Chapter 39: Vivian’s Escort – 6

Monster Hunt, Day 6

We were becoming all too accustomed to this life.

Our cart was filling with the costly remains of slain monsters, and with it, our bodies grew more battered and exhausted by the day.

We’d rinse the blood off by the river whenever time allowed, but the scent of iron lingered, clinging to us persistently.

When given rest, our punishment unit’s soldiers would sprawl out on the ground, too weary to care, only to rouse and set out again at the commander’s call for another monster hunt.

Goblins, ogres, griffins—every monster that appeared nearby, we tried to hunt.

Sometimes we’d spot other knights’ units.

Though cleaner than us as they were regular army, not boy soldiers like us, even they looked fatigued as they relentlessly tore through the monsters around them.

Despite the intensity of our schedule, Vivian’s status seemed to rise among us.

Perhaps it didn’t sit right with her to merely observe from horseback, or maybe she felt responsibility, seeing as it was all due to her commands.

Either way, Vivian no longer looked like the noble lady, the Lady of Loctana, or the Head of Rondor.

She looked more like a servant, dashing around to take care of our exhausted punishment unit members, worn out and weary.

“Valen, it’s mealtime.”

“Ugh… No, Lady Vivian, you really don’t have to…”

“Lie down. Use the time to eat more. Duran, you too.”

“Oh, alright…”

The boys often responded in astonishment, like men in awe.

Vivian took charge of meals, brought medicine, laundered bandages, and kept cooking alongside me.

With only a few adults around, she had no real threat of assassination here.

She even let her guard down, approaching us more freely—perhaps the shared sleep and meals contributed to that ease.

“Wallace, I’ve washed the bandages. I… I’d help wrap them, but I’m worried I might mess it up…”

“Oh, no, no. How could I ask Lady Vivian to bandage me? You brought them—that’s more than enough… Ah, I’ll be loyal to you forever.”

Despite her distaste for the sight of gruesome wounds, her devotion was clear.

Every day, admiration for her grew, and by now, six days into our mission, it had begun to border on reverence.

I watched her as I leaned on my twin swords, seeing her dash from one place to another.

Nearby, whispers drifted over to me.

“Lady Vivian… I mean, it’s just… unfair. How can someone be so beautiful, kind, and have such power? It’s like she’s perfect.”

“God is fair, you know. He gave her all those blessings but took her family from her. You’ve heard about the assassination attempts, right?”

“Oh… we really have to protect her. I’d pledge myself to her for life, truly…”

“…I was going to leave once my penance was paid, but if I can stay as one of Rondor’s soldiers, I think I will.”

Watching it all made me feel strange.

How could someone that good have despised me so much, I wondered.

It was through her new kindness that I began to understand how intense her hatred for me must have been.

I had thought she was unpleasant by nature, yet here she was, showing such tenderness.

When our eyes met, we didn’t speak.

I hated the awkwardness of it, so I absently tapped my dirty bandage.

“Aren’t you going to wash mine?”

Everyone else’s bandages were soft, clean, and white, but mine was blackened, stiff with blood.

I could have changed it myself, but I kept waiting for Vivian to bring a new one.

She hesitated, then grimaced and ignored me.

Ever since that hug, she kept her distance from me, and I could only sigh, having nothing to say.

I didn’t understand what came over me that day—why I did something I’d only ever done for my shivering little siblings.

“Idiot.”

Martin muttered, my comrades sneering at me like they’d won some strange victory.

“Too bad, Kailo. She’ll help me, but not you.”

“Yeah, who told you to be born as the heir of the enemy’s family?”

“If I were her, I wouldn’t help you either.”

Their teasing grated on my nerves, so I stood, glaring at them, only for them to throw up their hands in surrender.

“Alright, alright, calm down. We were just kidding.”

“I-I’m exhausted, no strength to fight here.”

A few of them pretended to yawn and closed their eyes as if asleep.

I sighed in irritation, then shot a glance back at Vivian.

She was still fussing over the others with so much care.

I scratched my head and decided it was time to stop worrying about her and focus on my own tasks.

***

Meanwhile, Vivian’s gaze kept drifting toward Kailo.

Though they’d kept their distance since that hug, it was Kailo’s side that felt safest to her, despite the awkwardness.

Just approaching him, she would feel her heart pound and her mind go blank.

That’s why she kept turning away from him.

It was humiliating—resting in the embrace of the son of the man who killed her father and brother… to feel warmth from him brought a heavy sense of guilt.

Yet she couldn’t keep her eyes off Kailo, particularly his dirty, stiff bandage.

She wanted nothing more than to replace it.

His filthy bandage could easily cause an infection, and it bothered her immensely.

Vivian shook her head.

Why should she care?

Let him catch an infection if he wanted to.

