The Kind Older Sister Is No More

Irene grabbed the case and ran outside, after staring at it for a while.  She heard her maid calling from behind, but all she could think of was seeing Noel right now.

She knew where Noel was headed. There was only one way from her residence to the main house and his office.

Running on the path he would have walked, Irene held her skirt together so that the dress would not be ruined. In her other hand was the small box.

When she arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence, the sky, which was once filled with the crimson light of the sunset, had been taken over by twilight, and now the stars were beginning to glimmer in the dark night. However, thanks to the light that illuminated the mansion, the surroundings were still bright. From afar, the nearby lights looked like fireflies, shedding light onto the path, guiding her way.

As Noel’s silver-toned blonde hair was visible from afar, Irene gradually slowed down. She ran so hard that she was out of breath.

“Noel.”

Hardly breathing, Irene tried to call out his name. Even though it was quite a distance, Noel heard her voice and looked back. His eyes widened at the sight of Irene. He took one step closer.

“Irene? What brings you here...Were you looking for me in that dress?”

“…yes.”

“Is there something going on? You seem urgent...You better catch your breath first. Take a deep breath, then exhale.”

All of a sudden, Irene inhaled deeply as he told her to. She wondered what he was doing just now, but surprisingly, her breathing quickly regained stability.

“So, Irene, what's the matter?”

“I heard that Noel gave me the dress as a gift.” she breathed.

“Oh, yes.”

“You didn’t have to…it seems like an expensive gown.”

At first, she was full of gratitude, but as time passed, she felt guilty and burdened.

On the other hand, Noel spoke rather casually.

“I was the one who invited you to be my companion, so I thought I should prepare for it. That’s why, don't feel pressured.”

“…Yes, thank you, Noel. I will not feel pressured.”

She thought it was not polite to make the giver uncomfortable with their gift, so Irene decided to fully accept his kind gesture.

Noel, who was looking at Irene with a smile, belatedly found the box in her hand.

“By the way, Irene, what is that thing in your hand?”

“Ah, this is…”

She had brought it as an excuse to go see him, but after meeting him, she realised that she almost did not need a reason. Their conversation proceeded naturally, and a comfortable atmosphere was maintained.

But the Grand Duke also said...

She was worried that Noel would avoid him after showing the rings, but she gathered up the courage as she remembered the Grand Duke who helped her in a difficult situation.

“These are the rings that the Grand Duke gave to Noel and I as a gift. When we go to the exhibition tomorrow, I think it would be a good idea to wear it together.”

“...”

Irene opened the box and showed it to Noel. As expected, Noel remained silent and said nothing. His dark brown pupils turned downward. What was he trying to reconcile? All that was left was a heavy silence. Irene swallowed her saliva nervously and continued.

“Noel, If you don’t like it, you don't have to wear it. I will go along with Noel's choice…”

“Irene.”

Noel’s gaze moved up to look at Irene. When their eyes met, Irene immediately shut her mouth.

Contrary to her expectations, he showed no signs of anger or displeasure. Rather, he looked at her with calm eyes as usual, and with a low and friendly tone, he spoke.

“What does Irene want to do with the ring?”

He was only asking.

Nonetheless, Irene looked at Noel in amazement; she never expected him to ask such a question. She did not think her choice would matter...Noel was asking for her opinion with a very serious face.

“I want to hear it. What does Irene think?”

“…I want Noel to wear these rings with me. Because there will be a lot of people at the exhibition, and I think wearing the same rings would be better to show the relationship. That is why…”

The more she talked, the less she knew what she was spouting. It sounded plausible, but the truth was...

“I just want to wear the same ring as Noel’s.”

Noel was not sure if he heard right. Her whisper was barely audible, and he wasn’t sure if he had misheard because he was too hopeful. He looked at Irene deeply,

“I see. Then Irene, could you put it on for me.”

“Pardon?”

While Irene still had no idea what to do, a large hand popped into her sight. At that moment, Irene’s gaze stopped right above that hand.

“The ring is a gift from Irene to me. So, Irene, please put it on for me.”

It seemed logical at first glance, but it felt rather unconvincing. Still, there was only one thought in her head at the time.

His hands are so pretty.

Noel's hands were so pretty that even the elongated fingers, the raised bones, and the slightly bulging blood vessel calluses felt like well-crafted pieces put together.

“...okay.”

Irene answered as if she had been hypnotised, taking out the ring from the box. The box naturally fell into Noel's hand.

“Okay, I’ll put it on.”

She felt strange after having said that. Irene fumbled, trying to fit the ring on the tip of his finger. However, since she was trying to put on the ring in the midst of the air without any support, it kept falling apart. As it continued to not fit properly, Irene, who became slightly agitated, took Noel's hand.

Without noticing that he was looking, Irene concentrated on wearing the ring. Fortunately, it fit perfectly. Irene lifted her head proudly at the thought that she had successfully put the ring on.

Her face hardened.

Noel was so close. He was looking down at her. If she dared to meet his eyes and turn her face up, the tip of her nose would touch his cheek. Irene stopped breathing. If she opened her mouth, it was likely that her breath would reach him, and if she blinked, it felt like her eyelashes would brush against him.

What if her heart burst and she died?

*Ru: Small illustration of how I imagined their meeting.