Chapter 25: Don’t Turn Your Eyes Away From Me

Chapter 25: Don’t Turn Your Eyes Away From Me

Knock knock.

Sister.

The one knocking on the door was the same person I had been worrying about just a moment ago. As soon as I heard Cassadins voice, I unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, he didnt get caught.

After internally thanking him for just safely making it back to the mansion, I opened my mouth.

Come in.

In response, the door to my room opened.

Creak

The door slowly opened to reveal his figure. Thankfully, Cassadin had returned home unscathed.

His reflection in the moonlight felt different than usual for some reason. There must be something on his mind, as his entire body was letting off a gloomy aura, and his handsome face had a shadow drawn over it.

Cassadin, did you get hurt? Or are you sick?

I expressed my concern to my younger brother, but Cassadin just turned his head sideways.

Then, can you tell me whats troubling you?

I placed a teacup with freshly brewed tea in the hands of the tight-lipped man. But Cassadin just quietly stared down at the cup of tea in his hands.

Thats what family is for, after all.

With those words, Cassadins gaze rose from the teacup to my face. But the state of the eyes that stared back at me was as dry as the frigid winter winds.

Slowly, his sealed lips opened up.

Are we family?

His silver hair glittered in the moonlight. But the next words that came out of his mouth were ones that I couldnt predict.

Do you like green eyes, Sister?

For a moment, I thought my ears werent working properly.

What do you mean?

I asked if you liked green eyes.

So I didnt hear it wrong. But I couldnt just tell Cassadin I said that to Damian to make him flustered, though.

When I didnt respond, Cassadin continued, his voice sinking even deeper.

So thats why you went all the way to the prison.

He must have jumped to his own conclusions, as Cassadins gaze fell to the floor while he laughed coldly.

Do you not like me because I dont have green eyes?

Why is he saying that with a contorted face?

It cant be jealousy, could it? Or is he still putting on a mask for an act?

Well, either way, it didnt matter. The scars within his heart were likely to be as deep as the ones that had been on his body. I just had to continue caring for him as my precious younger brother.

I patted Cassadins toned back as if comforting a child.

Cassadin, of course not. Eye color has nothing to do with how I think of you.

Like the first day I brought him here, Cassadin quietly stared at my face, examining it. His purple eyes seemed especially dark today as the moonlight revealed their color.

Then why did you say such things in front of me?

Cassadin?

Hair as dark as the night sky, emerald eyes that must be stared at and picked straight out of the heavens. A sleek jawline with even a calming, tranquil voice that resonates like a cave.

Cassadin recited the exact words I said to Damian earlier today. I felt a little shiver run through my spine, hearing Cassadin cite each word, but I calmly responded to him.

Cassadin, the person I like the most is you.

Dont ever say something ridiculous, like about me liking green eyes, again. No matter what you look like, I will love you more than anyone else in the world.

Just like how a parent comforts an anxious child, I tightly embraced Cassadin.

I released him from my embrace to look back into his eyes, but for some reason, Cassadin was completely expressionless as he stared down at me, watching my every move.

Sister.

Cassadin swept his silver hair back frustratingly and bit his lower lip.

I advise you not to provoke me any further.

As Cassadin said that, it sounded like a growl was rumbling in the back of his throat.

I truly felt pity for my younger brother.

Poor Cassadin.

How he was trying not to reveal his weaknesses, pretending he wasnt kind by nature, made my heart ache for him.

Because it meant that although the physical wounds that once scarred Cassadins body were gone, there was still a complicated mess left inside his heart. Scars that had been ignored for so long that they had decayed.

It was heart-wrenching how Cassadin had to carry the burden of those scars alone.

Losing the trust he could give to others, he chose to walk down the path of a monster.

But no matter how big the teeth he bared seemed, he was still my soft-hearted, lovely younger brother.

Cassadin.

Im always on your side.

I smiled warmly as I looked at my one and only younger brother.

Contrary to my smiling expression, Cassadins scowl only deepened. He opened his mouth to talk, then closed it back up several times before he finally sighed softly.

I dont like you, Sister.

Its okay if you dont like me.

My answer must have been quite shocking to him, as Cassadins eyes widened in disbelief.

You can use me any time you want to.

So just promise me one thing in return.

I answered Cassadins cautious stare with a wide smile.

I wish you would stop hurting yourself.

Cassadin simply took a deep breath, then turned around. Then I asked the figure who was walking to the door of my room.

Are you leaving?

Yes.

He answered me quietly, then walked out of the room without looking back.

Clack

Only after I heard the door close did I let out a deep sigh. The glass shards from the teacup scattered on the ground seemed to represent Cassadins current state.

I lay on the bed. My younger brother was really hard to look after.

His acting skills were one of a kind. Then I pulled up the bedsheets over me and thought back to what he had said to me.

How many people have you tricked that way?

What number am I on your count?

I did somewhat agree with what Cassadin said. It was true that I ultimately took in Cassadin as a family to use him.

.But he also tricked me, didnt he?

Up front, he lovingly called me sister, but he attempted to kill the Crown Prince behind my back and tried to harm me.

Oh, what stories the Crown Prince of a fallen kingdom would have.

Not to mention that Cassadin hadnt told me a single thing about his past, so I had no choice but to investigate on my own.

Ill need to see this first thing tomorrow morning.

The paper with a map drawn on it that Sasha provided was hidden away in the drawer of my dressing table.

Hyran Kingdom.

The kingdom that Damians father had rendered to ash over a prophecy, and Cassadins homeland.

In order to learn about the past that Cassadin wouldnt tell me himself, I firmly decided to visit the location marked on the map. It wouldnt hurt to try.