Chapter 120: Mask – 1

“How do I look?”

Vivian asked, adorned beautifully.

Today marked her coming of age.

Before greeting the guests who came to celebrate, she was to partake in a march in Loctana, announcing her adulthood to the citizens.

Thus, from the early hours of the morning, Vivian had to prepare herself, with maids helping her apply makeup and dress her in elegant attire.

The usual floral scent surrounding her was even stronger.

During this time, the maids dared not glance my way.

Though they kept a straight face while assisting Vivian, I could sense the tension emanating from them.

“I asked how I look, Kailo.”

When I didn’t respond, Vivian appeared subtly disappointed, though she quickly masked it.

Approaching me, she sat on the bed by my side.

Vivian tried to kiss me, and I tilted my head slightly.

At that, she grabbed a fistful of my hair, forcing my head up to steal a kiss.

The frustration she felt was evident in this forceful act.

After pulling away, she studied my face and smiled.

She brushed her thumb over my lips and said.

“…The lipstick smudged. It suits you in its own way, Kailo.”

Dragging her thumb across my cheek to spread the smudged lipstick further, she seemed pleased to leave her mark on me.

At her signal, the maids hurriedly approached to touch up her makeup.

“Lady Vivian, it’s time.”

Said Lady Linne, standing at the open door.

The old woman’s gaze briefly fell on me.

She had aged considerably.

The once stern demeanor from our first meeting had softened, her eyes now filled with what seemed like pity.

Perhaps she felt sorry for me, though she couldn’t outwardly show it, now completely subdued by Vivian.

I didn’t like that old woman.

Not just for the past, but for teaching Vivian skills that made my life miserable.

Vivian had used those skills on me without restraint.

“Watch from here, Kailo.”

Before leaving, Vivian turned to speak.

Looking out the window, I could see Loctana’s streets.

She gestured towards them.

“Watch me march there. See how much the people love me. Maybe then… you’ll realize once more how extraordinary I am.”

***

“Vivian! Vivian! Vivian!”

“Rondor! Rondor!”

Thunderous cheers echoed through the streets, shaking the air.

Vivian felt the growing love of the citizens with each passing day.

Despite the cold wind and their shivering bodies, their passion burned brighter.

From the time when no one loved her to this moment when everyone adored her, Vivian felt no emotional stirrings from their love.

In her eyes, they were all insincere.

She vividly remembered the suspicion-filled gazes they once directed at her weak self.

Their change felt abrupt to her.

Even amidst the excitement of the soldiers brimming with pride, Vivian remained indifferent.

She found it bothersome.

Why did she have to do something she didn’t want to do, even on her birthday?

Deep down, she wanted to stay in her room, spending time with Kailo.

Being with him was painful, arduous, and torturous… but also brought happiness.

His presence alone made her happy.

It was when she felt those vivid emotions that Vivian knew she was alive.

Whether it was pain or joy, she needed to be by Kailo’s side to feel it.

But not during this march.

It was dry, heartless, and dull.

She felt no emotion, no joy, no reason to endure it.

If there was any reason for her to endure this…

Vivian looked back from the carriage, gazing at the towering Rondor Castle on the hill.

The first floor… the second floor…

The second window from the left.

…There.

Kailo would be watching her from there.

Seeing that window brought a light smile to her face.

Thinking of him, she waved painfully from afar.

“…It would’ve been better if you were by my side.”

Vivian murmured to herself without realizing it.

She closed her eyes tightly and resolved herself.

This year would mark the end of this struggle.

Next year, things would surely improve.

Kailo still loved her, and his stubbornness would eventually waver.

By next year, they would surely be together.

The thought of separation still didn’t make sense to her.

How could they part after a lifetime together?

All it would take was one word from him.

Kailo always kept his promises.

If he promised to stay by her side, if he promised to stay with her, then she would let him go anywhere.

As long as he returned, she could endure it.

She had to believe everything would work out.

This was the final hurdle.

As the sun passed its zenith and began sinking westward, the bright midday light dimmed to the soft blue hues of twilight.

Though the temperature dropped, the atmosphere grew livelier.

The procession of carriages entering Loctana didn’t cease.

Various noble families and their guards arrived one by one, welcomed by the Dubois family.

They checked the invitations the guests carried, guiding each one inside.

