Wan (完)
He hadn’t been able to fully accept twins yet.
I still felt like they were brothers, making me feel some sort of guilt.
But pushing them away at the same time leaves me with even more discomfort.
I saw what they would be like without me.
In fact, it’s hard to say that this is a good form of love.
Unlike the love I approached first, like Judy and Daisy, the twins were in a position of acceptance.
As Asena felt for herself, I couldn’t fully accept their heavy love… but that too needs to be gradually changed.
As Asena said while crying, ‘How can we have siblings when we don’t have blood?’ All I have to do is change my inner perception.
When I finally made the choice, I was very relieved.
After that day, the twins did not make any hasty moves, nor did it feel burdensome.
Also, looking at the twins’ faces made me smile over and over again.
Even when he was still, Kirsi smiled softly about what was so good, and sometimes when he made eye contact with me, he blushed and averted his eyes.
Asena’s expression didn’t change much, but the darkness on her face was gradually disappearing.
To be sure, I also didn’t seem to see them with the usual sibling feelings when dealing with twins.
Is it after making a choice? There was no objection to their actions.
Rather, the more I looked, the more I was able to digest and absorb their hearts little by little.
*****
The time has come for Daisy and Judy to return home.
As many things have passed and the time to return to the academy is approaching, there are so many things to organize.
We returned to Freister’s estate to talk.
I wanted to make plans for the future first.
Grandma, twins, Daisy, Judy, Helen, Lawrence, Thane, etc…
Everyone got together and talked.
“So, who… becomes Mels?”
Liana asked Grandma.
She didn’t say anything about my choice, and she smiled and hugged me.
He seemed to understand my anguish before making that choice.
Sometimes I meet a benefactor like a grandmother… and I think it’s a good thing.
Kirsey speaks first.
“Me.”
Her words had resolute power.
“Kirsh Mels. The future is my name.”
Grandma Liana looked at Kirsi all the way, snorted and burst into laughter.
“Kirsi, you have no hesitation in giving up the name of Freister.”
Of course, Grandma knew that Kirsi wasn’t doing it out of bad intentions. Maybe that’s why she was smiling as if it was fun looking at Kirsi.
However, Kirsi, who was criticized, seemed embarrassed to reveal her deep heart, so she blushed and bowed her head.
“Is your brother, no, Kaden good like that?”
“……”
Kirsey didn’t have to answer. The red face that bowed down gave an answer instead.
She seemed excited about herself. He looked forward to the future and seemed unsure of what to do.
“I’m also thinking of becoming Mels.”
Judy intervened, too. She uses her knightly tone to face her grandmother’s pressure.
Grandma looked at Judy and nodded. I didn’t make fun of her like I did with Kirsi.
“……okay. It would be better than remaining as an ice maiden as a maiden.”
“…….yes.”
“I think I’m going to leave the Ice Territory.”
“…..yes. I also talked to my father. Permission was also easily obtained.”
Judy, who spoke those words, looked both sad and relieved.
Leaving the family where you felt the pain of being an illegitimate daughter, you are coming to me.
“Are you talking about entering the Mels family?”
“…My father agrees with that. I think you’re more comfortable with crossing the bridge, even if it’s just a semblance, than directly connecting with him…”
Grandma blinked for a moment as if recalling something, then nodded.
Next was Daisy.
“…….I….”
Grandma’s gaze shifts from Judy to Daisy.
It seemed like he was trying to hide it, but still, when he was dealing with Daisy, he was colder than when he was dealing with Judy.
Changes in facial expressions decrease, and stiffness increases.
Daisy spoke without hesitation.
“I think we should go back and talk.”
“…what do you mean?”
Grandma’s eyes grow colder.
Daisy flinched for a moment, then replied slowly.
“I’m not saying I don’t want to be connected with K and Kaden… As I am the eldest daughter, I think we should talk about whether to inherit Hexter or Mels. I feel like… I want to get Mels.”
“……”
At Daisy’s explanation, Grandma relaxed her expression and nodded her head.
As I sat right next to Daisy, I stroked her hand, comforting the negative emotions she might have felt.
Daisy looked at me as if she was so grateful for the touch.
The last one was naturally Asena.
The current head of Priest and the Duke.
Her eyes were fixed from the beginning of the story.
Still, knowing that it was his turn, he opened his mouth.
“…..I.”
And then it stops.
In fact, the answer was decided only for Asena.
She couldn’t take Mels’s name.
“……”
She would have known too. If it weren’t for her, there would be no one else to succeed Pryster.
However, the fact that had already been decided seemed difficult to spit out.
“……”
It had been a long time since I had seen her speechless for such a long time.
Especially in a place like this.
Asena’s eyes, unable to speak, found me.
Even though it didn’t make a huge difference just because she couldn’t match her name, she couldn’t speak easily.
…and I don’t know. Maybe they want Mels to abandon the surname that was tied by a brother and sister called Pryster and become entwined by a couple’s kite.
Her eyes then find Kirsi.
Those eyes that looked at Kirsi… were filled with deep envy.
“…whoah.”
Asena sighed afterward, and seemed to make up her mind.
“…I am Fryster.”
she says
Grandma and I just nodded.
– Druck!
At that moment, Asena stood up.
Everyone’s surprised eyes turned to her.
Asena hardened her expression and said quietly.
“…I’ll come get some air. You are talking.”
