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Thud.

I kicked the door of the last room Vivian had entered and turned around.

…Pretending to sleep, what a mess.

If I’d known she was awake, I wouldn’t have randomly patted her head.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have done anything she disliked so much.

“…Sigh.”

But I knew there was really no one to blame.

Why on earth did I miss that chance by patting her head out of the blue?

Knowing that regretting it wouldn’t change anything, I stopped worrying about it.

I turned back to the room and lay down on the bed that suddenly felt much bigger, trying to get some sleep.

Tomorrow was going to be busy.

…

When I closed my eyes and opened them again, it was late morning.

Vivian finally came out of her room at that point.

She looked like she hadn’t slept well, with dark circles under her eyes and a fatigued expression.

After just one little head pat, I couldn’t believe how angry she was as she shot me a sharp glance before walking by.

…I honestly couldn’t understand it.

After all, she kneeled in front of me, clasped her hands, and even kissed my cheek… and yet, just this little head pat gets her all worked up?

What on earth are her standards?

Ah, maybe patting her head was the final drop that spilled over her patience.

But it was too petty to keep arguing about it, so I just let it go.

Entering the grand hall of Rondore, I saw a lot had been prepared.

It was easy to tell it was due to the events of the early morning yesterday.

The dining table was filled with lavish food, apparently to comfort Vivian, and vassals lined up on either side of the hall.

It felt like all the key figures of the castle had gathered.

I could hear Vivian let out a short sigh as she took in the sight of them.

She seemed a bit annoyed by the whole thing, likely because she had gotten only a brief nap.

The spy Nesto was the first to approach.

“Lady Vivian, you’re awake.”

The butler Pippin nodded beside him, adding, “…We’ve prepared a variety of meals. If you need anything else, please let us know.”

Vivian asked just one thing.

“What about Brinden? Has he been captured?”

Baelor stepped forward and replied, “…We’ve captured him. It was our 1st Knight Order.”

Vivian’s eyes briefly turned to Baelor.

Now in his forties, Baelor seemed strangely weaker than before.

Though his knightly spirit was still present, it was just not the same as it used to be.

Perhaps it was because Vivian’s presence had become much stronger.

“Baelor, prepare an execution for Brinden Trelli. We will proceed with it in the city.”

Vivian’s words caused a stir among the people.

It was a reaction you could expect when someone close could die overnight.

Perhaps it was camaraderie or the rising sense of crisis that their lives could be lost on a whim with just one of Vivian’s orders.

Everyone seemed distrustful.

Of course, Brinden deserved to die, but it seemed they didn’t expect it to happen so suddenly.

It made sense.

The background that allowed Vivian to make such a quick decision… of course, Brinden’s crimes were too severe, but perhaps the influence of a death list played a huge role.

In Vivian’s mind, Brinden was already a person who needed to be eliminated, and he essentially handed her the justification.

Butler Pippin was the first to ask.

“…Today… right away?”

“Yes.”

Vivian’s tone was resolute.

It was clear she was starting to dominate those who had always oppressed her.

This was a stark change for someone who couldn’t even stamp an execution order for a single prisoner, to now be able to casually slice the neck of a vassal she knew for over a decade.

Lady Linne, rarely stepping in when Vivian was making decisions, urged her.

“Lady Vivian, please reconsider. An execution must take place, but it doesn’t need to be this sudden. Let’s inform the Trelli Family, at least to allow them to witness the execution…”

“The only message for the Trelli family is Brinden’s head.”

“But Lady Vivian…!”

“Should I be mindful of my vassals?”

No one could respond.

Vivian didn’t add any further explanations or attempts to justify her actions.

“Everyone, leave.”

Her orders were delivered coldly, like a head of a family.

As the hesitant vassals left the hall, only Vivian, a few maids, and I remained.

Vivian and I took our seats at the table, ready to continue our meal.

Perhaps using up my stomach with yesterday’s porridge was why I felt so hungry now.

Vivian seemed to feel the same and looked up at me, hinting for me to start eating first.

In the awkward silence, I picked up the bread Vivian liked and took a bite.

In a habitual manner, Vivian followed suit, eating what I was eating.

For a while, we continued our meal in silence.

After the affairs with the vassals, now that it was just the two of us, memories of yesterday kept flooding back.

It looked like Vivian was in the same boat.

She kept glancing at me, inevitably scrunching her face as if she were about to bury her nose in her plate.

“…But.”

As we were deep into the meal, Vivian finally spoke up.

I stopped chewing to listen to her words.

“…How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“How did you know that assassins were coming?”

