[TKOSINM] 265 – A Heart Explosion

“That day is the anniversary of the Lord’s older brother, the late Grand Duke Kristen.”

“…”

// When I first read this, my reaction was 0_0 what?? The audacity!

Irene, who was sceptical of the invitation, immediately went to Tom and asked. The answer that came back was genuinely shocking.

When Irene was speechless, Tom supplemented the explanation.

“I’m joking. Count Rixis holds a party every year and sends invitations only to the Master. It’s a fact the Grand Duke doesn’t know. It is so secret that it is impossible to even attend without an invitation. That’s why the Grand Duke doesn’t even know there’s a party going on. Because he doesn’t have an invitation, and it is so secretive.”

“But Noel said he would go there….”

-For me.

 Her eyes darkened.

“It’s too much to use Noel’s sadness to ridicule him like that.”

“Oh, it won’t be.”

Hearing Irene’s murmuring, Tom responded quickly. Irene looked at him bewildered at his enigmatic words, and Tom continued while organising the paperwork.

“As you can see, this Grand Duke does not treat the Master in the slightest. I don’t know for sure, but his treatment has improved.”

“What…”

 ”When the former Grand Duke was alive, the Master was not treated as a human. The former Grand Duke hated the Master very much.”

“He ignored the basics of respect, mocked his biological mother, and did not shy away from violence. So, when the two of them went hunting together, and the former Grand Duke died, many people were suspicious of the Master.”

 ”...then....”

“And the fact that Count Rixis writes a letter on every anniversary has a hidden intention to ridicule the Master who is falsely accused of killing his brother. Of course, that’s just my guess.”

As if to revoke the heavy atmosphere, Tom finished his speech with a smile, but Irene’s hardened expression did not ease. Irene had a habit of clenching her fists before releasing them because Noel told her not to.

At Irene’s unusual mood, Tom looked at her and asked

“Madame, are you okay?”

“No, it’s not okay.”

Irene bit her lip as she spoke in a suppressed voice.

“I’m so mad.”

Seeing Irene engulfed in anger, Tom bit his lips. For the first time, he felt afraid.

After talking with Tom, Irene quickly ran into the room.

“Noel...!”

Irene opened the door and looked around with puzzled eyes at the appearance of the empty room.

“Noel was obviously here.”

When she came out, she was told that he would be working in his room all day today, but Noel could not be seen anywhere.

“There was something I wanted to say….”

She ran full of emotion, but when she couldn’t see him, Irene sighed briefly and sat down on the bed.

“This is for the better. Hearing such words suddenly, Noel would also be puzzled...”

“What do you mean?”

“...!”

At that moment, at the familiar voice coming from behind, Irene turned her head, and soon her face became heated.

“No, Noel. Did you wash...?”

“Oh, yes. To clear my head, I did a little swordsmanship training, and I started sweating….”

 ”I see...”

Irene stared blankly into the air as she returned a stupid answer. She sneakily glanced at him. His large, toned muscles could be seen through the open burgundy gown, and his hair was wet and droopy, making him look very sexy.

Irene let her eyes wander at the scene, eyes following downwards and tried to turn her head as naturally as possible as if nothing had happened. However, contrary to her heart, her gaze kept turning in that direction.

For some reason, Noel tilted his head at Irene’s awkward appearance and spoke anxiously.

“Irene? What were you trying to tell me…”?

“Hair!”

“.... Yes?”

 ”I’ll dry your hair. You catch a cold.”

Irene, who had shouted randomly to change the topic, closed her eyes tightly.

Wasn’t it too out of the blue? No... The weather is chilly, so he can’t catch a cold...

Worried, Irene glanced at Noel.

Noel, surprised for a moment by Irene’s sudden words, smiled and nodded.

“Then please.”

As he readily accepted it, Irene’s worried expression brightened. As Noel sat down in front of the chair, Irene carefully brushed her hand into his hair, who had brought a dry magic tool that blew out warm air. The silver-grey hair that filled the space between her fingers and the cold water felt good. She was preoccupied with drying his hair, and his voice came from below.

“I didn’t know when I dried Irene’s hair… but it feels like I’m being cared for. For someone to dry your hair.”

At his words, Irene’s hand stopped for a moment. Her gaze turned downward, but Noel’s face could not be seen clearly. He rested comfortably on his back and continued.

“It feels good.”

“…I don’t want you to get hurt.”

As his languid voice penetrated her ear, Irene, who stopped moving, spoke in a deep voice.

“It’s been so hard so far, so I hope there are only happy days in the future. So, sometimes, I hope you will wait for me so that I can help and protect you, Noel.”

“.... I have a question.”

“What is it?”

 “Do you love me too, Irene?”

 ”Yes?”

Irene’s eyes widened at his unexpected question. Noel, who raised his body, blocked Irene off and opened his golden lips again.

“Because you’ve never told me.”

‘Drip. Drip.’

Drops of water dripped down from the ends of his hair, which was not yet dry.

“S, suddenly…”

Irene couldn’t help but panic because she didn’t know the events would go on like this. But Noel’s eyes were solemn. Her averting gaze stopped at his eyes.

“...to be honest, I’m not used to saying I love you.”

Because I’ve never heard of it or done it. Because she thought it was a word far from herself. So, she never had the courage to speak. However, ...

“But it must be the same for Noel….”

“...The words…”

“I love you.”

It felt like her heart would explode. The room was quiet, and her heart beat even more rapidly.