[TKOSINM] 135 - Before the Wedding

Time quickly flew by, and it was the day of the wedding. Since dawn, the Duke had been busy. It was the same for Irene.

Irene, woke up before dawn and bathed in lukewarm water filled with rose petals to nourish and soften her skin. Her maids rushed in and cleaned Irene’s body. After she had washed,  bed, Louiselle started massaging her feet. Meanwhile, after her maids had dried her hair and her body, they put a thin chemise on Irene.

Soon after, the designer who was in charge of Irene’s dress arrived.

“It was an honour to be in charge of the wedding dress of the one who will be the Grand Duchess of Kristen.”

The first thing she did was express her gratitude towards Irene. Though she felt burdened by the undeserved greetings, Irene, conscious of her surroundings, replied with her head bowed in acceptance.

“Thank you.”

“Of course! From now on, I will make you the most beautiful bride in the empire!”

As if those words were a signal, the designer began her duty. Several hands fawned over Irene’s body, decorating it for the wedding. Meanwhile, Louiselles guarded the door to make sure no one approached.

“Oh, it looks gorgeous on you.”

The designer whispered, helping Irene into the dress. It wasn’t just lip service to nobility. Her wheat-coloured hair was curled and neatly rolled up into an elegant bun, with soft strands framing her face. Her skin was originally quite white, so a little colour to her lips, eyes, and cheeks were applied, bringing out the rosiness of youthful love. A diamond necklace hung around her exposed neck, and a white lace veil unfolded from the crown of her head, pinned by a diamond and pearl tiara, down near her chest.

“What do you think? Do you like it?"

Irene stared blankly at her own reflection in her mirror. In her mirror sat a woman elegant and gorgeous like a swan. She was the perfect bride. Looking at her, Irene felt complex and subtle emotions. It was only now that she began to realise that she and Noel were getting married.

Should she say she was happy, or should she say she was feeling mixed inside? It was hard to describe when she didn’t even know the complicated emotions she felt. But one thing was certain: she wanted to see Noel.

When she saw his face, she would feel at ease. Noel was that kind of person to her. No matter what the situation, being together gave her peace of mind.

“The Grand Duke has come.”

Speak of the devil, and he shall come. As soon as she thought about him, she heard a voice announcing his arrival. She turned towards the door, and the designer and maids beside her gathered their equipment and stepped back.

Irene looked at her door; she swallowed her saliva. 

“Come in,” she answered. Her crimson lips spoke those words nervously, and she was covered with the essence of flowers.

With those words of permission, the door slowly began to open. Especially today, the movement seemed to be slow. Gradually, Noel’s figure was revealed. Silver grey hair, symmetrical facial features, wide shoulders and a black suit caught her eye.

“We’re going to leave now.”

The designer and the handmaiden, who were measuring the timing while watching the two of them, quietly left. Then, as if she had been waiting, Louiselle closed the door from outside.

 Suddenly, there were only two people left in the room, Irene and Noel.

Irene withdrew her thoughts. She wasn’t comfortable at all. Seeing him in robes and their wedding attire, her heart started racing like crazy. The pounding was too fast to simply excuse it as because of tension. The ensuing silence continued for a while.

Irene was busy controlling her pounding heart, and Noel also just stared at Irene without saying any of his thoughts.

After a while, Irene barely managed to part her lips.

“Wel-… welcome, Noel,” she said, trembling. Her voice was full of awkwardness. 

After all, looking at each other face-to-face without conversing for such a long time the only words she finally managed to utter were ‘welcome’, it was reasonable. 

However, neither Irene nor Noel seemed to be aware of the awkwardness.

“...Mm,” Noel replied in acknowledgement.

“Well, there’s really not much time left until the wedding.” 

“Are you feeling okay?” Noel asked worriedly.

This time, Irene nodded. Actually, her stomach was wrought with butterflies from nervousness, but after seeing Noel, all those flutters disappeared. Because I’m not alone in what I do.

“After today, Irene will be the Lady of this Duchy, the Grand Duchess of Kristen. I have not yet succeeded to the Grand Duke, but the seat of the Grand Duchess is currently vacant.”

“...Yes.”

“But you don’t have to feel burdened or overdo it to fulfill the role of the Grand Duchess. Irene, just you being there, it’s enough for me. So just stay by my side as you are now.”

Before her wedding, he was worried that she might be overly nervous, but on the other hand, it was also an expression of his true feelings. Noel said she would become his Grand Duchess. He confessed and hoped that she would not be burdened. He wholly wished she would be as comfortable as she was now.

At Noel’s unexpected words, Irene looked at him for a moment, without saying anything. But she soon smiled. Above all else, she was happy. The crimson lips that curved up into a soft arc, the sparkle in her light green eyes and blushed cheeks, it was such a pretty smile that in that moment, Noel was completely mesmerised.

“Thank you, Noel. It’s thanks to you, I feel relaxed. As you said, I will never leave your side. So please don’t leave mine either.”

“...”

“Noel?”

However, Noel’s answer did not return. She tilted her head slightly and followed his line of sight. He was staring blankly at the wall.

//Oh my God, he’s such a dork. I love him.