Chapter 168: Apology – 7

For the past few days, Vivian couldn’t stop smiling.

Kailo’s condition was improving.

The bleeding had stopped, and there was no more discharge from his wounds.

His once pale body was now regaining color.

From that day onward, his recovery became astonishingly rapid, to the point where the physician marveled at his resilience, muttering about the “northern blood” or the “ogre’s lineage.”

Vivian enjoyed watching the physicians’ surprised expressions.

It was a good sign—nothing but good news.

That joy filled her body with energy, making her feel as if she could do anything.

Even now, she was by the river, washing Kailo’s towels and clothes.

The maids tried to stop her, but she refused to listen.

She was undoubtedly slower and more awkward than them at washing clothes, but… she was confident that, with enough time and effort, she could make them cleaner and neater.

After all, if she didn’t keep herself occupied like this, her body would tremble with overwhelming joy.

And, in a way, this was also a form of penance—Kailo had done so much menial labor because of her in the past.

It was something no one would ever acknowledge, but she saw it as a small way to atone.

Kailo had woken up, but Vivian still couldn’t bring herself to go near him.

Looking into his dark eyes brought back all her past mistakes at once.

The more she realized how precious he was and what he meant to her, the deeper her guilt became.

She knew just how cruel she had been.

And Kailo… he hadn’t even been her parents’ enemy.

She had tormented him for years without a reason.

Kailo had forgiven her, saying he knew Robert Rondor was the true culprit, but his forgiveness didn’t erase her sense of debt.

Before, she had wished for him to stay, fearing she’d never get the chance to apologize.

But now, things were different.

How many times had she promised the heavens that she would do everything once he opened his eyes?

She couldn’t go near him until she had properly paid for her sins.

Even if…

“Lady Vivian?”

At the sound of the familiar voice, Vivian’s hands, which had been diligently scrubbing the laundry, froze.

The only sound that filled the silence was the gentle flow of the river.

…Even if Kailo and Gisela…

Vivian shut her eyes tightly.

She had told herself countless times that she would accept any outcome.

But she knew, deep down, that she did not truly wish for that future.

A strange hope lingered within her heart—

That Kailo might abandon Gisela and choose her instead.

When she had begged the heavens for nothing but his survival, it had seemed like enough.

Yet now, she was ashamed of her own thoughts.

Still, human greed was not something she could control.

Her emotions weren’t dictated by her will.

The only thing she could do was keep her mouth shut.

At the very least, she could refrain from interfering.

She would wait for whatever outcome came her way.

Whether she could accept it was another matter entirely, but even if she couldn’t, she would say nothing.

Vivian turned to Gisela with a forced smile.

Gisela returned the smile and sat down beside her.

“Let me help. I’ll wash some too. These are Kailo’s clothes, right?”

“…Ah.”

Gisela started washing the clothes alongside Vivian.

Her hands were just as awkward and clumsy, like a noblewoman unaccustomed to manual labor.

But, like Vivian, she seemed to be doing it for Kailo.

For some reason, it felt uncomfortable.

The idea of Gisela doing something for Kailo didn’t sit well with her.

It was a selfish thought, but she wanted to be the only one doing things for him.

That way, Kailo would be grateful only to her.

…Of course, such a selfish desire was impossible.

So, she said nothing.

For now, Gisela was the one who had the upper hand in Kailo’s life.

“I never imagined the Duchess herself would be washing my fiancé’s clothes. It’ll be a fun story to tell our future children.”

Gisela spoke in a cheerful tone.

Vivian’s body tensed.

And as her movements became more rigid, Gisela let out a soft chuckle.

“But still, it’s a relief, isn’t it? That Kailo woke up.”

“…Yes.”

That was something she could agree with, more than words could express.

Gisela could never understand just how happy she was.

“Kailo regained his strength after seeing your face.
Funny, isn’t it? He never reacted like that when he saw me.”

There was a tinge of envy in Gisela’s voice, but she quickly masked it with a smile.

“So, I can’t help but say thank you, Lady Vivian.
Thanks to you, my future will be a happy one.”

“…Ugh.”

Vivian’s fists clenched involuntarily.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this humiliated.

Ever since Rondor fell, no one had dared to speak to her like this.

If it were any other topic, Gisela wouldn’t have been able to say such things.

But as Kailo’s fiancée, she had a reason to do so, and Vivian had no way to refute her.

“By the way, Lady Vivian, I have a question.
What does Kailo like?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“I thought it would be good to know before we marry. That way, I can be a more beloved wife. And since you were… Kailo’s close friend, I figured you would know best.”

…Friend.

If they got married, she and Kailo would simply be friends.

The thought suffocated her.

Vivian hesitated.

She didn’t want to answer.

But it was a question tied to Kailo’s happiness.

Even if it meant swallowing her pride, she had to respond.

“…Find out yourself.”

But the words that came out were far from what she intended.

Gisela easily accepted the answer, as if she had expected it.

“Shall I? I have plenty of time.”

