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“Kyle, I… I’m right here, you know?”

Vivian’s voice trembled, but the desperation in it was unmistakable.

Kyle fell silent, as if mulling over her words.

“…If you’re going to say that.”

His previously frozen expression blinked a few times, then slowly crumbled.

Instead of the familiar hatred or anger, deep sadness washed over his face.

It felt like Vivian’s few words had cracked open Kyle’s hard shell.

Or perhaps she had unintentionally brushed against his weakest point.

Ignoring the stares around them, Kyle grippingly held both of Vivian’s shoulders.

Amid the chaos of the crowded ballroom, the two felt isolated like a tranquil island.

“…If you’re going to say that… just stop playing with my heart.”

Kyle’s low voice was a plea and almost like a desperate request.

The man who had firmly declared he would leave was now openly revealing his feelings with fervor.

“…What?”

As Vivian asked back in disbelief, Kyle covered his face with his hand.

Then, hunched over with trembling shoulders, he poured out his deep inner thoughts.

“…You know how I feel, right? It’s already in your hands.”

“…”

“If you don’t want me to leave… if it’s that unfair…”

He let out a resigned sigh, as if accepting defeat.

“…Just show a bit of affection. Like it’s just another day, give me a peck on the cheek. Or quit hiding those precious lips of yours and show them to me. While holding me like I’m going to break, say you like me… Just be grateful for everything, even if it’s a lie.”

“…”

Vivian couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment with him was too surreal.

They had never bared such deep feelings even when they spent time alone in a private space.

And now, sharing the most hidden sentiments in a hall full of onlookers, amidst the music and commotion.

Vivian couldn’t respond and locked eyes with Kyle.

As silence enveloped them, Kyle picked up the cold thorn again.

“…Why can’t you do that?”

“…K-Kyle.”

“Am I so disgusting that you can’t do it? Do you find me that repulsive? You just want me around because you’re scared of dying without me?”

“…No-…”

She wanted to deny it. Vivian truly wished to deny it.

But two reasons held her tongue.

The first was the eyes that were starting to turn this way.

Kyle could care less about the gazes of others, but Vivian had grown up swayed by them.

Were the vassals feeling perturbed? What did the maids think of her? Was Lady Linne mad today?

The gala wasn’t going to erase those habits.

The second reason was that her psychological barriers refused to crumble.

If she stared clearly at how she felt about Kyle, could she really accept it?

The son of the man who killed her father and brother. After her family departed, her mother had fallen ill.

The colossal flames of hatred born from the death of her family kept hurling embers at Kyle.

Even knowing it wasn’t Kyle’s fault, Vivian could never escape those feelings.

…With someone like Kyle, if she were to face how she felt about him, if he were to become dearer to her here.

If she followed his words, kissed him on the cheek routinely, acted cute, and hugged him when she wanted.

…Then wouldn’t she simply lose him again?

It was obvious that Kyle would become a witch’s offering.

“…Treating people like tools has its limits.”

Kyle finally wiped the sad look off his face and again revealed his hatred.

He wore an expression that was pained by wanting to hate so much yet unable to.

Vivian’s heart tightened.

She felt pathetic for not being able to return even a decent reply.

But even this pitiful self couldn’t accept Kyle leaving.

She couldn’t even act tough by saying he should love someone else if he felt wronged.

“…Ha.”

Kyle swept his hair back.

“…Ugh.”

Even in this situation, Vivian shrunk back at Kyle’s appearance that made her heart race.

These emotions were overwhelming.

She wasn’t sure what feelings she held for Kyle, but they were painfully sticky and blind.

Calming himself with a sigh, Kyle slowly released Vivian’s arm.

“…Shall we go get some air?”

He weakly asked.

Vivian recognized it as an expression of reconciliation.

Therefore, she took a deep breath and nodded obediently.

****

Leaving the noisy ballroom, Vivian found herself with Kyle in a familiar spot.

The river next to the castle.

If they added up all the times they had spent here, it would easily be several days.

Kyle was now picking up pebbles from the ground with familiar gestures.

With a quick flick of his wrist, he tossed a stone onto the water, the sound of it bouncing through the silent night air.

Vivian’s heart found a moment of peace in that sound.

Vivian sat behind Kyle, hugging her knees.

It was a behavior that seemed a bit childish for a grown woman.

Especially for the head of the Rondore family, it felt even more immature.

If Lady Linne saw this, she would surely lecture her, but at this moment, Vivian wanted to sit like this.

She wanted to rest comfortably by Kyle’s side.

Eventually, their earlier conversation continued without resolution.

