CH 77

Chapter 77: Starting Point (5)

Until morning, Asena felt strangely happy as if her mood had soared.

Whether intentional or not, thanks to Keirsey’s actions, a rift was created between the families, and as a result, the engagement between Cayden and Judy was called off.

Although both Cayden and Judy wore expressions of dissatisfaction, it was a trivial matter.

Asena didn’t particularly like that Cayden showed interest in Judy, but considering his warm-hearted nature, she couldn’t help but think it might be an inevitable thing.

‘In fact, it may very well be an opportunity to get close to Oppa when he is heartbroken,’ She thought.

Of course, it was the plan that wasn’t put into practice, but she firmly believed it would work.

That’s why Asena wasn’t afraid of her Grandma’s call for the first time in a while. She thought she would probably be scolded for the events of yesterday. However, even if she was scolded, she didn’t think this happy feeling would disappear.

“....I’m sorry about yesterday, Cayden.”

Grandma started with those words.

Surprisingly, Cayden didn’t respond to her words. It seemed like he was conveying just how disappointed he was.

Cayden’s disappointed appearance for failing to marry Judy made Asena’s heart ache.

She was jealous of the affection Cayden had already given to Judy. She wished that love had been directed at her instead.

Asena wondered if Cayden would feel as hurt as she did if she experienced something similar for another man.

Perhaps... that wouldn’t be the case. She also knew that and, maybe that’s why, she was trying so hard.

“But... yes. It’s my fault for not considering the hostility between our families.”

Liana calmly spoke while sipping her tea. It seemed that there would be no reprimands for yesterday’s events.

“Spilling wine on Keirsey’s clothes and kicking her...”

Her gaze then shifted to Cayden’s neck.

“...calling a simple bug bite a kiss mark...”

Keirsey discreetly swallowed her saliva from the side. Until recently, she had hoped that the hickey would be more visible as her affection for Cayden, but now she was relieved that it didn’t leave such a noticeable mark.

Cayden swiped the red mark on his neck with his finger before answering.

“...that’s right. I was... quite offended.”

“It’s a pity that the engagement was canceled, but it might be for the best. We can’t send you away to such a family. Perhaps we have forced you to make a great sacrifice for the sake of peace.”

“No, Grandma. I wanted to leave too, as I mentioned before.”

“...”

Asena once again bit her lip at Cayden’s words. Whenever Cayden said he wanted to leave, it felt like a dagger was piercing her heart.

How could she ever turn those feelings around and when?

“Internally, I considered pursuing the Ice family and holding them accountable for this incident, but I have urgent matters to attend to personally, so I decided to let it go for now.”

Liana’s eyes glanced over the twins immediately.

It wasn’t difficult for Asena to guess what problem Liana had to resolve. It was probably about Asena’s and Keirsey’s feelings for their brother.

Liana continued.

“So, let’s endure this situation just once. I’m sorry, Cayden. You have to bear those insulting words about you...”

“It’s alright. Asena already poured wine on Nera Ice, didn’t she? That eased my mood a bit. And... I don’t want to create conflicts with Judy under the current circumstances.”

“...I see.”

Liana nodded.

She raised her teacup and enjoyed her tea before looking at everyone present.

And then, she dropped a bombshell.

“Cayden, I found your next fiancée.”

At her words, the twins both stood up simultaneously.

-Druckk!

“....Ah.”

“....G-Grandma.”

They couldn’t help but widen their eyes and mouths in disbelief.

But Liana remained calm.

“Sit down.”

It seemed like she had anticipated their reaction.

Cayden also looked bewildered along with the twins.

“...Grandma, so soon?”

“...I know you haven’t fully healed your heart yet. However, engagements don’t always wait for that. In the end, as long as the families agree, it can proceed.”

“.......?”

Liana extended her hand. Her wrinkled hands gently stroked Cayden’s hair.

“Cayden. I’m sorry to hurry everything. But… it is difficult for this grandmother to remain in this academy for long. So, I want to find a suitable girl for you before leaving. Please understand.”

