Chapter 81: Pryster’s Saying (4)

 

“...That...I-I should leave.”

 

When Daisy arrived, her roommate, as if waiting, fled hurriedly, leaving her and the twins alone in the room.

 

Asena was sipping tea with a cold expression, while Keirsey was comfortably leaning against the sofa, gazing down at the floor.

 

Daisy approached them and said,

 

“…So, you have succeeded in breaking off the marriage with Judy in the end.”

 

“.......”

 

“......”

 

“...It saddens me to see Cayden so confused for being with me so soon...but don’t worry... if I marry Cayden, our family won’t have any conflict with Pryster-”

 

“-Daisy.”

 

Asena interrupted her, setting down her teacup.

 

“...Let’s get straight to the point.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“I don’t like this marriage either.”

 

She stated bluntly.

 

Daisy chose to remain silent for a moment. She felt the need to restrain her bubbling emotions and choose her words carefully. As if walking on thin ice, she was keenly aware that every word she uttered could have a direct impact on the future.

 

Perhaps Asena was taking this stance to gain the upper hand in the relationship.

 

It didn’t matter. As long as there weren’t any unreasonable demands, Daisy was willing to make certain sacrifices to be with Cayden.

 

After all, the twins were Cayden’s siblings and at the core of the Pryster family. Now that their families were linked through the engagement, she had to tread carefully around them.

 

“...Can I know the reason?”

 

Daisy asked.

 

There is no hostility between the families, nor her lack of prestigious lineage, nor any personal issues.

 

Therefore, Daisy felt Asena’s words weren’t entirely genuine. After all, one doesn’t act without a reason.

 

On the other hand, if Asena was trying to gain something from this conversation, that would make more sense.

 

“...Why do you need a reason?”

 

However, Asena’s response went far beyond Daisy’s expectations.

 

A sense of unease that she hadn’t felt before started to creep up on her.

 

Could it be... that Asena genuinely wanted to cancel the engagement?

 

With each passing moment, Daisy’s resolve hardened. She couldn’t be pushed around.

 

“...So you’re doing this to me without a reason? Asena... even for you, this is rather rude.”

 

“...You’re lacking, Daisy.”

 

“In what way?”

 

“You’re not good enough to be with my brother.”

 

“...If we like each other, isn’t that enough?”

 

“He doesn’t like you.”

 

Daisy immediately countered.

 

“...That’s not for you to say. I just spoke to Cayden. He told me he has feelings for me.”

 

“...What?”

 

The tone in Asena’s voice changed, and Keirsey, who had been looking at the floor, shifted her gaze to Daisy.

 

“...Even if I hadn’t mentioned it... rumors abound, don’t they? With the jousting competition and him being my escort added to the mix...”

 

“-Ha. My brother... said that?”

 

For once, Asena seemed shaken. She didn’t even hear what Daisy continued to say.

 

Daisy found Asena’s reaction peculiar upon hearing about Cayden’s feelings. Still, she pressed on with her previous statement. She couldn’t lose momentum.

 

“...Asena. I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m confident that your brother and I can live harmoniously, taking care of each other.”

 

“...Didn’t you hear me? I said you can’t.”

 

Daisy sighed deeply and took a step forward. Without avoiding the twins’ oppressive presence, she directly approached them and sat opposite them.

 

With unwavering eyes, she looked at the twins and frowned.

 

“...I feel sorry for Cayden.”

 

“...Daisy. You’d better watch your words from now on.”

 

Keirsey, who had been quiet, growled in a voice Daisy had never heard before. It was a stark contrast to her usual bubbly personality.

 

Daisy apologized, not out of fear, but upon reflection, she realized that her words might have been inappropriate.

 

“...I’m sorry. I went too far. But... I indeed feel Cayden will have a hard time.”

 

“...”

 

“Cayden said he’s given so much love to both of you. But in return, there were rumors behind his back at the academy.”

 

Keirsey averted her eyes.

 

“He’s been shamed at the ball, there were talks of exile from the family, and now you’re trying to hinder every potential fiancée. How is Cayden not supposed to have a hard time? Neither the duke’s daughter Judy Ice nor I am good enough. Are you playing games with Cayden? When will you let him go? Who exactly should be his fiancée to satisfy you two?”

 

“Me.”

 

Asena spat out.

 

Upon hearing those words, Daisy’s face turned pale.

