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A grand, long table sat in the middle of the vast hall.

At one end, Vivian sat all alone, like a lost duck floating in an expansive river.

The modest yet lovingly prepared food in front of her remained untouched.

The delicious aroma wafting from the dishes failed to stimulate her appetite any longer.

This had been the state of the fortress for a while now.

Her gaze at the food was empty, and only deep emptiness resided in her heart.

“…”

Vivian picked up her fork, only to let it drop weakly again.

The space around the table felt so vast and quiet.

The portraits of her family hanging on the walls were still elegant, but they had long since departed from her side.

Every time she caught a glimpse of their smiles in the portraits, the warmth and love of their times together painfully resurfaced.

Those memories had now transformed into her suffering, tainting reality further.

It had been six months since her last companion, her mother, left this world, and in that time, she had been too occupied with trying to restore the Rondore legacy.

Still, no matter how much time passed, she could never get accustomed to mealtime. This solitary moment was always awful.

Mealtime was originally a time for family bonding, filled with conversation and laughter.

Her father, chatting happily with her mother with smiles; her brother, sternly insisting she eat more while cutting food for her.

Vivian had loved that scene.

But now, all of it had vanished, leaving only the silent stillness that felt as cold as death.

The silence wrapped itself around her, flowing along the wide walls, pushing her further into loneliness.

Would this pain ever end?

In hard times, Vivian always recalled Kyle Allen’s provocations.

He had taunted her about how her family had fallen into weakness and was doomed to fail.

Last time, provoking him with the execution was some sort of whim. She couldn’t help herself, being pricked by guilt.

And now, as mealtime approached again, she regretted that choice.

In moments of desolation, the Allen family could not seem nearly as detestable as they once did.

Whether it be her conscience or whatever, she thought it would have been better to just leave him alone…

With a sigh, Vivian quietly tore off a piece of bread and put it in her mouth.

Since her father, mother, and brother had sacrificed their lives for the Rondore family, it was her turn to protect it now.

In recent days, her desire to rebuild the family legacy was not just for pride—it was because if she didn’t, all this suffering would be meaningless.

But sometimes, she would close her eyes and imagine.

Someone sitting beside her, gently stroking her hair with a warm voice calling her name.

Listening to her daily stories, sharing her feelings.

If that happened, this moment would seem a little more bearable.

“…”

In recent times, she could still hear the whispers of the maids.

They envied her for inheriting the vast lands of Roktana. Isn’t all that fruitful southern land hers?

Maybe they were right. A 14-year-old girl holding more than Vivian didn’t seem far-fetched.

Yet, despite having more than anyone, she lacked the most crucial thing—someone to share it with.

.

.

.

Vivian finished her meal without even finishing half of it.

She could eat no more. The mere act of swallowing even a sip of water felt like a struggle.

Dining alone in a silent room was not just about filling her stomach.

It was a torture that confirmed her loneliness, and she longed to escape it.

Just then, the maid, Sena, approached Vivian.

She hesitated, trying to fulfill her duty. Lowering her voice, the maid spoke.

“…Lady Vivian, you’ve eaten too little. It might harm your health. Shouldn’t you eat a bit more?”

Vivian slowly raised her eyes to look at the maid.

“It’s okay, Sena. I can’t eat anymore.”

Sena hesitated. The concern she showed was almost like a reflection of Vivian’s own state.

Indeed, Vivian felt it too.

Day by day, she was eating less and less, and the flesh that had clung to her arms and legs was gradually disappearing.

She knew her body was weakening, but she felt like if she pushed down another bite, she would just spit it back out.

“But Lady Vivian…”

“Then, how about we eat together?”

“…”

Sena hesitated at Vivian’s remark and stepped back, looking troubled.

“How could I…”

“I said I’m fine.”

“…I’ve already eaten…”

“You can just eat a little more.”

“….”

Sena eventually remained silent.

Vivian understood why.

No one had been on her side lately.

It was like a balancing act. No one wanted to grab the lifeline that was Vivian.

As time passed, the factions within had become more distinct, something Vivian could see clearly, like a flower garden under the sun.

Feeling like a mere pawn, many were avoiding siding with her out of fear of the unknown.

If they gave her an excuse, perhaps they’d end up having to keep suggesting they share meals together.

Of course, not all factions were hostile toward her, and sometimes there were those too busy looking after their own interests…

Whatever the case, being associated with Vivian was not a particularly attractive option.

Understanding this, Vivian snorted softly.

And then she stood up from her seat.

“…Sorry, Sena. That was a pointless request.”

“…”

Sena could only blush in silence.

