[TKOSINM] 102 - 700th Banquet Anniversary (2)

While going to the banquet hall, the two walked silently. Since everyone was in the banquet hall, there was no one except for two people on the road that was just until a while ago, very crowded. Her hands sweat from the tension and nervousness, and it was hard to control her body. Her heart was racing like it was going to explode.

As the light of the banquet hall drew closer, Irene felt as if her legs were getting heavier. Because it was not just a banquet. It was also their wedding announcement, and it was the moment that marked the beginning. 

“Irene.”

“Hmm. Yes?” 

As she clenched her fists, Noel’s voice spoke above her. Irene looked up at him, startled by the gentle tone that suddenly broke the silence. Noel, who was staring straight ahead, turned his gaze and looked down at Iren. 

“Are you nervous?”

“...Yes.”  Irene nodded honestly.

“I’m nervous too,” he replied.

“Noel too? You don’t look like you are...at all.”

Irene stated in surprise. Sure enough, he did not look any different than usual. His lips were shut in a thin straight line, and his dark brown eyes exuded calmness and reliance.

“I’m nervous. It just doesn’t show.”

“Ah…”

Noel said himself that he was nervous, so she couldn’t say anything more. Irene, who had nothing to say other than agree, kept her mouth shut and started walking forward again, looking straight ahead.

But there was a slight smile on her lips. Perhaps it was because of Noel’s casual remark that she calmed her a bit. The nervousness and tension eased a little, as she looked at his calm face. She could rely on him, even if he was nervous, and that gave her comfort.

After walking like that, the two of them arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall. The banquet had already begun, and a soft waltz could be heard from inside. Seeing Noel standing next to Irene, the gatekeeper looked surprised. Irene stared at the tightly closed door anxiously. What would happen next? How would they be received? What if anything went wrong? She had been idle the whole time, and it was Noel and Tom who had prepared everything. She had no confidence in the performance she was about to do.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand -- Noel.

That’s right. I have him.

Even if she didn’t have confidence in herself, she trusted Noel. Irene looked up at Noel, then turned her head back towards the entrance. From now on, she had to appear in front of people, so she had to be as kind and lover-like as possible. Instead of holding his hand, which he had caught hers, she laced their fingers together.

She could feel Noel giving her a glimpse, but she looked ahead, pretending not to know.

“This is Lady Irene Chase. Announce us.” Noel spoke in a low voice to the knight, looking at him blankly. The knight came to his senses hearing the young master’s sound, and opened the door, shouting.

“I present to you, Duke Noel Kristen and Irene Chase!” 

The ripple effect of that name was truly enormous. From people dancing waltzes to people chatting to people who secretly exchanged glances while drinking cocktails. Everyone turned to the door. All eyes were on them. It was just what Noel wanted. He could feel the many emotions of the people in his eyes.  Curiosity, interest, longing, jealousy, and even hostility.

Noel bent down whispered in Irene’s ear, as he was about to walk inside. He pressed their interlocked fingers together. “You’re beautiful today, Irene.”

Irene looked up into his deep brown eyes, smiling. 

“You’re handsome too, Noel.”

“When the banquet is over, how about we go to the greenhouse we went to last time? I’ll treat you to tea.”

“That sounds amazing.”

Noel intentionally tried to relieve Irene’s stress by conversing to distract her while they made their way towards the centre of the hall. Irene was focused on Noel and answered him, so she was not aware of the people around them. Perhaps because of that, Irene’s movements, which had been stiff with tension, became more and more natural. Kristen the Great stood on the highest platform, with another man sitting next to him. Irene knew intuitively that he belonged to the imperial family. He likely wasn’t the Emperor, so he was probably the Crown Prince.

Below the platform were the vassals and elders of the Grand Duke’s family. Count Rixis, the younger son of the Grand Duke and father of Ascardo, was also present. However, contrary to her expectations, Ascardo could not be seen. Even as the two of them arrived at the centre of the hall, there was only silence. Even the orchestra that was playing the waltz had stopped, staring at the two of them lost. Irene thought it was simply because Noel and herself suddenly appeared, but there was another reason for the silence. It was because the two were extremely beautiful.

The sight of the good-looking man and woman together was like a painting, enough to capture the souls of nobles and artists who were sensitive to beauty. In the meantime, the vassals and elders examined Irene carefully, with eagle sharp eyes. For them, she was their biggest obstacle.

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