[TIDK] 125 – A Treasonous Turning Point

Nodding in understanding, Scarlett took a sip of the strong drink Viktor had given her. The intense flavour caught her off guard, causing her to grimace as if her insides were on fire. "That's tough," she managed to utter.

"I know," Viktor sympathetically responded. Gently, he took the glass from her hand and placed it on the table before carefully laying her down on the bed. Aware of Scarlett's low tolerance for alcohol, he anticipated the uninhibited words that would escape her lips in her intoxicated state.

Feeling the weight of her remorse, Scarlett murmured through her haze, "I'm sorry... I..."

No matter how much she pondered the situation, only one thing truly burdened her heart. She expressed her deepest regret, whispering, "I'm so sorry I ever loved you."

What she wanted to forget the most was the fact that she was divorced.

Is that why I came to see him?

Inwardly, he entertained the thought that perhaps, if he were to marry again, he would find the success that had eluded him in the past.

After Viktor switched off the light, Scarlett soon succumbed to sleep. Positioned by her side, he observed her peaceful slumber, fixating on her serene face. Instinctively, she nervously extended her hand. Viktor gently grasped it in response, drawing it close to his lips. With a tender gesture, he gently kissed the palm of her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.

Scarlett's hands, although not small, were enveloped entirely by Viktor's large hands. It made him ponder whether there would come a time when she would, in her increasing self-doubt and reliance on him, accept locking the bedroom door.

♔♔♔

The following morning, as Scarlett failed to return, Andrei decided to pay a visit to the Dumfelt household. Upon arrival, he encountered Viktor, who maintained a composed demeanour. Andrei, determined to keep his composure, spoke up.

"I've come to collect the boss," Andrei stated.

Viktor, his expression calm, responded, "She's still asleep. She had a few drinks."

Wow, that's ridiculous.

He thought her actions were odd, yet he knew her ex-husband was no better. What if Scarlett was aware that Viktor Dumfelt was concealing vital information? Andrei sensed that beneath Scarlett's anger, there was a glimmer of warmth. This warmth, not her anger, truly instilled fear in others.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Andrei inquired, "What are your plans for the future?"

Retrieving a cigarette from his inner pocket, he extended it towards Viktor. "First and foremost, we need to visit the Royal Police."

Viktor's words took Andrei aback. The Royal Police operated directly under the royal wing. Seizing control of the general police could be considered a coup, but attempting to take over the royal police...

"That's... treason."

Viktor's response was resolute, "You'll be by my side."

"...Rebellion against my will?" Andrei was astonished, his voice wavered with a mix of trepidation and disbelief.

Viktor maintained a stoic expression as he replied, "Or perhaps you possess knowledge that could be dangerous, leaving me no choice but to eliminate you. You attempted to take my life, so it’s reasonable."

Silence hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.

"It would be beneficial to have some insight into the workings of the Royal Police," Viktor mused aloud, breaking the tension. Andrei, taking a long drag from his cigarette, exhaled slowly before speaking with a resigned tone. "If I don't rebel, I'll perish alone. But if I fail, my family will suffer the consequences."

"I suppose so," Viktor acknowledged, seemingly considering it an easy answer. However, Andrei couldn't ignore the fact that Viktor had previously carried out the royal family's bidding in order to regain favour. Now, he was turning his back on them.

Viktor might have realised that bringing the royals to their knees would be easier than to continue appeasing them. Nevertheless, it would not be a straightforward task. Overturning the Royal Police would undoubtedly trigger an unpredictable reaction from the royal family. They might seek to harness the power of Vestina, capable of devouring all of Salantier. Alternatively, they could simply abandon Viktor Dumfelt and the problematic Royal Police, casting them aside like a hunting dog after the hunt.

♔♔♔

When Scarlett awoke in Dumfelt's mansion, her gaze was met by a raven perched outside the window. "Oh, it's already the season for wolves," she remarked with a hint of resignation.

In the capital of Salantier, the cry of a raven in January signified the impending arrival of wolves. The ravens would accompany the wolf packs, scavenging the remains left behind. While it was uncommon for wolves to venture into the bustling capital, they were known to descend upon the Dumfelt family's estate on the outskirts or near the eastern mountains, where they would prey upon unsuspecting individuals. In response to the raven's cry, people would gather mountain animals and sprinkle blood upon them as a protective measure.

Beyond the narrow entrance of the Dumfelt family estate lay a vast cedar forest. The land held little value in the past, remaining cold and abandoned until Viktor's emergence. However, over the past two decades, Salantier experienced a massive depletion of its forests, causing the value of the trees to skyrocket. The Redwood Forest had become a subject of curiosity and intrigue within Salantier.

Only the Dumfelt family held the privilege of freely traversing the forest. Even the servants were forbidden from entering, let alone the guests. Scarlett had occasionally ventured near the forest entrance, never encountering any danger. However, finding the time to explore alongside Viktor had proven challenging, as his responsibilities left little room for leisurely strolls with his wife.