Chapter 63: Two Cracks – 5

• Creak… Bang.

The doorknob turned but stopped as it caught on the latch.

Vivian held her breath.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the doorknob, which had started to turn on its own.

Her heart pounded as though it might burst, and fear surged rapidly within her.

The simple act of wondering who was twisting the knob filled her with paralyzing dread.

The doorknob remained still for a moment, as if frozen in place.

Had it stopped here?

That fleeting thought barely crossed her mind when—

• Click, click, click, click!

The entity attempting to break through the door rattled the knob violently, as though flaunting its presence.

Vivian instinctively retreated, taking step after unsteady step backward.

Her foot hit the desk behind her, and with a jarring thud, the candle flickered out from the impact.

Total darkness descended.

In the oppressive blackness, her unsteady gaze remained fixed on the doorknob.

“…Who, who’s there?”

Vivian forced herself to ask, trying to suppress the quaver in her voice.

But surely, the other person could hear the fear trembling in her words.

There was no immediate response.

The terrifying silence stretched on until, at last, someone spoke.

“…Lady Vivian, it is Brynden.”

A soft, gentle voice.

But Vivian was overcome with a deep sense of dread.

Kailo’s warning echoed once more in her mind.

As she struggled to calm her ragged breaths, she raised her voice.

“Who told you to come at this hour? Where are the guards?”

“I’ve sent them away for now. I came to share something no one else must hear… something of grave importance.”

“And what is so important that it warrants such rudeness in visiting me?”

“It concerns the traitor in Rondor.”

Brynden continued calmly.

“I know who seeks your life… Lady Vivian.”

Vivian’s fingers trembled uncontrollably.

She had no relationship with Brynden that warranted such a conversation.

Just days ago, he had shouted at her, his rage spilling over.

What had changed to make him act this way now?

“I know you find me suspicious, Lady Vivian.”

He admitted.

“But I now understand—my position depends entirely on you.”

“…It’s late, but I must share the names of the traitors and pledge my loyalty. Please believe me when I say I’ve taken great risks to come here.”

“If you listen to me, you’ll be able to rid this castle of every rat in one fell swoop. I beg you to trust me.”

The temptation to hear him out wasn’t small.

If his words were true, it would be an opportunity to expose and eliminate every traitor connected to Brynden, to firmly consolidate her power.

But that depended entirely on the assumption that Brynden was telling the truth.

Despite this, Kailo’s warning continued to resound in her mind.

His voice, cautioning her to be wary at night, refused to be silenced.

Even though she had no reason to trust him, given their recent arguments, his words haunted her.

“…Come back tomorrow.”

Vivian finally replied.

Even without Kailo’s warning, her answer would likely have been the same.

“If you wait until tomorrow, I might not be alive.”

Brynden pressed, his voice laced with urgency.

He sounded genuinely desperate, as though his words flowed unfiltered, honest.

But if he was lying, Brynden was a masterful actor.

Vivian, however, remained resolute.

“…I won’t say it again. You should also know better than to visit a lady’s quarters at this hour.”

No response came.

Though frightened, Vivian mustered her courage.

She pushed herself away from the desk and cautiously approached the door.

She leaned closer, straining her ears to catch any sound from the other side.

Would it have been easier if she could use a witch’s spell?

The flaw of all the magic she knew was that determining truth required seeing the person’s eyes.

• Whisper.

Just as she drew near, a quiet voice seeped through the door.

“…A lady? Don’t make me laugh.”

The voice dripped with malice.

• Bang!!

Something struck the doorknob with force.

Startled, Vivian collapsed onto the floor.

In an instant, terror and helplessness consumed her.

• Bang!!

The doorknob was struck again, violently.

She began to crawl backward on the floor, her mind blank with fear, praying that the doorknob would hold.

• Bang!!

But her hope shattered all too quickly.

• Crack…

The heavy iron doorknob broke loose, falling to the floor.

