Ch.6Wrong Encounters (1)

The Academy that countless nobles from across the country passed through was enormous.

It was wider and taller than even the Praester Family’s castle.

Numerous buildings with unknown purposes

gleamed as they displayed their grandeur.

“We’ve arrived!”

The head of the guards shouted from a distance.

The long journey was finally coming to an end.

The carriage and guards came to a halt.

We had arrived at the Academy.

The place where we would be staying for the next two years.

But I didn’t dwell on the sentiment for long.

After jumping down from the horse and thanking the various attendants for their hard work, I began walking toward what appeared to be the central building.

“B-Brother!!”

Kirsy called out to me loudly, but I ignored her.

I still needed more time.

Of course, this was after my emotions had somewhat calmed down.

While riding on horseback to this place, I had spent days recalling the contents of the novel.

Though I couldn’t remember some parts clearly, I could recall that the political battles between families were fierce.

Weaknesses were twisted open and attacked mercilessly.

…Perhaps I was a weakness that the Praester family needed to hide.

So while I somewhat understood Asena, and my intense emotions had subsided, I wasn’t yet ready to talk to her face-to-face.

As I sorted through my complicated feelings, I found myself near the reception area.

I needed my own space.

After getting directions to the dormitory as quickly as possible, I made my way to my room.

****

I entered the dormitory and was finally alone.

It was a spacious place.

High-quality wooden tables and chairs.

Various decorative plants and luxurious carpets.

Windows with a good view and comfortable-looking sofas.

There were even two additional separate bedrooms.

And as I had read in the novel, this enormous space was meant to be shared by just two people.

…Of course, I wasn’t in the right state of mind to care about that now.

After putting down my luggage haphazardly, I sat on the large sofa in the center and held my head in my hands.

There were still things I needed to think about.

Setting aside the feeling of betrayal I felt toward Asena, I considered what it would be like to return to being a commoner.

…Honestly, I wasn’t keen on the idea.

It didn’t seem easy to go back to being a commoner after living as a noble.

Asena had said there would be no change in my treatment, but by that logic, she might have taken away my family name from the beginning.

What would Grandmother say about Asena’s words? Would she get angry like Kirsy, or would she side with Asena, saying it was the head of the family’s decision?

‘Try to win over a daughter from a great noble family.’

Suddenly, her request comes to mind. …If I could win her over, maybe I wouldn’t have to go back to being a commoner.

I let out a deep sigh.

In this situation, it seemed I was thinking all sorts of things. I tried to dispel all these futile thoughts and suppress my emotions.

One can’t understand all orders.

In reality, the Academy is a rehearsal for the political arena. One must be careful not to show weaknesses and must select families that will become allies.

I couldn’t waver here. I couldn’t drift apart at this time when I needed to stick closely with the twins.

If I falter here, I would truly become nothing more than a weakness for the Praester family.

Having just taken the first step, I couldn’t be like this already.

I had to postpone my emotions for now. And I had to accept it.

Yes, I came to the Knight Department anyway.

For a knight, skill is the most important thing. It doesn’t matter what family name is behind your name. Only combat skills and leadership matter.

It was just my greed. My determination to be a strong pillar for the twins shouldn’t be shaken by this. I didn’t make this decision expecting something in return. I just wanted the twins to be happy.

Consoling myself one by one like this, I gradually accepted Asena’s decision.

-Thud. Creak.

Suddenly, the dormitory door opened.

A man carrying a lot of luggage entered.

“Ah, hello.”

He greeted me with a kind expression. Tall stature. An aura that was hard to ignore.

“….Haha.”

I had anticipated that something like this might happen, but when it actually did, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m Eric Endra.”

He put down his luggage nearby and approached me, extending his hand.

The protagonist of the novel had appeared before my eyes.

****

Eric Endra.

The eldest son of a small baronial family from the borderlands.

Steadfast and kind-hearted.

He prefers to resolve issues amicably whenever possible.

He dislikes violence and loves peace.

Although everyone is said to be equal within the Academy, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Especially for someone like Eric Endra from a powerless frontier noble family, the contempt and threats he received were considerable.

The novel mainly focused on how he broke through this hazing and made a name for himself at the Academy.

