[TKOSINM] 148 - To The Annexe

With a satisfied grin, the Grand Duke proudly nodded.

Noel and his butler were not used to the appearance of such a Grand Duke. Oh my, how could he have been the one who swept the entire battlefield!

However, Irene was more accustomed to the current Grand Duke here. At first, he had turned her back on her, but since then he had not been asserting his authority nor was cold to her. Rather, ‘darling’, and ‘sweetheart’- he addressed her with these terms of endearment and looked upon her with warm eyes.

Therefore, even though it was an awkward and unfamiliar title to her, especially since she’d never used the word before and it was not befitting the Iron General, it was possible to call the Grand Duke Kristen ‘Grandfather’, after all.

A weird but warm atmosphere ensued. It would be nice if this kind of warmth continued, but the butler, who was paying attention, interjected.

“Excuse me. There’s not much left until the meeting, so it seems like we’ll have to leave soon.”

“Ah, yes, I forgot for a moment.”

The butler let out a sigh, as if the Grand Duke had really forgotten. At the sight of such a grand duke, the butler could not help but express his dismay. Because he knew what kind of person he was, and he was afraid of what he would do if the Grand Duke refused to go.

Fortunately, nothing happened, much to the butler’s relief. The Grand Duke stood up from his seat and looked at Noel.

“It will not be easy.” He spoke seriously.

“I’m prepared.”

“Yes, that’s good. Let’s go now.  It wouldn’t be good if we were too late.”

“I have the carriage waiting outside.”

 “Okay.”

When they left the main building, a carriage outside the mansion was parked for them. As the three of them got on the carriage, the wheels began to trudge along slowly, towards the annex where the conference was to be held. The carriage arrived at the destination after making one round of the estate along the road. Since the estate was huge, some people had to deliberately travel via carriage whenever they visited the Grand Duke’s residence.

It was also a great tour of the well-constructed residence, which was superbly maintained and had beautiful gardens.

However, Irene did not catch the sight of the scenery of the Grand Duchy passing by her window. As they got closer to the meeting place, she became more and more tense. Her expression hardened.

Noel said it was just a formal process…

Irene was well aware that Noel would not forego the meeting as a formality of words.

I’m married, but I haven’t succeeded to the position of the Grand Duchess yet.

Faced with a crucial point that would usurp the power balance within the Kristen household, they would try to prevent Noel’s succession of the Grand Duke by any means.

Irene, who was lost in her thoughts, did not know that the two men, Noel and Grand Duke Kristen, were looking at her anxiously.

“Don’t worry...”

“You don’t have to worry too much. Really, dear.”

Just as Noel was about to reassure her, the Grand Duke spoke up first. Unhappy, Noel gave his grandfather a side glance at the interruption, which, unfortunately for him, the Grand Duke was unaware of.

“I am not going to burden you. So don’t worry too much.” The Grand Duke once again reassured her.

She was relieved by his words, but…

Irene glanced at Noel. He pursed his lips and looked out the window. His posture seemed quite humble; perhaps the Grand Duke had already said everything he was trying to say.

Irene liked when Noel was like that. He cared, and he was respectful. Of course, she could not just ignore the Grand Duke’s words, so she nodded slightly.

“Thank you. I will do my best not to burden you likewise.”

“Hmm.”

“We have arrived.”

Just at that moment, the carriage stopped at the coachman’s timely announcement. The Grand Duke got off first, then Noel, who naturally extended his hand towards her. She was shy to be escorted by him in front of the Grand Duke, but she gladly took his hand, alighted, and raised her head to look at the surroundings.

“Everyone has already arrived.”

“Don’t let me in.”

When the chieftain spoke, the Grand Duke went inside first. Noel, too, tried to follow him inside, but looked back at the hand holding him.

“Irene? What’s wrong?”

“It’s not that, it’s something different… I have something I want to tell you.”

“What is it?” he inquired.

Irene looked straight into his eyes then opened her mouth. “Don’t worry too much, Noel.”

“...Yes?”

“That’s what you were going to say to me in the carriage earlier. I just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to worry.”

“Ah...”

As if he did not know that Irene was aware of that fact, Noel had a bewildered expression on his face for a moment and then smiled.

“Of course.”

“As you said, I won’t worry. So don’t worry too.” As Irene spoke with determination written over her face, Noel looked at her briefly and then softly smiled.

“Yes. As you said. I won’t worry either. Shall we just go in?”

“Yes.”

With a bright face, he escorted her, and Irene happily followed his lead. It had been a while since the Grand Duke entered, so Irene and Noel moved quickly.