In the depths of darkness, a chilling laughter seeped out from the grotesquely twisted lips. The sound resembled a cruel scream, yet it carried within it the fear embedded in the serene silence.
“Ah, at last…!”
In its smile lay a cruel ecstasy and greed. The eyes that blazed in the darkness flickered with the stench of blood and the desire for corruption.
The once-pure soul, which seemed unchangeable, finally began to tarnish black.
Crossing the threshold of corruption may be difficult, but once that first step is taken, the road will undoubtedly become an endless descent.
The day when the pure white soul is completely coated in darkness will not be far off.
With the death of the Saint as a completion, this soul will be bound to hell alongside itself.
Forever tied to itself, in an unescapable eternal hell.
“Together for a lifetime.”
Promising solely that ecstatic moment.
The demon whispered low and heavy.
※
I blinked blankly and called her name.
“…Viviana?”
Unlike a few years ago, the Baron Blanc family’s mansion had regained some semblance of dignity.
In the center of the guest room welcoming visitors, someone entirely unexpected stood before me.
She was so tall that I had to raise my head for a long time to look at her, clad in a deep black coat that seemed fitting for a funeral.
“…Long time no see, Tina.”
A wave of confusion washed over me.
Why was she here?
Someone had come to visit me, so I stepped out, only to find a familiar woman with amethyst-like eyes fidgeting inside.
But for now, she was a precious guest of our family.
It wouldn’t be proper to leave her unattended like this.
“Is it four years?”
“…Yeah.”
I offered her a faint smile.
Despite the unexpected meeting, my heart remained tranquil without any particular turmoil.
After all, all feelings I had for Viviana had been burned away four years ago, so I shouldn’t be overly unsettled.
However, Viviana didn’t seem to be the same.
Her tense amethyst eyes couldn’t look me straight in the face.
Gone was the dignified general I last saw; only a timid and shriveled person stood before me.
Moreover, when I looked down, she was holding a bouquet that didn’t quite suit her.
“What’s that flower for?”
“Oh, Tina… It’s for you.”
“…Oh my.”
“I… picked it myself. It’s similar in color to you… I thought it was pretty.”
Dumbfounded, I accepted the bouquet she offered.
A collection of brilliant flowers harmonizing in shades of blue and white radiated exquisite beauty.
These flowers, resembling my own identity, seemed full of heartfelt sincerity.
Viviana didn’t seem like the type to enjoy flowers; did she really pick these herself?
‘…What is this?’
The subtly sweet scent wafting from the flower petals made my heart flutter quietly.
A strangely discomforting feeling, lightly tickling and stirring within.
But before I could be swept away by this unfamiliar emotion, I hurriedly settled my mind.
“Thank you. I’ll take good care of the flowers.”
After all, Viviana knows about the facade I carry.
There’s no need to wear a mask.
I glanced at her indifferently, a slight smile on my lips.
“I’ve heard the news. Everyone says thanks to you, the war has ended.”
“No, it wouldn’t have been possible without the Saint’s help.”
When Lilian was mentioned, a hint of displeasure flickered within me, but I kept it to myself.
“So, what’s the reason for your visit?”
“Do you remember? Before… you sent me a letter.”
“Ah.”
“You said you’d forgive me when the war ended, right? So… here I am.”
That’s right.
Though it’s a bit fuzzy since it was three years ago, I’m sure I wrote that back then.
The Kingdom of Caladwen is the Empire’s enemy. If there’s no one to stop them, the Empire would be engulfed in flames like a bad ending in a game.
So I exploited Viviana’s guilt to send her into battle.
Honestly, I never expected the war to end this quickly, nor that she would return in one piece.
“I faced many life-threatening situations, but I desperately endured, wanting to earn your forgiveness… thinking only of you, Tina.”
Viviana rose from the sofa and approached me.
With a desperate look in her eyes, she knelt down.
“Tina, I was wrong. Can you… forgive me?”
Had the once arrogant Viviana ever lowered her head like this?
Had I ever seen her humbled to such a degree before?
Without a moment to be taken aback by her sudden action, Viviana carefully took my hands in hers.
“I miss those times so much. The moments you listened to my piano playing, the times we talked in bed, they haunt me every night.”
“…”
To be honest, this was a good situation for me.
