[TKOSINM] 133 – Sleep On My Shoulder

“Lady Irene! Are you hurt anywhere?”

As soon as they returned to the guild, Louiselle ran to check on Irene’s condition. Irene, unaware of the fact that they were being followed, waved her hand, thinking that Louiselle was being overprotective.

“I’m fine. I’m not hurt at all.”

“I’m glad you’re safe. Please take me with you next time. My mission is to protect you, Lady Irene.”

“Hm, I understand. For sure, next time.”

Irene smiled awkwardly at Louiselle’s grim appearance and nodded lightly. Louiselle looked back at Noel with resentment clear in her eyes. She wondered if it wasn’t enough to just get words of promise from Irene, and if he would stop her again. However, Noel was not interested in Louiselle.

Seeing him return, Tag approached Noel.

“Are you going to die now?” 

“Ram, when are you coming back?”

Seeing he was going to leave, Iken approached with tearful eyes. Noel relaxed his expression and spoke assuredly. 

“It won’t be too late this time. I’ll be back soon, so just wait a little longer.”

“Ugh, ok...” 

“And Tag.”

After patting Iken’s hair, Noel raised his head. Tag, apparently not pleased with the situation, averted his gaze a little. Noel looked at him silently for a moment. Normally, he would have gone back without bidding farewell, because there were times when he just could not find the words to say, even if he wanted to.

But I learned from Irene that it’s not always right.

Through their conversations, and sharing their feelings, Noel realised how important words were. They held the weight of mutual trust. It would be arrogant and deceitful to expect the other person to know his thoughts and intentions without any effort.

“I rely a lot on you.” 

“Huh, what? What’s that all of a sudden…”

At his unexpected words, Tag looked at Noel in bewilderment, biting his bottom lip tightly. Noel’s expression was unlike him normally, it was too serious.

“I never took Tom with me because he was special. Because everyone can do different things. I entrusted this place to you, like my home. Because I believe in you.” 

“…Ram.” 

“The reason I cannot go into detail about the circumstances of my family is because it’s extremely complex and matters are very private. But... yeah, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to talk slowly when you have more time in the future. So will you wait for me?”

“...Of course. Ram. We will be waiting for you whenever.”

Tag answered, frowning. He had thought that Ram had been neglecting him until now. Unlike Tom, he was not an aristocrat. But when he listened to him, he realised that he mistakenly came to that conclusion on his own. The serious atmosphere subsided and one by the guild members rushed to another Noel.

“Ram, when are you coming back? Next time, take me too!"

“Miss, I understand even if Ram makes it difficult.” 

“Even if I think about it again, I can’t believe that there are people who want to marry Ram.”

I’ll have to get out of here soon.

Noel left the guild members regretting and hurriedly left the building. Irene stopped walking to follow him and looked back. The guild members who were seeing her off looked at her with her puzzled eyes. Irene briefly hesitated, then spoke.

“I enjoyed your tea. It was fun being  here today, and I think it would be nice to meet you in a more comfortable atmosphere next time. Though… it’s my personal wish, but…”

Actually, Irene wanted to let the guild members know how much Noel cherished ​​this place. But on second thought, it wasn’t for her to speak. After gnawing on her words several times, she decided not to represent Noel’s position, but to convey her own heartfelt thoughts.

When Irene spoke shyly, the guild members nodded and exclaimed loudly.

“Of course!”

“Next time, I will treat you better.”

“If Ram is bothering you, tell me! I will risk my life and scold him!”

In the boisterous atmosphere, Irene turned her head to look at Tag. After avoiding her gaze the whole time, he bowed his head slightly. Surprised by his unexpected reaction, Irene paused, bowed, and left the guild with Louiselle. As Irene and Louiselle got on the carriage, the carriage turned back the way it had come from and started heading towards the Grand Duchy.

The sky now has turned dark. From the window, they could see the streetlights that illuminated the street at night, as they passed.

Even after walking outside for a long time, she did not feel tired. It was because of the lingering feelings in the guild. Irene looked across from her. Louiselle said that he would drive the carriage and earlier had made her way to the front so there were only two people inside: Irene and Noel. But every time the carriage shook, Noel’s shoulders flinched. If one didn’t look closely, one would not even be able to notice it…

“Noel, are you sleepy?” 

‘Pause.’

“…No.”

After she questioned him, only some time later did he answer. Come to think of it, Noel had not been able to sleep properly for the past few days. It was the fault of the plethora of matters he had to take care of: from the preparations for their marriage to checking the oppositional forces. Besides, he had been walking around without a break today, so the fatigue must have come all at once. Irene observed him for a while. He kept his head stiff as if nothing had happened, but he wore an expression full of fatigue. Even if he wanted to hide it from her, she could tell.

“Hey…if you don’t mind, Noel…”

As Irene spoke, she got up carefully. Every time she moved, he straightened his head. His tired eyes looked particularly dim. Irene hesitated and sat down next to him. It was embarrassing to feel Noel’s gaze on her, but Irene did not want Noel to exert himself.

“…Sleep on my shoulder.” 

“...Pardon?"

At her unexpected remark, Noel glanced at her in surprise. That reaction made Irene even more embarrassed, but she was determined to make it clear that she had made up her mind.

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