“I’m sorry, but what is your name?”

“She did not tell you, my name?”

“Yes… My sister did not tell me that much.”

At her words, Noel felt a sense of hurt. The fact that Irene did not say anything despite being the one requesting to see him brushed his pride. He watched Riel’s face for a moment and then answered with a straight face.

“My name is Noel Kristen.”

“If you’re Noel Kristen, then you’re Duke of Kristen?”

“Yes, I am.”

Noel’s answer surprised Riel. The letter sender’s identity was not written anywhere, even inside the letter itself. The first time Riel saw Noel, she thought that he was very handsome, but she did not think for one moment that this man could be Noel Kristen.

Riel briefly felt resentful at that fact, and then she focused on the person in front of her.

“Oh my goodness. I have heard many great things about you, Duke. I am an admirer.”

“…What do you mean by that?” Noel asked back with a puzzled face. 

Riel clasped her hands together with a blushed face.

“I have often heard a story about you, Duke. You are an heir, although you are an illegitimate child. You also have outstanding literary and martial art skills, and you have many loyal and devoted people beside you who would risk their lives for you. It is an honour to meet you in person like this.”

At first glance, it was almost impossible to see Noel frown at Riel’s enthusiastic act. To tell the truth, Noel was aware that an illegitimate child turned into a successor was unusual, and he became the centre of attention in public because of that. But he was not happy to be recounted like that.

“By the way, what is the relationship between the Duke and my sister?” Riel, who had come to her senses, asked. Her expression was unreadable.

Noel thought about how to answer that question. However, when he thought of it, he realised that he had nothing to do with Irene. To be exact, they were in the phase of building a relationship.

“…we do not have any relationship yet.”

Noel did not feel that he had said a false statement. If Irene decided to make a deal with him, she would help him inherit the dukedom while he would help her leave the house. But, if they could not reach an agreement, then he had nothing to do with Irene. It was an accurate answer to their relationship.

Noel certainly did not have to explain that reason, not only because it was uncertain but because it was a secret that only Noel, Irene and God would know.

Therefore, Riel, who did not know the real reason, took the answer literally. She thought that Noel and Irene did not have any relationship. Riel’s face lit up with that fact, but she quickly schooled her expression and made herself look neutral at his response. However, Noel did not miss the moment before she had managed her expression.

You’re very different from Irene. She always looks worn out. He thought.

         With eyes that seemed as if they were about to burst into tears, Irene also looked like she was about to faint. She had seemed like she was a person who was driven to the edge of a cliff. It was her posture, her air, and the sadness and desperation about her that had brought Noel here.

         I think I remember that she wanted to escape from her house.

         Noel could not find out about her current circumstances within the Chase house from his investigation. There was nothing significant that he had gotten out of the report. That was why, to learn more about Irene, he had directly come to this place where she had so badly wanted to run away from.

         Perhaps you did not receive my letter.

         Otherwise, there was no reason Irene did not meet him. 

         After all, isn’t it Irene who chose me, rather than anyone else?

         “First of all, please, do come in. My parents are waiting.” Riel smiled brightly and went in first after saying that. 

         However, it was hard for Noel to move his feet and quickly follow Riel. The parents Irene’s sister mentioned must have been in reference to Count Chase and his wife.

         I’m sure this is not a request that Irene ordered her to do.

         Had it been Irene, she would never have informed her parents of Noel’s existence because that girl’s sole purpose was to escape. He knew that much from their brief interaction and could tell from the fact that she was not the kind of subtle person to inform her parents of his arrival like that. Hence, why he had also sent the letter anonymously, Noel trusted his judgement of people and trusted his first impression of the girl he had met the night before. Noel could already see a snippet of how Irene was being treated in this house from his brief talk with Riel. Likely, her circumstances made her no more different to himself. 

♔♔♔