Ch.81Praester’s Hypothesis (4)

“…Um…then you all talk…”

When Daisy arrived, her roommate quickly escaped into the room, leaving her alone with the twins.

Asena was coldly sipping her tea, while Kirsy leaned comfortably against the sofa, looking down at the floor.

Daisy walked over to them and said, “…So you finally succeeded in breaking off the engagement with Judy.”

“……”

“……”

“…I feel sorry for Caden who must be confused about suddenly being paired with me again…but don’t worry… If I connect with Caden, our family will never be hostile to the Praesters—”

“—Daisy.”

Asena called her name as she set down her teacup.

“…I’ll get straight to the point.”

“…Okay.”

“I don’t like this engagement either.”

She said it bluntly.

Daisy chose to remain silent for a moment. She felt she needed to set aside her rising emotions and choose her words carefully. Like walking on thin ice… everything she said from now on could directly impact the future.

Perhaps Asena was approaching this way to gain the upper hand in the engagement negotiations.

It didn’t matter. As long as the demands weren’t unreasonable, it would be fine. She was willing to make some concessions to be with Caden.

After all, the twins were Caden’s siblings and the core of the Praester family. Since their families were now connected through the engagement, she needed to treat them more carefully.

“…May I know the reason?” Daisy asked.

There were no problems between the families. Her background wasn’t lacking. There were no personal issues either.

Because of this, Daisy felt that Asena’s words didn’t seem genuine. People don’t act without reason.

Instead, if she was saying this to gain something through this conversation, that would make sense.

“…Why do you need a reason?”

But Asena’s response far exceeded Daisy’s expectations.

An uneasiness that she hadn’t detected until now began to creep up.

Could it be… that she really wanted to break off the engagement? Even with her?

The more uncertain she felt, the more Daisy steeled her resolve. She couldn’t back down.

“…Are you being like this to me without any reason? Asena… even for you… that’s quite rude.”

“…You’re not enough, Daisy.”

“What?”

“You’re not enough to be with our brother.”

“…Isn’t it enough if we like each other?”

“My brother doesn’t like you.”

Daisy immediately refuted that statement.

“…That’s not for you to say. Just now, I heard directly from Caden himself. He told me he has feelings for me.”

“…What?”

Asena’s tone changed, and Kirsy’s eyes, which had been fixed on the floor, shifted to Daisy.

“…But even without me saying it… it’s already a rumor. The jousting tournament, him being assigned as my guard…”

“—Ha. My brother… said such things…?”

Asena was visibly shaken, which was rare for her. She didn’t even seem to hear what Daisy said next.

While finding Asena’s reaction strange—showing such emotion just because Caden had expressed feelings—Daisy continued where she had left off. She couldn’t lose momentum.

“…Asena. I don’t know what the problem is, but I’m confident I can live with your brother with mutual consideration.”

“…Didn’t you just hear me say you’re not acceptable?”

Daisy sighed deeply and moved her feet. Not avoiding the twins’ pressure, she approached them directly and sat down opposite them.

With unwavering eyes, she confronted the twins with a frown.

“…I feel sorry for Caden.”

“…Daisy. From now on, you’d better watch your mouth.”

Kirsy, who had been still until now, growled in a voice Daisy had never heard before. It was the complete opposite of her usually bubbly personality.

Daisy apologized, not because she was intimidated by Kirsy, but because upon reflection, she realized her words might indeed have been rude.

“…I’m sorry. That was definitely harsh. But… I do think Caden must be struggling.”

“……”

“Caden said he gave you both so much love. But what he got in return was gossip at the Academy.”

Kirsy averted her eyes at those words.

“Threatening to expel him from the family. Embarrassing him at the ball. And now trying to interfere with every engagement that comes up—how could Caden not be suffering? Duchess Judy Ice isn’t acceptable. I’m not acceptable either. Are you playing with Caden? Will you ever let him go? Who exactly would satisfy you as his fiancée?”

“Me.”

Asena blurted out.

…..At those words, Daisy’s mind went blank.

The anger that had been building as she defended Caden, the impulse to ask them all her questions, the fighting spirit to stand up to them—all of it vanished.

She could only doubt her own ears.

“…What?”

