Chapter 79

079.

To say that the relationship between Eliana and Serasie is good would present many difficulties.

Fundamentally, both young ladies have a competitive spirit and dislike losing.

While it’s undeniable that Kalen is a common topic of conversation between them, the way they each think about Kalen makes it difficult for their feelings to coexist.

Each of them recalls vividly the times they spent together with Kalen, moments when they entrusted their lives to him.

For some inexplicable reason, they find it displeasing to see anyone else—especially another woman—close to Kalen.

And that sentiment reached its peak at the Ecclesia.

It was the first time they witnessed the boy they admired being close to the other, and only then could Eliana and Serasie truly confront their own feelings.

They don’t want to lose him.

Just like when they shared a blissful moment with him, they desire to have him all to themselves.

Having become self-aware of this desire, it’s no longer possible for them to simply get along.

Furthermore, it’s not that they lack any intimacy; they’ve even worked together in aiding the Dranunus family. Though as the Dranunus family soon becomes part of the five major families, their connection isn’t something they can openly display.

Consequently, it only irritates them that their relationship isn’t a hostile one.

If they could dislike each other based on their flaws, they might have more freely acted on their desires. However, Eliana and Serasie know each other’s strengths all too well.

And thus, this thought arises:

If they were to use their strengths to catch Kalen’s attention…

But how do they maintain that interest?

They couldn’t find a proper answer to that question.

Kalen can’t simply be told to focus solely on them. After all, there are already three young ladies involved with him. If there weren’t any, things might be different, but in their current state, asking him to choose would only label them as bothersome women in his eyes.

Both Eliana and Serasie would rather avoid that. Men dislike annoying women, and though Kalen is kind and may accommodate them, the feelings he’ll have for them will undoubtedly be different.

Instead of truly seeing them, he’d merely be pacifying their stubbornness.

Such a relationship is horrifying.

For these reasons, Eliana and Serasie don’t outwardly display their bothersome emotions.

Their task is clear:

Redirect Kalen’s attention and secure the time it will take for that attention to blossom into love.

Eliana and Serasie naturally came to this realization, without anyone needing to explain it to them, and immediately began acting accordingly.

“Kalen, when will you visit the Northern lands?”

“Ah…”

Serasie emerged victorious in the Hiart family’s succession conflict, a victory that means she’ll soon become the master of the Northern region.

Under her leadership, the North will undoubtedly change.

After all, when Kalen visited the North, at the Hiart Mountain, they encountered a creature indicating that the continuation of such internal strife would bring great misfortune.

Thus, it was fortunate that Serasie took control, ensuring a peaceful inheritance of the family leadership.

Her inquiry about Kalen’s future visit to the North is an expression of goodwill towards him—someone who greatly aided her during the succession struggle.

The long distance between them makes it difficult for Serasie to visit freely, and once she officially inherits the Hiart family, moving about will become an even greater challenge.

“During my stay at the Dranunus family, I’ll make a visit.”

“Hmm…”

Kalen staying with the Dranunus family is now well-known.

Ideally, she’d prefer him to stay with the Hiart family, but she doesn’t wish to see him freeze in the cold either, as he’s not a native of the North.

Thus, even though his words about visiting the North bring her joy, Serasie hides her emotions and shyly shifts her heels.

In comparing their heights, Kalen’s is undoubtedly taller, and though Serasie is on the taller side for a woman, Kalen’s height surpasses even that of his male peers.

This height difference naturally brought Serasie’s lips close to Kalen’s ear as she softly whispered with a delicate breath.

“…I’ve been brewing a lot of alcohol…”

“…”

The traditional drink of the northern region.

The North has its own set of unique traditions, and among them, the tradition surrounding alcohol holds a story…

Kalen recalls faintly the incident from the traditional festival, prompting Serasie to take a step back, lightly folding her arms behind her back. Her ruby-like eyes twinkled, and her characteristic, graceful smile was beautiful.

Serasie’s gaze shifted, her graceful, curved eyes passing a ruby-like glance toward Eliana, observing her frosty expression and trembling eyes.

