CH 71

Chapter 71: Paralysis (3)

I waited for Asena's conversation to end while standing by Keirsey and Judy's side.

But even so, my mind was filled with countless thoughts, and a burst of inexplicable laughter was about to burst out.

Keirsey, who had cried in my arms, pleading not to leave yesterday, and my fiancée, whose house I would be leaving for, both being by my side… there couldn't be a more bizarre sight than this.

Keirsey seemed calmer compared to yesterday, but her actions revealed that her emotions were still present.

Standing between me and Judy, she seemed as if she wanted to protect me from her.

Moreover, she stayed too close to me, making me conscious of people's gazes.

"...Keirsey, step back a little."

"......"

Even when I softly asked her to do so, she didn't respond at all.

"Keirsey, listen to Oppa."

As I gently pitched her cheek with my hand and tried to calm her down again, she ignored my touch and disregarded my words. She didn't even care if her cheek changed shape under my touch.

In a way, it felt like I could sense her desperate heart, but at the same time, it seemed like a cute tantrum, so I lightly pinched her cheek and gave up.

"......"

At the same time, my eyes kept glancing at Judy; Despite pretending to focus on Keirsey, my attention was constantly drawn to Judy.

Since the moment when Grandma said that I would marry Judy, it was the first time I saw her. Seeing her also feeling awkward like me, it seemed like she was conscious of me as well.

Starting as friends and being tied by a political engagement, I didn't know how to treat her.

It wasn't that I disliked her, but the sudden closeness of emotions made it uncomfortable to breathe. Although… it might become familiar and eventually an irreplaceable closeness, who knows.

I pondered how to strike up a conversation with her and ended up just staring at her.

Should I greet her in a familiar way?

Or should I break this awkward atmosphere with a gentle joke?

In my heart, I wanted to make a joke, but since it was also my first time, my mind went blank, and I couldn't come up with an interesting joke.

If all of us acted foolishly, it would only ruin the atmosphere for no reason.

"Oppa."

As I continued to gaze at Judy for a while, Keirsey, who had been maintaining silence, called me.

"Uh... Yes?"

"......."

"Why?"

"....."

Keirsey called me but didn't say anything. I wondered if it was because I had been looking at Judy for a long time.

Was she afraid of me leaving so much that she even hated this situation?

However, just because she finds her annoying, I didn't want to avoid looking at Judy altogether. It's a bit much not being able to see the face of the person who will be my future wife.

Once again, I lightly patted Keirsey's cheek, and I awkwardly cleared my throat.

First, I felt like I should break this awkward atmosphere with Judy.

"Ju-"

"-Oppa."

Just as I was about to call Judy, Keirsey intervened again.

"...Let me borrow your ear."

At Keirsey's request, Judy, who had been standing awkwardly, also glanced at me. As our eyes met, we both turned our heads slightly.

Keirsey's face twisted into a bewildered expression, observing our awkward interaction.

She held my shoulder and pulled me closer, lowering her voice into my ear.

"Keirsey, it’s-"

"-Oppa, don't. Don't do that."

Not understanding the context for a moment, I asked Keirsey in confusion.

"What?"

"What's happening between you and Judy right now."

"But we didn't do anything...?"

"You're standing awkwardly, looking at each other...!"

"Well... it's awkward, so there's nothing we can do... She's my fiancée-"

"-Oppa, just stop it. I don't want to hear you call her your fiancée."

"...Well, I mean, she's my fiancée, so calling her my fiancée..."

In the midst of preparing to retort to Keirsey's obvious remark, her expression became more vivid as we got closer.

She looked up at me as if she was about to shed tears. It's inappropriate to have this thought right now, but it also felt somewhat cute.

In the end, instead of making her cry, I let out a sigh and resolved to give in.

It seemed like she needed more time. It's just a matter of slowly preparing for separation.

Yeah. Since I'm leaving because of their actions instead of some other reason, it must be hard for them to accept.

But someday, I think there will come a moment when they’ll be grateful that I became a part of the Ice family.

They will come to realize how much of a strength it is to have a channel of communication with a rival family.

Finally, I wiped her face with one hand.

"Ah."

Keirsey squinted her eyes at my touch. There were moist tears on my hand as I stroked her face.

"Stop crying. If you keep crying like this, what are we going to do?"

"Then just don't leave."

"It's still too early to start this conversation. Relax. Got it?"

"..."

In the end, I gave up on talking to Judy. Since classes were about to start anyway, everyone would go inside, and it wouldn't be too late to talk then.

At that moment, whether the conversation was over or not, Asena started walking toward me.

After patting Keirsey's head once, I started walking toward Daisy. Of course, she would also go into the classroom soon, so it didn't have much meaning. But still, I felt like it was necessary to say goodbye.

