Chapter 122: Mask – 3

“…I suppose the reason for attending this banquet is to build a connection with Lord Kailo, isn’t it?”

“…Ha.”

Vivian ran her hand through her hair and gave it a light shake.

She didn’t know why it was so hard to suppress her emotions today.

The movement of her red hair, shimmering as it swayed, once again drew the men’s gazes toward her.

Perhaps because she was at her limit, those gazes now felt unbearably tedious.

It seemed as if everyone at this banquet was desperate to keep her and Kailo apart.

The men wanted her, and the women wanted Kailo.

It felt like the world was conspiring to block her happiness.

Vivian let out a faint sigh.

She must be tired.

Was she the one who was wrong?

When the whole world said “right,” was it her fault for saying “left”?

Should she just resign herself to this miserable fate and live an unhappy life?

Should she settle with another man and let Kailo build a family with another woman?

She imagined that future.

Herself with another man, and Kailo with another woman.

Perhaps that path would be easier to follow.

…Ridiculous.

Her decision was swift.

If she had to live in such a future, she’d rather die.

Death seemed far more peaceful than that kind of future.

Besides, Kailo had taught her to resist what she hated until the end.

It had been seven years since she started fighting against the world.

So once again, she set aside her pitiful self-pity and strode directly toward Gisela Lute.

Though the path to her was crowded with people, Vivian didn’t spare them a glance.

Gisela Lute looked startled as Vivian approached her without hesitation.

She quickly adjusted her attire and hair before greeting her.

“Ah, greetings to the Sun of Rondor. Happy birthday.”

“Lady Gisela Lute?”

“Y-You know my name? It’s an honor.”

Vivian gave a faint smile.

“Is the food to your liking?”

Gisela returned a beautiful smile.

“Yes! It’s wonderful. Thank you. If it weren’t a banquet, I might have eaten much, much more. My stomach is so full!”

She seemed submissive and feminine—qualities that Vivian lacked.

Would Kailo like someone like this?

Frustration bubbled up inside her.

Overcome by a baseless surge of jealousy, Vivian wanted to abandon the banquet and act on her desires with Kailo back in her room.

Unaware of any of this, Gisela gave a sheepish smile at Vivian’s stiff expression.

“A-Ahaha. Was that joke a bit odd? I’m sorry. You’re so impressive, Lady Vivian… I might have gotten ahead of myself. Honestly, I’ve always heard stories about you, so it feels like I’m meeting an old acquaintance.”

“…I see.”

“Yes. Um… Lady Vivian and… Lord Kailo, I mean.”

“…Kailo…”

It seemed that Gisela wasn’t interested in her at all—her focus was entirely on Kailo.

Her gaze looked foolishly dreamy.

Judging by the rumors she had heard, it seemed she regarded Kailo as some knight in shining armor.

She had the expression of someone who wished to be the fairy-tale heroine loved by such a knight.

But Kailo’s accomplishments weren’t as beautiful as she might imagine.

They were born from a path of suffering and pain.

And yet, this woman who knew nothing about that might become Kailo’s wife.

This woman might actually marry Kailo.

…How could the world be so unfair?

She was utterly unworthy of Kailo.

But what annoyed Vivian even more was that this foolish woman seemed like she would obediently follow Kailo’s lead.

She had no opinions of her own and seemed likely to act according to Kailo’s wishes.

Because of that, they probably wouldn’t argue.

Because of that, they might live their lives peacefully until death.

Vivian could clearly picture a future where they grew old together, still holding hands as they moved in harmony.

The thought made her seethe with irritation.

This woman in front of her…

…She would build a family with Kailo, raise children without conflict, and…

“Lady Vivian?”

“…Yes?”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“Your expression… It looked as though you were angry.”

“…You’re mistaken.”

Gisela sighed in relief and smiled.

“Th-That’s a relief.”

After a brief silence, Gisela mustered up her courage.

“L-Lady Vivian, may I ask you one thing?”

“…Go ahead.”

“Do you know where Lord Kailo is? I heard rumors that he’s always with you.”

“…Ah.”

Why did they come to her birthday banquet only to search for Kailo?

Why were they so desperate to covet something she kept hidden?

Vivian asked, her tone sharp.

“…I hear you’re passionately in love with Kailo?”

Vivian deliberately used Kailo’s name to emphasize their closeness.

But Gisela didn’t even notice and simply blushed.

“Th-That’s right. I-I am.”

Vivian let out a bitter laugh and asked,

“How can you fall for a man whose face you’ve never even seen?”

“…Pardon?”

“Is it possible to fall in love based on rumors alone? What will you do if those rumors are lies? What if he’s so unbearably ugly that you can’t stand him?”

“W-Was the rumor all a lie?”

“What if it was?”

Gisela seemed to be trying to think of something with her limited wits, but her trademark simplicity soon overcame even that.

“Well, I’ll think about it after I meet him. For now, I’ve already fallen in love, haven’t I? My heart is racing…”

“And if you hear rumors about a better man, will you switch over?”

“…Excuse me?”

At this point, even Gisela seemed to sense Vivian’s hostility toward her.

However, Vivian continued to smile, and given the power she held, Gisela couldn’t be certain.

It was as if someone like Vivian couldn’t possibly dislike her for no reason.

Vivian apologized.

“…I’m sorry. That was a bit harsh, wasn’t it? It’s just… I was curious because you said you adore Kailo, who has been with me all my life.”

“Oh… Oh, yes.”

