Ch.77Origin Point (5)

# Chapter Translation

Asena had been in a great mood until this morning.

Whether intentional or not, thanks to Kirsy’s actions, she had managed to create a rift between the families, resulting in the cancellation of Caden and Judy’s marriage arrangement.

Both Caden and Judy showed dissatisfied expressions, but… that was trivial.

Though she didn’t like that Caden had shown interest in Judy, considering his warm nature, perhaps it was inevitable.

Rather, she could approach him during his moment of heartbreak… maybe even find an opportunity to confess her feelings.

Of course, these were just plans without firm resolve, but who knew what might happen.

So Asena wasn’t afraid of her grandmother’s summons for once. She’d probably just get scolded for yesterday’s events. In truth, no amount of scolding could dampen her happy mood.

“…I regret what happened yesterday, Caden.”

Grandmother opened the conversation with those words.

Caden, unusually, didn’t respond to her words. It seemed to show how disappointed he was.

Seeing Caden disappointed about not being able to be with Judy made her chest ache.

She felt jealous of the affection he had already given to Judy. That love should have been directed at her.

She wondered if Caden would feel the same pain for her in a similar situation.

If she were to have marriage talks with another man, would he feel heartbroken thinking about her leaving?

Probably… not. That’s why she was working so hard now.

“But… yes. I suppose it’s also my fault for not considering the rift between our families.”

Grandmother Riana continued calmly while sipping her tea. It seemed there would be no scolding about yesterday’s incident.

“Spilling wine on Kirsy’s clothes, kicking her in the shin…”

Riana’s gaze then moved to Caden’s neck.

“…And the rudeness of treating a simple insect bite as a kiss mark…”

Kirsy secretly swallowed beside her. When she had left the kiss mark, part of her had hoped it would be discovered, but now she was grateful it wasn’t too noticeable.

Caden brushed the red mark on his neck with his finger and replied.

“…Indeed. I was quite… insulted.”

“It’s unfortunate the marriage arrangement was canceled, but perhaps it’s for the best. I couldn’t send you to such a family, Caden. We might have been forcing a great sacrifice on you for the sake of peace.”

“No, Grandmother. I told you I wanted to go.”

“……”

Asena bit her lip once more at Caden’s words. Every time Caden expressed his desire to leave, it felt like a dagger in her heart. How, or when, could she change his mind?

“I’d like to… act according to our family’s words and hold the Ice family responsible for this incident, but I’ve decided to let it go this once because I have urgent personal matters to resolve.”

Grandmother Riana’s eyes then swept over the twins. It wasn’t difficult for Asena to guess what problem her grandmother needed to resolve. It was probably her and Kirsy’s feelings of love.

Grandmother Riana spoke.

“…So, let’s be patient just this once. I’m sorry, Caden. Having to hear such insulting words about you and having to endure it…”

“It’s alright. Didn’t Asena splash wine on Nera Ice? That made me feel a bit better. And… I don’t want to create conflict with Judy in the current situation.”

“…I see.”

Grandmother Riana nodded.

She picked up her teacup to enjoy her tea, then looked at everyone seated again.

And immediately dropped a bombshell.

“Caden. I’ve found your next marriage partner.”

At her words, both twins rose from their seats simultaneously.

*Screech!*

“…Ah.”

“…G-Grandmother.”

They couldn’t help but open their eyes and mouths wide at this unbelievable situation.

But Grandmother Riana remained calm.

“Sit down.”

She seemed to have anticipated their reaction.

Caden was also confused like the twins.

“…Grandmother, so quickly?”

“…I know you haven’t had time to collect yourself yet. But that’s how marriage arrangements work. In the end, they can proceed if the families’ intentions align.”

“……”

Riana extended her hand to the silent Caden. Her wrinkled hand gently stroked his head.

“Caden. I’m sorry. For not considering your feelings. But… this grandmother can’t stay at the Academy much longer. So I’m trying to find your match during this opportune time, which is why everything seems rushed. Please understand.”

