Ch.79Praester’s Hypothesis (2)

Judy’s hands, which had been clasped behind her back, dropped limply without her even realizing it.

“……”

The events unfolding were too harsh. They shook and turned Judy’s heart upside down.

It was painful enough that the marriage arrangement had been broken off. And now he was already involved with someone else.

Perhaps this was the nature of political marriages… but it hurt.

It was the final blow that crushed even the hope of reconciliation and reconnection.

“….I didn’t think it was something to hide just because it might be uncomfortable.”

Daisy still wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Judy knew she had no ill intentions. But if there was one thing Daisy had failed to consider, it was that Judy had already invested so much emotion in Caden.

If only she had heard this news after the pain had subsided.

She didn’t know how many years it would take, but if only she could have heard this when she might have been more composed.

Of course, Judy knew it was all her own unreasonable wish, but there was nothing wrong with hoping to feel less pain.

Even so, for some reason, Judy wanted to hide her distress. She knew Daisy had done nothing wrong. She couldn’t even be angry.

“…..I……see.”

But she couldn’t bring herself to say any of the platitudes that might be expected in this situation—congratulations, or I’m fine, or any other such niceties.

All she could manage was to acknowledge the fact. To show that she wasn’t ignoring Daisy.

Having endured Nera’s treatment, she had prided herself on being able to conceal negative emotions, but now she couldn’t manage it.

The first friend she thought she would spend her life with was being torn away from her to be with the person standing before her.

The overwhelming desolation this vivid reality brought was of a different texture entirely.

The woman before her would lead a happy life. How much lonelier would she, the one left behind, have to be?

A future of even worse persecution in the Ice Family. Even her father, who treated her well, would eventually leave. What would she do then?

Finally, Daisy looked up at Judy, who remained silent.

And sensing Judy’s mood, which even a fool could understand, Daisy averted her eyes.

She knew there was nothing she could say.

The two fell into silence once again.

****

“Today is the last day.”

I stated firmly.

“….”

“….”

The twins didn’t answer. Was it petulance or stubbornness? Either way, they showed a consistent attitude that only I could see.

“How can you keep skipping classes like this every day? That’s not why you came here.”

“….We already know all the material.”

“Now, Kirsy. I’m not scolding you for not learning, but for being irresponsible.”

“……”

Asena’s hardened expression. Kirsy’s dejected look.

I finally sighed as I looked at them. They had already fought with Grandmother, so I didn’t need to add to their burden.

We were heading toward a nearby lake.

The twins were sitting on my horse, Rush, while I held his reins and led him.

The beautiful path to the lake lifted my spirits, but my mind was complicated.

I had thought that after some time, the twins would adapt. I thought they would let me go, albeit sadly, once they realized I wouldn’t back down.

It wasn’t like our relationship was strained and I was trying to leave. After all, weren’t we trying to be each other’s strength from afar?

In any family, it’s rare for everyone to stay together forever. The heir to become the head of the family remains in the territory, but the rest leave for marriage or missions.

The twins must have anticipated this. Though I chose to leave of my own accord, it wasn’t such an unusual choice.

I couldn’t understand why they still couldn’t accept it.

Especially… Asena.

Kirsy was affectionate and naturally prone to sulking, so her behavior was expected. But Asena’s reaction was surprising.

I knew she had feelings for me, showing her emotions when we were alone. But her usual rigid demeanor, her composure, and her ability to adapt to problems and find new solutions were also part of who she was.

Yet this time, she was crying like Kirsy sometimes did, refusing to let go, and even getting angry at Grandmother.

So I couldn’t help but worry about how to resolve this issue.

We walked along the forest path, listening to the birds chirping.

Fortunately, the path was level, probably from years of frequent use.

Just as a peaceful atmosphere was settling in, I spoke.

“Kids. Don’t talk back to Grandmother, at least.”

While I struggled with how to broach all the other issues, this one was clear.

A clear wrongdoing that crossed the line. I needed to reprimand them.

“Grandmother is getting old. We should be supporting her, not giving her more worries.”

“………”

“………”

“You should give in a little… okay? You should—”

“—No.”

Asena cut in abruptly.

“…What?”

I stopped walking and looked up at her. She was looking at me with half-open eyes.

“…I can’t give in.”

“…Sigh.”

“If I give in, you’ll leave, so how can I—”

“—Whether you give in or not, I’m leaving. I’m just saying we shouldn’t get heated with each other—”

“—Stop it already!”

“…..”

Asena’s shout froze the air.

“…..Ha.”

I sighed. I led Rush to a tree growing beside the forest path and tied his reins.

“….Come down.”

I told the twins. When they didn’t move, perhaps swallowing their fear, I extended my hand. Kirsy and Asena took my hand in turn and got down from Rush.

After seating them on a tree stump, I crouched down.

They avoided my eyes. But I wasn’t going to let this slide. I needed to ask them clearly now.

