Chapter 34

 

A couple of months had passed.

 

The broken bones in my leg had somewhat mended.

 

I still had to wear a splint, but walking posed no issues.

 

I just had to be careful not to run.

 

During that time, Vivian lived as quietly as a mouse.

 

Except for the times she visited my hospital room to eat together during the month my leg was broken, she was nowhere to be seen.

 

Even during the month when I roamed the castle on crutches, she stayed holed up in her room.

 

I had no idea what she was doing inside, what she was thinking.

 

She lived like that, postponing even Madam Linne's lessons and refusing visits from the vassals.

 

In the past, I would have been undoubtedly anxious.

 

I would have believed she was sinking back into depression or had broken down.

 

Some of the vassals already seemed to think so.

 

But having talked with her, I wanted to believe.

 

That it was just a moment of her entering a cocoon, like a pupa preparing to become a butterfly.

 

That she was building some kind of plan for the future.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

In the spacious hall, Vivian and I continued our lunch today as well.

 

I still checked Vivian's food for her.

 

In the past, Vivian insisted that she could eat on her own now and that there was no need to protect her...

 

At the time of the fire, Baelor had said this: If I die, Rondor can't handle it.

 

Based on that fact, I had persuaded Vivian.

 

"Whoever it is, your rivals don't want me dead. As long as I keep eating first, they won't think of poisoning you."

 

"…"

 

And with those words, Vivian had nodded.

 

I don't know. Could I really say that I had no ulterior motives at that time?

 

If I didn't check Vivian's food, I felt there would be no more moments to continue dining with her as before, so there was that.

 

In any case, I didn't regret the choice I made back then.

 

Even now, as time has passed, I continue to dine with her. I get to savor the kind of food the head of Rondor would eat, not the tasteless meals of the penal unit.

 

"…"

 

I put bread in my mouth and observed Vivian's condition.

 

Today, there was a different energy about her face than usual.

 

I could sense that the plan she had been preparing for two months was about to be put into action.

 

"Kylo."

 

Vivian called me.

 

We now addressed each other by name.

 

It was ambiguous to say our relationship had improved, but it was clearly different from when we only harbored hostility toward each other.

 

"Yes?"

 

She slowly put down her utensils and, with determination in her eyes, said to me,

 

"I need your help."

 

"…"

 

I knew something was coming, but these words were quite surprising.

 

Did I ever think she would ask me for help?

 

She was someone who upheld her pride so much.

 

Not that I disliked it. Hiding my true feelings, I questioned her.

 

"You said there's no need to protect you."

 

"I'm not asking you to protect me. I'm asking you to help me."

 

"…Help you how?"

 

Vivian wiped her mouth with a napkin and continued.

 

"Today, I'm going to gather all the vassals and give them an order that's half like a threat."

 

A very slight fear flickered across her face.

 

But looking at me, she suppressed that fear.

 

"At that time, I want you to stand threateningly by my side."

 

"Me?"

 

"You're Rondor's executioner, aren't you?"

 

"…"

 

That meant, whatever it was, it would be a choice linked to life and death.

 

Vivian's decision was once again enough to surprise me.

 

The same person who couldn't stamp the execution order for a death row inmate was now talking about possibly purging even the vassals.

 

But contrary to this surprise, a faint smile escaped my lips.

 

Killing people might always feel awkward, but pressuring those annoying guys seemed like it would be quite fun.

 

She looked at my smile in disbelief.

 

"...Do you enjoy killing people?"

 

"I never said I like it. It's just amusing to see your change."

 

Rather than getting annoyed, Vivian replied as if it were only natural.

 

"...I told you. I will become stronger. I'll grow so that I won't be ignored by your Allen family."

 

Then, a question suddenly came to my mind, and I asked her.

 

"By the way, if you press them too hard, won't it provoke even more resistance?"

 

Vivian answered coolly.

 

"They already resent me enough to target my life and refuse to protect me. There's no lower point to fall to."

 

I nodded.

 

"Alright. I'll help you."

 

***

 

That day, Vivian gathered all the vassals in the grand hall.

 

The captain of the guards, four knight commanders, the stable master, the blacksmith, the kennel master, the horse trainer, Treasurer Brynden, Spymaster Nestor, Scholar Crellin, Madam Linne... and so on.

