NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 78
“Kailo, even though I’m… here?”
Bibian’s voice trembled, but the desperation within it was clear.
Kailo remained silent as if mulling over her words.
“…If you’re going to say something like that…”
The tension in his expression faltered; his eyes fluttered helplessly a few times before his posture crumbled.
Rather than his usual familiar hatred or anger, a profound sadness seeped into his face.
Bibian felt as if her few words had shattered Kailo’s rigid shell.
Or perhaps she had inadvertently touched upon his weakest point.
Without regard for the onlookers, Kailo firmly grabbed Bibian’s shoulders.
Even amidst the cacophony of the overcrowded ballroom, the two isolated themselves like a tranquil island.
“…If you’re going to say something like that… stop playing with my feelings.”
Kailo’s low voice sounded more like a desperate plea than a request.
The man who had resolutely declared his intention to leave was now earnestly yearning, revealing his emotions.
“…What?”
When Bibian questioned in disbelief, Kailo covered his face with his hands, hiding his expression.
After a moment, he let his head lower, his shoulders shaking as he began to confide in earnest.
“…You already know how I feel. It’s already in your hands.”
“…”
“…If you don’t want me to leave… If it’s that unjust…”
With a sigh of resignation, he continued, revealing his innermost thoughts.
“…At least try to act affectionate. Kiss my cheek casually like it’s everyday. Stop hiding those talented lips from me and show them. Hold me so tightly that I feel I might break, and tell me you love me… that everything you do for me is a blessing… At least make an effort to lie.”
“…”
Bibian thought the moment was surreal.
They had never delved this deeply into their emotions, even when spending time alone in private chambers.
Yet, here in the hall for everyone to see, surrounded by music and commotion, they were sharing the thoughts they had most concealed.
Bibian couldn’t respond, only meeting his gaze.
As silence stretched on, Kailo drew back into his cold demeanor.
“…Is that something you can’t do?”
“…Ka, Kailo.”
“Am I so revolting to you? Do you hate me so much? And yet you still want me around because you’re worried something bad will happen if I’m not?”
“…No-…”
That’s what she wanted to say.
She truly wanted to.
But two things stopped her.
One was the gazes starting to focus on her.
Kailo didn’t care about others’ opinions, but Bibian had grown up swaying with them.
Were the vassals’ feelings hurt? What were the maidens saying about her? Was Madame Linne upset with her actions today?
It wasn’t easy to shed this habit, even in a ballroom.
The second reason was her own mental walls that refused to crumble.
If she were to clearly acknowledge her feelings for Kailo, could she truly accept them?
The son of the man who had killed her father and brother… her mother had fallen ill after the family’s departure.
The massive flames of hatred born from her family’s death kept flickering over to Kailo.
She knew it wasn’t his fault, but she could not escape this emotion.
…And this Kailo, if she acknowledged her feelings for him, if he became even more precious…
If she were to kiss his cheek as he suggested, act affectionately, and embrace him whenever he wanted…
…would she lose Kailo in the process?
Given that Kailo was destined to be the witch’s offering…
“…You should stop treating people like tools.”
Kailo wiped the sad look off his face and revealed his hatred once more.
Though he longed to hate, his face showed him suffering from his inability to do so.
Bibian felt her chest tighten.
She felt disdain towards herself for not having a single proper response.
But even such a pathetic version of herself couldn’t accept Kailo leaving.
She didn’t have the arrogance to tell him to love someone else if he felt wronged.
“…Huh.”
Kailo swept his hand through his hair.
“…”
Bibian flinched, still captivated by his appearance, even in this situation.
It was a maddening sensation.
Though unsure of what exactly she felt for Kailo, she knew that her emotions were sticky and overwhelming.
With a sigh to calm himself, Kailo slowly released Bibian’s arms.
“…Want to get some air?”
He asked weakly, though it was clear to Bibian that it was an olive branch.
Thus, suppressing her trembling emotions, she obediently nodded her head.
****
After leaving the chaotic ballroom, Bibian and Kailo found themselves in a familiar place — the riverbank beside the castle.
They must have spent days worth of time together by this river.
He was now scooping up pebbles from the ground with practiced ease.
With a swift flick of his wrist, the pebble danced across the water surface, the sound breaking the quiet night air.
For a brief moment, Bibian felt a sense of calm return to her heart.
Sitting behind Kailo, Bibian clutched her knees to her chest.
It was a rather childish action for a fully grown woman.
Especially for the head of the Rondore family, it was quite immature.
Madame Linne would surely scold her if she saw, but at this moment, Bibian wanted to be like this.
