[TIDK] 137 – Wounded on a Thorn

Scarlett, who had taken the tram back to the capital, paused for a moment in her seat and saw a tram heading towards the Dumfelt territory in the western part of the capital.

         Whether it was the engineering college or the luggage she had packed in the laboratory, Scarlett had received a lot of help from Viktor lately. Although she found him unpleasant, she thought she should express her gratitude, so she decided to board the tram heading to Dumfelt.

         The capital had been cold throughout January, but it wasn't as frigid as the open field where the university was located. When Scarlett arrived at Dumfelt on the tram, it was a little past four o'clock, and the sun was already gradually setting towards the western sea.

         As Scarlett entered the mansion, Blythe appeared.

"Have you arrived?"

Not knowing when or in what condition Scarlett would appear, Blythe greeted her as if her arrival was expected.

         Blythe took the lead and said, "The weather is icy."

"It's freezing," Scarlett replied, following him up the stairs. When they arrived at Viktor's study, Blythe knocked four times and said, "Milord."

Perhaps due to the formal address, Blythe knocked one more time than usual, indicating that Scarlett had arrived. Since it was winter and the door was cold, gentlemen opened it for her before anyone else. Viktor did the same.

         Viktor opened the door and briefly looked at Scarlett standing in front of him. As Scarlett returned his gaze, Blythe stepped back.

         After a moment, Viktor asked.

"Scarlett, do you love me?" Viktor asked.

         "Huh? Yeah," Scarlett replied absentmindedly, swallowing a sigh. Caught off guard by Viktor's intense gaze, she blurted out her response without much thought.

         A smile spread across Viktor's face as she quickly tried to gather her thoughts and figure out how to salvage the situation. "Alright," he said.

         Seeing Viktor smile felt like a rarity to Scarlett, a sight she hadn't witnessed in a long time. Her heart skipped a beat, unsure of what his response truly meant.

         Viktor approached her, gently clasping her hand in his. "Let's go to the cedar forest," he suggested. "You mentioned wanting to visit."

         Scarlett hesitated, about to question whether she, as a non-Dumfelt, could even accompany him to such a place. However, in that moment, she realised that Viktor had momentarily forgotten about their divorce.

         Caught off guard by the turn of events, Scarlett's mind raced, but she soon nodded in agreement. "Yes, I'd love to go."

         "Very well, we'll go soon," Viktor assured her, his words carrying a hint of excitement. He rose from his seat and signalled a servant to bring their coats.

         As Scarlett observed the atmosphere within the house, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed since her last visit. There was an air of anticipation, a subtle shift in dynamics. And when she absentmindedly glanced at a nearby flower vase, she noticed that the vibrant pink roses within lacked their usual thorns. It was as if someone had carefully removed them, instructing the maids to create an ambience of gentleness and harmony.

"Did I unnecessarily burden myself with everything..." Scarlett murmured, her eyes filled with regret. Just then, Viktor's hand came into view.

         Scarlett noticed a wound on his hand as he removed his white gloves and slipped on leather ones for their outing. Apart from the tense veins that coursed through, his hand was surprisingly smooth, making the scar on his index finger stand out vividly.

         Recalling her former self before the divorce, Scarlett knew she wouldn't have ignored such an injury. Without a moment's hesitation, she walked toward Viktor.

         "Give me your hand," she requested.

         Viktor glanced at Scarlett briefly before extending his right hand. Her expression shifted as she observed the lingering scar on his finger.

         "What happened? How did you get hurt?" she pressed, her curiosity evident.

         Viktor remained silent, his silence only deepening Scarlett's intrigue. She looked up at him, her gaze searching for answers.

         "What were you doing to sustain such an injury?"

         "I scratched myself on a rose thorn," Viktor finally confessed.

         Scarlett was taken aback by his words. Viktor continued, his voice tinged with understanding.

         "You always remove the thorns. Now I understand why."

         A flicker of sadness crossed Scarlett's face as she vividly recalled the sting of a rose thorn. She gently cradled Viktor's wounded hand, pondering whether he had been removing the thorns himself, perhaps unbeknownst to her.

They embarked on their journey towards the enchanting cedar forest, their footsteps harmoniously resonating with the serenity of nature. The forest held a captivating beauty that simultaneously evoked a sense of trepidation within those who ventured into its depths, for it was a realm where the indomitable forces of nature reigned supreme.

         "It's breathtaking," Scarlett whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the grandeur of the surroundings.

         Viktor, with a slight nod, acknowledged her sentiment. The moment they stepped foot into the forest, a gentle fragrance enveloped them, emanating from Viktor himself. It had a profound effect on Scarlett, both soothing her restless soul and causing her heart to flutter with anticipation.