“….Sigh… Okay. If it’s Grandma’s will… then I’ll follow.”

Cayden blinked in bewilderment but did not oppose Liana’s words. Although he seemed sad, Liana was grateful and proud of him.

“You also know the girl. The eldest daughter of the Hexter family… Daisy Hexter is your fiancee.”

Cayden blinked in surprise.

“...Daisy?”

“Yes. She seemed like a good girl, and I heard that you are good friends. Someone, you are already friends with should be a more suitable life partner for you, right?”

Keirsey, who couldn’t bear it any longer, intervened.

“T-This... This is not it.”

Liana, who had sent Cayden an apologetic glance, withdrew her expression and looked at Keirsey coldly.

Her gaze seemed to be scolding Keirsey’s affection for Cayden.

“What do you mean, ‘this is not it’?”

“Um... Oppa should also have some time to think... Uh, no, more than that, Daisy...?”

“...Keirsey.”

Cayden interjected.

“If it’s Grandma’s will...”

“No, I’m not okay!!”

Keirsey shouted with both fists clenched. Until morning, she had been in high spirits, but she couldn’t understand what this sudden thunderbolt was all about.

Cayden stood up and approached Keirsey, attempting to wipe away her flowing tears.

“…Now it’s time to get used to it…”

But just then, Liana, who had been observing from behind, intervened.

“Cayden, don’t wipe her tears.”

“.....What?”

“Whether they cry or not, throwing a tantrum won’t solve anything.”

Keirsey’s gaze began to turn fierce. Cayden couldn’t help but be surprised by that look.

It was a disrespectful gaze directed at none other than their Grandmother.

Cayden stepped in front of her and shielded her face from Liana, hiding her behavior from her.

But Keirsey didn’t stop.

“Grandma, when did I ever throw a tantrum?”

“.....”

“It’s just this one time. I used to listen well before...!”

“.....”

“Why won’t you even give in just once?!”

“Keirsey, you know it’s not just up to me.”

Keirsey’s gaze, hidden behind Cayden, finally subsided. She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Cayden.

“Oppa...”

“......”

“Just once... okay...? Please stop, don’t leave me...”

In that fleeting moment when his hand unknowingly moved towards Keirsey’s cheek, Liana stopped Cayden’s actions once again.

“Cayden.”

Just calling his name was enough.

He thought to himself, ‘Yeah, maybe they act this way because they keep receiving attention.’

Seeing him hesitate, Keirsey’s eyes filled with despair.

“Cayden. I’m sorry, but you have to go out for a while,” Liana said in an apologetic tone.

“……”

“I have to talk to the twins alone.”

Cayden closed his eyes tightly. Immediately after, he bowed his head to Liana and left the room.

After Cayden’s departure, the twins’ momentum grew even more ferocious. It was as if the last obstacle that had been stopping them had disappeared.

Liana, seeing the twins and feeling the depth of their love, was saddened by how desperate the situation was.

“I can’t fulfill your wishes.”

It was the first thing Liana said.

“Cayden will marry Daisy.”

Even after hearing those words, Asena didn’t waver.

“Grandma. If you love us, please bend to our wishes just this once.”

“...Ha. Are you asking for permission?”

“Yes.”

“Are you speaking after thinking?”

All three women’s gazes met in mid-air. Perhaps it was fortunate that Cayden had left this place; because the gazes of the three Prysters weren’t nice towards each other.

The icy gaze of the silver-haired Liana confronted the twins. No matter how much the twins acted like tigers in the Academy, they couldn’t beat Liana, who had lived as a Pryster the longest.

“As I said, this problem doesn’t end with my permission. Haven’t you considered the shock your brother will experience?”

“We will handle that problem ourselves. Why are you stopping us before we even try?”

“Because I know it won’t end well.”

“Even if it might not!”

Asena raised her voice. But then, suddenly aware that her words might reach Cayden outside, she glanced at her and spoke with a sincere tone.

“...Even so, I’ll give it a try. I don’t want to let go of my oppa without even trying.”

