Ch.128Complete

I hadn’t fully accepted the twins yet.

I still felt a sense of guilt, as I continued to think of them as siblings.

But at the same time, pushing them away left me with an even greater discomfort.

After all, I had seen what happened to them when I wasn’t around.

In truth, it’s hard to call this a good form of love.

Unlike with Judy or Daisy, where I was the one who approached them first, with the twins, I was in the position of accepting their feelings.

As Asena herself felt, I couldn’t fully bear the weight of their love… but that was something I could gradually change.

Like Asena said while crying, “How can we be siblings when we’re not blood-related?” I just needed to change my perception.

Once I made my decision, I felt incredibly relieved.

After that day, the twins didn’t make any rushed moves, so it wasn’t burdensome.

And whenever I saw the twins’ expressions, I couldn’t help but smile too.

Kirsy would walk around with a constant smile on her face, as if something made her incredibly happy, and whenever our eyes met, she would blush and look away.

Asena didn’t show much change in her expression, but the darkness that had lingered on her face was gradually disappearing.

Certainly, I too didn’t seem to view the twins with typical sibling emotions.

Perhaps it was because I had made my choice? I felt no resistance to their actions.

Rather, the more I saw them, the more I could gradually digest and absorb their feelings.

*****

It was time for Daisy and Judy to return to their homeland.

With so many events behind us, and with our return to the Academy approaching, there was much to organize.

We returned to the Praester Family’s Territory to discuss matters.

The intention was to establish our plans for the future.

Grandmother, the twins, Daisy, Judy, Helen, Lawrence, Tein, and others…

Everyone gathered in one room to talk.

“So, who… will become Mels?” Grandmother Riana asked.

She hadn’t said anything about my choice, just smiled and embraced me.

She seemed to understand the struggle I went through to make that decision.

I often think how fortunate I am to have met a benefactor like Grandmother.

Kirsy spoke first.

“Me.”

Her words carried a resolute strength.

“Kirsy Mels. That will be my name in the future.”

Grandmother Riana looked at Kirsy for a while, then snorted with a small laugh.

“Kirsy, you don’t hesitate to abandon the Praester name.”

Of course, Grandmother knew Kirsy wasn’t doing this with ill intentions. That’s why she was smiling at Kirsy as if finding it amusing.

But having been called out, Kirsy seemed embarrassed at revealing her deep feelings, blushing and lowering her head.

“Do you like your brother—no, Caden—that much?”

“……”

Kirsy didn’t bother to answer. Her deeply bowed, red face answered for her.

She seemed quite excited. It was as if she couldn’t contain her anticipation for the future.

“I… also plan to become Mels,” Judy chimed in. She faced Grandmother’s pressure with her knight-like manner of speaking.

Grandmother looked at Judy and nodded. She didn’t tease her as she had done with Kirsy.

“…I see. That would be better than remaining an Ice as an illegitimate daughter.”

“…Yes.”

“You’re planning to leave the Ice Family’s Territory.”

“…Yes. I’ve already spoken with my father. I… easily received his permission.”

Judy seemed both sorrowful and relieved as she said this.

After all, she was leaving the family where she had suffered as an illegitimate daughter to come to me.

“He had nothing to say about you joining the Mels family?”

“…Father actually approves of that. He seems to prefer me being connected to the Praesters indirectly, even if just in name, rather than directly…”

Grandmother blinked as if recalling something, then nodded.

Next was Daisy.

“…I…”

Grandmother’s gaze shifted from Judy to Daisy.

Though she seemed to try to hide it, she was still colder toward Daisy than she was toward Judy.

Her expression became less animated and more rigid.

Daisy spoke regardless of this.

“I think I need to go back and discuss it.”

“…What do you mean?”

Grandmother’s gaze grew even colder.

Daisy flinched momentarily, then answered slowly.

“I-I don’t mean I don’t want to be with Caden… but as the eldest daughter, I need to discuss whether I’ll inherit the Hexter name or take the Mels name. Though personally… I’d like to take Mels.”

“……..”

At Daisy’s explanation, Grandmother’s expression softened and she nodded.

Since I was sitting right next to Daisy, I stroked her hand to comfort her for any negative emotions she might have felt.

Daisy looked at me as if incredibly grateful for that gesture.

Naturally, Asena was the last.

The current head of the Praester family and duchess.

Her eyes had been fixed since the beginning of the conversation.

Still, knowing it was her turn, she opened her mouth.

“…I.”

And then she stopped.

In truth, for Asena, the answer was predetermined.

She couldn’t take the Mels name.

“……..”

She must have known this too. There was no one else to continue the Praester line but her.

Yet she seemed to find it difficult to voice this already decided fact.

“………..”

It had been a while since I’d seen her so speechless.

Especially in a setting like this.

Unable to continue speaking, Asena’s eyes sought mine.

Even though not matching names wouldn’t make a huge difference, she couldn’t easily speak.

…I don’t know. Perhaps she wanted the Mels name, which would bind her to me as a spouse rather than as siblings through the Praester name.

Her eyes then sought out Kirsy.

Those eyes looking at Kirsy… contained deep envy.

“….Sigh.”

Asena then sighed, as if gathering her resolve.

“…I am a Praester.”

Both Grandmother and I simply nodded.

-Screech!

At that moment, Asena rose from her seat.

