[TKOSINM] 18 - You’re Very Different From Her (2)

         It was just as I had expected. He...could not believe in me?

         Irene was sure that the maid had taken all the letters that had arrived and was going inside to deliver them this morning, but not a single letter had been given to her. No letter had come through her door, and it was already afternoon.

         I at least thought that you would believe me.

         Irene was perfectly aware that what she did at Duchess Jasmine’s ball was a reckless act. She did not have anything to prove her innocence and to back up that she had pure motives. She just blatantly asked Noel to believe her unconditionally. But why? Irene was sure that he would believe her because she had briefly seen that his composure had been shaken.

         But she had been mistaken. After all, her efforts were futile - he did not believe what Irene said.

         What can I do now?

         Irene was able to earn twelve coins of gold from selling her painting to the merchant the night before. If she gave up her life as an aristocrat, she would be able to earn a living by painting and selling her artworks. But there existed another problem besides that. It was her parents; they would never allow her to become independent.

         It is not because they cannot afford to care about me, but it is because of Riel.

         If Irene disappeared, they would lose a person who could protect Riel, and there was no way she could run away from her house. Thinking about it, how she was only a mere tool for their beloved youngest daughter, made her flinch in anger, yet at the same time, acknowledging this reality saddened her. She could not underestimate the people who would chase after her either. Be it dead or alive. They would hunt her down until they could drag her back.

Moreover, she was an aristocrat who knew nothing about the world outside. All her life, she had been sheltered. Her sole existence was for Riel. There was no way she could hide from them. Noel was the only future she had. A future she had once dared to dream about but now lay shattered into shards of glass on the ground - trampled by the petite velvet heels of Riel and her parents.

         Should I meet him again? Should I try once more?

         Fortunately, Irene knew where she could meet Noel Kristen. She could visit that place if she decided to, but would the Count allow her to do so? Even on the usual day, Irene’s parents would not let her go out of the house. They did not tell Irene the exact reason, but Irene was sure that it was because they considered it her responsibility to appease and take care of Riel.

         Since all the butlers and coach men were on Irene’s parents’ side, she was certain that they would surely inform them about all Irene’s movements.

         It’s suffocating.

         Irene felt imaginary hands clamping down on her airway. She forced herself to breathe, choking on the air that meandered its way down to her lungs. When Irene was made aware of her parents’ intention, she had felt like a leash had been placed on her, slowly strangling her. Except, all her life, she had not been aware of this leash. But now, if she stayed in this house, one day, she would die because of this suffocating feeling.

         “I should ascertain one more time with the maid. She should have delivered it if it had arrived. No, I’m certain that it arrived.”

         Irene had asked the maid in the morning, but she had said she did not know about it. However, Irene could not just stay still and fall into despair. As soon as Irene made that decision, she jumped out of her seat, opened her room, and went down the stairs. The maid who had sorted and delivered the letter was doing the laundry.

         “Wait a minute!”

         Irene quickly caught the maid. The maid looked back in surprise.

         “Mi... Miss Irene? What is...”

         “Did I really not receive any letter? Can you check it one more time?”

         “Ye...Yes? But you really did not receive any letter.” The maid stuttered out.

         “But please...”

         Irene, who was pleading to the maid, suddenly noticed something strange. The maid’s hand holding the laundry basket was shaking. Her eyes which had widened in surprise when Irene had startled her, were now anxiously avoiding her gaze as if she were guilty of doing something she should not have. Furthermore, droplets of sweat started to form on her forehead, and Irene was sure it was not because of the sun beaming down on them. Then, Irene realised that something was wrong.

         “Tell me the truth.” She demanded.

         “Ah, Miss…”

         “The letter, where is it?” Irene’s tone turned cold.

In return, the maid began to feel uneasy. The surrounding temperature seemed to drop. The maid, who was wary of Irene’s mood, fell on the floor.

         “The truth is….”

♔♔♔

         “I have a weak heart. I have been through many moments of crisis in my life. Ever since I was born, my life has been full of hardship, which has made it difficult for me to make friends. Because of my heart, I have never been able to leave my house, even for a day. This house is everything in my world. Although everybody is kind to me, I have always felt suffocated. Then I heard a story about you, Duke. I have always thought of how incredible a person you must be. You are truly admirable and determined to be able to make your own fate.” Riel smiled gently, recounting her woes and flattery.

         “Oh, yes,” Noel answered Riel with an uninterested look.

         Noel followed Riel through the halls of the Chase mansion to meet the Count. He had thought that maybe he would be able to meet Irene on the way there. However, as he walked through, he could not even see a sign of her existence in this house.

         “There were always a lot of people around my sister. She delayed her entrance to the Academy by a year for me, but she did not spend much time with me. She was always busy, and I always followed her from behind.”

         “...”

         When Noel, upon hearing something different from the truth he knew, he ended up turning his gaze towards Riel. Riel, who felt Noel’s gaze, smiled with a dim face.

         “I’m like a fool, right?”

         “Oh, I see.”

         Noel answered in a subdued voice. Noel agreed with that statement, but the “fool” did not refer to Riel. It was for someone else.

         “Ah, here we are. Can you wait for a second? I’ll let them know that the Duke is here.”

         Riel went to the living room and left Noel standing in front of the grand door. He observed the mansion, the elaborate carvings of wood and the occasional sculptures. One could tell that the Count was wealthy. Noel looked at the tightly closed door for a moment, and then he caught a maid who was passing by.

         “Excuse me, may I ask you something?”

         The maid blushed, her cheeks tinged red when her eyes met the handsome man who had suddenly grabbed her. She shyly nodded at Noel’s question, ready to answer anything he would ask.

♔♔♔

         “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Come in, please.”

         After a long time, the door opened, and Noel was invited to go inside. The Countess got up from her seat and welcomed him.

         “Oh, come in. I can’t believe that the famed Duke Kristen is inside my house. You are indeed an inspiring young man, from what I have heard. It is a great honour to be acquainted with you.”

         “Oh my goodness, dear, you can’t talk like that.”

         The Count jokingly scolded his wife for her openness and intimacy that she showed. When Riel giggled because of that, the couple laughed along.

“I’m sorry for the abrupt visit,” Noel spoke curtly.

“Hahaha, it’s all right. Come on, sit down. I hope the tea will suit the Duke’s taste.” The Count gestured towards a spacious armchair opposite the couple.

“Thank you.”

As Noel sat down, Riel sat next to him with a shy face. Noel did not touch the teacup as he saw steam still coming up from the hot water inside the cup. He inhaled deeply, then opened his mouth to discuss his purpose of coming here.

“Anyway, where is Miss Irene Cha…”

“So, our Riel…”

Noel could not finish what he wanted to say because the Count had rudely cut in Noel’s words. The Countess and Riel just quietly watched from the side.

“...although her body is weak and frail, she’s beautiful and nicer than anyone else.”

“...Yes.”

“I’ve never shown that I’m sick, and I’ve always given everything to my sister, Irene. That’s why I’ve never had a proper friend before.”

“...”

Noel was silent at their words because he could care less about anything that came out of their despicable mouths.

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