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Chapter 22: Unknown knowledge (1)
Asena left the tent first as she couldn’t stand the words of Cayden who repeated that Daisy was the most beautiful girl; Asena should have been the prettiest.
In fact, she didn’t care who was objectively more beautiful. It was just annoying that she was not the best according to Cayden.
She was upset to the point that she couldn’t sleep at night.
“……”
So Asena, who hadn't fallen asleep and entered the student council room the next morning, had no choice but to be amazed.
“Oh, Asena?”
Daisy greeted her. But that wasn’t what caught Asena’s eyes.
It was a single flower on Daisy’s desk. It was placed in a cute bottle and showed off its subtle beauty.
It was the flower that Cayden gave Daisy as a gift on the previous day.
“…”
It was like putting salt in a wound. Asena didn't like this situation a bit and her heart felt like it was being twisted.
She didn’t understand how she should behave anymore. She wished Daisy would just take it and throw it away later. But she was treating the flower with care and respect as if it was a gift with a lot of meaning.
But Asena didn’t show any signs of her internal turmoil; It would be strange for the head of House Pryster to say something over such a trivial matter.
“…The president of the student council?”
Asena asked, instead of returning Daisy's greeting.
Lucille had asked the student council members to meet the next day of the jousting match before class to finish some work and Asena just wanted to get it done with. Because that flower kept bothering her.
“She went to the bathroom. She will be here soon.”
“…”
Asena’s eyes kept looking at the flower. Even if she didn't want to look at it, it kept attracting her attention.
This was the flower that Cayden carefully nurtured. He didn’t pick up anything that was hanging on the grass, but it was a flower he grew with love and affection, but... it was not hers.
She was relieved to some extent when he said that he had originally prepared two flowers for them. But in the end, the reality was that he did not give it to her; Another woman was enjoying the flower that should have been hers.
Daisy followed Asena’s blank gaze and exclaimed.
“Oh, this?” She asked with a shy smile. “…Isn’t it pretty?”
It must have been an innocent question, but there was no more offensive question to Asena.
Even if she tried to ignore it without responding, it was difficult because of her bloated stomach.
“….No.”
Asena spoke as bluntly as possible. As if that would sound like the truth. Then, Daisy’s interest in the flower would fade.
“…Ah… that… that’s right. Asena-sama doesn't like her brother very much, right?”
Daisy answered cautiously.
Asena looked up coldly into Daisy's eyes as she spoke freely.
“…I never said anything like that.”
“Uh? But—”
“—Just...”
Asena interrupted Daisy and said.
“...Don’t pay any attention... Don’t worry about our family.”
Asena was displeased. She didn’t want to have this conversation. She just wanted to leave quickly.
“……”
While scratching her head, Daisy spoke.
“…Well… there must be some complicated circumstances.”
“…..”
“Still, say thank you to your brother.”
Saying that Daisy sat down at her desk.
‘Never.’
Asena thought to herself. She had no intention of advancing their relationship, even if she had to deceive Cayden.
After their conversation ended, only silence remained.
Asena closed her eyes to suppress the unpleasant feeling. Recalling the good times with Cayden, she found some peace of mind.
Soon the door opened, and the rest of the student council members entered. Asena was busy controlling her emotions and did not welcome them.
‘I want to see you.’
She thought thinking of the conversations she would have with Cayden today.
‘I couldn’t even kiss you today-‘
In an instant, a voice that broke Asena’s thoughts rang out.
“Who is this? The most beautiful girl in the academy?”
A student council man joked with Daisy and laughed.
Asena opened her eyes without realizing it. She couldn’t help but see Daisy again.
The man continued to speak.
“Hey…I heard bad rumors, so I was curious about what kind of person he was… but Cayden-Sama seems like a pretty cool guy.”
[T/N: Here 'Sama' is being used for showing respect towards Cayden.]
“……Right.”
Asena gritted her teeth unknowingly. She just didn’t like Daisy’s answer so much.
The man did not know that though; He continued to run his mouth.
“So when are you both going on lunch, Daisy?”
At those words, Daisy didn’t smile, but neither waved her hand nor drew any sort of line.
…She just blushed and smiled shyly.
—Bang!!
Everyone’s eyes were drawn to the loud sound... It was Asena.
However, everyone had a doubtful face whether Asena made this sound. Asena rarely showed emotions, so it was hard to believe that the annoying, slamming of the desk they had just heard was done by her.
Asena got up with an expressionless face... as always.
“….Daisy.”
