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After Vivian’s 18th birthday, it was six months of preparing for war with Robert, followed by four months of actual combat.

Now, there were just about two months left until she officially became an adult.

Vivian had finally reclaimed the former glory of the Rondore Family.

Her name would be forever etched in the family history.

At just 13, she had faced scorn and ridicule from all the retainers, and the hurdles she had overcome to get to this point were beyond counting.

First, she dealt with the chaotic discipline of her home.

Then there was the ruined Roktana.

Countless enemies lurking in the shadows.

But she resolved each issue, one by one.

Some were forced to yield, others were banished. She never feared cruelty; she couldn’t afford to.

One man consistently reminded her of this fact.

“Vivian! Vivian! Vivian!”

“Rondore!! Rondore!! Rondore!!”

Vivian watched the soldiers celebrating their victory from a distance.

Despite their exhaustion, they roared her name alongside the citizens of Roktana.

Each of them had been given a chance to bask in the glory she had provided.

Yet, amidst the fervent loyalty of all those soldiers, Vivian’s gaze was fixed on just one person.

The red bear-headed helmet stood out even from afar.

Even without that helmet, she would recognize him instantly.

Kyle.

He was her sword and her shield.

An enemy, an ally… a friend and family.

Without him, she wouldn’t have reached this moment.

He had provoked her when she was on the brink of collapse, and quietly supported her through every struggle.

As she looked at him, Vivian suddenly wondered.

Could he even understand the depth of the feelings she had for him?

Sometimes, she couldn’t quite comprehend her own emotions towards him.

It ran so deep that she couldn’t figure out what she was capable of doing for him.

Countless moments they shared flickered through her mind.

Perhaps it was their shared experience that triggered the nostalgic memories.

The moment he scolded her for crying too much.

The time he desperately forced a finger into her mouth to make her vomit the poison.

His hand offered to her amidst the smoky chaos of a fire.

Even while fleeing from a dragon, he never abandoned her side.

In the dawn that had cleared out the assassins, and even their stolen kiss.

They were both clumsy at expressing their feelings in words.

Even if Kyle made an effort, Vivian could never reach his level.

She still fumbled around, hiding her true feelings.

Like a teenage girl who had just fallen in love, she often turned away with a bright blush.

So there were many things she wanted to say but couldn’t.

But now, she was determined.

One day, she would definitely express this truth to him…

…

-Thud!

“…Huh?”

Someone who shouldn’t be in front of her stood there.

A man flaunting his fading crimson hair.

“…Nephew, it’s been a while.”

Robert Rondore was brought over by Kyle’s hand.

****

Vivian gagged Robert and threw him into the dungeon.

She hadn’t completely believed that this would happen.

She thought it might occur, but that was as far as it went.

They only assumed there was a chance they might meet.

Vivian had openly threatened Robert, and judging by Kyle’s demeanor, it seemed the threat had worked.

But anticipating something and actually facing it were two completely different stories.

Though Robert hadn’t spoken yet, the tension remained palpable.

…It’ll be fine.

Vivian repeated in her mind.

She had made those threats with this moment in mind.

No matter how greedy Robert was, as a human, he wouldn’t gamble with his family’s lives.

To avoid a more painful death for himself, he had to keep quiet.

The punishment for seeking to kill only Vivian couldn’t possibly be the same as that for killing the head of the Rondore family and the heir.

If he spoke, his reputation, which would be recorded in history, would also be destroyed.

Blinded by greed, attempting to kill the duke, the so-called heir, and even their daughter.

It would be a heinous act deserving no mercy.

So it should be fine.

If Robert had any reason left, he would keep his mouth shut.

“Oh, didn’t kill him?”

Vivian asked, stepping into the room guided by Kyle.

She wanted nothing more than to dive right into a passionate kiss with Kyle after so long, but that wasn’t the time.

“…Did you want me to kill him?”

Kyle asked.

Vivian closed her eyes tightly at the strange question.

Kyle still didn’t know.

But she could tell what kind of mess Robert had made.

“…No, I thought there was no need to show mercy. He has been after me… and you all this time, hasn’t he?”

