[TKOSINM] 107 - Ominous Energy (2)

After leaving the banquet hall, Ascardo immediately went to Earl Rixis’ residence. Upon arriving at his room, he untied his necklace and threw it to the floor. 

BANG!

The sound of metal crushing against the tile floor resounded loudly. Ascardo ruffled his straight sky-blue hair and sat down roughly in his chair. He then glared at his necklace as he slumped down to the floor. 

I was told that it was genuine. Was it fake?

But it was undeniable that he could feel the cold energy flowing through his body. If so, why had it not unleashed its power? 

...Surely,

Ascardo remembered the woman who had been staring at him during the banquet; the woman who had noticed him when everyone else was unawares. As if she knew the identity of this seemingly ordinary necklace. 

Ridiculous. The world has never seen this before. She wouldn’t know.

Ascardo thought about the events of his family. Eventually, Noel still managed to successfully announce his marriage. Now, in the morning, news of their marriage would spread throughout the kingdom. 

Did you think I wouldn’t be able to act just because you publicly announced it?

He would think that in playing this game, any dirty tricks Ascardo would do to prevent his succession of the Grand Duchy would be foiled.

But brother, you’re mistaken.

Ascardo spread his hands. His face was chilling. 

I’m not that easy.

Ascardo clenched his fists, the look in his eyes was enough to kill.

♔♔♔

As promised, Irene and Noel headed to the forest greenhouse together. As she expected, the greenhouse at night was brighter and cosier. 

“Verbena lemon tea. They say it’s good for relieving tiredness and headaches.”

Noel personally poured the hot tea into Irene’s cup. The blue teacup was half filled with clear lemon-coloured water.

“I hope it’s to your liking,” he said, pouring into his own cup this time.

Irene brought it to her nose and inhaled, then she took a small sip. The subtle herbal scent of Verbena and the overlying lemon scent were sweet. The tea was not too hot to swallow, and after testing its temperature, she let the warm tea run smoothly down her throat. 

“It’s nice.”

Irene placed the teacup on the table and spoke absentmindedly. Opposite her, Noel, who was pretending to drink from his own cup, smiled at her and placed it down. He stared at her solemnly and Irene averted his deep gaze awkwardly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Irene, shall we return?”

“Ah? But we just arrived; so soon?”

It must have been less than 10 minutes, so she could not hide her confusion when Noel suggested they leave already.

“Your complexion doesn’t look well. Aren’t you tired?”

“Ah…”

Hearing him, Irene touched her cheek.

It was obvious.

Irene sighed, “I’m not tired, I just have something on my mind.”

“Is that so?”

Hearing his gentle prompt, Irene hesitated. Because she could have been mistaken then. She was, as Noel said, tired and nervous, and likely saw incorrectly.

However…

Still, it nagged at her. She was sure she was not mistaken. If Ascardo was really trying to do something, it was only right that she told Noel.

You may not believe it.

Irene took a deep breath and recounted the event she had witnessed in the hall. While he was announcing, she had noticed the suspicious aura spreading out around Ascardo. The mist then disappeared, and she heard an unidentifiable voice.

“...so that’s what happened. I didn’t notice at all,” Noel replied.

Hearing his answer, Irene’s complexion darkened.

“Perhaps I was simply hallucinating and saw wrongly, if so…”

“No, I don’t think what you saw was your illusion.”

Noel was firm. As soon as she tried to dismiss her recount as it did seem quite impossible, Noel shook his head. His face was more serious than ever.

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