Though she might seem shabby now, Viviana is one of the key figures in this world.
With a person like that wanting to come back to me, there was really no reason to refuse.
Not long ago, I received an invitation from Mardian to attend a banquet in a week.
It had been a month since she mentioned dealing with Lilian; by now, everything would likely be in place.
By then, having at least one bodyguard by my side wouldn’t be a bad idea.
“Viviana.”
“Uh, yes.”
I quietly approached her, taking her hand.
I led her to the sofa, seated her, and then gently sat on her lap.
“I… really believed in you, Viviana. But you only saw me as a worthless whore.”
“I, I…”
“Even if it was an act, it was truly a painful time for me. That’s ultimately why I chose to take my own life.”
“Ah….”
At the mention of ‘suicide,’ Viviana’s body began to tremble slightly.
It seemed my actions from back then were etched deep into her mind as a lasting trauma.
Well, that’s fine by me.
Feeling her lingering guilt towards me deep within her, I secretly smiled faintly.
“Do you… want to get along with me again?”
“…Yes. I want to be with you again, Tina.”
“I… still get a tingle in my wrist when I see you. But since I brought it up first, I’ll try my best to make it possible.”
“Really?”
Viviana’s eyes widened in surprise.
The hope and expectation glimmered in her gaze filled with anxiety as she looked at me.
“Just one thing, can you promise me?”
“Tell me. I’ll promise anything.”
Viviana grasped my hands eagerly, not wanting to let this chance slip away.
The person who risked her life on the battlefield to protect me. If not for Mardian’s cooperation, I might have entrusted the handling of Lilian to Viviana.
“Will you promise to only act for me from now on, in the name of your family?”
The name of the family.
No one here can be ignorant of the weight held by the name of the Duke of Merdellia.
“I promise. I swear on the name of the Merdellia family.”
However, Viviana so easily invoked that heavy name.
Having already abandoned the weight of that name once, she wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“Alright, I’ll try to trust you again, Viviana.”
I leaned my body against her lap and gently pulled her head to my chest.
Viviana buried her face in my chest with a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Tina.”
Viviana, trying hard to hide her trembling shoulders, hugged me tightly. Her grip around my waist tightened, as if trying to swallow back tears; it felt both urgent and desperate.
For a while, I slowly and carefully stroked her hair.
Just like before, comforting her with warm hands.
I don’t know how much time passed. It seemed that even the lifelessness in Viviana’s eyes from when we first met had returned to some degree of vitality now.
She gently touched my cheek with reddening eyes, then suddenly looked flustered and brought her hand to her right eye.
“Tina… your eye on this side…”
“Hmm? My eye?”
Worried that perhaps I had some gunk in my eye, I hurriedly rubbed my hands over my eyelids.
But I didn’t feel anything odd.
“What’s there?”
Once I opened my eyes and looked at Viviana again, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly unusual reflected in her amethyst eyes.
“I could’ve sworn… I saw a cross…”
Viviana murmured softly to herself as if in disbelief, then shook her head and hugged me again.
“No, really… I missed you, Tina.”
“…Is that so?”
Seeing Viviana after Lilian, it seemed like people do change after experiencing war.
She had become quite the spoiled child.
※
A week later, during the spring, a grand social gathering was held where the Empire’s nobles and upper-class people gathered together.
“Tina!”
“Sharione! I really missed you.”
As the fine season arrived, esteemed guests came together to converse and wish for the year’s peace and abundance while enjoying lavish hospitality; many noble guests were present at this event.
“Hehe, seeing your face today makes my heart feel at ease.”
“I’m so happy to see you too, Sharione!”
“Oh my, Tina, you’re just…”
The massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling dispersed a soft light, creating a dazzling spectacle below it, filled with intricately crafted decorations. Tables covered with embroidery and splendid flower arrangements emitted a gentle fragrance, adding lavishness to the banquet hall.
In one corner of the banquet hall, elegant music flowed softly, wrapping the room in its melody. Nobles showcased their colorful, extravagant costumes, enjoying light conversations and laughter.
A peaceful and vibrant atmosphere, a truly perfect banquet without a hint of disorder.
No one could possibly imagine it.
That here today, the Saint hailed as the Empire’s savior would meet her fate of being poisoned.