Of course, he never managed to surpass Asena and Kirsy until the end.

I naturally accepted the protagonist’s handshake.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Caden……”

It was already becoming difficult to say the Praester surname. Something felt off inside.

“Caden……”

Eric Endra waited for my family name to follow.

In truth, he was probably more interested in my family than my name.

I sighed inwardly and said.

“Caden Praester.”

His eyes showed a slight surprise, then he smiled and shook my hand.

“Ah, the eldest son of the Praester family. I look forward to working with you.”

Eric Endra was also in the Politics Department after all. He couldn’t not know about me.

I was quite unique, after all. A commoner adopted into the powerful Praester ducal family.

Seeing Eric’s reaction, I could understand Asena’s choice. If even the kind-hearted Eric was surprised, how would others react?

“Which department are you in, Caden?”

Eric released my hand and retrieved the luggage he had set down. He spoke to me with the protagonist’s characteristic friendliness. He didn’t seem to be particularly wary of my family.

“The Knight Department. As you know, it’s hard for me to extend into politics.”

“The Knight Department?”

He examined my body and nodded.

“Ah, so that’s why you’re in such good shape.”

I smiled slightly and replied.

Talking with him seemed to lighten my heavy heart.

“You flatter me. Which department are you in, Eric…”

“Please speak comfortably. You’re older than me.”

…Eric seemed to know quite a bit about me.

“Alright. You can speak comfortably too, Eric. What’s your department…?”

I knew he was in the Politics Department, but I couldn’t reveal that, so I asked.

“The Politics Department. I’m the eldest son of my family.”

The eldest son, or eldest daughter.

The heir to a family must enter the Politics Department.

If they didn’t, they might be ostracized among the families after graduation, so it was an inevitable choice for everyone.

It’s also easier to negotiate later if you establish connections at the Academy.

“My siblings are in the same department. Please take care of Asena and Kirsy.”

I made a casual request.

Eric looked at me with surprise.

“….You seem to have a good relationship.”

“Haha, did you think we wouldn’t get along because I’m adopted?”

Eric became flustered and started to make excuses.

“Ah, no. It’s just that… it’s different from the rumors I’ve heard… um… I apologize. I’ve been rude.”

Then he acknowledged his mistake and bowed his head deeply.

“Rumors? What rumors?”

But I was caught on his words and asked again.

Eric blinked his eyes, then spoke candidly without hiding anything.

“The rumor that you’re estranged within the family. That you don’t get along with the rest of the Praesters…”

A question mark appeared in my head. We were currently fighting, but until then, we had been getting along better than ever.

I was dumbfounded because there was no reason for such rumors to spread.

“That’s not true?? Why would such rumors spread? We get along well.”

“I see. Indeed, rumors can’t be trusted.”

“You can say that again.”

At the same time, I felt uneasy.

It felt like other families were already trying to check us.

I had no talent for politics.

I didn’t know how to counter with words.

In the end, to dispel such rumors, we needed to show that the rumors were false.

In this case, it would be the twins and I getting along. ……..It seemed I needed to reconcile. To avoid being driven apart by such trivial rumors.

“Brother, let’s unpack together. Please choose your room first.”

Eric was now calling me “brother” as he brought up the conversation.

I thought he was quite a character.

****

There was a knock at the door.

It was late at night.

We were sitting on the sofa, talking.

I wondered who would visit at this hour.

Was it a guest for Eric? Looking at Eric, with whom I had now become friendly, he just shrugged his shoulders.

‘Brother.’

A voice from outside the door. I knew who it was as soon as I heard it.

“….Asena.”

Eric also adjusted his posture. He asked.

“…Brother, why is the Praester duchess here at this hour…”

“….There’s a reason.”

Like me, she probably felt the need to reconcile quickly.

…..Or maybe she just didn’t like being on bad terms with me.

I opened the door. Asena with a stern expression.

But I could see the sadness hidden in her eyes.

And the moment I saw it, pathetically, my heart softened.

Still, with my last bit of pride, I didn’t show this feeling.

I maintained a stern expression.

She looked at my expression and her eyes wandered.

I could immediately sense that she was quite agitated.

Asena didn’t know how to reconcile. Since this was the first time I had been angry with her like this, she seemed unsure of how to approach me or what to say.

