Chapter 70: Leash – 2

Valon was in solitary confinement for 15 days.

Serena… was in solitary confinement for 30 days.

I couldn’t understand why Serena’s sentence was harsher than Valon’s, but Vivian was firm.

She said Valon’s offense was a first-time mistake, whereas Serena’s was intentional and repeated.

I didn’t take any action other than letting out a long sigh.

Trying to defend Serena here would only worsen her situation.

Honestly, I didn’t even have the energy to think like that.

Vivian’s actions were completely turning my insides upside down.

-Then I’ll kiss your cheek again. This time, I’ll do it with a smile instead of a frown.

It was a suggestion that completely read my heart.

If I wanted to preserve my pride, I would have shouted, “I don’t need it.”

But was there a reason for that?

Anyway, my feelings had already been exposed, and once they were exposed, I couldn’t hide them anymore.

Should I have to make excuses, pretending not to care?

How much longer could I deny it?

Vivian had asked me to kill Brynden brutally.

To be honest, I was already thinking of doing that.

He would be an example.

A warning for what happens when you fail to target Vivian.

To set that standard, I needed to execute Brynden brutally.

Beheading itself is a merciful form of execution, but I had to make it clear that there were levels of mercy.

Since it was something I was going to do anyway, it seemed like I could accept a small reward for it.

At first, I thought I had control as I began to demand a reward, but the moment Vivian realized my desires, she took control again.

In my greed, it felt as though I had revealed my confused heart.

If only my feelings toward her had been purely good, how much easier would it have been?

But since my hatred and disgust were also entangled with my goodwill, it made things harder.

I wasn’t only filled with goodwill, but also with enmity…

Vivian was confident, believing only in the goodwill I showed her.

However, this might have been Vivian’s strength.

She knew how to grab my weaknesses and twist them to her advantage.

I only learned how to wield a sword, but she studied politics, so she might be more skilled at this kind of battle.

But, there was one thing.

What truly tormented me… was Vivian’s laughter.

From the moment I didn’t reject her offer, Vivian had been laughing at me every chance she got.

Even now, she was covering her mouth and laughing at me.

I finally resisted.

“Is it funny?”

“Of course it is. I never thought it would be this easy to control you. I never thought your intense desires would be aimed at me.”

I wanted to throw cold water on her overconfident self, so I spoke.

“My desire is true… but it’s just that I like seeing you submit.”

“You’re using me, just like how you’re selling yourself to me like a prostitute. What’s more satisfying than that? Especially after you used to sing songs about how disgusting sexual desires were.”

Vivian fell silent for a moment, then responded with a relaxed expression.

“…Well, think what you want. Anyway, I hold the leash.”

“The leash? Bullshit…”

“Then should I not kiss you?”

I couldn’t bring myself to say “It doesn’t matter.”

The emotions from the night before, when she served me, surged back in full force.

The overwhelming pleasure that suppressed the complicated feelings I had at the time.

I had never felt such intense emotions in my life.

That’s why I couldn’t even tell her not to do it.

I ignored Vivian and walked away.

Vivian, with a victorious smile, chuckled again.

***

The execution ceremony was hurriedly prepared.

News spread all over Loctana that an execution was taking place, and people were in a stir.

Many were shocked by how suddenly such an event was taking place.

“An execution?”

“Who? Who’s going to die?”

Vivian sat in the carriage that had been brought out while waiting, listening to the noisy voices of the citizens.

On the opposite side of her sat Kailo, dressed in armor.

With his face hidden behind the red bear helmet, his intimidating presence was undeniable.

Vivian, holding the leash of Kailo, could feel it herself, so it must have been even more overwhelming for others.

Furthermore, if the event went according to plan, Kailo would once again instill fear into the people.

His massive frame, typical of someone from the North.

Dragon Slayer.

The eldest son of the Alan family.

The executioner.

There was not a single aspect of him that wasn’t imposing.

Kailo was Vivian’s sharpest weapon.

If one were to strip away the political factors, countless heads of families would likely line up, hoping for Kailo’s loyalty.

And yet, he could be wielded with such simple rewards.

From the moment Vivian was sure she had him by the leash, she couldn’t resist how utterly lovable Kailo was.

Mine.

My possession.

My knight.

There’s a huge difference that arises from small realizations.

This was one of those moments.

When they were enemies, growling and snarling at each other, Kailo had been nothing but a bothersome presence.

But now, as she embraced him, it was different.

Vivian questioned if there could truly be such a perfect being in the world.

He had a beautiful body, a handsome face, a captivating voice, was skilled with a sword, and…

But then, Vivian quickly squeezed her eyes shut.