Vivian finally glared at her, her gaze sharp.

If Gisela kept provoking her like this, then even she—

But the moment she saw Gisela’s expression, her hostility crumbled.

For some reason, Gisela was smiling mischievously.

She wasn’t trying to pick a fight, but her intentions weren’t entirely innocent either.

Vivian couldn’t understand that expression.

Once again, she forced herself to suppress her emotions.

And then, she whispered—

“…Perhaps.”

Gisela raised an eyebrow and listened.

“What?”

Vivian hesitated before asking,

“…By any chance, did Kailo…?”

“Kailo? Lady Vivian, I can’t hear you well.”

Vivian uncomfortably cleared her throat and asked with more force,

“…Did Kailo say anything?”

It was a subtle question.

It was also a question asked in hopes of hearing something.

Did Kailo suggest breaking their engagement?

Gisela tilted her head before responding,

“What do you mean?”

—Thump.

It felt as if her heart had dropped.

Vivian blinked helplessly, but quickly.

She had to accept it.

She must accept it.

No, maybe Kailo hadn’t said anything yet…

…No.

She shouldn’t cling to hope.

There were more than enough reasons to be fed up with herself.

Someone as responsible as Kailo would probably try to uphold his promise with Gisela.

Wasn’t it enough that he was alive?

That he existed somewhere in the world?

As Vivian remained silent, Gisela started chattering again.

“Ah, still. Honestly, I’m really looking forward to it.”

“…?”

Blushing as if embarrassed, Gisela swayed her hips like a shy girl.

She had already put down the laundry and playfully flicked water with her fingers.

She said,

“…Actually, I have some interest in intimate things too. The first night with Sir Kailo…”

Fire sparked in Vivian’s eyes.

Her fists clenched tightly, trembling with rage.

Gisela leaned toward Vivian.

As if removing a mask and revealing her true self, she whispered suggestive words.

For a moment, the innocent girl-like demeanor disappeared.

“…Wouldn’t it be blissful to be loved under that massive frame?”

“I even thought about acting cute to ask for more… begging him to go harder… shaking my hips while saying—ah, ah!”

“Then, I’d be like… ngh…! Oh! Making cute sounds like that…”

Just imagining it made Vivian nauseous.

Kailo smiling while holding Gisela,

Gisela fawning over him,

Exchanging seductive, melted gazes as they embraced…

A natural sight for a married couple.

—Crack…

At the same time, tears of frustration welled up and spilled over.

Startled by her own reaction, Vivian wiped them away roughly.

Gisela also looked surprised.

“V-Vivian?”

Vivian didn’t respond.

She felt that if she opened her mouth, harsh words would spill out.

She abruptly stood up.

She couldn’t stay in this place any longer.

“W-Wait, Vivian!”

Gisela called out to stop her.

“Th-That was a lie! Everything!”

She hurriedly shouted.

“…?”

Still trembling with anger, Vivian couldn’t ignore those words.

She turned back, unable to fully compose herself.

Gisela let out a deep sigh.

“…No, I just… I thought you were so strong-willed that you wouldn’t react. So I kept pushing with harsher words…”

“I’m sorry. It was all a lie. I didn’t expect you to cry.”

“…A lie?”

With a conflicted expression, Gisela spoke.

“Kailo said he wants to call off the engagement.”

“…Ah.”

Vivian’s legs gave out beneath her.

She knew exactly what that meant.

Watching her, Gisela let out a bitter laugh.

“…Everything I just said was an act.”

“A-An act…?”

Why would she do that…?

Gisela took another deep breath and confessed,

“I’m sorry for the cruel joke. But I wanted to get back at you for something from long ago.”

“Get back at me?”

“You probably don’t remember, but there was a day when you humiliated me.”

“I just wanted to settle that score. And I knew all too well that you had feelings for Kailo… But I didn’t think you’d actually cry. I went too far. As I said, since you weren’t reacting, I assumed you didn’t care…”

“No, considering your usual demeanor, I never imagined you would endure this much…”

Gisela extended her hand to the collapsed Vivian.

Hearing that the engagement had been annulled, Vivian felt as if she had been pulled from the depths of hell.

She couldn’t refuse the offered hand.

She grasped it and stood up.

Facing Gisela, Vivian listened as she said,

“…Live a good life, Vivian.”

“Otherwise, you’ll end up making unknown enemies like me. Though, I’m sure it’s only Kailo that makes you act so irrationally.”

Gisela held Vivian’s gaze for a long moment, then chuckled.

“Ah, but now, I finally feel relieved. Like a weight has been lifted.”

“To think I made the proud Duchess of Rondor cry. That’s a story I might pass down to my future children.”

She squeezed Vivian’s hand.

It felt like a farewell.

“I’m leaving today. I have no reason to stay any longer.”

Vivian couldn’t bring herself to respond.

Just as she had said, Gisela Lute left for her hometown that day.

Vivian watched the departing carriage for far longer than necessary.