Side Story Chapter 05
“Father!”
Bella ran toward her father with a beaming smile as she saw him on the training field. Kairon’s body was truly robust. Even while running like this, he showed no signs of exhaustion.
‘So unfair.’
It was really unfair.
Even though they were born on the same day, the gods had given her older brother everything good in the world: a healthy body, the right to be heir.
Her parents explained that it wasn’t just because Kairon was male. Since the lands they had to protect were harsh northern territories, only someone strong enough to lead the knights could become the heir.
But to Bella, that meant the same thing. Just as it wasn’t her choice to be born a girl, it wasn’t her choice to be born with a body weaker than her brother’s.
“You’re late.”
The first thing Bella noticed as strange was that her father didn’t smile at her. The father who had always greeted her with a smile now looked completely cold.
“Father…?”
“Bring me your wooden sword.”
Though her father’s reaction felt unfamiliar, Bella brightened at the word “wooden sword.” Time spent with her busy father had always been reserved for Kairon, her brother. Thinking that from today onward, that privilege would be hers made her smile through her teeth.
Her lazy older brother had always dismissed everything he did as “play.” But to Bella, everything he did seemed full of joy. He always complained as if he were doing something much harder than practicing swordsmanship or riding horses with their father.
He even thought that matters of succession could easily be handled by Bella and never realized how extraordinary his privileges were.
‘Now it’s mine.’
Bella grabbed the wooden sword and ran excitedly toward Lyle.
“Stand up.”
“Huff… huff…”
Her lungs felt crushed. No matter how deeply she breathed, oxygen seemed insufficient. Sweat dripped to the floor, leaving tiny pools. Her heart felt as if it might leap out of her throat.
“S-stop…”
“It’s only one hundred horizontal swings. You’re behind, so you have a long way to go if you want to catch up.”
Her arms trembled. Bella couldn’t believe it. Kairon had a healthy body. Yet, swinging even a wooden sword a hundred times was painfully overwhelming.
“You’ve only done half of your usual. Stop whining and get up.”
Hearing the word “whining” made Bella look up at her father. She had never heard that word directed at her before.
The adults around her had always treated her like a candle that might flicker out at any moment—her body was so fragile that any strain would lead to nosebleeds or collapse.
“It’s too hard.”
Bella hated complaining to adults more than anything, but truly, it was unbearable. She couldn’t even move a finger anymore.
“Stand up.”
“I really mean it. It’s too hard.”
“Would you say that even in front of the enemy? Asking for a break because it’s too hard?”
Tears pricked her eyes at his cold tone. She knew Lyle had also noticed her tears, yet her father remained stern.
“Kairon, make sure you train properly. The heirs of the Grant family do not show tears.”
By now, Knox had arrived on the training field and approached them. Bella was shocked. She had always seen Knox smiling, but now she was witnessing his cold reprimand.
“The ruler of the North must be stronger than anyone. The people of the North believe in absolute power. Just as the former grand duke did, and as your father did, you too must protect the North with formidable strength. With skills like this, no one in the knights would follow you.”
She had heard this before. The story that northern heirs had to be great heroes capable of leading the knights. She had thought that if her brother could do it, she could too. Kairon was only lucky to have been born healthy. If she were in the same situation, she could do even better.
But she was wrong.
For the first time, Bella felt the heavy burden her brother had carried on his shoulders. The brother who had seemed so weak before her was in fact incredibly strong.
Gritting her teeth, she stood up. She remembered her voice teasing Kairon to be careful not to ruin her reputation.
“One hundred additional horizontal swings. Then fifty diagonal swings.”
The pleasant times with her father had been an illusion. Tears poured down Bella’s face as she continued swinging the wooden sword, her arms trembling.
As soon as training ended, Bella ran to Kist’s room without even showering.
Kairon was already there, seemingly unsurprised.
[Aren’t you busy enjoying your new body?]
“I didn’t enjoy it at all!”
“Give it back! Give it back to me!”
