Ch.29The Third Ball (4)

Muffled gasps and stares converge on us.

Some might feel pressure under such attention,

but I felt liberated.

I was finally revealing myself to everyone on my own terms.

Not as the twin’s spokesperson.

Not as someone suppressed into silence.

Not as the abandoned adoptee of the Praester Family.

I was showing everyone who Caden truly is.

I’ve never been ashamed of myself.

I never wanted to feel inferior just because I’m a commoner.

After all, the protagonist of this novel, “Eric Endra,” also showed a story of overcoming the pressure of his background within this Academy.

I don’t think I can’t do the same.

Yes, this is a ball, this is a social gathering.

The twins probably wanted to keep me down…

But I’ve realized there’s no need to stay suppressed anymore.

I’ve always wanted to approach Daisy like this.

She examined me slowly.

There’s no way she could have forgotten me.

I’d certainly made an impression during the jousting tournament.

If there was anyone at this Academy I looked at with affection besides the twins, it was Daisy.

Though we’ve never spoken, I’ve observed her character through the novel.

Before my possession, she was my favorite character.

Until now, I’ve never approached her like this because of our respective positions, but I decided I no longer needed to hide.

Beyond everything else, I just wanted to talk to her.

“…”

I waited for her patiently.

Daisy rose from her seat… and took my hand.

The music changes.

****

I held her hand with one of mine and placed my other hand on her waist.

She likewise placed her remaining hand on my shoulder.

I could feel various gazes on us, but we blended in among the other couples already dancing.

I could sense the twins watching from a corner somewhere, but I ignored them.

“…I’m sorry.”

Those were the first words I spoke to her.

“I hope I haven’t drawn unwanted attention.”

“Do you actually know who I am?”

At her characteristically blunt response, I smiled.

She speaks her mind, yet remains considerate.

She didn’t need to take my hand at all, but I think she did it to prevent my reputation from being damaged.

Of course, I don’t know her exact thoughts.

But the distance between us felt so close that it created an illusion our hearts were close too. So I didn’t think I was too far off.

“Yes. I do.”

I step in rhythm with the music.

Daisy slightly furrowed her brow.

“…I’m confused right now. Your kindness toward me is perplexing. There hasn’t been anything between us.”

“…”

“I appreciated the flower during the jousting tournament, but you never spoke to me afterward. I’m wondering if you’re using me for some public display.”

“…”

“That’s why I took your hand today—to figure out your intentions, nothing more.”

I nodded as I listened to her words.

“…You might have felt that way. But I have no desire to use you. I’m not even in a position to make political moves, so…”

“…Then what is your intention?”

Daisy doesn’t know, but I had built up quite a lot of internal familiarity toward her.

“Is it not enough that I’m interested in you?”

“…We both know that’s not the case here.”

I laughed as we danced.

While it wasn’t a lie that I was interested in her… as she suspected, I did have another motive.

“How did you know I had another reason?”

“…Because you’re not shy about it. You’re too confident.”

“…”

As the music momentarily paused, we stopped as well.

Face to face, I asked her:

“Let me ask you one question. What do you think my childhood was like?”

“…”

After contemplating, she carefully replied:

“…I think it must have been difficult.”

“…Why?”

It was an answer I hadn’t expected at all. I wondered why she thought that.

“…Because the twins seem to hate you.”

“Ah.”

I nodded immediately.

Asena must have been gossiping when Daisy was present.

And later, Asena probably pulled Daisy aside to warn her that getting close to the twins wouldn’t be good for her.

But that wasn’t the intent of my question, so I asked her again:

“…What I’m asking about is from before that.”

“Sigh… I still don’t understand your intention.”

“You’ll understand my intention as you answer the question.”

“…”

The second song begins.

We started moving again.

But this time, Daisy’s body was slightly stiff. Being so close, I could feel her every reaction.

She looked at me suspiciously, then misstepped.

“…Careful.”

I pulled her waist to help her regain balance, then naturally continued moving.

Daisy awkwardly stretched her neck, seemingly embarrassed by her mistake.

I gave her a slight hint:

“I mean, before I met the twins.”

“…Back then… since you were adopted… at an orphanage…”

“…That’s right. I was at an orphanage before being adopted by the Praester Family.”

She seemed to have realized it already.

“…No way…”

“It was run and sponsored by the Hexter Family. I grew up there. Until I was 10.”

Daisy Hexter’s expression subtly softened. I could see her wariness toward me diminishing.

“…You’re not lying, are you?”

She asked after a long pause.

“Why would I lie about something like this? I just wanted to thank you. That’s why I approached you like this.”

The hostility in her eyes disappeared, and her expression softened.

For a moment, I felt as if we were the only two people in the ballroom.

“…You don’t need to thank me. It wasn’t something I did.”

I shook my head.

“I’m still grateful, Daisy Hexter. Thanks to your family, I was able to grow up like this.”

She blinked, then lowered her gaze, avoiding my eyes. I could see a small smile forming on her lips.

Afterward, we made small talk.

Having said everything I wanted to say, I was just waiting for the music to end.

Soon, the second song concluded.

Having finished my business, I released my arms.

The distance between us widened.

I had been struggling all this time just to say that one thing.

Because of the twins who tried to control me out of embarrassment, I couldn’t even do this much until now.

“That was fun.”

After giving a respectful final bow, I turned around.

At that moment, Daisy grabbed my wrist.

“…I don’t think I’ve thanked you properly either.”

“…Pardon?”

I questioned. What could Daisy possibly have to thank me for?

“…The flower at the jousting tournament. It was beautiful. I’m… still keeping it well.”

A smile spread across my face.

