[TKOSINM] 53 — Like A Fool

     “I’m sure your heart is anxious, but I just want you to think about yourself for once. I want you to prioritise yourself even if it’s selfish.”

His soft voice was ever so calming. It washed over Irene and patted at her worries; soothing her wild emotions.

         “Noel…”

         At his words, Irene looked at him and then nodded shortly. What Noel had said was right. It was her who decided to end it all. She had been the one to approach Noel because of that. It was something she was determined to do since the beginning, but when her dreams had become reality, she had become weak. In her heart, fear had overtaken her. Fear of the future, and the uncertainty of her life with him or in the Chase house.

         I was like a fool.

         Irene closed her tired eyes. She felt like she was going to fall asleep as her eyes relaxed. However, she was relieved in that moment because she had changed her destiny. No longer would she be the wife of a cheater. No longer would she be second in the family, and just ‘Riel’s older sister’. She had relieved herself of that burden. As she tried not to fall asleep, she could hear Noel’s voice. It was like a lullaby.

         “You can take a nap for a moment. I’ll wake you up when we arrive.”

         Irene replied quietly with a faint smile at his words.

         “Thank you.”

♔♔♔

         Irene thought that she had dozed off for only a short while, but when she woke up, the carriage had already stopped in front of the Kristen mansion. Irene looked at the window hazily; the bright moon had already appeared, illuminating the earth. The silhouettes of the statues and rose bushes could be seen at the front gates and the running fountain sparkled under the white light. It was dimly lit beneath and glowed a pool of rippling gold liquid.

Irene questioned how long she had been asleep for. She was worried that Noel had woken her up, but she had kept on sleeping soundly.

         “You can sleep more.”

         Then Irene turned her head in surprise at the voice from opposite her. Noel’s seat was so dark that she thought no one was there, but Noel was sitting there gazing at her. The horseman seemed to have already left his seat, so it was only the two of them. Irene’s face turned red.

         “Uh, how long did I…”

         “I’m not sure. I forgot how long it was until I also fell asleep.

         “Ah, I…I’m so sorry.”

         Irene became surprised upon hearing Noel’s answer and quickly apologised.  She was so embarrassed that she wanted to quickly leave from Noel’s sight. But soon after, the sound of laughter came from across her. Irene quickly realised that it was Noel’s laugh.

         “I’m just kidding. It hasn’t been long. We just arrived.” He chuckled.

         “Oh...” Irene was a little flabbergasted.

         Noel had spoken so seriously that Irene could not tell if he was joking. Irene looked at him with a puzzled face. As Irene had once felt before, Noel’s jokes were hard to respond to. He spoke with such seriousness all the time that it was hard to tell whether he was joking or not.

         But it was clear how nervous Irene had been because of that. Hearing Noel’s laughter, as Irene burst into a small giggle herself. Then, Noel opened the door and reached out his hand to her.

         “Let’s quickly go in, because you and I are both tired.”

         “Yes.”

         Irene took his hand and got off the carriage. Then, she walked to enter the main building. This pathway, somewhat she felt accustomed to walking it now. Just in time, Tom approached them, suspicion written on his face. He had been waiting for a long time.

         “You’re here, Master. But why did Miss Chase…”

         Tom, who did not know the whole story of the situation, seemed to think that they had come back from riding the carriage again.

         Did they have a date in the carriage?

         Noel, whom he knew very well, was a person to never enjoy a carriage date. But judging from the unfamiliarity of his actions that had been appearing one after another one recently, it was something he could not cross out. Even despite the unlikely case.

         Noel explained the situation as if he had read Tom’s thoughts. Tom was told that Irene was unable to go back due to certain circumstances and would be staying at the Kristen mansion for a while. Irene remained silent at Noel’s explanation because he was not completely wrong.

         “So, that’s exactly what happened.”

         To tell the truth, Tom, who had already investigated Irene, could infer what had gone on after just hearing the situation without a detailed explanation from Noel. He nodded then gestured towards Irene.

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