[TKOSINM] 236 – Trying To Hide Her From the World

“…That is nonsense.”

The Count responded coldly to Noel and walked away. Noel no longer intended to hold him back but only looked at his back as the Count’s figure diminished by the minute.

He was agitated.

It was a brief moment, but the Count’s pupils were shaking as if he had struck the nail on the head.

Noel’s gaze shifted back at the room where there was once a loud noise. Another while passed, and Noel moved on. He had to go back before Irene woke up.

♔♔♔

‘As if trying to hide Irene from the world.’

Recalling what Noel said, the Count, who was walking down the mansion’s hallway, had to stop again.

“Father.”

“…Irene.”

It was because Irene blocked him. Unlike the Count, who looked at Irene with shaky eyes, Irene was unwavering as she looked straight at the Count. He could not feel a grain of emotion from her. At that, the Count wondered whether the Irene standing in front of him now was the one he once knew.

“Are you on your way back after seeing auntie?”

“Yes.”

“She is very sick. According to the butler, there is not much time left….”

“...”

Irene’s words left the Count speechless. Irene bit her lip. She did not want to be shaken. She did not want to expose her anxiety in front of him. But as the confrontation prolonged, emotions soared up.

“…Why did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you stop sending support to auntie? You know what that means.”

“It’s none of your business.”

The Count looked at her coldly and attempted to pass by her. However…

“Why did you leave me here?”

“...”

“Is it because of Riel? Riel’s health is not good, so you….”

“That’s not it. Don’t blame Riel.”

“I have never blamed her. I just want to know the reason. There must be a reason….”

There must be a reason why she got separated from her parents’ arms when she was barely three years old.

At the end of the question, only sorrow and resentment remained. But Irene did not reveal those emotions, at least not to the man before her.

“It’s... It’s none of your business. It’s a family problem. You are not a part of the Chase family anymore.”

“…I see. All right, Count. I shall find the answer myself. Take care.”

With his still unchanging indifference, Irene vowed to herself to never have any hope from him anymore. The Count tiredly swiped his face with his palm when Irene turned around with a somewhat contemptuous smirk.

This is dangerous.

He planned to keep Irene a secret for the rest of his life. However, contrary to his plan, Irene escaped from his hand and married Grand Duke Kristen. It was challenging to cage her again.

It can’t be helped.

He had never loved Irene, so it did not make him upset or heartbroken when she turned her back on him. But…

I’ll have to go back and think about what to do next.

Feeling stuffy, he sighed. Since the Count had failed to convince his sister, he had to hurry back to plan out his countermeasures.

♔♔♔

After returning to the room, Noel hardened when he laid eyes on the empty bed.

Did she wake up already? Where did she go?

Irene, who he thought was in the room, was nowhere to be found. With that said, Noel became impatient for no reason. Immediately, he turned around. Noel opened the door intending to look for Irene, but frankly, stopped.

“Noel? Where are you going?”