• Creeeak…

The door began to open slowly.

Silhouetted in the dark stood several imposing men, clad in black.

At their center was Brynden, his cold gaze fixed on the fallen Vivian.

“…You damn wretch.”

Brynden muttered, his tone void of respect.

“Even a cornered rat will bite.”

“…Haa… Haa…”

“I didn’t want it to come to this, but you left me no choice.”

“…Haa… Haa…”

“When a new lord rises, loyalty must follow. Who knows? I might be richly rewarded for getting rid of you.”

Vivian, forgetting her dignity, continued to crawl backward on her hands.

The four assassins raised their blades, glinting coldly in the moonlight, and advanced.

Brynden glanced at her one last time before clicking his tongue.

“…If I had more time, I might have enjoyed myself a little. It’s a pity.”

Then he turned to the assassins.

“I’ll return to my chambers. Finish her cleanly and disappear.”

The assassins nodded in acknowledgment.

With that, Brynden left.

Vivian, left behind, trembled in terror.

Her ragged breathing roared in her ears.

Had death ever felt this close before?

Perhaps the last time was when she had been engulfed in that massive blaze.

In that moment of despair, she hadn’t forgotten the hand that had reached out to save her.

But now, there was no one to hope for.

Back then and now, things were utterly different.

She couldn’t even meet his gaze anymore.

She had earned his hatred so deeply that he wouldn’t come to save her.

Hadn’t she herself told him to stop protecting her?

Now, she had to take responsibility for that choice.

“…Haa… Ugh…”

Vivian clutched her chest.

Was this the end?

Had her ambitions been too great?

Was all her effort just to die like this?

Had she hurt Kailo only for such a miserable conclusion?

The assassins drew closer and spoke.

“If you don’t scream, I’ll ensure you die without pain.”

Once again, it was this kind of situation.

A powerless situation where nothing could be done.

She thought she had improved, believed she had made progress, and yet, it always came to this in the end.

She had made the kill list with the power of the witch.

She had nurtured allies.

She had accepted talent and laid the foundation.

And yet… this was the result.

Lonely and pathetic.

Pitiful and powerless.

…Vivian, unable to help herself, whispered her last bastion under her breath.

“…Kailo.”

If this was the end, she wanted to see him for some reason.

“…Stop.”

At that moment, a chilling voice echoed in Vivian’s ears.

…No.

It couldn’t be.

There was no reason for it.

No way it was possible in this situation.

And yet, Vivian slowly opened her eyes and turned to look toward the door.

Kailo stood there.

Proving his northern heritage with his towering physique.

The greatsword slung over his shoulder, drawn at some point.

Even the dragon-slaying cord tied around him as a trophy.

His sheer presence froze the assassins in place, unable to do anything.

The man who had once vowed never to be ignored by adults because of his size stood there.

“…No one move.”

Even in a moment when he had no reason to protect her, he appeared.

***

“…Idiots.”

I watched the punishment squad leave, dumbfounded by Brynden’s orders.

I fully intended to punish them properly when they returned later.

No leniency.

Even if it was under Brynden’s command, I couldn’t believe the guards abandoned their post so easily.

“…Ha.”

Then again, what could I expect from such a disorganized group?

They weren’t regular soldiers, just greenhorns who’d only recently started protecting Vivian.

…But regardless, now wasn’t the time to step in.

The chance to step on the rats’ tails was right in front of me.

I sat quietly in a corner of the hallway.

In daylight, it was a spot that would be fully visible, but at night, it was dark, unnoticed, and well-hidden.

From here, I could clearly see anyone approaching Vivian’s room.

…For several nights now, I had staked out this spot.

Brynden took a moment to steady his breathing, and soon after, figures clad in dark attire began creeping in.

I closed my eyes tightly, trying to calm my thoughts.

Assassins, really?

I couldn’t believe it.

The rage simmering inside me made me want to kill them all right then and there.

