KFBRV Ch 67
- Feb 9
- 6 min read
All the romantic words Johan had prepared vanished, leaving his mind a total blank. His tongue felt heavy and useless in his mouth. In all his life, he had never felt this embarrassed in front of anyone.
A pretty, remarkably small girl stood before him.
In that moment, he forgot that he was a Transcendent and she was a Purifier. His throat went dry, and his breath hitched.
She had teal eyes that reminded him of the sea and platinum-blonde hair as delicate as a butterfly's wings. Then, his eyes met hers.
Thump.
His heart sank. Her eyes were filled with nothing but pure terror.
Johan had known the word purification for fourteen years, but only after seeing Odette's expression did he realize the truth.
For her, purification was not a romantic bond; it was an act of violence. To demand physical contact from such a small, frightened girl felt like nothing less than exploitation.
But what should I do? To me, you are so beautiful.
I want to reach out. This desire—
Without realizing it, he reached toward her. Odette flinched, her shoulders hunching as she took a frantic step back.
In that split second, the girl might have sensed it instinctively. He was a predator who would exploit her forever.
He wasn't looking at her as a Transcendent seeking balance; he was looking at her with the raw, base desires of a man. He played the part of a man molded by chivalry, yet he was perfectly willing to become something hideous just to touch her.
That day, Johan went to the Emperor. In the name of the Imperial Family, he burdened the girl with an overwhelming amount of responsibility.
Because he loved the sea that reminded him of her teal eyes, he chose to join the Navy. Even when he desperately needed purification, he endured the pain, only asking for her help on the days it became truly unbearable.
He did it so she could no longer reject the purification, his presence... or his love.
However, as her rejections continued, he felt himself slowly transforming into a monster every time she pushed him away.
[Odette] "I have no intention of performing any purification. Whether a Transcendent dies or not, what does that have to do with me?"
[Johan] "Lady Odette. I understand the pain and confusion you feel. You didn't choose this awakening yourself. But for the sake of the people of the Empire—"
[Odette] "No! I can't do this anymore. Father! Please, take me away from here!"
When he had mentioned the citizens of the Empire at the end, he felt like vomiting. To claim he wanted purification for the sake of the people—how hypocritical. Johan had never once thought about the citizens when he stood before her.
It was a pathetic plea. Yet, only a cold, firm rejection returned.
The distance between them felt infinite.
Do you think I wanted this? I dreamed of a Purifier. I didn't dream of you, Odette.
Rejection. Rejection. Rejection. Rejection. Rejection.
The boy grew disappointed in the girl, then fell into despair, and finally, he gave up.
To cope, he forced himself to believe she was a hopeless, terrible person whom he loathed. He had to. He couldn't survive if he continued to cling helplessly to an affection that would never be returned.
You were the one who turned me into a monster.
I won't love a girl who will only ever see me as a beast. Why must I suffer this pain for someone who hates me enough to let me die rather than purify me?
Still, he couldn't simply feel nothing for her.
So, he decided to hate her. He resolved to fall in love with any woman, as long as she bore no resemblance to her.
Yes. My ideal type will be the exact opposite of Odette.
I want someone plain, simple, and un-aristocratic.
And yet... Odette was currently standing there, wearing a simple white dress that stood in stark contrast to their first meeting.
[Attendant] "Everyone, please rise."
At the shout, Odette lowered the skirt she had been holding and lifted her head. Before him stood the eighteen-year-old Odette—the polar opposite of the fifteen-year-old version.
That eighteen-year-old Odette was smiling at him with a simple, unassuming expression.
Suddenly, Johan felt as though he had forgotten how to breathe or even blink. He felt as if he were sinking into a quagmire.
After struggling and swimming so hard to escape, had he really ended up right back where he started?
[Attendant] "Everyone, please rise."
Odette lifted her head at the command and met Johan's eyes. For some reason, his blue eyes seemed to be staring at her more intently than usual.
There was a strange, lingering persistence in his gaze. It was enough to make her doubt herself.
Did I make a mistake during my greeting?
Hmm. Why is he staring like that? Should I smile?
As she offered a polite smile, he jerked his head away, looking in the opposite direction as if avoiding her.
Is he avoiding me? Is it because of... guilt? Probably not.
Johan was the best among the male leads at suppressing his own emotions. Since she had intentionally triggered his sympathy that night, guilt had been written all over his face then, but... surely he wouldn't act so childishly now because of those feelings.
Was he not a master of refining, polishing, and reflecting on his own emotions?
I don't know what's wrong with him... but I hope he stops avoiding me soon.
I dressed just for your taste, so please, look at my dress, won't you?
Her target for reducing Loathing today was Johan. She wanted him to look his fill and lower his hatred... but it was useless. He continued to stare in the opposite direction with a complicated expression.
While the Emperor spoke in his "Imperial Voice," reciting at length how great a Transcendent the Crown Prince was and listing his various achievements, she swallowed a sigh.
Did I play too shallow a hand against the male lead?
I suppose the cliché of Loathing dropping just because someone wears his favorite style only works for the female lead.
Regretfully, she had no choice but to give up. Johan never stayed long at official functions. Just like always, he would likely vanish the moment the Emperor finished his speech.
His troubled expression is probably because his father is using him as a political tool.
The Emperor always kept his son in check, yet he never missed an opportunity to use Johan to boost his own prestige at events like this.
She empathized with his bitterness.
You're suffering a lot because you have a pathetic father, too.
The Emperor's speech finally ended. It was at the exact moment a burst of applause erupted from the guests that someone tapped her on the shoulder.
[Marco] "Hey... nice to meet you."
She turned her head to see a soldier speaking to her with a casual, disrespectful attitude.
[Odette] "...?"
He was a tan man, roughly the same height as her. His face shape was uncomfortably reminiscent of a large potato.
Who is this?
She felt a surge of annoyance. Addressing someone without a proper introduction was bad manners for a subordinate, and for a soldier to grab a lady's shoulder so boldly was incredibly rude.
Judging by the uniform, he's here as a decorated soldier.
Even commoners were occasionally invited to balls if they had received military medals. This man had likely come under that qualification, but...
[Odette] "Who are you to speak to me?"
[Marco] "Ah, my apologies for the late introduction, Lady Odette. I am Corporal Marco. I work under your father."
His tone was oily enough to make her skin crawl. Moreover, he had a smirk on his face that was clearly mocking her.
How dare he use my name so familiarly when we've never met? Wait, Corporal Marco?
She blinked, letting out a hollow laugh internally.
Interesting. I didn't expect to run into this bastard here.
Corporal Marco was her father's lackey. He was the piece of trash who had served as the warden of the Fenrir Containment Zone. He was the man who had beaten Luca and Lara nearly to death while brainwashing them with her name.
I managed to find the name Marco, but there were too many soldiers with that name to track him down. I was disappointed, but to think he'd roll in here on his own feet.
It's good to see you, Warden. You absolute son of a bitch.
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