Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Let Me Be Frank
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Time flew by, swept away in conversation.
Glacia and Anastasia spoke at length, as if making up for lost time, and as I sat with them, I sometimes felt like an outsider watching the two sisters display their deep affection.
But I didn’t mind it much.
My presence at their reunion was unplanned from the start, so I figured this was something I just had to accept.
Gazing at the darkened scenery outside the window, I cautiously spoke up.
“I should probably get going now.”
“Huh? You’re leaving already?”
“It has gotten quite late. Ah, in that case, you should at least have dinner with us.”
At Anastasia’s words, I met her gaze.
‘Is she being serious?’
I was trying to give them space to spend time together, but the look in her eyes told me it wasn't just a polite offer.
As I hesitated, Glacia immediately added her own thoughts.
“That’s right, since we're all here together, let's have dinner. We were supposed to spend the day together, remember?”
“That's true, but if I stay... I'm afraid Lady Anastasia might feel uncomfortable. And Glacia, this is a rare chance for you to spend time with your family.”
When I declined once more, Anastasia offered a faint smile.
“It's really alright, so please don't refuse. Besides, you're Glacia's friend. How could I possibly treat you to just dessert at a café? Let's have dinner together before you go.”
“...If you insist, then I’ll gratefully accept your kindness.”
I cautiously accepted, and so I ended up spending the rest of the evening with them.
…
Thump.
Click-clack…
To the sound of our differing footsteps, we walked the night streets outside the academy.
Cadets weren't restricted from leaving the academy. There was no curfew, and the academy's regulations were ambiguous enough to allow it.
Since the cadets were all adults, the feeling was less about restriction and more about trusting them to manage themselves.
The catch was that the cadets were responsible for their own actions...
“It's been a while since I've walked the streets at night with you, sis.”
“I know. I always loved walking with you like this, Glacia.”
As I matched my pace with the two sisters, who were unabashedly displaying their affection, a small smile escaped my lips.
‘It's a nice sight.’
The warmth of family was a heartwarming sight to behold.
For me, 'family' is... a true luxury right now.
I had deliberately avoided thinking about my own family, but watching these two's display of affection reminded me of what it truly means to have one.
Something warm and comforting.
“......”
But I could only bask in that feeling for a moment before reality set in.
‘Now is the time to think about Anastasia.’
I couldn't afford to feel nostalgic for family; I had to deal with the ordeal right in front of me.
In just a few days, I will face a direct threat to my life.
So, I didn't even have time to get lost in memories of my family.
The only fortunate thing for now was that Anastasia had said she would be staying in the imperial capital for the next ‘ten days.’
If I could make contact with her during that time and prevent her from disappearing, I might be able to get her help.
“Come to think of it, Han Cheon-seong, it’s been a really long time since I’ve left the academy with you.”
As Glacia glanced at me and spoke, I calmly nodded.
“That’s right. This is the first time since we enrolled.”
“It’s a little strange. You’d think we would have left campus before, but we’ve spent every day there.”
“That’s because being at the academy was enough.”
The academy grounds were so vast, and since almost every facility imaginable was located within its walls, I had rarely felt the need to leave.
“You can look forward to it as well, Cadet Han Cheon-seong. We'll be dining at a restaurant that's incomparable to the academy's dining hall.”
“...Then I’ll look forward to it.”
Anastasia, who smiled brightly at my words, seemed to have completely let her guard down around me now.
While it wasn't a bad thing... I found it strangely fascinating.
‘To think this person holds the world's greatest destiny.’
The more we spoke, the less imposing Anastasia's presence felt.
To me, her presence felt even less than Kalli's, to the point of being ordinary. She was probably deliberately suppressing her aura so as not to intimidate those around her...
Still, for someone known as a 'Pillar of the Empire,' she now just seemed like a beautiful woman, or a doting older sister.
…
The restaurant we ended up at was a high-end, three-story establishment located on a vibrant thoroughfare in the capital.
And the dinner that followed on the third floor was an exceedingly pleasant affair.
As the courses we ordered arrived one by one, I stuck to the role of a listener, while Glacia and Anastasia kept up a lively conversation.
I was quite content just watching the two sisters enjoy their time together and savoring the delicious course meal.
Rustle.
Then, Glacia suddenly rose from her seat, drawing my attention.
“I'm going to the restroom for a moment. I might be a little while.”
“Okay. Go ahead.”
“Alright.”
With Glacia gone for a moment, I eagerly cut a large piece of steak and pierced it with my fork.
And just as I was bringing the delicious-looking meat to my mouth…
“Cadet Han Cheon-seong.”
“...Yes, Lady Anastasia.”
I stopped the fork on its way to my mouth and faced Anastasia.
“Now that Glacia has stepped away for a moment, I'd like to say what I meant to earlier... if you don't mind.”
“Please, go ahead. I'm listening.”
