Path of the Extra Chapter 398: The Red Hairpin

Despite her reluctance, Jasmine parted from Azriel. He departed alongside Nol and the little girl Lia to purchase more sweets for her—anything to brighten her mood as the moments without her absent brother dragged on interminably.

Jasmine herself had orchestrated the separation.

Strangely, the festival provided the ideal moment to resolve certain issues with the scant few she truly cherished.

One person remained—one vital discussion Jasmine still owed, following her intense exchange with Azriel. That burdensome conversation had granted her what she never knew she lacked: insight. Clarity. And, most painfully, enlightenment.

Therefore, her presence beside Celestina at this moment held no element of chance.

Jasmine had deliberately arranged it.

A talk between them was essential.

From behind her mask, Jasmine observed Celestina in silence, amusement flickering in her eyes, while Celestina paused at a stall, scrutinizing the hairpins. She lifted each one sequentially, rotated it delicately in her fingers, then returned it—over and over.

These items were inexpensive, obviously beneath their noble standings, yet after the suppressed feelings from months trapped in this storyline, the heavy duties pressing upon them, and the mystical allure of tonight's fireworks... quality held no importance for either tonight.

At last, they could indulge in a minor delight without restraint.

Celestina's eyes appeared to shimmer as she studied every hairpin with piercing, near-devout concentration—gleaming much like the stars overhead.

Jasmine smiled inwardly, reminiscing about their younger years. Celestina's curiosity more often than not led her into mishaps, with Jasmine invariably extracting her from the mess.

Perhaps 'curiosity' fell short as the proper term.

'Obsession' captured it more accurately.

Whatever captivated Celestina, she fixated upon it with ease.

And precisely as Jasmine regarded Azriel with eyes brimming with affection, she had forever viewed Celestina in identical fashion.

Precisely as Azriel served as Jasmine's younger brother...

Celestina had functioned as Jasmine's little sister too.

No blood relation linked them, but their extensive shared time blurred that distinction. In those days, Jasmine and Celestina proved inseparable. Jasmine had perpetually envisioned the young Frost princess as her own little sister.

And in various respects...

Jasmine had forged a tighter bond with Celestina than even with Azriel.

Far more time had been devoted to Celestina than ever to Azriel—who habitually shunned company, absorbed in his own pursuits.

This realization continued to disturb Jasmine. The thought of Azriel and Lioren sharing so much time, each instance she'd puzzled over Azriel's location...

Even presently, envisioning it proved challenging.

Yet that belonged to history.

Yes.

All of it resided in the past.

The manner in which Celestina once beheld Jasmine as an elder sister...

That too lay in the past.

No soul amid the crowd would fathom how corrupted and shattered the ties among the four heirs had grown.

No one would perceive the subtle strain enduring between Celestina and Jasmine to this day—no matter their bright smiles or effortless words.

The once-strong connection between them stood irreparably broken.

And Jasmine alone bore responsibility for its destruction.

Her melancholic smile remained securely veiled by her mask.

How heartless.

She ought to savor the festival far more. Yet today, Jasmine merely hauled her beloved ones into tormenting recollections.

But...

She yearned to attempt it.

At minimum, once.

To heal yet another link she had mercilessly ruptured long ago.

'Celestina,' Jasmine summoned gently, her voice tender and nearly consoling.

Celestina pivoted with faint astonishment, replacing the red hairpin. Unlike Jasmine, she had discarded her mask—deeming it excessively stifling.

'Yes?' Celestina inquired with patience, her head angling subtly.

To Jasmine, it rendered her even more endearing.

Celestina naturally remained unaware of her present cuteness—and loveliness.

'Do any of these catch your eye?'

Jasmine drew nearer and oriented herself toward the lineup of hairpins.

To onlookers, it appeared as an ordinary exchange between two young ladies.

However, they would overlook the mounting tension simmering between the pair.

They would fail to notice Celestina's minute efforts to widen the space.

