[TKOSINM] 221 - Letter from Viscountcy Friedan

Understanding her words, Noel smiled softly and opened the door. He beckoned to Irene. Irene immediately found a dark green envelope right on the table as she followed Noel into her room.

Is it not the seal of the Duchy of Jasmine?

Questions arose on Irene’s face. Contrary to expectations, the letter had a seal other than that of the Duchy of Jasmine.

Even though it was the first time she had ever seen the seal, Irene opened the envelope and took out the letter, looking at the strangely familiar seal.

“Irene? Is there any problem?”

Irene, who had checked the contents of the letter, stood still. Noel silently approached, worry written on his face.

“Who is the letter from? Count Chase...” 

“No, not my family.” 

“Then who is it to make you have that expression?”

“…a letter from the House of Friedan.”

“If it’s Viscountcy Friedan...”

Is it Irene’s aunt?

It was a name he had seen before when he investigated Irene. It was known that Viscountess Friedan, the sister of the Count of Chase, had long since lost her husband and that she was guarding her Viscounty alone. And...

The woman who raised Irene until she was three years old.

Noel looked at Irene silently. She fluttered her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, seeing her clearly agitated appearance. 

“Noel...”

 “Your complexion is not good.” 

“That is...”

Soon, Irene buried her face in her hands.

“... My aunt’s condition is very critical. She said she might be back tomorrow. But my aunt wants to see me for the last time ...” she said.

“… What do you want to do, Irene?” Noel asked.

“I...” Irene gently lifted her buried head.

From a very young age, a long time ago, far enough not to even remember properly, Irene lived with her aunt, the Viscountess Freidan.

The Viscounty of Friedan was located in the northern polar region, so it was cold enough to be winter all year round, but Irene did not feel cold there at all. The reason was that...

-Irene..., my dear princess.

A hand caressed her hair and a warm voice. It was because there was no time to feel the cold because of the hand touching her hair.

Her memories were all that she had left. Since then, she had never set her feet there or seen her. Although that was the case, Irene still vividly remembered the moment.

Although she had cut ties with her family, she didn’t want to ignore her aunt, who cared for her warmly.

Her life is in jeopardy...

She had heard that her aunt was ill when she was at the County of Chase, but Irene believed she had been healed since there had been no news from her...

It may be the last time, but I really want to see her face this time.

She longed to hear her gentle voice once more.

Irene looked at Noel as she lifted her head straight.

“I want to go see my aunt.”

“All right, if that’s what you want.” 

“I’m sorry, Noel. You’re busy, but I’m bothering you. If you lend me a carriage, I’ll be there soon.”

“No, I will go with you.”

 “...Ah?”

Irene’s eyes fluttered as he spoke resolutely. Noel said with kindness in his eyes, a look reserved only for her.

“I will go with you, Irene. I am your husband.”

“Ha, but you are busy. And Viscounty Friedan is so far away, and it’s cold again so that it can be difficult.”

“Irene’s going too?”

“You’re going, can’t I go? We are a couple.” 

“...that.” 

“And it’s not because of Irene. I’m doing it because I want to. No matter how much Irene, I won’t be able to break my old house this time.”

Noel said firmly. It was as if he was determined to follow her no matter what.

In fact, she wanted to go with Noel. If it were with him, he would be more reliable than anyone else. But she just didn’t want to say it because she feared it would burden his schedule. 

Still, Noel said she would go with her first... Irene appreciated his consideration, but on the other hand, she says that in the future, she wants to be honest with her true feelings and eats her heart, nodded.

“Thank you, Noel. Then let’s go together.”

“Yes. But Irene, I would like to ask you one thing.”

“Hm?”