Ch.37The Principled One (1)

“…What?”

Asena noticed the change in my expression but showed no reaction. She didn’t take back her words or seem bothered by my expression; she simply waited.

Behind her, Judy looked confused. She glanced back and forth between Asena and me.

I already knew. Judy was silently asking for my help.

If she truly felt loyal or respectful, kneeling wouldn’t be an issue. But Judy had only just met Asena. Moreover, their families were enemies. It was obvious Judy would rather die than kneel.

Even so, if Asena sincerely insisted on her command, Judy would have no choice left. A knight who disobeyed her master could never receive a good evaluation.

“…Asena, you’re joking, right?”

I knew this wasn’t the atmosphere for jokes, but Asena’s command was so shocking that I asked again. Part of me hoped she would read my feelings and withdraw her order.

But she spoke with casual lightness, as if discussing something ordinary.

“Don’t worry about it, brother. It’s an order I gave to my knight.”

She didn’t show any emotion. The Asena I had read about in the novel was standing right in front of me.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t hide my anger, frustration, and bewilderment. I was speechless, not knowing what to say first.

All I could do was glare at her. Asena didn’t avoid my gaze. Unintentionally, a battle of wills had begun.

Above all, I couldn’t believe the cruel fact that Asena had chosen my friend Judy to punish me.

The situation had deteriorated badly. Anyone would fight with all their might to protect their friend from such an order, but what bothered me most was that the person in question was Judy from the Ice Family.

She would rather die than kneel. She might even start resenting me for putting her in this situation. With just one sentence, Asena had driven a wedge between Judy and me, while also shaking my relationship with Daisy.

If I tried to protect Judy from kneeling by saying “that’s just how knights are” and promising to perform only formal duties from now on, my relationship with Daisy would become purely professional.

But if I took no action, Judy would have no choice but to kneel.

Despite the confusing situation, I didn’t back down from my staring contest with Asena.

It felt like a hidden wickedness was flowing out of Asena. I began to wonder if it had always been there.

Was Asena destined to become a villainess no matter what I did?

If so, it was both disheartening and deeply saddening.

In the end, I was the first to look away.

“…Asena, let’s not do this.”

I shook my head slightly as I spoke. I had taken a step back from the fight. But Asena didn’t yield and pushed harder.

“I’m just confirming Judy’s loyalty, like Daisy did.”

“…Why do you keep escalating things? Is entering a room once such a grave mistake? Kirsy, please talk some sense into Asena.”

I didn’t like this situation. Above all, I hated fighting with the twins again, so I looked to Kirsy beside me and asked for help.

…But I received no answer.

“…”

“…Kirsy?”

A slight feeling of betrayal washed over me as my belief that she would take my side crumbled.

“…You were wrong, brother.”

Kirsy said. I couldn’t believe it.

“…You too? Wait, are you upset about yesterday?”

I asked in a gentle voice.

“…It’s not that.”

“I really don’t understand how this is my fault…”

“Brother… how is breaking rules not wrong?”

Kirsy spoke in a barely audible voice. Her expression was rigid like Asena’s, but she couldn’t even meet my eyes.

“…There’s such a thing as flexibility, Kirsy. Would you really ignore someone who needs help just because of a door between you?”

“…Why have rules if you’re not going to follow them?”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips automatically.

My laughter echoed through the suddenly quiet hallway. Thankfully, all the young ladies had already gone to the Academy; otherwise, everyone would have witnessed this ridiculous scene.

Asena gently placed her finger on my chest.

“…I don’t want to do this either, brother.”

For some reason, I didn’t believe her. It was the first time I’d felt this way about Asena. I suppressed my hollow laughter and spoke simply.

“…Then don’t.”

“You won’t admit you were wrong.”

“No… ha…”

I couldn’t speak anymore. I was one step away from saying something harsh. Why did our relationship keep deteriorating?

Asena wanted to subdue me somehow and hear an apology from my lips.

I still couldn’t figure out what I had done so wrong. Was she embarrassed of me? Afraid that strange rumors might spread about Daisy and me? Was she ashamed of the name “Caden Praester” becoming widely known?

“…Say you were wrong.”

She said.

“About what?”

I asked, genuinely not understanding.

“About entering Daisy’s room. Say you were wrong and promise never to do it again.”

“…”

Did we really have to fight so messily again over just that? Did Asena truly want me to ignore people in crisis?

“…Of course, even if you apologize, I won’t let it go this time.”

She was even determining my punishment, apparently very angry. Asena paused briefly, swallowed slightly, and continued.

“…Come to my room tonight. After the day’s duties.”

“…”

I clenched my teeth tightly and closed my eyes.

I took a deep breath through my nose and thought.

After I remained still for a long time, trying to collect my emotions,

“…If you don’t want to, fine. Judy, when are you going to kneel?”

Asena pressured me by mentioning Judy again.

I opened my eyes.

“…I’m sorry.”

Asena glanced at me briefly, then sighed and said,

“…Good that you admit it. Still, tonight come to my room—”

But I wasn’t finished speaking.

“—Judy, Daisy. I’m sorry.”

The snake-like eyes of Asena, which had slightly relaxed, glared at me again.

This time too, I didn’t avoid her gaze.

Looking at Asena, I spoke to Judy and Daisy.

“I couldn’t raise the twins better than this.”

“…”

For the first time, there was a reaction in Asena’s expression. She blinked once or twice momentarily, showing a hurt look, though I wasn’t certain.

Kirsy spoke from beside me.

“…Is it really that hard to just say you won’t do it again, brother?”

“I’ll do the same thing next time if something like this happens. Do you really think this is my fault?”

