[TKOSINM] 227 - Forever, Your Family

“...that.”

“No, come to think about it, it’s ridiculous. Either way, we would have become slaves anyway, but aren’t you the one who saved us? Then you should be a little prouder. Your sense of repentance does not make any sense from the beginning, so stop thinking about such nonsense.”

“...”

“Is the reason why you fed us simply because of guilt?”

“Of course not.”

Noel’s answer came back immediately.

“Then why?”

“Do I have to say that myself?”

“I thought I knew, but now that we have come to this, I think I need to hear it.”

Dan spoke sarcastically. Noel bit all his lower lip, regretting that he had brought it up.

“...”

“Aren’t you going to tell me? Then I am going to tell the members that because of the guilt, Your Grace….” 

“…we’re a family.”

Noel, who could barely speak a complete sentence, turned his head. His slightly exposed ears reddened.

“Because you are my family.”

“See? You know it well. You know what you are saying, now we’re talking.”

“...You sure talk a lot. If you are done with your business, leave now.”

“Yeah, yeah, I will.”

Dan, who lengthened his last words, smiled pleasantly at Noel, who was still avoiding eye contact. He then quietly opened his mouth.

“We have never once blamed Your Grace. As you said, we are a family, of which you are a member. Isn’t that what family is like? So please get rid of that ludicrous thought. When Your Grace is shaken, we are shaken as well. Because we gather around you, you are the core of this group.”

“...”

“Then have a good night with your wife.”

‘Shut.’

Dan went out, and silence fell. Noel, having lost all his energy, sighed deeply.

“...You have a great family.”

At that moment, he heard Irene’s voice, who he thought was asleep. Noel turned to her, stunned. Irene’s eyes were still closed, but her lips were curved into a soft arc. Noel asked in a worried voice.

“Did Dan’s voice wake you up?”

Irene shook her head.

“I heard it in my sleep.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s really okay. I can sleep anytime later on….”

Blurring the end of her words, Irene buried herself deeper into his arms. Noel supported her firmly. Tranquillity followed, and Irene opened her mouth again.

“I can feel that the mercenaries really like you, Noel.”

“…what about you, Irene?”

“Pardon?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

He just asked casually, but Noel quickly changed his words when he realised what he had uttered. Had it been expected, she would have felt puzzled, but Irene now could afford to define its meaning.

I must look like an idiot.

Actually, there was something else she wanted to say. She envied them because they were more like a family than herself and Chase, because that was what Irene longed for. It was nothing like jealousy. She felt reassured when such reliable people were by Noel’s side, but she also felt a little envious. She found herself pathetic. Irene wanted to sink into a deep slumber. That way, she would not feel any of this. Silence overflowed. But Irene could not manage to fall asleep as she wanted. Noel’s gentle voice penetrated through the silence.

“The same goes for Irene.”

“...?”

“To me, Irene is also….”

His speech was cut short. He then began to pat her on the shoulder as if telling her to sleep well. Bewildered by his somewhat unnatural behaviour, Irene held back her laughter. She then leaned onto his shoulder and muttered in a low voice.

“…Thank you, Noel.”

“...”

The chilly night, which almost left only loneliness and sadness, was eclipsed by the warmth between humans. Irene fell asleep comfortably, leaning on Noel’s shoulder.

And the next day, the carriage entered the territory of Viscountess Friedan.

Irene and Noel were only able to enter the Viscounty after a thorough inspection. When they got off the carriage, the butler, who had been waiting in advance, approached the two.

“Your Grace, Madame, welcome.”

“Hello.”

Upon receiving his greeting, Irene looked around the Friedan estate.

I think I remember.

Despite them being vague and blurry, she did have some memory fragments of living here.

“You…have grown a lot.”