It felt like all the stress I’d experienced throughout the day was melting away.

****

From the moment Caden left her to ask Daisy for a dance, the beautiful melody began to sound like noise to Kirsy.

Caden, who had refused to dance with her, had extended his hand to another woman.

She had worn a pretty dress and practiced dancing diligently. Yet he abandoned her for someone else.

All the time she had been looking forward to felt meaningless now.

“…Brother?”

She called out to him, but her voice was drowned out by the growing murmurs.

At first, she couldn’t believe this was happening.

Then, as she accepted it was real, she wanted to separate them, but somehow her feet wouldn’t move.

The space seemed too alien, and she didn’t know what to say if she intruded.

Kirsy could only watch.

Various negative emotions crashed over her like endless waves.

When he extended his hand.

When Daisy took that hand.

When they stood in the center of the ballroom.

When Caden’s hand touched Daisy’s waist.

When their bodies pressed close.

Kirsy couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

She squeezed her eyes shut and turned away.

“Haa… haa…”

And at that moment, what caught her eye:

Several empty wine glasses sat at Caden’s place.

She couldn’t tell when he had drunk so much. The evidence of his anger from the balcony was only now becoming apparent.

She knew he hadn’t been enjoying the ball. Since they had been suppressing him… it was understandable in a way.

But she thought he would understand this time too. That he would endure.

She never imagined he would rebel like this.

“…”

Did Asena see this too?

She looked up at Asena beside her.

And there she found her sister, staring directly at Caden and Daisy with a frozen expression.

****

As the dance with Daisy ended, Asena silently grabbed my wrist and headed outside the ballroom.

Kirsy wore the same frozen expression.

I had planned to let it pass quietly, but I completely overturned their plans, so it’s understandable they’re angry.

But I have things to say too. They claimed it was for the family’s sake… but in the end, they were just trying to control me.

I’m not some leashed dog. I deserve to be treated with dignity.

I couldn’t just stand by while they tried to hide me from the entire Academy, acting as if I wasn’t part of the Praester Family.

I haven’t lived a life shameful enough to hide.

Once we entered a dark path where people couldn’t see us, Asena released my wrist and looked at me.

“Brother. Why did you do that?”

I could feel the heat of her burning anger.

It seemed like the first time I’d seen Asena this angry.

“We agreed you’d stay quiet! Why did you draw everyone’s attention—”

In the middle of Asena’s words, I lunged forward and hugged her tightly.

Then I bent backward, lifting her off the ground.

“Ah…!”

Asena, startled, let out a girlish scream unlike her usual stoic self.

I said:

“Asena… are you angry?”

Asena, who had somehow placed her hands on my shoulders and was looking down at me, hardened her face again.

“…You just needed to endure a little longer…! I said I’d take you somewhere nice outside next time—”

I interrupted her words again.

I slightly released her, lowering her.

As Asena came closer, I kissed her under the chin.

-Smooch.

“Don’t be angry, Asena. My lovely sister. Brother is sorry.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I was sorry. Though I didn’t regret it.

I understand she’s angry because things didn’t go her way. But I didn’t want to endure it either.

Rather, it seemed better to act as I pleased and then ask for forgiveness.

I had given her many warnings that I was struggling. Since she didn’t listen, I’ll act as I please.

I felt wronged too. Why should I always be the one to give in? I have things I want to do too.

“…”

Asena seemed frozen, unable to speak.

She looked at me from close proximity with a complex expression.

She didn’t seem to have fully calmed down yet.

I rubbed my cheek against hers.

“Forgive me, okay?”

“…”

The strength drained from Asena’s hands on my shoulders.

She slowly removed them, then wrapped her arms around my neck.

Cold.

Her usually blunt voice echoed in my ear.

“…This won’t happen twice, brother.”

“Ahaha… thank you, Asena.”

Indeed, this way is more comfortable. It felt like the right choice.

After putting Asena down, I turned to Kirsy.

Her eyes wandered between Asena and me.

She seemed to have realized what might happen to her after seeing Asena.

“…I… I won’t forgive you. Do you know how much… I was looking forward to dancing with you at the ball…! I wanted my first dance to be with you…! And you… your first with that woman…”

I approached smoothly and held Kirsy’s face with both hands.

I held her firmly so she couldn’t turn her head and avoid my gaze.

I felt a small resistance, but she didn’t seem to truly intend to push my hands away.

“…Why wouldn’t you do it with me…! If you weren’t going to dance at all, you shouldn’t have danced with anyone…! Do you know how much I dislike you right now?”

“Kirsy.”

“…What…!”

“Look at my eyes.”

Kirsy’s eyes, which had been lowered with a frown, trembled as she began to look at me.

“Are you very angry?”

“…I told you I am…!”

-Smooch.

I pressed my lips to her forehead, then pulled away.

“…You absolutely won’t forgive me?”

“…”

-Smooch.

“Even now?”

“…”

Kirsy looked at me, then at my lips.

She swallowed as if suppressing her anger,

and answered in a crawling voice:

“…I’m really angry…”

“…I’m sorry. Let’s make up, Kirsy.”

“…”

“If you forgive me, I’ll take you for a ride on Rush next time.”

“…Huh?”

“Like before. A walk.”

Kirsy paused for a long time, then squeezed her eyes shut.

Then she pinched my forearm.

“Ouch.”

As I lost my grip on her face from the stimulus, she burrowed into my arms.

“…”

She hugged me and stopped.

Stroking her silver hair, I asked:

“…Can I take that as acceptance?”

She slowly nodded.

“So you’ve forgiven me?”

This time she shook her head.

But I could tell.

She had already forgiven me.