After letting Asena into the room, I closed the door.

She ended up standing between me and the door.

“…Why did you come, Asena?”

I felt Eric’s presence behind me, but after assessing the situation, Eric remained quiet.

Asena gulped.

Then, instead of addressing me, she spoke to Eric behind me first.

“…..The person behind. Please leave the room for a moment.”

“Asena.”

Asena immediately looked up at me like someone caught stealing.

“I told you not to order people around like that.”

“…….”

Considering the power of our family, her words to Eric were a command. Asena couldn’t have been unaware of this.

She gradually lowered her gaze and blinked anxiously. She still seemed undecided on what to do.

“…..”

Then, after swallowing, she carefully raised both arms to try to embrace me.

Eric seemed to have decided to ignore her.

I pushed her hands away. It was still too early. It was too soon to accept her apology.

As I pushed her away,

tears began to well up in Asena’s eyes.

Even though she tried to hide her expression, she couldn’t help the tears.

It had been a long time since I’d seen her cry.

Was being rejected by me such a shock?

“….I asked why you came.”

I asked.

Asena closed her mouth tightly and suppressed her tears.

“Do I need a reason…?”

She asked. It was a pitiful answer, but I tried not to waver.

“Right now, yes.”

At my answer, Asena looked up at me with determination. Then she told me clearly.

“…..I came to reconcile, brother.”

“……”

“….I can’t attend the Academy like this.”

“…..Haah..”

“…I know you’re angry…. but it’s for our future.”

Despite being rejected by me, she didn’t give up and carefully raised her hand to grasp the hem of my clothes.

When I didn’t push her away this time, Asena took it as permission and stepped closer.

“Just once…. please understand.”

I understood intellectually.

Asena was just making a choice for the family.

She might have made a decision she had to make as the head of the family.

I should have been angry at the position of the head of the Praester family, or resentful of my birth, not at Asena.

Asena was not at fault.

But this childish and hurt feeling

kept being directed at her.

Asena, who had gradually moved closer to me, rested her forehead on my chest. When I didn’t stop that either, she spread her arms to embrace me as she had tried to do at first.

“…Please… just once…”

She whined like a young Asena.

To be honest, I was a bit surprised.

I didn’t know she still had this side to her.

Indeed, my heart softens for them.

They were my first family, so I only felt affection.

In the end, I sighed and stroked the back of her head.

Let’s put it aside.

It’s a matter I can’t understand right now anyway. But if I continue to quarrel with them, I’ll continue to be targeted at this Academy.

Let’s put it aside for now.

Asena flinched and her breathing became intense.

It was the sound of someone trying to hold back tears.

“Do you really have to do this..?”

I asked.

Asena nodded.

“…I have to.”

I closed my eyes and sighed.

“…..Alright.”

At my words, Asena hugged me tightly. With trembling hands, she stayed in my arms for a long time in front of the door.

****

After Asena left, it was bedtime.

We hadn’t yet gone to our respective rooms,

and sat on the sofa discussing what had just happened.

Eric spoke first.

“…..You really do have a good relationship.”

“….I told you so.”

I replied somewhat accusingly.

I wondered why rumors were spreading that I was estranged from the family.

“But I was a bit surprised.”

“Why?”

“Aside from the rumors about you… it’s not a rumor but a well-known fact that Asena is cold. I never expected her to show such a side…”

I put my hands on my knees and stood up from the sofa.

Indeed, she does become a bit colder when dealing with people outside our family.

Asena wears a mask for the family. To ensure that she, who rose to a high position at a young age, isn’t easily disrespected by others, she reduced the emotions she showed.

There was no need to hide this fact now that Eric had seen it.

“…..Asena is actually quite sensitive.”

….I didn’t mean she was as delicate as a young girl. She has her own strength and stubbornness. I just thought she was more sensitive than the Asena of the rumors.

“That’s why I asked you to take care of my siblings. Don’t go around telling others about her true self, Eric.”

“Why would I spread such rumors? Don’t worry.”

“….Thanks. Good luck with your first class tomorrow.”

I send a small encouragement to the protagonist of the novel.

“You too, brother. Don’t get hurt.”

And he, too, worried about me.