At her suddenly serious expression, I placed my fork back on the plate. She then slowly met my eyes.
“I'll be direct. Cadet Han Cheon-seong, what are your feelings for Glacia?”
“...When you ask what I think of her, are you asking in a romantic sense?”
“Yes. I want to know what kind of feelings you have for Glacia as her friend. I've always believed that friendships between men and women are difficult. I'm of the opinion that such a relationship can only exist if one person harbors feelings for the other.”
Anastasia asked calmly, without a hint of hesitation.
...She had asked a question that could stir one's heart, and she'd done so with such resolve.
“......”
As I paused to choose my words, a thousand different thoughts raced through my mind.
‘So this is why she wanted to ask when it was just the two of us.’
I understood now why she hadn't asked me in front of Glacia. And why she'd insisted I stay for dinner—it was all for this question.
Conscious of Anastasia staring intently at me, I slowly opened my mouth.
“I don't harbor any personal feelings for Glacia that would warrant your concern, Lady Anastasia.”
“Not enough to warrant my concern...”
“Yes. That is correct.”
As I spoke calmly, I wasn't lying.
Truthfully, there had been times when my heart was swayed by Glacia.
Because Glacia would sometimes reveal a charm so captivating I wouldn't even realize it was happening.
But I never let myself get swept away by those fleeting moments of weakness.
Glacia always emphasizes that we're friends, and she's conscious of our relationship, so I, too, have kept a firm hold on my feelings.
Even if my heart wavered for a moment, I had long since resolved not to let it be truly shaken, so I didn't harbor any significant personal feelings for her.
That was why I could be honest with Anastasia.
I wasn't thinking of her as a romantic interest.
“...You’re not lying.”
As Anastasia replied in a surprised tone, a light laugh escaped me.
“Why would I lie to you, Lady Anastasia?”
It was only natural for her, as Glacia's sister, to be concerned.
I could understand why Anastasia would worry about Glacia being so casually physical with me, a man.
“In that case... I'm relieved. I was debating whether I would have to make an unreasonable request of you, Cadet Han Cheon-seong.”
“An unreasonable request?”
“That's right. I was actually going to ask you to keep some distance from Glacia. But thank you for being so honest first. It seems I won't have to make that unreasonable request, so I'm a bit relieved now.”
Anastasia offered a faint smile of gratitude, and I nodded, treating it as nothing special.
“I also understand how you feel, Lady Anastasia. I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to think that way.”
“That's even more reassuring to hear. As Glacia might have told you, Cadet Han Cheon-seong, even though she's an adult, this is her first time making friends, and she's still quite clumsy when it comes to interacting with people. She seems to be adjusting well now, but in the past, she would always cling to just me.”
“...I see.”
I was a little surprised to hear this about her past, but it didn't seem out of character.
Having spent this time with them, I had seen for myself just how much the sisters cherished one another.
“To be perfectly honest, I was hoping Glacia's first friend wouldn't turn into her first lover.”
“You don't have to worry.”
I answered immediately, my heart calm.
If I were ever to be in a romantic relationship with Glacia, it probably would have happened long ago.
But we were still clearly just ‘friends’.
The foundation of that was Glacia, who saw me as a friend. I was aware of that, so I was careful not to let my feelings for her get the better of me.
Therefore, as long as we both remained cautious, there was no way we would develop a romantic relationship.
“I appreciate you telling me not to worry, but Cadet Han Cheon-seong, you never know what might happen between male and female friends.”
“...That’s.”
“You don't have to deny it. You might not have any feelings for Glacia now, but you never know how a person's heart might change.”
...Anastasia continued calmly, slowly tilting her wine glass.
Swish.
As the red wine momentarily touched her lips, Anastasia slowly extended her hand toward me.
“I understand that you and Glacia are friends, Cadet Han Cheon-seong. But I am making a point of saying that I hope you maintain that relationship going forward.”
Rustle.
As she said this, Anastasia gently took my hand, which was resting on the table. I stared blankly, accepting her touch, but no words came to mind.
“...”
‘Is this a warning?’
Or was this an act with some other meaning I couldn't grasp?
“To be honest, I was very worried about Glacia having to live alone while I spent several years on the front lines. I worried about what I would do if she went astray or down the wrong path. But after spending this short time with you today, Cadet Han Cheon-seong, I think I can be certain. You are a truly upright and trustworthy person."
As she spoke to me with calm eyes, I couldn't answer as easily as before.
...I felt there was a hidden meaning behind her words.
"In fact, I won't just ask you to stay on good terms with Glacia with mere words."
"Lady Anastasia. What you're saying is..."
"I'm saying that if there's any way I can help you, Cadet Han Cheon-seong, I will. Be it financial support or anything else you might desire—as long as it doesn't cross any lines, I am more than willing to grant your request."
The words that followed were completely beyond my expectations.