But Eliana, having noticed this glance, didn’t react strongly; she merely sighed quietly, almost inaudibly, and then moved.

Silently…

Kalen noticed something gently holding his wrist and turned to see. There, Eliana was gazing up at him while holding his arm.

“Kalen… me…?”

“Eliana?”

“When will you visit Lakatus?”

“Alright. I’ll visit Lakatus then.”

“Okay… thank you…”

At least this would be acceptable. As Eliana received the answer she wanted, she cast a sideways glance with clear eyes.

“Since when have you two started using informal speech?”

Serasie’s relaxed smile remained, though her ease seemed slightly dimmed.

Eliana, subtly unnoticed by others, slightly curved her lips upward. She refocused her eyes toward Kalen, making as much eye contact as possible.

“Just before. I felt Eliana didn’t like respectful speech.”

“Dislikes respectful speech.”

Indeed, Eliana never once complained about respectful speech when she met Serasie during the Ecclesia gatherings or even in private conversations with other young ladies.

The realization struck Serasie almost instantly—Eliana simply didn’t want to address Kalen respectfully.

In a flash, understanding Eliana’s motive, Serasie clenched her fists.

“Kalen.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t like it either.”

“Respectful speech?”

“Yeah, so drop it.”

Kalen was considerably flustered.

Though he always strives to remain calm and collected, it was clear this time it wasn’t momentary confusion but rather the result of a strange atmosphere that had persisted since he met Eliana and Serasie.

He couldn’t explain why it suddenly felt suffocating.

Since Serasie also dislikes respectful speech, there was no reason to continue with it. Despite being older, if she dislikes it, insisting on formalities would be strange.

Just as Kalen was about to respond, Serasie quickly interrupted.

“…Older sister.”

She whispered it herself, almost shyly. Her hands, folded behind her back, fidgeted, hidden from Kalen’s view.

“Call me… Older sister. Not by my name.”

She remembered the festival.

Though unsure why, Kalen had been heavily intoxicated. The strong scent of alcohol was unmistakable, and he seemed out of his senses.

Together, they fell in front of everyone that day, and the soft whisper near her ear was incredibly sweet.

She didn’t like being called by her name, as it felt similar to Eliana’s treatment, and she wanted something distinctive.

Thus, “Older Sister.”

Serasie looked at Kalen with an affectionate gaze.

Finally, Kalen’s lips slowly parted.

“Alright. Older sister.”

“Uh-huh…”

There’s a significant difference between doing something while sober and while intoxicated. Kalen’s mind was clear now.

And hearing “older sister” so clearly from Kalen when fully conscious made Serasie feel a tingling sensation, something intoxicating. As she nodded absently, she felt her legs slightly buckling.

And then Kalen…

“Ouch…”

He turned his head at the pressure on his arm.

“Eliana.”

“…”

“…Eliana?”

“…Ah…”

On Eliana’s soft grip of Kalen’s arm, clear handprints now marked his skin. Her eyes, however, were fixed on Serasie.

Only after her name was called did she finally turn her head.

“A… sorry… sorry…”

Eliana quickly released her grip and stepped back, feeling a sudden headache and dizziness. Upon regaining focus, she realized she had tightly gripped Kalen’s arm, causing harm unintentionally.

She expected a reprimand, but instead, his voice came out gentle.

“Are you alright?”

That tone reminded Eliana of the past.

It was like the boy she once met who found her helplessly confined in a room.

The way he adjusted his gaze to meet hers, or the concern in his inquiries—”Are you alright?”

Everything matched.

Eliana stopped thinking upon hearing his voice, grabbed his hand with both of hers, and placed it on the top of her head.

“Just once more…”

Kalen’s broad, warm hand rested on the top of Eliana’s head, her expression invisible beneath it.

“Pat me while doing it…”

Moved by her sincere request, Kalen hesitated for a moment before gently moving his hand.

Swoosh… Swoosh…

“Are you alright?”

Eliana shuddered. Her grip on Kalen’s wrist tightened, and a voice strained under pressure escaped.

“Yes… I’m fine…”

The feast was slowly drawing to a close.