CH 61

Chapter 61: Alliance (4)

“….you saw it?”

Keirsey swallowed her saliva in response to Asena's confident demeanor. Even though she wanted to say something in reply, she couldn't.

Having captured her red-handedly, Keirsey knew that no matter what excuse Asena gave, she wouldn't be deceived. However, she didn't expect things to turn out like this.

“…Unnie…what are you doing?”

"...I was just giving him a peck on the cheek."

"...That's a lie. You were kissing."

"...You knew. Why did you bother asking, then?"

Asena's audacity went beyond limits. Keirsey could only feel a sense of disappointment at Asena's absurd response.

“….Unnie, what are…”

"Close the door and leave, Keirsey. Let's talk later."

Asena exerted oppressive pressure on Keirsey with a sense of intimidation that naturally emanated from her body.

Keirsey’s heart was pounding under the pressure. But if she closed the door and left, she could clearly imagine what Asena would do to Cayden. 

No, she couldn't just leave things as they were.

It felt as if in Asena's eyes, her kissing Cayden was something natural. And she was treating Keirsey as an unrelated person.

As far as a peck was concerned, Keirsey didn't have any thoughts about it. No matter how much Asena pecked on Cayden’s neck or cheek, it was something acceptable as she had been doing it since they were children.

But a kiss... It wasn't that. It was undoubtedly an expression of affection reserved for lovers. As she read the book, she realized, imagined, and understood that concept clearly. Therefore, it couldn't be treated so lightly.

When someone kisses Cayden. Not a peck, but a kiss… Keirsey’s heart felt suffocating. She hated this feeling.

Because a kiss is something you do with the person you love… The fact that Asena kissed Cayden was something unacceptable in Keirsey's eyes.

"...what will you do if I leave?"

Keirsey finally spoke… without moving.

“……You saw it.”

“Unnie… Right, Oppa is asleep. How can you do that without his permission?”

It definitely wasn't something they had agreed upon. Keirsey briefly considered the possibility that Cayden might have already given his permission, but Asena's startled expression and Cayden’s soundly sleeping face made it clear that it wasn't the case.

“Speak whatever you want. I don't care. Stop disturbing me now.”

Now, Keirsey finally understood why siblings shouldn't love each other.

Of course, Keirsey knew about Asena's infatuation. She recognized it because she was in the same situation, having feelings for a sibling.

But witnessing Cayden and Asena's kiss like this, she felt it couldn't be more wrong.

‘Lies.’

At that moment, a whisper echoed in Keirsey's ears.

‘You just don't like the fact that it's not you who's kissing your brother.’

Keirsey forcefully ignored the voice echoing in her head and glared at Asena again.

"For now... Let's go out. I think Oppa might wake up."

At those words, Asena gently looked at Cayden. Her expression softened, and the appearance of a woman deeply in love emerged. 

She tenderly caressed Cayden’s face and spoke to Keirsey with a confident expression.

"...It's okay. Oppa won't wake up in this state, no matter what."

Upon hearing those words, Keirsey was convinced that this wasn't the first time for Asena. A burning sensation ignited within her chest.

The two engaged in a fierce standoff for a while. Asena was the first one to break the standoff and turn around.

"Go back. It's a waste of time. Opportunities like this... are rare lately."

Asena began to lean towards sleeping Cayden once again.

Her movements were so natural. It was as if she was an animal preparing to pounce, behaving as if she had to do it for her own survival.

Her mouth reached his.

“Unnie.”

For an instant, Asena felt as if hands emerged from Keirsey’s words and grabbed hold of her.

Her body froze.

She turned her head only to see Keirsey’s ominous expression. It was a sight she had never seen before.

Her once gentle and innocent younger sister looked as if she had turned into a completely different person… Asena felt Keirsey finally looked like a proper Pryster.

Keirsey, who seemed to emit an eerie aura from her eyes, spoke to Asena.

"...Kissing is an act that should be done when both people love each other the most."

“…I know.”

"Then, it shouldn't be you, Unnie. I'm the one Oppa loves the most."

In the end, Asena couldn't ignore those words and straightened, slowly turning her body to face Keirsey.

Keirsey’s words seemed to imply that it should be her, not Asena, who should be kissing him.

“...who said Oppa loves you the most?”

"As a head, you were probably too busy to notice... but just the memories Oppa and I built when you weren't around are piled up like a mountain. It's even more surprising that you don't know. When he looks at me... can't you see the change in his eyes?"

"...Well, he certainly finds you cute. But that's different from love. Love isn't based on how much time you spent together either."

“……”

Keirsey clenched her teeth. Asena spoke coldly without stopping.

"...You know it too. He loves us, but only as siblings. He doesn't see us as women. So, get rid of the nonsense that you're loved the most."

“…If you know that, then you shouldn't be kissing even more.”