Suddenly, Keirsey approached Liana and fell to her knees by her side.

Trembling and shaking, she held Liana’s hand and rested her forehead on it.

“Please, Grandma... Please...”

Liana felt tears streaming down her hand. Eventually, even her gaze began to waver. It seemed the tears of her precious granddaughter were affecting her.

But she shook her head and spoke as if it pained her to say so. It was the wavering voice of Liana Pryster, which was rarely heard.

“...If you had come with Cayden and talked to me, I wouldn’t know.”

“.......?”

“If he loved you so much that he sought permission and blessings from me... If only...”

Liana couldn’t continue her sentence.

“...But that’s not the case. It’s one-sided love, and Cayden isn’t involved. That child... It’s time for him to be happy. Why do you want to drag him into hardship and adversity again?”

Keirsey whispered by Liana’s side.

“I can’t be without oppa... Really, I can’t...”

Listening to Keirsey’s plea, Liana exploded. It was as if she was trying to hide her emotions by raising her voice.

“In the first place, you couldn’t sort things out between yourselves!”

Liana spewed out fiery anger, then lowered her voice as Asena did, possibly to ensure Cayden couldn’t hear her.

“Even if I were to allow it, you wouldn’t be happy...”

With her voice lowered like that, the hidden agony resurfaced. Tears began to well up in the corners of Liana’s eyes.

“...Asena, will you be okay?”

“.......Yes?”

“...Keirsey, will you be okay?”

“.......?”

“Even if I allow it... You, as twins, won’t you fight over your oppa? Domestic discord is scarier than external enemies... I must prevent it...”

As Liana’s mask shattered piece by piece, only one woman remained, pondering and agonizing. A fragile woman who couldn’t make a decision and had hidden her true self except from her husband. Now, that side was exposed to even her granddaughters.

Keirsey lifted Liana’s hand and pressed it against her cheek.

“Grandma... I won’t fight with Unnie... Please... Don’t interfere with us anymore... Please stop sending oppa to other women...”

“......”

“It’s already so difficult to confess my feelings... Why do you make it even harder for us...”

Liana wiped her tears with her hand, then hardened her expression again. But despite her attempt to act tough again, the twins could not find the mighty Liana Pryster that they had felt before.

All they saw was an old woman who cared about them and her family.

Liana said.

“…Keirsey. I still can’t believe you even love Cayden. Think again. whether it is an illusion or not. If family love is too deep, you may mistake it for love of the opposite sex-”

“-Oppa’s neck.”

As soon as she heard those words, Liana took a deep breath.

Keirsey didn’t show any mercy while looking at the surprised Liana.

“...It’s not a bruise from a bug bite. It’s like Nera said... It’s a kiss mark.”

“K...Keirsey.”

“I left it. I left it, Grandma.”

“....Ahh...”

Liana pulled her hand away from Keirsey’s touch and covered her face.

Her shoulders trembled, as if her eyes, shielded by her hands, were shedding tears.

After a long time, Liana finally spoke, as if sighing.

“...Even so, it’s not possible. I’ve already settled things with the Hexter family.”

But even as her Grandma weakened before her eyes, Asena didn’t stop.

“...The Ice family... We remained still because our families were equally strong.”

“...What are you saying?”

“But the Hexter family is not the same. If they take oppa away from me… the Hexter family must be prepared.”

Even without explicitly stating what the Hexter family needed to prepare for, Liana easily deduced it.

However, even as Liana was weakened, she didn’t miss the weak point.

“...Then you and your brother will aim your swords at each other.”

“......”

“Cayden will already be with the Hexter family.”

“......”

“Love will wane. Empty threats won’t shake me.”

Liana slowly stood up. She said:

“...Let’s end it here for today. My head is too complicated.”

Keirsey spoke to her departing grandma.

“I... I told you, Grandma... Soon, I’ll be honest... I will confess my feelings to oppa.”

“.....”

“When that time comes... If things work out well... Please understand me at that time.”

After hearing Keirsey’s words, Liana hesitated for a while.

Then, without saying a word, she left the room.