Vivian (13)

After returning to Vivian, somewhat peaceful days continued.

First, the fervor of the Empire’s war ceased.

Vivian seemed to have decided to maintain the front lines instead of expanding territory, and to focus on strengthening the Empire’s internal affairs once more.

“Helix, I think it’s about time we prepare for the end of the war.”

“Really?”

“Well, there are many regrets, but… for your sake, Helix, I’ll stop here.”

I couldn’t hide my joy at Vivian’s change.

If I put in the effort, I can change her.

That thought dominated my mind.

“Instead, Helix, you have to treat me well too, okay?”

“Of course.”

“And we should… start thinking about having a baby soon. The war will be over.”

A baby.

I had a vague thought that I would have one someday.

But why did Excellia momentarily flash through my mind?

“Do you dislike the idea?”

“Of course not. It’s just that the idea of having a child feels unfamiliar…”

“It’s okay, we can definitely be good parents.”

After that day, Vivian became even more proactive in her advances towards me.

But surprisingly, there was no news of Vivian having conceived a child.

“Haha, as expected, having a Dragon’s child isn’t easy.”

“…”

“Helix, aren’t you feeling impatient too?”

“What do I have to be impatient about? Don’t rush things.”

Feeling stifled, Vivian called for the imperial physician and had an examination.

And the answer the imperial physician gave was something Vivian had been avoiding all this time.

“Your body is quite weak… pregnancy will not be easy.”

“Can’t we use magic?”

“If you do that, a mutant might be born.”

In the end, there was no effective solution.

Just the usual advice to keep her body warm and eat foods that help with insulation.

It wasn’t the answer Vivian wanted.

“I’m sorry, because of me.”

“What is there to be sorry about? It’s not your fault, Vivian.”

Honestly, it didn’t really matter to me.

It would be nice to have a child.

But even if we don’t, it’s not like a problem will arise.

As for the Imperial throne, couldn’t we just adopt a suitable heir?

“For me, just having you is enough.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s truly enough. So Vivian, take it easy.”

But those words alone were not enough to erase Vivian’s anxiety.

After that, Vivian gradually became irritable, like someone who was growing impatient.

“How pathetic. You can’t even handle this properly?”

“Y-Your Majesty, I humbly apologize…”

“Useless things…”

The sense of deprivation from not being able to have a child erupted elsewhere.

Her vassals now busied themselves with watching Vivian’s mood and acting only for their own self-preservation.

Vivian had always been a ruthless ruler, but now she was going too far.

At this rate, it was obvious that both competent and incompetent vassals would all flee.

“Oh Dragon-isiyeo, please, just once, together…”

“Alright, alright.”

Her vassals frequently came to audience with Vivian, clinging to me like children who didn’t want to be scolded by their mother.

Because when I was there, Vivian acted less irritably.

“It feels like things are starting to go awry again.”

In fact, if you looked at the overall situation, things were going well.

With the Empire stopping the war, Daesurim could fully concentrate on the battle against the Termites.

I also occasionally stepped forward to destroy their nests, easing the burden on the forest races.

And yet, and yet…

“Something feels ominous.”

Like the calm before a storm, the falseness of this peace became palpable.

Could things really resolve this easily?

And as uneasy premonitions always prove true…

Cracks had begun to form in our current relationship.

*****

Late at night, I suddenly opened my eyes to a refreshing scent.

I turned my head and saw Vivian sleeping soundly beside me.

Where could this scent be coming from?

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and looked around.

“A spirit…?”

A small wind spirit was visible above the ceiling.

It saw me, smiled shyly, then flew off somewhere with vigorous wing beats, as if telling me to follow.

‘Could it be…’

Only one person came to mind.

But why would she, who should be guarding the World Tree in Daesurim, be here?

“Mmm…”

As I rustled, Vivian mumbled in her sleep.

She was lying with her arm wrapped around my waist, so I carefully detached her so as not to wake her.

Vivian unconsciously grabbed my arm tightly, but…

Perhaps it was only in her sleep, as she soon released her grip.

“I’ll be back in a moment.”

Saying that in a small voice, I put on my coat.

And filled with questions, I chased after the spirit as if possessed.

After walking for a long time, I arrived at a garden located on the outskirts of the Imperial Palace.

“Is it this way…?”

Under the dim moonlight, a figure was visible in the center of the garden.

A figure with light green hair, dressed in a pure white dress.

If such a thing were wandering around in the middle of the night, one might mistake it for a ghost, but there was no reason for me to be surprised.

Because from the moment I saw the wind spirit, I had instinctively known the identity of the one who called me.

“Excellia.”

“It’s been a long time, Helix.”

Excellia, who had come all the way from Daesurim to find me.

