Ch.48Shining Knight (6)

“….sister.”

“……”

“…sister..!”

Kirsy didn’t know how to handle this overwhelming emotion. Usually when negative thoughts came, Caden would appear from somewhere and comfort her with encouragement, but this level of mental pressure was also something she had never experienced before.

“She’s been… she’s been brother’s sister longer than us…”

That’s why she was asking Asena for help, but Asena wasn’t giving her any answer either.

She just sat frozen on the bed with trembling eyes.

The silence between them grew longer. But the torrent of emotions they felt was more intense than anything. Even without speaking, their ears rang and their hearts pounded.

It felt like they were constantly being pushed away from Caden’s side. She could feel him drifting further away in real time.

“……Get out. We’ll talk tonight.”

In the end, Asena didn’t say anything to Kirsy. Seeming to need time, she collapsed onto the bed and ordered Kirsy to leave.

Kirsy’s lips quivered in place before she finally closed the door and left.

Asena was lost in thought in her messy room.

****

After the holiday, Asena arrived at the Student Council room early.

Staying in her room only made her head more confused, and although their relationship wasn’t good… she desperately wanted to see Caden. No matter how physically distant they became, her heart always yearned for him. She had dreamed only of him during the holiday, which said it all.

Recently, she felt her energy declining as well. Perhaps it was natural since she wasn’t eating much due to lack of appetite, but her emotional issues were affecting her physically.

She missed the days at the Praester Family’s Territory so much. Looking back, Asena thought it would have been much better if she had left Caden at the territory.

As she was examining documents with a hardened expression, Daisy and Caden entered.

“That’s how I got this scar.”

“Hahaha, you’re lying. Is it even possible to get injured like that?”

They came in laughing together about whatever conversation they were having. The atmosphere was clearly cheerful just from listening.

Asena felt her fists clench.

Didn’t he feel anything at all? Despite being in a fight with her, did he not feel any emotion? While she was suffering so much, was he happy away from them? Seeing him laugh so carefree made her chest feel even tighter.

The seat beside Caden was taken by Daisy and Judy.

His sister’s place was taken by a girl named Ewin.

Could anything be more infuriating?

Asena forgot her plan to pretend to ignore him and looked up at him.

“…..”

Caden was looking down at Daisy from behind with a gentle smile. It was the expression he had only shown to them. Seeing him show that expression to another woman, Asena couldn’t bear it anymore.

She pulled out her chair and stood up. Everyone’s attention was drawn to her, but Asena simply left the Student Council room.

.

.

.

.

“Where are you going?”

“…..”

Judy asked, but Asena remained silent. She was walking quickly somewhere with composed steps.

Her anger was palpable in her footsteps. Her unsettled state wasn’t just visible on her face.

When Judy’s words were ignored, she stopped asking and just followed her. Recently, she had been wary of Asena’s actions.

Beyond Caden telling her to keep an eye on Asena because she seemed a bit off track, the person herself seemed unstable. Like watching a castle that could collapse at any moment, Judy felt an eerie uneasiness creeping up on her despite its apparent solidity.

After wandering through the Academy for a while, Asena finally turned to look at Judy. A menacing aura emanated through her eyes.

Though Judy wasn’t one to be easily frightened, she couldn’t help but feel afraid looking into Asena’s eyes.

Despite being the one holding a sword, Judy had to swallow hard, overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

“….Judy, you may return for today.”

“….What?”

From Asena’s words, Judy could immediately tell she was plotting something. Now she realized it wasn’t a castle about to collapse, but one that had already crumbled. She was planning something… malicious.

“Your escort duty is sufficient for today. It’s uncomfortable having you watch me for political reasons, so please return.”

Then Asena turned around again.

Being from an enemy family, Judy couldn’t argue against the mention of political reasons. It wouldn’t make sense to insist on following Asena by bringing up her role. She could only watch as Asena walked away.

But at that moment, Caden’s words echoed in her mind.

‘If she does anything unusual or goes anywhere strange, let me know.’

What had he seen?

What had he anticipated to make such requests?

Judy had drawn the line saying she wouldn’t do it, but when the situation actually arose, her body didn’t move according to her words.

Reporting her lord’s actions to someone else went strongly against Judy’s chivalry. But it seemed her mindset had changed since meeting Caden.

Always rigidly following rules isn’t the only answer. What one should and shouldn’t do is ultimately for oneself to decide.

Despite being from enemy families, she had formed such a close relationship with Caden because he had reached out. Without him, her Academy life would have been lonely.

When she felt lonely in her family, she thought everything would magically work out once she entered the Academy. She thought she would meet people and hone her skills as a knight.

But that wasn’t the case. It was through Caden’s gesture that she made friends, and through observing him that she was inspired to become a better knight.

Judy had unknowingly developed a deep gratitude toward Caden. Though she shouldn’t, seeing how even someone as strong as Caden received harsh treatment from his family had somehow comforted her.

She could tell him things she couldn’t say before because they were in the same position. There was a sense of security in that.

So Caden’s request ultimately hooked into her mind and wouldn’t let go.

Finally, she began to follow Asena from a distance, taking careful steps.

“…..”

What would happen if she got caught? Could she get away with saying she followed out of concern? Would Asena Praester accept such a flimsy excuse?

Fortunately, Asena soon reached her destination. She knocked on the door of a classroom located in some secluded corner.

After exchanging a few words with someone who first came out, the person Asena was looking for appeared.

The moment Judy saw her face, she knew who it was. Or rather, she could identify her by the family crest.

A large circle with a dot in the center. A symbol that sometimes looked like a human eye depending on the viewing angle.

Though she was an illegitimate daughter, Judy was still from the Ice family, so she knew all the key points about the Praester Family.

The person who appeared was Shallon Payne.

The second daughter of the Payne Family, known as “the dagger of the Praester Family.”

Something big was happening.

****

Asena entered a secluded room with Shallon Payne. Before entering, Shallon scanned the surroundings, then sat in the chair in front of Asena.

She silently waited for Asena’s orders. Given her family background, she had been told many times by her grandparents, parents, and siblings not to disappoint Asena.

It was a duty given to Shallon, who coincidentally was the same age as Asena.

Therefore, for her family and for Asena, she had made many preparations even within the Academy, ready to do anything upon command.

But even Shallon felt puzzled by Asena’s appearance today.

She had only received direct orders from her once, but they had conversed quite frequently. However, she had never seen her like this before.

Her face was filled with anger and grief, breaking her usual composure. Though Shallon was just now learning it was possible to look both sad and angry at the same time, the fact that this expression was coming from Asena was also a reason for her surprise.

“Shallon. I want to know how much risk you’re willing to take for me.”

Asena, displaying her emotions, asked her. Shallon couldn’t help but feel tense. It was too easy to predict that Asena was about to give a difficult order.

But even for this, Shallon was prepared. She said to Asena:

“No matter how great the risk, I am ready to do anything for you, Lady Asena.”

“…..Even kidnapping a noble?”

“…..”

Shallon hesitated momentarily at Asena’s words, but slowly nodded.

“…Depending on who it is…yes, it’s possible.”

“What about Daisy Hexter?”

“…What?”

“The eldest daughter of Count Hexter. What about Daisy Hexter?”