“…I see. Alright. If that’s your wish… I’ll follow it.”

Caden showed a surprised expression, blinking his eyes, but didn’t argue with Riana’s words. Riana found it both sad and grateful, admirable.

“You already know your partner. The eldest daughter of the Hexter family… Daisy will be your match.”

Caden blinked in surprise.

“…Daisy?”

“I heard you’re already acquainted with her. It would be more comfortable for you than someone you don’t know.”

Finally, unable to hold back any longer, Kirsy interrupted.

“T-This isn’t right.”

Riana, who had been giving Caden an apologetic look, withdrew her expression and coldly looked at Kirsy.

That gaze seemed to rebuke Kirsy’s love for Caden.

“What isn’t right?”

“B-Brother needs time to think… n-no, more than that… D-Daisy of all people…”

“…Kirsy.”

Caden intervened.

“It’s Grandmother’s wish.”

“I’m not okay with it!!”

Kirsy shouted, clenching both fists tightly. She had been in high spirits until this morning, and now she couldn’t understand this bolt from the blue.

Caden rose from his seat and approached to wipe away Kirsy’s tears that had begun to flow.

“…You should be used to this by now…”

But Grandmother Riana, watching from behind, stopped him.

“Caden. Don’t wipe your sister’s tears.”

“…Pardon?”

“She needs to learn that crying or throwing tantrums won’t change things.”

Kirsy’s eyes began to flicker dangerously. Caden couldn’t help but be surprised at this look.

She was directing such a disrespectful gaze at none other than their grandmother.

Caden blocked her from view, hiding this expression from his grandmother.

But Kirsy wouldn’t stop.

“Grandmother, when have I ever thrown a tantrum?”

“…..”

“This is just once. I’ve been obedient until now…!”

“…..”

“Why won’t you compromise even once?!”

“Kirsy. You know this isn’t just my decision.”

The fierce look in Kirsy’s eyes that Caden had been hiding finally subsided. She thought for a moment, then looked up at Caden gently.

“Brother…”

“……”

“Just once…. please…? Stop this now, please… don’t leave me…”

As his hand unconsciously began to rise toward Kirsy’s cheek, grandmother once again interrupted Caden’s action.

“Caden.”

Just calling his name once was enough.

He thought to himself.

‘Yes, perhaps they’re acting this way because I keep indulging their tantrums.’

Seeing him hesitate, Kirsy’s eyes filled with despair.

Grandmother spoke.

“Caden. I’m sorry, but… please step outside for a moment.”

“……”

“I need to talk with the children.”

Caden closed his eyes tightly. Then, bowing his head to his grandmother, he left the room.

After Caden’s departure, the twins’ demeanor became even more fierce. It was as if the final barrier restraining them had disappeared.

Riana sensed the depth of their love as she observed the twins. She also found it pitiful how desperate they must be to act this way.

“It cannot be.”

Those were her first words.

“I cannot watch you being with Caden.”

Asena, undeterred by those words, said.

“If you love me. Please bend to our will just this once.”

“…Ha. Are you asking for permission?”

“Yes.”

“Are you thinking before you speak, Asena?”

The gazes of the three women met in midair. Perhaps it was fortunate that Caden had avoided this place.

Because the eyes of the three Praesters did not meet gently.

Riana’s sharp gaze directly confronted the twins. No matter how much the twins might act like tigers at the Academy, they couldn’t defeat Riana, who had lived as a Praester the longest.

“As I said, this isn’t a matter that ends with my permission. Have you not thought about the shock your brother would receive?”

“That’s our problem to handle. Why are you blocking us before we even try?”

“Because I know it won’t end well.”

“Even so!”

Asena raised her voice. Then suddenly, fearing her words might reach Caden outside, she glanced around and spoke in a calmer voice.

“…Even so. I’m going to try. I don’t want to lose brother without even trying.”

