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Vivian has been avoiding me since that day.

I couldn’t find her anywhere.

She didn’t come out to the hall for meals, nor did she take light walks.

She just holed up in her room, questioning the sporadic soldiers guarding the door.

‘…Where’s Kylo?’

And here I was, waiting at the door and only able to let out a sigh.

The reason for her behavior was obvious.

It seemed she instinctively knew that facing each other would be our last.

The preparation for parting was complete, and all that was left was for me to leave.

It should be a simple goodbye once everything was over… but Vivian wouldn’t allow it.

Though it pained me to wait, I often knocked on her door.

-Knock, knock, knock.

“Vivian, come out.”

…Vivian never answered.

I could feel her obsession in keeping me close.

It seemed she believed that if she held on to me tight enough, I would eventually bend to her will.

Honestly, it wasn’t a wrong thought.

Even though I was always cold towards her, saying goodbye wasn’t going to be easy for me either.

I wanted to see her become an adult and hold her without restraint.

But I also knew that parting was much cleaner than staying together, which is why I remained stubborn.

This goodbye would undoubtedly leave a huge scar on me.

It would be a wound greater than the burn on my back, the scars on my body, or the half-cut ear.

Maybe when I return home, I might shed a few tears?

Once I escape Vivian and the gaze of the southern women, maybe then?

I scoffed at that ridiculous thought.

I didn’t even realize that I was being greedy.

I could just leave, yet here I was feeling the need to tie up loose ends with Vivian.

Perhaps I was cowardly, borrowing the strength of others.

I couldn’t leave on my own strength, so I found myself waiting until Vivian let me go.

The curse was truly tenacious.

…If it even is a curse.

A few days ago, during a drinking party, the vibe was good up until the middle.

If that had been our last, I could have left easily.

But recalling the memories from that day, the only thing that came to mind was Vivian, looking miserable, crying without restraint.

I remembered her anxious eyes, trembling as she offered all of herself to me only to be rejected.

I didn’t want to leave with that as my last memory.

Anyway… I had planned to leave before her birthday, so I could just go before then.

That was my established line. I felt like I needed to set a standard, even if it was forced, to be able to leave.

There was a reason I decided on that.

I had a strong feeling that once she became an adult, much would change.

And I had no guarantee that my heart wouldn’t be swayed amid those changes.

Seeing her become an adult after all the hardships she’s faced made me fear the love I would feel.

I sighed.

Duran and Martin, who were guarding Vivian’s door, quietly approached and patted my shoulder.

“…Kylo.”

Just then, someone called out to me from behind.

It was the spy, Nesto.

I looked at him and chuckled, then asked, “Is there any way you could smuggle me away from this place?”

“…Your Lord doesn’t wish for that.”

He responded with a light smile.

He was one of the few who changed greatly after revealing his true identity.

There were rumors that the castle walls were strange, but over time, I learned that he had spread those bizarre rumors to communicate with his planted spies.

He pulled something out from his clothes.

“I wish I could pass it to you like before…”

But instead, he offered me a letter, complete with the Allen family crest prominently stamped on it.

He said, “It seems the rumors have finally reached the Allen family.”

My hand trembled slightly as I took the letter.

Various fears rushed through my mind.

Since the letter wasn’t black, it couldn’t be bad news from my father.

But the moment I opened this, it felt like I would receive the very power I had wished for.

It felt like there was no escaping my goodbye with Vivian.

…It really felt like the end had come.

“Then I’ll go deliver the next letter…”

Nesto walked past me, who was left in a daze, and knocked on Vivian’s door.

“Vivian, it’s Nesto.”

‘…Come in.’

The door opened, and I faced Vivian.

It seemed she had given up on her recent attempts to beautify herself; her tired eyes looked up at us.

“…Ugh…!”

As soon as Vivian saw me, she turned her gaze away.

For a brief moment, she maintained that attitude, but when Nesto walked in, the door closed behind him.

I digested the complex emotions I felt looking at Vivian and slowly opened the letter.

It was written in my father’s handwriting.

And, typical of him, it contained a short message.

My son. I miss you.

*****

To Vivian Rondore.

First of all, I received the letter you sent in the past. I apologize for not being able to reply sooner.

You probably know by now, but my health hasn’t been great, making things difficult.

We are aware that there is unhealable blood between the Allen and Rondore families.

It wasn’t just the lives of the late Duke Rondore and the prince that were at stake.

