KFBRV Ch 30
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
The story of his past was a dark legend in the underworld.
A sadistic noblewoman, easily bored with her toys, never kept a slave for more than six months. Every year, she organized a "boy hunt." On the first night of the Founding Festival, she used the thunderous roar of the fireworks to mask the sound of her rhythmic gunfire.
He had barely escaped her hunting grounds, crawling into the filth of the slums. While lovers and families celebrated above, a fifteen-year-old Viktor shivered in a dark sewer, bleeding from a burning gunshot wound.
That night, the Gods awakened him. As if mocking his hatred of fire, they granted him the power to control it.
Viktor collapsed onto the rooftop, his hands clamped over his ears. He wasn't a powerful Transcendent anymore; he was that terrified boy again, trapped in the crosshairs of a hunter. Despite his massive frame, he looked fragile.
She realized that if he hadn't run into her, he would have left the capital long before the celebration began. He always did.
[Odette] "Colonel."
She reached out, her gloved hands pulling his arms away from his head. She replaced his grip with her own, pressing her palms firmly against his ears to drown out the noise.
[Viktor] "You... why..."
A flash of raw hatred and confusion crossed his eyes, but the words died in his throat.
BOOM.
Another explosion rocked the sky. He squeezed his eyes shut, his breath coming in ragged, desperate gasps. Seeing him in such a state of panic made Odette feel strangely calm.
This is it. This is my chance.
It was the perfect moment to lower his Loathing score of 97.
She leaned in, shielding him with her body and pressing her hands tighter over his ears. He looked up, his pale eyes searching her face in the flickering light of the fireworks.
[Odette] "Are you afraid of the fireworks?"
[Viktor] "..."
[Odette] "I don't know what happened to you... But it’s all right. You’re okay."
[Viktor] "..."
[Odette] "It’s just a celebration. You are safe now."
She knew from her own experience that in the middle of a flashback, physical warmth and a firm embrace were the only things that helped.
She held him, offering the primal comfort of protection.
[Loathing has decreased by 5]
[Loathing has decreased by 3]
It’s working. My luck hasn't run out yet.
She felt a pang of guilt for exploiting his trauma, but she pushed it aside. Her survival was on the line.
Gradually, the explosions slowed. Because the first night’s display was long and grand, the steady comfort she provided had a significant effect.
[Loathing: 80]
As the last of the fireworks faded, leaving only a haze of smoke in the night sky, he snapped back to reality.
[Viktor] "Let go."
He shoved her hands away with a violent jerk.
She didn't mind. She was internally celebrating the 17-point drop in his hatred. A score of 80 was still high, but compared to 97, it felt like a miracle.
[Viktor] "I told you I didn't want you touching me."
[Odette] "I know. I’m sorry."
She treated his rudeness with a mask of gentle kindness.
As he shook himself off, she waited for the perfect beat before speaking again, her voice sounding innocent.
[Odette] "Oh, I almost forgot. Since it’s today..."
She looked at him with a faint, soft smile, ready to strike the final blow.
[Odette] "Happy birthday, Viktor."
She had never read his files, but she knew his birthday was recorded in the thousands of letters her father had sent.
Last year, Count Albrecht had mocked Viktor for being a "sewer rat" born on the same day as the glorious Empire.
His hand trembled slightly.
[Odette] "I am very glad that you are alive, Colonel."
[Viktor] "..."
[Odette] "And I am grateful that you saved me."
Viktor was unpredictable, but he wasn't a cold-blooded statue like Zion. Having grown up in a world of pure hostility, he was a man who didn't know how to handle genuine kindness.
[Odette] "About my refusal to purify you... there were reasons. I am truly sorry."
She offered a look of deep regret. In this atmosphere, a simple apology was more effective than a long explanation.
He glared at her with a look that still bordered on murderous, but he didn't move.
Finally, he gave a cold warning.
[Viktor] "Let’s not meet a second time. Never step foot in my territory again."
[Loathing has decreased by 5]
[Loathing: 75]
He turned on his heel and vanished into the darkness.
She maintained her sweet smile until she was sure he was gone. Then, the mask fell.
[Odette] "Trust me, you rude bastard. I don't want to see you either."
After a harrowing journey back, she finally reached the Albrecht mansion. She ground her teeth as she peeled off her blood-stained clothes.
Thank goodness I learned to ride a horse while I was a fugitive in my past life. Otherwise, I would have died in those slums.
A soft knock came at the door. It was 11:00 PM, exactly as planned.
[Odette] "Malea? Did anyone look for me today?"
[Malea] "No one, My Lady. I told everyone you were suffering from a terrible bout of lung disease, just as you ordered."
[Odette] "Well done."
[Malea] "No one has entered your room. You can rest easy."
She handed her a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. The sweet, warm liquid helped the last of the day’s tension melt away.
[Malea] "I assume you'll want a bath, My Lady? Please, let me assist you. I’ll bring up the warm water and a robe from downstairs."
She was remarkably polite—a sharp contrast to her attitude that morning.
Odette watched her, wondering why the maid didn't ask what she had been doing alone in her room all day. The answer was obvious. It was because of what had happened in the mansion while she was away.
As she had predicted, Ferdinand had returned and extended their mother’s house arrest.
The atmosphere in the house shifted exactly the way I said it would. Now they’re all walking on eggshells around me.
As she stepped into the white porcelain tub, Malea began to serve her with meticulous care, even scattering flower petals over the soap suds.
[Malea] "Is the temperature to your liking, My Lady?"
[Odette] "It’s perfect."
Once Malea saw that Odette was relaxed, she finally broached the subject she was dying to discuss.
[Malea] "Everything happened just as you said, My Lady. The Young Lord extended the Madam’s confinement until the final day of the Founding Festival."
[Odette] "Is that so?"
[Malea] "The Madam was in a frenzy all afternoon. She even refused to eat."
She tried to sound sympathetic, but Odette could hear the underlying excitement in her voice. The maid was desperate for more information—another prediction to cling to.
[Malea] "I wonder why he made such a sudden decision? He only spoke to the Head Maid and the Housekeeper. Surely those two wouldn't speak ill of the Madam..."
[Odette] "Mother must be devastated."
She cut the conversation short, her voice indifferent. She had no intention of explaining her moves to a maid.
Malea looked disappointed but didn't dare push further.
[Malea] "Indeed. It’s quite harsh of him. The Madam was looking forward to this festival so much."
The bathroom fell silent, save for the gentle splashing of water.
Odette leaned back, lost in thought. Her mother’s rage was inevitable. The Empress’ Salon was her golden ticket into the inner circle of high society.
She was so close to being accepted. And now her own son has snatched that ticket away.
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