But still, even in this moment, I was trying to gather myself.

Why did I need to save Vivian?

What was the reason?

It felt like I was on the verge of finding the answer, yet I still didn’t know.

…No, maybe I already knew but was childishly denying it.

Could it really be a curse?

And if it was, should I let myself be swept up in this feeling?

Was it wise to keep throwing myself into danger for something with no clear reason or reward, for something that might not even be my true emotion?

Why was I choosing the hard road?

Why did I keep risking my life to save Vivian, who would surely die if left alone?

If she was gone, I wouldn’t have to suffer anymore, wouldn’t have to wrestle with these thoughts.

My mind kept telling me not to save her.

It told me this was nothing more than foolish, self-destructive behavior.

But my heart kept telling me otherwise, without giving me a reason.

Lost in conflict, I stayed hidden in the shadows, observing everything they did.

Brynden, urging Vivian to open the door herself.

The greed and anger written on his face.

The strength gathering in the assassins’ hands.

The sight of them breaking down the door.

Bang!

Finally, the door gave way, and Brynden, who now had Vivian in his sight, spat out,

“You damned wench.”

My nerves twitched at his words.

“…Ha… Ha…”

I could hear Vivian’s frightened breathing as the door opened.

In the end, I couldn’t hold back and stood up from my spot.

I began walking slowly toward the scene, waiting until Brynden finished speaking.

So engrossed in savoring his victory, Brynden didn’t even notice me approaching.

“…I’ll be in my room. Clean up and disappear when you’re done.”

As Brynden turned to leave, he came face-to-face with me emerging from the shadows.

“…Ugh.”

Brynden froze, unable to even breathe.

Seeing me, seeing the greatsword in my hands… he was rendered speechless.

I looked down at him coldly and said,

“If you run, I’ll make sure you die painfully at the execution grounds… just so you know.”

Brynden collapsed to the floor without a word.

I soon reached the door.

The entire scene unfolded before my eyes.

Four men approaching Vivian.

Vivian herself, trembling in fear, sitting in the center of the room with her eyes tightly shut.

“…Kailo.”

She whispered my name to herself, not yet realizing I was there.

Watching her, I closed my eyes tightly.

…How could I not protect her after seeing that?

How many times had I been a fool, swept up in that sight?

Even now, I was about to make the same mistake.

…No more. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I didn’t want to see her die, but I wasn’t going to keep being a fool for her either.

“…Stop.”

I spoke.

The assassins, seemingly caught off guard, froze in their tracks.

“Nobody move.”

With that, I closed the broken door and placed a chair against it to block the way out.

The assassins stood there, unsure of what to do.

After all, behind their masks, they were just people.

They were tense about killing the lord of Loctana and the head of Rondor’s house.

Just the slightest deviation in their plan left them flustered.

Maybe it was my reputation, warped and spread strangely, that was unsettling them.

“…I’m not here to fight you yet. But the first one to move will die. No exceptions.”

I told them.

“…What?”

One of the assassins asked, confused.

Instead of answering, I walked toward Vivian, who was staring up at me with a blank expression.

The assassins, stunned by my words, stayed motionless, only watching my actions.

As though the mere possibility of avoiding a fight seemed enticing to them.

The accomplishments of slaying a dragon lent strength to my name.

The assassins stepped aside, clearing a path for me.

I walked down that path and crouched in front of Vivian.

“…Are these tears?”

I brushed the dampness from her cheeks and asked.

It was hard to tell if it was tears or something else.

“…Kailo…?”

Vivian reached out as if to confirm it was really me, placing her hand on my face.

Her touch was unreserved and unhesitant.

When she realized it was truly me, her expression twisted.

Whether it was relief or shock, the fear gradually faded from her face.

But I shattered her expectations with my words.

“Should I protect you?”

“…What?”

Vivian’s eyes searched mine.

Without wavering, I asked again.