It would probably ease her discomfort a bit. The more uncomfortable she seemed, the more I felt the need to take care of her perfectly.

...Well, even this feels complicated. Daisy said it wasn’t the case, but I could sense that her mood hasn't been great since I told her about Judy being my fiancée.

During that time, as much as she supported me emotionally, I also showed various favors to my favorite character, which I now realized could become poison.

Of course, it doesn't seem like her mood is that serious.

Still, seeing her act like that, I wondered if she also had some feelings for me.

If I were to guess, maybe she feels a sense of betrayal, like when you find out the long-time beloved idol actually liked someone else... Perhaps, like that?

"Is the conversation over?"

I lightly asked Asena as she approached me, and as I passed by her to go to Daisy,

-Grip.

"?"

Asena suddenly grabbed my wrist. And in that state, she led me.

"... Where are we going, Asena?"

"From now on, you’ll be my escort, Oppa."

".... Huh?"

Asena dragged me around as if something urgent came up.

When I forcefully stopped my body, she was pulled towards me due to the recoil.

"Asena, what’s going on?"

Feeling confused, I turned to Daisy, but she entered the classroom without saying a word.

She seemed much angrier than I thought. If I get a chance later, I should properly calm her down.

“…I changed my escort for a while. You will escort me, and Judy will escort Daisy.”

Asena said loud enough for Judy to hear. Judy gently rolled her eyes and nodded.

I knew that the reason she silently agreed was because of the awkward situation between us.

"Why?"

Curious about the reason, I asked Asena.

She gently placed her hands on my shoulders and whispered into my ear.

"... Oppa, you know, I'm against your marriage."

"......"

"I don't like the fact that Judy is from the Ice family, and I hate it even more that you have to leave."

"... Asena, even so, I'm going to leave-"

"I know. I know that you're leaving, Oppa."

Contrary to Keirsey, Asena easily accepted it, which made me stupidly ask.

"... Huh?"

"I want to stop you even if I have to die... But how can I stop you? Besides, we'll just end up fighting."

"....... "

"I hate that even more. So... I get it. But, Oppa."

".... Tell me."

"If you're going to leave us... Can you give us some time to prepare?"

"..... Time?"

"Instead of leaving us all at once, gradually... build up our last memories and give us time to accept the farewell."

"... Asena, there's still over a year left."

"And the time we knew each other is ten years."

"........"

"So, please start by being my escort. Stick with me a little longer. Can't you do that much?"

Asena's breath tickled my neck. Her gentle tone continued to lower my guard.

I had the same thought as her. Just as Keirsey would have a hard time accepting this situation, I thought I should prepare for the separation step by step.

But since Asena proposed it first, my heart quickly agreed.

Asena continued to explain.

"...And, I don't want to see Judy Ice right now."

"..."

"Oppa, you were injured not too long ago. Just stay by my side."

I couldn't find any reason to refuse.

I nodded and held Asena's shoulders, then let go of her and spoke.

"...Alright. Well... For how long should I change my escort duties?"

"I haven't thought about that. If I can accept Judy as... my sister-in-law, then maybe at that time?"

"...Okay, I understand."

After nodding, I looked at Judy to tell her about this conversation.

"Ju-"

"-Judy. As I mentioned earlier, you will escort Daisy Hexter from now on. It would be awkward for us to face each other when the engagement talks are held, so let's spend some time like this for now."

Asena interrupted me and explained the situation to Judy. Once again, Judy nodded without saying a word.

After the little issue was settled, I spoke to the twins.

"Now, go to class. I'll be waiting here."

But the twins shook their heads simultaneously.

They stood on both sides of me, bewildering me, and each held one of my arms.

Asena spoke.

"Oppa, we're skipping class today."

****

"...It's so nice."

Keirsey spoke while lying on my lap.

We found ourselves on a green grass field, gazing at the drifting clouds.

Asena was sitting next to me, leaning her head against my shoulder, and Keirsey was lying on my lap.

The twins skipped their classes.

I told them it wasn't allowed several times, but I couldn't resist their persistence.

They persuaded me with excuses like it's not a big deal to miss a day of classes because our grades are already high, we haven't gone out to have fun since you got hurt, the weather is nice today, and so on.

And to be honest, I felt good coming out with them. Before I knew it, they had prepared a snack basket and laid out a mat, reminding me of old memories.

The three of us used to take walks like this often.

When we were in the Pryster Territory and had nothing to do, we would come out for a leisurely walk on the vast meadow, sticking close to each other and spending time peacefully.

Even though it seemed like we weren't doing anything, the occasional conversations we had were enjoyable. And even if we didn't talk, we would sort out our thoughts individually or simply gaze at the beautiful scenery, melting away stress like melting snow.

We became so accustomed to these walks that looking at the wide plain together became the most serene moment for us.