Kairon glanced at Bella. Covered in dust and dirt, it was clear she had rolled around quite a lot today. Dirt streaked her face, her tears running down her cheeks in clear lines.
Heavier than any feather quill was the thought of how exhausted his younger sister must have been during their father’s harsh training.
Bella also glanced sideways at Kairon. Today had been especially packed with lessons. She knew better than anyone how fragile her stamina was, often fainting from exhaustion. He must be utterly drained right now.
[I hate it.]
“What?”
“What did you say? You hate it?”
[Yes.]
Kist put down his teacup.
[The contract is serious. Remember what you said when asked if you would regret it.]
The children’s mouths snapped shut. Kist was right—they had promised never to regret it. His pupils narrowed with satisfaction at the sight of the obedient children.
[Go back now.]
But the children hesitated, unwilling to move. Bella watched Kairon step forward protectively, shielding her—or rather, the version of herself that was in his body. Even though his tall body couldn’t fully hide her, he still tried.
“…Brother?”
“We can’t go back.”
Kairon planted his legs firmly.
“I didn’t realize it then. I thought Bella was happily playing every day. But she wasn’t. Being the princess’s playmate is… really, really hard. I can’t do it. Only stubborn Bella Grant can handle it.”
Hearing this, Bella gained courage and raised her hand.
“I feel the same way! It was really sad to see Father scold me so sternly. I didn’t know how tough Brother’s training was. Everyone is so strict with you. The wooden sword is heavy, the training is exhausting. Father won’t give me a break even if I cry. I hate it now! I really hate it! Only Brother can do this.”
[Hmm.]
Kist tilted his head.
[No. Still not allowed.]
“Why!”
[Think back on the past. If I return your bodies, you’ll just fight again, won’t you?]
“No! We won’t fight anymore!”
“Yes!”
Bella realized something. Even while fighting, Kairon had never truly used force against her. And Kairon knew the same—she was too weak to fight him seriously.
[Again, the contract is extremely serious.]
Kist’s voice echoed like a cavern. Kairon and Bella swallowed hard, looking up at the long-lived dragon.
[But if you make a new promise, maybe I could allow an exception.]
“I promise!”
“Me too!”
[You don’t even know what you’re promising?]
“What is it?”
“Anything!”
Kist chuckled.
[No more fighting from now on. How about growing up as a harmonious pair of siblings?]
“We can do it!”
“Really, we can!”
Before Kist finished speaking, the two children jumped up and raised their hands eagerly.
After a long sleep, Bella rubbed her eyes and got out of bed. The sunset painted the sky outside.
Kist’s room was empty. Kairon quietly looked at his sister, who slept soundly in a pink dress.
“Bella, wake up.”
He shook her gently, careful not to hurt her. Bella rubbed her eyes and got up, feeling her shoulders and limbs first before turning to Kairon.
“Brother!”
For a moment, it was as if she had forgotten their usual squabbling and threw herself into Kairon’s arms. He awkwardly, yet gently, held his little sister to avoid hurting her.
“We’re back!”
“That’s right.”
For a moment, stunned, they both burst into laughter.
“You were amazing today.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ha… really… everyone nags so much.”
“That’s nothing. You were amazing too, Brother. I cried during horizontal swings.”
“What? That’s nothing. Your form was just off. It wouldn’t have been that hard otherwise.”
Chatter went on for a long while. The siblings had no idea someone was eavesdropping outside.
[I should’ve used this method sooner.]
Kist leaned against the door, quietly smiling at the conversation.
[Even the God of Sleep of Arashan seems competent.]
It reminded him of a story from Elaina, who had once traveled to a distant land.
“Nunu asked the God of Sleep to save the siblings. But even after saving them, they kept trying to kill each other.”
The God of Sleep had to resort to the final solution. After that, the siblings stopped fighting and were reborn with a strong bond.
“What was that method? I’ve looked everywhere, but I can’t find it.”
Elaina had wondered. Kist, in a lazy gaze, looked at the ring on his left hand. The ring, a keepsake from a friend, had been unused for a long time. The gemstone reflected the sunset beautifully.
