Chapter 5: Goodbye, Viki (Part 1)
“Viki.”
I turned around and blinked.
The Queen of Ethanbel stood right behind me, with red lips and moonlike brows, dressed in snow-white garments, her long hair pinned high atop her head, almost matching the golden crown of a ruler. Her upright figure was as proud as a white lotus, and that face, so stunning it could bring a nation to its knees, overshadowed everything else in the room. We were separated by just a glance upward.
So beautiful…
She’s so beautiful.
Though, just a smidge less than me, of course.
I recall how I felt when I first laid eyes on her.
This woman was beautiful enough to dim the stars and moon of the Royal City. Even the world’s most breathtaking landscapes paled in her presence. Any eloquent words, when placed on her, seemed to lose their meaning.
I thought that three years ago when I first saw her, and I think the same now.
That long-lost, indescribably beautiful face, with captivating golden eyes, was now looking at me calmly. Even after three years, I was still shaken by her appearance, feeling that inexplicable thrill I experienced on our first meeting.
But that thrill…
Well, it seems it has vanished.
I sat on the piano bench, half-leaning back, quietly gazing at her, my face as calm as water.
“I’m back.”
Then I heard Her Majesty speak slowly.
Her voice was like a clear spring, cold and somewhat unapproachable.
Yet only a select few who were very familiar with her could sense the slight emotions buried within, emotions she seemed to suppress, reluctant to reveal.
A slight longing…
A slight joy…
A slight tension.
A slight feeling of grievance and blame, and something even harder to grasp.
“Why didn’t you come to see me?”
Her Majesty asked, her brow knitting together, making her look suddenly angry.
“……”
I paused for a while, unable to answer her.
It’s not that I hadn’t thought about coming to find you…
But since arriving here, it’s been all battles.
From Baihao City to Moon Mountain Gorge, we crushed the Fourth Knights Order’s defending troops and officially joined forces with her Royal City Army, capturing Chielis City. The whole process was swift and full of bloodshed, one massacre after another. To conquer the Imperial City in record time, the Northern Army and Royal City Army barely had time to breathe. The army stretched for miles, and during all this time, I hadn’t even caught sight of her in the ranks.
Even if I did see her, I doubt there’d be an opportunity for a catch-up.
Well…
If I had to explain, I could certainly come up with plenty of reasonable excuses.
However, I…
Had no desire to explain to her.
Because I felt it was unnecessary, so I couldn’t even muster that sentiment.
I didn’t know what to say to her.
“Viki.”
So I tilted my head and pondered, “Thank you for coming to assist the North and for winning this war. I know it wasn’t easy, so thank you. You saved my father and mother.”
These words felt safe to say.
I truly appreciated everything she had done. If not for her, the outcome of this war might not have been decided so swiftly, and my mother might not have managed to hold on until I returned.
Yet the moment I finished speaking, Viki’s expression suddenly changed.
It was still a subtle shift, so slight it was almost imperceptible, but it flashed by.
“Is that all you wanted to say?” she retorted, her tone growing even colder, “I’m asking you, why didn’t you come to see me?”
“……”
“What are you afraid of?”
Suddenly, she leaned in, almost pressing her entire being against me, her commanding voice practically poking my face with her sharp nose. Her breath was warm and fresh, and those dazzling golden eyes were firmly locked on me, pupils slightly trembling—she genuinely looked a little angry.
“…Afraid?”
I met her gaze, slowly shaking my head: “I have nothing to be afraid of.”
“Liar.”
“Why would I lie?”
“You think I can’t tell?”
“I just—”
“Just what?”
She sneered suddenly, “Just in your current state, you don’t know how to face me, don’t know what to say to me? Because you feel like your father has guessed something, and I’m smarter than him and know more than he does. You’re afraid I’ll come to the worst conclusion?”
Her Majesty paused, then forcefully bumped her forehead against mine, causing my head to tilt back, nearly sending me tumbling off the piano bench. I flailed my arms and legs for a moment, barely managing to keep my balance.
And the proud queen stood tall in front of me once more, looking down coldly for a moment.
“Chicken.”
Huh.
Why the sudden insult…
I held my forehead, a bit flustered.
“You didn’t dare come find me on your own, thinking you could lure me in with your piano playing?”
“Uh…”
Well, that wasn’t quite it.
“Little coward.”
“……”
Didn’t we agree not to insult me anymore?
“Shrinking turtle.”
Come on, that’s enough.
“You truly haven’t changed at all, Pepé.”
“……”
I suddenly widened my eyes.
Something deep inside…
Seemed to have been touched just a bit.
An oddly subtle feeling.
“Thinking you could hide all your thoughts in front of me with that poker face?” Her Majesty smirked, though she never showed that expression before, “I know you well, and so does your father. If you really weren’t yourself, we’d notice right away.”
“I—”
Ah.
It’s true; I can’t hide anything from her…
Before coming here, Viki had probably already discussed matters about me with my father.
But, Viki…
Forget it. There’s no point in discussing this.
“You’ve lost weight.”
I turned my head to the side, no longer looking into her eyes.
She had indeed lost weight; it was obvious.
Maybe it was because she hadn’t been resting well lately, she seemed a bit tired, even though she hid it well… Speaking of which, has this woman even slept at all last night?
Should I ask?
“Don’t try to change the subject.”
But before I could open my mouth, I was immediately choked back.
“Look me in the eyes.”
Suddenly, Viki reached out, grabbing my face, forcing me to look back at her, quite roughly. Her grip was like a vice, and it puffed my cheeks out so much, I almost drooled…
I hurriedly inhaled.
What is going on?!
But when I saw her again, that cold, oblong face had a slight smirk, as a gleam of mischief flickered in her eyes: “I’ll let you know, your mother already knows about us.”
“……”
???
What?!
What kind of nonsense is she saying?!
About us?
What could possibly be between you and me?!
“Re—”
I was a bit dazed.
I wanted to refute, but her grip was so tight it was hard to speak: “Re, why…”
“Hmm?”
Viki purposely scrunched her eyebrows, her expression indifferent, yet she looked like a villain basking in their victory. She stared at me intently, her mischief intensifying. I had never seen this side of her—suddenly, I felt the urge to punch someone.
“I’m kidding.”
Just as I raised my hand, that woman quickly changed her mind, releasing my face like lightning, making me miss a gentle slap.
“She doesn’t know about us.”
“Ha—”
I rolled my eyes at her words, my shoulders slumping as I let out a long sigh.
Then I saw Viki wink at me: “So, what’s going on between us?”
“……”
This little rascal.