Yet the decision was firmly planted in Vivian’s heart.

Kyle couldn’t leave. That remained the unchanged truth.

If there were one way for him to leave… it would be to win the bet.

Loved by everyone in Roktana, or Vivian herself shedding tears.

None of those futures were in sight.

And if such futures didn’t come, Vivian wouldn’t command Kyle to return home either.

No matter how much he hated her, it didn’t matter.

They were already people who hated each other. No matter how much more hatred grew, nothing would change.

So, she would make sure to hold onto Kyle tight.

“…You’re a prisoner gained by trading the lives of our family.”

Vivian mumbled.

Kyle’s gestures froze in place.

“My father, brother… maybe even my mother. You are all that we got in exchange for their lives…”

“…”

Vivian whispered, hiding her face in her knees.

“I can’t let you go. No, I won’t let you go.”

“…”

Kyle’s once rigid arms began to move again.

For a long while, they sat there passing the time.

Vivian kept staring at Kyle’s back, wondering what thoughts were racing through his mind.

Things had gone so wrong, yet the desire to reconcile remained.

She couldn’t end the day like this.

It felt too wasteful for all the efforts put into this day.

The preparations for the food, for the music, the practice for the dance…

She didn’t want to ruin her 17th birthday like this.

She wasn’t looking to leave a nightmare of the worst birthday.

There was still a chance.

It was Kyle who suggested coming to see this river.

He was the one who first reached out for a reconciliation.

Just saying something to calm his anger would likely return the atmosphere to good once more.

Kyle had urged her to act cute.

…Just this once.

Vivian thought.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t dare to act cutesy with him, but today, she had a wish.

She wanted to create memories with Kyle.

She wanted to see him, even if awkwardly, dance for her.

“…I still…”

Vivian swallowed and released,

“…I still haven’t danced.”

Upon hearing that, Kyle paused mid-throw and chuckled softly.

He immediately understood what she meant.

Whether it was out of admiration for her efforts or simply because he found it cute, he kept grinning.

Gaining courage from Kyle’s smile, Vivian tossed a playful jab.

In an effort to make it clear that it was all a joke, she took the strength out of her voice.

“…Look, while you might not know it, suggesting a dance to someone you like is common sense.”

Kyle turned back to Vivian, looking utterly baffled.

Of course, his face was filled with smiles.

“I don’t like that person today.”

Kyle fired back playfully.

His voice was laced with mischief, and Vivian couldn’t help but smile.

“Ha, but today’s the only chance I have. I might regret it later on.”

Her voice sounded a little pitiful.

And it seemed that fact further eased Kyle’s anger.

“Who said I won’t let you go for the rest of your life? It doesn’t seem like today’s the only chance.”

“The dance I’ll do at seventeen might be the last, and after this, it’ll be busy, and who knows when I’ll get the next chance.”

-Splash…

Kyle dropped the pebble he was holding and glanced at Vivian.

“I don’t know how to dance.”

“…At least try your best.”

“What do I gain by showing others how I dance with you? We’re enemies.”

“When did you start caring about others’ views so much?”

“I don’t, but it affects you.”

“…”

Even in this moment, he thought of her.

Even during this awkward and contentious moment.

Vivian looked up at Kyle, who was tossing his black hair.

Furious rage, gnashing disgust, and… now this warmth that ignited within, all from one person.

Vivian wondered how he could be this way.

There was no one else who could sway her like Kyle could.

Perhaps that’s why, despite whoever might be glaring at her right now… she wanted to dance just once.

She wanted to leave behind memories she could cherish with him for a lifetime.

To step into society together and experience their first dance.

No matter how the future unfolded, this memory would remain an unchanging truth.

This was a yearning.

It was a truth that was hard to refuse.

When Vivian fell silent, Kyle spoke up.

“…Let’s go inside now. We’ve rested enough.”

“…”

This time, Vivian nodded as well.

She felt a bit confused.

Was he really saying he wanted to go inside?

…Or was he indirectly suggesting she dance with him inside?

She couldn’t know for sure, but she assumed it was the latter.

Kyle had always thought of her.

.

.

.

As Vivian stepped into the hall, she caught the compassionate gazes directed at her.

They seemed to think that she and Kyle had returned from some sort of fight.

Honestly, there was no other way to think about it.

They would assume that the reason she was still with Kyle was due to the prince and princess.

They would think she was making efforts like how they were striving for peace.

Vivian didn’t dislike that misunderstanding.

Thanks to that misunderstanding, no one approached Kyle.

What idiot would dare to approach Kyle, the lord of Roktana? There’s nothing to gain and too much to lose.

