[TKOSINM] 84 — Unhappiness Lasts

There was such a saying: if one was repeatedly exposed to a certain environment, later when placed in that situation again, one’s reaction would be a reflex. For Irene, it was Riel.  Just hearing Riel's voice, she unconsciously recalled all her past negative experiences with her, and her hands clenched tightly. Her heartbeat ominously.

“Sister... are you not going to see me?”

Was it because it had been a while? Irene felt like she was dreaming, even more than a dream. When Irene refused to look back, Riel reached out to Irene’s shoulder. But her hands could not reach where she wanted them to go. 

“Let go of my hand. Duke.” 

When she heard that, Irene lifted her head.

Noel held Riel’s hand, which was reaching out to Irene. His expression as he glared at Riel was extremely cold.

“Noel…”

Seeing Noel protecting her, Irene called out his name in a small voice. At the sound of familiarity, Riel clenched her teeth. She then looked at Noel, her face hardened and frigid.

“In a place of reverence and formality, I do not wish to make a scene. Even more so, the high-ranking Duke of Kirsten molesting a powerless woman.”

“Riel!”

Irene shouted abruptly at Riel’s threat.

But neither Riel nor Noel retreated. 

Irene felt an oncoming headache. She did not expect to meet Riel in a place like this…She could feel the attention of people around her, causing a slight commotion, at the disturbance. Irene strongly wished she could leave the place right then and there but…

She could not make trouble for Noel...nor did she want to avoid it anymore. Irene hardened herself and walked in front of Riel determinedly. She blinked at Noel. 

Reading her eyes that assured him, Noel released Riel’s hand. Riel, who had an expression of dissatisfaction for a while, pursed.

“Let’s talk outside. This place is somewhere where we shouldn’t raise our voices.”

“Sister, you have changed a lot. Living with the Duke must be very comfortable...”

“Riel.”

“...”

Riel, who attempted to sarcastically mock Irene, was rendered mute at Irene’s cold tone. 

Riel bit her lips and turned around. Irene glanced at Noel for a moment, then spoke, “I came here to quietly enjoy. I apologise, please wait for a moment.”

“It’s not for you to apologise Irene. Is it really alright that I don’t go with you?” 

Noel asked worriedly, but Irene gently nodded her head.

“Yes, because it’s my duty...and…”

For a moment, the figure of Noel who faced the Great Duke without avoiding, flickered into her mind. She wanted to be as confident as he was.

“Because it’s something I must deal with.”

“...Alright. I understand. However, it is a hassle to re-enter this exhibition hall, so I will wait for you at the Tea Party venue.”

“Yes. See you later.” Noel nodded, and Irene hurriedly followed after Riel.

After staring at Irene’s back for a while, soon left the exhibition hall. Riel headed to a place with as little people as possible. Her parents would not have allowed Riel, who was weak, to go out. Irene wondered how Riel could possibly leave the Chase mansion, but there seemed to be numerous guards around her.

“Here we do.” 

When Riel stopped walking in the middle of the grass, Irene, who was following behind, took a few steps back.

“I want to talk to my sister alone, so could you leave me alone?” Riel said to the guards surrounding her.

“But the Count’s order is to protect the young lady no matter what happens…”

“So, you’re going to interrupt my conversation with my sister?”

“We apologise”

“Yes? Well then…”

When the guards showed no sign of retreating, Riel suddenly drew the guard’s sword and held it at her neck. Not only the escorts, but also Irene was stunned.  

“Riel!”

“Miss!”

“If there is a wound on my neck, your neck won’t be left. Still don’t you want to listen to me?”

“H-, oh. I understand, please put the sword down. It’s dangerous.”

“I’ll keep holding this. Disappear.” Riel commanded.

“Yes…”

The guards were forced to resign because of Riel’s tough attitude. Nevertheless, Riel did not put the sword around her neck. She looked back at Irene.

“Sister, you want me to die, don’t you?”

“...Riel, what are you doing now?”

“That’s exactly it. To leave the house like that, you’re telling me to die.”

Irene stared at Riel wordlessly. She tried to figure out what to say. But suddenly, Riel lowered her head, and tears started to fall.

“Sister, I’m exhausted. I’m having such a hard time. Because I don’t have Sister, all the employees ignore me. No one takes care of me. It’s my fault, so please come back sister.” 

“Riel.”

“That’s enough. Even if you don’t, it’s hard for me. Unlike Sister, I was born with a weak body…”

“Riel, I told you. I am no longer your sister. I have already severed ties with this family. There is no point in coming all the way here, to do this.”

“...very good.”

Riel raised her head and threw the sword she was holding at Irene. If it had been thrown a little harder, Irene would have been injured. She did not intentionally reduce her power. Riel only lacked the strength.

“What’s so good about being so cocky?” 

“Riel.”

“You don’t even know much about yourself, and you’re so proud.”

“...I know myself well.”

“No, you don’t. If it weren’t for my family, you would have long been dead. Why are you so proud of yourself?”

“What do you mean?”

Her words were strange for simply a conversation about family ties. Riel’s attitude was too imposing for that, and she treated Irene as if she were a stranger -- an outsider of the family.

When she asked Riel, whether she had said her words impulsively, she glanced at Riel’s face which was momentarily crossed with embarrassment.

“Riel, what are you...?”

“...I came to meet Sister today to tell you that you will regret it. How difficult it is for you to move out of a safe home and lead a difficult life down the rocky road. And it’s not too late. My parents’ anger has eased to some extent, so you can come back.” 

There was a clear sign of changing the subject, but Irene no longer wished to continue the conversation. Above all, she was worried about Noel, who was waiting outside for her.

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