Chapter 44: Shining Knight (2)

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Even the next day, Cayden did not give up courtesy towards the twins.

Asena and Keirsey became more and more suffocated, and it seemed that something was dying inside of them.

As it went on, it became difficult to get closer to him, and they felt like they were getting farther and farther apart.

Everything went according to Cayden’s plan, which was to keep a distance, but the twins had no way of knowing.

Keirsey had a lot of time to play with herself. If she was not satisfied with reality, she would fall into memories.

If she imagined it like that, she could enjoy happiness for a while, but when that imagination was over, she had to feel the pain again because of the gap between reality and her imagination.

They had to look at Cayden from a distance.

Cayden told Keirsey and Asena not to interfere with his routine.

As Cayden and Daisy were walking somewhere, Keirsey’s eyes were fixed on them.

Lately, she had to see the woman she hated the most, or the most envious of, and the man she loved the most, ignore her like she was the wind.

'When will this pain end?' Keirsey thought. 

Still, Cayden didn’t seem to want to approach her, and Keirsey became empty as the days went by without him.

Keirsey herself knew why he didn’t forgive them so easily.

They suppressed him and spread bad rumors about him. It was Karma.

Keirsey wondered what was in his mind. Seeing that he didn’t forgive them meant he already hated them. A few days ago, while she was sleeping in his bed, he stroked her hair, but she was still anxious.

She didn’t like this situation that kept getting awkward with him.

“…..”

It felt like something had to be done. He told her not to interrupt his routine… So she’ll just have to approach him when he was free. With that in mind, Keirsey made a plan.

✧ ✧ ✧

I finished my work today.

Even though I distanced myself from the twins, nothing seemed much stressful for me.

Rather, a new kind of fun greeted me.

Since I had already made up my mind to leave the family, the parts I had to endure were gone and I was able to act more confidently.

Occasionally, when the young girls approached me, we talked naturally. When Keirsey and Asena hid me, it was an act I could never have imagined. I felt little happiness at the part where I could gradually reveal myself.

Today was a good day in that respect. I got to know a lot of people unlike I did at the prom, and the rest of the time I talked with Judy and Daisy to relieve my boredom.

As I was walking around the women’s dormitory, a voice called out to me.

“…Oppa.”

Keirsey suddenly appeared like a rabbit appearing through the grass.

“Keirsey…….Lady.”

Because I was momentarily embarrassed, I almost called her Keirsey, but I managed to add the word lady and distanced myself from her once more.

Maybe she was used to it now too, as she wasn’t too agitated.

“…Oppa, it's off tomorrow.”

“That’s right.”

“…Then, I’ll make lunch tomorrow, so give me time.”

“Lunch…?”

I was surprised by her sudden words, but it was also true that I was interested.

“…Really, now is the time to reconcile. I'll make lunch for you tomorrow, let's eat it and reconcile.”

“……”

I looked at Keirsey. Recently, the twins did not appear much in front of me, so I looked at Keirsey this closely after a long time.

She definitely looked depressed and lifeless. She seemed to have suffered a lot. Was she like this just because I used the respectful tone?

I felt a strange sense of shame. The sense of betrayal I had felt was bigger and more painful. Comparing them, the size of this pain seemed timid, but it was pain nonetheless.

I didn’t gossip about them, I wasn’t ashamed of them, and I didn’t suppress or pressure them. I was just talking in a respectful tone.

But it made me feel like a bad person as she showed up with such a pitiful appearance…

Of course, the amount of pain one feels for the same reason varies from person to person. So I believe Keirsey's condition was like this because she liked me that much.

But I loved them as well. The pain I had to feel when I was betrayed by such loved ones was quite fatal.

But at the same time, I also felt pity towards Keirsey who sneaked into my bed a few days ago. Maybe now was the time to forgive.

Two emotions were wrestling in my heart. I felt unjust, but I was also sorry for making it so difficult for them.

“……”

When I didn’t answer, Keirsey reached out and carefully grabbed my sleeve. It was definitely different from how she used to be.

“……..please. Let go of your anger now.”

“……ha..”

I sighed helplessly. I also loosened my stiff face and looked at Keirsey with a relaxed look like before. Perhaps she was relieved by this familiar expression, she immediately lowered her hand and took my hand into hers.

I finally showed a smile that showed the bitterness I had been hiding.

“…you said tomorrow?”

“….yes. I’ll make something delicious for you.”

“Do you know how to cook?”

“…I don’t know, I’ll try.”

“….All right.”

I finally nodded my head.

Keirsey blinked and asked carefully in a voice that became brighter.