She needed to calm her raging heart.

She didn’t forget.

There had to be some distance between her and Kailo.

There was still plenty of time.

Before she grew up, she could either distance herself from Kailo… or find something even more precious than him, and do whatever was necessary.

Knock knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the carriage.

The voice of the butler Pippin echoed.

“Lady Vivian, preparations are complete.”

Vivian nodded to Kailo.

Kailo, gripping the greatsword that had been beside him, reached out his hand to Vivian.

They both took each other’s hands and descended from the carriage.

It was late afternoon, with the sunset in the sky.

After stepping down, they made their way to the platform prepared by Baelor.

On the platform was a small wooden block.

It was obvious what it was meant for: a block to rest the neck for beheading.

Below the platform, many citizens had gathered, and Vivian summoned the strong persona that lay dormant within her.

She walked with sharp eyes to her seat.

Then, she nodded.

The criminal was dragged forward.

“No! You can’t do this to me! I’ve served the Rondor family for years! For twenty years! I have served this family longer than Vivian Rondor has!”

Meanwhile, Kailo immediately stood in front of the block, resting his greatsword on his shoulder.

The people, seeing his form, gulped nervously.

As Brynden, with his hands bound, was dragged forward, his face reflected Kairo.

His legs gave way, and his body collapsed, his arms dragging limply in the hands of the soldiers.

The reality of his situation was beginning to hit him, and his cowardly demeanor emerged.

“No, no… if this happens, the Trelly family won’t let this slide!”

“The Trelly family plans to take my head, does it?”

Vivian asked.

Brynden had no choice but to fall silent at her sharp question.

Depending on what came out of his mouth, his family could be wiped out.

His parents, siblings, cousins, and nephews…

Brynden was beginning to realize that he could no longer escape this death.

His pants began to dampen.

Weak, he was dragged to the neck block, and his urine created a path along the way.

The soldiers placed Brynden face on the wooden block.

At the same time, Kailo lightly stepped on Brynden’s face, pinning him down.

“K, Kailo…!”

Brynden called out to Kailo, his face pressed against the block.

Vivian watched Kailo’s movements.

He seemed to chuckle quietly, shaking his head slightly, before addressing Brynden.

“…It feels like just yesterday you called me ‘Alan.’”

“I… I… I was wrong.”

“I told you, didn’t I? If you tried to run, I’d make it painful. Let me show you how well I keep my promises.”

Kailo turned his head toward Vivian.

The black eyes within his helmet gleamed.

Vivian suddenly recalled the time when Kailo first became the executioner.

He was only 14… no, barely 15 years old when Kailo had stood in front of the execution platform and looked up at her.

At that time, they both trembled, yet together, they severed the necks of countless people.

They had both carried the weight of life and death together.

Now, they had arrived at this moment.

The day they would sever the neck of a vassal.

It was clear to anyone that Vivian’s counterattack had already begun.

Kailo spoke slowly before the silent crowd.

“The criminal Brynden Trelly has forgotten the duties of a vassal and has committed the crime of targeting the neck of Lord Vivian Rondor of Loctana.”

“Ka, Kailo Alan…! No, Lord Kailo Alan…! P-please…!”

As the execution began, Brynden struggled even harder.

“Therefore, under the name of Lord Vivian Rondor of Loctana, head of the Rondor family, Kailo Alan hereby condemns you to death. Do you have any final words?”

Brynden flinched and tried to rise, but with each attempt, Kailo’s foot pressed harder.

Finally, groaning in pain, Brynden shouted out in defiance.

“I should have killed you when you were a child!!”

His eyes, filled with malice, turned toward Vivian.

Swick!

At that moment, Kailo twisted Brynden’s face with his foot to prevent him from looking at Vivian.

Brynden could no longer see Vivian, but he continued to scream.

“How much pain did Loctana suffer because of that useless woman! The ruler who should have governed the domain…! How hard did we struggle because she couldn’t do her job…! We needed a leader, not a child to look after!”

• Whoosh!

In an instant, Kailo drew a dagger from his belt, lifted his foot, and stabbed it into Brynden’s cheek.

“Cough…! Cough…!”

The dagger pierced Brynden’s cheek, and the hilt struck the neck brace.

Had his tongue been pierced as well?

He could no longer speak.

At the horrifying sight, the vassals all frowned.

On the other hand, Kailo, who had acted, remained unmoved.

With Brynden’s head held firmly, Kailo raised his twin swords.

“I don’t care about your reasons for betrayal.”

With those words, he swung his sword.

• Whoosh!

Kailo’s sword came down slowly.

• Thud!

The heavy blade sank into Brynden’s neck.