KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 37

[Charlotte] "Just because things go well in this life, you think you are someone special. No matter how much you struggle, you remain Han Suwan, the orphan."

[Odette] "……."

Odette lowered her gaze as the water drenched her. The soaked black veil clumped together and slid to the floor.

[Charlotte] "What do you think happened to my family after you died? The police visits were a bit tiring, but they ruled it an accident. We received a massive insurance payout, and the business thrived."

[Odette] "……Charlotte."

[Charlotte] "Then and now, your real parents died. Even when adopted, you never receive love. Your very existence brings bad luck. Know your place."

She sat lightly on the table and stared at Odette’s drenched face.

She knew that expression. It was the face Odette made when she pretended to be fine despite a deep wound. She had seen that face far too often in their previous life.

The next reaction was easy to predict. Odette would press her lips together. She would lower her eyelashes and secretly clench her fists. She would try her best to act dignified.

However, she could never hide the darkening of her eyes or the slump of her shoulders.

Witnessing that sight would surely melt the anger Charlotte had carried all day. With a smile of anticipation, she waited for the breakdown.

[Odette] "But why do you speak so casually, Charlotte? You are still a commoner. You are merely 'scheduled' to be adopted into the Albrecht family."

Odette’s eyes didn't darken. Her shoulders didn't slump. Instead, she let out a cold, mocking laugh.

Surprised by this unexpected reaction, she searched Odette’s face for any sign of pain, but she found nothing.

[Charlotte] "……."

No, far from being hurt, Odette looked down at her with pity.

How does she even know about the adoption talk I just had with Rolf?

An orphan dared to act superior. It felt as if Odette read every single move she planned.

She frowned, her composure slipping for a moment.

In that instant, Odette rose from her seat with a fluid motion. She grabbed the wine glass from the table and emptied its contents directly over Charlotte’s head.

[Charlotte] "Aaagh!"

Splat.

The wine flowed down her face. Her hair grew heavy and sticky with the dark liquid.

Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and lowered her head to keep the wine out. Odette let out a low laugh.

[Odette] "I think you are the one who needs to know your place. Acting so arrogantly before a Lady. Commoner Charlotte."

It was a childish retaliation.

[Charlotte] "Ha!"

The wine was so thick she could barely open her eyes.

Just as Charlotte let out a hollow laugh at the ridiculous counterattack, the doors to the banquet hall swung open.

The Pope and the High Priests entered, having finished their meeting.

[Raphael] "W-what on earth is happening?!"

A shocked Raphael marched forward. He stepped between the two women, shielding Charlotte.

Fortune favored Charlotte. The moment Odette retaliated, a perfect scene emerged to frame her as a villainess.

See, Odette? Fate always stays on my side.

She accepted the handkerchief Raphael offered and wore a triumphant smile.

---

Events like Victory Day always turned Red Glovočnik into a chaotic mess. In this place, "chaotic" meant murder, arson, and rampant violence.

Only greater violence could answer violence.

Viktor heard the news of Odette’s resurrection while dealing out his own brand of brutal "order."

He wanted to run to her immediately, but he held back. He remembered that she had risked death twice just to escape him.

If I just chase her and beg, I will be nothing more than a horrific disaster to her.

He realized this truth now.

I must not feel like a disaster. At the very least, she must like me.

So, he devised a strategy. He planned to look handsome.

Call it a temptation if you must. He wanted to ensure she didn't view him as a walking calamity when he arrived.

It was the kind of simple logic possible only for a man whose brain consisted of pure muscle, yet Viktor was serious. Desperately so.

He held a lower status than Odette. He had stolen plenty of money, but wealth meant little before a lady raised in a Count’s house.

Furthermore, nothing about the way he spoke during their first meeting could be considered "charming."

No matter how much he thought, his physical appearance was the only thing he possessed that might please her.

Then I must start by making my face look attractive.

People called him a cute boy when he was young. As he grew, he became strikingly handsome. As a man, he was masculine.

His physique was consistently excellent. From his torso to his legs, he received praise for being perfect from head to toe. Of course, these were objective evaluations from noblewomen back when he was a mere "toy."

Due to his trauma, he once found women who were attracted to him skin-crawling.

Now, however, he prayed that he overflowed with charm.

[Viktor] "Not this one. Why are there no proper suits?"

If he arrived at the Cathedral looking ragged, it would be a disaster.

Instead of rushing off, hr stood before a mirror and tormented his subordinates.

[Subordinate] "Colonel. Stop this. Are you a young lady attending a ball? You acted like a madman, saying we had to hurry, so why are you changing clothes for the tenth time?"

[Viktor] "The next outfit. Hurry."

[Subordinate] "Your current clothes are fine. You said it was urgent. Just go to the Cathedral already."

[Viktor] "Dammit, I have to look good. Does this look good? Are your eyes in your feet? Pick something that makes me look decent and polite."

[Subordinate] "Colonel. Do you really need to make such a fuss over something so small?"

[Viktor] "What?"

Something small.

At those words, a cold, murderous intent filled his pale green eyes. The subordinate found it difficult to breathe.

He usually ignored insults. People called him a lunatic, a freak, or a thug, and he never blinked.

[Viktor] "What exactly did you call small?"

A grinding sound came from his jaw.

[Subordinate] "I didn't mean Lady Odette's resurrection! I meant the clothes! The clothes!"

However, arguing further meant death. Everyone knew the fate of those who spoke lightly of anything related to Lady Odette.

Recalling his predecessors, the subordinate spoke softly.

[Subordinate] "Nothing, sir. I misspoke. I will fetch the next outfit."

A "Phoenix," my foot.

Viktor was overly sensitive about anything regarding Odette. He looked like a mother eagle protecting a wounded chick.

The next choice was a navy frock coat and black custom suit, symbols of restraint and gentlemanly style.

The clothes were fine. The problem was Viktor.

He looked like a gentleman when he put on the shirt, but as he added the vest and tie to emphasize a "restrained" look, he actually looked more scandalous. His features, which defined the "bad boy" look, rejected every formal suit.

[Viktor] "Dammit…… next."

He grew increasingly irritable before the mirror.

[Viktor] "Next."

Veins popped on his neck and forehead from the pressure of time.

Finally.

[Subordinate] "Oh……."

After all the fuss, they found a khaki suit that suited him perfectly.

As expected of an Army Colonel. The military color looked best on him. Though he couldn't completely erase his rough edge, he looked presentable.

After all that effort to dress up, Viktor climbed onto his horse.

[Viktor] "Hyah!"

Will I look handsome? Do I look okay?

He galloped with a racing heart, but he couldn't even set foot inside the Cathedral.

[Commoner] "V-Viktor! Please save us!"

[Commoner] "The Crown Prince and the Marquis are creating a disaster right now!"

Son of a…….

Countless people standing around the Cathedral grabbed him and refused to let go.

---

To support the original author and publisher, please consider rating the official release on Kakaopage.