Once inside the ballroom, Kyle watched the atmosphere for quite a while.

Rather than expecting someone to propose a dance easily, he seemed to be waiting for something.

Maybe he didn’t like the music?

Even as he gazed at the many people dancing, he didn’t make a move.

But that was fine.

If she waited, Kyle would come to her.

Vivian felt the same way; the music didn’t appeal to her either.

She discreetly signaled to the minstrels, who quickly caught on and seamlessly changed the tune.

A soft yet slightly melancholic melody filled the air.

There was beauty in the slow music.

It was music suited for the closest dance a man and woman could share.

Out of all the songs the minstrels could play, this was Vivian’s favorite.

They called this song Roktana’s Winter.

Thinking of that, Vivian couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

For Kyle, who’d lived in the cold North where winter was the only season, and for her, who’d lived in a place without winter, there couldn’t be a more fitting piece.

It felt as if the music had been made just for the two of them.

Kyle seemed to like the music too, as he finally sneaked a glance at Vivian.

Vivian’s heart raced, but she maintained her composure.

There was too much preparation for this moment to be nervous and scared.

She had envisioned and waited for this moment for so long.

“…Are you scared?”

Vivian teased.

Kyle laughed again and softly replied,

“…I’ll let it slide since it’s your birthday.”

He slowly reached out his hand.

It was on the verge of reconciliation.

“Let’s see just how great this is—”

“-Duke.”

At that moment, someone interrupted.

Vivian’s outstretched hand, ready to take Kyle’s, jerked back in surprise.

The perfect moment was stolen, and the flow of events was disrupted.

Suppressing her rising irritation, Vivian thought.

…Who dared to interrupt?

Turning her head, she saw Prince Thread standing behind her.

There was a look of worry in his eyes.

He bore the expression of someone who still thought Kyle and Vivian were forcefully entangled.

“Duke, would you like to dance with me?”

Prince Thread made a request that had no basis.

As if he believed he was the knight on a white horse rescuing a miserable noble lady.

“…”

Vivian suppressed the urge to laugh that almost escaped her.

What kind of fool would choose to dance with Prince Thread over Kyle?

“…Where has Princess Reina gone?”

Vivian indirectly expressed her intent to refuse.

Prince Thread shook his head slightly and pointed to the side.

Following his signal, Vivian turned her head and froze.

The prince remarked,

“They say you two are childhood friends… so let them have their time together.”

In that fleeting moment, Princess Reina had squeezed into her place.

“Kyle, let’s dance.”

With her black hair flowing, she reached out and pulled at Kyle.

The princess exclaimed,

“Come on! Hurry up.”

Vivian stood dazed, unable to respond.

The situation was far too absurd for any kind of reaction.

It was all so sudden.

She opened her mouth but no words came out.

“Ah… oh…”

They had never anticipated someone could interrupt their world.

Kyle’s gaze shifted toward Vivian.

Vivian quickly regained her composure and looked back at Kyle.

She had to snap out of it.

In fact, Kyle had no reason to accept such an offer.

No matter how much of a princess she was, he wouldn’t care about appearances.

Right, thinking that made her a bit more relaxed.

“…Phew, phew…”

If it was Kyle, he would choose her over the princess.

There were plenty of excuses he could use to respond.

Vivian swallowed her overflowing怒 and waited for Kyle’s response.

Kyle spoke,

“…I’m sorry, but I…”

At that moment, Reina swiftly tugged at Kyle’s shoulder.

Kyle easily lent an ear to Reina.

After Reina whispered something, Kyle’s expression hardened.

Once again, Reina stepped back and said,

“Oh? Kyle. I’ll teach you how to dance. Let’s dance together.”

Kyle stood there in shock.

His gaze once again searched for Vivian.

“…”

“…”

-Swoosh.

With a single gesture from Kyle, Vivian’s heart sank.

“…Huh?”

“…Shall we dance?”

Kyle formally suggested to Reina.

Not to her, but to Reina.

Vivian’s eyes couldn’t hold focus.

“…Wait a minute.”

Reina brightly grabbed his hand and led him toward the makeshift stage that the people had gathered to create.

A perfect pair of black-haired man and woman.

As they stepped up, the crowd parted.

While Roktana’s Winter played, they walked out fearlessly in front of everyone.

“…Kyle?”

Vivian muttered in disbelief.

She was too stunned to stop Kyle as he walked away.

A painful ache persisted in her heart.

…Where were they going?

Vivian’s hand, still empty and yearning for reconciliation, remained alone.

 

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