Ch.64Alliance (7)

Asena looked back and forth between Caden, Judy, Duke Ice, and her grandmother before hastily taking a seat.

Unable to hide her expression, she leaned toward her grandmother and began whispering.

“…Grandmother, what are you saying?”

“…Hmm? What do you mean?”

“…What do you mean my brother is getting along with that woman? How can you say such things?”

“…Is there something about that girl that I don’t know…”

“No. That’s not it…”

Asena bit her lip in frustration before speaking.

“…She’s from the Ice Family! The one you always warned us to be careful of. How can you encourage this when Duke Ice is trying to arrange a marriage for my brother as he pleases…!”

Kirsy, who had been listening intently to Asena and her grandmother’s conversation, also began urgently speaking to Grandmother Riana.

“Grandmother. She’s right. Are you trying to send my brother to the Ice Family? To enemy territory?”

“…I suppose that illegitimate daughter could come to our territory instead.”

At those words, Asena realized that Grandmother Riana was seriously considering this possibility.

She felt her heart tear apart in that moment. This was the first time Caden had grown close to another woman. The first time his departure from her side had become a concrete possibility.

If he disappeared, it would mean losing all the happiness, love, warm words, and funny jokes she received from him. Even the kisses they shared at night that gave her such strength—all of it would vanish.

It meant that someone she had built a deep connection with over many years would suddenly become distant.

“…Grandmother, they absolutely don’t match.”

Asena’s voice trembled as she struggled to suppress her emotions.

“My brother and that woman don’t suit each other at all.”

Kirsy whispered beside her.

“I…I agree with my sister. It’s… disrespectful to our brother.”

Riana gazed steadily at Caden and quietly replied.

“They look so happy together, I don’t understand what you mean by them not matching.”

The twins followed Grandmother Riana’s gaze toward Judy and Caden.

Caden had already placed his arm around Judy’s shoulder, basking in the cheers from the commoners. Judy and Caden were smiling and laughing as they looked at each other.

Asena felt her heart drop with a thud.

Combining Grandmother Riana’s words, Duke Aiden Ice’s words, and Caden’s behavior, she began to grow anxious.

It felt as if Caden was standing at the edge of a cliff. With just a small push, he would fall to a place where she could no longer have him.

The rising fear made her nose sting and her eyes begin to redden. Her toes and fingers curled inward, and strength drained from her legs.

Grandmother Riana continued.

“They seem to get along well. Their positions are similar too. While I care deeply for Caden… the fact remains that he’s not a legitimate child. And the same goes for Judy Ice. Plus, they’re both knights, and she has the powerful Ice Family behind her. Though they’re our rivals, this might cool down our long-standing conflict. Even if it’s just for show… a temporary alliance, you might say.”

Kirsy grabbed Grandmother Riana’s arm and spoke urgently.

“Grandmother, you need to consider brother’s feelings too. No matter how well the situation fits, isn’t that treating him like a tool?”

“Kirsy. I keep telling you. They look happy together.”

“…Ugh…”

“He brought a member of the Ice Family to such an occasion without hesitation—how can you think your brother would oppose this marriage?”

Asena finally let some of her anger slip out.

“…Grandmother…!”

“I know you both care deeply for Caden, and I’m reassured to see you still cautious about the Ice Family… but sometimes you need to broaden your perspective. Tell me then, what kind of woman would suit your brother?”

“……”

“……”

Grandmother Riana’s question left Asena and Kirsy frozen.

Seeing that her grandmother wasn’t simply asking to move on, she began urging the twins to answer.

“Well? Tell me. To my eyes, that illegitimate daughter of the Ice Family seems like the most suitable match. I need to hear your thoughts if I’m to change my mind.”

After struggling with their own internal conflicts, they slowly began to speak.

Kirsy spoke first.

“…Brother loves jokes… he should be with someone fun. Someone he can laugh with. Someone affectionate… And they should have known each other for at least a few years. No nobles below the rank of marquis, and absolutely no illegitimate daughters. She must be a legitimate daughter of a family… perhaps a second daughter. Someone who can cook for brother… and drink tea with him every night…”

“…And you, Asena?”

Asena lowered her head and answered quietly.

“…Someone more exceptional than me.”

“…What?”

“…I can’t accept someone with less power than me. She can’t be less beautiful than me either. And I can’t give him to someone who… loves him less than I do.”

The twins were unknowingly describing themselves. Kirsy directly described herself, while Asena indirectly described herself, knowing there was no one with both greater power and beauty than herself.

Grandmother Riana finally waved her hand dismissively.

“…Isn’t that too unrealistic? I’d like to find the woman you’re describing too, but so far no other family has considered Caden a good marriage prospect… ah, though that might change starting today.”

“……”

“Then if your brother finds someone he likes, that would be acceptable, wouldn’t it?”

“…What?”

Asena gave a weak reply.

