The Kind Older Sister Is No More

“Sweetheart, did you find the dress you wanted?”

At his question, Irene shook her head. She had actually found a suitable dress for herself, but she did not want to buy it here.

I cannot help it. I guess I have no choice but to ask the maid.

She wanted to wear the dress bought by herself, but she could not, because the current circumstances were unfavourable.

“No. I have not found it yet.”

The owner, noticing Irene’s brief answer, hurriedly ran out.

“Oh, I see. I apologise. I was not aware. If there is a dress you would like, then I can immediately…”

“No, thank you it’s alright.”

However, the owner was immediately blocked by the Duke. The Great Kristen’s eyes staring down at the owner of the shop were sinking cold. The owner sweat profusely.

She must be a close friend of Grand Duke Kristen.

“I do not think we will ever visit this vendor again. Let us leave now, dear.”

I am done for.

The owner seemed as if he wanted to cry. For such words to be said to him, and blatantly to his face not by anyone else, but the Grand Duke of Kristen himself…

The Grand Duke of Kristen was a person known to exert a great deal of influence -- beyond the power of the current emperor. Perhaps even before the day’s end, rumours would spread that this dress shop was out of favour with the Great Kristen, and from tomorrow onwards, only the sight of flying flies would be visible from the glass exterior. The inside of the store would be person-less, no, customer-less.

Leaving the shop, Irene entered the carriage with the Great Kristen. It was difficult to raise her head.

In fact, even though it was not her own fault, she was deeply ashamed of getting the Great Kristen involved in such little matters. He may have left the estate in a good mood, but she must have ruined it.

There was no conversation between the two until they got into the carriage to return to the Grand Duchy. Irene pretended to look out the window in order to catch a glimpse of the Grand Duke’s image from the reflection. What was he thinking? He looked very serious. Perhaps he was thinking about the events that had transpired earlier. Irene was worried and wanted to talk to him.

But before that could happen, the Duke opened up to her first.

“Sweetie.”

“Ye-Yes?”

Irene stuttered. The timing was exquisite.

“Weren’t you flabbergasted?”

He asked Irene with a serious expression.

Flabbergasted?

He meant what had happened at the dress shop a little while ago. At his worried words, Irene smiled awkwardly in response.

“I am fine.”

“That is relieving to hear. If you ever find yourself in trouble again, make sure to tell me.”

“Yes, thank you.”

It was not long before Irene noticed something was wrong with the Grand Duke. He hesitated unnaturally, and then he began to pull something out from behind his back.

What was going on? Irene looked at him, unable to hide her curiosity. Then a small box appeared from behind him.

“I do not know what kind of taste you have… I have chosen it on my own, but if you do not like it, do tell me. I will change it right away.”

“...Pardon?”

It was difficult to comprehend what he was saying. Not until she received the box and removed the lid in bewilderment, did Irene understand the meaning of the Grand Duke’s words.

Inside the box were two rings. A small and a large one with finely crafted diamonds in the centre.

“Your Grace, this is…”

“Didn’t you say that you are going to an exhibition with that child tomorrow? It must be quite an important event, I wanted to do something for you, so I prepared this. But if I give it to him, the boy, Noel, will definitely not accept it. Sweetheart, why don’t you pass the ring to him instead? If you give it to him yourself, he will receive it in minutes. Would you do me this favour?”

The Great Kristen looked at Irene with soft eyes and asked gently. Irene could not readily answer.

I should agree to it…

After being silent for a moment, Irene opened her mouth and spoke in a quiet voice.

“I am very happy with the rings. Thank you for your consideration. However…I do not think I can tell Noel to wear this ring.”

Irene tightened her fists from nervousness. Her heart trembled and it felt like sand between her lips. She pressed them together to moisten them.

However, …