[TKOSINM] 283 – A Worried Husband At Home

[...]

“No, it’s okay.”

As Irene accepted the apology with a smile on her face, Undi’s face brightened in an instant. Soon he clung to Irene’s cheek. Irene smiled slightly at the tickling sensation.

The film of water floating in the air moved to a safe place and burst. As Irene sat down safely on the ground, Snow and On quickly flew to Irene’s side.

[Contractor, are there any injuries?]

[Irene, are you okay?]

Irene was distracted by On and Snow’s attack of questions, but she calmly nodded.

“Yes, thanks to Undi’s protection, I’m safe. Thank you, Undi.”

Undi’s eyes widened at the unexpected thank you. Then his face turned red, and Undi clung to Irene’s cheek again.

[Irene, good!]

The two spirits, who were watching the situation, quickly came to her side. Being spirits, she didn’t feel cramped, but it was her first time in a situation like this, so she didn’t know what to do.

Irene glanced at Undi and broke the silence.

“Undi, you don’t have Rivena anymore, but I want to be with Undi instead. Will you make a contract with me?

[Ya!]

“R, really?”

It was a proposal that she threw after much deliberation, but Undi happily nodded.

While Irene was bewildered, he flew in front of Irene’s face, tickling her forehead with water, and kissed her lips. A small drop-shaped pattern appeared on her forehead, leaving a lasting tingle as if water had fallen and then disappeared, absorbed.

Irene looked at Undi.

Was it because of the feeling? It felt like his figure had become clearer.

“Finally, we have gathered all the spirits.”

She was finally able to know the truth.

“Un…”

Irene, who was about to tell Undi about the end of Rivena, bit her mouth. She thought of a man who might have been waiting for her anxiously.

[Irene, why?]

As Irene stopped calling him, he tilted his head, puzzled.

Then, Irene looked at Undi and replied with a smile.

“I have to return.”

 [Okay!]

As Irene moved her feet, she followed the three spirits back.

Irene quickly walked towards the main building.

♔♔♔

As Irene entered the room, Noel jumped up from his seat. She looked at Noel and felt sorry immediately.

“Sorry. You waited a long time.”

 “No. It’s all good for you to come back safely.”

“Yes, and I also signed a contract with Undi.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes.”

Noel looked at Irene, surprised at the unexpected, good news.

“I am very happy. Now I can see what you were wondering about. You can go and check it out.”

“No, just sleep for today. I’ll check tomorrow.”

Irene shook her head. Taking Noel’s hand, they headed for the bed.

“If it’s because of me….”

“No. I am tired.”

In fact, she never slept. She was still excited about the fact that she had finally signed a contract with Undi, her last spirit. She wanted to check Undi’s memory right away, but she postponed it for a while because Noel’s schedule tomorrow was tight.

Noel also noticed Irene’s thoughts at once but didn’t say anything more. He didn’t want to ignore her consideration.

“I see. All right. Then let’s go to sleep.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Irene nodded and went under her blanket and hugged Noel.

Noel then quietly smiled at her and stroked Irene’s back.

The two fell asleep while feeling each other’s body temperature.

The promise of tomorrow told a day where many things would be decided.

♔♔♔

Early in the morning, Irene and Noel were busy. During Noel’s meeting, Irene decided to check her Undi’s memory.

“Sorry. We need to be together, but I….”

Before leaving the main house, Noel said, looking at Irene sadly. He was worried about Irene, who would have to check her Undi’s memory alone. Irene was also worried about Noel because he had to bring up painful memories unintentionally.

The two had concerns for each other, but they didn’t show it outwardly.

“I will go.”

“Bye.”

Watching the carriage with Noel disappear in front of the main building, Irene turned her back and returned to her room. She parted her lips with a resolute face as if she had made up her mind to something.

“On, Snow, Undi.”

When she called the names of the three spirits, the wind picked up for a moment, and then the three spirits appeared. Snow and Undi clung to Irene as if they were waiting.

[Irene-!]

 [Irene!]

Even though she saw them just yesterday, Snow and Undi acted like they had not seen each other for a long time. Still not accustomed to the spirits’ fierce attack of affection, Irene smiled as softly as possible.