It was only now I realized that I had never taken such a walk since coming to the academy.

I thought I was taking good care of my younger siblings, but looking back, we hadn't even taken a simple walk.

Feeling regretful, I gently stroked Keirsey's hair as she lay on my lap.

"...I want to be like this for the rest of my life."

Keirsey suddenly said. If it had been in a normal situation, I might have brushed it off, but I knew that she had deliberately conveyed her intentions with those words.

It was another plea for me to not leave.

"...You know that's difficult."

"..."

"But still, my heart will always be by your side."

"..."

Keirsey lifted her head from my lap and sat up.

Then, with her back turned to me, she started wiping her eyes.

It wasn't hard to realize that she was shedding tears.

And in that moment, she spoke in a bright voice.

"Oppa! Let's all take a nap together."

"Suddenly?"

"Why? We used to take naps at home a lot too."

"That's true. But today is not a holiday. You guys have to go back to class."

"Aren’t we skipping today?"

Asena also expressed what she wanted from the side. "...Oppa, I want to have tea."

"...Unnie, I said I wanted to take a nap first."

"...But we always have tea when we go for a walk."

As I hesitated for a moment, sparks began to fly between the twins.

I didn't want them to fight in this situation more than anything, so I intervened between them to calm the fight.

"Alright, let's stop. Then let's have tea and take a short nap. Got it?"

"...Yeah."

"Okay."

"But, Keirsey, Oppa doesn't feel very sleepy right now."

"...Then just let me lie down with you."

"If that's all."

Asena skillfully retrieved the tea cups and teapot from the snack basket with a gentle touch.

After lightly removing the cork stopper that was sealing the teapot, she started pouring the tea.

The fragrant aroma made me feel comfortable.

"Here, Oppa."

"Thank you."

"Keirsey too."

"Yeah."

I sniffed the aroma of the tea and quietly crawled over to a nearby tree, leaning my back against it.

Lying in the shade of the tree, sniffing the tea aroma, and gazing at the wide plain, my heart couldn't feel any more at ease than this.

Keirsey also sat next to me, stretching her legs neatly by my side.

"Hm. This tea smells good, Asena. What kind of tea is it?"

"It's white tea made from tea leaves that Grandma gave me as a gift."

"Did you make up with Grandma?"

"...Not yet."

"Hmm."

I continued sipping the tea and spoke to Asena in a hoarse voice.

"...Make up with Grandma quickly. She must be saying those things for your sake."

"......"

"...Asena?"

"...Okay. I'll do as you say, Oppa."

A cool breeze blew.

Indeed, as I stayed like this, the Pryster Territory kept coming to mind. I didn't think about it at that time, but now that I've left, I started to miss home. There seems to be no place as peaceful as there.

Still, if there's one fortunate thing, it's that when I came to this open field, I felt like I returned home.

I wonder why; I wasn't feeling particularly sleepy earlier, but drowsiness began to creep in.

"...Suddenly, I'm feeling sleepy. Keirsey, let's just take a nap together."

"....Yeah. If Oppa wakes up early, wake me up too?"

"Got it."

After making a light promise to each other, I closed my heavy eyelids as drowsiness overcame me.

*****

When Cayden fell asleep, the twins sat up.

"...Hey, how long will it last?"

Keirsey asked anxiously.

"...About three hours."

Asena replied dully.

She had secretly diluted the Mugwort juice into Cayden's tea.

Certainly, it became easier to seize the opportunity after making an alliance with Keirsey.

She didn't want to go this far, but she couldn't help herself from being consumed by jealousy.

She had seen it all while talking to Daisy; She had witnessed Cayden creating an awkward atmosphere with Judy.

...Awkward is an understatement; in other words, it created an exciting atmosphere.

Asena secretly envied it so much that Judy could naturally create that fluttering feeling with him.

Just thinking about it made Asena's head heat up. She had to exert all her strength to suppress her anger.

Asena naturally climbed on top of the sleeping Cayden.

"...Oppa, you can't go anywhere."

And she said, looking down at him as he slept soundly.

She gradually lowered her face.

At that moment, Keirsey's hand stopped her.

An irritated gaze shot from Asena towards Keirsey.

But Keirsey didn't back down. Even though it was the first time for her to sleep beside the sleeping Cayden, she swallowed her saliva and spoke directly to Asena.

"...I'll do it too."

"...It's your first time. Can you do it?"

Keirsey swallowed her saliva without answering. Her gaze spoke for her.

In the end, Asena let out a sigh as she leaned forward.

She didn't particularly like the idea of Keirsey tasting his lips, but she had no choice at the moment.

Immediately after, Asena tangled her hair in her ear. Then, without hesitation, she invaded his mouth with her own.

Then she pushed her tongue in, prying open his lips.

Keirsey turned her head and began to stare at the sky.