[TKOSINM] 140 - Soft Lips

At Irene’s words, Noel’s eyes instantly cleared. He was silent for a moment, then gently removed Irene’s hand that was holding his wrist, and interlocked it. With her opposite hand he clasped her waist and whispered close to her lips.

“I don’t hate it.”

Irene closed her eyes tightly at his touch. The gazes and the shallow chatter gradually disappeared into the background; only his warmth became clearer.

Her eyelids trembled. Strength naturally entered her clasped hands. She became conscious of the hand at her waist.

Her breathing became short, and there seemed to be a bell ringing in her head. Tingles ran through to her hands and feet.

His soft lips melted onto hers.

It felt unreal.

Maybe that was why. Irene slowly opened her eyes. She had to confirm that it was indeed him, and he was real, in front of her. But Noel had been looking at Irene the entire time, so their eyes met closely.

Her eyes fluttered. Noel, who had been looking at Irene softly, closed his eyes and hugged her a little tighter.

Again.

A deeper kiss followed, as their mouths once again overlapped. His lips were soft and his kiss ever so gentle.

Seconds ticked by when his lips finally parted from hers. A hot breath escaped her lips and she glanced up at him. Noel too was staring back at her, but their interlaced hands did not part.

Silence engulfed the ceremony. No one made a sound. The appearance of the couple was so sincere, that their moment together at the altar seemed almost sacred.

In the silence the Mulliman came to his senses.

“Lastly, the both of you will need to seal your vows.”

Irene and Noel, who were facing each other, approached the parchment on the podium, on which the oath of their vows were written. Irene read her vows.

The contents were the same as what Mulliman had read. The only difference was that the last engraved name was ‘Irene Kristen’, not ‘Irene Chase’. The name stuck in her eyes, and she could not take her eyes off it for a while.

Soon Irene moved her pen and signed it. Noel looked at her and feeling his gaze, Irene felt a little flutter in her stomach for no reason. She pressed her lips down tightly. It felt like she had been reborn.

“I now declare that the two have become a true couple.”

Mulliman announced that the ceremony was over.

“Groom, bride, please leave.”

Following Mulliman’s words, the two went back the way they had come. The guests watched the two newly married couple from either side.

Mulliman, who looked at the backs of Irene and Noel as they were walking, suddenly felt that the wedding was a little empty.

This would be good as a wedding present.

Mulliman clicked his fingers and pure white petals began to flutter in the sky. As if it was snowing, the guests burst out in small exclamations.

After passing through the inner door and entering the hallway, Irene stumbled as she lost strength in her legs. Noel quickly caught her.

“Irene, are you okay? You’ve been overdoing it…”

“Oh, no. It’s not that. I’m just relieved... ha-ha ​​...”

Irene smiled awkwardly as she looked at the worried Noel. Noel, whose eyes met hers from above, were gazing at Irene without her speaking. Suddenly he lowered his back and hugged her, lifting her up in his arms.

Irene hardened at his sudden action, and she called out Noel’s name.

“No, Noel?” She stuttered.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

 “Oh, no. This is... Aren’t I heavy?”

Seemingly lost for words, the only phrase she could utter made her feel even more embarrassed. ‘Aren’t I heavy?’ What kind of question was that!

 Noel answered, shaking his head as if nothing had happened.

“Not heavy.”

“...Ah.”

Seeing Noel answer so casually, Irene could not say anything anymore, and kept as Noel walked with her in his arms. She was uncomfortable initially, but Noel’s arms were strong and firm. His embrace was warm and comfortable without the slightest hint of shaking.

Irene looked up at Noel as he held her in his arms.

Even looking up from this angle, how is Noel so handsome?

People often said that one looked ugly when viewed from below, but that was not the case for Noel. He was perfect from any angle.

She was merely looking at his face as if appreciating God’s work of art, but suddenly she realised the truth of the frustration she felt after hearing Noel’s oath.

“Noel.”

“Yes.”

“…Me too.”

With the exterior door in front of him, Noel looked down.

It was the first time she had seen him face to face like this, so Irene was a little embarrassed. To be exact, the area around her heart continued to tickle.

“What do you mean?”

When he asked, Irene averted her gaze a little.

“I will not let go of Noel no matter what happens. I swear.”

“…”

With one step left till the door, Noel stopped upon hearing Irene’s words. At his sudden action, she turned her head and glanced at him puzzled.

Was it just her? His brown eyes seemed to shake. Irene wanted to take a closer look at those eyes, but couldn’t because Noel was moving again.

When he opened the closed outer door and went outside, the servants who had been waiting in advance approached them. Behind, a small carriage with the design of the Grand Duke Kristen was parked.

ONEDAYTHREEAUTUMNS PATREON
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[TKOSINM] 141 - Recognised By The Empire

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[TKOSINM] 139 - To seal with a kiss