Chapter 137: Homecoming – 4

A Curse, Perhaps?

-…If you leave, I’ll truly become a witch.

Vivian’s resentful voice echoed.

-And… when that time comes, I’ll curse you myself. So you can understand what true witchcraft is…

There was no other explanation to be found.

The hand that had always moved so easily now creaked as if broken.

It wasn’t just a temporary injury.

After carefully observing it for an entire day, the hand remained the same.

No, it was getting worse as time passed.

…Vivian.

Is this your doing?

A sense of doubt and confusion flared up again.

No, it wasn’t?

It wasn’t.

Why did it have to be my left hand?

Wouldn’t it have been more effective if it were the right one?

Vivian said that in order to become a true witch, she had to sacrifice her memories of me.

Could she have cursed me after forgetting me?

…No.

If I assumed it had all been an act, then it would make sense.

Maybe there was never any need for a sacrifice at all.

And finally…

The first to lose the use of their left hand—had been Vivian.

After I barely escaped death and regained consciousness, Vivian’s left hand had suddenly stiffened without reason.

Ever since then, I had frequently helped her mount and dismount her horse.

I had brought her things whenever she needed them, more times than I could count.

Now, knowing that this hand might be connected to all of that… my thoughts tangled into knots.

“…Hah.”

I left her behind, but her shadow still lingered over me.

***

Vivian sat frozen on her bed, curled beneath the covers in the darkened room.

No one entered.

No one spoke to her.

With Kailo gone, her world felt empty.

‘He looks happy, doesn’t he?’

Elena’s voice rang directly in her head.

Even if she covered her ears, there was no blocking out this voice.

A vision unfolded before Vivian’s eyes.

Another reality, one that Elena was forcing her to see.

It was Kailo.

He had finally reached the homeland he had long yearned for, now spending time joyfully with his younger siblings.

Kailo shared meals with them, laughed with them, and indulged in luxuries he had never been able to afford in Loctana.

But in between, he clenched and unclenched his left hand repeatedly.

He sighed in frustration, unable to move it as he wished.

Then, as if he had found someone to blame, he gritted his teeth.

‘He thinks you did this to him. How amusing.’

“Stop…!”

Vivian couldn’t hold it in any longer and whispered hoarsely.

She had placed that spell on him out of love, hoping to shield him from pain—never imagining it would turn against him like this.

The discomfort she had endured in his place now felt meaningless.

If that were the only issue, she could have endured it.

She hadn’t done it expecting gratitude, after all.

…But seeing Kailo’s resentment toward her grow, even from so far away—

That was unbearable.

Even if their relationship had ended, even if there had never been any hope left, watching it all crumble into dust was devastating.

“I… it’s not like that, Kailo.”

Vivian’s whisper echoed hollowly.

“I never… meant to hurt you…”

She wanted to say it.

But instead, she let out a bitter laugh.

Who was she fooling?

She had tormented him all his life.

In the end, this was her karma.

If she had treated Kailo with kindness, he wouldn’t have doubted her.

But after everything she had done to him, how could she blame him for suspecting her now?

If their roles were reversed, she would have done the same.

‘How does it feel? To suffer in his place, only to be despised for it?’

“…Ugh… ngh…”

‘So just give up. If you offer your memories, this pain, this injustice—it will all disappear.’

The torture had only just begun.

And Vivian knew she would continue to see Kailo’s happiness.

Even now, the pain was unbearable, like being tied to a torture rack, watching as the interrogator pulled out the first fingernail—while knowing there were still nine more to go.

‘Eventually, you’ll break. So why not surrender now, before it gets worse? Before the witch hunters come for you?’

Vivian was terrified of Elena’s threats.

She was afraid.

She had no one left to protect her.

Even so…

“I said No.”

Vivian whispered as if squeezing out her words.

“Hmm.”

No matter how much pain she was in, she had no intention of letting go of Kailo.

She knew that death was approaching.

She was also aware of the increasingly frantic movements of the Las Order.

It was only a matter of time before she was discovered.

Even so, she still remembered.

Just like now, or in even more terrifying and dreadful situations—

The moment when there was no one to help her and no one to trust.

The hand that had reached out to her then.

The one who had lifted her up when she had crumbled and abandoned all hope.

He was no longer by her side… but the fact that he had appeared for her in that moment of despair had not changed.

Vivian continued to watch Kailo, who was gritting his teeth.

After all, without him, she would have already died.

…So, until the end, no matter how painful it was, she wanted to keep watching over him.

***

It had been about ten days since I returned home.

“I’m not sure what to say… It’s like looking at a hand that was broken long ago. I do not know the cause.”

At the physician’s words, I nodded.

My left hand could barely hold anything anymore.

I could somehow hook my fingers around a light cup or object and lift it, but… wielding a sword was difficult.

My grip strength had weakened.

The truth was now known to everyone in the family.

I finally accepted that my hand was damaged.

Even if I didn’t want to, it was reality.

I had no choice.

I wandered through the castle.

