Ch.19A Single Flower (3)

“….Jousting?”

Asena repeated the words of Lucil Hover, the student council president.

The president nodded while sipping her tea.

“That’s right, Asena. There will be a jousting tournament on the upcoming holiday. The weather should continue to be beautiful… doesn’t it sound fun?”

“…..”

“So everyone gather after classes today. We need to set the budget.”

Asena wasn’t keen on the idea.

Not about the gathering, but the jousting tournament itself.

“….Will the knight department students be participating?”

“Of course.”

“…Will everyone participate?”

“As long as they’re not injured… everyone will participate. You’re quite curious today, Asena?”

Everyone naturally included Caden.

She felt uncomfortable.

She had barely managed to suppress her interest in Caden… thanks to Kirsy’s gossip, no one was coveting him anymore…

Now things were about to get complicated again.

Caden would be in the spotlight once more.

Since coming to the Academy, Asena had learned that noble ladies harbored fantasies about knights.

Perhaps because of fairy tales they heard as children.

Of course, Asena, who had heard countless stories from Caden growing up, secretly harbored her own fantasies about knights… but selfishly, she didn’t like others having those same fantasies.

‘If only he wasn’t a knight, things would be fine…’

She sighed.

Daisy Hexter approached and grabbed Asena’s shoulder.

She seemed to think Asena found this task bothersome.

“Don’t overthink it, Asena. Setting the budget won’t be that difficult. If needed, we can just check how they did it last year.”

“…”

“Actually, I’ve seen tournaments held in our territory a few times. They’re quite fun. So let’s prepare with a mindset of enjoying ourselves.”

“….”

“Ah, or is that not what’s worrying you? Is it because of your brother in the knight department… oh.”

Daisy closed her mouth when she felt Asena’s cold gaze.

The word “brother” was like Asena’s sore spot. Touch it, and the atmosphere turns savage.

Daisy tried not to forget, but she kept making mistakes.

With the sudden shift in atmosphere, the student council went quiet as mice.

Asena appreciated how quickly the atmosphere changed.

Everyone seemed to understand what message she was trying to convey.

Not bringing up Caden carelessly. She knew this alone could dampen interest in him.

Asena wanted to keep any talk about Caden as quiet as possible.

She had already established that she didn’t think of him as a sibling. She had made it known they weren’t family. Her goal was accomplished.

Like Kirsy had done… she didn’t need to go so far as to badmouth him herself.

“Asena and Caden have a mysterious relationship,” “I’m not sure what they are to each other” – these perceptions were ideal. Such perceptions would help when the day came to announce her marriage to Caden.

So Asena kept her words sparse.

“….Is it okay to hold an event like a jousting tournament so soon?”

She asked, changing the subject.

Either way, Asena was against this tournament.

“It’s an Academy tradition. Watching knights joust is fun, and it helps you become closer with friends you’re still awkward with. There’s nothing better for bonding than watching an exciting match together.”

“….I understand.”

At the mention of tradition, Asena rose from her seat. Lucil Hover called after her.

“Asena, where are you going?”

“…Just getting some air. I’ll be back later.”

Asena left the student council room.

****

Asena went to find Caden.

Today, too, he was tending to his private garden.

Asena liked this garden.

It was secluded, and Caden was always there.

The blooming flowers didn’t steal Caden away from her, so nothing could be better.

Coming here made Asena feel at ease too. Perhaps it was because he was here.

It felt like escaping from the tension she had to maintain at the Academy.

“…Hmm? Asena, you’re here?”

Caden said.

Asena resisted the urge to comfortably nestle into his arms. As the head of the family, she needed to maintain a certain level of dignity.

Caden, who had raised her almost like a parent. The love he gave was so warm that Asena might have become defenseless.

Before stating her purpose, Asena looked at Caden’s garden.

The planted seeds were raising green stems. It was fascinating to see them grow each time she visited.

Noticing her gaze on his garden, Caden smiled and said:

“They’ve grown a lot, haven’t they? I think they’ll bloom soon.”

