The Years That Passed, and the Night Before

Even as the twins grew from the children who once sought me out in the dead of night, my devotion never wavered. I still hovered around them to the point of being a nuisance, always finding ways to make them laugh. Now they were the ones who came looking for me first. As time flowed on, our bond only deepened. In this way, six years slipped by. The twins were fifteen now, and I was seventeen. We had built countless memories, layer upon layer.

Asena had risen to the position of family head. Grandmother Liana had held the role until then, but it seemed she now believed it was time to step down. I agreed with her. Asena was sharp and wise. She showed mercy when mercy was due, and made decisive, unyielding choices when the moment demanded it. She raised the Freister family into one that no one would dare disrespect.

As Asena grew, some of her childish cuteness faded, but I never saw even a trace of the stubbornness, the obsessive drive for others’ destruction, or the merciless cruelty that had defined her in the novel. Every time I looked at her, pride swelled in my chest.

Kirsi remained exactly as she had been in childhood—overflowing with aegyo. Who could possibly see this Kirsi as the same girl from the novel? With her bouncy charm, she loved trading jokes with me, and whenever something fun appeared, she would grab my hand and insist we do it together. Asena preferred reading, while Kirsi loved running outside to play. As long as both of them were healthy, I was content. Grandmother Liana seemed to feel the same. During our occasional private conversations, she would embarrass me by declaring that adopting me had been the greatest decision of her life.

I no longer felt any awkwardness toward the Freister family. When I had first read the novel, I had seen them as a house of villains. Now, I truly thought of them as my own. I worked even harder for my sisters. I had to become someone solid, someone they could rely on. I had promised them with my own mouth that I would be their support.

Especially because I had been born a commoner, I needed to push myself further. To become someone worthy of being leaned on by the distinguished daughters of this mighty Freister family, I required real strength. After much thought, the answer I arrived at was martial power. There was no political arena where I could be of use. Asena and Kirsi were already excelling in those areas, and as someone born outside the nobility, there were limits to where I could insert myself. Even Grandmother Liana—who cherished me deeply—had advised that I should not reach into politics.

I understood completely. As I had said before, this world operated under a rigid class system.

Every day I trained with the sword under Lawrence, the Freister family’s training captain and head knight. Asena or Kirsi would often come to watch. Their gazes gave me strength, and my skills improved at a startling pace. We were all growing.

Of course, some things remained unchanged—habits and routines that had stayed with us since childhood.

First, I still woke Asena every morning. Having become the family head, she had grown more dignified. She rarely laughed at my jokes anymore. Some might even call her cold now. Yet in the mornings she still displayed a range of emotions just like when she was little. Perhaps because the bedroom was a place where she did not need to wear the mask of the family head? When we were alone, she was simply my younger sister Asena.

When I called her name, she would wake with a small smile and stretch both arms toward me. I would gather her into my embrace, lift her up, and carry her to the window. On the way, the Asena who had otherwise reduced her displays of affection would press a light kiss to my cheek. It was usually the only expression of love she showed me all day.

At night, it was Kirsi’s turn. Just before sleep, I would visit her room. We drank warm tea or milk and chatted for a while. Afterward, I would wish her goodnight, kiss her forehead, and she would beam and slip under the covers. I would blow out the candles and leave.

These habits probably should have ended by now, but it felt too much of a shame to stop them simply because they were embarrassing. The more affection we shared, the better, and both Asena and Kirsi still enjoyed these moments the same way they had as children. Besides, they were still so adorable.

These peaceful days continued to flow. It was the year I turned nineteen—the age of adulthood. In this world, nobles usually enrolled in the Academy the moment they came of age. It was the very same institution that served as the setting for The Remote Noble Academy.

There were no strict entrance requirements, so the timing varied by family, but most entered at nineteen. I remembered eagerly awaiting my own enrollment after reaching adulthood. After all, it was the moment I would finally step into the Academy I had longed for.

