Chapter 22: Chat Partner – 1

Three days had passed since the incident.

“Has your heart been racing… or have you felt dizzy…?”

Scholar Crellin gently posed the question to Vivian while holding her wrist to check her pulse.

His face was full of concern, but Vivian could sense that it was all an act.

“My body, it’s fine now. It’s not as painful to breathe, and my throat isn’t as dry.”

Vivian knew that her voice was still weak.

However, she could feel her strength gradually returning.

Scholar Crellin nodded and spoke.

“That’s a relief. You’re recovering much faster than I anticipated. To be honest, when I first heard the news about you… I didn’t think we’d be able to have a conversation like this again…”

Vivian remained silent.

It hit her just how close she had come to death.

She looked out the window.

The river was flowing peacefully, but her heart still felt weighed down.

It wasn’t just a matter of surviving the poison.

She would have to live knowing that someone would continue to target her.

And she didn’t know who that enemy was.

It would have been easier if it were the distant Alan family, but… Vivian could sense it was someone much closer.

It could be one of the vassals she trusted, someone from a family that swore loyalty, her uncle, or even a combined group of enemies….

Having narrowly escaped death, Vivian realized she was changing, even if only faintly.

This was a world where no one would care for her if she simply sat and cried.

There was no one to trust, and it was clear she shouldn’t trust anyone.

“If you’re done checking, please leave.”

Vivian’s firm dismissal seemed to startle Scholar Crellin for a moment.

In the past, she would have spoken more considerately, or engaged in unnecessary small talk to create a pleasant atmosphere.

But Vivian no longer had the desire to do so.

Now that she knew someone had tried to kill her, engaging in hypocritical conversations felt utterly pointless.

Scholar Crellin loosened his collar and stood up.

“If you feel even the slightest discomfort, please find me. I’ll be fully prepared to assist you.”

He turned and left.

As the maids opened the door for him, Scholar Crellin walked out.

And that’s when Vivian noticed someone standing outside the open door.

It was easy to spot that black hair anywhere.

Vivian briefly locked eyes with Kailo Alan.

But that was all.

No words were exchanged, and Kailo Alan turned his head indifferently and left.

As if seeing her alive was reason enough to leave.

***

The Punishment Squad was bustling with noise.

To be fair, the entire castle of Rondor was abuzz.

And there was only one reason for it.

The assassination attempt on Vivian.

And I was right at the center of that incident.

I was lying in the barracks, resting.

Around me were the others who used the room—Valon, Wallace, and Martin.

Valon sighed and spoke.

“Wow… this is terrifying. I never thought something like this would actually happen. You don’t think about this kind of thing when you’re living in a village.”

“Hey, Kailo. So, how did you know to use the charcoal like that?”

I answered.

“You wouldn’t know as a commoner. Those of us who might be poisoned learn this stuff from a young age.”

“Do we? I’d rather not know for the rest of my life.”

Martin mumbled as he rubbed his arm.

“Vivian must be scared, too. She’s younger than me, and she’s going through something like this….”

Martin was two years older than me, making him 17.

Wallace and Valon were the same age.

“We all need to stay sharp from now on.”

I told them.

Wallace was startled and sat down on my bed.

“What do you mean ‘from now on’? Are you saying something like this will happen again?”

“Someone tried to kill Vivian, didn’t they? They failed, so it’s bound to keep happening.”

“…Thinking about it like that, I really don’t want to be a noble.”

Valon jabbed at Wallace’s opinion.

“Like you could be if you wanted to?”

“I’m just saying.”

I could tell that the three of them found this whole situation fascinating.

Of course, it wasn’t their business, so they could watch from a distance without worry.

I probably would’ve done the same.

…If Vivian weren’t the one being targeted.

They didn’t hide their curiosity and imagination about the big incident that had occurred.

“Kailo, so if we’re going by what you said…”

“…?”

“If someone really intends to harm Lady Vivian… I mean… just being blunt here…”

“Don’t drag it out. Just say it.”

“…Wouldn’t it be easier to just kill her outright? Who’s standing by her side anyway?”

I clicked my tongue.

“Executing it is the problem.”

“What?”

“Who would make a move? Who’s going to openly draw their sword?”

“…Ah, now I get it.”

