Ch.65Alliance (8)

After the award ceremony ended, the twins approached me and Judy, looking back and forth between us while the principal was organizing things on the podium.

“…Huh?”

Remembering Kirsy’s comment about my cheeks being red, I felt embarrassed and glanced at Judy. I touched my cheek with the back of my hand and sniffled awkwardly. Though my flushed cheeks were due to the brief conversation with Judy, I made an excuse.

“…I guess I got excited from receiving all that applause.”

Despite my answer, Kirsy’s face gradually hardened.

Before I could wonder why she was acting this way, I approached her and grabbed her shoulder.

With so many nobles watching us, I thought we should go inside if we needed to talk.

“Come on, let’s go inside.”

But at that moment, Kirsy swatted my hand off her shoulder with a sharp tap, then quickly grabbed my wrist.

“…?”

She held my wrist tightly, then slowly interlaced her fingers with mine.

Kirsy’s fingers slipped gently between mine. The movement was so natural that I couldn’t react in time, and I ended up surrendering my side and one arm to her.

Normally her behavior wouldn’t be an issue, but the problem was that we were in front of all the nobles.

Though it was a short distance to our seats, there was still some space between the podium and the seating area, so many eyes were still on me.

There were two problems.

First was etiquette. Such displays of affection were inappropriate in front of so many people.

Second was… the relationship we were displaying.

Officially, I wasn’t supposed to be close with the twins.

The twins had spread rumors about me to emphasize their family’s pure bloodline, but in return, they had to argue with me multiple times. I also had to endure bullying because of those rumors.

Suddenly reversing that and showing a close relationship here wouldn’t do any good. We needed to be especially careful at an event like this, attended not just by Academy nobles but by many family heads. There was no need to stand out.

Honestly, I was confused. They were the ones who pretended to be at odds with me first, and now they were taking a different stance in front of everyone.

They weren’t ignorant about how important political image was.

Seeing Grandmother looking at me with a puzzled expression, I acted quickly.

“…You just did the same with Judy on the podium. In front of everyone—”

While she was speaking, I naturally shook my arm to break free from her grip, as if it were unintentional.

-Tap

“…Ah.”

“Kirsy. Let’s talk inside first. Okay?”

Then I quickly walked over to Grandmother with a smile, greeting her to let her know I was back.

After that, Judy returned to her seat, and Asena eventually came back too.

But Kirsy remained frozen in place, staring blankly at her hand that I had released.

Grandmother asked with confusion.

“…Why is Kirsy acting like that?”

“…..”

“…Asena. Go bring your sister.”

In the end, when no one was watching, I secretly asked Asena, who sighed and brought over the frozen Kirsy.

And that’s how the ceremony concluded.

****

Asena couldn’t maintain her focus during the important events that followed.

The matter of Caden’s marriage had shaken her deeply.

Just imagining him leaving made her heart race with anxiety.

“That’s not right!”

Momentarily pulled from her thoughts by a noble slamming the table, she shifted her gaze.

The grand council was in session.

Various nobles sat around a large circular table, advocating for their families regardless of rank.

Though differences in speaking rights and attention existed, this was a place where grievances could be aired without formal procedures, resulting in many issues being resolved.

Everyone was speaking on behalf of their families or allied houses, but such gatherings still held significant meaning.

Even if it seemed like a show, it was a necessary gathering.

Many used it to warn rival families.

These warnings were often directed at Asena.

When someone would say to Asena,

“Our territory’s residents are suffering from crimes occurring at the border with the Duke’s territory.”

Asena would respond like a doll,

“…I’ll take note of that. We’ll strengthen security and severely punish criminals, but please also warn your residents to be cautious of malicious intent.”

Then she would wait for the next statement.

Grandmother Riana watched from beside her. As this was the grand council, each family was represented by their head, heir, or elder. Kirsy and Caden were not present.

As the meeting progressed, more topics emerged.

Discussions about mining rights.

Trade between families.

Sensitive topics about conflicts and territorial boundaries.

The talks continued from the morning award ceremony until evening approached.

As the sunset began and the nobles grew tired, Grandmother Riana, who had remained silent throughout, finally spoke.

“…So, are the discussions finished?”

Though she hadn’t spoken during the entire meeting while watching Asena, everyone had been mindful of her presence.

With the Ice and Praester families being the most powerful after the royal Lucilder family, discussions had centered around these two.