Everyone swallowed saliva at Duchess Pryster’s words. They knew it too that who in this academy should not be offended at any cost. This was a fact that they should have heard and should have been reminded of again and again by their parents.
“…Yes?”
However, only Daisy looked at Asena with unshaken eyes, unlike the others.
If there was a sway in her eyes, it was that she was worried about Asena’s feelings from a humane level and cared for them... not fear.
“That flower...”
Asena said, unable to bear it any longer.
“…The smell gives me a headache.”
✧ ✧ ✧
After the class was over, Keirsey called Daisy. Asena was also there.
“Keirsey, why?”
Daisy, being led by Keirsey’s hand, could not understand what was so urgent; The three women were sprinting to a secluded place as everyone left for dinner.
After reaching the bottom of the stairs in the long empty hallway, Asena and Keirsey cornered Daisy against the wall and stood in front of her.
In a way, it was a scary situation, so Keirsey smiled in embarrassment and started the conversation.
“…Ahaha…I’m sorry Daisy. Give me some time.”
“Yes. Take your time—”
Asena interrupted their conversation.
“—Before we begin, Daisy. I apologize for what happened this morning.”
She said with her back straight. There was no change in expression. But Daisy didn't mind. Instead, she was just surprised that Asena had apologized.
And if the family was as strong as the Prysters, they had to be careful about bowing their heads no matter how wrong they were.
To Daisy, who understood this, the Prysters' pride that they never make mistakes seemed to be the reason why Asena just apologized for her morning behavior.
“It’s okay. It’s my fault for not thinking about the scent of flowers anyway.”
The conversation that started with an apology eased the mood a bit. When that part was over, Keirsey began to speak.
“There’s one thing I don’t want you to misunderstand…”
Keirsey had been thinking about how to say this since the day before. It seemed like she had to explain it step by step so that Daisy could fully understand.
“…What?”
“Yesterday, my brother… I think you misunderstood him a little.”
“?”
Daisy tilted her head and her blonde hair ran down her shoulder.
“That… he said you were the prettiest. Ah! It’s not that you’re not pretty, but actually, he didn’t mean that way…”
Although Keirsey was usually polite with her friends, she spoke what she wanted to convey directly without hesitation.
Keirsey didn’t even think that she was saying something wrong. After all, the flower was originally meant for them so Cayden's actions must have been at the spur of the moment; He just didn't give those flowers to Asena and Keirsey because they didn't cheer for him.
“So… you shouldn’t be disappointed if you have strange expectations, so I thought to tell you first.”
“…What expectations?”
Keirsey didn’t think Daisy didn’t understand what she was saying; Daisy’s face, which gradually hardened, was also proof that she indeed understood Keirsey's words.
She didn’t show it, but for some reason, Daisy's hardened expressions annoyed Keirsey a lot; It was like Daisy was really looking forward to it.
“…..”
Keirsey swallowed her saliva. If there was one person she had been bothered with the most lately, it was Daisy. She wanted her to disappear.
…So, she drew out a card that she hadn't used in a while… although it was risky it was effective as well.
“…Don’t… M-my... My brother isn't what he looks like...”
“…”
Daisy was silent for a long time. Keirsey didn’t like to say such things either.
If she could, just like Cayden said, she wanted to say good things about him too.
She thought that coming to the academy would bring laughter and happiness. But when she came here… now it had turned into a little scary place. It was crowded with people who seemed to take away her most precious person: Cayden.
'If this was the case, Pryster’s estate would be better,' She sometimes thought.
As Daisy paused with her head bowed slightly, Keirsey placed a hand on her shoulder to further emphasize her previous words.
“…I’m sorry to say this—“
“—Keirsey...”
And at that moment, Daisy’s head lifted straight up.
She met Keirsey's eyes with a dazzlingly unshaken look.
“I will judge people by what I see. Your brother... He didn’t seem like such a bad person to me.”
Keirsey usually liked this part of Daisy. She thought Daisy was a really cool friend. Who was never swayed by the opinions of others and remained firm on her own beliefs; If it wasn’t for Cayden then it would be perfect.
Keirsey's expression hardened at Daisy's words without realizing it.
Daisy continued:
“I don’t know why you hate your brother so much. I think he is really nice… and it was you who did that to your brother? Cursing behind his back…”
“……”
It was heartbreaking, but Keirsey decided to ignore her words. There was only one warning to tell her.
“…Daisy. There’s nothing good about being close to my brother.”
At that time, a man’s voice resounded in the place where they thought they would be alone.
“Hey! What are you doing there!”
“…Uh?”