Evening arrived, and she took a deep breath before preparing dinner.

Kailo would be helping, which required a bit of mental preparation, as they hadn’t spoken for days.

Perhaps if Kailo started a conversation, she could mention the bandage.

“…Huh?”

But tonight, Kailo wasn’t at the cooking pot.

Instead, it was Wallace, his towering frame standing over it.

“Lady Vivian, you should rest. I’ll handle this tonight.”

Vivian looked around.

“…Where’s Kailo?”

“He said he was tired and wanted to rest. Told me to take care of the cooking.”

“He… didn’t even eat?”

“Apparently not. Don’t worry, though. Missing one meal won’t kill him.”

For some reason, hearing that Kailo had skipped dinner made her lose her own appetite.

She’d been busy looking after the boys too, so maybe tonight she’d go to bed early.

She soon found Kailo, with his black hair and distinct red bear helm, asleep nearby.

Without his usual air of guardedness, he looked different, and she found herself watching him.

Tentatively, she reached for the dirty bandage on his forehead, but her hand kept stopping, trembling.

Catching herself, she pulled back and shook her head.

She found a spot farther away and tried to sleep, but a vague annoyance kept her awake.

She couldn’t quite place why it bothered her so much that Kailo hadn’t eaten and was resting alone.

***

The last day of the expedition came.

The carts were full; it was time to return.

Though some soldiers had fallen, our unit had lost only four.

It had been a success, with no serious injuries among us.

“We’re finally going home.”

“A bit more strength, come on… Lady Vivian promised us a reward upon our return.”

Relieved, I finally relaxed, dreaming of a proper bath, a good meal, and sleep.

I was yawning as I approached Vivian when—thud—her foot kicked me in the back of my head.

“…?”

I turned to look up at her, but she only looked away, faintly irritated.

“What’s wrong?”

She didn’t respond to my questions.

She seemed upset about something, but I had no idea what it was.

After that hug on that day, we hadn’t talked at all.

Nearly ten days had passed without a word between us.

No matter what I said, she wouldn’t respond, and every time we made eye contact, she’d immediately look away.

By the sixth day, I’d gotten annoyed by it and stopped caring about her altogether.

I had enough to think about just by fighting.

Ogres, goblins…

I had my own battalion to lead and didn’t have the energy to deal with whatever mysterious cold war Vivian was starting.

So after that, I didn’t approach her.

I didn’t bother starting conversations, checking if she was alright, or even making eye contact.

I didn’t avoid her if I saw her, but I didn’t make an effort either.

With her newfound status among the boy soldiers, she was safe wherever she went.

I didn’t need to worry about her.

I simply distanced myself a bit more than usual since she was the one who seemed to want that distance in the first place.

But now, out of nowhere, here she was, picking a fight with me, and I was stunned.

I shook my head and looked forward, but I hadn’t walked more than a few steps before something hit the back of my head again.

Thud.

It was her foot, of course.

I brushed the dirt off the back of my head and ignored her.

“Ugh…”

Hearing my exasperated sigh, she pushed the back of my head even harder with a hint of frustration.

Finally, I snapped and yelled back at her.

“What?!”

As I shouted, she hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“You just annoy me, that’s all…!”

“Oh, for god’s sake.”

I dropped the reins, tossing them to Valon behind me.

“Hey, Valon, you handle this thing.”

Vivian fumed.

“What? Hey, who gave you permission?”

“Anyone not irritated should be the one to handle it!”

Without looking back, I walked forward.

After a few steps, Valon stepped in awkwardly and took hold of the reins.

When I glanced back at Vivian, her face was filled with a fury I couldn’t quite understand.

It had been a long time since she’d looked at me that way.

Still, I just shook my head and ignored her.

I just wanted to get back and rest.

Wallace came up to me quietly and asked,

“Hey… what’s up with her?”

“How would I know? She started it…”

Whoom…

Suddenly, the world darkened, then lightened up again.

My soldiers looked around, confused.

“What… what was that?”

“Something like a shadow just…”

The realization hit me just as a desperate shout echoed from Yanes’ unit ahead.

“It’s a dragon!!”

At that single word, everyone froze and looked up at the sky.

I did too.

A massive blue dragon was soaring across the sky above us.

Its enormous wings cast shadows as they blocked out the sun, and its sharp scales glinted with a fierce presence.

“What… the hell is that…?”

I heard Martin mutter from somewhere nearby, his voice laced with terror, capturing everyone’s thoughts.

A massive roar followed, echoing across the battlefield.

The boy soldiers screamed, covering their ears, expressions twisted with terror and astonishment.

The dragon’s cry struck a primal fear into us all.

Instinctively, I looked over at Vivian.

She, too, was frozen with fear, unable to look away from the gigantic beast.