MTLNOVEL Chapter 122
“…I assume the reason you attended this banquet is to build a rapport with Lord Kylo, isn’t it?”
“…Ha.”
Vivian tucked her hair behind her ear and lightly shook it out.
She didn’t understand why it was so difficult to suppress her emotions today.
Men’s gazes once again fell on her flowing red hair.
Perhaps she had reached her limit, as their stares were starting to annoy her.
It felt like everyone gathered at this banquet was eager to separate her from Kylo.
The men tried to possess her, while the women seemed to want to possess Kylo.
It felt as though the world was hindering her happiness.
“…”
Suddenly, she felt completely drained.
She must be tired.
…Perhaps.
Perhaps it’s her fault for being wrong.
When the whole world says right, is it really her fault for saying left?
Should she conform to this wretched fate and live an unhappy life?
Should she also find another man, establish a family, and leave Kylo to accompany another woman?
Vivian imagined that future.
Her with another man. Kylo with another woman.
Perhaps it would be an easier path.
“…”
…That’s nonsense.
Her judgment was made quickly.
It would be better to die than live such a future.
Death was far more comfortable than that future.
And Kylo taught her to resist until the end against things she disliked.
It has already been seven years since she started fighting against the world.
So, this time, she set aside her pathetic self-pity and walked straight toward Gisela Lute.
There were many people in her path, but she paid them no mind.
Gisela Lute looked surprised as Vivian approached her without hesitation, fixing her clothes and hair before welcoming her.
“I see the Sun of Rondore. Happy birthday.”
“Gisela Lute?”
“You know my name. It’s an honor.”
Vivian offered a shallow smile.
“Is the food to your liking?”
Gisela flashed a beautiful smile.
“Yes…! It’s really good. Thank you. If it weren’t for the banquet, I might have eaten a lot more. My stomach is already quite full.”
“…”
She seemed obedient and feminine.
She had a charm that Vivian, who was sharp and fierce, did not possess.
…Does Kylo like this type of person?
It was frustrating.
Driven by a surge of baseless jealousy, Vivian simply wanted to return to her room and act on her desires toward Kylo.
Unaware of this, Gisela smiled awkwardly at Vivian’s frozen expression.
“Ah, ahaha. Was that joke a bit strange? I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re so wonderful… I got ahead of myself. In fact, I’ve always listened to stories about you, so it feels like I’m meeting an old friend.”
“…Is that so?”
“Y-yes. Stories about you and… Lord Kylo.”
“…Kylo…”
It seemed that Gisela was entirely focused on Kylo rather than her.
Her eyes looked foolish.
Having heard the rumors, Gisela probably regarded Kylo as some noble knight on a white horse.
She wore an expression that seemed to wish to become the fairy-tale heroine loved by such a knight.
However, the achievements Kylo had made were not particularly beautiful.
They were the products of a brutal and painful path.
Yet this girl, unaware of that, could become Kylo’s wife.
She could very well become Kylo’s wife.
…How can the world be so unfair?
This foolish girl didn’t suit Kylo at all.
But what annoyed her more was that this foolish girl seemed like she would obey Kylo and follow his lead without a thought.
For that reason, it didn’t seem like they would fight, and such a future where they lived together without conflict until death oddly came to her mind.
Even as they aged, she pictured them holding hands and acting together.
Vivian couldn’t bear that.
This girl in front of her.
…Could settle down with Kylo, give birth to children without conflict…
“…Vivian?”
“…Yes?”
“Did I perhaps do something wrong?”
“…Why do you say that?”
“Your expression seems angry.”
“…You’re mistaken.”
Gisela sighed with relief, smiling.
“Th-that’s good.”
“…”
After a brief silence, Gisela mustered her courage.
“C-could I ask just one thing, Vivian?”
“…Go ahead.”
“Where is Lord Kylo…? I’ve heard rumors that he is always with you.”
“…Ah.”
Vivian wondered why they were so eager to seek Kylo at her birthday banquet.
She didn’t understand why they yearned for what she was hiding.
Vivian asked.
“…I’ve heard you’ve confessed your fervent love for Kylo?”
Vivian casually used Kylo’s name to flaunt her closeness.
However, Gisela didn’t even realize this and only blushed.
“W-well… Yes. I… I do.”
Vivian unintentionally let out a hollow laugh and asked.
“Can you really fall for a man whose face you haven’t even seen?”
“…Huh?”
“Is it possible to fall in love just from hearsay? What if the rumors are false? What if he turns out to be an unbearably ugly man?”
“A-are all the rumors false?”
“What if they are?”
Gisela seemed to be struggling with her limited understanding, but her usual foolishness soon overcame it.
“Well, I could meet him and think about it. F-for now, I’ve fallen in love, right? My heart is racing…”
“And if you hear rumors of a better man, will you switch to him?”
“…Huh?”
At this point, Gisela appeared to sense Vivian’s animosity toward her.
However, because Vivian kept smiling, Gisela didn’t seem entirely certain.
Surely someone as powerful as Vivian wouldn’t dislike her without reason.
Vivian apologized.
“…I’m sorry. My words were a bit harsh, weren’t they? It’s just that… hearing you say you adore Kylo, who has been with me all my life, raises questions.”
“Ah… Ah, yes.”
“As I said, I’ve never seen his face, and I’ve never talked with him. I find it hard to develop feelings for someone so easily.”
