Vyn "Fetters of the Past"/Rewards

Story Summary

As the MC is about to leave work for the day, she and Kiki discuss her recent case: a foreign client named Mr. Eirik specifically sought her out at a friend's recommendation to solve a very simple case of lost property. Vyn meets her outside Themis, but as they're about to go to their date, Ogier spots someone following her. The three change their plans and check the MC's home instead, where Ogier finds a listening device that seems to have just been installed that day. The MC wants to call the police, but Vyn asks her to let him handle it. She reluctantly agrees, and he asks her to stay at his home until the matter is resolved.

Arriving at Vyn's home, Vyn suggests the MC take the guest room next to his. He asks about any unusual activity at work, and she describes her foreign client, Mr. Eirik. Vyn resolves to look into him and sends her to bed. Ogier and Vyn discuss the bug, confirming it's the same model that was placed in Vyn's home seven years prior. Vyn asks Ogier to see whether his father is still in Svart, then checks on the MC, who can't sleep due to worrying about Vyn's odd behavior. The next day, the MC leaves for work, and Ogier confirms with Vyn that his father is in Stellis and about to meet with her.

The MC arrives at a cafe near Themis to meet with her client, Mr. Eirik. Very shortly into the meeting, Vyn interrupts, addressing Eirik as "father" and asking why he's there with more anger than the MC has ever seen in him. Without allowing Eirik to explain, he brings the MC back to his home, apologizes for his emotional state, and leaves her alone while he cools off. Later that night, Vyn explains that his father is a very powerful man, and that anyone involved in Eirik's life becomes a target of surveillance, which is not something Vyn wants for the MC. She asks him to promise to work through anything like this together in the future, and she falls asleep with him on the couch.

The next morning, Eirik is at Vyn's home with Svart's ambassador, who used to be one of Eirik's personal guard. Vyn and the MC discuss the life of nobility and the need for guardsmen, with Vyn asking whether such things make her uncomfortable and promising to shield her from that life entirely if so. The MC answers that it doesn't matter to her as long as Vyn is there. Vyn leaves for a work matter, and Eirik takes the opportunity to formally introduce himself and explain the realities of life in Svart by telling the MC a little about an attempt on Vyn's life 12 years prior. When Vyn returns, he asks Eirik to go handle the current situation, quickly discerns the reason for the MC's sullen mood, and offers to tell the real story himself.

Vyn tells the story of a birthday party his father threw for him when he was in university in his teens. Eirik had just made some changes that were unpopular with the older nobility, who sought revenge against Eirik. Vyn caught one of his father's guards getting close to one Count Adell, which was unusual, and used the opportunity to practice his new studies in criminal psychology. He warned Ogier, who was the captain of Eirik's guard at the time, and when the Count called Eirik into a side hall, Vyn followed to observe as if it were a psychology experiment. A large group of assassins attacked, but Ogier signaled to pre-arranged backup and put them down as Vyn looked on. The MC finds the story disturbing and wishes she could comfort Vyn, who tells it in a detached manner.

Five days pass with Vyn and the MC living at Vyn's residence under extra security arranged by Svart's ambassador. In all that time, Ogier and Eirik are not heard from until finally returning while Vyn is conducting an online therapy session in his study. Eirik, who seems injured, asks the MC whether she can face Svart's dangers; she refuses to answer with words, telling Eirik to find her answer in her actions from that day forward. He gifts her a photo of Vyn when he was young and leaves to return to Svart. Later, Vyn explains that the injury is likely a scheme to put pressure on the church for its negligence. The MC laments his difficult past, and he explains that there are things he fears her finding out about him, but she reassures him that his past and status don't matter to her.

Illustrations

Unspoken WordsGive me some time and I'll tell you everything.

Video Call

Video Call		Vyn: Fetters of the Past (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Vyn: Good evening. I have finally made it home. Have you been waiting for my call?

Vyn: I am glad that you are being so frank with me.

Vyn: The picture of my childhood that we saw today... brought back some memories.

Vyn: I knew you would be interested.

Vyn: When I was 3 years old, I found an injured kitten in the garden. To save it, I asked for help from Ogier.

Vyn: He accompanied me in taking the kitten to the vet. I was curious about how it would be treated, so I visited every day to watch how the vet operated.

Vyn: Later, my father gave me a toy medical kit. So I practiced mimicking what the vet did. I hoped that I could help next time.

Vyn: I did not expect my father to capture it on film. He seems to have enjoyed doing such silly things—ever since way back.

Vyn: No, I am not upset about it. On the contrary, I am actually glad that he took the picture.

Vyn: It helped me realize that... we could learn about each other's pasts in this way.

Vyn: But again, the current situation is not fair to me.

Vyn: You have seen the 3-year-old me, but I know nothing about your past...

Vyn: Next time we meet... can you show me a picture of your childhood?

Vyn: Okay. Then it is a deal.

Vyn: I did not realize how late it is. Time to get some rest. I will see you tomorrow.

Token

Token examination

Vyn in the picture:

You: So cute! Is he playing doctor?

Eirik: Well, I had just returned from abroad. I got him a pretend doctor set as a gift.

Eirik: I didn't think he would be interested. I didn't expect him to be so into it that he wouldn't even notice me taking pictures of him.

You: He sure does have a serious look on his face—it's like he's really working.

The snowy owl in the picture:

You: The patient little Vyn is treating is... Is that a snowy owl doll?

Eirik: Yes, snowy owls are very common in Svart, and Albert loved them when he was a child.

Picture Frame:

You: Did you give me this photo because you hope for me to get to know more about Vyn's life?

Eirik: I do hope that... And let me tell you a small secret. Albert has never seen this photo either.

You: Huh, really?

Eirik: So next time you can look at the picture together with him. I'm sure it will remind Albert of something interesting.

Story Locations

Themis Law Firm
Law Firm

Themis Law Firm

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Vyn's Residence

Vyn's Residence
Study

Vyn's Residence
Guest Room

Giannovyn Mental Health Research Center
Vyn's Office

Cafe

Vyn's Residence
Guest Room

Vyn's Residence

Vyn's Residence
Garden

Svart

Story Characters

Vyn Richter

Kiki Bennet

Ogier Wechsler

Eirik

Count Adell

Ambassador

Guard

Story References

The Vyn "Fetters of the Past" story contains brief mentions or references of events that took place in the following:

• Vyn "Food for Thought"