[TKOSINM] 45 — An Unbreachable Distance

Irene glanced back and saw Tom and Noel were following her.

It has been like this since I first met Noel.

         It was the first time she had grabbed someone, hung onto someone, and was waited and comforted by someone. Irene, who had been lonely her whole life, was blindly encouraged knowing that she had finally found someone who understood her.

         After twenty years of her life, Irene had come to the conclusion that there would be no one who could understand her. In short, someone who was willing to console her was just as unthinkable. She also believed that no such person would appear before her.

         However, …

         Although they were only partners for their own goal, Noel had changed a lot of Irene’s life. She was truly thankful that Noel had come into her life and turned it upside down. His presence was the greatest gift.

         Still, I am a bit upset.

         Irene could not help the feelings of sadness that arose when she thought about Noel. He had yet to open his heart to her.  

         Noel reached out to her when they arrived at the carriage. As per usual, Noel held out his hand to Irene to help her climb the carriage. But unlike usual, Irene did not put her hand in Noel’s hand. Noel asked with a curious look at Irene, who was just standing still.

         “Irene? Is there a problem?”

         When Irene heard Noel’s voice, she immediately shook her head and took his hand as usual. Then, Noel helped her climb the carriage.

         Irene, who was already sitting in the carriage, flushed for no reason. She was trying hard to control her expression and act normally. She did not want to appear strange or affected by him. Her feelings turned weird every time she saw Noel hold out his hand to her. She was embarrassed because she was lost in thought before and had blankly stared at Noel’s outstretched hand.

         “Then, have a safe trip, Miss Chase.”

         Tom greeted Irene in front of the carriage. Irene bowed her head to him and then the carriage left the Kristen household.

         Irene looked outside from the window. It had become dark outside.

         This is awkward.

         The familiar silence was especially strange today.

         “Uh, I think the Great Kristen has opened up a little bit to me.”

Irene casually mentioned the one thing that had been on her mind since they had left the estate. It popped up out of nowhere and she was desperate for a topic to talk about, anything that was at least better than this awkward silence. Noel, who was looking out the window, turned his head back at her. Noel was sitting in the shadow side of the carriage; it made the illusion of him being buried in the darkness. If you are not reading this on onedaythreeautumns.com this translation is stolen.

         “I was also surprised to see my grandfather turned back. Thank you for your hard work, Irene.”

         Noel said in a faint tone of voice while Irene stared blankly at him. Irene nodded at that and then she opened her mouth again.

         “Ma... Maybe if I try a little bit more…”

         “Irene.”

         Noel suddenly called her name. Irene, who flinched at that, glanced up nervously at Noel. At the same time, the carriage passed the fountain which was lit underneath. It rained droplets of crystals that bedazzled in the afternoon light. The radiance from the water spewing from it seeped into the carriage. The figure of Noel lit up.

         “I’m sorry.” He said.

         “Why are you apologising?” Irene shook her head. She was unsure of where this was heading, and the uncertainty increased her nervousness.

         “Regarding before, I’m apologising because I did not answer your question. About the identity of that man.” Noel replied seriously.

         “...” Irene could not muster words to form in her mouth. Her eyes grew wide when the topic that she had tried to ignore was brought up by Noel himself. Irene shook her head hurriedly at Noel’s statement.

         “No. Please do not feel the need to tell me anything you do not feel comfortable with disclosing. Duk…Noel, I am sure that you have your own reasons as to why you could not tell me.” Irene stated reassuringly. She did not want to pressure Noel into talking, especially if it could cause a rift between them. Even if she was curious, she first and foremost wanted him to be comfortable around her.

         If Irene had said what was on her heart and guided her mouth with her emotions, in all honesty she wanted to say she was sad. But she was thankful for the logical side of her brain telling her that those were the right words to say in this situation. Irene knew that Noel had said that it would be better to get to know each other first, even if their relationship was only due to a mutual gain.

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