“….Why are you doing this, kids?”

“…We’ve told you many times we don’t want you to leave…”

Kirsy mumbled. I let out another long sigh.

“…..Let’s sort this out.”

I scratched my head and closed my mouth for a moment. I wasn’t going to speak until the siblings looked me in the eye.

But they kept avoiding my gaze until the end, and I eventually placed my hands gently on each of their knees.

As I conveyed my feelings through those innocent, fair knees, they gradually shifted their gaze toward me.

I said:

“You don’t want me to leave the family.”

“…..”

Asena nodded briefly.

“….But they’re going to expel me after graduation.”

“….”

This time she nodded hesitantly.

“….So, you’re saying you want me to stay by your side as a commoner?”

Asena nodded once more.

“See… this is the problem. No matter how I think about it… it’s something I can’t accept. You know me… you know I wouldn’t accept that.”

“……”

“Don’t you know why I learned the sword…?”

In this beautiful space where the scent of grass rose fragrantly, cool breezes blew, and birds sang, I wore a hurt expression.

“I wanted to stand proudly by your side as a commoner. To be more helpful to you. If you ask me to give up everything and live as a commoner… don’t you know how that makes me feel?”

“……”

“…….Well, we’ve had this conversation before. I won’t repeat it. I have only one thing to say. I’m leaving, and you need to accept it now. I said I’d support you from afar. If you have any problems, I’ll come running…”

“Ugh….”

Kirsy couldn’t hold back her tears again. As I moved my hand to wipe her tears, she squeezed out words between sobs.

“…It’s not enough…”

“…….What?”

“….Supporting us from afar… it’s not enough…”

“……..What’s not enough is your reason for acting like this.”

I started to feel frustrated.

“We’ve lived well together all this time, so why suddenly expel me? Be honest. I can guess the reason… am I that embarrassing to you?”

“…No..!”

“Is it a problem for your brother to remain in the family? You know better than anyone how hard I’ve worked.”

“…Brother.”

“If the future you want for me lies ahead, it’s no different from a prison. Should I just watch helplessly as you fight fierce battles with other families in political warfare? Asena, if I’m expelled, I won’t be able to confront Duke Ice like before.”

“…..Brother.”

“I want to be a relevant person too, Kirsy. Please. Let me do what I want.”

“Brother!!”

Kirsy’s shout stopped me. Her face looked so desperate that I couldn’t say another word.

She pulled up the corners of her mouth from her tearful face. The sight of her smiling beautifully through tears inexplicably chilled my heart.

She said:

“…….I understand.”

“…….”

“I understand that you couldn’t accept it. Yes, actually… there’s one more reason.”

“…Kirsy.”

Asena, who had been still until now, grabbed Kirsy’s wrist.

There must have been some reason only the two of them knew. I rolled my eyes, assessing the atmosphere.

Asena spoke, holding her breath.

“….Kirsy. This doesn’t end as just your problem. If you can’t, then I—”

“—I know, sister.”

Kirsy cut off Asena’s words. My eyebrows drew closer together.

“….Brother.”

“….What’s this other reason?”

“Yes. And now I’ll tell you.”

“……”

I forgot what to say and just stared at Kirsy. She slid down from the stump she was sitting on, knelt in front of me, and held my face with both hands.

She said:

“…But, I need to prepare.”

“……What preparation?”

“……I can’t say. I’m still… studying it myself… But brother… give me five days.”

“……”

“…..When my preparations are done, I’ll tell you…. okay..?”

“……”

“Put aside the talk of leaving for now…. think about it after you hear the reason.”

Kirsy’s face looked so relieved as she spoke.

And Asena’s agitation beside her was so strange that I couldn’t say anything more.

“Just five days… okay? Just five days…”

Though I had already made up my mind to leave.

For some reason, I couldn’t remind her of that fact right now.

****

The rest of the walk concluded in a quiet atmosphere.

We didn’t do anything special like taking naps or playing in the water; we just enjoyed the scenery.

Kirsy simply clung to my side, sniffling tears under my arm, while Asena placed her hand on the back of mine.

After returning to the Academy and putting Rush back in the stable, I escorted my siblings to their dormitory.

At the end of the long silence, I asked them once more:

“….I’d like you to get along with Grandmother again, kids. That’s all I wanted to say today.”

“…..”

“…..”

They didn’t answer, but I believe my intention was well conveyed.

As we walked to the dormitory, we had to stop at the same time.

Because there were people waiting for us at the entrance.

Two women.

“…..Ah.”

Yes. Of course this moment would come eventually, but it was so sudden that I couldn’t hide my expression.

Judy and Daisy were standing there.

They began walking toward us after confirming our presence.

Only when we were close enough to hear each other’s voices did Daisy speak.

“…..Caden.”

Her face had the same awkwardness as mine.

“…We need to talk.”

And also a faint happiness.

Behind me, the twins simultaneously gripped my clothes tightly.