[TKOSINM] 209 - Sorry For Being Late, Wife

“Madame, the atmosphere is perfect.”

Lady Jasmine, who was sitting next to Irene, whispered slightly. At that, Irene nodded in relief.

“It’s thanks to you, Lady Jasmine. I want to pay you back later.”

“Oh, I am satisfied that Madame keeps calling me.”

“Thank you. I was able to host a tea party.”

“I really enjoyed it. By the way, Madame, where is the flower that we originally decided to decorate in the form of a bouquet...”

Lady Jasmine asked the question she had been holding back.

“I’ve never seen this before. Who drew this? What a pretty picture.” Someone mentioned the picture framed on the table. Everyone then followed up with their respective questions, one by one, curious.

“That’s right. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“I think it’s a very cosy and warm painting.”

“The pictures are small and easy to see at a glance.”

“What kind of artist did it draw? Can you tell me too?”

As soon as the spring opened, the flood of questions came.

An expression of surprise and puzzlement crossed Irene’s face.

She was embarrassed to say it for some reason. But that did not mean she could not help to answer. So after a moment of hesitation, she opened her mouth to speak.

“This is a painting my wife drew.”

Irene turned her head, startled by the sudden interruption of the familiar voice.

“Noel…?” 

“Sorry for being late, wife.”

Noel smiled warmly at Irene, whose eyes were round. Exclamations erupted from all over the place.

“Oh my God, I didn’t know I’d see the Duke here.”

“As the rumours say, you are very handsome.”

“You’re really a beautiful man and a beautiful woman.”

“But what is going on here, Grand Duke?”

Everyone nodded to the last question. Originally, tea parties were considered exclusively for women. Therefore, even if it was her husband, the men did not like to involve themselves with their wives’ tea parties.  

Therefore, even the people who came here did not expect Noel to appear. It was the same with Irene. Since there was no word from him in advance, his appearance was even more sudden.

“How can I….”

As Irene looked at him and muttered blankly, Noel spoke with a small smile on his face.

“It’s a tea party hosted by my wife, shouldn’t I come? Oh, if my appearance was a hindrance.”

“No! It is not.”

At his words, Irene quickly shook her head and stood up from her seat. She then looked at him and said with a shy smile.

“It does not bother me at all. I just didn’t know Noel would come... You didn’t say that he would come this morning as well.”

“My work finished sooner than I expected, and above all else, it is a tea party hosted by my wife. Were you very surprised?”

“I was surprised, but still….” Noel stared at Irene, who answered honestly with a blush of joy. Meanwhile, the servants set up a seat next to Irene and prepared refreshments for Noel, who suddenly appeared.

After Irene and Noel sat down, the tea party continued again. However, the atmosphere was quite different from before.

“I heard a rumour that the Grand Duke cared for his wife, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.”

“Really. They are a very well-matched couple.”

“By the way, his wife must have painted this picture.”

The topic dropped back, blending into the atmosphere. Lady Jasmine, who was watching the reaction, raised a small snort and asked Irene.

“Madame, is there any reason for placing the picture instead of the flower?”

“Ah...”

At Lady Jasmine’s question, Irene nodded. She said in a soft tone.

“The painting is of the landscape of the Grand Duke’s residence. Including the flower garden, the garden where horse carriages come and go, the annexe normally unreachable, and even the appearance of the servants at work. I put a small picture on the table, hoping that the people gathered here will soon get to know the peaceful side of the Grand Duchy a little more. I don’t know if my paintings conveyed the scenery well.” 

“Is this painting of the Grand Duke’s residence?”

“Come to think of it. It looks just like the front door we passed through.” “It’s the scenery of the Grand Duke’s residence to enjoy while drinking tea. It’s good. I did not know your wife had such a talent.”

Those who heard Irene’s explanation did not spare her praise. 

It was the first time she had shown a picture to so many people, so Irene’s heart leapt.

“Today’s tea party seems meaningful.”

And with Lady Jasmine’s words, Irene knew in her gut that today’s tea party had ended successfully.

♔♔♔