---

Vivian’s behavior, which began to befriend the Boy Soldiers of the Punishment Unit, was changing the atmosphere of the Castle of Rondore.

No one was foolish enough to not realize why she was doing this or what her intentions were.

Everyone knew how precariously Vivian was standing.

With two attempted assassinations already exposed, it was clear that someone was after her.

Thus, everyone understood that her attempt to get close to the Boy Soldiers was a tactic to rally her own troops.

However, discontent started to murmur among the knights not part of the Boy Soldiers.

It was a reaction that was bound to happen.

Underlying Vivian’s actions was the implication that she couldn’t trust the rest of the knights.

But Vivian ignored these complaints.

Her stance was clear: she couldn’t please everyone.

The reactions within the Punishment Unit were varied.

Some were thrilled to have been chosen by Vivian, while others made it clear they had no intention of walking a thorny path for her.

This, too, might change over time.

However, one thing was certain: as Vivian moved, an unprecedented tense atmosphere began to flow throughout the castle.

Vivian’s movements meant that her opponents would also move.

The factional struggles hidden beneath the surface were slowly starting to manifest.

But as if that wasn’t enough, Vivian began yet another peculiar action.

Initially, it was a rumor, but as more people experienced it, it turned out to be true.

She called on her retainers or maids one by one each day to throw questions at them.

She would ask two or three questions, sometimes sharp and other times silly.

Ever since this ridiculous story reached my ears, my curiosity couldn’t be contained.

During one of our shared meals, I asked her outright.

“I heard you’ve been asking people questions lately. What’s that about?”

Vivian responded with an indifferent tone.

“…I think I’m getting better at telling lies from the truth. I’ve been testing it out.”

That ridiculous answer made me chuckle.

How can she claim to know such things like some omnipotent deity?

I continued with a mocking tone.

“So, how’s that working out for you?”

But contrary to my sarcasm, she answered with a confident smile.

“Good.”

****

She could pick out lies three times a day.

And even that was pushing it.

As Elena said, her powers were limited because she was still inexperienced as a Witch.

Having used magic three times in one day, Vivian had to believe Elena’s words.

After using her spells, fatigue would hit her like a freight train, and sleep would come crashing down.

Though they claimed she would be better once her magical capacity grew over time, Vivian was extremely cautious.

Vivian tested her abilities for several days.

She’d ask expected questions and anticipated straightforward answers.

“Serena, can you tell me the color of this cloth I’m holding?”

She declared as she raised a white cloth while activating her magic.

Serena stammered, glancing between Vivian’s face and the cloth, clearly flustered.

“Uh, it’s white.”

Apparently, if a lie was spoken, the eyes would briefly glow red, while the truth would shine blue.

The moment Serena answered, her eyes gleamed with a blue light.

Days of asking foolish questions continued.

Limited to only three queries daily, it consumed a significant amount of time.

I had wanted to ask Kyle during our meal times, but uncertain whether the magic truly worked, I never went through with it.

As time passed, Vivian reached one conclusion.

This power was real.

Being able to verify the truth three times a day during crucial moments.

From then on, she summoned her retainers one by one to pose questions.

This alone stirred up quite a commotion in the castle.

Vivian’s sudden and bold actions shattered the calm routine and created tension for everyone.

However, that didn’t mean she threw sensitive questions around without care.

With ample time on her hands, there was no rush.

Sitting face to face and asking, “Do you oppose me?” wouldn’t likely yield a positive reaction.

So she asked trivial questions or made small requests.

For example, saying, “I hope you’ll continue to support me.” and waiting for their reactions.

Yes, when Lady Linne answered that, her eyes shone blue.

Though her actions were strict and not always efficient, and sometimes her candidness made others blush, her sincerity seemed genuine.

Now, two years later, I could somewhat understand why my mother had appointed Lady Linne as her mentor.

While she wasn’t exceptionally capable, her heart was always true.

And all the other retainers, aside from Lady Linne, glowed red.

They seemed surprised at first, but since everyone was doing it, Vivian could also see what they meant.

If one were to think negatively, they could interpret it as everyone wishing for her demise.

However, I didn’t believe the probability of that was very high.

On a positive note, it suggested they still lacked faith in her enough to pledge their loyalty.

After all, humans are selfish creatures, and the retainers might be calculating which faction to align with.

…Of course, just because I understood this didn’t mean I would let them be.

In Vivian’s heart, she was already making decisions about who to keep and who to side with.

This minor spell capable of discerning lies was quietly yet significantly altering things.

In truth, she already knew of the hostility.

She was well aware that the retainers didn’t like her.

But seeing it with her own eyes felt different.

It brought forth fear, hopelessness, and a hint of fighting spirit.

If she had learned this magic earlier and realized how many adults around her were hostile, it might have crushed her with fear.

But the current Vivian was different from her past self.

She had something to support her from a presence she despised.

Thinking of that made her fears somewhat bearable.

“…”

Yet, she couldn’t use her magic on that very person.

Previously, I thought she avoided using the uncertain spell on him out of reluctance.

But as her power grew, so did her trust, and she realized that wasn’t the case.

“…Why?”

Kyle, busy shoveling food into his mouth, glanced up at Vivian’s silence with a puzzled expression.

Vivian realized she had been blankly staring at him and pretended to focus on her meal.

“…It’s nothing.”

Thinking it over, it was Kyle who bore no repercussions.

No matter what she said or asked, it wouldn’t matter to Kyle.

Yet, Vivian couldn’t bring herself to use the spell on him.

She figured the reason for this came to her belatedly.

Perhaps she feared that if she asked a question, Kyle’s eyes would glow red.

