[TKOSINM] 109 - ‘Irene, I Miss You’

♔ Vol 2. Part 5. Vows ♔

Usually, banquets lasted approximately a week. It was customary for them to be held for at least four days, but the 700th anniversary banquet of the Grand Duke of Kristen lasted less than three days. On the first, it was cut short due to the shocking declaration of Duke Noel Kristen. 

‘Duke Noel Kristen! Show us your hidden fiancée! Who is she?’

‘Duke Kristen, surprise wedding announcement! Will she be recognised by the Great Kristen?!”

‘The Duke Noel Kristen; A shocking announcement! What will happen to the future of the Grand Duchy?’

Journalists who had attended the banquet were bustling back and forth, leaving the Grand Duchy on the first day as soon as the banquet had concluded. The Crown Prince also returned, and the Grand Duke did not make any more appearances after the first day. The retainers and elders had meetings during the day and maintained their positions at night. The aristocrats were busy racking their heads to figure out the best game to play for their future with this surprising turn of events. Thus the banquet of the Grand Duke ended on the third day, because all the key figures left and a banquet with only cannon fodder was meaningless. In the meantime, Irene became a celebrity overnight. The aristocrats mused about the Duke Kristen’s lover, and even the servants employed in the Grand Duchy couldn’t stop their mouths from gossiping listlessly.

There were few who tried to approach the annex where Irene resided, in order to catch a glimpse of a single strand of her hair. But they were all dragged away by the guards Noel had stationed. 

In the midst of all this, Irene was absolutely clueless to the frenzy she was the centre of. Noel had taken the liberty to ensure her surroundings were controlled, peaceful and quiet. Of course, it was also thanks to Louiselle’s glaring and sharp eyes that bore into him whenever she passed by. Louiselle was an angel before Irene, but for the servants, she was a watchman from hell.

It was because of her large stature, the long scar on her face, her ferocious appearance, and her ruthless personality toward those who could pose a threat to Irene, which just happened to be about anyone. She also wore armour concealed beneath her maid uniform.

Of course, with her being a gentle lamb in front of her own people, and especially the people she liked, Irene was clueless about this other side of Louiselle. 

Those who broke past the flanks of the guards, were grabbed by the neck and dragged out before they could even see a glimpse of Irene, let alone approach her. 

Thanks to that, her environment was peaceful and calm as the eye of a typhoon. Until they showed up.

“Irene!”

She was heading towards Noel’s room, which though was just next door, was relatively distanced due to the sheer size of the mansion itself. At the sound of the sudden calling, Irene turned her head.

“Irene, I miss you.” 

The woman who came running, embraced Irene. In her arms, Irene stiffened.

She could tell who it was just by hearing her voice. But the voice was so pathetic and desperate that Irene could not tell if this really was the woman she knew. 

“...Mother.”

Irene was barely audible.

“Irene, I missed you. Why did you pretend to not know at yesterday’s banquet? Are you eating well? You look thinner.”

However, her mother was cut short of her words. Louiselle’s scabbard was pointed right at Countess Chase’s neck. Even though it was a scabbard, if it hit a vital point, it was a weapon as good as the knight’s pristine sword. Her mother freaked and retreated in disgust.

“What are you doing?!”

A man came running late and yelled at Louiselle. But she paid him no heed.

“Madame Irene, are you hurt?” Louiselle looked at Irene who was frozen stiff and gently asked.

It was only then that Irene managed to exhale a relieving breath.

“...I’m alright. Thank you, Louiselle.”

“Go to your room first, I’ll take care of the intruders.”

“Intruders! Who are you to say that when you are a mere maid!”

Louiselle’s words had been heard by the man, and he refused to lower his voice. 

“Irene, get rid of that maid soon.” he shouted, taking a step toward Irene, but his foot barely moved when he was forced to a stop.

“...!”

His eyes almost popped out of their socket. When he approached, this time the blade, instead of the scabbard, was aimed at his neck. If he had taken a single step forward, he would have been instantly decapitated. He drew a deep breath, sensing the nearby cold aura.

“Don’t move. I’ll cut.”

“Hey, Irene.”

“...Louiselle, I know them.”

Louiselle who was immobilised till then, even with the continuous shouting, lowered her sword at Irene’s words. The man glared at Louiselle full of resentment.

“You know who I am, and you dare point your sword at me! If I wish for it, someone like you-”

“Father.”

Count Chase tried to threaten Louiselle, pointing his finger at her, but Irene stepped forward and interrupted him.

“Louiselle, it’s alright. You can leave.” Irene spoke softly to her, and Louiselle lowered her head and retreated. Irene smiled at Louiselle warmly, then immediately turned to face her parents.

“Why are you here?” she demanded.

They were there to persuade Irene to come back, when they met. They would listen to whatever she wanted as long as she came back. They believed that the soft-hearted Irene would return to them. Perhaps she would even tremble when she saw them. Believing a simple meeting would solve their dilemma, they had come all the way here parading their status as Irene Chase’s parents. But their illusion shattered. Irene was frosty, her expression towards them held not even a hint of mirth. She was cold as ice. The agitation they anticipated...they could not find a trace of that either.

“Hey, Irene...why are you doing this? Is what happened last time still on your mind? I’m sorry about that. We thought a lot when you left us. We’ve been neglecting you a lot. I couldn’t recognise your loneliness because I was so worried about Riel’s health. I’m reflecting. So please, don’t look at us like that, like we are not your parents.” her mother wept to Irene.

“...I apologise too, I’ll respect your time from now on, So Irene, stop holding a tantrum and come back.” Her father, who had always been authoritarian and assertive, also bowed his head obediently,

Irene looked at the pair before her with bowed heads, and after staring at them for a long time, quietly parted her lips.

“I didn’t leave the house on impulse.”

“...Irene.”

“I made a promise to never go back. And that feeling has not changed, even now. If I return to Chase House, I will have to remain your obedient daughter and kind older sister again. I’m afraid of being abandoned again.”

“That won’t happen!”

“After coming here, I realised. How much I…” Irene bit her lip. Perhaps if she continued, she would reopen a wound that was meant to be a scar. Louiselle looked at Irene, worry evident in her eyes.

“I am grateful to both of you. You have provided me with a warm bed and meals and helped me grow up healthy. Above all, I am grateful because I was able to meet Noel. But that’s where it ends. I realised after coming here, that affection is not what I crave for… it is no longer my home. So go back. And please do not suddenly come to me like this anymore.” 

“You’re right, Irene.”

Hearing the familiar voice from behind her, Irene swivelled.

“Noel?” Since when had he been there? Noel approached her, coming to stand beside her.

“Grand Duke…” Count Chase ground out as he looked at Noel. 

But Noel ignored him. His attention was solely on Irene.

“I waited for you, but you didn’t come. Almost died. But…” Noel glared at Count Chase and his wife, his gaze steeled, a complete contrast from how he had looked at Irene. 

“Why are you still here when the banquet is over?” he spoke coldly. “This place is off limits. No one is allowed to enter without permission.”

“We’re not just anyone. We are Irene’s family…”

“Irene’s family...Irene seems like you have a different opinion. What do you think? I will listen to you.” Noel’s tone was friendly when he asked her.

Irene looked at her father and replied. “No, you’re right Noel.”

“Irene! You! Really…!”

“It was the both of you who discarded me first. Father, it was you who said I would regret it. But I don’t understand why you’ve decided now to come here and cling to me.”

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