[TKOSINM] 206 - ‘Where Is My Heart At Now?’

 “Oh my.”

As soon as he got off the carriage, Lady Jasmine, who found Irene, saw the person next to her and burst into exclamation.

“Hello, Grand Duke Kristen.” 

“Hello. Lady Jasmine.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“Well done. I also enjoy decorating a tea party with my wife.”

Lady Jasmine covered her lips with her hand and smiled lightly, then glanced at Noel. The two of them are together.

It seemed that Irene’s troubles had been resolved. However...

It wouldn’t hurt to feel a little bit of a sense of crisis.

It was more of a bit of jealousy than a sense of crisis, in any case.

“Ma’am.”

Lady Jasmine cut between Noel and Irene and put Irene’s arms around her as soon as she thought about it. Irene’s eyes widened at her sudden action.

“Lady Jasmine?”

“Yesterday, we promised. To become friends.”

“Ah yes. It was.” 

“So, wouldn’t this kind of skinship be, okay? In the sense of friendliness.”

“...I like it.”

Irene had never had any experience with her friends’ linking arms or anything like that, so Lady Jasmine’s sudden touch was embarrassing.

But, she said, she promised to be friends yesterday. Thus she nodded and let it go because she felt awkward but not in a bad mood.

Rather, she felt a little bloated, her heart blooming in her chest. When she went to the academy, when she was taking care of Riel and seeing her other children hanging out with her friends, she used to feel envy in her heart.

But she could not even dream of it because she knew it was a reality she could not enjoy, regardless.

She felt their arms linked so close that she felt the joy of friendship. And Irene felt a bit fuzzy. She just let out a smile. Noel and Lady Jasmine looked at Irene, who smiled shyly and remained silent. Irene was unaware, but her smile had the power to draw attention. Maybe it was because it was pure without a trace?

Noel liked her smile, and Lady Jasmine did too.

“...You must be busy, Duke, apologies for bothering you with your duties.”

“No. I’ll come...”

“No. It’s okay. I have a lot to talk about with your wife. Right, Ma’am?”

As Lady Jasmine was pushing, she spoke to Noel and Irene. Thinking about whether they actually had much to talk about, Irene contemplated. In the end, she nodded. “What we talked about yesterday.” 

Noel’s expression darkened at Irene’s words. 

“Yes. You must be busy, so please hurry along. I also have something to say with Madame,” Duchess Jasmine ushered Noel along.

 “Ho-ho, we should get going~.”

Feeling a sense of victory at her appearance, Jasmine moved her steps with Irene.

As she walked with her, Irene glanced back at him. Standing in his place, Noel was looking at her. Was it just her? His expression looked a little dark.

When their eyes met, Irene hesitated for a moment, then parted her lips.

“See you later tonight.”

At her words, Noel looked at her briefly then replied with a smile.

“See you.”

As she glanced at Noel’s appearance, Irene turned her head to the voice calling her.

“It’s a relief that your concern has been resolved.”

“Yes, thanks to Lady Jasmine.”

Irene spoke with her sincerity. Because Lady Jasmine’s advice was very helpful, thanks to her, she found out why Noel had avoided her, and ... In an instant, Irene’s face heated up. As Irene’s steps suddenly stopped, Lady Jasmine looked back at her puzzled face.

“Madame?”

“Oh, it’s nothing!”

Irene immediately waved her hand, cooling her hot face.

Looking at Irene’s appearance, Lady Jasmine snorted. “Hmmm.”

She then unfolded the fan she was holding and fluttered it softly towards her face.

Irene, struggling with the embarrassment, looked at her, feeling the sudden breeze. 

“Don’t worry. I won’t ask you what happened. But I’m glad that you are happy,” Lady Jasmine said with a smile.

Irene blinked in response to her words full of consideration and kindness and then answered with a quiet smile.

“Thank you, Lady Jasmine.”

“You’re welcome. Then let’s go. The tea party is just around the corner.”

“Yes.”

After walking with Lady Jasmine again, Irene looked back. She was already too far away to see Noel.

She wondered where Noel would be by now and what he might be doing.

♔♔♔

At the same time, Noel looked at the back of Irene, who was slowly moving away and headed to his office.

“Oh, My Lord, you’re here? It just so happens... What’s wrong with your expression?”

Tom’s expression became puzzled as he greeted Noel brightly.

“What does my expression look like?”

Noel responded coldly to Tom and sat down in his chair. He then stretched his body languidly.

“What do you think? Your face is full of dissatisfaction. It’s like a kid who’s had his candy stolen.”

At Tom’s words, Noel sighed deeply.

“I feel like I have lost something more important than candy,” he muttered.

I’m glad that she’s become close with Duchess Jasmine.

What should he say? As the number of precious people increased by her side and the time they spent with her increased, jealousy arose.

Stupid.

He knew better than anyone how lonely she must have been. It was good that she could open up to more people. However, at the same time, he wanted only her to be by his side, and the selfishness in his heart continued to multiply day by day.

 Irene would be angry if she found out.

This selfish desire to monopolise -- he must hide it as much as possible.

And so that she doesn’t forget him, he decided to stay by her side and put all his effort into everything he did. 

He was grateful to her and wanted to show her the sincerity in his heart when they slept, so she...

How do I view Irene?

Suddenly, that question popped up.

At first, he felt connected to her because of their similar situations. Then he became grateful for her support. He gained stability from her. And then...

Where is my heart at, right now?

His view of her was always ‘precious’ and ‘absolutely on my side’, and he thought it would never change. But now, he could see the cog works of his mind, slowly changing.