They had never openly confessed their feelings to each other, yet both were keenly aware of their shared love for Cayden. This unspoken understanding formed the basis of their conversation; the depth of their affection was so palpable that words seemed unnecessary

Asena let out a shallow sigh. She turned her head slightly in frustration, blinked her eyes, and began to express her honest feelings.

"Keirsey, let's be honest with each other. I know that you've been absentmindedly staring at Oppa’s lips lately. Do you have the right to curse at me? Isn't it just because it's me and not you?"

As her true feelings were exposed, Keirsey clenched her fist tightly and blushed.

“…………”

“…but it’s no big deal. I was the one to love Oppa first. As the head of the family, I will find another partner for you, so stop thinking about your brother and let go of your feelings.”

Keirsey momentarily digested Asena's words and let out a snort.

"...Ha, why are you so irresponsible, Unnie?"

“….What?”

"Just as you said, you're the head, Unnie. You should enter into a marriage that benefits the family. What good does it do to love Oppa? Can you even marry him, your own brother? It's you who should be closing off your heart."

"Don’t you know why I tried to drive him out of the family?"

"I know. But it was ridiculous. It seemed like you were having empty dreams. And still, you're not benefiting the family in any way, just like before."

Keirsey hadn't said a word about how Cayden’s exile from the family would benefit herself instead, but Asena's plan still made her a little uncomfortable.

“When you become the head of the family and say that you will not be able to get married by her arrangement… I think Grandma Liana would be very pleased. ”

In response to Keirsey’s sarcastic remark, Asena casually replied, "Then you do it… Be the head."

"........Huh?"

"I don't mind. We're twins. It won't cause any problems if you do it. You become the head and sacrifice yourself for the sake of the family, just as you said."

“……”

"To be honest, I don't care about the family. I just... want Oppa. If it's for that, I'm willing to do anything."

Keirsey could fully understand Asena’s words. Because she too felt the same.

...But that didn't mean she could tolerate it.

“Unnie.”

"And let me warn you, don't even think about coveting him... I can tolerate your current actions. Don't be greedy for more... Don't worry. If my plans work out, nothing will change in your relationship with him. He'll still treat you as his sister. The one who will change is me. I'll become his... most precious woman. We'll kiss every day... and even have children..."

Asena couldn't control her words. Her unspoken feelings poured out. No matter if Keirsey were her twin, she still felt a faint but accumulating jealousy towards the other woman who could express affection to her Oppa without hesitation. Especially when Asena had to work as the head and Keirsey could go out and have fun with Cayden. At those times, she clearly envied and resented Keirsey.

Even though she suppressed her feelings usually by kissing Cayden at night... Still, she said those things to vent her pent-up emotions. 

She was someone who didn't always act emotionally. But whenever Cayden was involved, her emotions would burst out. 

As if to irritate Keirsey, Asena spoke:

"...My children with Oppa. I think they will be adorable. Won't they become a great Pryster like Grandpa Aiden?"

Keirsey’s heart bubbled up at Asena's declaration. It was the first time Asena spoke so blatantly. It felt like she had become a different person.

And in response to Asena's words, Keiresey felt intense anger for the first time in a long while. She never expected to feel such emotions towards Asena though.

In the end, Keirsey uttered childish words that would hurt Asena the most.

"Unnie, wake up. Oppa has never liked you. If he did, why couldn't you reconcile first when we fought recently?"

Asena’s eyebrows twitched.

“But what about me? We reconciled shortly afterward, which clearly shows that you have no chance. Don't rush headlong into something that will only result in pain.”

Asena clenched her teeth and suppressed her anger. She tried not to show it, but Keirsey’s words contained a sting that couldn't be easily ignored.

Finally, Asena too spoke coldly to Keirsey.

"...It's okay. After all, Oppa’s first kiss belongs to me. Oh, and the thousands of kisses that followed."

“……”

This time, Keirsey glared at Asena. It didn't have a significant impact on Asena, but Keirsey’s face and the atmosphere around her clearly resembled the snake of the Pryster emblem.

“…you will never know for the rest of your life, Keirsey. Oppa’s tongue…how pleasant it is.”

“So what? You did it while Oppa was asleep… Can’t you feel any remorse?”

"After having sentenced hundreds of criminals to death as the head, do you think I would feel that? You don't know... Keirsey. When I kiss Oppa... I don't have any other thoughts, I'm just happy. I can't explain it in words."

"......Hmph."

Keirsey closed her eyes, suppressed her anger, and spoke with a trembling voice, suggesting to Asena.

"It's not going to work… Let's go back to the dormitory. If we stay here... we might wake him up."

"He won't wake up at all, but… fine."

Asena looked at Cayden and skillfully wiped away the saliva on his lips.

Upon seeing that, Keirsey couldn't bear it any longer and left the room first.

In the end, the two returned to the dormitory while Cayden was still sound asleep.