Just like last year, the castle buzzed with lively commotion, only louder than before.

The key difference this year was the banquet being held in the west wing instead of the east.

Vivian had explained this change to the guests with two reasons: to showcase the newly rebuilt west wing after the previous fire and to introduce a new part of the castle since last year’s banquet had been in the east wing.

But these were merely outward excuses.

The real reason was simple.

…Kailo was in the east wing.

If he screamed and attracted attention, someone might discover him.

So, the banquet was deliberately held where his voice couldn’t escape.

Even so, if someone did notice Kailo’s commotion, Vivian was ready to handle it.

Gossip didn’t scare her.

She wasn’t one to care much about her reputation.

“…Done.”

-Swish.

Before heading to meet the guests in the west wing’s banquet hall, Vivian placed a gag over Kailo’s mouth.

The cloth wouldn’t be too uncomfortable, but it would muffle his voice.

“Behave, Kailo. I’ll be back after I’m done.”

Kailo stared at her with unchanging hostility.

His unwavering gaze pained her.

That cold look always made Vivian’s heart ache.

But she didn’t know how to deal with it.

When he bristled, all she could do was bristle back.

She was afraid that showing vulnerability would make her weaker, giving him an opening to leave.

“…Don’t expect to leave.”

Vivian coldly stated, her gaze locking with Kailo’s.

“The Alan family wasn’t invited.”

Vivian didn’t want things to be like this with Kailo.

It was more painful and difficult than any conflict she had faced.

Yet, beneath his cold gaze, a hidden warmth lingered.

Even if he didn’t intend it, Vivian could sense it.

And that hidden warmth was unbearably endearing to her.

Even cornered like this, he worried for her.

Perhaps, just as she was obsessed with him, Kailo harbored an equally intense obsession for her.

The difference was that Kailo could forcibly suppress it, while Vivian could not.

Unintentionally, Vivian embraced Kailo gently.

At first, his body was stiff, but it slowly softened, as if crumbling.

“…What if we just stayed like this instead of going?”

Vivian whispered.

But, of course, Kailo couldn’t respond.

“…I’ll be back, Kailo.”

Vivian eventually stood up without much fuss and left the room.

-Thud.

The door closed, revealing numerous guards outside.

The security was twice as tight as before.

“…Let no one in.”

Vivian commanded.

Her men nodded with conflicted expressions.

Vivian turned and headed towards her birthday banquet.

***

Vivian walked around the banquet hall, leaving Nestor behind.

She aimed to gather information before meeting people from various families.

Though it might seem as though the families were invited at random, this act was the result of meticulous calculation.

They had already obtained information about all the invited families, including secrets that ordinary people wouldn’t know.

It was Nestor who orchestrated this, continuously feeding Vivian advantageous details from behind the scenes.

“…‘Shane Malone,’ you say. The eldest son of the Malone family from the Eastern Kingdom. Twenty-nine years old. He recently proposed a marriage arrangement to you, didn’t he? It seems he hasn’t given up and came well-prepared this time. It’s a wealthy family.”

“…Does the Malone family not care about the Alan family’s opinion? They must know about our complex relationship with the Alan family.”

“There’s considerable distance between the Alan family and the Malone family. There’s no need for them to consider that.”

As Nestor said, Shane Malone kept casting glances at Vivian.

Today, however, Vivian had no intention of causing a scene.

With a light smile, she nodded in greeting to Shane, intending to show proper etiquette and quickly brush him off.

“!”

But Shane Malone, interpreting this as some sort of signal, approached her with a bright expression.

Vivian let out a short sigh that no one could hear.

“It’s our first time meeting in person. The rumors were true… You’re a stunning beauty. No, actually, the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”

“…Thank you.”

“Ah, happy birthday. I’ve already sent you a gift, so please check it later. Now that you’ve come of age, do you feel the world has changed?”

“…Hmm. Not really.”

Vivian could feel the attention from those around her.

It was clear that how she treated Shane would determine whether others would gather the courage to approach her or not.

This, too, was a necessary process, even if it was bothersome.

Though annoyed, Vivian decided to use Shane as an example and faced him directly.

This caused Shane’s expression to brighten even more, as if someone who had been indifferent to him was finally showing interest.