Everyone’s surprised eyes turned to her.

Asena hardened her expression and quietly said,

“…I need some fresh air. Please continue your discussion.”

Then she turned and left the room.

It seemed like… not being able to share the same surname as me was stressing her out.

-Thud.

After she closed the door and left, an awkward silence fell.

“I’ll go after her,” I finally said, standing up.

No one objected.

****

“Asena.”

I was able to catch her walking down the corridor.

She turned to look at me, her eyes widening ever so slightly.

Then, turning away primly, she continued walking.

With her face hidden from me, she spoke.

“…Sorry, brother. Did I make things awkward? Just give me a little time.”

This emotional response was unlike her.

No matter how much she wanted to be alone, I couldn’t leave her be.

Even if she needed more time… I had decided to take responsibility for her for life, so I needed to act accordingly.

I let Asena go where she wanted.

I followed her at a constant distance.

She only stopped after walking to a nearby garden.

It was a garden with just the two of us.

When I followed her there, she seemed to realize we were alone and suddenly turned and embraced me.

-Thud!

“Oof!”

“…….”

With a trembling body, she spoke.

“…I’ve been thinking lately, brother. Why was I born earlier?”

“…What?”

“If I had been born a little later, I could have acted like Kirsy.”

“……..”

“…As I’ve said many times, I don’t need the family. As long as I can be by your side.”

“…That’s right.”

I put my arms around her and began to stroke her, comforting her in her dejection. Just like before.

Asena was momentarily surprised by my touch, then twisted her body to press closer to me.

It touched something in my heart to see her act so cute with me, despite her normally overwhelming charisma.

Wondering how to comfort her, I said,

“…Asena.”

“…What?”

“I just realized, you and I have become heads of our respective families.”

“……..”

“I think I’ll be asking you for a lot of help in the future.”

“……..”

“…So… I’d like you to help your brother.”

Asena remained silent for a moment, then replied curtly.

“…You have Daisy too.”

That made me realize my mistake. The words of comfort I’d offered weren’t as helpful as I’d intended.

So I resorted to a little trick.

Even if it was just empty words, I said something to make her feel better.

Hugging her tighter, I lowered my head and whispered in her ear.

“…I’d like you to help me.”

“………..”

“…Would that be okay?”

Asena’s breathing intensified in my arms. Indeed, I no longer felt any resistance to such actions. My boundaries weren’t as thick as I had claimed… I had come to accept her too comfortably.

Asena pushed me away and faced me.

With a slightly flushed face, she said,

“…Brother.”

“…Yes?”

“I’ve already mentioned this, but… we agreed not to fight over you.”

“Hmm?”

“Because fighting for your love would be endless.”

“……..”

“…So I have one request.”

“Yes. Tell me anything.”

“…When it’s just the two of us, act like you love me the most.”

“…..”

I couldn’t understand why she made this request. Was it because she realized my earlier words of comfort about needing her help the most were somewhat empty? Yet she felt happy about it and made this request?

“…As I said, I know you haven’t fully accepted me. But… someday when your heart opens… and when we’re alone… love me.”

Her earnest words stirred my heart again. I felt like we were getting even closer.

Looking at Asena, who was putting all her heart into reaching out to me, I answered,

“…I will.”

“…Then… can you stay still now?”

I didn’t need her to say more to understand what she wanted.

So I moved first. Whether it was because I wanted to grant her wish, comfort her in her anxiety, make an effort for her, or for some other reason, I didn’t know.

But I lowered my head and gently kissed Asena on the lips.

Her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly.

She looked at me with a very surprised expression.

“…Asena.”

“…B-brother…”

She blushed and lowered her head. She acted shy, as if it was her first time.

“…I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

At my words, she embraced me again.

****

Dozens of days passed.

Many matters were settled.

Daisy gave up her position as heir and passed it to her younger sibling.

She had decided to live as a Mels, not a Hexter.

Judy immediately packed her belongings and left the Ice family. Though she still hadn’t married, she never returned to the Ice Family’s Territory.

Kirsy also moved into the Mels territory and began living there.

She would look for me at all hours… but she was also a great help to busy me.

Despite her cute and affectionate nature, Kirsy was still a political science student, and she provided a lot of help in areas I found difficult.

We hired new servants and maids, and began restoring the territory damaged by war.

We also captured criminals who had settled in, gradually lifting the heavy atmosphere that had settled.

After such busy days…

…I returned to the Academy.

The vacation had ended.

Not much had changed.

The Academy looked the same, and the nobles walking around hadn’t changed much either.

What had changed were the emblem on my shoulder, the absence of a sword at my waist, and the classroom I needed to enter.

As the new head of the family, the subject I needed to study was politics.

Asena, Kirsy, Daisy, and Judy stood behind me.

Judy was still in the knight department, but… she insisted on seeing me off.

Though she was a bit sad that our departments were different, she didn’t show it.

She knew that if she did, I would tease her again.

I took a deep breath and opened the door to the political science department.

Numerous eyes sought me out.

A commoner-born family head. A knight who had returned from war.

I couldn’t tell how they viewed me, but… it wasn’t with disdain.

I believed it was a good start, in its own way.

I took a step forward.

-Step. Step.

And then, I greeted them.

“I look forward to working with you all.”

Some people who already knew me smiled.

“I am Caden Mels.”

And with that, my family announced its beginning.