Faust: "I've never been more serious!"
A witch's fate isn't something to take lightly. According to Mephisto, while the Witch's Feast is inevitable, the process itself is completely unpredictable. It's not some guaranteed script you can just sit back and watch unfold.
If left unchecked, forget about sparking worldwide chaos—wiping out a small kingdom like Aurum would be nothing.
"I see..."
Viviana's long, curved lashes fluttered as she said, "Then I hope you get what you're looking for, Your Highness."
The prince of Aurum shrugged. "I appreciate that, but right now my only lead is that single slipper she left behind. Finding her is going to be damn near impossible."
Viviana looked toward the palace grounds. Despite the guards' best efforts at crowd control, nearly every girl who tried on the slipper showed signs of hysteria.
The shoe seemed cursed. Everyone was losing their minds trying to wear it, willing to do anything, pay any price.
Faust's temporary absence hadn't improved the situation at all. If anything, things were getting worse.
The scene made Faust frown. The influence of the Witch's Feast was beyond what he'd expected. He was starting to regret using this method as a screening process.
At this rate, would the entire kingdom end up with warped minds?
Just as Faust was worrying over this, Viviana approached and quietly lowered her hood.
Faust glanced at the knight with mild surprise.
For some reason, ever since their engagement had been called off, Viviana always hid her face when around him.
At least in Faust's memory, his childhood friend hadn't shown him her bare face in a very long time.
Catching a glimpse of her now, out of nowhere, Faust was genuinely stunned by Viviana's beauty.
Her features were exquisite to the point of absurdity, forming perfect harmony on her delicate face. Any change would feel like ruining something flawless.
Her pale golden hair fell loosely over her shoulders and framed her cheeks, catching the sunlight with an almost hypnotic glow that made her skin appear even more luminous and pure.
The scene was like a painting, leaving Faust involuntarily holding his breath.
Viviana turned those sad violet eyes toward the prince and asked, "What's wrong, Your Highness? You're looking at me like you've never seen me before."
Faust snapped out of it and drew in a sharp breath. "Shit... Maybe it's been too long. Viviana, I can't help but think you've... gotten a lot more beautiful. Did you use some kind of beauty potion?"
God knows, that wasn't meant as flattery. Faust genuinely felt that way.
Viviana shook her head. "You're overthinking it. I'm exactly the same as I've always been. I haven't changed."
She stressed those last few words.
Faust tried hard to remember. In his memory, Viviana had always been like this. Her appearance hadn't changed, but somehow the feeling was completely different.
How to put it? Before, even though he'd known full well that Viviana was breathtakingly beautiful, the playboy prince had hardly ever thought of her as a woman. But now, he actually felt something stir in his chest.
To put it bluntly, I'm getting turned on.
As Faust frowned in thought, Viviana spoke. "Do you really think this will help you find her?"
"All I see is a bunch of people driven mad by infatuation. If she doesn't want to see you, then you're wasting your time."
Faust gave a bitter smile. "I don't have a choice. I can only hope she wants to see me but for some reason can't make it work."
"Though, if I'm being honest... I do have a few other leads."
Under his childhood friend's calm gaze, Faust continued, "Even though we spent so little time together, I have some theories about her situation. That girl is probably suffering from some kind of injustice."
Viviana arched an elegant brow. "You figured that out?"
"It's still a gamble, but aside from the slipper fitting, let's send people to search. Look for any hardworking, tough girls in the kingdom who've been treated badly."
Faust rubbed his chin and looked at the young woman. "Can I trust you with this, Viviana?"
The prince of Aurum had many loyal subordinates, but very few who could actually handle things on their own. Viviana was, without question, the most reliable person he had.
Because Viviana was a genius. Not just any genius, a prodigy.
Whether it was the mystic arts, swordsmanship and combat, administration, military strategy, or even the arts and literature, Viviana excelled at nearly everything.
Her talent was so extraordinary that the old king had once considered naming Viviana as his heir.
Yes, Faust's adoptive father had openly discussed the matter with him. After all, to the king, dynastic succession didn't matter at all. He simply wanted a ruler who could prevent Aurum's destruction and lead it to greatness.
If the throne could be passed to an adopted son, why not to a friend's daughter?
Back then, Faust had nearly believed his position as crown prince was in danger. But in the end, for reasons unknown, the king abandoned that radical idea, shaking his head and saying, "Being called a prodigy at such a young age isn't a blessing."
Now, of course, Faust understood that his real advantage lay in the favor of the Fae. But back then, the prince hadn't known that. The whole situation had scared him half to death.
So when the king settled for the next best option and tried to arrange a marriage between his adopted son and Viviana, Faust had fought it tooth and nail.
Was he kidding? The Roselyn family already controlled the kingdom's royal guard. If Viviana became queen consort, would the kingdom belong to Aurum or to Roselyn?
In the old king's view, the name truly didn't matter. He just wanted the kingdom to survive.
But Faust didn't see it that way. The Kingdom of Aurum had to achieve greatness under his rule. Otherwise, it was all meaningless.
Though it wasn't Viviana's fault, there was no denying that after that incident, a rift had formed between Faust and his childhood friend.
Ah, my ugly hunger for power, Faust thought bitterly.
He sighed inwardly and said to Viviana in a low voice, "I know this is asking a lot, but it's really important to me."
Given the Roselyn family's special position in the kingdom, Viviana wasn't purely Faust's subordinate.
Their relationship was more like a king and a powerful lord sharing the realm. Even as crown prince, he couldn't simply order her around with absolute authority.
He could only appeal to their history.
Viviana stared at the prince in silence. After a long moment, those beautiful, deep violet eyes gently closed. She placed a hand over her chest, nodded, and bowed slightly.
"Your Highness, if this is truly what you want... I'll make it happen."
"However..."
The young woman stepped forward.
That exquisite face drew close to Faust, her golden hair falling against his neck as she whispered softly, "I'll need your absolute support. Permission to do whatever is necessary."