“As I mentioned, you’ve never seen his face or spoken with him. How did you come to like him? I find it hard to develop affection for someone so easily.”

“Well, I think it’s strange too… But love doesn’t need a reason, does it? Before you know it, it’s just there…”

“Before you know it, it’s just there.”

The words unsettled Vivian’s mind.

She ruffled her hair lightly and asked Gisela again.

“So? What kind of rumors have you heard about Kailo?”

At that question, Gisela’s eyes began to sparkle—a typical reaction of someone talking about something they deeply adore.

“I-I heard he’s big! I like big men. And I heard he’s muscular… Oh, and that he’s handsome…
Ah, and that he kept protecting you, Lady Vivian. I thought that was so amazing… I respect the chivalry of a knight who stands by Lady Vivian even after being on opposing sides…”

Vivian chuckled faintly.

She wanted to boast so badly it was hard to hold back.

The man you’re in love with?

I can have him do as I please.

A strange sense of victory and guilt swirled within her.

Vivian asked,

“So? The part of those rumors that made you fall for Kailo was…”

“T-The part where he protected you, Lady Vivian. If I became someone important to him, wouldn’t he protect me the same way…?”

“…Why would he?”

Vivian blurted it out.

At this point, it was too difficult to keep up her facade.

Maybe imagining the two of them living happily together only made her jealousy more unbearable.

Vivian acknowledged it—her personality was abrasive.

Years of surviving rough battles had shaped her this way.

But having a rough personality didn’t mean she was willing to give up on Kailo.

The people of the Lute family standing behind Gisela were shocked by Vivian’s words and actions.

But Vivian didn’t care in the slightest.

“…Ha. Kailo protected me because… I’m me.”

“Lady Vivian…?”

“Do you even understand the deep bond we share? How we grew up conscious of each other? Do you think Kailo could ever love someone like you as much as he loves me?”

“W-Why are you suddenly so angry? I don’t…”

Vivian leaned closer to Gisela.

“I just feel sorry for you, lost in your dreams.”

“…Excuse me?”

“There’s no way Kailo could ever love someone like you. Find someone who’s in your league. And leave my Kailo alone.”

With that, Vivian lightly wiped her mouth and turned away.

She had to go see Kailo now.

It was about time for a break anyway.

Behind her, she heard Gisela burst into tears.

…Now Vivian finally understood why Kailo so disliked women who cried.

It was an irritating sound.

***

As the banquet reached its peak, music began to play, and people started dancing.

Reina noticed Vivian’s retreating figure as the music started.

…Was she going to Kailo?

Countless thoughts flooded Reina’s mind.

What exactly was wrong with him?

Was he really unwell?

Was it so serious that she couldn’t see him at all?

How sick could Kailo be to not even come out to see her?

…Though Reina hadn’t realized it, she found herself somewhat looking forward to this day.

It seemed she had been eagerly anticipating the moment she would meet Kailo.

She felt sorry for Thread, but that was her true feeling.

“…This feels strange, Thread.”

“What does?”

“Is Kailo really sick?”

Thread let out a sigh.

“If he isn’t, what, do you think he’s faking it?”

“No, it’s not that… it just feels unsettling somehow.”

“What’s there to feel unsettled about? And even if you do, just stop worrying about it. The current Vivian Rondor isn’t the same as the person she was in the past. Her standing has changed.”

Reina tried to close her mouth, but in the end, it was too hard to hold back.

“No, think about it. They say the culprit who killed the former Duke of Rondor and his son was someone else. If she has a conscience, shouldn’t she let Kailo go now?”

“…They weren’t the only ones who died in the war. He is also repaying the cost of countless soldiers’ lives.”

“Wouldn’t you say that’s been repaid by now? I heard Kailo has saved Vivian many times already.”

“Reina. Like I said, that’s for Vivian to decide. We can’t dictate what she should or shouldn’t do.”

Reina’s expression hardened.

She knew Thread was right, but still…

“…Even so, I somewhat agree.”

As expected, Thread added.

“We’ve also gotten married, and the exchanges between kingdoms have increased. Everyone is trying to move on from the bloodshed of the past… but for Vivian Rondor to invite the families from the Eastern Kingdom to her birthday celebration while still holding onto the eldest son of the Alan family… it feels contradictory.”

“Y-Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean.”

“Let’s wait just a little longer. Maybe she’s preparing something. Acting hastily could ruin everything. And we don’t gain anything by opposing the Rondor family.”

“Who goes there!”

“Stand back, you scoundrel!”

At that moment, a commotion broke out behind them.

When they turned their heads, they saw their guards arguing with a soldier.

“P-Princess…! P-Please, just for a moment…”

The soldier seemed worried, lowering his voice and glancing around nervously.

Even though he tried to conceal himself, his presence was far from hidden.

However, his determination could be felt.

“…Stand down.”

Thread commanded, casting a glance at the soldier.

The soldier pressed his lips together tightly in despair.

Swayed by his expression, Princess Reina eventually spoke up.

“What is going on?”

The guards, who had been blocking the soldier, stepped back slightly at Reina’s demeanor.

The soldier hesitated before quickly approaching Reina.

“My name is Valon.”

“And? What is it that you’ve come here for… so recklessly?”

“I had no one else to turn to but the princess…”

“So, what is it you want to say?”

“It’s about Kailo.”

Even Prince Thread finally turned his attention to the soldier.

Princess Reina’s expression grew more serious.

The atmosphere shifted.

Valon began to speak.

“I’m a friend of Kailo. And… I have something I must tell you about his situation.”