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It was a deep night.

A faint candle flickered in the room, and Vivian opened her tired eyes slightly.

With a long sigh, she set down the thick book.

The letters she had crammed in were swirling chaotically in her head.

She closed her stiff eyes and slowly leaned back in her chair.

“You’re not concentrating well today, my apprentice.”

Then, a sweet voice, almost comforting, spoke with a hint of laughter to Vivian.

Vivian opened her eyes slightly, catching the scent of the cigarette Elena was smoking.

Her gaze fell on the enormous bed in one corner of the room where Elena lay.

Long hair cascaded over her shoulders and dress.

Her white, toned legs softly peeked out from beneath the hem of her dress.

If it were anyone else, they would have said not to lie on the bed, but maybe it was because Elena was so beautiful?

The sight of her lying there was like a painting, and Vivian didn’t feel much resistance.

Perhaps it was also because that bed had become more Vivian’s than her parents’.

Vivian honestly replied to Elena.

“…It’s hard.”

“Oh? Why the lamenting?”

Considering the intensity of the lessons she had received from Lady Linne, learning from Elena was certainly bearable.

But that was only in the beginning.

Lessons with Elena came with different difficulties than those with Lady Linne.

Vivian swallowed her spit and lifted the book for a moment.

“…Does this really have any meaning?”

“What do you mean?”

“The history of witches, their qualifications, their vessels… It’s all stories that have nothing to do with power.”

Vivian felt as though she was walking a path that was too different from what she had expected.

It had already been three months since she started down the path of a witch.

All she had learned so far were records, chronologies, and tales of witches’ long-standing philosophies.

She had expected curses, simple spells, potions, or the necessary offerings and materials for rituals…

This was a study far removed from that.

Elena, with a shallow smile, rose from the bed and approached Vivian, speaking softly.

“What’s the point of teaching a baby to wield a sword who hasn’t even taken their first steps?”

“…That’s true, but…”

“I understand your impatience. But everything has its stages. If I were to teach you complex curses now, you wouldn’t be able to use them anyway.”

“…”

Vivian sighed deeply once again.

Concerned, Elena squatted down next to Vivian’s chair and asked.

“What’s bothering you, Vivian?”

That foolish question made Vivian feel a slight heaviness in her chest.

“…It feels like you know everything, but sometimes, you don’t seem to know anything at all.”

She had an astonishingly good grasp of information about Vivian herself, yet knew nothing about the atmosphere in the Castle of Rondore.

Did she seriously have no idea how tense the atmosphere in the castle had become lately, or how rigid the expressions of the retainers had grown?

What kind of information did she rely on so that such an imbalance of knowledge existed?

Sure enough, Elena answered.

“Well, it’s because I only focus on what I’m interested in…”

“…”

Vivian had nothing to say to that.

After all, even witches weren’t omniscient. If they were that incredible, witches wouldn’t be hunted down.

As she reached this realization, Vivian felt her illusions about witches peel away.

She had thought that gaining power would make anything possible… but maybe that wasn’t the case.

Vivian spoke.

“So, does that mean I have to just read these books until I come of age?”

“You will learn simple spells. However, the spells that can fulfill all your dreams will require you to be older.”

Vivian shook her head.

“…I don’t understand. If I can only use them when I’m an adult, what’s the point of becoming a witch?”

“If you remain powerless after becoming an adult, you’ll probably regret not becoming a witch, right? For now, I hope you can see it as a blessing that you’re preparing.”

“…”

“You just have to endure for five or six more years. Your life stretches far beyond the age of seventy. Doesn’t that make it easier to bear?”

“What I’m afraid of is… that someone will come to kill me soon.”

“Even so, if you give up now, you won’t be safe after you come of age.”

Vivian’s gaze flickered.

Elena looked at her with a calm smile and whispered softly one last time.

“Vivian, if you really want, I could teach you about complex curses early. Just to ease your mind a little.”

“Really?”

“But I told you, it would be ineffective since you wouldn’t be able to use the spells… knowing them would be meaningless. It would only make your anxiety worse. By the way, has something happened recently?”

“…”

Vivian recalled the events coming up in a few days.

Soon, after leaving just a few thousand men to defend the castle, the entire knight order would set out.

Among them would be Kyle Allen.

Vivian didn’t want to admit it, but she was definitely more shaken by his absence than before.

Last time he left, she couldn’t even eat… what would happen this time?

Even if she had the ability to distinguish if the food was poisoned with a simple spell, she had no strength to protect herself from a huge fire.

And when he left, her uncle Robert Rondore would also arrive at the castle.

Robert would bring his people with him… could she handle the pressure from her retainers?

She felt uneasy after previously saying things that had strained her relationships with them.

Vivian felt lost.

She eventually looked up at Elena and begged.

“…Master, could you at least find out who’s after me?”

“…”

Elena smiled slightly, looking apologetic but trying to diffuse the mood.

Then she started to persuade Vivian.

