Chapter 41

“A crazy bastard, for real.”

Balon spoke of Kylo.

He’d said it so many times now that he’d lost count.

But Vivian wholeheartedly agreed with every single one of Balon’s words.

Kylo had no idea how shocked she’d been when he hung onto a hook, mounted the dragon, and took flight.

She couldn’t understand how he’d even planned something like that in the first place.

Yet Kylo had done it anyway... and slain the dragon.

It was always hard to predict his actions.

In this situation, which felt like a sudden ambush by a dragon they weren’t prepared for, he’d somehow turned the tables and claimed victory.

Now Kylo was draped over his horse, swaying unsteadily as they carried him along.

He was unconscious, deeply asleep.

It didn’t look like anything was broken, but he seemed utterly drained.

The bandage wrapped around his forehead was dirtier and filthier than before.

“...”

Vivian wanted to stop acting so childishly and just change that bandage for him.

Honestly, she wanted to stay by his side and nurse him back to health.

That’s how grateful she was to him for saving her life in such a desperate situation.

But she had no time to change his bandages right now.

Just the carriages the dragon had set aflame numbered eight.

The loot, the resources needed for treatment—everything had gone up in smoke.

Even Vivian’s arm, still wounded, was only hastily bandaged with a worn cloth.

If they had let the dragon escape, this expedition would have been a huge loss.

All their hard work nearly went up in flames thanks to the dragon’s breath.

But because Kylo defeated the dragon, they’d gain an even greater reward in return.

A dragon was never easy prey, and its remains were worth more than gold.

If Kylo had been one of Roctana’s own, he’d surely be showered with boundless rewards and honors.

However, due to his complicated ties, Vivian was stuck, unsure of what to do.

Now Vivian, Burger, and a few knights were on their way back home.

Because of the dragon’s extraordinary appearance, many plans had changed.

While some stayed behind to haul the dragon’s carcass ashore, the wounded and people like Vivian were returning home.

Burger, too, eyed Kylo for a while before sighing heavily.

“...I’ve never heard of a fifteen-year-old getting a dragon’s tether.”

Coleman whispered softly,

“...Indeed. The Allen family...they’ve produced a monster we can’t deny.”

“If the war had dragged on, would we have ended up fighting someone like him?”

Vivian continued to gaze at Kylo, who lay slumped over his horse.

They were right.

Because she’d been so close to him, she hadn’t truly realized it, but the feats Kylo was piling up were completely unprecedented.

From now on, on official occasions, Kylo would wear that azure ribbon—the proof that he’d slain a blue dragon.

Not even an adult yet, and he’d carry around the trophy that knights coveted.

Some would call it luck, others would say he had help. They’d try to belittle him...but Vivian knew the truth.

This dragon, Kylo had taken it down by himself.

Far braver and more audacious than anyone else, he’d hunted that dragon.

“...Ugh.”

As she watched him, Kylo let out a groan, uncomfortable about something in his body.

That sound strangely stirred up Vivian’s guilt.

If only, for the past ten days, she hadn’t acted so awkwardly and had shown him a bit more care, would it have been different?

He risked his life time and again to protect her in moments of crisis...and she’d done nothing in return.

Vivian gritted her teeth and nudged her horse closer to him.

Then, placing a gentle hand on his back as he slept, she whispered softly:

“...Just hold on a little longer. We’re almost there.”

***

The fortress of Rondor came into view.

To enter the castle, they had to pass through the crowds of Roctana’s people.

They came closer, eager to see Vivian and her party, reacting in various ways.

Some applauded and cheered her name, praising her efforts.

Many, however, were busy jeering at the sight of Kylo’s collapsed form.

“Look at that cripple! Came back all busted up, huh!”

“The god delivered judgment on him!”

In the past, their taunts might have pleased her ears.

But now, Vivian realized their jeers no longer amused her.

Instead, a heavy weight pressed down on her chest.

Vivian was newly reminded of just how much of a foreigner Kylo was in this land, how despised he truly was.

It struck her again that he was as much an outcast as she was.

And yet, she hadn’t changed even a single bandage for him or brought him a single meal.

She felt disgusted with herself.

Vivian resolved, at least for herself, that she should care for him.

As one outcast to another, she wanted to repay some of the debt she owed him.

Vivian pulled the reins a bit faster.

She wanted to escape these accusations, enter Rondor Castle, and look after Kylo.

“Kylo, wake up.”

Vivian tapped Kylo’s back, trying to rouse him.

He groaned softly, then blinked his eyes open.

Now fully conscious, he heard the barrage of insults hurled his way and looked troubled.

Half-asleep, he couldn’t hide his expression at all.

Seeing his face twisted in discomfort made Vivian’s heart ache slightly too.

Before long, Vivian passed through the castle gates.

A welcoming party awaited her inside, despite her messy appearance.