“I told you earlier…! If you’re not going to follow them, why have rules…!”

I slowly nodded.

“Is that so…?”

Maybe I was angry because she had involved Judy, or maybe I just got worked up while speaking.

“So you want me to become that inflexible… someone who sticks to principles above all else?”

Either way, I had to admit I was being a bit childish.

I corrected my posture. Like a disciplined soldier.

I broadened my shoulders, took a deep breath, and spoke childishly.

“Asena Praester, Kirsy Praester. I understand. From now on, I will follow the rules.”

“…”

“…”

A moment of silence fell.

Kirsy, who had been looking at the floor, raised her head, and Asena’s expression crumpled.

Kirsy asked me in a trembling voice.

“…What are you doing, brother?”

I looked back and forth between Judy and Daisy.

“As it happens, everyone here knows. As you’re aware, I’ll be expelled from the Praester Family in two years. You could call me a future commoner. For someone like me… to speak informally to the Praester Family’s young ladies is unacceptable.”

I began speaking to her stiffly, as if addressing a stranger.

“I’ve been disrespectful. From now on, I’ll speak like this.”

Asena spoke in a pained voice. Her previously even tone was already broken.

“…Stop it. This isn’t funny.”

The situation had reversed. Asena showed numerous emotions like I had before, while I hardened my expression and hid my feelings like she had.

“Does this look like a joke to you, Duchess Praester?”

“…I said stop it!”

Forgetting we were in a hallway, Asena raised her voice.

I acted as if I hadn’t heard.

It’s always most frustrating when the other person shows no reaction. Knowing this, I deliberately didn’t respond to her words.

The twins might feel hurt, but I wasn’t going to back down.

I didn’t plan to do this forever. It was just childish venting. But right now, I wanted to be colder than ever. That’s how much anger had built up inside me.

Kirsy took several rough breaths beside me, then clung to my arm.

“…O-okay. Okay, so…”

Though Kirsy and Asena had said different things, and strictly speaking, Kirsy was less at fault, I had no intention of forgiving only Kirsy.

“Please don’t touch me, Lady Kirsy. According to the rules, you shouldn’t touch a knight’s body.”

-Tap.

I brushed off her hand. Kirsy looked at her hand, then at me, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

“…B-brother… don’t do this… why are you talking like I’m a stranger…”

Being human, I felt the urge to use these opportunities to vent my hurt feelings. It was too difficult to resist this temptation.

“You said principles are important. Judy? How do you talk to your siblings?”

I suddenly changed the direction of the conversation and asked Judy.

Judy was flustered and stammered.

“I… I… use formal speech…”

After hearing her answer, I looked back at Kirsy.

“You heard that. Even the Ice Family does it. As an adopted child, I should be more formal, not less. I’ll continue to address you respectfully from now on. It’s a shame. I wanted to stay on good terms for the remaining two years before I leave.”

I didn’t look at her. I turned my head. I’ve endured a lot in situations like this. This time I wouldn’t yield.

“…Ugh… urk… mmph…!”

Kirsy held back tears, pushed my chest, and ran away.

Judy gave me a confused look.

But I had no time to signal anything to her.

Even though Kirsy had left, Asena was still right in front of me.

Looking at Asena, I saw her nose bridge and eyes had reddened.

This was certainly unexpected. Asena was looking at me as if she might cry like Kirsy. Usually, no matter what happened, she wouldn’t show tears in front of people.

But seeing that look… the devil inside me felt satisfied. Emotions are strange like that.

I looked at her and nodded.

“I apologize. From now on, I won’t enter Daisy’s room.”

“………”

“Duchess Praester. It’s getting late. Let’s go to class.”

She lowered her head, her hands trembling. She opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, then firmly shut it and turned her body sharply.

I guessed she was doing this because she might cry if she spoke more.

Judy gave me a glance, mouthed “let’s talk later,” and followed Asena.

“…Phew…”

As the situation concluded,

I turned to Daisy.

Once again, I felt only sorry.

When it’s just the twins and me, we’re fine, but in front of others, we’re like a completely dysfunctional family.

“…I’m sorry. For showing you only this side. I keep having to apologize.”

But Daisy opened her round eyes wide and shook her head.

“…I’m surprised.”

She said to me.

“…What?”

“…No… I’ve never seen anyone argue with Asena like that.”

Daisy’s words weren’t incomprehensible. Even when reading the novel, only the protagonist, Eric Endra, could stand up to Asena’s force.

Daisy wasn’t one to back down either, but she never tried to defeat Asena.

From that perspective, seeing Asena show a frustrated expression might be a fresh shock for Daisy.

“…Well, she is my sister.”

“Weren’t you oppressed?”

“…Did you think I couldn’t talk back at all?”

Daisy nodded.

“Honestly… yes. I thought you’d apologize and that would be the end of it. Even though in my opinion… there’s nothing to apologize for.”

I scratched my head as I spoke. Since it was about family matters, I was reluctant to bring it up with Daisy who admired them, but since she was somewhat involved, it seemed right to tell her.

“Actually, we get along well when we’re alone.”

“…What?”

“It’s true. But in front of people, it’s always like this. So you don’t have to believe me… but I can scold the kids when needed.”

“…I see…”

Daisy seemed very surprised and took a long time to organize her thoughts before speaking.

“…I was also surprised that the twins seem to like you more than I thought.”

“…”

“Just seeing how hurt they were when you became formal… I’ve never seen Asena show her emotions before.”

“They like me, but they don’t want me in the family, it seems.”

“Ah. That… does seem to be the case.”

“Nothing I can do about it.”

I forced a smile as I looked at Daisy.

“…Except leave.”