[TKOSINM] 22 - A Special Relationship

         Noel left the Count’s house after promising to Irene that he would visit again next time. Irene watched from her window the sight of him entering his carriage before the horseman and guards directed it through the gates of the Chase estate. She sighed. Irene was still slightly breathless at what had happened. The disaster she had initially anticipated a few hours ago, and the dreaded feelings had simmered away. She wished that Noel would be able to return soon and whisk her away. As long as she could leave, she would be content with whatever unforeseeable future lay ahead. 

As soon as his carriage left the mansion, Riel stormed into Irene’s room. She had not even knocked before the door had burst open with a loud bang. It was as if she had been waiting all along for this opportunity. Upon seeing Irene sitting in a relaxed posture on her chair, Riel could not help the rage bottled up inside of her.

         “Irene!! You- Explain! How could this happen?” She yelled.

         Irene turned her head from the window to look at Riel. In the state she was in, Irene felt the contrast between her and Riel for the first time might not be so bad. Riel was breathing heavily, perhaps because she had hurriedly run to Irene’s room upon seeing Noel’s carriage depart. With an attentive expression, and concerned voice, Irene spoke up.

         “Be careful, Riel, because I would not be able to take care of you even if you fall down.”

         At her change of topic, Riel became incensed. “Answer my question! How do you know the Duke of Kristen? What the hell is going on between you two?” She screamed. Her voice became hoarse as she heaved to breathe.

         Hearing Riel’s anger and entitlement, Irene began to realise something she wished she had been able to notice much earlier on. If only she had. This was not her delicate and pitiful sister, this was a selfish and manipulative girl who wanted to control every aspect of Irene’s life, to cater to her whims. When Riel asked that question, Irene recalled what Noel had stated earlier: ”Call me Noel. Now you and I are on the same boat.”

         “Sister, don’t tell me that… it’s not like that, right?”

         When Irene did not answer, Riel asked again in a quivering voice. Irene just stared at her in silence, her gaze cold. Tears began to fill Riel’s eyes, and her shoulders began to tremble. However, Irene could no longer bring herself to sympathise with the girl’s pity story and immaculate sobs. She truly was the best actress.

         “Sister, are you going to be okay without me? I could die without you. Would you be okay if I died?” Riel continued. The pools that had formed around the edge of her eyes were about to overflow.

         “Riel.”

         Irene emotionlessly called Riel’s name. The maids were huddled together outside the room to see what was happening inside. The small view from the gap of the door that Riel had left when she had not closed the door upon entering her room gave them access to the voices inside. They seemed to be worried that Riel would collapse because of her frail body and heart ailment.

         Irene looked at Riel with a straight face and spoke.

         “Riel, I have already told you before. Do not use your weak body as a weapon.”

         “Stop saying such nonsense, and just answer the question! What is your relationship with the Duke!” Riel cried.

         Irene smiled and blinked slowly. Her eyelashes lifted as she met Riel’s gaze. “We have a special relationship.” She said softly.

         Riel’s eyes widened at Irene’s answer. The maids who were watching the situation also appeared to be astonished. At that moment, Irene was the only person amongst them, who was calm.

         “Wha...What do you mean….” Riel stuttered. It was hard to discern whether her face was red from rage directed at Irene over the entitlement she felt over her sister’s life, or from confused anger at how Irene and Duke Kristen’s relationship could have come about.

         “I have a special relationship with the Duke of Kristen. It runs deeper, much more than you think.” Irene said.

         “What are you talking about?! Boris. What about Boris?!”

         Riel screamed out that question, and along with it, her inexpressible frustration. Irene looked out of the window again. That time, it had been just like this. Irene, as usual, had been sitting by the window, looking at the beautiful floral garden, when she had spotted Riel and Boris. The pair had been kissing behind a grand oak tree, hidden from viewers on the ground level but in plain sight from her room on the third floor. Even now, she could see the image before her eyes.

         “I do not favour taking in spoiled goods. Sister, feel free to take it — the affection that you wanted so dearly.” Irene smirked, and only sarcasm was left in the words she wanted to say to Riel. Her heart had turned cold against the venom of Riel.

         “Sister!!”

         Irene turned her head and said to Riel while smiling.

         “I give him to you.”

         Irene rang the bell. It was as if this matter was far too trivial for her to deal with, allowing the maids to clean up the mess. She turned her back around and once again faced the window. Behind her, she could feel the maids were rushing in, and the sound of a thud echoed as Riel’s body collapsed to the ground. However, she ignored them. She only calmly gazed beyond the glass panes and observed the warmth of the dimming light from the setting sun. While the maids were busy helping the fallen Riel, Irene hoped for that tall figure to reappear. 

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