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“Start gently with just your lips.”

“…”

Lady Linne softly guided her fingers on my lips.

Once again, I was learning the art of seduction.

“Then there’s the gaze. I told you, for love to blossom, the eyes are essential. You have to look the other person in the eye without shying away. Vivian, you must utilize those beautiful eyes of yours.”

“…”

“After staring for a while, let out a short sigh. It’s about taking your time. If the man looks flustered, return to your lips first, and if he draws closer without hesitation, just close your eyes.”

“…”

“After a light kiss, you should mix tongues. Think of my hands as your tongue.”

Lady Linne raised her hands, lightly touching her fingertips together.

“So light and soft. If the other person gets too excited and goes deep, pull back a little. A woman shouldn’t give herself too easily.”

“…”

“Once the other person is sufficiently anxious, then you can give yourself to him. Mix your tongues deeply.”

As if shaking hands, Lady Linne finally clasped her hands and smiled gently at Vivian.

However, Vivian was just dazed.

Lady Linne’s words weren’t sinking in at all.

Yesterday, everything had moved so fast that I didn’t have a chance to think, but now, time passed and Kyle’s actions kept resurfacing in my mind.

Kyle, staring into my eyes. The unmistakable lust in his gaze.

And the way he had leaned in to kiss me.

“…Am I crazy?”

Vivian found herself whispering.

How on earth did I even entertain the thought of kissing him?

We’re enemies. Between Kyle and me…

Since I met him at 13, now at 16, things have changed.

I knew my body was transforming, but we were definitely not at that level.

He’s taller and stronger now, but the memories of when he was small and weak lingered on. The vivid disgust I felt for him back then too.

…But why does my heart race so much just thinking of yesterday’s events?

Why did I dream of being intimate with him, and why couldn’t I tear my gaze away from his eyes and lips at dawn?

“Huh?”

Lady Linne asked, surprised.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”

Vivian snapped back to reality, offering an explanation.

“I just had a fleeting thought.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shake off the intrusive thoughts, but they were still too clear in her mind.

It was only a few hours ago. There hadn’t been enough time to sort her feelings.

Vivian, lost in turmoil, glanced at Lady Linne.

She must have sensed something amiss; Lady Linne stared silently at her.

In the past, I missed it, but now I recognized that look was one of concern.

The clumsy Lady Linne just didn’t know how to express it.

Finally, Vivian exhaled heavily and spoke up.

She actually wanted to ask someone something.

“Lady, is it possible to want such a kiss… without love?”

“What?”

“I mean, could there be a desire to kiss just out of curiosity or lust?”

“…”

“…Leaving aside any feelings for the other person.”

“Do you have someone in mind that you want to kiss?”

Vivian shook her head vehemently.

“No, not really. It’s just… I’ve seen so many young soldiers and maids get together that…”

Lady Linne nodded in understanding, took a deep breath, and replied.

“Of course. Like I’ve said, you can act purely on lust without love. I’ve told you that many times.”

Vivian frowned unconsciously as she spoke.

“…Really? It seems to me love would have to play a role… no matter how much men might act otherwise.”

Lady Linne shook her head firmly.

“No. The pleasure of contact alone is significant, providing sufficient motivation to act in absence of love.”

“But… it’s only joyous when it’s with someone you like. Who would want to do that with someone they don’t?”

“As you said, if curiosity is driving it, or if lust is built up… it’s entirely possible. Especially for those of lower breeding.”

“…But…”

Vivian continued to inadvertently counter Lady Linne.

Though logically, she understood the truth, part of her wished for a different answer.

“…Haa.”

But in the end, Vivian accepted Lady Linne’s answer, relinquishing her own confounding fixation.

It felt like a weight was settling in her chest.

And with it, a touch of irritation arose.

She knew Kyle didn’t like her.

This morning’s incident was simply a manifestation of his lust.

It was humiliating that she was still affected by it all.

To anyone else, it may seem Kyle lacked lust, but he was just good at hiding it.

Seeing him act that way towards her occasionally was enough to create chaos in Vivian’s heart, fostering her frustration.

Maybe it was all her fault. Her inability to suppress Kyle’s lust was her failing.

During moments when she thought it was bound to happen with the maids or in her time with Lani Dubos, it was Vivian who interfered.

That could be why Kyle acted as he did.

Should she allow him outings like the young soldiers were about to get?

Should she let him indulge in brothels?

“…Vivian?”

At that moment, Lady Linne snapped her back to reality.

“Yes?”

Looking up, she noticed Lady Linne’s face was filled with an unprecedented degree of worry.

“…Are you alright?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Your expression suddenly darkened. And your hands…”

Vivian glanced at her hands.

Unbeknownst to her, she had squeezed her grip so tightly, that the quill pen she habitually held had snapped.

“…Oh.”