That all his words until now would be revealed as lies… Vivian continuously turned her head away, avoiding the issue.

****

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I pulled out my leather armor, real sword, and red bear helmet at Vivian’s command.

The 50 Boy Soldiers from my unit did the same.

The orders given early that morning by Vivian through Burgor somewhat shook our monotonous routines.

“I’m going into town to confront the Las cult.”

Vivian replied, now dressed in clothes far more authoritative than usual.

Luxury materials, meticulous finishing, and the emblem of the Rondore sun embedded everywhere.

“Why go to the Las cult?”

I asked, though I knew she was meeting someone important.

She shrugged and deferred her answer as if she figured I’d find out once she left.

I suppressed my curiosity and donned my helmet.

My comrades were already in a line; it was only me who needed to finish getting ready.

With the helmet in place, Vivian looked up at me.

Then, with a faint smile, she whispered.

“The more I see it, the better made it seems.”

I pointed to my helmet and asked.

“…This humiliation?”

“What’s humiliating about it?”

“You’ve got an animal’s head on a human’s head; isn’t that humiliation?”

“It’s your family’s crest.”

“Stop pretending to be clueless. You didn’t make this for me.”

Vivian chuckled at my response.

As she tucked her soft hair behind her shoulder, she said.

“Yeah, I actually intended to insult you with it. But still, I really think it’s well made, especially… that red color.”

“…”

My helmet was the same red color as Vivian’s hair.

Could it possibly have any influence related to that?

With no answers, I finally decided to stop thinking about it.

Before long, Vivian headed towards the Boy Soldiers and said.

“Are you ready?”

When a resounding reply returned, Vivian commanded.

“Then let’s go. I hope you all protect me well.”

.

.

.

I led Vivian’s horse this time as well.

Today, thankfully, nothing was being thrown at me.

While there were still occasional tosses, Vivian’s icy demeanor often discouraged them, minimizing the occurrences.

Moreover, since Vivian hadn’t brought out too many troops, we could quietly roam the streets of the city.

Of course, she received some attention, but it was nothing compared to when leading the entire knightly order.

“Kyle, this way.”

Burgor, who knew the city’s layout well as a commoner, guided us.

He claimed to know many hidden paths in the city, but since Vivian couldn’t go through those, we stuck to the main roads.

As we leisurely strolled around Roktana, the life of commoners became more apparent.

Throwing stones or rotten fruit at me had never allowed me to notice this reality.

Some appeared to live normally, but most looked impoverished.

Ragged clothing, emaciated bodies, dirt-smudged skin, and grimy faces.

The first time I arrived in Roktana, I didn’t expect to feel pity for them.

But perhaps it was the passing of two years? My perceptions certainly felt different.

“No matter how I look at it, it seems hopeless.”

Suddenly, Vivian spoke to me.

I was perplexed and replied with a question.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s about you being loved by these people.”

Vivian was bringing up our bet.

When I fell silent, she continued.

“…But, did you really mean it back then? That you would be loved by these people?”

“I meant it seriously.”

“What in the world do you plan to do? I honestly feel like you’re in a worse situation than me.”

“…Just wait and see.”

“Do you even have a plan?”

…Of course not. But from the moment their anger toward me calmed, I thought maybe there was something I could do, even if vaguely.

When I couldn’t find an answer, Vivian smirked.

“See? You’ve got nothing. Too bad, Kyle. You might end up rotting here for life.”

“…If you’d cry just once, that wouldn’t even be the case.”

“I won’t cry anymore. Didn’t I say that?”

“We’ll have to see about that.”

“…”

For a moment, Vivian fell silent and then nudged my helmet.

-Thump.

Her sudden action made a sprinkle of annoyance wash over me.

When I turned to glare at her, she wore a slightly dejected expression as she sat on her horse.

However, her gaze remained sharp as she asked.

“…Do you really want to go back that badly?”

Her words caught me off guard. Why did she seem so lonely at that moment?

She was always lonely.

After pondering for a moment, I realized I was slow to respond and hurriedly spat out an answer.

“You’ll let me?”

“Are you crazy?”

Her previously tired response turned vehement, causing me to stifle a laugh.

Then, slowly rolling my thoughts, I expressed my sincerity.

“…It’s home. Of course, I want to go back. I miss so much.”

She was silent for a moment, then asked with a tinge of sadness in her tone.

“…Like what?”

The expression felt unfamiliar, causing a strange tingle in my chest, but I tried to brush it off casually.

“Family and food… Ah, I want to see the snow fall from the sky. It’s too hot here.”

There were too many things to detail; it was impossible to count them all.

Each time I felt that difference, I was reminded of being in a foreign land.

“…”

Vivian bit her lip slightly, looking at me.

Her gaze held some indescribable, complex emotion.

Then, turning her head slightly, she spoke in a low voice.

“Give up on the snow. As for family… I can’t meet mine either because of your family. And for food… I can make it here too.”

Her words mixed tenderness with lingering attachment. Was she feeling more emotional today?

Not understanding the reason behind that expression, I deliberately teased her.

“Are you saying that I shouldn’t go because you can make everything here? Think I’ll be missed at all if I’m gone?”

At my retort, Vivian’s expression momentarily twisted.

She narrowed her eyes coldly and replied in a frigid tone.

“…I’m saying you should just give up. You’re meant to rot here. Longing for something you can never see again… it just makes life tougher for no reason.”

“…

That led to an odd silence hanging between us.

I wondered how our conversation had taken such a turn and then sealed my lips.

Vivian, too, didn’t try to engage with me any further.

 

---