Chapter 44: Stay away from Kailo – 4

“How were the Dubois ladies?”

Elena asked, exuding a seductive air as she took a puff of her cigarette.

Vivian, sitting in the dim room, reflected on the day’s events.

She’d had tea with the ladies, conversed with them, and shared dinner…

She even remembered feeling a bit on edge during dinner, wondering if Kailo might show up.

Thankfully, he had stayed out of sight, silent as if he had vanished entirely.

She’d roamed around the castle today, but there had been no sign of him.

He was likely hiding somewhere, obedient to her command.

An odd sense of satisfaction filled her at the thought of his compliance.

“Hm? The Dubois ladies?”

Despite only meeting them for a day, Vivian felt she could describe them this way:

“They were women with nothing lacking.”

Their looks, personalities, family influence, wealth, and the love they’d received—all perfect.

She was especially envious of Lani’s lively spirit.

Perhaps it stung more because Lani possessed qualities Vivian once had but no longer did.

In the past, Vivian had been playful, even feeling she had a lot of charm.

She used to show affection to her mother and father with shy gestures and petulant complaints.

She remembered how they’d found it adorable.

But now she was the complete opposite, playing a composed role while truly feeling herself harden.

Survival had demanded such a transformation.

She’d lost family, warmth, wealth, safety, and even her future.

Without anything, one either endured or bled to grasp what they could.

Elena remained unfazed, even with Vivian’s complaint disguised as praise for the ladies.

“That’s why you have to become stronger. The world isn’t fair. Some have everything, while others have nothing. We have to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of the little we do have.”

Vivian gave a weak smile.

“Do I even have anything worth protecting? I don’t have anything precious. Maybe I could offer myself as a sacrifice someday…”

“Why wouldn’t you? You have plenty, even if it’s not precious to you.”

“This castle, your family, even Loctana, all belong to you.”

“…That’s true, but—”

“And don’t forget, your family’s legacy, as one might call it… even Kailo Alan is yours.”

At the mention of Kailo’s name, Vivian looked at Elena, who just looked back calmly.

“He’s your prize. Like a slave, isn’t he?”

“…Isn’t he?”

Vivian wanted to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come easily.

Not exactly a slave, but there was some truth to it.

Kailo Alan’s future was entirely in her hands.

Everything about his life—where he lived, what he did, and even when he could return to his homeland—was under her control.

It was a power exchanged for the price of her family’s death.

“Right? These things may not be precious to you, but they’re still yours.”

“If you’re unsure, imagine them being taken from you. How would that feel?”

Vivian considered Elena’s words, picturing someone taking Kailo Alan away.

“…Ha.”

Without realizing it, she let out a chuckle.

Indeed, that was unacceptable.

After all, the fall of Loctana had left her only with Kailo Alan; there was no way she’d let him go.

She had to admit that something was indeed hers.

“…Yes, I do have something after all.”

Kailo Alan was hers, whether she liked it or not.

There was no dispute.

She held his life in her hands.

Even if she cursed him, tormented him, or lashed out, he couldn’t leave her without her permission.

A brave warrior, skilled in combat, and even a dragon slayer—a person who might have grown to be truly great—was now held in her grasp.

And that one fact didn’t feel entirely bad.

***

Lani Dubois couldn’t sleep.

The thrill of the outing still made her heart pound.

Her sister, Asha, was fast asleep, resting peacefully, but Lani remained by the window, unable to fall asleep.

Rondor Castle was larger and more splendid than she’d expected.

The Dubois family didn’t possess such a grand castle or vast lands.

They merely governed a small territory under Rondor’s influence, living in a large mansion that suited their status.

That probably made Rondor Castle seem even grander.

And besides…

The fact that a young woman her age owned such a vast estate and castle.

Lani still remembered the poise and dignity Vivian Rondor had displayed.

‘She was incredible…’

Like a strong princess from a fairytale, Vivian was living her life.

Recently, it was said that she’d even slain a dragon.

A dragon—the king of monsters, flying in the sky and breathing fire.

Of course, it wasn’t Vivian herself who had slain it; one of her knights had.

But still, it was impressive all the same.

Vivian embodied the life Lani dreamed of.

Lani understood a bit.

She knew that, despite Vivian’s position, her life might not be as easy as it seemed.

But based solely on what was visible… she was enviable.

Lani needed to get close to Vivian.

She knew that in a few years, when Vivian stepped into society, she and her sister would need to escort Vivian into the world of noble ladies.

It could be a risky endeavor for Vivian’s standing, but if things went well, it could lead to a strong ally.

Lani felt that today had gone well.

She and Vivian had a good conversation and truly enjoyed their time together.

Though it wasn’t exactly a plan, Lani was indeed getting closer to her.

There was only one thing she needed to be cautious about in order to befriend Vivian.

She’d heard that the eldest son of the Alan family, Rondor’s enemy, was held here as a hostage.

In fact, noble children from Eastern Kingdom were held hostage throughout Delrum Kingdom.

The princess of Eastern Kingdom was held hostage by the Delrum royal family, as was the second son of the Craham family, the eldest son of the Licen family… and Kailo Alan of the Alan family.

Lani knew she had to avoid Kailo.

She had no intention of mentioning him in front of Vivian.

“Ha…”

Lani took a deep breath, enjoying the night air as she gazed out the window.

The tranquil castle seemed so atmospheric.

She looked at Asha for a moment, then glanced at the door.

After one more look out the window, she made up her mind—to go on a little adventure.

When else would she get the chance to wander through such a vast castle?

When else could she roam freely, leaving strict manners behind?

She wasn’t planning to barge into random rooms.

Just a simple exploration of the corridors, getting a sense of the castle’s structure.

