[TKOSINM] 106 - Ominous Energy

Irene walked up the stairs with Noel and glanced at him. He seemed calm at first glance, but now that she could read Noel’s expression to some extent, Irene noticed he was tense. 

I can’t help it.

How important this moment was in Noel’s life -- Irene who had stood by him, knew very well. Her heart pounded and she felt as if she were sweating profusely.

The higher she went up, the heavier her footsteps became.

However…

“It’s okay.”

At Irene’s small voice, Noel turned around.

Irene quietly removed her hand from his arm, and placed his hand, interlocking their fingers.

Noel’s eyes widened slightly. “You’ve prepared a lot for today.” His heart trembled; she wanted to soothe it.

“It’ll be fine, Noel.”

“...”`

Like magic, her words relaxed him. Irene smiled at Noel.

“When the banquet is over, I want to go to the greenhouse and drink the tea Noel serves me.”

“...My pleasure.”

“I hope the banquet is over soon.”

“I feel the same way.” Noel chuckled.

After their quiet conversation, they arrived at the platform. Irene and Noel stood side by side in the centre of the platform.

The entire banquet hall is visible from her.

The highest location offered a sweeping view of the spacious banquet. One could also see clearly the people who looked up at them from below and know who was in attendance. Looking around the banquet hall, Irene stopped for a moment.

...Mother, father.

Her parents were also present. The two stood at the bottom in front, with trembling eyes. Irene made eye contact with her mother, who pursed her lips with sorrowful eyes.

‘Irene’.

It seemed like that was what she was mouthing -- Irene’s name. Her eyes were filled with tears, as she tried to hold herself back. Next to her, stood her father who was staring up at her.

His expression was one that was completely weary and exhausted. The arrogance and fury she remembered on his face when he tore her paintings to pieces was absent.

Irene looked at the two wordlessly. It seemed that the two somehow still managed to convey with their posture and faces that they wanted Irene and Noel to come down from the platform even now. 

However…

Irene turned her head away without any hesitation. She knew how desperately the two of them looked at her, and how shocked they were.

I’m not going back.

When she entered the Grand Duke’s House, she felt emotions she had never felt before, and experienced things she never imagined she would have the privilege to. Affection, and the fact it wasn’t from her family, made it all the more painful. ‘So this was how it felt like to be loved, to be happy’, were her first thoughts. In her twenty-three years, she had never experienced that, and so after realising how joyous she could be, and the comfort and safety it provided, Irene realised she no longer missed her family.

My place is where...Noel is.

Remaining by his side meant her future would be bright, and she could save herself. Thus, Irene turned her head away from her family, who looked at her with pity.

 At that moment, another figure appeared in her periphery.

The young Earl Ascardo Rixis…?

The person was none other than Ascardo, whom she had not seen thus far at the banquet.

He had been standing in the middle of the crowd for some time, staring at Irene and Noel.

Strange…

She noticed Ascardo’s appearance somehow seemed quite strange.

What is that…? Smoke?

A blue mist spread around him. But what was even more strange was the reaction of the people around him. 

It’s so clear; why isn’t anybody caring at all?

The mist was clear enough to cover the entire surrounding area, yet no one paid attention. As if it were invisible.

Noel…

Irene glanced at Noel, but he also seemed indifferent.

Am I the only one who can see it? What on earth is that?

The mist expanded, reaching Irene’s skin. The touch was so thrillingly cold.

How ominous.

She was nervous because she could not identify the aura, and in addition Ascardo was the source of it. Noel, unaware of it, stood on the platform, preparing to make his announcement.

“Today, I am taking this opportunity to announce,” his words resonated loud and clear in the banquet hall. At the same time, a light blue mist completely covered the inside of the banquet hall. Suddenly, Irene’s eyes caught the sight of the necklace hanging from Ascardo’s neck. It was a pure blue sapphire necklace. That was the source, and Ascardo, who sensed Irene’s gaze on him, looked at her. Ascardo looked startled for a moment, then smiled gently.

‘It’s late,’ he seemed to say, and grinned. 

The aura began to gather in a clump

No! 

She waited for Ascardo to take a step forward to obstruct them…

[As you wish.]

An unknown voice resounded in her head. What happened afterwards was truly astonishing. The blue energy that had ballooned from his body; terrifying enough to swallow the whole of the interior banquet hall, shrunk back into his necklace.

Seconds passed. Ascardo began to panic; it was like he didn’t know what went wrong.

“I, Noel Kristen, officially announce that I will marry Irene Chase.”

In the end, nothing happened; Noel’s announcement was successful. Irene looked at Ascardo blankly. He seemed to be quite perplexed, then went out of the hall.

“Irene.”

Hearing Noel call her, she looked back as they made their way out. He extended his hand to her.

“The banquet is over. We have some time alone now.”

Unaware of what had happened, Noel spoke softly. Perhaps she was too distracted by the events before, that she absentmindedly stretched out to him. What one earth was Ascardo trying to do. What was that aura that appeared out of his necklace like blue mist? Who was the owner of the voice that talked to her in her head? She was confused and full of doubts. Still…

“...Yes.” she grasped Noel’s hand tightly.

The banquet, which was so tense, was now over.

♔♔♔

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