Then, he turned around and left the room.
It seemed like it was stressful that he couldn’t have the same last name as me.
-thud.
As she closes the door and leaves, there is an awkward silence for a moment.
“I will follow you.”
Finally, I get up and say.
No one objected there.
****
“Asena.”
I could catch her walking down the hallway.
She turned to me and opened her eyes very slightly larger.
Soon, he slowly turned around and took a step.
She said, hiding her expression from me.
“…I’m sorry, brother. Did the atmosphere get weird? Give me a little bit of time though.”
It wasn’t like her to be so emotional.
No matter how much the atmosphere of wanting to be alone, I couldn’t let it go.
No matter how much more time is still needed… If you have decided to take responsibility for the rest of your life, you have to act accordingly.
I let Asena go wherever she wanted to go.
Keep a distance and follow her.
She stopped until she walked to a nearby garden.
It was just the two of us in the garden.
As I followed her there, she turned around and hugged me for a moment as she noticed that there were no people around.
-puck!
“100 million!”
“……”
She speaks with a trembling body.
“…Keep thinking these days, brother. I wondered why I was born earlier.”
“……What?”
“If I had been born a little later, I could have acted and lived like Kirsi.”
“……”
“…As I said many times, I said I don’t need a family. If only I could be by your side.”
“….It did.”
I wrapped my arms around her discouraged and started stroking her. Just like before.
Asena was momentarily startled by the touch, twisting her body and bringing her body closer to me.
She has a charisma that overwhelms the air, and it touched something in my heart for her to show such aegyo to me.
I say that she is contemplating how to calm her mind.
“…Asena.”
“…..why.”
“Come to think of it, you and I have become the head of the same family.”
“……”
“I think I will ask you a lot if I need help in the future.”
“……”
“……So…I hope you… can help me a little bit.”
Asena remained silent for a moment, answering bluntly.
“…there’s Daisy too.”
I get sick of those words. It was a moment when words of comfort were not so helpful.
As such, I did a trick.
Even if it was empty words, he said something that would make her feel better.
He hugged her tighter, bowed his head and whispered into her ear.
“……I think it would be nice if you could help.”
“……”
“…can’t it?”
Asena raised her breathing in her arms. Again, I no longer felt repulsed by these actions. I wonder if my borders were not as thick as I said… I was able to accept her very comfortably.
Asena pushes me away and faces me.
She said, her face blushing slightly.
“….brother.”
“….yes?”
“I’ve already said that…but we’ve decided not to argue over him.”
“Well?”
“There is no end to fighting to win your brother’s love.”
“……”
“…I’ll ask you a favor like that.”
“yes. Say anything.”
“…As long as you’re alone with me, act like you love me the most.”
“…..”
I had no idea what she meant by saying this. Maybe it was because I realized that my words of comfort that I needed her help the most were somewhat empty words. Still, it makes me feel happy, so I’m asking this.
“…Like I said, I know you didn’t fully accept me. But…if one day my heart opens up…and when we’re alone…love me.”
Her earnest words shake her heart again. I felt like I was getting closer.
I looked at Asena with all my might, and answered, looking at Asena.
“……I will.”
“…Then… now… can you stay still?”
She knew what she wanted without having to say more.
So I moved first. Whether it was to listen to her wishes, to comfort her who was feeling anxious, or to make an effort on her own, or for some other reason, I did not know.
But, I lowered my head and first kissed Asena’s mouth lightly.
Her eyes widened and her mouth widened.
He looked at me with a very surprised expression.
“…Asena.”
“…Oh…Brother…”
She blushed and bowed her head. I was shy as if it was the first time.
“…I’ll take good care of you in the future.”
At my words, she hugged me again.
****
several tens of days have passed.
A lot of things have been sorted out.
Daisy gave up her position as heir and passed it on to her younger brother.
He decided to live as Mels, not Hexter.
Judy immediately packed up and got out of the ice. Although the marriage still failed, she no longer returned to the Ice’s estate.
Kirsi also entered Mels’ estate and started living by occupying a room.
They searched for me all the time…but that much, they gave me strength when I was busy.
Kirsey, who had a lot of charm, also gave a lot of help to the part that I was having a hard time with, whether it was political science or not.
They recruited new servants and maids, and began to restore the territory damaged by war.
The heavy atmosphere that has settled down is also gradually removed by catching criminals who have settled in.
I have been living such a busy life…
……I’m back at the academy.
Vacation is over now.
Not much had changed.
The appearance of the academy remained the same, and the wandering nobles did not change much.
The only thing that has changed is the pattern on my shoulder and the sword that no longer hangs from my waist. And it was the classroom I had to go into.
Now that I became a head of state, the class I had to take was politics.
Asena, Kirsi, Daisy and Judy were standing behind me.
Judy was still in the Knights Department…but she insisted on seeing me off.
As much as her department had changed, she was sad too, but she didn’t show it.
If you do, you know I’ll be joking again.
I took a deep breath and opened the door to the political science department.
Countless eyes found me.
A peasant from the common people. A knight who went to war.
I didn’t know how they were looking at me…but that wasn’t disrespect.
All in all, I thought it was a good start.
I take a step
– Tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuk.
Then, he greeted them.
“Take good care of me.”
Some people who already knew me smiled.
“It’s Kaden Mels.”
So, my family announced the beginning.