“…Vivian, as I said before, I teach how to hunt, not actually hunt for you.”

“I know, but…”

“If you start relying on me, where does it end? Will knowing who your enemies are solve everything? If you find out who they are, what will you do next? Will you still come to me to have them eliminated?”

Vivian couldn’t find an answer. Elena continued.

“What if there is more than one enemy? What if someone else is targeting you? If their henchmen carry out the plans, what do you expect me to do?”

“…”

“And Vivian, you know what I said. Every spell has a price. Offerings are one thing, but… witches must gradually sacrifice their beauty to perform complex spells.”

“What?”

“You must have heard how witches look. With enormous moles on their noses, hunchbacks, lumpy faces, bony hands, and dreadful voices… that’s how witches who used spells excessively end up.”

Vivian looked at Elena.

Looking at that flawless witch, questions began to bloom.

“So, Master… have you never used a spell?”

Elena burst into hearty laughter at Vivian’s question.

Then, she gently patted Vivian’s head and said.

“That’s impossible. I’ve killed many people. As part of my revenge. What I meant is that you shouldn’t excessively use complex spells. That’s one of the reasons I can’t intervene for you. You should only use it at crucial moments, right?”

Vivian couldn’t hide her disappointment, but Elena continued.

“Vivian, becoming a witch isn’t about wielding a powerful sword. It’s not about being handed a weapon to swing around.”

“…Then what is it?”

“You need to think of it as a dagger you can use once in a while at very important moments. Whether you have it or not at that moment will make a significant difference.”

Vivian understood Elena’s words but still felt the same anxiety—she couldn’t shake it off.

She lay her head on the desk, expressing her disappointment. She didn’t intend to whine to Elena.

She was just worried about the days ahead.

“…”

Vivian was already thinking of Kyle’s suggestion.

‘Or you could follow the expedition.’

…that ridiculous suggestion.

Just like in the past, it was the statement of someone who knew nothing about politics.

How could the head leave the castle to hunt monsters?

Especially her, being a woman, would undoubtedly lower her status, with whispers buzzing around her.

It would be a relief if she didn’t get a weird nickname like ‘Monster Young Lady.’

…But it was also true that his suggestion wouldn’t leave her mind.

She was truly afraid of staying alone. It felt awkward to welcome her uncle alone.

And considering that she would be ‘alone’ without Kyle, his presence had definitely grown stronger within her.

Vivian mumbled as she thought of Kyle.

“…Isn’t there a spell to make me brave?”

She thought she’d need courage to endure the days ahead.

Similar to using poppy juice to numb the pain, she needed something to prevent her from feeling fear.

Elena, who seemed to find her cute, gently placed her hand on Vivian’s head and replied.

“There’s a spell that can keep your heartbeat steady.”

“…Does that also require sacrificing beauty?”

Elena shook her head with a chuckle.

“No, you don’t need to do that for simple spells. Sacrificing beauty is a reaction to strong spells; think of it that way.”

“…Then could you at least teach me that spell?”

“If you want.”

It wasn’t a spell that fundamentally solved her problem… but she felt she would have to be satisfied with that.

For the first time in a while, Vivian felt incredibly stifled in this castle.

It’s like being trapped in a vast prison.

She couldn’t escape the pain nor close her eyes—she just had to endure it.

Vivian sighed and sat up.

Then, looking at Elena, she said.

“…Please teach me.”

****

At the Castle of Rondore, as I looked down at the courtyard from the high balcony, I could see knights preparing for their departure everywhere.

Horses leaving the stables clopped their hooves cheerily as they moved, and the seeds were bouncing around, excited by the smell of the battlefield.

Older knights, aware of the hard schedule ahead, were drinking warm water to wake themselves up, while occasionally the knight commander could be seen busily issuing orders.

Carts loaded with food were lined up, while sleeping bags and clean cloths were piled high.

Men, steaming from the heat, wandered around drying off, some bursting into laughter and playing around.

However, the more chaotic the courtyard became, the quieter it grew inside the castle.

The castle where Vivian was meant to stay couldn’t look more empty and desolate.

“…”

The absence of people wasn’t exactly a good thing from the perspective of those who were targeting her.

Having no witnesses meant it was an optimal condition to secretly plot something.

…In plain terms, if someone were to approach and slit Vivian’s throat in the middle of the night, there might not be any witnesses.

This empty castle implied such a meaning.

However, I also understood that Vivian had no other options.

She had invited her uncle Robert Rondore to help and had to meet him—she couldn’t just stay behind.

Since Vivian didn’t have a particularly good relationship with Robert Rondore, she had to be even more cautious.

I knew it in my head, but… the worrying was definitely there.

Vivian had mentioned she would bring many maids along. I wondered how much that would actually help.

Of course, this worry might just be my excessive paranoia. Maybe there was nothing to worry about.

Thinking back, the person who handed me a note had not been quiet either.

There probably wouldn’t be a problem.