“Thank you for the birthday wishes. I hope you enjoy the banquet tonight.”

“Just meeting you has made it enjoyable enough. Hahaha!”

“…”

“…Ahem. I mustn’t keep the Duchess too long when you’re busy. May I make one last request before I leave? This banquet is certainly meant to celebrate your birthday, but isn’t it also a symbol of peace between the Eastern and Delrum Kingdoms?”

‘Yes, Yes!’

Someone shouted, seemingly siding with Shane from the Malone family.

Buoyed by this, Shane continued.

“So, if you could grant me the honor of one dance… wouldn’t that solidify the meaning of the event? What do you think?”

“I dislike dancing.”

A cold and curt response.

Vivian raised her voice so everyone could hear.

The expressions of the men surrounding them grew darker.

-Tap, tap.

Nestor signaled her not to do this.

Suppressing her rising irritation, Vivian ignored him.

Shane, though flustered, didn’t give up.

“P-Please, don’t say that. Just one dance. I’ll teach you so you can enjoy dancing.”

Vivian scrutinized Shane closely.

…Smaller than Kailo, uglier, dumber, weaker, and morally twisted.

It was so blatantly obvious that he coveted her power, driven by greed.

…How could he muster the courage to approach her?

“It was disgusting.”

“…Excuse me?”

Shane asked, startled.

“…Pardon?”

Vivian, equally confused, questioned back.

Shane’s face darkened.

“D-Did you just say… disgusting?”

“…Ah.”

Did I say that out loud?

An awkward silence fell over them.

Vivian took a deep breath and leaned toward Shane.

Well, she couldn’t take back what was already said.

She whispered so no one else could hear.

“…Don’t think I know nothing just because I’m young.”

“V-Vivian?”

“…I’ve spent my life reading people’s expressions. Your greed is plain to see. I’m quite adept at reading emotions.”

“N-No…! I just find you truly beautiful—”

“And, of course, your filthy lust is just as visible.”

“…Ah…uh…”

Vivian once again flashed a friendly smile.

“…So why should I dance with someone like you? You have nothing to offer. Go mingle with people your own age.”

“Well said. The Duchess clearly has a dance partner more suitable for her.”

At that moment, someone nearby spoke.

Someone had overheard Vivian’s whisper.

Turning to see who had dared to interfere so boldly, she spotted a familiar face.

Vivian’s heart sank.

Standing there was Princess Reyna, Kailo’s former liege.

Beside her was Prince Thread.

They were likely the most troublesome presences at this banquet.

Vivian held her head high and did not offer them a greeting.

Now that she had brought the entire Loctana region under control, she was not weak enough to bow her head to a prince or princess.

Perhaps aware of this, the prince and princess were the first to show their courtesy.

Only after they greeted her did Vivian continue the conversation.

“Princess. Prince. Welcome.”

Reina also spoke.

“Happy birthday. To think you’ve achieved such great feats and are now an adult.”

Then Vivian asked,

“…By the way, what do you mean I have a designated dance partner? As I mentioned earlier, I have no intention of dancing today.”

Princess Reina seemed taken aback.

“What? Not even with Kailo? Even though you bicker, surely you must have developed some affection from it.”

The moment Kailo’s name was mentioned, Vivian’s face darkened.

Darker than when she faced Shane.

Perhaps because of the sensitive conflict between her and Kailo, hearing his name from another woman’s lips irritated her even more.

Reina said.

“Ah, then would it be alright if I danced one song with Kailo?”

“…Why don’t you dance with the prince instead, Princess?”

“…Why? If you’re not going to dance with Kailo anyway, shouldn’t it be fine if I do?”

…This wench.

Vivian swallowed her words.

What kind of harlot shakes her meager hips when she already has a husband?

Vivian wondered if Reina might be more deranged than herself.

If she could end up with Kailo, Vivian knew she wouldn’t even spare a glance at another man.

…No, she was already doing so.

Unconsciously, Vivian’s face twisted as if she had seen something repulsive.

However, contrary to what Vivian thought would be weakness, Princess Reina didn’t back down.

Perhaps it was the boldness she had developed surviving in an enemy nation, but she remained steadfast under

Vivian’s pressure and asked again.

“…By the way, where is Kailo?”

Reina glanced around and smiled.

“I can’t seem to find him anywhere.”