“They’ve grown well without dying.”

“That’s because you all helped. You watered them occasionally, didn’t you?”

“It was nothing.”

“Still. They grew with our care.”

Though she didn’t show it, his words made the growing flowers look even more beautiful. She realized they were life they had nurtured together.

Asena crouched down near him.

“…Oppa.”

She called him by that name, which brought her happiness just to say.

“Yes?”

Asena rested her chin on her knees and looked at him.

“I heard there’s going to be a jousting tournament?”

Caden nodded.

“That’s right.”

“…..”

Asena immediately fell silent. This time, Caden looked at her and asked:

“Why do you ask?”

“…..Can’t you not participate?”

She asked. Suddenly, silence fell. The sound of the wind grew louder, and the swaying grass made sounds as they brushed against each other.

After a long silence, he asked:

“…..What?”

“……The jousting tournament.”

Again, the sounds of nature returned. Asena glanced at Caden, noticing his silence was longer than expected.

“…..You want me to keep a low profile?”

A slightly sharp response came back. Others might not have noticed, but Asena could immediately tell that Caden wasn’t in the best mood.

She instinctively knew this was a moment where she needed to answer carefully. With anyone else, she wouldn’t care this much… but with Caden, she became cautious.

“……..I’m just worried you might get hurt.”

Honestly, his words were right. She did want him to keep a low profile.

But she changed her words because it seemed wrong to say so.

Fortunately, it seemed to be the right answer, as Caden smiled and tousled her hair. Asena instinctively leaned into his hand.

“It’s okay. I might get hurt. But what would people think if I didn’t participate when I’m perfectly healthy? My reputation is already not great.”

“……”

Asena had come here to persuade him.

Don’t participate. She was even prepared to give an order if necessary, but the atmosphere had shifted, making it difficult to bring it up.

She imagined Caden participating in the jousting tournament. She saw him standing before countless people.

Courage bloomed in Asena’s heart.

She opened her mouth to persuade him.

“Oppa, instead of doing that, this tournament—”

“—Asena.”

His resolute voice rang out.

“….I’m going to participate.”

Asena couldn’t say anything else.

“…..Okay.”

“Cheer for me that day, alright?”

“….Okay.”

With mixed feelings, Asena finished her response.

When that day comes, would she really be able to cheer for him?

She couldn’t stop him from participating in the tournament, but that didn’t mean she was giving up on everything.

In the end, Asena disliked the attention focused on him. She hated the interest that would be showered upon him.

So she had to suppress it. Just like Kirsy did.

“…Oppa, then instead of not participating….”

“Yes?”

“Can I prepare the equipment for you?”

“Huh?”

Caden turned his head to look at her. A small expectation appeared on his face.

“Really? You?”

“Yes. I’ll do it as a gift.”

At those words, Caden seemed pleased and came closer, putting one arm around Asena’s shoulder.

Asena felt her face immediately turn red. He was close enough for her to smell his scent.

She maintained her stiff expression but couldn’t look him in the eyes.

“I only have my sister. Then I’ll leave it to you, Asena. I already have armor. You know that, right?”

“…Yes.”

Asena knew because it had been brought from the Praester family.

“The only thing missing is a lance. If you’re going to prepare it, just prepare that. Do you know the lance specifications?”

“……I’ll ask while preparing.”

She answered, suppressing her pounding heart.

Afterward, they chatted about everyday things before parting ways.

*****

Asena visited the armory.

Many other knight department students were visible.

They also seemed to be preparing their equipment in advance.

When Asena appeared, a worker from the armory hurried over and stood before her.

Clasping his hands together, he asked:

“What brings you here?”

“I’m here to prepare equipment for the upcoming jousting tournament. I don’t need armor, just lances.”

“Ah, I see. You’re aware that there are lances provided for the jousting tournament, right?”

The worker informed her that there was no need to make them here. Asena nodded.

“I know.”

