Ch.44Shining Knight (2)

Caden continued the next day.

And the day after that, he didn’t drop his formality toward the twins.

Asena and Kirsy found it increasingly difficult to breathe, feeling as though something inside them was dying.

As time passed, it became harder to approach him, and they felt the distance between them growing.

Everything was going according to Caden’s plan to create some distance, but the twins had no way of knowing that.

Kirsy began spacing out more often. Unable to find satisfaction in reality, she retreated into memories.

While these daydreams brought momentary happiness, when they ended, the stark contrast with reality brought sharp pain once again.

They could only watch Caden from a distance.

He had told Kirsy not to disturb his daily routine and told Asena not to interfere… now they were both unable to go against his words.

Whenever Caden and Daisy were walking somewhere together, Kirsy’s eyes would fix on them.

She had to constantly watch the man she loved most with the woman she had come to either hate or envy the most.

Kirsy wondered when this pain would end. Caden still showed no intention of approaching them first, and the longer he was absent from her life, the emptier she felt.

She knew why he wouldn’t forgive them so easily.

They had suppressed him and spread unpleasant rumors about him. Everything was karma coming back around.

Kirsy wondered what he was thinking. Seeing how unforgiving he was being, perhaps he already disliked her. Even though he had stroked her head when she fell asleep in his bed a few days ago, she still felt anxious.

She hated this increasingly awkward situation with him.

“…..”

She felt she needed to do something. He had told her not to disturb his daily routine… so she could approach him after it ended. With that determination, Kirsy made a plan.

****

I finished my daily routine today as well.

Despite creating distance from the twins, I wasn’t experiencing much stress from my perspective.

Instead, a new kind of enjoyment welcomed me.

Having already decided to leave the family, I could act more confidently without having to endure certain things anymore.

Occasionally when hesitant young ladies approached me, I conversed naturally with them. This was something unimaginable when Kirsy and Asena were hiding me. I found small happiness in being able to reveal myself more.

Today was fulfilling in that regard. I socialized with many people as if at a ball, and spent the remaining time chatting with Judy and Daisy to alleviate boredom.

As I was walking back through the girls’ dormitory, a voice called out to me.

“….Brother.”

Kirsy suddenly appeared, like a rabbit emerging from the grass.

“Kirsy…….my lady.”

Momentarily flustered, I almost called her just Kirsy, but I quickly added “my lady” to maintain distance between us.

She seemed used to it now and didn’t show much reaction.

“…Brother, tomorrow’s a day off.”

“That’s right.”

“…Then let me make you lunch tomorrow if you can spare the time.”

“Lunch…?”

Her sudden suggestion surprised me, but I was admittedly intrigued.

“….It’s really time to make up now. I’ll make lunch tomorrow, and after you eat it, please forgive me.”

“……”

I looked at Kirsy. Since the twins’ paths hadn’t crossed much with mine recently, it had been quite a while since I’d seen Kirsy up close.

She definitely looked depressed and lifeless. She seemed to have gone through a lot emotionally. Could she really be this down just because I was speaking formally to her?

I felt a strange sense of injustice. The betrayal I had to feel was much greater and more painful. Comparing the magnitude of our pain felt petty, but it was true.

I hadn’t spread rumors about them, or been embarrassed by them, or suppressed or pressured them. I had only spoken formally.

Yet here she was with such a pained expression, making me feel like the bad person…

Of course, everyone has different capacities for pain. I believe the twins are acting this way because they care about me that much.

But I loved them just as much. The pain I had to endure when betrayed by the people I loved was quite devastating.

At the same time, I did feel sympathy for Kirsy. After all, she had secretly come into my bed not long ago. Perhaps it was time to forgive them now.

Two emotions wrestled in my heart: the feeling of injustice and the guilt for causing them such distress.

“……”

As I remained silent, Kirsy carefully reached out and grabbed my sleeve. This was certainly different from before when she would throw herself into my arms.

“……..Please. Forgive me now.”

“……Haah..”

I sighed weakly. I relaxed my stern expression and looked at Kirsy with a more relaxed face like before. Seemingly reassured by this familiar expression, Kirsy gently lowered her hand and took mine.

I finally showed a smile born from the sympathy I’d been hiding.

“…Tomorrow, you said?”

“….Yes. I’ll make something delicious for you myself..”

“You know how to cook?”

“….I don’t, but I’ll try my best.”

“….Alright.”

I finally nodded.

Kirsy blinked and asked carefully with a brighter voice.

“..Really…?”

“Yes.”