“Should I protect you?”

“…Have you forgotten? You told me before I don’t have to protect you.”

Vivian looked at me, disbelief written all over her face as I spoke such words in this situation.

However, despite this, she couldn’t even bring herself to argue.

She must have understood clearly that my words were not wrong.

I continued as she sat there like a mute, unable to say anything.

“…I must have been mistaken.”

Then I shared my honest thoughts.

“Maybe… I believed that we could become friends.”

“…Kailo.”

“Yeah, our families are terribly entangled. But I never participated in it, and neither did you. Maybe that’s why I thought our relationship wasn’t affected by the family feud… I thought that someday, you would realize that.”

Vivian squeezed her eyes shut, gathering the last of her courage and defiance.

“…How is it not related? How could you think such a foolish thing…”

I actually found this side of her quite appealing.

If she had collapsed here, begging for mercy and breaking her pride, I would have found it even more repulsive.

I might have even been disappointed.

But thankfully, she didn’t.

I continued.

“The thing is, Vivian, this idea didn’t come from my head.”

“…What?”

“It was your mother’s idea. That we… might have become friends.”

I took a deep breath.

And then I spoke.

“But now I understand. You’re right. It was a foolish thought, and in the end, we’re enemies. We can never be free of that relationship.”

The assassins’ demeanor softened.

Vivian grew even more afraid.

“…So, Vivian. There’s no more goodwill. From now on, I’ll expect a price to be paid. I’ll need to receive a reward that matches every action I take.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Vivian’s eyes trembled slightly.

She opened her mouth to say something but hesitated.

Her gaze was filled with confusion and doubt, as if she couldn’t believe my words.

As though she thought I wouldn’t want anything in return.

I snorted in response to her doubt.

-Swish.

Then I stood up.

I stepped aside, allowing the assassins to approach Vivian.

“We don’t need to fight anymore, it seems.”

I gave a brief message to the assassins, acting as if everything was over.

However, my heart was pounding with an unknown excitement.

I desperately hoped that Vivian would yield to me this time.

Vivian furrowed her brow and slowly extended her hand toward me.

Her hand lightly grasped mine.

…My heart melted so easily.

With that, I once again stood between Vivian and the assassins.

“I’m sparing your life. Isn’t it fair to ask for a reward?”

Vivian fell silent for a moment.

Then her trembling gaze slowly filled with resignation.

She spoke slowly.

“…So?”

“…”

“…What do you want? You want me to send you home? No. Even if I die, I can’t let you.”

“Anything else… I’ll listen. What do you need? New words? New armor? A new place to stay?”

Since the moment I entered this place, there was only one thing I wanted as a reward.

Even this was already part of my plan.

Perhaps from the moment I stepped into this room, I had already accepted the maid’s suggestion.

I whispered what I wanted from her.

“…A kiss.”

Vivian’s expression blankly turned to shock.

“…..What?”

Perhaps she thought I was joking, and she didn’t immediately retort.

I didn’t feel the need to take back my words.

Soon, countless emotions crossed her face—anger, confusion, disgust, hatred, embarrassment, and distrust…

She showed all these emotions before strongly resisting.

“Are you crazy?”

“…You don’t like it?”

“Y-You… how can you…”

I instinctively cut off her words and whispered.

“But that’s exactly what I want.”

“…What?”

“…Because you don’t like it.”

That single sentence completely froze Vivian.

I lightly brushed her cheek.

“I must have treated you too well until now.”

I even remembered the moment Vivian was about to leave for her bridal lessons.

The time when she nodded when she was asked if she had loosened her hips.

“Vivian, I’ve thought about it…”

“…Kailo…”

…If I’m going to protect you, and you’re going to go to another man…

“…I’ll have to trample on your purity.”

I conveyed this to her.

If she couldn’t resist this feeling, or this curse…

At the very least, I shouldn’t be the fool.

To protect her, I thought I deserved this price.