Kirsy, who had been standing still, rushed to Riana’s side as if falling and knelt beside her.

She took Riana’s trembling hands and rested her forehead on them.

“Grandmother, please… please…”

Riana felt tears running down the back of her hand. Eventually, her gaze began to waver at the sight of her jade-like granddaughter’s tears.

But she shook her head and spoke.

Her voice trembled as if it pained her to say these words. It was a rare display of emotion from Riana Praester.

“…If you had come to me together with Caden, perhaps…”

“……”

“If you loved each other so much that I couldn’t intervene, and asked for my permission and blessing…”

Riana couldn’t continue.

“…But that’s not the case, is it? It’s your one-sided love, and Caden has nothing to do with it. That child… it’s time for him to be happy too. Why do you want to drag him down a path full of hardship and adversity again…!”

Kirsy whispered beside her.

“I can’t live without brother… I really can’t…”

Listening to Kirsy’s plea, Riana exploded. It was as if she was trying to hide her emotions with a loud voice.

“You two couldn’t even sort things out between yourselves!!”

Riana displayed a fiery anger, then, like Asena had done, lowered her voice fearing Caden might hear.

“Even if I gave permission, you wouldn’t be happy…”

As she lowered her voice, the grief she had been trying to hide emerged. Tears began to form in Riana’s eyes.

“…Asena, will it be you?”

“…Pardon?”

“…Kirsy, will it be you?”

“……”

“Even if I permit it… won’t you twins fight over your brother? Internal strife is more frightening than external enemies… I… I have a duty to prevent this…”

Riana’s mask crumbled piece by piece, leaving only a woman who was worried and anguished. A fragile woman hidden by the snow of years, unable to make a choice. She was showing her granddaughters a side of herself that only her husband had seen before.

Kirsy lifted Riana’s hand to her cheek.

“Grandmother… I won’t fight with my sister… please… understand us just this once… Please stop interfering with us… stop sending brother to other women…”

“……”

“It’s already hard enough to reveal these feelings… why do you keep making it harder…”

Riana wiped her tears with her other hand and hardened her expression again. But in her once-broken face, the twins could no longer find the powerful Riana Praester they had once known.

They could only see a grandmother worried about them and the family.

Riana spoke.

“…Kirsy. I still can’t believe that even you love Caden. Think again. Whether it’s a misunderstanding. When family love grows too deep, you might mistake it for romantic love. Ask yourself again-“

“-Brother’s neck.”

Grandmother inhaled sharply at those words.

Kirsy showed no mercy as she watched her grandmother’s surprise.

“…It’s not an insect bite. As Nera said… it is a kiss mark.”

“K-Kirsy.”

“I left it. I left it…”

“…Ah…”

Riana pulled her hand away from Kirsy’s grasp and covered her face.

Her shoulders shook as if she was crying.

After a while.

Riana quietly said.

“…Still, it cannot be. I’ve already finished discussions with the Hexter family.”

Even seeing her weakened grandmother, Asena didn’t stop.

“…The Ice family… remained quiet because their power was similar to ours.”

“…What?”

“But the Hexter family is different. If they take brother from me… the Hexter family should be prepared.”

Though Asena didn’t specify what the Hexter family should prepare for, Riana could easily infer it.

But even in her weakened state, Riana didn’t miss the flaw.

“…Then you would be crossing swords with your brother.”

“……”

“Since Caden would already be with the Hexter family.”

“……”

“Love would be lost, and empty threats won’t sway me.”

Riana slowly rose from her seat. She spoke.

“…Let’s end here for today. My head is too complicated.”

Kirsy spoke to her grandmother’s retreating back.

“…I… I told you, Grandmother… it’s coming soon… I’m going to reveal my feelings to brother soon.”

“…..”

“When that time comes… if things work out well… please understand me then.”

Riana paused for a long time after hearing Kirsy’s words.

She left the room without answering.