When Riana spoke, all eyes turned to her, and some even adjusted their posture.

Asena also drew attention with Riana’s actions.

True to her character, Grandmother Riana brought up her topic without hesitation.

“Then, I’d like to discuss our eldest son.”

Asena’s heart sank.

Throughout all the previous discussions, she had felt no emotional response or stimulation, but as soon as Caden was mentioned, her chest felt heavy.

“As you saw this morning… he’s a proud child of my family. So now… I want to find him a match.”

At those words, Asena felt her heart burning black. Unable to remain still, she reached under the table and placed her hand on Riana’s leg.

“…Grandmother.”

Grandmother Riana understood Asena’s objections from their morning conversation. But that didn’t stop her.

Riana covered her mouth with one hand and whispered in Asena’s ear.

“Your brother is of marriageable age. We need to find him a match before it’s too late.”

“Grandmother, not now, maybe next time—”

Before Asena could finish, Riana straightened up and addressed the nobles.

“…Are there any families who wish to form a connection with my grandson?”

Though no one spoke immediately, the room grew noisy. People adjusted their postures and exchanged glances, creating a growing murmur.

The gathering included many subordinate and allied families of both the Praester and Ice families, as well as neutral families and independent houses.

Some looked toward Duke Ice, likely because of the morning’s events.

Noticing this, Riana added clarification.

“I haven’t discussed this with the Ice family. I simply want to find a match for Caden, so please speak without concern for rank.”

Despite Riana’s words, they remained silent as mice.

“….”

Asena felt somewhat relieved at this response. Perhaps they were hesitant to offer their daughters because he was adopted.

Riana frowned at their reaction and finally questioned them.

“…I’m puzzled. It’s rare to find someone as brilliant as Caden.”

Riana’s eyes scanned the nobles. Noticing her displeasure, the family heads all lowered their gazes.

Finally, Duke Ice, who held equal power, broke the tension.

“…Don’t be too harsh. Everyone knows he’s an excellent young man, but I think there’s another reason.”

“…Then what is it, Edgar? Is it because Caden comes from a commoner background?”

Even in this formal setting, Riana addressed the Ice Duke as Edgar, putting him down.

But Duke Ice answered without minding this.

“Would that be such a big issue? He’s a Praester.”

“…Then what’s the problem?”

Duke Ice answered honestly without concern for Riana’s reaction.

“I believe it’s because rumors say that Caden is detached from the family.”

“…What did you say?”

“I’ve heard he doesn’t receive treatment like family. So… even if he’s a Praester, if he’s an outsider, it’s meaningless, which is why everyone is hesitant.”

Riana asked all the nobles once more.

“…Is that what you all think?”

Riana sighed deeply before speaking. This sigh was her greatest display of emotion during the entire council.

“…So all these years, when you all declined marriage proposals with Caden, it was for this reason?”

Still, no one answered. Riana raised her head and declared proudly.

“Caden is my child. I don’t understand how rumors of him being an outsider spread. As you saw this morning, he’s a young man with a brilliant personality and excellent skills as a knight. He even became the recent jousting champion. Marriage with Caden means a close alliance with the Praester family. I’ll forget what just happened, so please tell me if you have a suitable match for Caden.”

An eternal moment passed.

In the brief silence that followed, Asena’s lips grew parched. She discreetly scanned the faces of the various family heads.

Still, no one raised their hand. She took short breaths to calm her racing heart. It seemed like the matter would pass without issue.

But at that moment, someone far away began to raise their hand.

“…Ah.”

And following that person, numerous family heads raised their hands.

One, two, three.

Asena, who had been counting the raised hands, soon lost track of the number.

Everyone began discussing their families and daughters as if at an auction, and the grand council became more chaotic than ever before.

To Asena’s eyes, they all looked like demons trying to take Caden away from her.

****

Because so many families had proposed their daughters to Caden, the marriage discussion couldn’t be concluded.

Asena sat at a table inside Riana’s quarters.

Grandmother Riana smiled and spoke to Asena.

“…Hoho… that’s good. At least we can find a good match for Caden. I hear the second daughter of the Mace family is quite beautiful. Oh, and the eldest daughter of the Valeruin family is said to be a perfect wife. The eldest daughter of the Hexter family is also good, I’ve heard. Since you know them all… considering our family, Judy from the Ice family wouldn’t be bad either….”

Like a girl with a new toy, Grandmother Riana was excited about finding a match for Caden.