In the distance, I saw Kayla walking with the vassals, engaged in a busy conversation.

“…Doesn’t it? No matter how they change their words now, we don’t need to care. Just proceed as per the contract— Oh, brother!”

Seeing Kayla brighten as she spotted me, I waved my hand lightly.

It was a gesture telling her to focus on her work.

Kayla nodded in understanding and resumed her conversation.

Watching her like this gave me a strange feeling.

The younger sister who had always relied on me was now growing, leading the family.

Unlike me, who had only learned the sword, Kayla was continuing the life of a leader, just like Vivian.

And so, I began to wonder.

Was I really the right person to take the position of family head?

I knew nothing of politics, and I was so frustrating that even my friends scolded me.

And now, I couldn’t even wield a sword properly.

Maybe it would be better for Kayla, who had been filling my absence all this time, to take the role instead.

Back in Loctana, I had supported Vivian in the same way.

Perhaps I should do the same for Kayla—remain by her side as her right hand.

After finishing her discussion with the vassals, Kayla brought them over to me.

“How’s your hand?”

I smiled and shook my head.

“It’s useless.”

“…Wait, why all of a sudden…? You’re not seriously ill, right?”

“It’s not an illness. It’s just my hand.”

I had some guesses about the cause, but I didn’t bother telling Kayla.

I knew how much she hated Vivian.

…Not that I was doing this to protect Vivian’s reputation.

I was just worried Kayla would get upset.

…Probably.

Even I wasn’t sure of my own feelings.

“Everyone, go about your business. I’ll be talking with my brother for a while.”

At Kayla’s words, the vassals bowed their heads and left.

She then linked her arm tightly around mine, giggling as we walked.

“There’s no need to force yourself to be affectionate anymore, right?”

“I’m not doing this because it’s awkward.”

Despite her words, a smile spread across my face.

I reached out to ruffle her hair.

-Kailo?

At that moment, a flash of light went through my mind, and Vivian’s face surfaced again.

Her smiling face as she had once linked her arm around mine.

“…Brother?”

I, who had been momentarily dazed, gently pushed Kayla away.

“You’re pressing your chest against me, you brat. Now that you’re grown up, let’s respect some boundaries.”

“…Why do you even care about that?”

In the end, we settled for walking with just our shoulders touching.

“By the way, Kayla.”

I voiced the thought that had been lingering in my mind.

“I’ve been thinking for the past few days…”

“Yeah?”

“…Wouldn’t it be better if you took the position of family head?”

“What?”

Kayla frowned.

“This is the family you protected. It doesn’t feel right for me to suddenly show up and take it from you.”

For once, she looked genuinely angry.

“…Was I the only one who protected the family? If you hadn’t sacrificed yourself, we wouldn’t even be here.”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t care. You’ll be the family head. And besides, I’m a woman! How could I lead the family?”

“…Don’t even start talking about Vivian Rondor. She’s the weird one.”

“I wasn’t going to bring her up.”

I looked back at Kayla.

It was something that could have been a little embarrassing to admit, but I spoke honestly.

“Kayla, I never received the kind of education that nobles get.”

“I may not feel it myself, but I know that by noble standards, everything from my posture to my table manners falls short. Even now, I feel uncomfortable with the maids trying to help me.”

“…Brother…”

“How can someone like me become the head of the family? I have no confidence. Wouldn’t I just end up dragging the dignity of the Alan family through the mud?”

“I don’t know politics, and I’m not good at speaking in a roundabout way. But you’re good at all of that.”

Kayla stood still for a moment, then slowly took my hand.

She brought it to her cheek.

“Brother… you’ve suffered enough. You should live comfortably now.”

“Becoming the head of the family would only make things more difficult—”

“I’ll take care of all the difficult things.”

“…What?”

“If politics is too hard, I’ll handle it. If you can’t make decisions, I’ll make them for you. You can still learn etiquette from now on. Brother, I’ll do all the hard work… so please, just live as the head of the family.”

“…Kayla.”

She had no intention of listening to my protests.

Shaking her head, she looked up at me with slightly angry eyes.

“I don’t want to take the position of family head by pushing you aside. No matter how I think about it, you’re far more capable than I am. How could someone like me take that role instead?”

“You think you’re less capable than me—”

“I couldn’t even gather my siblings at the dinner table.”

“…And you solved that in a single day. Do I really need to say more?”

Realizing that this conversation would go on forever, I sighed and turned my head away.

“Let’s take some time to think about it, Kayla.”

“No? I want you to lead us, no matter what.”

Seeing how she had already made up her mind, I spoke again.

“Let’s think about it carefully, alright?”

In the end, she nodded.

“…Okay.”

As we continued walking, Kayla suddenly spoke up.

“By the way, Brother, since we’re on the topic of being the head of the family…”

“Yeah?”

“Isn’t it time for you to take a wife?”

“…What?”

Kayla smiled.

“Honestly, you’re already a bit late, aren’t you? The tough times are over, and it’s time to settle down… so what do you think about starting a family?”