Leaving her behind, Vivian tried to walk out of the hall.

“…Huh?”

She had barely taken a few steps when the world began to spin around her.

****

-Tap, tap.

I checked my back pocket out of habit.

It had been two days since I’d ground the charcoal I received from Gurk at the blacksmith and kept it there.

Though the advice to be careful with the food seemed to be losing its weight, I couldn’t completely disregard the warning since it pertained to my life.

Recently, I had been lingering not at the Punishment Unit barracks but near Vivian’s castle.

The urge to find the maid I had seen then was stronger than anything else… plus, I couldn’t shake off a suspicion that had grown larger.

It started from Wyllas’s words.

“So, this march is, in a way, going to clarify to the Roktana people who the head of the Rondore family truly is?”

The event to announce the head of the Rondore family. Just like our family occasionally did, it was an act to reinforce the responsibilities and authority of a ruler.

Vivian was set to participate in that march soon.

It meant solidifying her position as head.

And at the moment that march was to occur, a note with a question was delivered to me.

Be careful about the food.

“…”

This prompted a hypothesis.

If it wasn’t advice meant for me?

What if it was a request to protect Vivian?

If there are actual enemies targeting her, wanting to usurp her position, would it not be most efficient to remove Vivian before the march took place?

It would be quite awkward to act after the citizens saw her face.

Wasn’t this the perfect timing for Vivian’s enemies to make a move?

“…”

Of course, this was just a hypothesis.

This was a ridiculous train of thought.

Assuming that the note was serious, the fact that it reached me was absurd.

Why would they want me of all people to do this? If they wanted to help Vivian, there were plenty of people who could.

It felt just like the Duchess telling me to protect Vivian in a nonsensical request.

I clicked my tongue lightly.

After thinking it over, it still made no sense.

No matter how ruined the Rondore family was, it wouldn’t be wise to poison the head…

“Quick! Quickly!!”

It was then I heard the sound of the castle’s maids and guards racing somewhere.

Tens of people were running around, shouting hurriedly.

“…”

Still frozen, I finally began to grasp the situation as my head went blank.

What had happened? I somehow had a feeling of what it could be.

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, my body was already in motion.

With all confused thoughts aside, my legs were already running.

Hundreds of times, I thought it couldn’t possibly be what I expected.

I wished it wouldn’t be.

.

.

.

I followed the maids and guards straight to the grand hall of the Rondore castle.

This was where Vivian had her meals.

I had often witnessed her lonely dishing about her food here.

The fact that people were gathering here only dampened my mood further.

The hall was already crowded with people.

I pushed through the adults blocking the way as tightly packed as a wall.

“Lady Vivian! Lady Vivian!!”

Urgent shouts echoed from beyond the crowd. The sharper that voice grew, the faster I moved.

-Boom!

At last, I broke through the crowd and entered the hall.

And there she was.

Her red hair was flowing messily, her complexion pale.

“Cough… Huh…”

She was gasping for breath, drooling.

Clutching her throat in pain, she was anxiously gripping her maid’s hem.

Around her, many people were doing nothing.

No one knew what to do, each busy with their own chatter.

A maid exclaimed.

“Get Scholar Krellyn here quickly…!”

“Scholar Krellyn went outside this morning to gather herbs…”

Someone else added.

“We need to give her a thump on the back…! What do we do?!”

“I’m already trying to do that…!”

Someone chimed in…

“The antidote…!”

“What poison are you talking about…!!”

I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing.

So many people had gathered, yet no one could help her.

No, on closer inspection, some were reluctant to help.

There were guards sneaking back, maids trying to melt into the crowd.

Some soldiers with fearful expressions stood frozen, while knights merely urged for someone to send news quickly, far too busy calming their own racing hearts.

No one stepped forward to help, no one wanted to take responsibility for this mess.

They all hesitated to take action, leaving Vivian behind in a chaotic scene.

And there, Vivian was all alone.

Grasped by the fading consciousness, she scanned the crowd surrounding her.

Her pleading gaze, already nearly wrapped in despair, wouldn’t take long to go dull.

If it was clear to me, I’m sure it was just as obvious to her.

That no one here truly wanted to save her.

Only a crowd filled with people clinging to their own safety.

If she had received more love within the family, would this day have come?

It felt like there were too many people out there wanted this incident to hasten the change in leadership.

Realizing this, Vivian’s breath seemed to grow fainter, as if resigning to her fate.

The strength in her hands weakened as she clutched her throat.

Tears streamed from her red eyes, dropping from somewhere between despair and defeat.