“I-I think it’s strange too. But love doesn’t need a reason, does it? When you realize it, it just happens…”
“…”
The notion of “it just happens when you realize it” ruffled Vivian’s thoughts.
She ran her fingers through her hair again, shaking it out before asking Gisela.
“Is that so? What rumors have you heard about Kylo?”
At that question, Gisela’s eyes began to sparkle.
It was a characteristic of people who were talking about something they deeply loved.
“I’ve heard he is very tall! I love tall men. Also, they said he is muscular… and, that he is handsome… Ah, they also said he has always protected you… I find that so admirable… Even though he had a relationship, he still became a knight who protects you while you remained alone…”
Vivian couldn’t help but smile.
She wanted to boast about the man she loved.
That man you adore, I can do as I wish with him right now.
With that strange sense of victory, she also felt a sense of betrayal.
Vivian asked.
“…So? The part of you that fell for Kylo from those rumors…”
“It’s about how he protects you. If I could become someone precious to him… would I be able to protect you in the same way…?”
“…Why you?”
Vivian blurted out.
But now, wearing a mask was becoming incredibly difficult.
Perhaps the thought of them happily living together was making her more and more irritated.
Vivian admits it. Her personality has become sharp. She has survived through rough battles.
However, just because her personality has sharpened doesn’t mean she would give up Kylo.
The people from the Lute family standing behind Gisela were shocked by Vivian’s words and actions.
However, Vivian didn’t care at all.
“…Ha. Kylo has protected me… because I am worthy of it.”
“Vivian…?”
“Do you understand how deep our feelings for each other are? How we have grown aware of each other? Do you think you would know? Can Kylo love someone like you as much as he loves me?”
“W-what’s with your sudden anger…?”
Vivian leaned in.
“It’s too sad to see you dreaming.”
“…Huh?”
“Kylo could never love someone like you. Find someone who matches you. Leave my Kylo alone…”
With that, Vivian lightly wiped her mouth and turned away.
Now she truly needed to see Kylo.
It was time for a short break.
She heard Gisela sobbing behind her.
…Now Vivian could understand why Kylo abhorred crying women so much.
It was something she didn’t want to hear.
****
As the banquet reached its peak, music filled the air and the guests began to dance.
And Reyana caught sight of Vivian leaving her seat the moment the music started playing.
…Is she heading to Kylo?
Her mind filled with all sorts of thoughts.
How is he truly hurt?
Is he actually hurting?
Is it really to the extent that he can’t even show his face?
How much is he suffering that Kylo doesn’t even come out to see her?
…Reyana didn’t realize it, but she could tell that she was somewhat looking forward to this day.
Perhaps she had been waiting for the moment to meet Kylo.
She felt sorry for Thread, but that was her true feelings.
“…Something feels strange, Thread.”
“What do you mean?”
“Is Kylo really hurt?”
Thread sighed.
“If he’s not hurt, is he just faking it?”
“No, it’s not that… It’s just that something feels off.”
“What’s there to feel off about? And even if you feel off, you should let it go now. The current Vivian Rondore is not the same as her past self. Her status has changed.”
“…”
Reyana tried to close her mouth, but ultimately found it too difficult to hold back.
“No, think about it. Didn’t the murderer who killed the previous Duke Rondore and the prince have someone else behind it? If you have a conscience, shouldn’t you let Kylo go now?”
“…Not everyone who died in that war was those two. It’s just the cost for many soldiers’ lives.”
“Can’t we say that this is enough repayment? I’ve heard that Kylo has saved Vivian a lot during that time.”
“Reyana. As I said, it’s Vivian’s decision to judge that. We cannot tell those involved what to do.”
“…”
Reyana’s expression hardened. She knew Thread was right, but still…
“…Still, I somewhat agree.”
Just as she expected, Thread added.
“We’re married now, and the exchanges between our kingdoms have increased. We’re trying to wash the past blood and move on… It’s contradictory for Vivian Rondore to summon the East Kingdom’s family on her birthday and not release the eldest son of the Allen family.”
“Y-yes. That’s true.”
“Let’s wait a bit. Perhaps she’s preparing something. If we act first, things may not go well. It wouldn’t benefit us to worsen our relationship with the Rondore family.”
“…”
‘Who is it!’
‘Stand back, you!’
Suddenly, there was a commotion from behind.
Turning to look, they saw their guards were arguing with some soldier.
“P-princess…! J-just a moment…”
The soldier lowered his voice, appearing worried and glancing around.
His face was covered, and he acted in a rather secretive manner.
Yet, that soldier’s presence was not hidden, and they could feel his serious demeanor.
“…Step back.”
Thread glanced at the soldier before commanding.
The soldier clenched his lips tightly, despairing.
Reyana, moved by that expression, finally spoke up.
“What’s going on?”
The guard blocking the soldier stepped back slightly at Reyana’s stance.
The soldier, surprised, quickly approached Reyana.
“I-I’m Balron.”
“And what is it? Why are you being reckless…”
“I have no one to speak to but you, Your Highness…”
“So, what is it?”
“It concerns Kylo.”
At last, Thread turned to the soldier.
Reyana’s expression also became serious.
The atmosphere shifted.
Balron said.
“I am a friend of Kylo, and I have something important to tell you about his situation.”