 

At the end of the hall, there was a slightly elevated platform with a single chair on it.

 

Vivian sat quietly on that chair like a queen, and I stood beside her, resting my greatsword on the ground.

 

At Vivian's request, I even had to wear the Red Bear's helmet.

 

The vassals looked at us with bewildered eyes from where they had gathered.

 

Vivian's changed aura, appearing after two months, must have contributed as well.

 

At her unfamiliar dignity, confusion spread across the faces of the vassals.

 

Baelor was the first to break the silence.

 

"Lady Vivian. What is this—"

 

"—Mind your words, Sir Baelor. I haven't given you permission to speak."

 

Vivian mercilessly cut off his words. Instead, she simply put the next vassal on trial.

 

She didn't seem to have any intention of listening to excuses.

 

The vassals' gazes flinched and turned toward Brynden.

 

Realizing that the atmosphere was different from usual, Brynden stepped forward with a much humbler posture.

 

Cold sweat was already forming on his forehead.

 

"Are Count Corrad's demands still coming in?"

 

"...Yes, they are."

 

"How much tax have we collected from the residents so far, and yet why haven't we been able to repay that?"

 

Brynden's face turned pale.

 

"Th-the residents are also facing difficult times... We're not collecting as much tax as before..."

 

"Are you certain?"

 

There was a subtle suspicion in Vivian's words. Brynden forcibly nodded, but his eyes were already wavering.

 

In response, Vivian narrowed her eyes and issued a cold warning.

 

"...Brynden, I hope you won't have to face Kylo Allen."

 

At the threat, which metaphorically alluded to execution, the vassals gasped.

 

Brynden's eyes trembled slightly.

 

He seemed utterly unable to believe Vivian's transformation.

 

Despite that, Vivian showed him no mercy.

 

"I will entrust you with the restoration of the castle's burned-down library. Find the manpower and rebuild the castle. You must also meticulously prepare the ledgers and submit them to me."

 

"Y-yes, understood."

 

Everyone would have thought that Vivian's change was due to the fire.

 

But I knew. That I was the turning point.

 

Was that why?

 

At first, I was glad about her change, but as it escalated, I began to feel a bit sorry.

 

It wasn't entirely comfortable to see her gritting her teeth to survive.

 

I secretly observed Vivian.

 

...Her hands were trembling slightly.

 

"Teacher... Madam Linne."

 

Madam Linne stepped forward.

 

"Yes, Lady Vivian."

 

"You gave me advice before, didn't you? That I should increase the number of acquaintances... friends who will support me."

 

"Yes. I did tell you."

 

"Please make the preparations. I should start social activities as well."

 

Madam Linne replied with a composed expression.

 

"Yes... as long as you don't stutter, there's no need to hesitate anymore. I will invite kind and intelligent young ladies to Rondor Castle."

 

"Knight Commanders."

 

Vivian set her next target.

 

Baelor, Thoros, Morden, and Burger stepped forward.

 

Vivian sharply rebuked them.

 

"You are all simply disappointing."

 

At that one sentence, the hall became as quiet as if cold water had been poured over it.

 

"Not once have you shown yourselves to be true knights. You are well aware that it was not you, your knights, or your squires who saved me from the recent fire... but Kylo Allen."

 

Baelor and Thoros looked up at Vivian, while Morden and Burger looked at the ground.

 

Vivian pressed them firmly.

 

"...In the past, I was displeased by Kylo Allen's provocations, but now I find truth in his words. Tell me, is this why we lost the war against the Allen family?"

 

Baelor, who had been clenching his fists, spoke in a voice suppressing his anger.

 

"...Lady Vivian, that... is a statement that disregards the late Duke of Rondor and Lord Royce as well."

 

Vivian replied coolly.

 

"No, I am disregarding you. If what you have shown so far is how you were during the war... then my father and brother's defeat is only natural."

 

Baelor bit his lip and forcibly swallowed his words, but his eyes were filled with deep anger and shame.

 

I couldn't read his expression, but if I could, it seemed to say:

 

‘Am I being humiliated by two brats?’

 

Vivian continued.

 

"If you didn't like what I said, I will give you an opportunity to prove yourselves. Prepare to depart within a month."