'I don’t know,' Celestina answered steadily, fixating seriously on the hairpins. 'They’re all so pretty. I can’t seem to choose.'

Jasmine stifled a sigh while maintaining composure. She retrieved the red hairpin Celestina had just relinquished.

Simple, yet enchanting.

Jasmine nodded approvingly to herself.

Then she whirled and hurled a pouch of coins at the stallkeeper, settling the payment before Celestina grasped the situation.

Celestina blinked in startlement—only to widen her eyes further upon Jasmine's return, mischief dancing in her gaze.

Ere Celestina could respond—and helpless against Jasmine's superior swiftness—the red hairpin found itself fastened securely into Celestina’s silver tresses.

"...Huh?"

Celestina remained stunned as her hand rose instinctively. She lightly brushed the pin in her hair, almost as though verifying its reality.

Jasmine let out a soft chuckle at her puzzled look.

"It suits you," Jasmine said with warmth.

Celestina gazed at her—her eyes conveying a single, unmistakable message.

Jasmine pivoted and began walking away.

Celestina paused briefly, her fingers still on the hairpin, before choosing to leave it in place. She quickened her pace to catch up and walk alongside her.

Jasmine glanced around casually, humming a merry tune as if all was normal. At last, she spoke, drawing Celestina’s full focus instantly.

"You still haven’t given me a proper answer, now that I think about it, Celestina. I asked you last time whether you wanted us to go back to how we used to be."

Celestina stiffened in place.

Fortunately, Jasmine had guided them to a secluded spot with hardly anyone around. She halted, spun to face Celestina directly.

Celestina stared back, eyes wide, her gaze flickering uncertainly.

"So?" Jasmine urged.

"Do you want to, Celestina?"

The question struck Celestina like a venomous barb.

Finally, she compelled herself to lock eyes with Jasmine. Her lips compressed tightly. Fists balled at her sides, fighting to steady her racing heart.

"You..." Celestina started.

"During that sleepover we had at the academy—in Azriel’s room... you said we should act more like the heiresses of our clans. You said we should keep our distance."

Those very words echoed in her mind, as they had rung true before.

And they had shattered her heart.

Jasmine’s abrupt changes still baffled her—blazing warmth one instant, icy distance the next.

A sorrowful smile hid behind Jasmine’s mask.

"You know the truth, Celestina..." Jasmine paused, her lip caught between her teeth under the mask. The hesitation lasted just a moment.

"I lied when I said that."

"What?"

Celestina’s eyes flew open wide.

"I didn’t say it because I wanted us to be ’proper heiresses,’ no matter what," Jasmine went on. "I said it because... I thought it was for your sake."

Yet she shook her head.

"No. That isn’t true either. I didn’t say it for your sake."

Her tone dropped softer.

"I said it because I was selfish. And scared."

Celestina merely gaped at her, bewildered.

"I was excited when I suggested the sleepover," Jasmine confessed. "But then... I got afraid that if we got close again, it would cause more problems for you than for me. That you’d get hurt again because of me."

Tension gripped Jasmine’s voice.

"I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be the one to hurt you more than I already have."

Jasmine broke the stare first, glancing downward as if bracing her shoulders against the quiver in her voice.

"You hate me, don’t you, Celestina?" she whispered. "For most of the past two years... I’ve been the one hurting you."

Jasmine fell silent there, fearing more words would unleash her tears.

Shock crossed Celestina’s face. Then her lips quivered tightly. She averted her gaze, brows furrowed deeply, her anguish twisting Jasmine’s heart.

"I don’t hate you," Celestina burst out, her voice soft and unsteady— laced with long-suppressed anger and sorrow.

Jasmine raised her head in surprise.

"But I resent you."

"Ah..."

A faint sound slipped from Jasmine’s lips as her heart seemed to halt briefly. Celestina’s look forced Jasmine’s eyes down in shame once more.

"I thought we were as good as sisters," Celestina pressed on, voice fracturing. "You said I was basically your little sister... but you lied."