But when that time came, I was met with fierce opposition from seventeen-year-old Asena and Kirsi. They insisted I wait two more years. When the idea of me entering first arose, Kirsi would spend the whole day in a melancholy mood, then act cute, throw tantrums, run errands for me, and constantly watch my expression. When we were alone, she would whine and beg me to delay so we could enter together. She said that if I went now, we would be apart for a total of four years. Even now, remembering Kirsi’s adorable behavior from that time brings a smile to my face.

Asena, on the other hand, was almost frightening. As if demonstrating what it meant to be the family head, she cut me off cleanly. “No. You cannot go.” It was the first time she had given me a direct order, and I remember being genuinely surprised. She said I would be looked down upon if I went alone. Had I forgotten why she, not I, had become the head? Did I not know how much commoner-born individuals were scorned behind closed doors? With sharp, biting words, she blocked my path to the Academy.

Sometimes, if she didn’t remind me like this, I would forget just how strict this world’s class system truly was. Even illegitimate children were looked down upon—there was no way an adopted commoner would fare any better.

…But I had expected this much. I told Asena I had already prepared for it.

“…Still, no.” Those were the words she offered when she could find no further argument. Only then did I understand why she was acting this way. She felt the same as Kirsi. Because Asena had grown even more reserved with her emotions as she aged, I sometimes forgot that.

“You’d be lonely if I left, wouldn’t you?” I said with a smile. Her stiff face flushed red. The final words she spoke were the decisive blow.

“…You promised you would always stay by our side.”

…There was no way I could leave. The more I observed them, the more I realized how deeply both Asena and Kirsi feared loneliness. Waiting two years was not so difficult. I, too, enjoyed the time I spent with my sisters.

And so two more years passed. Asena and Kirsi reached adulthood. Now, the true moment of our enrollment at the Academy had arrived.

…

It was the night before we would take the carriage to the Academy. For the last time before leaving for the capital, we shared dinner with Grandmother Liana. Unlike when we first met, she now had more wrinkles, a bent back, and had grown thinner. Yet her stern expression remained unchanged.

She gave us all kinds of advice. We nodded, carefully considering each word. Asena nodded with a solemn face, while Kirsi sniffled before throwing her arms around Grandmother, crying that she loved her. Grandmother Liana offered a small smile and asked me to look after the twins. I told her not to worry.

Afterward, we left the room. That night, many thoughts crossed my mind as well. It had already been eleven years since I first came to this family. The spirit and pride of the Freister family were now deeply rooted in my heart.

Do not let anyone touch us. I repeated the family motto to myself. Over the years I had grown strong through sword training. I could confidently say my skills would not fall short anywhere. To develop that strength further, I had applied to the Knight Department. Asena and Kirsi, following the original story, had chosen the Political Science Department. As the faces who would support the family, they had no other option. Since I could not present myself politically, I chose to build power in this way. There were times when noble families went to war, after all. It was good to think of it as preparation for such moments. Of course, I was always against war itself.

I headed to Kirsi’s room. Inside, she was smiling as she prepared warm tea. I did not have much to say. I simply listened to her. She seemed filled with anticipation. I told her tomorrow would be a meaningful day and that she should sleep soon. Then, following the routine that had never been broken, I kissed her forehead and left the room.

Kirsi’s heart was still racing. Tomorrow was finally the day she would enter the Academy she had longed for so deeply. She looked forward to the new friends she would meet.

“…Ah… I’m so excited…”

In the remote Freister territory, there had been no friends to make. She wondered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what the friends gathering in the capital would be like. She imagined them.

The only regret was her brother. He had applied to the Knight Department. She understood his choice, but it still made her a little sad. If they could have taken the same classes, they could have created so many more memories there.

It had been a long time since Caiden kissed her forehead and left, yet Kirsi still could not fall asleep. All sorts of thoughts swirled through her mind.

…This is the last night here, too.

Kirsi stared at the ceiling. This Freister castle where she had lived her entire life…

At one sudden thought, Kirsi bolted upright in bed. The reason, as always, was Caiden, who constantly occupied her mind. Whenever she was apart from him, her thoughts revolved only around him. The night felt so long that her longing grew even stronger. And then Kirsi came up with a way they could stay together.