 

The anger that had been boiling for Cayden, the urge to ask the questions she had for them, and the spirit she had to confront them, all vanished.

 

All she could do was doubt her own ears.

 

“...What?”

 

“I said, me.”

 

“...”

 

Daisy blinked, still unable to believe what she had heard. She thought maybe she had misheard part of the conversation, so she asked again.

 

“...You want to be Cayden’s fiancée?”

 

However, Asena confidently confirmed.

 

“Yes.”

 

“...”

 

“I came today to tell you this. Soon enough... my brother will come to understand our feelings.”

 

“...Our?”

 

Daisy’s eyes darted to Keirsey. Keirsey wore the same, resolute expression as Asena.

 

Automatically, Daisy asked,

 

“Ah... no. Cayden is your bro... brother...”

 

“So?”

 

“...”

 

Daisy opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Were they both saying they had fallen in love with their brother?

 

In all her life, she had never heard something so shocking.

 

The heirs of the Priester family. No, the Pryster twins were in love with their adopted brother.

 

From their expressions, it was clear they weren’t joking. That made it all the more baffling.

 

With that stern face, Asena said,

 

“So step back. I’ve loved him years before you did. I wanted him years before you... or Judy did. I won’t tolerate outsiders barging in and trying to take him away.”

 

For Daisy, it was the first time she truly sensed Asena’s emotions. Asena, with her cold demeanor, rarely showed her feelings.

 

To see such raw, heavy emotion from Asena left Daisy unsure of how to respond.

 

Yet, at the same time, all the puzzle pieces began fitting together in her head.

 

The reason for tarnishing his reputation through gossip - they didn’t want others to recognize his value.

 

The reason they hid him at the ball - the twins didn’t want to see Cayden dance with another woman.

 

The reason for his exile from the family - if he also had the Pryster name, they couldn’t marry.

 

The frequent fights they had with him lately - he kept distancing himself from them.

 

And their inability to refute his words - because they were in love with him.

 

Everything made sense now.

 

Asena, sipping her tea, looked at Daisy with cold eyes.

 

Those eyes were more serious and threatening than ever before.

 

“You know the Pryster’ saying, right?” Asena spoke.

 

The Pryster’s family motto. ‘Do not touch us.’

 

Daisy recalled their motto internally.

 

“Stay away from our brother.”

 

Clearly, their motto wasn’t created with this context in mind. Yet, coupled with Asena’s intense aura, it conveyed a very direct message.

 

And when it resonated with the unwavering resolve of the twins, who carried Pryster’s blood. The message seemed more threatening than ever.

 

A regular woman might have backed off at that moment, not wanting to antagonize the twins. But Daisy steadied her wavering heart.

 

Though taken aback by such shocking revelations, she began to accept the reality.

 

Yes, the twins loved him. But nothing would change. Judy seemed to like him too, but wasn’t Daisy chosen as his other half in the end?

 

To give up now meant Cayden would slip through her fingers. To Daisy, winning Cayden’s heart felt like obtaining a precious gem she hadn’t expected.

 

She might not have dreamt of acquiring that gem, but having it, she didn’t want to let go.

 

Imagining a future where Cayden was her partner made her even more excited and the thought held a special significance for her. It was something she couldn’t give up on.

 

So, Daisy shook her head.

 

“No, Asena. I won’t back down.”

 

The twins’ hostility flared instantly.

 

Their loathing was palpable, almost as if she could feel it on her skin.

 

It made her wonder how they had hidden such emotions until now.

 

“It’s the bond forged by former Duchess Liana and my father. Neither I nor Cayden have any objections to this engagement. I can’t break it just because of what you’ve said.”

 

“I’m the head of the Pryster family, Daisy. It would be wise for you not to cross me.”

 

“I won’t waver, Asena. I’m not foolish enough to let fear jeopardize something precious.”

 

“...Something precious?”

 

Keirsey, who had been listening, interrupted, echoing Daisy’s words.

 

“...How long has it been since you’ve been with him, that he’s already something precious? Your heart seems fickle, Daisy. Would you have fallen so deeply if it was any other man?”

 

“Enough. I see no reason to entertain your words any further. I wish you’d leave.”

 

The tension was palpable. The three women exchanged glances before simultaneously rising from their seats.

 

The twins headed towards the door, and Daisy followed to see them out.

 

At the door, they paused and faced each other once more.