Afterwards, without further words, we each went to our rooms.

****

The day of the entrance ceremony dawned.

I left the dormitory wearing the Academy uniform with my family’s emblem.

Perhaps having heard the news that Asena and I had reconciled, I had to meet Kirsy who was waiting for me as soon as I stepped outside.

“Brother!!”

She flew into my arms and hugged me tightly.

She was pretending to be cheerful and acting cute in various ways, but her voice was trembling.

She seemed to have been very worried.

After indulging in her playfulness, I stroked her forehead and said,

“…It’s okay now.”

Kirsy swallowed her tears once, then blushed the bridge of her nose and laughed “hehe.”

Behind Kirsy was Asena.

She had erased the emotions she had shown me yesterday and was standing with that cold expression again.

“Did you sleep well?”

I asked Asena, trying to ease the still awkward atmosphere.

It had been a long time since I, who was always in charge of waking her up, hadn’t woken her.

Asena looked around and approached.

No one was watching us.

Except for Kirsy.

“…Kirsy. Could you look over there for a moment?”

Asena pointed in a strange direction.

There was nothing at the end of her finger.

“Huh? Where?”

Kirsy turned and looked in the direction Asena had pointed. I also continued to look for what might be there.

-Smooch.

And at that moment, I felt a soft touch on my cheek.

Asena had narrowed the distance and approached, giving me a kiss on the cheek as per our morning routine.

She seemed to be trying to ease the awkwardness in her own way.

I was momentarily stunned, but her cute action made me laugh.

Hearing my laughter, Kirsy turned around.

“Brother, why are you laughing?”

“Ahaha…it’s nothing.”

****

As we headed to the square where the entrance ceremony would be held, we shared light conversations that we hadn’t been able to have.

I wondered if just one day apart could accumulate this much to talk about, as the conversation never seemed to end.

Among the many topics, the most memorable was about the dormitories.

Asena and Kirsy said they share the same room. This was also identical to the novel. If they had been in different rooms…..well, with their current personalities, there wouldn’t be any issues, but I would have been worried.. It’s a good thing.

Soon, we arrived at the square. Many nobles had already gathered.

I could hear whispers about us from here and there.

That’s how powerful our family was.

Kirsy seemed not to hear them, still excitedly clinging to my arm and chattering like a bird.

“Ah..I’m so nervous, brother. We’re finally starting our Academy life, right?”

Asena looked at us as if she wanted to join the conversation. The three of us created a small space and began to talk intimately.

“Yes, we are. Don’t worry too much. The guy sharing my dormitory is in the same department as you two, and he seems like a good person. Everyone will probably be that nice.”

“Really? Who?”

When Kirsy asked, Asena answered.

“…..The eldest son of the Endra family, Eric Endra.”

She had seen him when she came to my room yesterday.

“…How do you know who he is right away, Asena?”

“I saw the family emblem when I left. I also heard that the eldest son from the Endra family would be enrolling this year.”

“Ah..”

Still, it was surprising.

To know and remember the emblem of the Endra family, which could be considered the weakest among hundreds of families.

I continued talking and briefly looked around.

The atmosphere was becoming unsettled.

“It’s about to start…..huh?”

Then my gaze fixed on one spot.

“…..Brother..?”

“……?”

As my gaze shifted elsewhere, Asena and Kirsy expressed their confusion.

But I couldn’t answer them for a while, my mouth agape.

She was at the end of my gaze.

Blonde hair.

A warm and kind-looking impression.

At the same time, she seemed nervous, taking deep breaths.

The character I had liked the most in this novel. The eldest daughter of the family that had sponsored the orphanage where I had stayed for two years.

Daisy Hexter.

Seeing her in person gave me a different feeling.

I could tell it was her at first glance.

“….Wow…”

I inadvertently let out an admiration.

For a moment, I snapped back to reality at the sound of Kirsy’s anxious voice.

“B-Brother..?”

“Ah…uh..um..sorry. Did you call me?”

By now, Kirsy was clutching her chest and tilting her head as she looked at me.

“..Y-Yes..why is my heart racing like this…w-who are you looking at like that?”

Her gaze anxiously swept over me.

“Oh….just..”

I scratched my head awkwardly and said.

“….That person is pretty.”