Both she and Caiden knew they would leave for the Academy tomorrow. Since it was the last night, wouldn’t it be nice to spend a little more time talking before falling asleep? Just like when they were young—lying in bed, chatting softly, then gently drifting off.

…She did not want to call her older sister Asena. She simply did not. She wanted to talk with Caiden alone.

Kirsi slipped out of bed. She lit a small candle, placed it on its holder, and carefully left the room.

“…..”

Feeling the luxurious carpet beneath her bare feet, she walked toward Caiden’s room. For some reason, with every step she took toward him, her mood lifted. She worried that with this feeling, sleep would be impossible.

Before she realized it, Kirsi stood in front of Caiden’s door. She swallowed hard, pressed her ear to the wood for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a moment, then knocked very lightly.

…Knock… knock… knock…

He might already be asleep. That would be a little disappointing.

…Thud! Thud-thud!

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps and a presence came from inside. A smile of relief bloomed on Kirsi’s face. It seemed he had not fallen asleep yet.

“…Oppa, can I come in…?”

The night was so quiet that even such a small sound would carry. Kirsi waited for his answer. There was only silence.

“…I’m coming in…?”

Since he had not told her not to enter, Kirsi grasped the doorknob. At that instant, the door flew open.

“Hyat!!”

Kirsi jumped, clutching her startled heart. The person who appeared was Asena.

“…Sister??”

Asena looked like a thief caught in the act—her eyes darted about in surprise. Her arms hovered awkwardly in midair. It had been a long time since Kirsi had seen her this flustered.

Asena quickly composed herself, cleared her throat, and asked in a calm voice.

“…Kirsi. Why are you here at this hour?”

“…..What about you, sister…?”

“….”

“Did you come to talk with Oppa about tomorrow?”

Kirsi tried to peer through the open doorway to see Caiden. But the room was dark, considering Asena had just been inside.

“…You didn’t even light a candle…?”

“When I arrived, Oppa was already asleep.”

They had thought the two of them had been talking, but it seemed Caiden had already fallen asleep.

“…Ah…”

It was disappointing. Since it was their last night in this castle, she had wanted to share so many stories.

“…Then what were you doing in there while Oppa was sleeping, sister?”

“…..I came to go over the precautions we need to remember once we enter the Academy again… but since he was already asleep, I simply tidied his blanket.”

“Really?”

“Go to sleep now, Kirsi. I’m going to bed as well.”

Asena brushed Kirsi’s shoulder and leaned closer. As her face drew near, the candlelight revealed certain details—slightly flushed cheeks and glistening, wet lips.

“Sister, why are your lips so moist?”

Just as Asena had brushed her shoulder, Kirsi moved her hand toward Asena’s lips to tidy them as well. But at the touch, Asena jerked back with a start greater than any Kirsi had ever seen.

—Whoosh!

She covered her mouth, clearly flustered.

“…Sister?”

Since becoming family head, Asena rarely showed such a large reaction. Her extreme surprise made Kirsi’s own heart pound in response.

Asena’s eyes blinked rapidly several times. Then the head of the Freister family touched ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her own lips, let out a soft “Ah,” roughly wiped them with her sleeve, and exhaled. After that, she answered in her usual dry tone.

“…..Go to sleep, Kirsi. I’m tired now, too.”

With those final words, Asena walked past her. Kirsi watched her sister’s retreating figure. The behavior was incomprehensible, but she decided Asena must also have complicated feelings and was acting strangely because of them.

Kirsi reached for the doorknob to close Caiden’s door.

“…..”

Then she glanced once more in the direction Asena had gone. Her footsteps could no longer be heard. Kirsi slipped into Caiden’s room like a shadow. She knew he was sleeping, yet some invisible force drew her inside.

“..Hoo!”

She extinguished the candle she carried. She could not let the light wake him.

Kirsi set the holder down on the table without a sound, then approached Caiden, who was breathing deeply in sleep.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Was it because of the earlier surprise? Her heart would not stop racing. Only now did Kirsi realize how long it had been since she last came to his bedside while he slept.

