The Kind Older Sister Is No More

What if her heart burst and she died?

Her heart was beating so hard that she could think of nothing at all. It was the first time in her life that she had been this close to someone of the opposite sex.

After a moment of trembling like that, Irene’s thoughts began to drift.

His eyes are pretty, too.

They were calm, warm like an old tree, and were endlessly deep. Whenever she looked into those eyes, her heart would be at ease, all her worries and concerns would be blown away in an instant.

“Irene, could you give me your hand?”

As if appreciating a work of art, she was swayed by those eyes and was just staring deep into them, that was when Noel's voice reached her. Only then did Irene, who returned to reality, take a step back reflexively.

“Irene said it would be nice to wear the same ring. So, Irene should wear one too.”

Noel, upon saying so, reached out his hand as if to signal her to put hers on top. Irene rolled her eyes anxiously and put her hand on his, like when she was escorted. Noel put the remaining ring on Irene's ring finger with a gentle brush. As his skin touched against hers, Irene stiffened.

“Fortunately, it suits you well.”

Noel looked up and smiled at Irene. Irene stared blankly at that face. Where was she again? Who was she? The wind blew and her hair fluttered.

In that moment, Noel was overcome with a strange feeling. The scenery in his eyes was more beautiful than anything in the world.

♔♔♔

After Irene left the Chase household, the atmosphere of the entire County, which used to be fine, changed.

“Lady, my lady, breathe! Breathe!”

They were taking a walk when the maid shouted as she was holding onto Riel, who had a hard time breathing. But her maid's shouting did not help Riel at all.

As Riel's breathing barely returned to normal, the maids let out a deep sigh. It was not a sigh out of pity.

How many times has it been already?

After Irene left, Riel often collapsed several times a week. It was because there was no one to take proper care of her. At first, the maids felt sorry for her solitude and tried their best to help, but it didn’t work out.

As time went by, their sympathy for her gradually turned into annoyance and trouble.

When the maid tried to lift the fallen Riel, Riel slapped her hand roughly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she coughed.

“...I don’t need it.”

“But my lady...”

“I'm going back alone, so don't follow me.”

“...”

Staggering up, Riel walked inside, leaving her maids behind. Even without looking back at them, she knew very clearly what kind of gaze the maids were looking at her with.

Now this is annoying.

Just a moment ago, if it had been Irene, she would not have yelled, but would have calmly examined her condition and then decided how to deal with it.

It's annoying, really.

Did they all think that she wanted to be born with a body like this? She didn’t even want those people’s help.

She had a lot to say, but she did not have the energy to do so. She just wanted to hurry back and rest. And as soon as she took a turn at the corner...

“I miss Lady Irene.”

“Yeah, I used to think she was gloomy because she was always so quiet, not saying much, but now that I think about it, she was rather mature and calm.”

“The same goes for Miss Riel. It is only getting more irritating as each day passes, it was not like that before.”

“I guess that was her true nature. While she was sick and was stuck in this house, Miss Irene left in search of a new partner.”

“Ah, I really do miss Lady Irene.”

Without knowing that the other party was also listening, the maids carried on babbling.

Why do I have to be treated like this?

Riel clenched her fists.  She could not raise her head as her body trembled with anger and shame. She was being ignored, but meanwhile, they said they missed her sister after she had left. All her arrows of rage were now directed at Irene.

It's all because of Irene. She is interfering with my life and ruining everything. If it weren't for Irene...

She gritted her teeth hard. Riel turned back out from the corner again with an impassive face. When Riel appeared out of the blue, the maids who had been gathering and gossiping were bewildered.

Maybe she hadn't heard it?

They exchanged glances and looked at each other confusedly.

Riel, who was expressionless, then smiled broadly and asked.

“Is there any letter from her today?”