As Vivian relaxed her grip, thebroken quill fell to the desk, blood rushing back into her hands.

Thinking about Kyle frequenting brothels must have made her do that without realizing.

However, as much as she mulled it over, it still irritated her.

Even the thought of Kyle mixing with whores was revolting.

Just as he had reached to touch her, he’d be touching those prostitutes.

Just as he had held her in his eyes, he’d be holding whores in his gaze.

And if he desired to kiss her, then, was he trying to kiss those whores too?

“…”

Vivian’s heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly.

…Just imagining it made her want to kill every last one of those whores.

And she wanted Kyle to be the one to execute them with his own hands.

-Tap.

Vivian pressed her forehead lightly and closed her eyes again.

She couldn’t understand why thoughts became so violently charged whenever Kyle was involved.

It’s not rational to think of killing just because it was tied to Kyle.

I don’t know. It was incomprehensible.

As blood was likely about to flow in the Castle of Rondore, perhaps her heart was sharpening in preparation.

To be ready for the future.

But whatever it was, losing her composure around Kyle wasn’t ideal.

Lady Linne’s expression continued to darken.

Vivian didn’t want to speak to her about Kyle.

So, she chose to fabricate other excuses to alleviate her chaotic mood.

“Let’s call it a day for today’s lessons.”

Vivian was the one to suggest it first. Lady Linne looked slightly surprised.

“But… there’s still plenty of time—”

-Tap.

Vivian pulled a document from her drawer.

A death list.

Holding it up, she said, “Have a seat.”

.

.

.

“…This is everything.”

With Vivian’s declaration, Lady Linne was left speechless.

The elder woman, who usually exuded an air of poise and strength, was suddenly gaping like a fool.

Meanwhile, Vivian, who often felt inferior before her, remained composed.

The earlier tension faded away.

As steam rose from the tea she casually took a sip from, she waited for Lady Linne’s reaction.

Lady Linne stood there bewildered for quite a while before, with trembling hands, she glanced at the document once more.

“…You mean to eradicate them all?”

Her deep eyes skimmed over the endlessly long list of names.

Lady Linne turned to Vivian, seeking confirmation.

“You mean everyone here…?”

“Yes, everyone.”

“Oh my goodness, Vivian…”

“…”

Vivian observed Lady Linne, who was in shock, and her perception of the woman peeled back another layer.

She had thought Lady Linne was strong and principled, yet here she was, an older woman magnitudes her senior, astonished by the change.

…Though Kyle hadn’t reacted with such surprise.

He had simply looked like he’d been waiting for it—”Now the time has come” was all it took.

It was evident that he didn’t tremble or falter like Lady Linne did.

Earlier, just thinking about him had annoyed her, but it now seemed clear that he was the only one who truly understood her.

He was the only one recognizing her precarious position that led her to make such drastic choices.

And that realization provided an incredible sense of stability.

Vivian was all too aware that it was only because of Kyle she could even entertain this sort of decision.

So, it was solely him displaying emotionless lust for her that irritated her.

“You, this is way too dangerous…!”

Lady Linne finally exclaimed.

“I told you, Vivian. Rather than doing this, it’s better to enhance your allure and secure a strong lord. That’s the safest and most reliable way.”

“I’ll do that too.”

Vivian replied simply, tentatively affirming the abstract notion.

“And I’ll do this too. There are way too many hostile people surrounding me. If I want to survive and grow up, I have to take action first.”

“…But you can’t be sure that all of them think of you as an enemy—”

“-I can be sure.”

Vivian answered firmly. She had received ample support from the powers of spells.

Of course, she couldn’t read individual thoughts, and while there were some whose positions were ambiguous, she didn’t want to delve into too much detail. Time was short for that.

She merely sorted out those who had shown loyalty from those who hadn’t, dividing the capable from the incapable, and useful from useless—thus, the list was created.

It didn’t mean she intended to kill them all.

But she was at least going to remove those nearby for now.

“And… the decision has already been made. If you respect me as the Lord of Roktana, just follow quietly.”

“…”

Countless emotions crossed Lady Linne’s face.

A touch of fear and concern filled her expression.

But her worry was not for Vivian; it was for her own house and her own life.

Vivian was gearing up to engage in serious political strife, and all who got caught in that storm would be affected.

And if Vivian happened to lose in this battle, those who sided with her wouldn’t find safety either.

Vivian spoke as she watched Lady Linne silently grappling with her thoughts.

“…If you’re afraid of standing by my side…”

“Vivian…”

“…Then you can leave. I won’t say a word. There’ll be no retribution. I promise on the honor of Rondore.”

“…”

“But I am going to fight now. Even if it’s scary… I won’t be brushed aside by others.”

She intended to rise again amidst the crumbled Roktana and Rondore, reclaiming all her family had left behind.