She was dressed in a light dress that noble ladies might wear, probably because she had to blend into human society.

“It’s been a really long time, and I don’t know what to say.”

“…”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.”

In response, Excellia shook her head with calm eyes.

“I understand your position, Helix. It couldn’t be helped, could it? The Empress is already your partner, and I am just one of the fleeting connections.”

“I don’t think that way. Anyway, I’m sorry…”

“Well, I didn’t come here to receive an apology.”

Excellia took a step closer to me.

Now, when I lifted my head, we were close enough for our noses to touch.

“I missed you.”

“…”

“I know I shouldn’t, but even knowing that, I kept wanting to see you.”

Excellia reached out a hand and slowly stroked my cheek.

I flinched at the cool temperature of her hand.

Excellia cautiously distanced herself at my reaction.

“Was I cold?”

“Yeah, your hand is colder than I expected.”

“Hmph.”

Suddenly, Excellia slipped her hand into the nape of my neck.

I shivered at the cold chill.

This was the first time I’d seen her play a trick like this.

“Your body, Helix, is very warm.”

“Hmm, well, I’m in human form right now, so…?”

“It’s nice. Please let me stay like this a little longer…”

In my bewilderment, I couldn’t say anything and remained frozen in that position.

There had never been a time like this before.

Not once…

Excellia had never expressed her feelings so actively.

“A bewildered look in your eyes.”

“How can I not be bewildered? If you do this…”

“Do you dislike me doing this?”

“It’s not that I dislike it, I just…”

“Because you don’t want to betray the Empress?”

I nodded silently.

For once, both Vivian and I had properly settled our hearts.

I didn’t want to break this peace, this relationship.

“No, really, Excellia.”

“…”

“I swore. To fulfill my duty as a partner.”

“Duty…”

“Yes, this is a duty.”

Excellia nodded as if she understood.

However…

The words that followed made me even more bewildered.

“Duty, Helix, you are accepting this relationship as a duty.”

“What…?”

“A relationship maintained as a duty, not love. For Helix, it’s nothing more than that.”

“Don’t speak so presumptuously.”

I couldn’t just let this pass.

Because those words were tantamount to denying everything about the relationship between Vivian and me right now.

“I don’t treat Vivian as a duty. Everything is by my own choice.”

“No, Helix, you didn’t choose. You were merely drawn by the Magic’s resonance.”

“Stop being so stubborn. My choice won’t change just because of that.”

“Then I’ll ask you just one thing, Helix.”

Excellia gazed at me with eyes like a verdant forest, as if she knew everything.

“Are you truly happy right now?”

“…”

“Are you happy? With your current life.”

I should have answered that I was happy.

But I couldn’t answer, as if a thorn was caught in my throat.

Excellia, as if pronouncing a death sentence upon me, delivered her verdict in a heavy voice.

“Honestly, you’re not happy at all, are you?”

“No, I…”

“You can’t possibly be happy. Helix has already been disappointed by that woman too many times.”

“That’s not true. Vivian has changed. For me…”

“Humans never change easily, Helix.”

Excellia calmly shook her head.

Her tone was so definitive it was almost arrogant.

By no means was she a woman with good speaking skills.

A blunt woman, strong-willed and stubborn.

But despite that, the fact that I was wavering at her words…

Could only be explained by the tree already being rotten to its roots.

“Think calmly again about what that woman, your so-called partner, did to you.”

“…”

“She’s the kind of woman who drove her beloved partner into a battlefield for her own satisfaction, and forced people to kill by holding herself hostage.”

“Vivian is reflecting on that too…”

At that, Excellia subtly curved the corner of her lips, letting out a scoff.

Filled with contempt, and ridicule.

“Reflecting? What kind of reflecting? Is wanting to have a baby reflecting?”

“How do you know that…?”

“I didn’t come straight to you either. I deliberated and deliberated. Whether this was truly the right thing to do.”

Excellia placed her fist on her chest and clenched it tightly.

Like a field swaying violently in a gale…

She gazed at me with passionate eyes, as if to devour me.

“I like you.”

“…”

“I like you, Helix.”

“No, Excellia.”

“Forget that wicked woman and live with me. I’ll make you happy.”

Excellia grabbed my lapel and stood on her tiptoes.

At a distance where our lips could almost touch, Excellia whispered.

“Your words about protecting me, they made me incredibly happy.”

“…”

“I think of you when I sleep, and my heart pounds constantly, thinking of you all the time.”

“…”

“What on earth should I do with these feelings?”

Excellia said nothing more.

Just as our breaths mingled and she was about to kiss me…

“Stop.”

“…”

“What are you doing right now?”

A chilling voice came from behind me.

Vivian.

Vivian had noticed.