[TKOSINM] 122 - An Outing

Early in the morning, Irene rushed to get ready to go out. After finishing up with the help of Louiselle, Irene looked back at her. “Louiselle, you look happy.”

“Is that so? I cannot slack on my duties because I am your guard. I’ll take a look.”

“Oh, no. You don’t have to do that.”

Though she had now gotten used to serving her, Louiselle was still stiff and awkward. Irene smiled awkwardly and looked at Louiselle with a bright smile. The outing was supposed to be with Noel, with Louiselle accompanying them. 

It’s like Louiselle’s house.

Louiselle was strangely excited the moment she mentioned she was going out. She even trimmed her hair before departure. Despite this, her maid’s attire, worn over her armour, remained the same. Irene glanced at her briefly and called out to Louiselle. 

“Louiselle, will you come and see me?”

“Yes.” Louiselle zoomed to Irene and stood in front of her. Irene patted the bed asking her to sit down. Louiselle sat in front of her, puzzled, but calm. Irene pulled one of the hairpins she had brought from Chase mansion and placed it in Louiselle’s hair. Without her mirror, Louiselle was confused at her Mistress’ actions. Her short pink hair was pulled to one side and secured by a pin which was adorned with tiny lilac flowers. 

“Okay, it suits you well.” She held up a hand mirror excitedly. 

Louiselle, unaware of the change at first, saw the hairpin later, and panicked. “Oh, my lady’s hair pin on me…!”

“It’s not expensive, you don’t have to worry too much. And it suits you Louiselle. You’re so pretty.”

“This pin is only suitable for someone as beautiful as Lady Irene.”

“In my eyes, you’re also beautiful, Louiselle.”

“...”

At her last words, Louiselle lowered her head. The tips of her exposed ears were red. In a small voice she spoke. “...thank you, Lady Irene. I will cherish it for the rest of my life.”

“Irene smiled quietly at her appearance. Louiselle was treating it as if it was an heirloom. Shortly thereafter, the message from her maidservant came from outside the door, asking if she was ready.

When Louiselle and Irene went out of their quarters, they found Noel waiting outside with the carriage. His eyes briefly glanced at Louiselle then focused on Irene.

“Good morning, Noel.” Irene greeted politely.

“Good morning.”

Irene looked at him pleasantly, then switched to the carriage. Her expression clouded with confusion. “There’s no pattern.”

The carriages owned by the Grand Duke were always painted with the insignia of the Kristen Duchy. But there was no pattern on the carriage specially prepared for today. 

“It’s not a secret, but I don’t want others to know that I’m out today.”

“I see,” Irene accepted his outstretched hand, and entered the carriage. Following her, Noel and Louiselle both got on the carriage, which left the mansion quietly through the back entrance.

On the way to their destination, there was only silence inside. Not even a small utterance could be heard. But there was no discomfort or awkwardness. Being in the familiar people’s presence had already become comfortable, so the absence of speech did not make Irene uncomfortable. However, what was a little surprising was that, unlike secretly preparing to go out, the carriage went deep through the center of the city. After travelling for a while, the carriage finally stopped in front of a coach.

“We have to walk from here.”

Noel alighted the carriage and Irene followed, looking around at her surroundings. Noel’s carriage was the only one that was stationary. “Irene, wait a minute.”

As she was observing, she heard his voice calling her. The moment she turned her head, her sight darkened. “Noel?”

“From here on, it would be better to cover your face with this hood. Is it bothersome?”

Irene shook her head slightly, pulling back the sunken hood.

“That’s a relief.”

Noel wrapped a ribbon around Irene’s robe and covered her hair with the hood. He then gently grasped her hand. “There are many people out here. Don’t stray away from me, I’ll hold your hand until we arrive.”

“Oh, yes.”

She’d held his hand many times now, so it was not embarrassing to hold his hand anymore. Still, the touch and body temperature she felt beneath her fingertips was always strange. 

“Louiselle, take a good look at your surroundings.”

“Yes.”

After telling Louiselle, they began to move. Irene walked along holding his hand. As soon as they left the alley, as he said, there were many people who were busy walking around, and it was quite lively, with loud noises here and there. Judging from the flurry of movements and the fact that there were countless stores in place, it seemed to be a busy street. Irene was amazed at the bustling sight. It was her first time coming to such a busy street because she never had to go outside. Irene was busy looking around, shaking her head a few times, and walked behind Noel’s back. She couldn’t lose sight of him, whilst having her attention elsewhere. Irene and Noel weaved through the crowd passing through several alleys and shops. It felt like walking through a maze. Only then, did Irene realise why he was holding her hand so tightly. All the roads were complicated and difficult to follow, enough to arouse the sense of a maze in the person traversing. Irene, who was inexperienced in going out, was extremely confused as they wove through, only silently walking behind Noel. A period of time passed, as they walked the winding and intersecting roads that seemed to be endless. Noel finally stopped.

“This is it.”

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