[TKOSINM] 229 - Auntie

After dinner, Irene and Noel headed to Viscountess Friedan’s room.

It’s quiet.

Irene thought as she walked down the hallway. No matter how late it was, hardly a person could be spotted. So far, only two or three servants were seen along the way.

Was the place like this before?

It was a long time ago, so she could not remember it vividly, but this place in her remaining memory was not so bleak and desolate.

“Here we are. Madam is waiting for you two.”

“Thank you.”

Upon arriving at the front door, Irene temporarily set aside her doubts.

In front of the tightly shut door, Irene gulped with tension. What should she say? It felt like she was meeting a person from a hazy dream she had long ago. How should she face her? How should she greet her? Should she address her as ‘aunt’ or ‘madam’?

But what Irene feared more than anything else was that her aunt would look at her the same way her father did. And that her gaze towards her would also be indifferent and deprecating.

“Madame, the ducal couple is here.”

The butler, who was not aware of Irene’s tumultuous emotions, announced the duo’s arrival and opened the door. Irene looked at the door nervously, and her hand automatically searched for Noel’s as a part of her habit.

Feeling her touch, Noel looked down at her reaching out for him and promptly locked their hands tightly together as he had always done. The door opened, and Irene furrowed her brows as she stepped inside.

The smell of medicine...

The room was filled with the odour of all sorts of herbs. Irene thought she had gotten used to the smell of drugs while nursing Riel, but this room was just as repulsive. The smell of death was so deeply engraved on her mind that when the tip of her nose got exposed to it once again, Irene unwittingly faltered.

“Madame…”

Passing by Irene, the butler approached the bed. A long tubing connected to a pack of medication (an IV bag) led to the bed, and at the other end…

That’s Viscountess Friedan...my aunt... 

There lay a woman, as skinny and haggard as a corpse. Her lifeless eyes were wide open, and there was no hair on her head.

“...”

“Duchess…”

When Irene stood motionlessly without a word, the butler called her sadly. His voice was filled with concern about the shock Irene might receive as well as impatience. He was worried that she might turn away from the Viscountess at some point.

Of course, Irene was indeed shocked. Still…

“...Hello, Auntie.”

Irene bowed and greeted her even though she was not looking. Madame Friedan’s black pupils then rolled toward Irene’s direction.

After the formality, Irene, who rose calmly, took a step closer to her. Noel stayed behind and watched Irene.

“You were looking for me?”

Sitting in the chair next to her bed, Irene grabbed her skinny hand.

“…Ah.”

Viscountess Friedan could not make a clear sound; only gasping breaths were heard. Irene looked down at her silently, noticing that she wanted to convey something to her, so she slightly bent down. She brought her ears close to the corner of her mouth.

“…Rene…I wanted to see...”

Her voice cut off sparsely, but she could see what the Viscountess was trying to say.

“...I missed you...so much….”

At that moment, Irene felt emotional. Was it perhaps the sadness and resentment for having been oppressed by her family so far? No, this was…

I’m relieved.

There was someone in her family who held her dear. There was someone who missed her.

“I also…, I missed you too.”

Irene was unaware of her existence. Her family had completely separated her and Viscountess Friedan. For that reason, Irene naturally forgot Viscountess Friedan’s existence, as she was unaware of that fact.

Even so, she had faint memories of the time she had spent here. Like a dream. Was it because she enjoyed her life here so much back then?

But not long after, her relief turned to sorrow. The Viscountess’ condition was not good enough to enjoy this reunion. In fact, Irene came here with the possibility of witnessing her death. It was a reunion she had been longing for, but she could not believe they were already near eternal parting.

Her heart ached, and her lips trembled. Tears welled up in Madame Friedan’s eyes as she struggled to hold Irene’s hand.

She lifted her head at her light touch.

“You have grown up to be so… pretty….”

“…Auntie…”

She closed her eyes before Irene. At the sight, Irene’s eyes widened.

 Why suddenly? 

Irene could not feel her strength for a split second as her aunt’s grip on her hand loosened. And with that, Viscountess Friedan closed her eyes slowly. As the startled Irene was about to call her, the butler, who was watching over them, spoke.

“She fell asleep.”

“Ah…”

It was only then, could Irene let out a sigh of relief.

♔♔♔