[TKOSINM] 295 – Enough For Him
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"Noel, you go up first."
"You won't be joining me?"
After the conversation with the Grand Duke, the two were headed to the bedroom when Irene suddenly asked him to go up on his own. Puzzled, Noel looked down at Irene, standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"I'm going to stop by the second gymnasium for a while. It won't take long."
"...Is it because of what I said earlier?"
"Don't think about it much. I also think that harmony must be achieved between the spirits."
"Don't work too hard and strain yourself. There is still plenty of time left."
When Noel maintained the same worried expression, Irene shyly stroked his hair, smiling at him softly.
"That's true, but I'm not sure if I can control them fully by then. So I thought it would be better to start from now..."
"...We haven't studied their defences properly. It may even be impossible for us to enter the Palace, so don't feel too burdened."
'Actually, I don't want you to go.'
Noel wanted Irene to be in the safest place possible; he didn't want her going through any more hardships. All he wanted was for her to walk comfortably behind him as he plucked the thorns covering her path.
//awww
But Irene didn't act according to his wishes.
"I know how you feel about all of this, Noel, but I think I should solve my own problems even if you're worried about me, so please support me and cheer me on. That would be enough for me."
He wanted to always remain by her side and protect her, as she was his only weakness, and he didn't want her in harm's way; however, Noel couldn't help but give in to her determination. Besides, there was nothing wrong with Irene's words.
'If I dissuade her more than this, it will hurt her feelings.'
//best man award goes to-
"I see. How about we go to the gymnasium together?"
"Yes, I'd like that. It's quicker if we go by carriage, it would be nice to feel the warm breeze."
"Yes, let's head out."
"Sure…"
"I hope I didn't hold you up for long."
"Oh, not at all. Please lead the way."
Irene nodded. Coincidentally, she also thought she might hurt Noel's feelings if she refused him constantly, so she agreed to let him tag along to the gymnasium.
It wasn't that difficult of a task. In fact, she wanted to spend every second she had with Noel.
Noel reached out to her, and Irene took his hand as they were about to walk out together when a voice stopped them…
"Lord! Madame!"
Tom rushed towards the two of them from the other end of the hall.
"What's going on?"
Hearing the urgency in Tom's voice, Noel frowned slightly and asked. Tom took a deep breath and answered.
"A guest has arrived at the Grand Duke's room. But I think the two of you should also be present there…."
"A guest? Whom might it be?"
Hearing Tom's words, Irene got confused as they weren't expecting visits from anyone at this time of the year.
Her heartbeat rose as anxiety started kicking in.
"It's... It's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The answer she received caught her off guard.
Irene and Noel looked at each other in shock.
"Perhaps he came as the Emperor's representative."
"Should we go?"
"Did grandfather call for us?"
Noel asked, and Tom answered without missing a beat.
"Yes, he told me to deliver the message quickly."
"Irene."
"We can go to the gymnasium later. Let's go."
At Irene's affirmation, Noel nodded, and soon the two of them hurried to the Grand Duke's quarters.
When they finally made it to their destination, the butler, who had been standing in front of the door, announced their arrival.
"Please come in."
Soon after the butler opened the door, Irene wanted to ask him if the Prince was inside, but in the end, she decided to confirm with her own eyes. So Irene walked inside nervously at a slow pace.
"Long time no see, Duke, Madame."
Seeing them come in, the man got up from the sofa to greet them. Irene couldn't take her eyes off his brilliant blonde hair, identical to the Emperor. Irene lowered her gaze slightly as soon as he spoke.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness, The Crown Prince."