Vivian looked at me as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“You told me to be careful at night. How did you know about that?”

“…”

Since Vivian was being so direct in her questioning, I felt I no longer needed to keep it a secret.

“I was getting notes.”

“…Notes?”

“You still have supporters in this castle.”

Vivian furrowed her brow.

“What do you mean?”

After I wiped my lips with the napkin, I explained myself.

“Whenever there was an assassination attempt on you, one of your hidden loyalists would send me notes about the plan.”

Vivian’s expression still reflected her confusion.

Her face gradually twisted into a frown as she processed my words.

I started from the beginning.

“I received one before an assassination attempt with poison. I got another before the fire broke out in the castle. And one more before the recent incident. I don’t know who it is, but they seem well-connected.”

“…You knew each time before it happened?”

Vivian’s tone was filled with distrust as she repeated my words.

“If that were the case, how could I have rescued you?”

It didn’t take long for Vivian to realize the truth in my words.

“…Why did you hide it?”

“Who would believe such strange notes? It’s only now that I’ve started to believe them myself. Plus, if you heard the news first, you’d just be scared.”

Protecting Vivian’s life was not her own responsibility.

She wouldn’t swing a sword or be able to put out a fire.

It was, to be fair, my responsibility to guard her.

I did choose that for myself, though.

“…You’ve been protecting me since then? Why?”

Vivian lowered her head and whispered in a quiet voice.

Perhaps due to last night’s events, I used my well-worn excuses to bridge the awkwardness between us.

“…I told you it was because of guilt.”

Upon hearing that, Vivian froze for a moment then sighed heavily, changing the subject.

“So why doesn’t he show himself to me?”

“I have no idea. Maybe it’s because you’re too weak.”

“Why not just send me the notes directly?”

“Do you think if they did, you would’ve been able to do anything? You’d just pout with a face about to cry every time.”

“…Any guesses on who it might be?”

“No idea. But for sure, it isn’t Brinden.”

****

The distance with Kyle remained the same as always, but Vivian knew that wasn’t the truth.

There were many things left unsaid.

Thoughts settled deep within both our hearts were still being ignored.

Moreover, Vivian was now able to see Kyle’s feelings more clearly.

As clear as day, she felt his kindness.

The gentle consideration of matching his pace with hers.

How he casually reached out to help her when she stumbled.

The way he stood between her and those unpleasant soldiers coming her way.

Even the fierce looks he gave the maids who were whispering something to each other.

It was so varied that she wondered how she hadn’t noticed before.

…And so, Vivian’s own heart observing this was also…

“…”

Vivian squeezed her eyes shut, denying those feelings.

No, it can’t be. No way.

Even if it were true… it should remain that way going forward.

Right now, Vivian didn’t know what was most precious to her.

Since she didn’t understand that, she had been told only a witch could truly understand as an adult.

Once grown up and able to recognize what’s truly valuable, only then can a sacrifice be made.

However, she did know what the last thing she wanted to lose right now was. Naturally, it was Kyle.

This had been clear for a long time.

Even when she hated Kyle, this remained true.

Kyle Allen was a hostage she received in exchange for the lives of her family.

She had no intention of losing that.

Only now, she vaguely understood.

What she didn’t want to lose most could also be what she held most dear.

So, Vivian had to create other things to cherish.

Otherwise, she’d have to keep distance from Kyle.

It doesn’t matter when; she wouldn’t want to lose Kyle.

Isn’t that too unfair? To have lost her family’s lives’ worth?

Kyle, at least, must not become the witch’s offering.

That much was for sure.

Vivian was on her way to the dungeon with Kyle.

Where Balron, Brinden, and… latecomer Serena were locked up.

Thinking of Serena and Kyle caused her heart to race again, but Vivian steeled herself.

She had to distance herself from Kyle. Otherwise… she wouldn’t be able to keep him.

“Kyle.”

While heading to the dungeon, Vivian paused and looked up at Kyle.

“What?”

Seeing his indifferent question made her heart race again.

Still, Vivian firmly decided as she spoke.

“…From now on, I’ll allow you to go outside the castle.”

“Out of nowhere?”

“You can go to the city whenever you want. Just like the Punishment Unit.”

It was an offer to let him have fun on his own terms.

It was telling him not to close the distance too much while staying nearby.

She had to do at least that much.

If they just kept spending every day together like this, Vivian was too well aware of what her own feelings would become.

As they grew older, their feelings for each other were becoming more overt.

Kyle had even asked for a kiss.

Could she really be sure there wouldn’t be anything more after that?

…So she had to maintain distance.

