[TKOSINM] 207 - To Please Her

At first glance, it was rather strange. She was a special person to him. Because of her, he took what he thought he would never hold, and she made him feel her warmth and affection. It was all thanks to her that his grandfather, who had always turned away from him, turned his back around.

That was why he always considered Irene a special person. However, now, he questioned. 

Are you saying that she was simply a special person?

He did not know what kind of special she was. 

Be that as it may, he had never received or given any attention to anyone that would make him feel special.

He did not know the details of such emotions, so he did not know his specific feelings toward Irene.

-Even when his heart began to react like this.

He felt more moved deeper in his heart; it was this kind of special. And now Noel was starting to realise it. But he had a hard time defining exactly what it was.

He did not know because he had never experienced it before. Usually, he had to find the emotions himself and naturally realise them. 

What does Irene think of me?

He was troubled, wondering if Irene also felt this special feeling he suddenly realised.

Shall I ask...

As soon as he thought of it, Noel shook his head. He could not give Irene a problem he could not find either. 

No, how can you be sure that she will be like you in the first place? If you ever ask, you might come to realise the cruel reality.

...Is that really the case?

What about her heart? With what kind of eyes did Irene look at him?

“Ha...”

I didn’t know I was such a timid human being.

Tom looked at Noel, who was sighing so deeply, with bewilderment.

What’s wrong with him all of a sudden?

He came in with a face full of dissatisfaction, but what he was thinking suddenly became serious, and now he only sighed.

“I want to be alone...” 

“I have something to report. Shall I go out?”

When Tom heard Noel’s murmurs, he immediately responded.

 Noel shook his head.

“No. Report it.” 

“Yes. There are two pieces of news. One sent a message saying that sooner or later, Mr Mulliman would visit the mansion. He says he has something he wants to check and something that he wants to tell you.” 

“Okay. You can arrange the date on your own.”

“Yes. And another one... I found it.”

At Tom’s words, Noel’s movement stopped as he signed the paperwork and turned it over. Noel’s eyes at Tom became serious.

“You found it.”

“Yes. I searched everywhere and was barely able to find him. He might disappear again, so I think you should see to it right away. All preparations are complete.”

“My Lord?”

Tom thought Noel would see him at any moment. He’s going to do the same. Didn’t he search so hard? 

-To please only one person. Therefore, he had already finished all preparations for going out so that he could leave at any time.

But why are you reacting like that?

Tom tilted his head at Noel’s serious expression. But soon, Noel got up.

“No. Let’s go right away. We’ve just barely found him.”

“Yes.”

Following Noel, who left first, Tom tilted his head. Yesterday and all day today, the couple seemed a little strange. Overly...sweet.

♔♔♔

The tea party day was fast approaching. Lady Jasmine said the time was coming, so Irene conducted all the appropriate preparations. But because of what she learned from Lady Jasmine, she did not panic or jump, even if she was a little confused.

“The tablecloth is white with lace embroidery so that when the flowers arrive, starting from the outside, decorate them with roses, hyacinths, sunflowers and mist flowers.”

“Yes.”

Under Irene’s command, the servants moved in unison. Watching the tea party decorated the way she wanted, Irene remembered what Jasmine had said.

Every party had a theme. The identity of the party was determined by what the theme was. 

The first thing the hostess needed to do was to decide the theme of the party.

The identity of the party...

It was not easy for Irene, who had little party experience, to decide on a theme. So she listened to Lady Jasmine and pondered for several days. In the end, the theme she decided on was ‘flowers and paintings’.

She decorated different kinds of flowers around the circle like a bouquet, starting from the outside table. But the harmony was never out of proportion—a bouquet consisted of a combination of different flowers.

Flowers meant bouquets, and paintings meant paintings. Like today’s tea party, the servants decorated the florals like a famous painting exuding a peaceful and warm atmosphere, further emphasising its tranquillity.