The Kind Older Sister Is No More

Feeling a bit nauseous, Irene turned her head away. It was not until they had safely arrived at Noel’s office, did he finally release her hand.

Irene looked at her wrist.

It doesn’t hurt.

When she had seen his expression, she felt like he was going to grab her and drag her away with force, but Noel had carefully held her and gently led her away. Irene could have shaken away her hand any time.

Such a small yet delicate consideration, was new to Irene.

“Irene, what the hell happened? * Why were you with Ascardo...and that outfit…”

*he kind of swore here, because he was angry/frustrated.

His expression softened as if it had never happened. But he was bewildered at the seeming absurdity of her clothing. It was then that Irene remembered she was wearing her maid’s clothing.

Her face became beet red, and she stuttered.

“Well, I’m curious as to what is going on right now, and I wanted to visit you, Noel. But the people outside caught me.”

“How did you meet Ascardo?”

“He helped me out when I almost got caught.”

“...ha.” Noel sighed in frustration.

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Feeling guilty, she apologised to him.

However…,

“I’m sorry, Irene.”

It was Noel who first apologised before she could get a word out.

At his sudden apology Irene was puzzled.

“Why are you apologising Noel?”

“Because I made you come see me. I should have gone to visit you right away, but I was careless because it was not on my mind. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, really, it’s alright.”

When Noel bowed his head, Irene was startled and shook her hand, trying to dissuade him.

She did not come here to receive an apology from him.

Noel raised his head as Irene rushed to stop him.

His eyes suddenly became cold. “But Irene, no matter how difficult things may be, stay away from Ascardo. He’s dangerous.”

“I promise not to do anything to cause you to worry.”

Only when Irene spoke assertively did Noel’s expression soften.

“I was just on my way to tell you about the 700th anniversary banquet.”

“Ah…”

Irene then realised how Noel had found her. He had come to see her too, and by chance, happened to see her alone with Ascardo. When she realised this, she felt a rush of regret.

I should have just waited.

That way, she would not have met Ascardo and offended Noel.

She felt sour because she seemed to have made him insecure by moving around for nothing.

“Firstly, the invitations have all been issued. As to what Irene will wear on the day…”

Seeing Irene’s face when speaking, Noel paused for a moment.

Her complexion did not appear to look good. At first glance, Irene was struggling to control her expression, but Noel knew her heart.

He looked at Irene in the eyes, then parted his lips gently.

“I’m glad you came to me first.”

//AHHHHHH NOELLLLLLLLLLLL. MY HEART.

“...Yes? So suddenly…”

Irene's eyes fluttered incessantly at his sudden and unexpected remark. Noel’s gaze was so warm, as if Irene were a child he was stroking.

“I was in trouble because of the nobles at the front gate. When you hear despicable rumours, they always stick to you. Thank you for coming to me. I didn’t run into them.”

“Oh…”

“So, I’m glad.”

Irene blinked.

Noel is trying to comfort me. That’s it.

There was no way she would not understand, because she knew Noel was a kind person. He didn’t utter words in vain.

At the same time Irene realised this, she blamed herself.

I shouldn’t have revealed my feelings so blatantly.

In other’s eyes, they interacted like lovers who understood each other; their relationship was a homogenous one. But she knew it was just sympathy. A contractual relationship based solely on mutual profit; it was polite to refrain from getting personal as much as possible. She could not believe that she had shown Noel her emotions.

I’ve accepted it now, but it will become burdensome as my emotions accumulate.

More than anything else, this kind of comfort. I’ll have to be careful going forward.

Irene convinced herself with determination.

“Thank you, I will be more careful from now on. I will always remember our contractual relationship.”

Ah, yes. The contract.