Chapter 69: Leash – 1

Thud.

I kicked the door to the room where Vivian had entered last and turned around.

“…Pretending to sleep and making a fuss.”

If I had known she was awake, I wouldn’t have patted her head.

I wouldn’t have done something she clearly disliked.

“…Ha.”

However, I realized there was really no one to blame.

Why did I suddenly pat her head and miss that opportunity?

I knew it wouldn’t come back, so I soon stopped pondering it.

Turning back to the room, I lay down on the bed, which seemed strangely larger, and tried to sleep.

Tomorrow would be busy.

***

When I opened my eyes, it was late in the morning.

Vivian also came out of her room at that time.

Perhaps from a restless sleep, dark circles were visible under her eyes, and her expression was filled with fatigue.

She shot me a sharp glare after passing by, seemingly furious over something as minor as me patting her head.

…I honestly couldn’t understand it.

No, she had knelt before me, clasped her hands, and even kissed my cheek, but now she was angry just because I patted her head?

What was her standard?

Ah, maybe it was the last drop that overflowed her patience, the head patting.

But there was nothing more pitiful than debating over this, so I just let it go.

Entering the grand hall of Rondor, I saw that many things had already been prepared.

It was easy to tell it was the result of the events from last night.

On the dining table, there was a dazzling array of food, perhaps to comfort Vivian, and on either side of the hall stood the vassals.

It felt like all the major figures of the castle had gathered.

I could hear Vivian letting out a short sigh as she looked at them.

Perhaps because she had only had a quick nap, she seemed to find this situation bothersome.

The spymaster Nestor was the first to approach.

“Vivian, are you awake?”

The head butler Pippin also nodded and spoke.

“…We’ve prepared a variety of meals. If there’s anything else you need, just let us know.”

Vivian had one question for them.

“What about Brynden? Was he captured?”

Baelor stepped forward this time and said.

“…Yes, we have him. Our First Knights captured him.”

Vivian’s eyes briefly turned toward Baelor.

Now in his 40s, Baelor strangely seemed weaker than before.

Though his knightly spirit was clearly still there, it didn’t feel like it was the same as before.

Perhaps it was because Vivian’s own presence had grown stronger.

“Baelor, prepare for the execution of Brynden Trelly. We will go down to the city to carry it out.”

Vivian’s words caused a stir among the crowd.

It was a natural reaction when someone close to them would die overnight.

Whether it was camaraderie, or a sense of danger that their lives might be taken at a moment’s notice because of Vivian’s command, no one seemed able to believe it.

It was obvious that Brynden had to die, but no one had expected it to be so sudden.

In fact, it was understandable.

The reason Vivian could make such a quick decision was, of course, because of the grave crimes Brynden had committed, but also, perhaps, the influence of the “killing blade.”

In Vivian’s heart, Brynden had already been marked for death, and he had given her the perfect reason to do so.

The head butler Pippin was the first to ask.

“…Today… immediately?”

“Yes.”

Vivian’s voice was firm.

I could see how, over time, she was slowly taking control of the vassals who had once pressed her down.

The person who once couldn’t even seal an execution order for a condemned prisoner now seemed capable of easily cutting off the head of a vassal she’d worked with for years.

Lady Linne, rarely speaking up, also interjected.

“Vivian, please reconsider. The execution must happen, but it doesn’t need to be so sudden. At least send word to the Trelly family and allow them to witness the execution—”

“-The only thing I will send to the Trelly family is Brynden’s head.”

“But Vivian…”

“Should I care about my vassals’ opinions?”

No one could answer.

Vivian did not elaborate or justify her actions further.

“Everyone, leave.”

She issued the cold command, like a head of the house.

Reluctantly, the vassals left the hall, leaving only Vivian, myself, and a few servants.

Vivian and I sat down at the dining table to continue our meal.

Perhaps because of the death from yesterday, I felt a definite hunger.

Vivian, too, seemed to look at me and subtly signaled for me to start eating.

In the awkward silence, I picked up a piece of bread, which Vivian liked, and put it in my mouth.

As if it was a ritual, Vivian followed suit and ate when I did.

For a while, we continued eating in silence.

After the matter with the vassals passed, with only the two of us remaining, the events of yesterday kept coming to mind.

Vivian seemed to feel the same way.

She kept glancing at me, furrowing her brow and burying her nose in her plate.

“…By the way.”

While we were eating, Vivian spoke.

I paused and listened to her.

“…How did you know?”

“What?”