“Me, I said.”

“…….”

Daisy blinked. She still couldn’t believe what she’d heard. Feeling like the conversation had gone off track somewhere, she asked again.

“…You want to be Caden’s fiancée?”

But Asena confirmed it with absolute certainty.

“Yes.”

“………….”

“That’s what I came to tell you today. Anyway… soon our brother will know our feelings too.”

“…………Our?”

Daisy’s eyes rolled to Kirsy. Kirsy wore the same determined expression as Asena.

Daisy asked mechanically.

“N-no. C-Caden is your b-brother…”

“So what?”

“……………”

Daisy opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Were they both saying they had fallen in love with their brother?

She had never heard anything so shocking in her entire life.

The head of the Praester family. No. The Praester twins were in love with their adopted brother.

She could tell from their expressions that they weren’t joking. That made it all the more bewildering.

Asena continued with the same stern expression.

“So step back. I loved him… years before you did. I wanted him… years before you did. You. Judy. I can’t tolerate anyone cutting in line… barging in as they please.”

For Daisy, this was the first conversation where she felt Asena’s emotions. Asena, true to her cold impression, rarely showed her feelings.

The fact that the first emotion she directly expressed was something so sticky—Daisy didn’t know how to react.

At the same time, all the puzzle pieces were falling into place in her mind.

The reason for damaging his reputation through gossip. They didn’t want others to know about his beauty.

The reason they hid him at the ball. The twins didn’t want to see Caden dancing with other women.

The reason for threatening to expel him from the family. Because bound by the Praester name, he couldn’t marry them.

The reason they’d been arguing with him a lot recently. Because he kept trying to leave them.

And yet the reason they couldn’t resist his words. Because… they were in love with him.

Asena, who had been sipping her tea, looked at Daisy with cold eyes.

Those green eyes were more serious than ever, and also more threatening.

“You know… the Praester family motto.”

The Praester family motto. ‘Don’t touch what’s ours.’ Daisy recalled their motto silently.

“…Take your hands off our brother.”

Surely their family motto wasn’t originally meant in this context. But combined with Asena’s demeanor, the motto conveyed a more direct message than ever before.

As if showing the unwavering determination of the twins with Praester blood flowing through them. It came back as the most threatening statement ever.

An ordinary woman might have backed off at that moment, not wanting to antagonize the twins. But Daisy steadied her wavering heart.

The statement had been so shocking that she had kept her mouth shut for a long time, but now she was trying to accept the situation.

Yes, the twins loved him. But that changed nothing. Judy seemed to like him too, but in the end, she was the one chosen for him.

If she gave up here, Caden would slip from her grasp. Daisy’s feelings about getting Caden were like receiving an unexpected precious gem.

Though she hadn’t dreamed of obtaining that gem, now that she had it, she didn’t want to let it go.

As she imagined a future with Caden as her partner, that future became increasingly appealing and started to hold special meaning for her.

It was something she couldn’t give up.

So Daisy shook her head.

“…No, Asena. I won’t back off.”

The twins’ hostility flared up immediately afterward.

Their hatred was palpable, washing over her in waves.

It was amazing how they had managed to hide such feelings until now.

“This is a relationship arranged by former Duchess Riana and my father. Neither Caden nor I have any complaints about this engagement, so I can’t break it just because you ask me to.”

“I am the head of the Praester family, Daisy. It would be better for you not to oppose me.”

“…I won’t waver, Asena. I’m not foolish enough to destroy something precious out of fear of you.”

“…Something precious?”

Kirsy, who had been listening, interrupted, repeating Daisy’s words.

“…How long have you been with our brother to call it something precious already? Your heart seems very fickle, Daisy. Have you already given so much of your heart to our brother? Would you have fallen for any other man just as quickly?”

“Enough. I have no reason to listen to you anymore. I’d like you to leave now.”

It was the perfect moment for their relationship to sour. The three women exchanged glances and stood up simultaneously.

The twins walked toward the door, and Daisy escorted them out.

At the door, the three stopped again and looked at each other.

“…Good night. See you tomorrow.”

Daisy offered them a final greeting.

But during this short walk, the twins’ expressions had changed significantly.