Keirsey’s stiff expression loosened.
Cayden was walking from a distance.
“Why is Oppa here…?”
✧ ✧ ✧
I was on my way to find Sir Horslow on the jousting award-related matter.
I had not become overconfident at the fact that I won, and I did my best in today’s class as well.
I was sweating a lot and felt uncomfortable…but I couldn’t do anything about it. Instead, if anything, Judy was on my mind.
She didn’t come to class today. She lost the jousting championship… I guessed it had something to do with it. I decided to talk with her later.
“…My brother……”
A familiar voice echoed in my ears as I walked.
Was it because of the cocktail party we had?
That’s exactly how things seemed now. When I felt my sister calling me.
Nah. Why would Keirsey be here?
I still walked toward the source of the sound.
As I turned right, I saw my younger sisters standing under the stairs in the distance.
“…Uh?”
And Daisy caught my eye.
She was facing the twins with unshakable eyes, as she did in the novel.
When I first saw it, my feelings were complicated.
I wasn't sure if I should like the situation or not.
I could tell it was bullying just by looking at it…. But the ‘bullying’ of the twins I read in the novel was not like this; Their way was to destroy the opponent thoroughly. If they didn’t like someone, they smashed the family and didn’t even give the person a chance.
On the other hand, to say something like that against a wall… the difference between their methods even looked cute.
So to this extent, I have been able to suppress their aggression?
“…”
But that didn’t change what I was going to do. If the method was not as harsh didn't mean I would let them bully others.
The funny thing was, in this situation, I wasn’t afraid of twins; I had to scold them. Since they were going down the wrong path, I had to lead them to right one.
Maybe because I thought it was an elder brother's duty. Or was it because I had been watching over them for a long time? When it came to scolding them, I was not afraid.
Just when I was about to speak, Keirsey’s voice was heard.
“…Daisy. There’s nothing good about being close to my brother.”
“…”
…This was the second time I had heard such words in person. Like sparks, a small fire lit up in my chest in an instant.
I took a breath and shouted.
“Hey! What are you guys doing there!”
I called them for the first time in a way that didn’t feel affectionate.
Keirsey was startled by my voice. The three women looked at me simultaneously.
I sprinted and stood between the twins and Daisy, putting Daisy behind my back.
“Hey, what are you guys doing?”
“…..Uh…?”
Keirsey blinked her eyes with a lost expression on her face.
“Oh..why is Oppa here…no…that...
why did you call us ‘Hey’?”
“Answer my question first. What are you both doing here?”
“..Oh... Oppa..what is ‘you both’…I am Keirsey…”
“The 'Keirsey' I know doesn’t bully others.”
Of course… I was lying; Keirsey and Asena, about whom I read in the novel, were very good at harassing others. I just uttered those words out of a desire to make them feel guilty.
“…We didn't bully her.”
Asena said next to Keirsey. It wasn’t a good answer though. Just the atmosphere between the three told me the twins must have been pressuring Daisy.
“…Asena.”
She lowered her eyes. It was something Asena would always do if there was something she didn’t want me to know.
“…if you keep lying, I will get angry.”
“…..”
She clenched both of her fists at my words.
Once I had pressed down the momentum of the twins, I turned to Daisy.
“Are you okay?”
“Ah yes..”
She replied with an embarrassed face. Even her embarrassed face looked beautiful. She was really as beautiful as the twins. Or perhaps I felt that way because she had been my favorite character ever since…
“..I’ll teach the twins well, so if they ever bother you again, let me know.”
Daisy waved her hand in front of her face.
“Ah..! But really… they didn’t bother me.”
“Yes?”
“That…”
Even in this situation, Daisy seemed to protect the twins. She was really an amazing person.
“They just gave me…advice.”
I felt an annoying feeling inside me. It was like my heart wanted to relieve itself so I opened my mouth without hesitation.
“…You mean there’s nothing good about being close to me? That advice?”
Behind me, I could feel Keirsey and even Asena, being startled at my words.
Turning around I saw them trying to lower their presence as much as possible and blinking their eyes anxiously, not knowing what to do.
Surprisingly, Daisy behaved the same. I tapped her shoulder.
“….Anyway. Excuse us for a moment. I have something to talk about with my sisters.”
“That… yes.”
Daisy was perplexed and eventually gave up. Soon, only me and the twins were left.
Previously, the two had cornered Daisy but despite my way being blocked by the twins, it seemed from their pale faces that I had cornered them.
I loosened my tie slightly and dragged it down.
“…So, both of you thought I didn’t hear you?”