“If your brother approves, you wouldn’t have anything to say against it, would you?”

“………”

Asena briefly imagined the scene.

Caden, who had always been her support, bringing another woman before her and saying:

‘I want to be with this person.’

Him leaving her for another woman.

Taking all his kindness, wit, and reliability to a place where she could no longer touch him.

Asena imagined a future where all the words of love that would grow warmer would be directed only at that woman, and she could only dream of receiving them.

“…Grandmother, please stop talking about this. I hate it.”

Kirsy complained. She must have imagined the same scene as Asena, as her eyes were reddened.

“…I didn’t realize you’d be this upset. Your brother will eventually have to marry, you know.”

“…Grandmother…”

“Alright. Let’s stop. Today we came to celebrate your brother.”

Grandmother Riana sighed and stroked the back of her hand. Then she gazed blankly at Caden before giving a benevolent smile and beginning to applaud.

The twins remained beside her, unable to brighten their expressions.

****

Receiving countless cheers and applause, Judy looked up at me.

I was holding her hand tightly to give her courage, but she had been terrified since the moment we stepped onto the platform.

Though this wasn’t her usual personality, she seemed more nervous in front of her father and half-siblings from her family.

“..Ca…Caden. Why did you bring me here…”

I whispered close to her ear to be heard over the cheers, but my action only made the crowd cheer louder, rendering my effort useless.

“We did this together, so of course you should be here too.”

“…But you took all the risks…”

“You did the rescuing. Besides, Judy, we’re knights. When else do we earn honor if not at times like this?”

“…….”

I raised our joined hands high. People laughed, applauded, and shouted at our display.

Suddenly, I looked back. I wanted to see Duke Ice’s expression. Why was Judy so withdrawn? She had mentioned difficulties in her family, so there must be a reason.

But I couldn’t discern anything from looking at Duke Ice. Rather, he wore a faint smile. He didn’t seem to hate Judy.

After all, Judy had said her father was the only one she could comfortably send letters to.

I turned my head forward again and whispered to Judy.

“…Judy, he’s smiling at you from behind.”

“…Huh…?”

“So you should show him something to be proud of.”

“..He’s…he’s not mocking me?”

I burst out laughing at her response.

“You’ve really become a completely different person, haven’t you?”

“…What?”

“Why are you so scared? You should enjoy this moment. Everyone is cheering for you.”

Judy’s eyes shifted to the commoners packed below, watching us.

Some children were jumping up and down, repeatedly thanking us for saving them.

Judy blinked as she looked at those children.

“…We’re seen as heroes who risked our lives for common children, despite being nobles. Of course… neither of us can claim to be nobles with proper standing, but nobles are nobles nonetheless.”

“Caden, like I said, that’s all because you sacrificed—”

“Enough, Judy.”

“…Huh?”

“You were there with me. You saved children too. I don’t know if you’re uncomfortable with this, but I’d like you to accept this honor with me.”

“…….”

I smiled at her.

“…You’ve always helped me. Now it’s my turn. The bottom-ranked nobles should stick together, right?”

“…….”

Judy’s tense hand gradually relaxed, and a small smile began to form on her face.

“…And stand up straight. How can you be so hunched just because your family is here? It’s pitiful to see.”

I took this opportunity to express my concern.

“…No…”

Judy started with an excuse as usual, but no further words followed.

I removed my arm and put it around her shoulders.

“…Ah!”

“Wow… look at all these people. When will we ever receive this kind of love again?”

“……”

“Can you hear what they’re saying?”

“……”

We both focus on what the crowd is shouting.

‘Get married!’

‘You look good together!’

‘For Praester and Ice!’

Simultaneously, we both flinch.

Suddenly, the arm I had placed on her felt heavier. The situation became awkward instantly, and it became difficult to find words.

Yet staying quiet like this somehow felt like we were actually considering it, so I squeezed out a joke to lighten the mood.

“…Should we?”

“………..”

But Judy didn’t answer.

Her silence made me even more flustered.

Contrary to my expectation that she would have thrown a fit and asked if I was out of my mind, Judy only blushed with trembling eyes.

Was she restraining herself because of the people in front, or because her family was behind us? I had forgotten how much she had changed since members of the Ice Family arrived.

I felt my own cheeks beginning to redden.

Finally, I awkwardly removed my hand from her shoulder and scratched my head.

The principal spoke to me from the side.

“Caden Praester. You may exit now. You’ve won the hearts of the people well.”

“…Th-thank you for the compliment.”

At his words, Judy and I finally waved one last time to the audience and descended from the platform.

As soon as we stepped down from the platform, I looked up to find the twins standing in front of me.

Trying to forget the awkward situation with Judy, I smiled awkwardly and asked.

“Wasn’t your brother cool?”

Kirsy was the first to return a small smile as she asked.

“…Why are your cheeks so red, brother?”

“…Hmm?”

Though she was smiling, her voice was somehow cold.