"Even as a hostage from a defeated nation, you are royalty. No matter who it is, laying hands on noble blue blood like that could be seen as an insult to the imperial family. Tell me—who's the arrogant fool who left you in this state?"

Her tone carried a chilling edge, like she'd hunt down my abuser right then and poison them or string them up.

I frantically waved my hands in denial.

I had to clear this misunderstanding fast, or someone might end up in real trouble because of Second Princess.

"It, it's Second Prince Arthur, Your Highness. Every other day, he drags me underground and…"

"Brother Arthur…? My second brother wouldn't…"

"Yes, he drags me underground and makes me work out like a maniac."

"Ah."

"Right now, every breath feels like my abs are ripping apart. If I cough, tears would pour out, and getting here was pure hell…!"

I continued my pitiful lament with a woeful face.

"I've never suffered like this in my life. It hurts so, so much…!"

Chloe listened quietly to my desperate plea, blinking her eyes round for a moment—

"Pfft…! Ahahaha!"

—before bursting into uncontrollable laughter, covering her mouth with her book.

Tears welled at the corners ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of her eyes as she laughed loudly for a good while before finally catching her breath.

All while I couldn't even join in because my abs hurt too ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠much.

"Ah, haha…! Sorry, Prince. I thought some really awful person was brutally tormenting or torturing you."

"……To me, it's pretty much torture, no different."

"Hehe, what a huge misunderstanding. Brother Arthur might torment you plenty with physical stuff, but he's not a bad person at all."

With her laughter subsided, Chloe comforted me warmly.

"He looks like a brutish bear on the outside, but surprisingly, he's sensitive and knows how to consider others. Especially with bodies—he can pinpoint exactly where someone's limits are, so he won't push you to injury or ruin. Don't worry too much."

"…Really?"

"Of course. Haven't you gotten healthier in just a few days?"

"…I have been sleeping deeply."

"See? A hostage sleeping soundly—without that training, no way."

Honestly, I've slept like a rock since the first night I was dragged here.

To be precise, the imperial beds are insanely plush; you lie down and sleep hits instantly.

Not because I'm weak…

Anyway, Chloe's words oddly put me at ease.

At least it meant Second Prince had no intention of killing or crippling me.

"I don't know how you view our imperial family as a detained hostage from a fallen kingdom, but…"

Chloe gently stroked the cover of the book in her lap, flashing a serene, benevolent smile.

Warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the library window, scattering over her silver hair.

"We're all good people."

"……Pardon?"

"Father might seem gruff and heartless on the outside, but he's actually profound and warm inside. He cherishes the Empire and its people like his own body. My eldest brother the Crown Prince and little brother Arthur are both wonderfully kind, despite their different personalities. So don't fear life in the palace too much."

"That's a relief."

"And even if not… You've already won over most of the imperial family, haven't you? It's so much fun being around you, Prince."

"Haha, I'm glad you think so. I enjoy being around you too, Your Highness."

I nodded agreeably, relieved by her words.

Well, after clashing with them firsthand these past few days, the imperial family seemed eccentric and intense, but not bottomlessly cruel villains.

Maybe this place was more livable than I thought. It was around then that—

"But."

The gentle smile on Chloe's lips vanished like a lie.

The library's warm air froze in an instant.

With an icy, emotionless expression devoid of any warmth—like frost itself—she stared at me.

Hard to believe this was the same girl who'd been giggling moments ago; the atmosphere twisted bizarrely.

Her empty violet eyes, fixed on me, openly coiled with clear disgust, contempt, and unhidden malice like a serpent.

Chloe parted her red lips and whispered dryly in a voice like an icicle.

"There's one bad person. Be careful around her."

"Pardon?"

"Sister Victoria is truly, truly a bad person."

With that, Chloe stared at me blankly for a moment before reverting to her usual innocent, clear-faced smile.