The Kind Older Sister Is No More

With that thought, she approached Noel. When Noel gazed down wordlessly as she approached him, causing her to feel embarrassed at his scrutiny. She shyly avoided his gaze. Suddenly the gravel beneath her heels seemed so interesting.

“I wanted to tell you yesterday, but the dress looks beautiful on you, Irene.”

A clear voice, neither too high nor too low, echoed in her ears. Irene’s gaze, which had moved from the gravel to the inconspicuous particles in the air, returned to Noel. Noel, as usual, was looking at her with an indifferent expression. But after staring at Noel for quite some time, Irene realised that his expression was not as cold as it was.

His eyes are warm.

The warmth seemed to rise wherever his gaze reached. Irene parted her lips and smiled softly.

“Noel is cool, too.”

At her words, Noel’s shoulders flinched, and his pupils wobbled. However, Irene did not notice it in that brief moment and continued to smile.

Even though we are in a contractual relationship, sometimes it feels good to look at each other warmly like this.

“Irene, take my hand and come up.”

Upon opening the door of the carriage, Noel naturally held out his hand, and as Irene was about to put her hand on his, she halted.

A pair of rings, each on their respective ring fingers, side by side, caught her eyes. It felt strange, it was as if they were connected by the rings.

“Irene?”

Noel interrupted her thoughts. As Irene stood absentmindedly leaving his outstretched hand in midair, Noel stared at her puzzled. Irene then placed her hand in his, awkwardly. His supportive hand was large and warm, and holding it gave her a sense of stability. She could feel his skin under the sensitive palm of her hand.

We are not even real lovers, what am I thinking?

The moment he held her hand, she thought it was nice. What she meant was the temperature of his touch.

If Noel found out, he would most definitely be offended.

Even though he was merely being an escort out of obligation, and not giving her any particular special treatment, it was wrong of her to have thoughts of self-interest towards him.

Irene, displaying a blank face not to reveal her thoughts, keenly raised her head and climbed into the carriage. Noel, who followed in the carriage, sat down across from her.

Just as the carriage was about to depart, someone approached it.

“Darling.”

She could tell who it was at once just by hearing his voice. Irene quickly opened the window. As expected, Grand Duke Kristen was standing in front of the window.

“Your Grace?”

“I just wanted to tell you to take care. Have a safe trip.”

Despite the surprise those unexpected words brought, Irene soon smiled.

“Yes, I will be right back.”

This was the most astonishing change since she entered this great mansion. She could not believe she was this close to the Grand Duke of Kristen, whom she thought was a figure she would never be able to get close to in her lifetime. It seemed that the outing yesterday had made a massive impact.

When he had finished greeting Irene, his gaze turned to Noel. Noel looked back at the Grand Duke with a faint sigh.

The heart-warming atmosphere was instantly replaced with awkwardness as soon as their eyes met. At the sudden change of atmosphere, Irene nervously looked at the two of them alternately.

“Noel, have a safe trip…”

The Grand Duke’s gaze rested on Noel’s hand while he spoke. Perhaps it was because a familiar ring caught his eyes, the Great Kristen’s eyes lit up. Then he added in a muffled voice.

“… off you go.”

“...Yes.”

Noel replied in a low voice. When the Grand Duke took a step back, the carriage began to run.

Irene glanced at Noel. He was looking out the window with a complicated face. Irene, who was looking at Noel quietly, opened her mouth.

“Noel is...”

“...?”

As Noel turned around to face Irene, she looked him in the eyes and spoke.

“I think you are a much stronger person than I thought.”

“...Pardon? What does that mean...”

When Noel asked what she meant, Irene expressed her thoughts more firmly.

“You are not afraid."

“...”

“If I were you, I would not want to see him. I would just want to run away, but Noel does not avoid him. You try to accept it -- you try to reconcile with your past. You forgive. In my eyes, you are the most admirable. I think you are the strongest person I have ever met, Noel."

“…does it seem that way?”

Noel forced a small smile as he looked at Irene strangely, Irene nodded resolutely at his question. It was not just a mouthful of flattery. She was being sincere.

The carriage left the Dukedom and rattled along the streets. The silence lasted for a long time. As Irene was looking at the scenery outside, Noel’s low voice broke the stillness.

“...it’s thanks to Irene.”

At the sudden words, Irene turned to Noel. Noel made eye contact with her and finished his words.

“I am not a great person. If it had been before, I would have run away. But now Irene is here. That is why I am not running away. Because you are my strength and hope.”

Ru: Coming back after 91, gosh he really is a sweet talker /o\

“...”

Irene stared blankly at Noel. Her grip on her dress tightened, crumpling the silk & chiffon fabric. Upon taking a deep breath lightly so as not to be seen, she responded with a faint smile.

“I know you will become a great Duke after you marry me.”