“I realized that there are people trying to get to you. I’ll make sure you have proper guards. So you should… not stay too close to me anymore.”

“…Is this because of yesterday?”

“…”

With a deep sigh, Kyle looked back at her with an aggressive glare.

“But what if I do go down there…”

Kyle didn’t continue.

Instead, his dark eyes were asking a question.

For the Punishment Unit to head to the city, it could only mean one thing.

Heading to the brothel.

Kyle blinked, seeming to ask if it was really okay to allow that.

It was true.

She was indeed allowing that.

To create distance, she had to consider Kyle as just another ordinary person.

Even if he ended up in the arms of another woman…

“…But if you go to the brothel and sleep with a woman, I’ll kill her.”

…But despite her resolution, Vivian’s heart wavered like a reed.

The moment the thought crossed her mind, a sharp pain pierced her chest, and she found herself retracting her statement.

Such an incomprehensible rage flared up just from imagining it.

It was the same bed where she had lain on Kyle’s chest last night.

The idea of some other girl lying there made her feel utterly revolting.

His embrace might be disgusting, but it didn’t mean anyone else could take her place.

“…What do you mean?”

Kyle chuckled, thinking something was off with Vivian’s words.

Even though she understood that, she tried to ignore it.

…Why is it so hard whenever she thinks of Kyle being with another woman?

She knew she needed to let him go, so why did she keep wanting to restrict and pressure him?

Deep down, she wanted to just lock him up in the dungeon.

To keep him from being taken away, just to use him as a useful tool, to keep the lives of her family as close to her as possible, to get revenge on the Allen family, she had to maintain a certain distance from Kyle… but why couldn’t she let go?

What on earth would it take for her to keep her distance from Kyle while ensuring he wouldn’t do reckless things?

How could she prevent him from being with another woman?

She needed to create distance from Kyle.

She had to set him free from the cage that had confined him.

However, even as she set him free, she didn’t want him to be able to take off unrestrained.

Like a dog, she wanted to let him out but still keep a solid leash on him.

…A leash.

Vivian slowly looked up at Kyle.

A late realization dawned upon her.

…Thinking back on it.

…If she considered it carefully, Kyle definitely had feelings for her.

Feelings strong enough to risk his own life to protect her.

Could there be a leash stronger than that feeling for Vivian?

It was a ridiculous thought.

To use her heart to restrain another person.

…But that very leash was right within her reach.

The reins she could use to control Kyle were just there.

Vivian slowly slipped her hand under Kyle’s shirt.

It was an action to test his feelings.

She gently caressed his abs.

“…What are you doing?”

Kyle was incredulous but didn’t push her hand away.

It was clear her touch provided a decent stimulation to him.

Vivian, without realizing it, let out a small laugh.

She couldn’t understand why he appeared so lovable all of a sudden, not pushing her hand away.

Her assumptions had been correct.

Kyle definitely held feelings for her.

As the leash of his feelings for her became clearer, the anxiety of potentially losing him began to dissipate.

Now that it was obvious Kyle liked her, Vivian found no reason to feel hesitant around him anymore.

She felt a certainty that he would affirm whatever she did.

After all, they had already shared so many the good, the bad, and the ugly moments.

She had shown him her crying face, shaking in fear, and how she crumbled in despair since she was thirteen.

Showing him some shameful side now wouldn’t change anything.

“…I thought about it, and you’re just mine.”

“What?”

It was all she needed to do. And Vivian made her decision.

She would hold onto Kyle’s reins tightly.

In doing so, setting the desired distance would become that much easier.

“Kyle, today… make sure to kill Brinden painfully.”

She commanded him.

Kyle was left dumbfounded.

“…What’s with this sudden request? Since when have you become so cruel?”

“-If you do, I’ll kiss you on the cheek again. This time, I’ll do it smiling without frowning.”

At that proposal, Kyle froze.

Seeing him in that state, Vivian couldn’t help but smile slyly.

“…Haha.”

Kyle’s face began to scrunch up in response.

It was the look of someone who realized his feelings had been exposed.

“You…”

Vivian couldn’t contain her smirk anymore. It only seemed to tighten Kyle’s leash even more.

“You’ll do it, won’t you?”

If she could manipulate Kyle once, everything else would become easy.

If they got too close, she could push him away, and if they got too far apart, she could pull him back.

It felt as if Vivian had found her answer.

The hatred that appeared on Kyle’s face confirmed it.

“…Why does your angry face look so good?”

Vivian repeated the words Kyle had said the night before.

Kyle frowned and fell silent, unable to respond.

 

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