The last spark of Rondore was slowly fading away.

That was the moment I couldn’t hold back anymore and approached her.

“Get out of the way…!”

Pushing aside the useless maids who were just patting Vivian’s back, I took a position beside her.

The crowd stood in disbelief at my sudden appearance.

Given the history between Vivian and me, it was an expected reaction.

But there was no time to think about that; I placed my hand on Vivian’s shoulder as she knelt helplessly.

Her eyes, once filled with abandonment, slowly turned toward me.

Had we ever been this close before?

Now, being this close, even in her pain, she finally sensed my presence.

Her gaze shifted, finally.

Even without words, our emotions communicated.

I understood it better than anyone after our months of silent battles.

Before the terror of death, she was ultimately just a girl.

Her eyes dared forget our grudges, shining brightly with raw fear.

“Get me water!!”

Seeing her gaze was so difficult that I turned away and commanded the maids.

Only then did they frantically run out to fetch water, as if responding to my resolve.

As soon as they left, I looked back at Vivian.

Why couldn’t I leave Vivian Rondore behind?

Her enemies attacked her from the shadows.

This was the signal to start the internal war within Rondore.

If I saved her, I too would be drawn into that conflict.

Once she was safe, I couldn’t just retreat later.

Logically, it was clear how inefficient this was.

Why was I putting myself through this for someone who despised me?

But alongside the irrationality of my actions, one thing was certain.

I felt clear on this one thing about my heart.

Now, I could finally admit it.

I wanted Vivian to live.

That singular truth endured, even when she had lost all hope and despair, even now.

I wanted to witness the day she became an adult alongside me.

Why I wanted this, or why I had to, I didn’t know.

But now, I had to protect her.

This principle felt like it would prevent any later regrets.

If I had come to this conclusion sooner, maybe Vivian wouldn’t have swallowed poison.

Might this catastrophe have happened if I hadn’t been so indecisive?

…I had no answer, nor the time to think it through.

I needed to focus on putting things right.

With one hand gripping the back of her neck, I made sure her red eyes met mine.

“Please don’t die…” A weird, awkward sentiment floated between us.

If I said that, she might doubt my sincerity even more.

So instead, I whispered to her in a way that made it easy to understand why I was helping.

“…What makes you think you can die on your own terms?”

“Ugh…Huff…”

“Were you not going to see how I grow up? Where do you think you’re trying to run away from…?”

Putting my arm around her frail shoulders, I made her lean against me.

Next, I pried open her weakened jaw with my right hand.

Then, I slipped my fingers into her mouth.

The sensation of her soft, wet tongue was something I’d never felt before.

And instantly, her teeth bit down hard on my finger.

As if they couldn’t stand the intrusion of my hand forcing its way inside.

Yet, this was only momentary.

“You can’t die yet.”

With those words, her jaw slowly relaxed.

Once she released my finger, I pushed my fingers deeper into her throat to induce vomiting.

I turned her head to the side to ensure nothing blocked her airways.

“Ugh!!”

Vivian’s eyes shut tight as she heaved, releasing the contents of her stomach.

Her eyes squeezed tightly, tears spilled forth.

“Ugh!!”

As she vomited in rhythm with her breath, she appeared to be in even more pain.

Every time she retched, the color drained from her face.

But I had no intention of stopping.

With little regard, I stirred my fingers to coax more out of her.

I didn’t care if everyone saw her in such a disgraceful state.

For now, it felt like she needed to live for my own comfort.

In the meantime, the maids rushed back with water in a basin.

I handed them the pocket where I had stored the charcoal.

“Dissolve it in water. Prepare it, one cup at a time.”

“Y-Yes!”

They began following my instructions to create the charcoal-infused water.

Watching the scene unfold, I spoke to Vivian.

“From now on, until you drink all that’s in the basin, you’ll keep drinking and vomiting.”

“…”

“Even if you hate it, I’ll force you to drink it, so don’t refuse. Understood?”

“…”

Vivian glanced up at me. Dazed, she struggled to focus her gaze on my eyes.

“Did you hear me…?”

As the symptoms of poisoning escalated, I grew anxious. So, I raised my voice just a bit.

-Nod.

Vivian nodded in agreement.

With her response, my anxious heart eased just a bit.

Starting from her consent, I received a glass of charcoal water from the maid.

“If you can’t see, feel it. I’ll bring the glass to your lips. Drink it all.”

Vivian leaned into me as she struggled with dizziness, slowly parting her lips.

As I tilted the cup, she struggled to gulp down that water.

Her hands clutched tightly onto my clothing.

 

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