Asena was trapped in her own world, biting her nails.

Images of Caden leaving with other women kept appearing in her mind.

“……”

Riana’s bright expression hardened at Asena’s strange behavior.

“…Asena. Leave your nails alone.”

-Snap. Snap. Snap.

But Asena couldn’t stop. She wasn’t hearing Riana’s voice.

Riana finally reached out and grabbed Asena’s hand.

“Asena.”

“….Ah.”

Only then did Asena come to her senses and look at Riana.

Riana sighed and spoke.

“….Sigh… I understand.”

She approached Asena with a worried expression and sat beside her.

Putting an arm around her shoulders, she spoke softly.

“…I know how much you love your brother. I’ve seen it all within the Praester territory. He’s been like a parent to you… how could you not care for him? But someday you’ll have to part ways. That’s how it is with siblings. Eventually, even family has its limits.”

“……”

“…I know you give much love to your brother who has been like a parent to you, but now your brother needs to marry. It will be too late otherwise. Don’t you think Caden should have children too?”

“…Children?”

At those words, Asena thought about the children Caden might have. Not children with half of her and half of him, but children with half of him and half of another woman.

Asena immediately knew she would eternally hate such children.

Seeing Asena’s continued strange reactions, Riana finally frowned.

“…Caden needs to have children too. He can’t sacrifice his entire life for you all. He deserves happiness too.”

“…Grandmother, he can be happy by my side, by our side.”

“Of course, he might be happy living like this for a while. But what about when he’s old? The best thing I’ve done in my life was giving birth to your father. Now, you children are my only joy. But if Caden sacrifices himself for you and doesn’t have children, what will be his joy when he’s old?”

Asena whispered so Riana couldn’t hear.

“…I could have his children.”

“…Asena, I can’t hear you. Speak up.”

“……”

“…Sigh. Well, things went well today, so that’s good. Asena, someday you’ll understand. You might dislike change, but you need to adapt. By the way, I wonder how such rumors about Caden spread. He’s such a brilliant child. I’ve been worrying needlessly. I thought everyone disliked him because of his commoner birth, not because of such rumors.”

“…….”

“…Ah.”

Riana’s expression hardened as if something had occurred to her. Her voice became serious.

“…Asena. Speaking of rumors… I heard something strange.”

Asena actually preferred the more somber atmosphere. It felt like she might be able to reveal her true feelings.

“…As much attention as Caden received today, I hear talk about him everywhere I go.”

Even this made Asena’s heart heavier. Her goal had been for him to quietly graduate from the Academy and return to their territory, but that plan had already failed.

Riana tilted her head and frowned. Asena could sense the quiet anger in her voice.

“…Of course, I didn’t pay much attention to it… but the students were saying…”

“….”

“…That Caden will be expelled from the family after graduation.”

At Riana’s words, Asena found herself laughing for some reason. She suddenly felt incredibly relieved. She knew it too. There was no need to hide anything anymore.

It’s unclear how Riana interpreted that laughter, but she continued with a hardened expression.

“…Do you know where this rumor came from?”

Asena continued to laugh softly. At the same time, tears welled up and her heart swelled. Perhaps it had taken too long to say these words.

“…Asena?”

Riana questioned, watching her laugh.

Asena looked at Grandmother Riana with eyes glistening with tears. It was the first time since returning to her grandmother’s quarters that she looked at her directly.

Asena spoke with a big smile.

“…I know where the rumor came from.”

Since Asena had always hidden her emotions from Riana more than anyone else, Riana found her smile awkward.

“Where did the rumor—”

“—The rumor came from me. And it’s not a rumor.”

“………”

Riana blinked. It was the first time Asena had seen her grandmother look so surprised.

“…What did you say?”

“I decided to expel brother after his graduation.”

Riana’s expression grew increasingly distorted.

Earlier she had put her arm around Asena’s back to hold both her shoulders, but now she grabbed Asena’s shoulders from the front and shook her.

“What are you saying! How… how could you do that to Caden! He’s the brother who raised you! As of today, that talk is over. I can’t believe what I’m hearing—”

“—Grandmother.”

Asena spoke with a relieved expression, disregarding Riana’s reaction.

“I love brother.”

“…What did you say?”

A tear rolled down her cheek. It was the first tear Riana had seen from Asena in 12 years.

“…If brother is a Praester… then I can’t marry him.”