Chapter 129: Traitor – 5

The king spoke.

“As I mentioned, I thought it was right to meet you at least once, so I came to visit. It would have been proper to visit during your birthday… but, well, I’ve had my own share of busy matters.”

“Just the fact that you’ve come to see me now is an honor.”

Satisfied with the response, the king said.

“…You’re as beautiful as the rumors say. And contrary to the rumors, you’re also very courteous. It seems the Rondor family truly has produced a genius.”

The king’s frankness in expressing his thoughts so openly revealed his boldness.

Though his tone was gentle, his inner resolve appeared steadfast.

After all, he was the king who had led the war against the Eastern Kingdom to victory.

There was no way he could be an ordinary man.

The king slowly continued his words.

“Forgive me for not visiting sooner. As you’re already aware, I’ve chosen to observe rather than act because no one could predict who would emerge victorious over this land.”

“Watching a fire from a safe distance is best, wouldn’t you agree? Rushing in to extinguish it might get one burned.”

The king seemed to have expected that she wouldn’t survive.

No, it was natural to think that way.

Without the witch’s power and Kailo, she wouldn’t have made it.

Thinking that the rope was bound to snap, he had stayed away.

And now, the king was candidly admitting this.

“I understand.”

Vivian replied.

“Building rapport now is what matters, isn’t it?”

The king smiled and took a seat opposite Vivian.

“Is that really alright? Even though you’re the ruler of Loctana?”

“Of course. The Rondor family has always been loyal to the royal family.”

“And that loyalty remains unwavering, does it?”

Vivian responded calmly.

“I have no thirst for power. I have no intention of clashing with the royal family. We have always been loyal to the crown.”

She made it clear that she fully recognized the hierarchical order.

If one had the power to be called a Grand Duchess of a region, it was natural for the royal family to be wary and keep them in check.

It was common sense she had learned from Lady Linne.

True to her word, Vivian had no greed.

She had only ever focused on living a happy life.

“That’s a relief.”

The king whispered, his eyes narrowing momentarily like a snake’s.

It was as if he had prepared a dangerous weapon but, finding no need to use it, was now revealing its existence.

“In that case, can I take it that Rondor will always align with the royal family?”

“Yes.”

He asked,

“What are your thoughts on my efforts to establish peace with the Eastern Kingdom?”

She answered.

“I believe you already know. On my birthday, numerous families from the Eastern Kingdom attended. I, too, wish for peace.”

“I see, I see.”

The king gently blew on his hot tea and drank it in one go.

The hot liquid flowed down his throat continuously, without a drop spilling or being coughed up.

At the same time, the king’s demeanor began to change.

“Haah…”

Placing the teacup down firmly, he spoke.

“Then this command should not be a problem.”

“Pardon?”

“Duchess of Rondor, you must release Kailo Alan.”

For a few seconds, Vivian’s mind went blank.

The conversation was steering in a completely unexpected direction.

She had never anticipated that Kailo’s name would come out of the king’s mouth, let alone hear the demand to release him.

“What… what do you mean?”

“The eldest son of the Alan family was offered to the Rondor family by our royal family as a gesture of goodwill. The legitimate ownership of that ‘prisoner’ lies with the crown. Now, we intend to reclaim that right—for the sake of peace with the Eastern Kingdom. You, too, said you desire peace, so there should be no issue.”

Regaining her composure, Vivian had no words to counter him.

In the end, all she could do was stall.

“…What do you mean by releasing him? As you know, Kailo chose to stay in this land. Even before I fought Robert Rondor, didn’t the royal family ask Kailo’s opinion? The eldest daughter of the Alan family even came to ask with you. Back then, Kailo clearly said he would stay.”

“He did indeed say that at the time.”

“And now, after all this time, you’re saying—”

“Where is Kailo Alan now?”

Vivian bit her lip lightly before answering.

“…He is ill and resting—”

“We know everything, Duchess.”

The king said coldly.

“…Please, stop denying it any further.”

“…I hope you won’t make an even more foolish choice here. I don’t want this to escalate into a fight between the Rondor family and the royal family. It’s already over.”

“Over, you say…”

Vivian, who had been lost in thought for a moment, felt her heart drop.

They knew everything.

That must mean they even knew about Kailo being imprisoned.

Then, who could have told them?