My son being dragged to that land has surely something to do with those two’s lives… but that’s all in the past.

No matter what, there is a grudge between us.

Many soldiers and knights from the Allen family lost their lives in the war, and Rondore wasn’t free from that tragedy either.

Thinking of my soldiers who died in my embrace, it’s hard to easily let go of my grudge against Rondore.

As a defeated knight, I understand that all the responsibilities lie with me.

But as a father who has lost a son, sometimes emotions took precedence over reason, and I resented Rondore.

But now, I wish to let go of that grudge.

I heard from my eldest daughter, Keila.

She told me that you and my son are close.

Hearing that gave me the courage to let go of my long-held resentment and pain.

I wish for the Rondore family to make the same decision for the sake of their friendship.

Miss Rondore.

I fully understand that you might have hated me.

Even if the true culprit behind the deaths of the late Duke and prince was someone else, I know I am not entirely free from that responsibility.

I acknowledge all those wrongs.

I seek your forgiveness.

And I wonder if this can bring you comfort, but I am facing death.

Like my wife, I have been suffering from an unknown illness for a long time.

At most, I have a year; at the very least, a month.

I can’t tell when, but I feel that my time is running out.

This is my final request.

Please return my son, Kylo.

Kylo is the firstborn who must lead the family.

He must return and inherit the responsibilities of the family and have an heir.

Marriages are already being discussed with other families-

-Thud!

Vivian could not help but grip the letter tightly when she read the part about heirs and marriage talks.

The letter crumpled helplessly in her grip.

A tremor of jealousy surged within her.

Perhaps knowing that the future written in the letter was far more likely to happen only made those emotions grow messier.

The future where Kylo would leave her and start a family with another woman was slowly but surely creeping closer.

It was a future that Vivian could not bear.

If she imagined Kylo whispering love to another woman and smiling at her… it drove her crazy.

Kylo pushed her away. He had distanced himself from her, with whom he shared so many complicated feelings.

But would he easily embrace another woman?

What right did that woman have? What kind of luck was she born with?

“…”

Vivian exhaled sharply, unfolding the crumpled letter slowly.

She continued reading the remaining lines.

-Marriage talks are in progress. Even if it’s my selfish desire that you might not need to understand, I feel I could only comfortably close my eyes once I see my grandchildren.

Miss Rondore, please let go of Kylo now.

Kylo has suffered more than he deserves for his sins.

If what Keila saw is true, if the friendship between you two is genuine, then, I ask that you finally forgive our family.

Hoping for your gracious decision, Jade Allen.

“…”

Vivian’s emotions raced at the heartfelt letter from Jade Allen.

His sincere plea wasn’t entirely lost on her.

But such a request was just one of many factors driving her further into madness.

“What did it say?”

Nesto asked gently.

Vivian shook her head, crumpling the letter.

“…Nothing.”

Just then, a commotion broke out outside.

The unexpected noise startled Vivian, but soon after, fear crept in.

Because there was only one person who could create such an uproar within the tightly-controlled Castle of Rondore.

‘Hey! What’s going on-!’

‘Stop! Stop it!’

-BANG!!

Just as the commotion reached the front door, it burst open.

Vivian gulped nervously.

With a great two-handed sword in hand, and a red bear helmet perched on his head, there stood Kylo.

He wasn’t dressed comfortably but in an outfit fit for a long journey.

****

I clenched my chilled fists before facing Vivian.

She could no longer avoid me.

There was nowhere for her to run.

I faced her as she trembled in shock and fear.

But in that fear was a subtle madness lurking.

There existed a unique gaze shown only by those at their limits.

The emotion one might see on the execution grounds was reflected in her eyes.

My gaze fell to the crumpled letter in front of her.

Wordlessly, I walked over and roughly snatched the letter away.

“What, what are you doing…!”

Vivian protested, but aside from standing up, she could do nothing.

I skimmed through the letter.

Where my father’s desperate plea was written… my resolve solidified.

It felt like I had received the final strength I needed.

I looked at Vivian.

Perhaps sensing my determination, she shook her head.

“…No.”

“…”

“…Ky, Kylo. You can’t seriously leave me.”

Her denial was pitiful.

But I realized then that I wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to her with a smiling face anymore.

“It’s goodbye, Vivian.”

“…”

“If you won’t let me go, then I’ll leave on my own.”

 

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