[TKOSINM] 188 - Their Special Place

Winter is already approaching.

Considering that her first meeting with Noel dated back to the summer, she could tell how much time had passed. Irene looked out of the window silently and contemplatively.

It’s fascinating.

In fact, the moment she entered the Grand Duke’s residence, Irene felt strange.

It’s a feeling I’ve never felt at the Chase estate.

-A sense of relief that she was back home. The comfort of being able to rest without an ounce of worry or stress.

Home has always been a cramped and rough place for me.

Only now that did she understand; a home could give off such a heartfelt and warm impression. Ever since the beginning, it was already amazing enough that this place became her “home”.

“What are you thinking about?”

She heard Noel as he approached with a tray of refreshments. Being lost in thought, she looked back at him in surprise.

“It’s nothing much...but I thought that this place has become much more comfortable.”

“It certainly has,” Noel replied, putting down a teacup and a small plate of cookies in front of her.

“It’s a type of tea good for recovering from fatigue. Try it.”

“Oh, thank you.”

She held the teacup in both hands and took a sip. A warm taste spread in her mouth, and her face beamed with joy.

“I always feel it, but I think Noel is good at brewing tea.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“You handle not only brewing tea well but also the sword…. “

Irene was fiddling with the teacup. Suddenly she began to overthink, and her pleasant mood was ruined. She became a little gloomy.

Should I do something too?

She could improve her ability to wield the ring, for example.

Then Louiselle wouldn’t have gotten hurt like that.

With his chin resting on his hand, Noel stared at Irene, who was spacing out while fiddling with her teacup.

“Say….”

Eventually, coming to her senses, Irene looked up as she called out to him but soon paused.

“Yes, go ahead and tell me.”

Noel did not avert his gaze even though he knew that Irene was disconcerted; instead, a smile hung on his lips. Irene did not know how to act before his earnest gaze, but she slowly opened her mouth.

“… Well, I want to practice magic. I was wondering if there is a space where I can practice….”

“Practising magic, hm?”

“Yes. If it weren’t for Louiselle this time, it would have been a huge load of trouble. Therefore, I thought it would be better to practice a little, you know, just in case.”

“Hmm….”

Noel agonised over Irene’s words. Come to think of it, it would not be so bad if she could make use of her power to its utmost potential. It would be excruciating to see her getting hurt if she encountered a threat by herself, like back when they were in Kreisen.

But wouldn’t it be fine as long as I don’t leave her side?

But soon, his thoughts took another direction -- that she would be secure if he did not leave her for even one second.

How selfish of me.

No matter how close he had gotten to her, she would feel burdened if he were to show such weird behaviour.

Noel’s eyes darkened, but before long, he answered her with a complicated expression. 

“Then why don’t you use the drill hall?”

“Pardon? But that is where the Knights train.”

Irene’s eyes widened at Noel’s slightly insensible suggestion.

“Oh, you mean for me to use it after the knights’ training….”

“It’s not like that. There is one more drill hall in the dukedom. The hall currently being used by knights is the first one.”

“If it’s not the first, then you are referring to that particular second one?”

“That’s right; no one is using it now.”

“Is there a reason why no one is using it?”

Irene asked out of pure curiosity, but Noel seemed hesitant for a moment. Only when Irene tilted her head slightly, baffled by his reaction, did Noel answer.

“Because it was made only for me.”

“Exclusively for you?”

“Yes. When I once trained with the knights, I could not concentrate entirely because of the sounds around me. So that’s what happened. My late father prepared a private hall for me. There, I trained by myself. There are still many people who don’t know that there is another training ground in the Grand Duke’s residence.” 

“Oh…”

Irene’s eyes widened at the newly acquired information. Noel spoke casually, but Irene’s heart ached at his younger self’s solitude as she pictured the image of a young Noel practising swordsmanship alone in the spacious deserted hall.

“Then it is now a space for Noel and me?” Irene asked as she touched the slightly cold teacup.

“...Pardon?”

At Irene’s remark, Noel looked at her, puzzled. As her lips curved up into a smile, she said to him.

“No one knows that there is a second training ground, so that will be your and my secret place. If you hadn’t told me, I would not know how I’m going to practise either….”

Her voice faltered at the end, and her words faded. Why would that be a space just for the two of them? If she put it that way, he would only be left speechless.