“Then… after eating the food I make, will you go back to how you were before?”

“As long as no other problems arise tomorrow.”

Kirsy’s hand holding mine tightened.

“….I’ll really try hard tomorrow.”

Seeing her like this, I made a promise to myself. As agreed, let’s go back to normal tomorrow. Though Asena might still need more time, it was time to reconcile with Kirsy.

In truth, I hadn’t wanted to drag this out for so long. I was just a bit upset when I started. I had planned to show them my angry side briefly and then stop after some time had passed.

But Asena’s rebellion.

And the thoughts I had while watching Kirsy sleep somehow led me to continue speaking formally for this long.

I stroked Kirsy’s forehead after a long time.

“Alright.”

At my touch, Kirsy flinched in surprise, then smiled tearfully.

****

After breakfast, Kirsy headed to the Academy’s kitchen. Right after making the promise with Caden the day before, she had arranged to borrow a corner of the kitchen through a conversation with the staff.

With her influence, she could have done even more, but Kirsy didn’t want to disturb everyone.

She just needed one person to help her.

She asked Ewin for help, who had prepared lunch for her and Caden during their walk before.

“…Like this?”

Kirsy carefully sliced an onion with a knife. Her eyes stung and her once-delicate fingers were getting small cuts, but she didn’t give up. This was the last ingredient to prepare. And consequently, the last of the knife work.

Ewin nodded nervously and said:

“Yes..! Yes.. F-focus and…carefully…yes, you’re doing well.”

The preparation of ingredients, which would have been quickly finished by a chef, was progressing slowly due to Kirsy’s determination to do everything herself. She only asked Ewin for guidance, insisting on making everything with her own hands.

Watching her, Ewin thought she was indeed an unusual person. The way she spoke politely to a commoner like herself, and how she entered the kitchen where nobles never ventured to cook…

Because of these unusual traits, Ewin couldn’t help but form a positive opinion of her.

“..Now, add all the ingredients and stir over low heat, and the sauce will come together.”

“…Phew..”

After cutting all the ingredients and adding them to the boiling pot, Kirsy wiped her sweat and took a brief rest. Now they had to wait for the sauce to simmer and come together.

With this moment of respite, Kirsy smiled brightly and thanked Ewin.

“Thank you. I’ve created extra work for you.”

“Oh…! Not at all..! That…”

“….?”

“Actually, I’m comfortable being here like this… normally I’d just be doing menial tasks.”

“….Are you being bullied?”

Startled by Kirsy’s direct question, Ewin waved her hands frantically.

“No! No! That’s not it. I’m just the newest person here, so I naturally do those kinds of jobs.”

“How old are you?”

“20 years old.”

“We’re the same age then, Ewin.”

Kirsy smiled warmly. Ewin found herself smiling along. Feeling more comfortable with the atmosphere, Ewin gathered courage to ask:

“Well……..”

“I’m Kirsy.”

“..Miss Kirsy, but… is there a reason you’re cooking yourself today?”

“……”

“Ah… if that was an uncomfortable question, you don’t have to answer…!”

“Ahaha… it’s not that.”

Kirsy’s smile gradually faded as she let out a deep sigh. Ewin focused on her.

“….Actually, I’m making food for my brother today.”

“…I see.”

“I made a big mistake with my brother. Usually he forgives quickly, but this time he seems quite angry and it’s not easily resolved.”

“So that’s why you’re preparing food?”

“Yes. Tomato pasta is one of his favorite dishes.”

“Wow… going to such lengths to apologize to your brother… you must really care about him a lot.”

“……”

Kirsy remained silent for a moment, then looked directly at Ewin and spoke. She was being honest for the first time in a while.

“…Yes. I care about him very much.”

“……..I’m envious.”

Ewin whispered, almost unconsciously.

It wasn’t something Kirsy would miss. She smiled kindly at Ewin and asked:

“….Are you an only child, Ewin?”

She asked this question thinking Ewin might be longing for siblings.

But Ewin responded with a lukewarm reaction and an ambiguous smile.

“…Well… I’m an orphan.”

Kirsy covered her mouth.

“Oh..! I’m sorry… that was thoughtless of me.”

Ewin again startled and waved her hands.

“No! No! Please don’t apologize to me. When I said I was envious, I didn’t mean…”

Ewin fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.

The sauce for the pasta bubbled, releasing a pleasant aroma.

In this atmosphere, the two continued their meaningful conversation.

Ewin carefully broke the long silence and said:

“….Actually, I did have an older brother.”