[TKOSINM] 3 – Shattered Hope (1)

“If it’s just a misunderstanding like you said, then why are you still standing on Riel’s side?”

“That’s because she has a weak body, you should understand since you’re her sister.”

“You’re right, I’m her sister.” Irene simply gave up on questioning the situation, she just agreed with what Boris said.

Riel, who was lying around on the floor, looked up at Irene with a tearful face. As she tried to get up from the floor, her frail body continued to shake, she clutched her chest in agony with her hand.

“Irene, I really…ah…” Irene continued to stare at her with cold eyes even when Riel tried to say something. And then, Riel started to clench her hand like she was in pain.

“Riel! Are you hurt?”

Boris felt surprised when he saw Riel’s condition, he hurriedly assisted her when her frail body fell over. Riel then raised her head and looked toward Irene with a mournful face.

“Irene, I…”
“Riel!”
The usual me would’ve been the first person to move and took care of Riel’s

‘condition’, but it was different now.
Irene stayed still as the situation unfolded before her, she then lowered her head to

Riel’s level and began to speak in a cold tone.

“Don’t call my name again. From now on, I’m not your sister anymore.”
“Irene! What are you talking about?”
“And you Boris!” Irene exclaimed as she turned her back at Riel, walking out of the

room.
“Get out of my house right now! I’m done with you.”
She could hear the sound of Boris shouting from behind, however, she didn’t turn

back and even firmly slammed the door on her way out.

♔♔♔

Irene left Riel’s room and went down the stairs, several maids passed her as they ran up to check what happened to Riel.

Due to her frequent seizures, Riel’s room had a special bell fitted in it for emergency situations. It seems that Boris rang the bell.

Normally, Irene would’ve been the first person to help Riel if the bell ever rang. She didn’t need to run for that long since her room was right next to Riel’s bedroom.

This was why she couldn’t even properly rest properly in her room, she had to be alert at all times in case the bell rang.

There was a time when she didn’t notice the sound of the bell since she was focused on painting. Her late response put Riel in a critical condition.

Back then, Riel had been in a severe condition when she arrived. Her sister was lying on the floor, unable to breathe properly. Her doctor was doing CPR and urgently supplying oxygen to her.

Fortunately, Riel managed to regain consciousness. However, after that day, Irene was now prohibited to paint.

“Miss Irene? Is everything alright?”

When she arrived at the garden, the butler, who didn’t know the state of the mansion, asked her this with a curious look.

This was because she was usually taking care of Riel. It was extremely rare for her to be alone by herself here.

It was quite funny how the butler asked this question just because she came down alone. It showed how much she was forced to stay with Riel and rarely had time alone.

However, It will be different from now on.
“Is there an extra room on the third floor?”
“We have plenty of extra rooms. There are five guest rooms that are ready to be

used.”
“That’s good to hear. Please tell the other servants to move all of my belongings to

the third floor right now.”
“Yes? Why would you suddenly move there? Is it because Riel is also moving her

room to the third floor?”
The butler asked Irene with a questioning look. Usually, Riel would frequently change

her rooms due to the smell of medicine. Because of this, Irene had to follow wherever Riel was transferred and move her bedroom to the room next to Riel.

The butler simply thought that the reason Irene ordered him to move her belongings to the third floor was because of Riel’s decision to change her room again.

Irene smiled as she answered his question.

“No. Riel’s staying on the second floor. Just have my belongings moved to the third floor.”

“Are you sure? Does the madam know about your decision?”
“Do I look like a 7-year-old child that needs my mother’s permission every time?” “But…” The butler expression showed disapproval at Irene’s words.

The more Irene felt confined, the more she got annoyed by it. How much more do I have to be bound to Riel? Why should I get her permission to move my room?

“Stop questioning my decisions. Just move all my belongings to the third floor right now, you don’t need to clean up the room for me. I’ll tell my mother about this later.”

“Okay, I understand Miss.”

This was then that the butler realised that Irene wasn’t like her usual self. He nodded and busily moved to fulfil Irene’s orders.

After Irene confirmed that the butler was moving her belongings from the second floor to the third floor, she headed to the study room. She didn’t want to run into anyone right now, but since it would take about an hour for her possessions to be moved, she wanted to spend her time alone somewhere else. This would also be the first time in a long while since she had time for herself.

When Irene arrived at the study room, she picked up some books and papers that she hid from her father. An hour had already passed since she ordered the butler to move her belongings. It should be finished by now. Irene then picked up her things and headed to her new room.

On the way back, many maids looked at her with doubting eyes. However, Irene looked straight ahead and didn’t mind them. She was tired of having to be wary of others. From now on, I just want to live for myself.

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