Perhaps because things weren’t going according to plan. Unlike their earlier rigid gaze, they now showed some agitation.

Daisy had never seen the twins anxious about failing a negotiation before.

Asena spoke.

“…If you give up our brother… I’ll provide support for the Hexter family. You’re struggling with plague and famine, aren’t you?”

Daisy once again indicated her refusal.

“…If we keep relying on other families’ power, our entire family will be shaken. That’s why we’ve been enduring with our own strength until now. And… we’ve entered a period of stability thanks to Caden’s gift. I decline your offer.”

-Grab!

As soon as Daisy finished speaking, Kirsy’s hand shot out and gripped Daisy’s sleeve near her forearm.

Having received hostile looks from Kirsy all along, Daisy steeled herself, preparing for hurtful words.

But instead of speaking, Kirsy lowered her head, hiding her expression.

“…..”

As Daisy wondered what was happening, something dripped from Kirsy’s face onto the floor.

Tears.

“…Please… Daisy. Please…”

Only at the last moment did Kirsy begin to plead.

In the end, what shook Daisy wasn’t their threatening words or intimidation.

It was Kirsy’s emotional tears.

Daisy’s heart began to ache.

For the first time, she tried to understand Kirsy’s feelings, which she had been reluctant to comprehend.

How much must she love Caden to be like this? How must these two have felt, having to reveal their feelings to others despite knowing it was an impossible love? How much must they have depended on Caden, who had been their support since childhood?

How many things must have happened between them until they fell in love with their brother?

How must they feel now that Caden was trying to leave?

Daisy’s hardened expression began to soften.

Her eyes drooped at the corners, and her pupils darted back and forth.

Finding it difficult to bear this atmosphere, she finally said:

“…I’m sorry.”

Kirsy’s movements stiffened, as if she had given up on persuading Daisy.

She wiped her eyes and raised her head.

Then, nodding, she twisted the doorknob and opened the door.

****

Back in her room, Kirsy wiped away her cold tears and lay down on the bed.

Perhaps because she had shown tears to her rival, no more tears would come.

But… she finally felt pitiful for being left behind. She might growl and threaten others, pretending to be strong, pretending to be a Praester, but she knew better than anyone how weak she truly was.

And just as much, how cowardly and ugly.

What fault did Daisy have? From her perspective, she had simply found her fiancé in a very natural way.

If there was a bad person, it was herself for interfering in their relationship.

She didn’t want to become this ugly. No one would want to be like this.

But she had no choice. This was the only solution that came to mind.

If she didn’t do even this, she felt she would truly lose Caden.

Her heart felt heavy and tight. It was like being trapped in a deep cave with no visible exit.

Knowing that staying still meant ruin, she kept moving forward, but she couldn’t tell if this direction led to an exit or deeper into the abyss.

…But from her current feelings, it seemed like the latter.

So all she could do was pray that she was wrong. She couldn’t stop walking, and she couldn’t turn back.

She only wanted one thing.

If only she could have Caden.

She knew Asena felt the same way.

Her expression hadn’t softened even by the time they returned to the dormitory. Though she wasn’t sure, Asena seemed to be tasting bitterness from her behavior toward Daisy.

At times like this, Kirsy recalled moments at the Praester territory.

It wasn’t that long ago, but she realized how naive she had been then.

She had been so excited about the Academy and wanted new friends.

Now she realized all she needed was Caden alone.

And this place that was trying to take him away… was nothing short of hell.

Kirsy closed her eyes weakly.

It was a night when she missed Caden’s warmth more than ever. Him stroking her head. Him pinching her cheek. Him kissing her cheek and saying good night. Him hugging her tightly, patting her back as she fell asleep. Him offering his arm as a pillow.

If just one of these could be given to her at this moment, she would want for nothing.

Kirsy gradually drifted off to sleep.

And she had a dream.

In that dream, Caden was not her brother. Nor was he a Praester.

He was just a man from another family.

She naturally became close to Caden and dreamed of whispering words of love with him.

A wholesome relationship that didn’t cross any moral lines.

A normal relationship with no obstacles ahead.

Naturally becoming close to him. Naturally holding his hand. Naturally kissing him.

She dreamed a very happy, yet fleeting dream.