…But my instincts kept clouding my reason. Something felt off; it felt like something would go wrong in my absence…

“Haah.”

I shook my head.

Wondering wouldn’t change anything.

All I could do was look at Vivian’s face, leave when it was appropriate… and hope she would hold on well.

I walked away from the window, taking steps alone.

Eventually, I reached the hall, where, as always, Vivian was waiting for me at the long table in her familiar manner.

“…”

She said nothing, even though she knew I had arrived.

Just at the moment I wondered if she was feeling a little anxious, Vivian lifted her head.

To my surprise, her expression looked clearer than before.

She strangely seemed braver.

“…”

Seeing that expression, I also felt a strange sense of relief.

-Thud.

I quietly picked up a piece of bread.

I tore off a chunk of the bread, popped it into my mouth, and handed it to Vivian.

Vivian took the bread with familiar hands and placed it in her mouth.

“You look okay.”

I opened the conversation.

Vivian didn’t argue.

“I’m fine.”

“You were looking so pale just a while ago.”

“…That was a while ago.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to welcome your uncle properly?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

However, during the ongoing conversation, I felt perplexed.

Had she always been this calm?

No matter what, she would usually show some signs, but now she seemed excessively composed.

It felt like she was wearing a thick mask. But perhaps because I had watched her for over a year, I could react sensitively to such changes.

“…”

But it wasn’t something I could point out.

If she’d gathered enough courage to conceal her expression behind a mask, that alone was worthy of applause.

It felt best to appreciate her transformation and then leave.

As I thought that, I found myself focusing on filling my stomach.

I steadily tossed food from the table into my mouth while keeping a watchful eye on Vivian without saying much.

Eventually, the long meal came to a close, and it was time for me to leave.

“…”

“…”

I waited for a moment, but she still didn’t bid me farewell.

We weren’t growling at each other as much as in the past, yet an unpassable wall always stood between us.

A thick wall woven of blood and bitterness.

Helplessly, I wiped my mouth and stood up from my seat.

-Creak!

At that sound, Vivian seemed to return to reality, flinching slightly.

However, her face still held no sign of agitation.

As I took in her courage, I moved my feet.

…Then, just before leaving the hall, I paused for a moment and turned back to Vivian.

I noticed her shoulders had slumped, looking somewhat disheartened.

Her expression remained stoic, yet her body was communicating something different.

I couldn’t quite recall what happened next.

-Thud!

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of her, grabbing her arm.

Vivian looked up at me, startled.

“Wh, what…! What are you doing…?”

She panicked and tried to pull her arm away, but I wouldn’t let go.

Intuition told me she was hiding something.

This wasn’t the Vivian who could act so bravely. This wasn’t her calm self either.

Whatever she was hiding, it felt like she was afraid.

And I couldn’t stand my own anxiety.

“Get up, prepare yourself.”

I spoke decisively, as if giving an order.

Vivian gazed at me blankly, as if bewildered.

“Pr, prepare? For what…?”

“For the expedition. You’re coming too.”

“What?”

“Does it make sense for the head of the family to just stay cooped up in the castle? If the whole knight order is leaving, then you at least have to follow. So get up.”

Still frozen, Vivian seemed to snap back to reality and continued to struggle to pull her arm away.

“Are you crazy? I told you it’s not possible. My uncle is coming…”

“-I don’t care!”

I interrupted her sharply.

“As the head of the family, you should be moving according to your wishes, not looking out for your retainers. He can wait until you get back.”

“I, I want to stay in the castle—”

“-Stop lying.”

At my blunt response, Vivian finally ceased her movements.

Her mask gradually melted away, revealing the weak side of her again.

Seeing that, I softened my tone.

“It’ll be fun. You’ll splash around in muddy water and throw up from the blood…”

“How is that fun…”

But saying that, Vivian already wore a subtle smile on her face.

Maybe she found it absurd or mocking… either way, she was smiling.

I shook Vivian more relentlessly.

“You fool, and what uncle are you talking about? Look at me.”

“What?”

“Have you forgotten I’m the eldest son of the Allen family? You should fear me more than your uncle! If I was put in a punishment unit, isn’t it your job to see what happens to me?”

“…”

At this point, Vivian’s strength seemed to drain from her arms.

It became easier to pull her toward me.

Her bottom was starting to leave the chair slowly.

“…What am I doing?”

Then, Vivian murmured, looking down.

She gripped her clothing near her heart tightly.

“I’m sure I was walking properly…”

Vivian mumbled with a confused expression.

“What are you talking about?”

I asked her, puzzled, but she didn’t respond.

Instead, she only slowly tightened her grip around my arm.

Realizing that as a sign of agreement, I spoke again.

“Let’s go.”

I pulled her toward me.

Now her body was coming along with me.

Looking into her eyes as she stood, I firmly said.

“Let’s get out of here, quickly.”

Grabbing her arm and stepping forward, Vivian followed me along, no longer putting up much resistance.

 

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