“..really…?”

“Yes.”

“Then… will you eat the food I made and be the way you were before?”

“Unless something happens again tomorrow.”

Keirsey’s hand, holding my hand, gained strength.

“…I will try my best tomorrow.”

Seeing her like this, I decided; As promised, let’s go back to normal tomorrow! It seems like it will still take some time with Asena, but it is time to reconcile with Keirsey.

In fact, it wasn’t something I wanted to hold on to for so long. It was because I was a little nervous until I started. I showed them how I got angry for a while, and after a while, I tried to quit.

But...  Asena’s deviation...

And as I watched Keirsey sleeping, such thoughts came to me that somehow I ended up using a respectful speech for so long.

I stroked Keirsey’s forehead after a long time.

“I know.”

Keirsey was startled by my hand, then wept and smiled simultaneously.

✧ ✧ ✧

Keirsey only ate breakfast and went to the academy’s kitchen. A day before, right after she made an appointment with Cayden, she was able to rent a corner of the kitchen by talking with the person in charge.

In fact, she could have done more with her power, but Keirsey didn’t want to disturb everyone.

She only needed one person to help her.

And she asked Ewin for help, who had made lunch for her and Cayden when they went on a ride with Storm.

“…this… like this?”

Keirsey carefully cut the onion with a knife. Her eyes were teary and her fingers were a little sore, but she did not give up. As for the ingredients, this was the last. The knife was also the last, accordingly.

Ewin nodded with a puzzled face and said.

“Yes..! Yes..C...Concentrate…Careful…Yes, you are doing well.”

Even with the preparation of ingredients, which was completed quickly by the chef, progress was being delayed due to Keirsey’s sense of duty to do it all by herself. Keirsey only asked Ewin for guidance, and she was making everything by her hand.

Ewin looked at her like that and thought that she was a strange person. It was unusual for nobles to be respectful towards commoners and cooking in a kitchen that they never wanted to enter…

Being such an unusual person, Ewin had no choice but to evaluate her positively.

“..Now, put all the ingredients and stir it over low heat to make the sauce.”

“…Phew..”

After cutting all the ingredients and putting them in the boiling pot, Keirsey took a break, wiping away the sweat. Now the time had come for the sauce to be prepared over low heat and for her to wait for a while.

After a brief moment, Keirsey smiled and thanked Ewin.

“Thank you. I just increased your work.”

“Ah…! No..! That…”

“…?”

“Actually, I’m comfortable doing this here… Normally, I’m just doing chores.”

“…Is there any harassment?”

At Keirsey’s question, Ewin waved her hand in confusion.

“No! No! No, it’s because I’m the youngest who just came here...”

“How old are you?”

“I’m 20.”

“Oh, you’re the same age as me, Ewin.”

Keirsey smiled softly. Ewin smiled at the same time. Ewin suddenly had the courage to ask a question in this relaxed atmosphere.

“That……..”

“It’s Keirsey.”

“..Keirsey-sama, but…is there a reason you are cooking yourself today?”

“……”

“Ah…if it’s a difficult question, you don’t have to answer…!”

“Ahaha… that’s not it.”

Keirsey gradually erased her smile and took a deep breath. Ewin focused on Keirsey the whole time.

“…Today, I’m actually making food for my Oppa.”

“…yes.”

“I made a big mistake. Normally, he forgives him quickly, but this time he is quite angry, so it is not easy to relieve his anger.”

“So, are you preparing food?”

“Yes. Tomato pasta is one of my brother’s favorite dishes.”

“Wow… you're apologizing to your older brother like this… you seem to like your older brother a lot.”

“……”

Keirsey remained silent for a moment, looking straight at Ewin, she decided to be honest after a long time.

“…Yes. I like him a lot.”

“…I'm envious.”

Ewin whispered involuntarily.

It wasn’t something Keirsey would miss. She smiled kindly and asked her.

“…Is Ewin the only child?”

It was a question she asked because Ewin seemed to admire her brother.

However, Ewin showed a lukewarm reaction and smiled vaguely.

“…that…I am an orphan.”

Keirsey covered her mouth.

“Ah..! I’m sorry. I was insensitive.”

Ewin clapped her hand in surprise at that again.

“No! No! don’t apologize to me. It’s not like I was envious because of that…”

Ewin became silent for a moment as if she was immersed in thought.

The sauce on top of the pasta made a bubbling sound. An acidic but sweet aroma was gradually blooming.

In the midst of this, a serious conversation blossomed between the two.

Ewin said carefully, breaking the long silence.

“…Actually, I also had an older brother.”

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