No more allowing herself to be looked down upon by retainers or maids.

No more being scorned by other families.

…She definitely wouldn’t let her possessions slip away.

Lady Linne slowly shut her anxious eyes… then opened them again.

When she opened them, they were filled with determination like never before.

“I will follow.”

She said.

Vivian nodded.

“…You won’t regret it.”

****

Days passed since that dawn, and today I came down to the city with the members of the Punishment Unit.

Vivian was with me.

“…Is this right?”

I asked Vivian.

What on earth had she been thinking locked up alone at night for so long…? Every choice she made was shocking.

Vivian showed no sign of wavering. It was clear she’d made her decision long ago.

“Just removing retainers isn’t the end. There needs to be a replacement.”

Vivian, straining, plastered a huge piece of paper on a gigantic wall for all the citizens of Roktana to see.

After reading the document, I said.

“…You’re really declaring war, huh.”

Vivian chuckled slyly.

“Exactly.”

There was no good coming from showing everyone that she and I were getting along well.

There were still too many people suffering from the damage inflicted on our family.

After struggling for a while to post the document, she turned to face the crowd.

And with a strong voice, she shouted to the countless onlookers.

“I’m looking for talent!”

Her proclamation reverberated through the air, and in an instant, everything seemed to bend to her will.

Not a sound could be heard.

Before the day’s end, this news would surely spread like wildfire through every tavern in Roktana.

If it were the Vivian of the past, she likely would have stammered and trembled.

But today, she was different.

The strength she had garnered through her trials was solid, and more than anything, her gaze was unwavering.

I couldn’t fathom why I was so mesmerized by the sight.

The image of her slowly rising from weakness had become strangely addictive.

Vivian continued to cry out, drawing in the crowd’s attention.

“Any abilities will be accepted. If you have qualities as a trader, that’s fine too! If you possess the wisdom to uncover others’ secrets, that’s even better! If you have talent in swordsmanship, wield it for me without holding back. I won’t ask about your origin. I won’t pry into your past. Whether you’re a slave, if your skills are exceptional, I’ll buy your freedom. I promise everyone a second chance!”

Vivian gestured towards the members of the Punishment Unit.

“Look. These too were once captured criminals. But now they are my knights, acknowledged by me. You can become that too. Anyone can.”

Vivian’s voice kept climbing, and murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

With an air of desperation, several citizens—who looked to have been beaten down by poverty—were starting to show a flicker of interest in their eyes.

It was apparent that her brief proposal was sparking hope within them.

And that flame would soon burn fiercely, ignited by their unwavering loyalty to Vivian.

Unexpectedly, I realized from the onset.

Vivian’s actions would create a significant shift.

“Aren’t there already numerous retainers vying for that role?”

Someone shouted from within the crowd.

Vivian responded.

“I will assess purely based on ability. If you have talent, it doesn’t matter who was beside you… I will push them aside. For the sake of resurrecting Roktana, what matters is not who your father is but what abilities you possess.”

Vivian then shouted loudly.

It was a voice that the timid her could never have conjured.

“I am the Lord of Roktana, and the last surviving member of the Rondore family. I share the same pain you feel, having lost my family. If there’s anyone willing to pledge loyalty to me, Vivian Rondore—if there’s anyone here who can help restore this battered Roktana!”

Cheers and calls began to erupt from various corners.

It felt like witnessing the dawn of a new religion being born.

“Follow me! Lend your strength! Help me!”

In her eyes petitioning for help, there was none of the usual weakness.

It was exuding the same air of authority I had only seen in my father.

“This is the first step! Together, let’s revive Roktana!”

Her powerful voice echoed across the street, shaking the very foundations left by their ancestors.

Intrigued by the commotion, more and more people emerged from the shadows to join the growing crowd.

“Vivian! Vivian! Vivian!”

“For Rondore! For Roktana!”

Vivian exhaled deeply as she faced the multitude looking up at her.

“…Hah.”

I kept glancing at her.

What was she feeling in this moment?

I couldn’t tell. I still pictured her crying by her mother’s bedside.

Though it was Vivian who had risen, I took pride, knowing my strength had also guided her here.

As she absorbed the citizens’ images, Vivian finally spoke to me.

“Kyle.”

Despite the cheers surrounding us, I could clearly hear her voice.

“Speak.”

Vivian turned her head and looked up at me.

Maybe caught up in the moment, she said with a sharp clarity.

“…The first person we need to eliminate is Treasurer Brinden.”

She had outlined her first target.

It likely came with a whirlwind of thoughts.

I chuckled softly at her determination.

I no longer wanted to doubt her ideas.

I had no intention of hindering the path she had chosen.

Instead, I wanted to support her.

“…Leave it to me.”

I replied.

Before I knew it, I felt just as caught up in the situation she’d created.

 

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