Before she knew it, she stood right beside the bed, looking down at him. They would not be able to talk, but she still wanted to sleep beside him tonight.

“….Oppa, can I sleep with you?”

She asked, but the sleeping Caiden could not answer. Since he had not refused, Kirsi carefully leaned forward and began to crawl into his bed.

“….”

For some reason her mouth kept watering. Kirsi swallowed. Then, with extreme care, she laid her body down. Caiden did not wake.

Thump… Thump… Thump…

The heart that had been startled by Asena now seemed to be calming. Kirsi gazed at Caiden. No matter how many times she saw him, the sight of her dear brother always made her happy. Just looking at him brought a smile to her face.

At the same time, she felt it was a shame for this to be their last night in the castle. And she knew exactly what would fill that emptiness.

Kirsi wriggled closer. She carefully lifted the arm of the soundly sleeping Caiden and slipped her body beneath it.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The pounding quickened again. Kirsi was puzzled. No matter how long it had been since they last slept together, her heart had never raced like this while lying beside Caiden.

She decided the trembling came from fear that he might wake. Just as she felt, Caiden would also face a tiring day tomorrow on the carriage. He might dislike being woken.

Even after all the time they had spent together, Kirsi still could not treat him with complete ease. Even now, she only wanted to show him her prettiest side. She still could not even burp in front of him. That was how much she wanted to appear lovely to him. That was how much she feared earning his displeasure.

But today, even Kirsi could not stop herself. Even at the risk of waking him, she wanted to fall asleep in his arms. Once greed began to run, it refused to halt.

Before long, she was pressed tightly against him. …It was far more blissful than she had imagined. The joy made her body feel feverishly warm.

She indulged in one final act of greed. She was already in his embrace. They were already close, but she wanted to erase even the smallest gap. Slowly she raised her arms, intending to wrap them around him. If she could hold him like a pillow and sleep, she thought she would truly be satisfied.

“….Mm…”

But perhaps she had been too greedy. Caiden let out a soft groan and woke.

“….Mm…? Kirsi?”

“Ah…! Oppa… sorry… did I wake you?”

Kirsi flinched and quickly withdrew her arm.

“….What are you doing here? Ah, tsk. Did I drool? My lips are wet.”

He pulled away the body that had been pressed against hers. She had been the one acting greedy, yet now that he was awake, she felt far more sorry than she had expected.

“No… since it’s our last night in this castle… I wanted to at least talk a little…”

“…Didn’t we already talk in your room earlier…?”

“….It wasn’t enough.”

Caiden let out a small chuckle. At his laughter, Kirsi’s heart eased considerably. She had been worried he might be very angry.

“….Still, we have to ride the carriage tomorrow. Let’s stop talking and sleep.”

“…Ah…. Okay.”

With regret, Kirsi sat up. Since Caiden had refused, it seemed she should stop insisting and return to her own bed.

“…? Kirsi. Where are you going?”

“…..Huh?”

“Since you’ve already come. Let’s sleep together tonight.”

“…..Huh…?”

“…If you don’t want to, just go.”

“Ah, no!”

Fearing he might change his mind, Kirsi threw herself into his arms.

“Ugh!”

He let out a brief groan, but only laughter spilled from Kirsi’s lips.

“Hehehehehehe.”

It was happiness. It was the perfect last night.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Her heart beat even more wildly. Yet she did not bother searching for a reason behind the happiness. She wrapped her arms around his body. And just as she did, Caiden held her tightly in return.

Kirsi’s chest filled to the brim. It was so warm and cozy. It felt like returning to a home she had never known she missed.

“….Now let’s sleep, Kirsi.”

Caiden spoke in a sleepy yet gentle voice.

“…Yes.”

After answering, Kirsi no longer disturbed his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rest. Soon Caiden’s breathing grew peaceful as he fell back asleep.

But even after slipping into his warm embrace, Kirsi could not fall asleep for a long time. Her heart pounded until it hurt.