Chapter 128: Traitor – 4

“Are you ready?”

Wallace asked me as he snuck in while Vivian was out of the room.

Ever since Valon’s visit, my comrades occasionally stopped by my room to update me on the progress of our plans.

“Tonight’s the night.”

He whispered.

“Tonight, everything. will go down.”

I took a deep breath at his words, but my chest felt tight.

Without revealing my unease, I nodded at Wallace.

“Everything is ready. From what I hear, the princess’s side is preparing a major move too. You will definitely be able to leave, Kailo. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried. It’s just…”

Before I could finish, Wallace smirked as if he could read my mind.

“…You’re still worried about Vivian until the very end, huh?”

Wallace placed a hand on my shoulder.

Then, dropping his usual playful tone, he spoke earnestly.

For the first time in a while, we locked eyes.

“Don’t worry, Kailo. We’ll protect Vivian from now on.”

It really felt like the end, and I couldn’t help but let out a faint chuckle.

“Yeah. You’d better. That’s the least you can do as soldiers.”

Suddenly, Wallace pulled me into a firm embrace, despite my bound hands.

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

I asked.

“…I don’t know. Just thinking that tonight might be the last… It’s strange. I didn’t expect to feel this way about seeing that arrogant noble leave.”

His voice, unusually subdued, trailed off.

“…You bastard. Must’ve been tough having a commoner as a friend, huh?”

“If you know that, maybe show a bit of respect.”

“As if I could.”

The more we spoke, the tighter his hug became.

And as he did, his sincerity seeped into me, erasing any trace of teasing from the air.

“…Thank you. Live well.”

I said.

“…Feels like a real goodbye. It doesn’t feel real yet, but… yeah. You too, live without hardship from now on. We’re still friends, okay? Don’t pretend you don’t know me if we meet again someday.”

His voice wavered, hinting at emotion he rarely showed.

But Wallace released me and took a deep breath, changing the mood again as he asked,

“By the way, is there anything you can do to make Vivian let her guard down? Something to keep her attention away from you and focus it elsewhere?”

“Anything?”

“Yeah, anything. Even if it doesn’t help much. Vivian is still watching like a hawk.”

“Look at me. What could I possibly do in this state?”

Wallace clicked his tongue.

“Then should we do it? Not that it’ll work. Vivian doesn’t even listen to us, and even if she does, she doesn’t take it seriously.”

“You’re the only one who can shake Vivian. That’s why I’m asking.”

Clink!

The key turned in the lock, and the cuffs came off.

I rubbed my wrists, finally freed after so long.

***

Vivian, who had removed the cuffs, carefully observed my reaction.

She seemed worried that I might lash out at any moment.

Her lips were pressed together, and her fingers fidgeted nervously.

The tyrant Wallace feared was nowhere to be seen.

I quietly spread my arms and embraced her.

Vivian’s tense body gradually relaxed in my arms.

I gently stroked her frail back.

Gripping the hem of my clothes tightly, she spoke.

“…I may have taken off your cuffs, but you’re not leaving this room.”

I nodded.

I had no intention of leaving just yet.

After all, a storm was brewing.

And when it arrived, I planned to leave with it.

But for that storm to succeed, Wallace had a request.

Though it was Wallace’s request, it might as well have been from the princess or the family supporting her.

Something to divert Vivian’s attention.

“Kailo.”

“Yeah?”

“When do you think we’ll get married?”

I remained silent, but Vivian seemed to have already decided on her answer.

“…Let’s just say we’re married from now on.”

“Right now?”

“If we say we’re married, then we are.”

It was a response driven by emotions.

Or perhaps it was an act.

Whatever it was, I came up with a way to unsettle her thoughts.

“Right now… it’s too soon. Nothing is prepared.”

“Prepared for what?”

“Shouldn’t we start by finding a place? A place for the wedding.”

“…What, so you’re saying you’re going to leave this room to look for it?”

“You said I can’t leave. You find it for me.”

Vivian leaned her head against my chest, deep in thought.

I stroked the back of her head as she did so.

I worked harder to erase any lingering doubts she might have about me.

