[TKOSINM] 104 - Your Face Is Red

“It is my honour to hear that you liked it.”

“Ha-ha. I’m grateful for the wonderful gift I received.”

What the hell was going on now? The nobles gathered in the banquet hall exchanged glances.

“Now that everyone seems to have gathered, let’s feast. In honour of the 700th anniversary of the Grand Duchy of Kristen, I am grateful to all who have gathered here. Please let go of life’s complexity for a moment and enjoy the banquet.”

As soon as Kristen finished speaking, the orchestra began to play loudly. But people were reluctant to move. Everyone was preoccupied with figuring out the timing to approach Noel. They kept an eye on him, meanwhile, the ladies and young girls were busy searching for a chance with Irene.

As the nobles showed signs of slowly gathering around him, Noel gently took Irene’s hand and moved to the outside of the hall. The crowd soon lost their target in the midst of the swamped hall.

“There’s nothing good about crowds. Tom will be here soon, so let’s take a break until then. How’s the terrace?”

“It’s nice.” Irene nodded her head. Noel clasped Irene’s hand and broke through the crowd. They went out to the empty terrace to spend their time away from curious eyes. Then, to indicate that there was someone out there, he loosened the fabric holding the curtains. In an instant, the curtains fell, separating the banquet hall from the terrace. Only one curtain had been lowered, but it felt as if the surroundings had become quiet. Actually, it wasn’t an illusion. There was only silence, after Irene and Noel left. It wasn’t just because the two of them appeared together. This Irene Chase was much more beautiful than the rumours, and above all, it was because the Grand Duke of Kristen, who was known to have a strained relationship with Noel, showed favour to Noel and Irene.

The people in the banquet hall were not stupid enough to not know what that meant. When even the ordinary nobles were surprised, the vassals and elders of the Great Kristen who gathered on one side, had to continue to maintain their facial expressions. They pretended as if nothing had happened while soothing their upset stomachs. Unaware of the fact, Irene felt free just to be out of sight.

 “It’s refreshing.”

The season was passing from Summer to Autumn.

It was still hot during the day, but the wind at night was cool. Holding onto wisps of her hair, Irene looked back at Noel. Light leaked through the curtains and spread behind him. Feeling mysterious and dreamy, Irene soaked it in for a while and looked at Noel. Irene, who was staring blankly at him, was startled when Noel caught her eyes and stepped back. 

“Wait.” The moment his back caught the railing, Noel came closer and stretched out his hand.

Suddenly he got closer, causing Irene to recoil.

“No, Noel?”

She tried to scoot away, but she was blocked by a railing. Her waist was pressed against the smooth cool marble parapets.

“Stay still for a bit.”

As he got closer, Irene, seemingly turned to stone, closed her eyes tightly. But as time passed, nothing happened. Irene opened her eyes, to find Noel tying the ribbon around her waist again.

“It looks like it got caught. I’ll re-tie it.”

“Ahhh…”

Noel tied Irene’s ribbon, with a face that spoke ‘absolute selflessness’. Naturally, his posture lowered. Irene looked at Noel blankly. She felt like she wanted to hide in a hole right then. 

What am I imagining alone?

Her face seemed to be burning from the heat.

Irene only wished Noel would let her go soon. So, she could lower her head and cover her face, obscuring it from his sight.

As she wished, after a while, Noel raised his head. Then he tilted his head slightly. 

“Irene, are you cold?”

“Yes? No.”

 “But your face is red...” 

“It’s hot!” she replied frantically, just as Noel reached out to place his hand on her forehead.

Taken aback, his hand stilled in mid-air. At that moment, the curtains raised sharply.

“Have you...What are you doing here?”

It was Tom. he closed the curtains and looked awkwardly between Irene and Noel who were both frozen. Noel quickly retracted his hand and acted casual. “It’s nothing. Are you all set?”

“Yes. I’ve arranged for my knights to directly report so no one can approach them, and I made sure that all the key people were gathered.  

“And Ascardo?”

“From the looks of it, I don’t think he attended the banquet. I don’t know what kind of trick he’s trying to pull.

“He won’t be able to ruin today’s plan. We’ll guard the door so that not a single cub can enter. Of course, they won’t be able to go out either.”

“Yes. I’ve already written the numbers down.”

“Irene.” Noel looked at her. Then he paused for a moment. At his wavering expression, Tom and Irene appeared glum. Then, carefully Noel reached out his hand to Irene. He was worried that Irene would again refuse his touch. Of course, it did not matter if she did not like it, all they had to do was go in together, but…

Why are you feeling so uncomfortable?

When she avoided his touch, Noel quickly managed his expression, so as not to show his stiffness. It was because he hadn’t expected her to reject his touch.

Afraid?

You’re just being denied a touch, yet you’re scared. It was a feeling he found hard to understand.

But his worries didn’t last long. Irene grasped his hand tightly and looked at him solemnly.

“Let’s go.”

In the faint light shielded by half a curtain, Irene’s olive eyes glowed. As soon he held her small hand, Noel’s anxiety was blown away.

Noel looked at Irene and smiled softly at her, then they walked past the curtain and entered the banquet hall. Walking behind those two, Tom sighed heavily. 

♔♔♔

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