She wanted to feel most comfortable beside Kailo.
Ultimately, their earlier conversation hadn’t concluded, but Bibian’s mind was already made up.
Kailo cannot leave.
It was an unchanging truth.
The only way he could leave would be if he won the bet.
A world where he was loved by all the Roktana people, or even a future where Bibian herself wept…
Such an occurrence was improbable.
And if such a future didn’t come, Bibian had no intention of sending Kailo back to his homeland, even if he hated her.
It didn’t matter that their families had always been at odds. Hatred wasn’t going to change anything.
Therefore, she must hold tightly onto Kailo.
“…You’re a hostage, obtained at the cost of my family’s lives.”
Bibian muttered.
Kailo’s movements stopped instantly.
“My father, my brother… maybe even my mother. Their lives exchanged for yours.”
“…”
Bibian buried her face in her knees and whispered.
“I can’t let you go. Rather, I won’t.”
“…”
Kailo’s arms slowly moved again.
For a while, they both sat there in silence.
Bibian could only gaze at Kailo’s back, unsure of what he was thinking.
Though everything had gone so wrong, she still wanted to reconcile.
It was impossible to end the day like this.
It would be a wastage of all the efforts put into this day.
The preparations of the food, the musical arrangements, the dance practice…
She didn’t want to tarnish her 17th birthday like this.
She wasn’t interested in creating a nightmare of her worst birthday.
There was an opportunity.
Kailo had initially proposed visiting the river.
His hand extended first in an attempt to reconcile.
Just a few kind words could perhaps ease the tension between them and bring the evening back to a positive mood.
Kailo’s earlier plea to act affectionately came to mind.
…Just for today.
Bibian thought.
On any other day, she would absolutely refuse to be affectionate with him, but Bibian had a wish.
She wanted to create lasting memories with Kailo.
She wanted to see him awkwardly dancing for her.
“…I still haven’t…”
Bibian swallowed her nerves and spoke.
“…I haven’t danced yet.”
At that remark, Kailo, who had been tossing stones, chuckled.
It was evident he had understood her unspoken invitation.
Whether it was in admiration of her effort or because he found it cute, he couldn’t stop smiling faintly.
Emboldened by Kailo’s smile, Bibian made a playful tease, clearly indicating it through her tone.
“…You might not know this because you lack proper etiquette, but… it’s common sense to ask the person you like to dance.”
Kailo turned to look at Bibian, clearly amused.
As if mocking her, he countered, “Well, I don’t like her today.”
Kailo’s playful tone prompted a smile from Bibian too.
“Huh, but this is the only chance today. I might regret it later.”
Her voice sounded somewhat pitiful.
It seemed to further pacify Kailro’s anger.
“Someone already said they’ll never let me go today, so this might not be my only chance.”
“Bu, but this is my last chance to dance at seventeen. Afterwards, I’ll be too busy to find an opportunity.”
…
Kailo put down the pebble and looked back at Bibian.
“I don’t know how to dance.”
“…At least make an effort.”
“Would showing people us dancing together even be good for you? We’re enemies.”
“Since when did you start caring so much about what others think?”
“I might not, but it could affect you.”
“…”
Even in this moment, he still thought of her.
Even amidst their quarrels.
Bibian gazed up at Kailo with his dark hair fluttering in the wind.
From him, she experienced overwhelming rage, biting hatred, and yet also a warmth so fiery that it made her heart race.
She wondered how one person could elicit such conflicting emotions.
No one influenced her as much as Kailo did.
That was why, despite whatever others might think for now, she wanted to dance with him once.
She wanted to create a memory that they would cherish forever.
It would be their first dance together, marking their entry into high society.
Regardless of the future, this memory would remain an unchangeable truth.
This was her greed.
It was an undeniable reality.
When Bibian remained silent, Kailo spoke.
“…Let’s go back inside, we’ve rested enough.”
“…”
Again, Bibian nodded.
It was a little confusing.
Did he actually want to return?
Or was this a subtle way of suggesting they dance?
She wasn’t exactly sure, but she assumed the latter was true; Kailo always thought of her.
…
When they entered the hall, Bibian noticed deeper looks of sympathy directed at her.
Clearly, everyone thought she had just finished arguing with Kailo.
Of course, that’s what they would assume.
After all, they believed Kailo and herself were together solely due to the prince and princess trying to establish peace.
They assumed she was working hard despite her unstable position.
Such misinterpretations didn’t bother Bibian.
Thanks to this misunderstanding, no one approached Kailo.
Who, in their right mind, would risk offending the ruler of Roktana by getting close to Kailo? They’d gain nothing and lose so much.