"I-I didn’t!" Jasmine cried out desperately, her voice pitching higher.

"That was never a lie! You’re my little sister!"

"THEN WHY DID YOU ABANDON ME?!"

"...!"

Celestina snapped her mouth shut right after the shout, regretting its release.

Her hands dropped gradually. Teeth grinding, she spoke again, voice trembling harder.

"You—out of everyone—knew my fears best. What I loved. What I hated. You... you promised you would never leave... and then you became so cold and cruel. You ignored me for... for two whole years."

Her voice cracked, then grew fierce.

"You treated me like some stranger you hated!"

Jasmine recoiled, struggling for words that wouldn’t come.

Celestina kept going.

"I get it... you were hurt. You thought Azriel died, and it broke you. But..." Her voice quavered.

"...You also left me."

She swallowed hard.

"I know what I’m saying is... selfish, after you thought you lost your brother, but... but to me, it felt like my sister... died."

Her eyes shimmered with tears.

"...You’re as selfish as me."

Jasmine quietly confessed this truth deep within her thoughts.

She had always claimed whatever she craved.

Even if it demanded forsaking a sisterly bond enduring over ten years.

Celestina wasn’t selfish at all.

Jasmine had inflicted deep pain on her.

Azriel’s death provided no justification for her cruel treatment of Celestina—after every vow she swore to the silver-haired girl.

After vowing never to desert her again...

That fateful day.

The detestable Skinwalker invaded the Frost estate, slaughtering the former king and queen of the Frost Clan—directly before Celestina’s eyes.

Jasmine pledged to soothe her wounds.

Instead, she carved new scars into her soul.

She proved herself heartless and self-serving.

"...I’m sorry."

A frail whimper escaped Jasmine Crimson’s throat—fragile, quivering, and heartbreakingly tiny.

These words stood as the only solace for the princess she had left behind.

"I’m sorry for breaking my promise."

Celestina always restrained her emotions, her longings, her impulses.

But now, tears broke free despite her efforts, glistening as they slid down her pale cheeks.

She turned her head aside, scrubbing at them with her palms, yet they wouldn’t cease.

So Jasmine’s approach went unseen.

Only when Jasmine clasped her hands tenderly did she notice, allowing the sobs to flow unchecked.

Jasmine’s mask had fallen away completely.

Celestina viewed her true face at last.

The weeping princess of the Crimson Clan offered a vulnerable, radiant smile.

"All I can ask is for your forgiveness... and for one last chance to make amends for my mistakes."

If Jasmine possessed time travel—like Azriel’s [redo]—she’d ensure the girl before her knew no torment.

She’d protect her little brother and little sister from all suffering.

"I..." Celestina’s words stumbled.

She appeared speechless—perhaps drained of them entirely.

Her gaze dropped, hiding the flush of vulnerability from Jasmine’s sight.

Then abruptly, she yanked her hands free.

Jasmine’s heart twisted in agony.

Still, her smile endured.

It never faltered.

"I... I don’t know," Celestina murmured without raising her eyes.

"Mhm." Jasmine responded with gentle acknowledgment.

"Then I’ll keep trying to make amends until you forgive me, even if you come to hate me."

"That—! I would never hate—ah..."

Celestina glanced up, her breath snagging at Jasmine’s expression.

Flustered once more, she looked away, her voice dropping softer.

"Why the sudden effort...?" she blurted before thinking.

"Because you’re one of the few people I hold dearly in my heart."

Celestina battled back a budding smile, her cheeks gaining a soft pink hue.

"...I guess... you could try..."

A heavy thud echoed in response.

Too shy to look immediately, she hesitated.

"...Jasmine?"

Dread surged through her suddenly. Celestina scowled and pivoted toward Jasmine, her heart pounding without reason.

Finally, she beheld the horror.

Instantly, the world turned ice-cold. Her eyes flew wide at Princess Jasmine Crimson sprawled lifeless on the floor.

"Jas...mine...?"