“How did you know the assassins would come?”

Vivian wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked at me.

“You told me to be careful at night. How did you know?”

Since Vivian asked so directly, I felt there was no need to hide anything anymore.

“I received a note.”

“…A note?”

“There are still people loyal to you in this castle.”

Vivian frowned.

“What do you mean by that?”

I also wiped my lips with a napkin and explained.

“Every time there was an attempt on your life, your hidden loyalist would send me information about the plan through a note.”

Vivian still looked confused.

She froze, processing what I said, and her face gradually grew more puzzled.

I started from the beginning to explain.

“I received one note before the poisoning attempt, another before the fire in the castle, and yet another before this incident. Whoever it is, they have a wide network.”

“…You knew about all those events beforehand?”

Vivian’s voice was filled with disbelief as she asked again.

“How could I have saved you each time if I didn’t know?”

It didn’t take Vivian long to realize the truth of my words.

“…Why did you hide it?”

“Who would believe such a strange note in the first place? I only started believing in it now. Besides, if you had heard the news first, you would just be scared.”

Protecting Vivian’s life wasn’t Vivian’s responsibility.

She couldn’t wield a sword, nor could she extinguish fire.

In the end, protecting her was my responsibility.

It was something I had decided for myself, after all.

“…You’ve been protecting me since then? Why?”

Vivian lowered her head more and more, whispering in a quiet voice.

Perhaps due to what happened last night, I used a worn-out excuse to cover up the awkwardness between us.

“…I told you, it’s because of guilt.”

Upon hearing that, Vivian froze for a long moment.

After taking a deep breath, she changed the subject.

“Why hasn’t that person appeared in front of me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re too weak.”

“Why didn’t they send me a note directly?”

“Do you think you would have been able to do anything if you knew? You’d have just made a face as if you were about to break down and cry.”

“…Do you have any idea who it could be?”

“No. At least it’s not Brynden.”

***

The distance between Kailo and me was no different than usual, but Vivian knew that this wasn’t the truth.

There were many things we didn’t say to each other.

Thoughts settled in our hearts, but we pretended not to know and didn’t speak about them.

Additionally, Vivian could now somewhat clearly see Kailo’s feelings.

The kindness he showed was as obvious as the actions he took.

Matching his pace with gentle consideration.

Reaching out his hand when I stumbled.

Stepping between me and the soldiers who came too close.

Frowning and scaring off the maids who whispered about something.

There were so many little things I hadn’t noticed before.

And, seeing those things made Vivian’s own heart…

Vivian closed her eyes tightly and denied those feelings.

No.

It couldn’t be.

No, even if it was… it didn’t matter, as long as it’s from now on.

Right now, Vivian didn’t know what was most important to her.

She didn’t know that from the start, and that’s why the witch said it could only be understood once she became an adult.

Only when she became an adult could she understand what was most precious to her and offer sacrifices.

However, right now, Vivian knew clearly what she didn’t want to lose.

It was, of course, Kailo.

That had been the case for a long time.

It had been the case even when she despised Kailo.

After all, Kailo Alan was a prisoner taken in exchange for her family’s lives.

She couldn’t bear to lose that.

But now, she vaguely understood.

What she didn’t want to lose could also be the most precious thing to her.

So, Vivian had to create something else that was precious.

Otherwise, she would have to distance herself from Kailo.

No matter when it was, she couldn’t afford to lose him.

Wasn’t it too unfair?

To lose the price of her family’s lives.

At least, Kailo couldn’t become a witch’s offering.

That much was certain.

Vivian was heading to the underground prison with Kailo.

Where Valon, Brynden, and… the late addition, Serena, were.

Thinking of Serena and Kailo made her heart race again, but Vivian steadied herself.

She had to distance herself from Kailo.

Otherwise… she would lose him.

“Kailo.”

While heading to the underground prison, Vivian stopped and looked up at Kailo.

“Why?”

Seeing him ask indifferently, her heart skipped a beat.

Nevertheless, Vivian steeled herself and spoke firmly.

“…From now on, I’ll allow you to leave the castle.”

“Suddenly?”

“You can go down to the city anytime you want. Like the punishment unit.”

It was an offer for him to go out and play by himself.

She was saying not to get too close while staying by her side.

At the very least, she had to do this.

If they stayed together every day like this, Vivian knew exactly what would happen to her own feelings.

As they both grew older, their feelings for each other were becoming more and more obvious.

Kailo had even asked for a kiss.

Could she really be sure that nothing would happen afterward?