 

“...Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”

 

Daisy said her final words to them.

 

However, during their brief interaction, the twins’ expressions had significantly changed.

 

Perhaps because things didn’t go as planned. The once stern expressions now seemed slightly unsettled.

 

Seeing the twins so anxious from a failed negotiation was a first for Daisy.

 

Asena spoke up.

 

“If you give up on him... I’ll support the Hexter family. You’re reeling from plague and famine.”

 

But Daisy reaffirmed her refusal.

 

“Relying too much on another family’s power will make ours unstable. We’ve managed on our own strength for this reason. And thanks to Cayden’s gift, we’ve finally managed to find some stability. I decline your offer.”

 

Tap!

 

Immediately after Daisy’s words, Keirsey reached out and grabbed her by the arm.

 

Throughout, Keirsey had been angry. Daisy braced herself, ready for a scathing remark.

 

Yet, Keirsey lowered her head, concealing her face.

 

“.....”

 

To Daisy’s surprise, tears began to drop from Keirsey’s face onto the floor.

 

“...Please... Daisy. Please...”

 

In the end, it wasn’t the twins’ threats or intimidation that shook Daisy. It was Keirsey’s emotional tears.

 

Daisy felt a heavy weight on her heart.

 

For the first time, she tried to understand Keirsey’s feelings.

 

How deeply must they have loved Cayden to be like this? Knowing their love is taboo, they still had to confess to others. How reliant had they been on Cayden, their pillar since childhood, to be like this?

 

How many incidents must have taken place between them up until Keirsey fell in love with him?

 

With Cayden planning to leave, what would become of their feelings?

 

Daisy’s stern expression began to soften.

 

Her eyes darted around, struggling with the situation.

 

Finding it hard to maintain the atmosphere, she finally spoke.

 

“...I’m sorry.”

 

Keirsey’s movements paused, as if giving up on convincing Daisy.

 

Wiping her tears, she looked up.

 

Nodding, she slowly opened the door and left.

 

****

 

Keirsey arrived in the room and lay down on the bed, wiping away the cold tears.

 

Was it because she had shown tears to her rival? No more tears came out.

 

But... it was then that she felt truly pitiable. She always acted tough in front of others, pretended to be strong, growled and threatened. But she knew better than anyone how fragile she truly was.

 

And how cowardly and hideous that made her feel.

 

What wrong had Daisy done? From her perspective, she had simply found a marriage partner.

 

If there was someone to blame, it was Keirsey herself for coming between them.

 

She didn’t want to be this detestable either. Nobody would.

 

But she had no other choice. It was the only option she saw.

 

She felt like she would genuinely lose Cayden if she didn’t act this way.

 

Her heart felt heavy and stifled. It was as if she was trapped in a deep cave with no exit in sight.

 

Even though she kept moving, knowing that staying put would be her downfall, she couldn’t tell if she was heading towards an exit or deeper into a pit.

 

...But, with how she felt now, it seemed more like the latter.

 

She could only hope her gut feeling was wrong because she couldn’t stop moving and she couldn’t turn back either.

 

All she wanted was one thing.

 

To have Cayden by her side.

 

She realized Asena felt the same way.

 

Because when she returned to the dormitory, her expression remained tense. She might not have fully understood, but from the way she acted around Daisy, it seemed she too had tasted bitterness.

 

In times like this, Keirsey reminisced about the moments she spent in the Pryster Territory.

 

It wasn’t that long ago, but she realized how naive she had been.

 

She had been so excited for the academy and wanted new friends.

 

But now she realized, all she needed was Cayden.

 

And this place, trying to take him away... it was nothing short of hell.

 

Keirsey closed her eyes weakly.

 

That night, she missed Cayden’s warmth more than ever. Him stroking her hair, pinching her cheek, kissing her cheek before sleep, holding her tight, and being her pillow.

 

If just one of those moments could be given to her now, she’d want nothing else.

 

Keirsey slowly fell asleep.

 

And she dreamt.

 

In the dream, Cayden was not her brother, nor a Pryster.

 

He was just a man from another family.

 

She naturally became close with him and whispered love to him.

 

It was a healthy relationship that didn’t cross any moral boundaries.

 

A typical relationship with no obstacles.

 

Getting close to him, holding his hand, and even kissing him… Everything was natural… and pure.

 

She had such a happy, fleeting dream.

 

---  End Of The Chapter ---

 

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