[TKOSINM] 131 - Still A Child

“Imprinting?”

Maybe it was because it wasn’t an intuitive name like defense, attack, or tracking, Irene couldn’t get the hang of it. She looked at Noel, puzzled. He, too, shook his head. It was the first time he heard of such a thing too.

“What is that?” 

“It’s literally imprinting the owner on this ring. That way, no one can touch the ring except the owner who imprinted it. This is a new magic that I developed, but I specially made it for you. Because, you are a special guest.”

Mulliman spoke slickly to Noel, who avoided his smirk and looked away. He burst into laughter at Noel’s cute reaction.

“However, this imprinting is still unfinished.” 

“When will it be finished?” 

“At this rate, it will be completed by the morning of the wedding day.” 

“It shouldn’t be later than the schedule.” 

“You think I’d do that? Noel Kristen knows better than anyone.”

Irene alternated her glance at the two men having a conversation. As she heard their conversation, she felt that the two were not simply in an employment relationship. It seemed like a more intimate and close relationship.

Like…

It’s like between a grandfather and grandchild…

It was a relationship that could not be seen between the Archduke Kristen and Noel. Whenever Mulliman saw Noel, he had a smile on his face, which made it look even more so.

“This concludes the explanation of the ring’s abilities. We will send it to you by mid-morning on the day of the wedding. Now that we’re done explaining the ring… why don’t you visit the magic tower since you’re here? There will be many interesting items to see. Haha.”

 “Oh, good.”

Iren readily nodded at Mulliman’s suggestion. It just so happened that she wanted to see more of the tower. At Irene’s answer, Mulliman called his assistant.

“Ryun! Show Miss Irene Chase around!”

“Yes! Master! Miss, please follow this assistant this way. As you saw inside, here are the tools invented with Noel’s patronage.”

Since they were all novelties to her, Irene was mesmerised and busy looking at the magical items. As Irene moved away, Mulliman glanced at Noel, who was silently looking at Irene as she listened to the assistant’s explanation. He occasionally smiled seeing her smile in wonder and amazement.

“Noel Kristen.” 

“…? Why are you calling me?”

 “No, I just want to remind myself that time flies so fast.” 

“So suddenly?”

Seeing his puzzled expression, Mullman smiled in reply.

“A little while ago, you were a little kid who only reached my waist. And now, that boy has grown into a fine man and brought someone to marry. Someone who would be happy to.”

Immerse in nostalgia, Mulliman brought up the story of his past. Noel’s smiling face instantly hardened. He pursed his lips and looked at Mulliman, his deep eyes dropped.

 “I don’t remember very well.”

At Noel’s blunt words, Mulliman clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, you are getting older and you have become more indifferent than you used to be. You’re still a child in my eyes though. You don’t intend to follow me calling me Grandpa like you used to?”

“None.”

Again, Noel answered firmly. When Mulliman glanced at him, Noel turned away from his gaze and stood up. 

“…Thank you, though.” He muttered in a low voice, and walked towards Irene.

Leaving his seat, he quickly moved away. Hearing this, Mulliman looked blankly at Noel’s back and soon smiled lightly.

“See, you’re still a child.”

♔♔♔

After visiting the magic tower, Irene and Noel headed back to the place where the carriage was stationed to return to the mercenary guild. By then the sky was tinged with the shadowed rays of twilight.

“How was the tour of the tower?”

Walking down the street, Noel asked Irene. 

“It was really interesting and fun. If there is a chance next time, I want to visit again.” She answered brightly.

“You can come whenever you want, Irene. You will be my wife.”

“Ah…”

At Noel’s words, Irene paused for a moment. It was because the title ‘Madam’ once again made her feel butterflies.

“…Now that I think about it, it’s not long till the wedding.”

Counting down the days left until the wedding, she instantly felt a  sense of reality.

Two weeks…

It almost didn’t seem real, but it was. It occurred to her that during this time, she’d been running around breathlessly. She thought she still had a long way to go before the wedding, which was their goal… but there were only two weeks left.

“In two weeks, you can get what you want, right?” 

Walking slowly, Irene spoke her thoughts. At that moment, Noel, who had been staring silently at Irene, paused his steps and responded as if nothing had happened.

“Did you get what you wanted?”

Hearing him return her question, Irene’s gaze turned downward. It was a question she had to think deeply about.

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