…So, she had to distance herself.

This time, she was sure someone was targeting her.

She would find proper protection.

So, he too… should stop staying too close to her.

“…Is this because of what happened yesterday?”

With a deep sigh, Kailo turned to her with a challenging gaze.

“But if I go down…”

Kailo didn’t continue his sentence.

Instead, his dark eyes were asking the question.

The fact that the punishment unit was going down to the city could only mean one thing.

It meant they were heading to the brothel.

Kailo blinked, silently asking if she was really going to allow that.

Yes.

She was allowing it.

To distance herself, she had to treat Kailo like another ordinary person.

Even if he took another woman into his arms…

“…But if you go to the brothel and sleep with a woman, I’ll kill her.”

However, despite her resolve, Vivian’s heart twisted like a reed and broke.

The moment she imagined it, a sharp pain pierced her chest, and she retracted her words.

An almost incomprehensible rage flared up within her just from the thought.

It was the place where she had lain in Kailo’s arms the day before.

The thought of another woman lying there made her feel utterly disgusted.

His embrace was repulsive, but that didn’t mean another woman could lie there instead.

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kailo sneered, seemingly finding Vivian’s words nonsensical.

Vivian pretended not to notice, even though she understood.

…Why was this?

Why did it hurt so much every time she imagined Kailo with another woman?

She knew she had to let him go, but why did she keep wanting to bind and pressure him?

If she was to keep him from being taken away, to keep him as a useful tool, to hold the price of her family’s lives near her forever, to take revenge on the Alan family, she knew she needed to create some distance between herself and Kailo…

But why couldn’t she let go?

What should she do to keep a certain distance from Kailo and prevent him from making foolish mistakes?

How could she stop him from being with another woman?

She had to create distance from Kailo.

She had to let him go from the cage she had trapped him in.

But that didn’t mean she wanted him to fly freely.

She wanted to clip his wings so that he couldn’t fly.

If he was a dog, she would want to let him roam free.

But she would still need to hold the leash firmly to feel at ease.

…A leash.

Vivian slowly looked up at Kailo.

A sudden realization came to her.

…Now that she thought about it.

…Now that she thought about it, Kailo did have affection for her.

•Affection strong enough that he would risk his life to protect her.

Was there a stronger leash than that feeling?

It was a trashy thought.

Using someone’s heart to bind them.

…But that leash was within reach.

The reins to control Kailo was right there.

•Vivian slowly slipped her hand under Kailo’s shirt.

It was an act meant to test his heart.

She slid her hand in and gently caressed his abs.

“…What are you doing?”

Kailo, though bewildered, didn’t push her away.

It was clear that her touch wasn’t unpleasant to him.

Vivian couldn’t help but smile softly.

She didn’t understand why he seemed so… lovable, she knew he wasn’t rejecting her touch.

Her thoughts were right.

He had feelings for her.

As the leash of his feelings for her became clearer, the anxiety that she might lose him slowly faded.

Now that it was clear he liked her, Vivian no longer felt any hesitation.

She felt certain he would accept her, no matter what she did.

They had already shared every possible sight together.

Her tears and tremors from when she was 13, her pathetic collapse in fear—he had seen it all.

Revealing even more degrading parts of herself now wouldn’t change anything.

“…I’ve thought about it. You’re just mine.”

“What?”

All it took was to make up her mind.

And Vivian made up her mind.

She would take control of Kailo’s leash properly.

Then setting the distance between them wouldn’t be that difficult.

“Kailo, today… kill Brynden as painfully as possible.”

She ordered.

Kailo was taken aback.

“…What’s with this sudden request? When did you become so cruel-”

“If you do, I’ll kiss your cheek again. This time, I’ll do it while smiling instead of frowning.”

At that offer, Kailo froze.

Vivian, watching him freeze, couldn’t help but smirk in a way she hadn’t intended.

“…Haha.”

Kailo’s face, on the other hand, started to scrunch up.

It was the demeanor of someone who realized their feelings had been exposed.

“You…”

Vivian couldn’t hold back her smile anymore.

And that smile seemed to bind Kailo even more.

“…You’ll do it, right?”

Once she could control him, the rest would be easy.

If he got too close, she could push him away.

If he got too far, she could pull him in.

Vivian seemed to have found the answer.

The hatred on Kailo’s face proved it.

“…Why does it look so good when you’re disgusted?”

Vivian repeated Kailo’s words from the previous night.

Kailo, frowning, didn’t respond.