If my guess was right, any future attempts on Vivian’s life would be carried out in secret.

Even though Vivian didn’t have a single ally on her side, no one would want to take the risk of staining themselves by being the one to step forward.

At first glance, killing Vivian outright seemed like the easiest option, but in reality, it was the hardest.

The external judgment that would fall on the murderer, the treatment they’d receive, the power they’d gain—none of it would go as they wished.

It was obvious what kind of mark would be left on someone who, drunk on power, killed a 14-year-old girl.

…If it came to that, I wouldn’t be able to protect Vivian either.

Martin, like Wallace, voiced his curiosity.

“Kailo, can I ask you something, too?”

“…”

“Why did you save Lady Vivian? You two are enemies, aren’t you?”

I don’t know either.

Why I did that.

I have thought about it.

Maybe I fell for her, I wondered.

But for that to be true, my heart would have had to race painfully when I saw her, my face would have had to flush, my palms would have had to sweat, or I would have had to feel nervous in front of her.

But none of those things ever happened.

I never thought about hugging her or wanting to hold her hand.

So, I don’t have an answer either.

I did feel pity for her, but was that such a strong emotion that it would make me go through this kind of hardship?

At this point, it was easier to believe that the old woman from back then was really a witch.

It’s a curse.

…But, the old woman clearly used the word ‘love.’

…I don’t think it’s love, though.

I don’t know.

In the end, I gave Martin an answer he could easily accept.

“If Vivian had died there, I would have been blamed for it.”

“That’s true. I didn’t think of that.”

Martin snapped his fingers in admiration.

Valon and Wallace nodded as well, saying “Oh” in agreement.

Suddenly, I got tired of this conversation.

So, I got up from the bed and said,

“I’m going now.”

“Alright. See you later.”

As I was leaving, I added one more thing to them.

“By the way, make sure to practice your tactics more. We’re deploying soon.”

“You should work harder. We’re already doing our best.”

Valon, who was getting thinner by the day, replied.

I nodded at him and left the room.

I made my way to the hall with the long dining table.

As expected, Vivian was there.

It was only natural since I came at the right time.

She was sitting alone at the long dining table, as usual.

If it were full of people, the table would have been magnificent, but with just Vivian sitting there alone, it only served to highlight how lonely she was, holding the position of the head of the family.

The table in front of Vivian was filled with lavish food.

Since she was still at the centre of the incident, it seemed the kitchen had paid extra attention to the food.

Golden-brown roasted duck.

Various fruits.

Soft-looking bread.

Steaming tea and even refreshing-looking water.

The maid beside Vivian had also been changed.

I heard that all the maids involved in the incident back then were being interrogated.

I didn’t know if that would make any difference.

The person in charge of the interrogation was the intelligence officer Nestor, but he wasn’t exactly someone trustworthy…

I quietly watched Vivian.

I intended to leave after seeing her eat.

However, Vivian was frozen in front of the table, and she hadn’t moved her hand towards the utensils.

Now that I thought about it, I couldn’t tell how long she had been sitting there alone.

But it was clear that the sight of her not continuing her meal made the maids in the background exchange fearful glances.

I understand.

I, too, received a note that said ‘Be careful with the food,’ and for days, I ate in fear.

Vivian, who had actually consumed the poison, must have been even more hesitant.

She was walking a path that was twice as hard as mine.

Finally, Vivian moved her hand.

With trembling fingers, she grabbed the utensils.

Her hands shook, as if she were stammering, unable to steady them.

Her eyes weren’t even looking at the food.

It wasn’t food she was facing, but a blade.

Her eyes were filled with a mix of caution and fear.

She seemed to be trying to hide it, but it wasn’t hidden.

Watching her slowly fall apart like this was anything but pleasant.

I couldn’t understand how much more pathetic she had to become to satisfy whoever was responsible.

Would she not even be able to eat her meals properly anymore?

But I couldn’t blame her, because the situation she was in was far too cruel.

“…Ha.”

I let out a sigh and averted my gaze.

I don’t want to see her like this.

And if I don’t want to see her like this, I have to do something about it.

In the end, the one who feels the loss is the one who acts.

So, I moved my feet.

I stepped into the vast hall and walked toward Vivian.