***

“…Wow…”

The castle was indeed as vast as she had imagined.

The maids were likely asleep, as few people were around.

Those who were carried lanterns, allowing her to roam without being caught.

After a long exploration, Lani felt her adventurous spirit satisfied and decided to return to her room.

-Click… click…-

“…Huh?”

An odd sound echoed, stopping her in her tracks.

It sparked her curiosity, and she spent some time tracing the source.

Soon, she realized it wasn’t coming from inside the castle.

Peering outside, she saw a wide training ground.

There were weapon racks holding both wooden and real swords, as well as wooden dummies, marking it as a place for knights’ training.

And there, in the training ground, a lone figure continued to practice, swinging a heavy sword under the moonlight.

“…Wow…”

The sight captivated her heart.

A knight training alone while everyone else slept—it was so romantic.

She watched the knight in training and decided to go see him.

Who knew?

Maybe he was the one who protected Vivian and slew the dragon.

***

“Hah… hah…”

I wiped away my sweat, breathing heavily.

Working out like this helped calm my mind.

Hiding in my quarters all day for Vivian’s sake had left me restless, with energy to spare and no desire for sleep.

After working out, I felt somewhat better.

Now that no one was around, I’d wash up in the river, then go rest.

I figured I could come out to train again around this time tomorrow.

“E-excuse me!”

A voice called out unexpectedly, making me turn around in surprise.

There stood Lani Dubois.

Why she was still awake at this hour, and why she was here, I had no idea.

The presence of the person I had tried hardest to avoid was unsettling, yet I took some comfort in not encountering her directly in front of Vivian.

At least I wasn’t causing a scene in the middle of her much-anticipated meeting.

“…Oh.”

However, Lani, who had called out to me, suddenly froze as our eyes met.

She whispered.

“…Black hair…”

And in no time, she recognized me.

“K-Kailo Alan…?”

Wiping more sweat from my forehead, I responded.

“Go inside and get some sleep.”

Lani snapped back to her senses and responded with an awkward hostility, like forced anger.

“H-How rude! You don’t even bother with manners on a first meeting…”

“Anyone would think I came here looking for you. If you don’t like my rudeness, just leave.”

Lani scoffed in disbelief.

“Ha…! Huh…!”

She let out a long, exasperated sigh, and then her gaze locked onto my neck.

She stood still, then rushed toward me, grabbing the blue cord around my neck, stammering like Vivian used to.

“Wh-why do you… have this…?”

“It was you? You’re the one… who defeated the dragon?”

Annoyed, I shook her hand off my cord.

“Who’s the one lacking manners now? Acting strangely on our first meeting, prying into things…”

“B-but… Vivian was being pursued by the dragon, and she said her knight saved her…”

I mulled over her words.

Her knight?

Suddenly intrigued, I asked Lani.

“You’re saying Vivian called me… her knight?”

“Y-yes, something like that…”

Though the idea was absurd, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I wiped the sweat off my brow and scratched my nose, then asked Lani.

“Did she say anything else about me?”

“…Why would I tell you that?”

She had a point.

Maybe Lady Linne actually hired sensible women this time.

I snapped back to reality at her retort, lost interest, and carried my wooden sword over to where the weapons were stored.

Lani seemed hesitant to stand alone, so she followed me.

“So, did you really defeat the dragon?”

Even as she followed me, she kept asking questions.

“I heard you’re only sixteen… Is that true?”

As I sorted the swords, she kept chattering.

“Maybe you just dealt the final blow…”

That remark irked me.

My irritation flared up.

“And aren’t you supposed to be Vivian’s enemy?”

Bam!

“Hey! Do I look like your friend? Get lost already.”

Unable to hold back, I struck the weapon rack with my fist, hoping to startle her into leaving.

Both irritation and the desire to intimidate her a bit fueled my action.

-Crunch!

“Huh?”

But in that instant, the rack broke.

A steel spear, its blade sharpened to a razor edge, tipped over and began to fall toward Lani.

Its trajectory was such that it wouldn’t be surprising if it cut her.

Lani yelped in shock.

“Kyaa…!”

I had no desire to leave a scar on a noble lady’s face and face the consequences.

Without a moment’s thought, I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward me.

She fell into my embrace, narrowly missing the spear.

As long as she avoided the blade, she’d be fine.

Holding her gently but securely, I shielded her from the falling spears, letting them harmlessly glance off me.

Once the dangerous moment had passed, I let out a sigh of relief and asked.

“…Are you okay?”

Lani looked up at me, cradled by my arm around her waist and back, and didn’t respond.

She, who had never stopped talking, was now silent, only blinking at me.

“Are you okay?”

I asked again.

At my second question, she flinched and then, suddenly, her face turned bright red like a ripe tomato.

Even in the darkness, her flush was strikingly visible, showing all her nervousness, embarrassment, or perhaps even shame.

I knew I probably shouldn’t have grabbed her like that; I’d learned that lesson with Vivian.

But I’d been too distracted just now to think clearly.

Lani, biting her lip, still didn’t say anything.

Then, out of nowhere, she pulled herself free and ran away.

-Tatatat!

Like a startled deer playing dead only to bolt away, she sprinted off at top speed.

Her retreating figure seemed almost pitiable.

-Thud!

In her haste, she tripped over a grassy spot just outside the training grounds.

The fall sounded harsh, but she got up quickly without showing any sign of pain.

She glanced back at me, brushed the grass off her clothes, and resumed running without a moment’s hesitation, as if determined to escape at all costs.

Watching her shrinking figure with a vacant gaze, I absentmindedly touched my neck and let out a sigh.

…Something definitely felt like it had gone wrong.