The more tenderly I stroked her hair, the more satisfaction spread across her face.

After a while, she smiled and answered,

“…I’ll… look for it.”

Vivian answered hesitantly, but her body reacted sincerely.

A place to hold a wedding with Kailo.

She wandered all over the castle of Rondor.

It was a good opportunity to clear her complicated thoughts.

The castle hall naturally came to mind as a potential venue.

It was a place filled with memories she shared with Kailo.

It was where she had almost been poisoned for the first time and where she had spent years sharing meals alone with him.

The conversations, the glances exchanged, and the emotions shared here were varied.

It was also where she had first seen him cleaned up so impeccably.

Holding the ceremony here would be meaningful.

However, perhaps because it was such a familiar place, she felt a twinge of disappointment.

A woman’s desire to hold it somewhere more beautiful began to grow.

In truth, any place would have been fine.

As long as she could marry Kailo, it didn’t matter.

Walking through the castle’s corridors, memories of Kailo surfaced.

In the courtyard, she recalled the firm vows they had exchanged over executions.

On the castle walls, where soldiers patrolled, she remembered Kailo returning from his expeditions.

By the river that flowed through the castle, she remembered skipping stones with him.

Every corner of the castle was filled with memories of him.

Vivian suddenly realized just how deeply Kailo had become embedded in her life.

Though she couldn’t put it into words or explain the violent act of keeping him confined, she understood now.

How could she possibly let him go when every step she took reminded her of him?

…Still, now.

Now, she believed in Kylo.

She trusted his words that he wouldn’t leave.

She could tell by the way he held her dearly.

She felt it in the way he softly stroked her hair and whispered her name.

The passion in his kisses, the way he touched her skin with desire—all these secret, intimate moments they shared deepened their bond.

When all these families leave in a few days, she thought peace might finally return.

Hope began to glimmer faintly.

Perhaps this ordeal would soon come to an end.

She smiled faintly.

Her chest swelled with anticipation.

-BOOOO! BOOOO!-

At that moment, the sound of a horn echoed across the entire estate.

Vivian frowned at the unfamiliar noise.

The maids and soldiers accompanying her were just as perplexed.

What on earth could this be?

Soon, Nestor came rushing to find her, revealing the source of the sound.

“Lady Vivian! It’s the royal family.”

“What?”

“…His Majesty the King… has arrived.”

***

The King of Delrum, whom she saw for the first time, was smaller than she had expected.

He was short, and his build was slight.

But as he descended from the carriage, his commanding presence rendered his size irrelevant.

He stood tall, his eyes sharp and clear.

Despite being in his fifties, his age was hardly noticeable.

The crown on his head seemed to fit him as naturally as breathing.

Six knights followed behind him, protecting him.

Like the King, they exuded their own sense of dignity.

The King led his retinue forward, stopping in front of Vivian.

He stood at a similar height to her.

After letting out a small sigh, he waited for her greeting.

“I greet Your Majesty the King.”

Vivian said with proper etiquette.

“…I didn’t expect Your Majesty to visit so suddenly…”

The King smiled as he replied,

“To meet the Sun of Rondor. While this visit may be sudden, isn’t it a meeting that was bound to happen eventually? In fact, it feels a little overdue.”

His tone was gentle, and his manners impeccable.

He was the kind of man who could win anyone’s favor.

Vivian escorted the King into the castle, unable to guess the purpose of his visit.

“It’s cold outside. Please, allow me to guide you inside.”

The King nodded naturally and followed her with confident steps.

Vivian led him, not to her bedroom where Kailo stayed, but to the reception room.

As they walked, many members of noble families approached to greet the King.

He returned their greetings with a smile before finally entering the reception room.

Warm tea and damp towels were prepared.

The King accepted a towel and warmed his hands and face with it.

“Please, have a seat.”

The King said, gesturing to Vivian, who was standing out of courtesy.

Vivian nodded and sat down.

The King, after briefly gazing out at the world beyond, let out a sigh.

Then, with the demeanor of someone ready to get down to business, he turned to face Vivian.

He began to speak.