And among them, standing foremost, was her uncle—someone she had completely forgotten would be here.

“Vivian. It’s been a while, my niece.”

A large figure. A dignified face. Red hair. Thick arms. A deep, resonant voice.

Robert Rondor, the lord of Neremport, approached and spoke to her.

“I heard you went on an expedition. There wasn’t any danger, I hope?”

He showed no sign of anger for having been made to wait.

Startled by his unexpected reaction, Vivian parted her lips, then nodded.

“Yes, Uncle.”

She continued,

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. The entire army went forth, and I couldn’t very well stay behind.”

“...You’ve changed a bit, haven’t you? You speak so… eloquently now.”

“...The head of Rondor shouldn’t stammer, right?”

Robert Rondor let out a soft laugh.

“The head of Rondor...indeed. Of course. Well, I had plenty of time, so I could wait. Don’t worry about it. If the head of Rondor says wait, then as a retainer, I must wait.”

“Setting aside the master-retainer relationship, I apologize as your niece.”

“I accept. It’s fine.”

Though the conversation flowed smoothly, Vivian sensed some sort of tension in the air.

She couldn’t tell if it was just her imagination or if there really was a silent contest of wills.

Robert Rondor’s gaze fell on Kylo.

“...Kylo Allen.”

Kylo remained steady under Robert’s stare, looking down at him from atop his horse.

Robert seemed about to say something, but Vivian cut in first.

Kylo looked utterly exhausted.

“Uncle, we just returned from a long expedition. Let’s wrap it up here for today... We’d like to wash up and, if time allows, speak again later.”

“...Ah, forgive me for not noticing. You’re right.”

Accepting Vivian’s words, Robert nodded to her and said:

“Then I’ll see you later, Vivian. You’ve done well.”

“...Yes.”

After Robert’s group departed, the attendants of Rondor Castle rushed forward.

Vivian was engulfed in conversation with them.

Madame Linne opened her mouth in disbelief and worry.

She seemed displeased by Vivian’s boyish attire.

“My goodness, Lady Vivian... A young lady looking like this...”

“I was simply with my knights, just like Father used to be.”

“I understand, and I’m proud of you, but... still, you must appear womanly if you want to find love someday...”

“It was only for a few days. And besides, I’ve made some new friends...”

Vivian answered, thinking of Kylo’s unit.

Madame Linne was even more shocked.

“...New friends? Surely you don’t mean those boy soldiers? No! How could the Lord of Roctana mingle with such low-born children...!”

“It’s fine, teacher. And for now...”

Vivian wanted to end the conversation and tend to Kylo.

She asked Madame Linne:

“Teacher, could you bring me some fresh bandages?”

“Pardon? But Lady Vivian, your arm—!”

“They’re not for me...”

Vivian turned to look for Kylo.

She realized anew that, aside from herself, there was no one who would care for him here.

From the beginning, her mind had been restless with worry for him—his dirty bandages, new wounds, and all the rest.

Spotting Kylo’s dark head of hair, Vivian approached.

“Kyl—”

“Kylo-nim!”

But just then, the scene before she made her freeze.

Someone had stepped in before she could act.

It was Rona, one of Vivian’s own maids.

“My goodness, how could you let your bandage get so filthy...”

Having spent enough time around Vivian, even her maids weren’t that uncomfortable around Kylo.

And now, concerned about his injuries, Rona was being particularly sweet.

“Please, come this way. I’ll change it for you.”

Rona urgently grabbed hold of Kylo’s arm.

Vivian’s eyes were glued to that sight.

She couldn’t tear her gaze away from Rona’s hand on Kylo’s arm.

Kylo looked down at Rona and grinned broadly.

“...Finally, someone who’ll take care of me.”

At Kylo’s smile, Vivian felt a strange pressure on her heart, as if it had been squeezed.

She couldn’t understand where this odd irritation was coming from.

But that annoyance was stronger and more explosive than she’d expected, and before she knew it, she spoke:

“...Rona.”

The voice that slipped out was colder and more threatening than she’d intended.

Even the other maids shuddered, wondering what they’d done wrong.

“...Who told you to tend to Kylo Allen?”

At Vivian’s icy words, the atmosphere turned rigid in an instant.

“A... I...”

Rona hesitated, then bowed her head and backed away.

The mood between them was so heavy it felt fit for sworn enemies.

Left behind, Kylo just looked at Vivian, hurt, tired, and filthy, standing there in silence.

With a hollow laugh, he shook his head as if dumbfounded.

“...That’s too much, seriously.”

With those words, he headed off to his quarters.

Vivian stood there, stunned, trying to make sense of her chaotic feelings.

...She had no idea why she’d acted like that.

There would have been no problem if Rona had done it, and then Vivian could have just gone and rested.

But that strange anger had prevented her from doing so.

– – The End of The Chapter – –

 

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