…
Once inside, Kailo stood observing the dancing crowd for a while.
Bibian had thought he would easily agree to dance, but he seemed to be waiting for something.
Could it be the music was not to his liking?
Even watching others dance, he hesitated to act.
Still, that was alright.
She could wait because Kailo would come eventually.
The music was not to her liking either.
She signaled the minstrels with a subtle glance, and they quickly understood, transitioning the music naturally.
A soft, slightly melancholic melody now filled the air.
It was a beautiful tune appropriate for a close dance.
It was Bibian’s favorite piece performed by these minstrels.
They called it “The Winter of Roktana.”
Thinking of it, Bibian couldn’t help but smile.
There could be no better piece for someone from the northern land where winter reigned, like Kailo, and herself, who had never known winter in Roktana.
It felt like a song tailored specifically for the two of them.
Kailo’s gaze finally drifted down to Bibian with a hint of approval for the music.
Bibian maintained her composure, even though her heart raced wildly.
She had prepared way too much for this moment to feel nervous or afraid.
She had long envisioned and waited for this moment.
“…You eaten your fear?”
Bibian taunted.
Kailo chuckled, then spoke softly.
“…I’ll overlook it since it’s your birthday.”
He slowly extended his hand.
They were almost reconciled.
“Let’s go then. What’s so special about…”
“…Duke.”
At that moment, someone interrupted.
The hand Bibian had just reached out to accept abruptly froze in mid-air.
The perfect moment shattered, breaking the flow.
Bibian clenched her rising irritation, wondering.
…Who daringly interrupts?
She turned her head to find Prince Thread standing behind her, his eyes filled with concern.
It was the expression of someone who still believed she and Kailo were unwillingly tied together.
“Wouldn’t you like to dance a tune with me, Duke?”
The ridiculous request came forth.
As if he were a prince on a white horse coming to save an unfortunate noblewoman.
“…”
Bibian barely suppressed the hollow laughter bubbling inside her.
Who, of all people, would dance with Prince Thread and leave Kaillo behind?
“…Where’s Princess Reyana?”
Bibian sidestepped with an implied refusal.
The prince slightly shook his head and pointed aside.
Following his cue, Bibian turned and her heart nearly froze.
…
“Since they are childhood friends from their hometown, let us give them some time together.”
The prince said.
In that instant, Princess Reyana had occupied Bibian’s place.
“Kailo, let’s dance once.”
With a flicker of black hair, she grabbed Kailo and pulled him forward.
The princess said, “Hurry.”
Bibian stood dumbfounded, unable to respond.
It was too absurd.
Too sudden.
As speech formed on her lips, her words caught.
“A… uh…”
Their own world had been invaded unexpectedly.
Kailo’s eyes met hers momentarily.
Bibian quickly returned the gaze, willing him to come to his senses.
She must regain control.
After all, why would Kailo accept this invitation?
He wouldn’t give a princess any special consideration.
That thought reassured her somewhat.
“…Pfft, phew…”
Kailo would choose her over a princess.
He had plenty of legitimate reasons to refuse and explain.
Bibian suppressed the swelling anger and waited for Kailo’s response.
Kailo began to speak.
“…My apologies, but I…”
Suddenly, Reyana swiftly pulled on Kailo’s shoulder.
Kailo readily leaned in to listen.
Reyana whispered something, and Kailo’s expression stiffened.
When Reyana released him, she said:
“Kailo, I’ll teach you how to dance well. Let’s do it together.”
Kailo froze for what felt like eternity.
His eyes sought Bibian’s once again.
“…”
“…”
With a single movement of Kailo’s hand, Bibian’s heart plummeted.
“…Huh?”
“…May I request a dance?”
Kailo formally extended his invitation — not to Bibian, but to Reyana.
His outstretched hand was meant for Reyana, leaving Bibian’s eyes unfocused and lost.
Bibian stared in disbelief, murmuring his name.
She was too stunned, unable to stop Kailo as he walked away, his broad back gradually disappearing from her sight.
An agonizing pain tightened her chest in a way that terrified her.
…Where to?
Bibian’s hand, left hanging in the air, felt incredibly lonely as the reconciliation they had yet to achieve slipped away.
…
Reyana cheerfully grabbed his hand, pulling Kailo onto the dancing floor formed by the gathered crowd.
The black-haired pair moved as if perfectly matched.
Witnessing their entrance, the people widened the space around them.
As “Winter of Roktana” played, they confidently stepped forward in front of everyone.
“…Kailo?”
Bibian whispered, unable to believe.
She watched helplessly as Kailo moved away, unable to stop him.