“Well. And if you’re going to custom order, you should prepare three or four. Tournament lances break easily.”

“I understand.”

After examining the nodding worker, Asena lowered her voice and carefully asked:

“……I heard there are specifications for lances.”

Not knowing why, the worker also lowered his voice.

“…Yes, there are.”

Even after bringing it up, Asena hesitated for a moment. The image of a happy Caden came to mind. But soon, she shook her head.

Asena still disliked him shining in front of others. His charm couldn’t be revealed to others. Only she should know.

They say serious injuries are rare in jousting tournaments. Not non-existent, but rare.

If that’s the case, Asena hoped Caden would be eliminated quickly. That would be best.

Then he wouldn’t shine, and others wouldn’t have a reason to covet him.

She said:

“…..Make the lances shorter by a span… no, two spans.”

The worker processed her words for a moment, then asked in surprise:

“….Pardon? But that would be disadvantageous in the tournament?”

“I know.”

The worker blinked in incomprehension, but his head nodded to her words.

“….T-then I’ll do as you say.”

There was no one in this Academy who would dare go against the words of nobles.

“…Ah.”

Asena opened her mouth to a question that came to mind. In fact, it was also her biggest concern.

“….The person using this… wouldn’t notice that the lance is shorter?”

Asena imagined Caden noticing her dirty deed. There probably wouldn’t be anything more terrible than that. He absolutely must not know.

The worker stroked his chin.

“…Well, unless they’re comparing two side by side, it would be difficult. Lances are so long that a span or two wouldn’t be noticeable to the eye. It would only become apparent during the match.”

“…That’s fine then.”

Asena nodded.

*****

On the day of the jousting tournament.

“Are you ready, Judy?”

Judy, seeming nervous, took a deep breath and nodded.

“…You?”

“I’m ready too.”

I held out my fist.

Judy lightly bumped it in response.

Afterward, we dispersed to our respective waiting rooms. The waiting room was just a small tent set up temporarily. My horse, Rush, and my armor were prepared. The lance hadn’t arrived yet. Asena had said she would bring it soon.

Peeking outside by slightly lifting the tent entrance, I saw a large crowd gathered.

Everyone seemed excited, talking loudly and eating snacks.

They were all dressed neatly. Since it was a day they could take off their Academy uniforms, many handsome men and beautiful women I hadn’t noticed before were making appearances.

It seemed like the entire Academy had gathered. It was the perfect place to turn around my reputation.

“…Phew…”

I shook my body to release tension. I didn’t show it to Judy, but I was quite nervous too. For my plan to succeed, I needed to start off well here.

“Puhng.”

Rush also snorted and pawed the ground. He seemed excited by the commotion.

“Let’s do well, Rush.”

I approached Rush and stroked him, then opened the pouch attached to the saddle. Fortunately, the prepared item was safely inside.

Afterward, I began to put on the heavy armor piece by piece. A shining black armor.

It was a magnificent armor that seemed to display the family’s power. Grandmother Riana had given it to me as a gift. It warmed my heart and gave me strength.

“Oppa!”

Kirsy entered, lifting the tent flap. She froze when she saw me in armor. It was my first time wearing this armor. Judging by her reaction, it seemed to look good. Well, whether it was an act or not, I didn’t know.

“…Does it look okay?”

“Yes… you look handsome.”

“What about Asena? My lance still hasn’t arrived.”

“I’m here.”

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the tent. Then Asena and several men carrying three or four lances entered.

I smiled.

I was grateful for the effort she put in for me. The gossip still stung, but gratitude was gratitude.

The men carefully placed the lances on the ground. A small Praester family emblem was attached to the handle.

It felt real that they were exclusively mine, and honestly, I was excited.

“Wow… thanks, Asena.”

I smiled and picked up one of the lances from the ground, tucking it under my armpit. The handle felt smooth.

Immediately after, another sensation.

“…….?”

“….How is it, Oppa?”

Asena asked.

I thought to myself:

What’s this? Why is it a bit short?