When Vivian grew up in fear of death, it was always Kyle who stood by her side.

And it was Robert who had gifted them both that fear.

So, whether they wanted to or not, there was resentment built up towards Robert.

Vivian tried to poke at that wound.

“It’s not surrender if you don’t give me the opportunity. Just let him die at the gallows.”

Kyle moved closer, his demeanor now slightly subdued, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Vivian accepted his embrace.

It was a familiar action now.

“…Vivian.”

“Yeah.”

“…Are you hiding something from me?”

“…”

Vivian’s heart plummeted.

Her eyes fluttered, and she felt her mouth water.

After swallowing to avoid making any sound, she carefully answered.

“…What do you mean?”

“Robert’s behaving strangely. He mentioned some… promise that he made with you.”

“…Isn’t he just babbling nonsense before dying? He’s probably trying to complicate your mind.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah.”

Her heart raced like it might burst.

Just the thought of losing the warmth of Kyle made her blood run cold.

She feared what Kyle might think if he believed there was no justification for her previous torment.

With trembling hands, she clutched Kyle tightly.

The more her hands shook, the tighter she gripped.

As her feelings for him deepened, so too did her current fear.

She found herself thinking that she was less afraid when the assassins were after her.

Now it was over.

She had overcome all the hardships.

No one would doubt her from now on, and there would be no one who would look down on the Rondore family.

No more panic over dying while eating, and no more waking up at small sounds during the night.

She had dealt with everything. She had accomplished it all.

Now, only happiness remained.

As long as her womb was sacrificed… all debts would be settled.

She could live out all the dreams she once had with Kyle.

Kyle had chosen her too, saying he wouldn’t return home.

Vivian trusted that word completely.

…She only needed to get past this crisis.

Once Robert was gone, the truth would remain buried.

She had done it; she had come this far… she couldn’t lose Kyle.

Wasn’t it too contradictory?

If she lost Kyle now, having come this far… if it meant losing the one who held her together…

…Then what would all of this even mean?

Vivian had lived to prove herself to Kyle, whether she liked it or not.

When she was younger, she’d grit her teeth and rise up because she didn’t want to show him a weak side.

As she grew older, she tried to show him a proud self.

After that, she endured everything to get closer to him because of her complex feelings.

Now, everything they had promised each other through growls had been fulfilled.

But if she were to leave now, what would all their past struggles mean?

“…Kiss me, Kyle.”

Without realizing it, Vivian grabbed Kyle’s collar.

The more anxious she became, the more she wielded her weapon.

It was the weapon she had learned from Lady Linne while growing up.

For now, it was her greatest strength.

Lady Linne had once said that a woman’s allure comes from her appearance.

Vivian had never appreciated her beauty more than at this moment.

As Kyle hesitated for a moment, Vivian grabbed his face and pulled him towards her.

And then they shared a deep kiss.

****

On a night when everyone was asleep, Vivian walked through the dungeon.

There was no one who would target her, so she no longer needed a guard.

Her footsteps echoed sweetly against the stone floor.

And as she made that sound, someone quietly rose from within the prison.

No other pleasantries or discussions were needed.

Vivian had to hold back the tears of blood while facing the true culprit who killed her family.

As he looked at her with a spitting smirk, drooling as if mocking her, her blood boiled.

She started with threats.

“…If you open your mouth even a little.”

“Heh… uh….”

“…I’ll burn you alive. You and your whole family.”

Only then did Robert’s smile slowly fade.

He hadn’t acted this way when he was brought over, but he seemed to be gradually understanding.

He’d truly be facing death, and that method was also his own choice.

“…Ah…ah… ye…are… a witch.”

Vivian understood his mumblings.

“Witch, huh?”

Vivian gritted her teeth.

Robert would never comprehend her desire to act even more like a witch than this.

“Remember, Robert Rondore. I want to tear you apart… I want to torture you and your entire family until you die!!”

“Heh… heh…”

“…I’m holding back. So… take this last mercy.”

Vivian turned away.

Days later, the execution ceremony was held.

 

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