 

Morden questioned hesitantly.

 

"...Depart? All of us?"

 

"I'm talking about all capable fighting forces."

 

The knight commanders exchanged glances.

 

Vivian's words to prepare for something akin to war couldn't have sounded pleasant.

 

Especially since the order came from Vivian, who had been trembling in fear; it seemed even more confusing.

 

Receiving orders from a 14-year-old girl who knew nothing of war seemed to be the cause of their reluctance.

 

Thoros asked.

 

"Are you saying we're going to war?"

 

"No, but we will undertake an operation equivalent to that. Rondor will go monster hunting."

 

Burger looked up at us with a puzzled expression.

 

"Not a subjugation...?"

 

"It's hunting. You all know, don't you? That the Mester family in the far eastern end of the kingdom hunts and sells monsters for profit."

 

Burger hesitated, trailing off as he spoke.

 

"...But monster hunting results in more casualties than regular subjugations and isn't very efficient."

 

"Is sitting inside the castle and consuming food more efficient?"

 

"..."

 

I could sense it.

 

The gazes that initially dismissed Vivian were gradually being overpowered by her.

 

The sudden change was effectively subduing the vassals, like a surprise attack unfolding on a dark night.

 

Perhaps that's why it took her so long to prepare this.

 

I could vividly imagine her alone in her room, stuttering as she practiced harsh words.

 

"Knights of Rondor should act for the people of Roctana. Aren't knights supposed to protect the weak?"

 

I never thought I'd hear the words my father drilled into my ears here.

 

An involuntary smile came to my lips.

 

"Prepare to depart. We need to earn wealth. Do you understand?"

 

Thoros, Morden, and Burger nodded.

 

Only Baelor stood with his head held high, wearing an unpleasant expression.

 

In the past, Vivian wouldn't have been able to handle such a gaze from Baelor.

 

I looked at Vivian as well.

 

Vivian looked at Baelor for a moment... then glanced at me... and then looked back at Baelor and spoke.

 

"Baelor. Right now, I doubt your loyalty the most."

 

"...Lady Vivian."

 

"Seize the opportunity while I'm giving it."

 

At this moment, Vivian openly declared to the people of the Rondor family that she considered Baelor a clear enemy.

 

Baelor's face flushed red and pale alternately.

 

His pride was wounded, and anger simmered, but he could no longer utter any words.

 

He slowly lowered his head.

 

Vivian then calmly called the next person.

 

"Scholar Crellin."

 

"...Yes, Lady Vivian."

 

She took a deep breath and quietly commanded.

 

"...Please summon my uncle to Roctana."

 

"Do you mean Lord Robert Rondor?"

 

"Yes. I need his help now."

 

***

 

After the shocking meeting ended, I followed Vivian into her room.

 

—Thud.

 

As the door closed, Vivian seemed to relax and collapsed on the spot.

 

—Thump!

 

"Vivian."

 

I hesitated for a moment as I tried to catch her falling.

 

There was still a distance between us, and we weren't close enough to casually touch each other.

 

I could only stand there awkwardly, looking down at her.

 

"Haa... haa..."

 

Vivian was gasping for breath, clutching her chest.

 

The strong figure who had overwhelmed the vassals in the hall was nowhere to be seen; now, a terrified girl sat there, sweating profusely even to her fingertips, not knowing what to do.

 

Seeing her like that, I didn't know what to say.

 

Just moments ago, she had desperately suppressed her fear to subdue the vassals.

 

But now it was clear how much of a burden every moment had been for her, how scared she must have been.

 

The decisiveness I felt then, I knew, was just a shell.

 

She had acted despite her fear.

 

After catching her breath for a moment, Vivian avoided my gaze and quietly asked.

 

Her voice trembled slightly, filled with anxiety about her decision.

 

"Kylo, I..."

 

Even without her finishing the sentence, I knew what she was asking.

 

This wasn't a simple confirmation.

 

She wanted an answer about whether her first step was really okay, whether it had meaning.

 

Having challenged the vassals, she desperately wanted a third party to affirm her.

 

I looked at her for a while without saying anything, then couldn't hold back the laughter that burst out and said,

 

"...Not bad."

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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