Who are these unnatural presences still lingering in her land?

What did they mean by saying everything was already over?

Where was Kailo now?

Vivian shot up from her seat and left the room without even saying goodbye.

-Bang!

She slammed the door open as if to break it and ran so fast she was out of breath.

No, it couldn’t be.

Kailo had promised to stay by her side.

He definitely did.

These people were trying to tear them apart again.

Over?

No.

Nothing is over yet.

It was just beginning.

She would marry Kailo, and a new start would unfold.

But contrary to her hopes, when she arrived breathlessly at her chamber, a large crowd was gathered there.

Among them were the prince, the princess, and representatives of various noble families.

This had all unfolded while she was meeting with the king.

“What are you all doing here!!”

Vivian shouted loudly, drawing everyone’s attention.

She steadied her breathing and glared at them.

“How dare you… such insolence…!”

“Enough. That’s enough now.”

At that moment, a calm and familiar voice cut off Vivian’s words.

There was only one person in this place who could interrupt her.

“…What?”

Kailo.

He emerged from the room.

Like a bird inspecting its wings one last time before taking flight, he gently smoothed his clothes.

The warm expression he had shown her recently was nowhere to be seen—only cold, icy emotions remained.

Vivian couldn’t believe the change.

Even seeing it with her own eyes, she couldn’t accept it.

It was Kailo, who had just promised her earlier in the day to stay by her side.

Kailo, who had asked her where they should hold their wedding ceremony.

So why was he now siding with those who had entered her chamber without permission?

Her heart pounded heavily.

An unease began to creep over her.

“…Ka, Kailo. Do something about these people. They, they dared to enter my room without permission…!”

Kailo didn’t respond.

Desperately, Vivian kept calling out to him.

“Our, our chamber… They’ve entered it without permission…”

His indifference left her at a loss for words.

She opened and closed her mouth several times, then quietly pleaded.

“…Come here, Kailo.”

Her hands and feet began to tremble.

“Standing over there… it makes it look like you’re against me.”

Even then, he didn’t respond.

Just the day before, he had kissed her lips.

But now, it was as if he were a different person.

As if everything he’d done before had been an act.

As if he were on their side.

“…Ah…”

“…No, that’s not it, right, Kailo?”

She asked him.

Kailo looked down at the ground, then turned his gaze to Vivian.

Vivian stood alone amidst a sea of people.

Before long, the king, who had followed behind her, spoke from behind.

“I will respect the will of the person involved above anyone else’s. This is merely a simple matter, not something that needs to escalate into a major dispute. Kailo Alan. Around this time last year, our royal family asked you a question. I will ask you that same question again. Will you leave?”

Kailo’s tightly shut lips slowly parted.

To Vivian, it felt as if time itself was slowing down in this moment.

“The reason I didn’t leave back then… was because I had unfinished business.”

Vivian tried to take a step toward Kailo, but her body wouldn’t move.

The piercing pain in her heart was too intense.

This couldn’t be happening.

Kailo wouldn’t do this.

We promised to be together.

…He wouldn’t lie to me.

“At the time, Vivian had many enemies… and her life was in danger. I also felt that it was my duty to finish what I hadn’t yet accomplished.”

Kailo’s dark eyes fell coldly upon Vivian.

In that moment, the immense distance between her and the Kailo she had once felt so close to became apparent.

Even if she reached out her hand, it felt like she wouldn’t be able to grasp him.

“…But that’s no longer the case. Vivian is safe now, and she has become the true ruler of this land. My duty is finished. I believe I have no further business here.”

“…Kailo?”

Vivian struggled to move her feet and approached him.

As she staggered forward, the crowd parted for her.

And yet, Kailo didn’t look at her.
Even when she gently grabbed his arm, Kailo didn’t spare her a glance.

He completely ignored her.

That indifference hurt more than any harsh words he’d ever spoken to her.

Standing before him, Vivian whispered softly.

“Kailo… you said you love me.”

Only then did Kailo’s eyes tremble.

His jaw tightened for a brief moment.

Finally, he reacted to her.

“…Feel a little pain too.”

Ah.

Vivian felt as if the ground beneath her feet had collapsed.

Years of anguish were compressed into those few words.

“I will leave.”

As if he were oblivious to her pain, Kailo spoke firmly.

“…I will return to my homeland now.”