The Kind Older Sister Is No More

“What is my wife doing?”

“She is napping.”

In the evening, after completing the investigation, Noel returned home. When he asked the butler about Irene’s status, he stated that she was asleep.

She’s sleeping? She must haven’t slept well all night.

It was a little strange, but if she could not get a good night’s sleep, he was thinking of changing the environment. With that thought, Noel headed to her room.

Noel went into the room quietly to avoid waking Irene, who was deep asleep and made his way to the bedside.

She’s sleeping so peacefully.

Noel pulled the blanket up to the tip of her chin. He looked at Irene without saying a word. She looked like the sleeping beauty he had read in a fairy tale as a child.

Then, I must kiss her to wake her up.

His thought was so ridiculous that he immediately mocked himself inwardly.

“Did nothing happen while I was away?”

Noel asked Louiselle, who was guarding her by the bedside.

“Yes. After you left, she drank tea and went to take a nap right away.” She nodded in response.

“Tea?”

“Yes, my Lord ordered it to be served.”

“Ah, yes I did.”

Belatedly, he remembered having told the butler to take special care of his wife, especially to pay extra attention to the refreshments, since she enjoyed them.

“You should leave now. I’ll take care of Irene.”

“The Madame asked me to stand by her while she was sleeping.”

“Irene?”

It was a little odd as she was not the type who would usually say things like that, but Noel just nodded.

“I’ll tell Irene that you have been with her during the time she’s asleep. So, you can leave.”

“...Yes, sir.”

Louiselle was forced to leave the room. Shortly after, Noel changed into comfortable clothes and sat on the edge of the bed, next to where she was lying. He silently watched Irene sleep. Seeing her loose hair curving around the corner of her eye, he carefully tucked it behind her ear, brushing her lightly with his fingertips.

“Umm...Noel?”

Irene opened her eyes and looked at him. Noel smiled gently at her hazy eyes and parted his lips.

“Good evening, my wife.”

As soon as she opened her eyes, Irene’s eyes widened at Noel’s endearing face. But soon a soft arc was drawn on her lips.

“…that’s nice to hear.”

“What do you mean?” Noel asked tenderly.

“What you said a second ago, wife….” Irene replied in a sleepy voice.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes... it’s like we’re really married….”

“We are a true couple though. But if you like hearing it, I’ll call you more often. Wife…”

“Haha…”

Irene, who burst into laughter at Noel’s immediate execution, raised her body.

“If you’re sleepy, you can sleep more.”

“No…”

At Noel’s words, Irene smiled and shook her head. Seeing her still half asleep, Noel asked as she ran her hands through her dishevelled hair.

“Did you happen to feel uncomfortable sleeping last night? I think you slept more than usual.”

After living with her for quite some time, he learnt to some extent things like her sleeping hours and habits. But this was the first time she had slept this long. Irene appeared to contemplate for a moment and shook her head.

“No, I guess I got more sleep because the room was cosy. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to welcome you when you return.”

“Aren’t you cold by any chance? I’ll light up the fireplace.”

“It’s okay. It’s not cold. But I think it will be way better to light up the fireplace. When the weather gets a little colder, please put the fireplace into use.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Since she was not fully awake yet, Irene stumbled as she stepped down from the bed. Fortunately, Noel quickly noticed and grabbed her. He looked at Irene worriedly.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Wouldn’t it be better to call a physician?”

“No... I guess it’s just because I slept too much.”

“...sit down. I will put them on for you.”

“Pardon? Oh, no! You don’t have to...!”

Surprised by his sudden action, Irene waved her hand in refusal, but Noel had already lowered his posture, kneeling on one of his knees. Irene’s pupils shook, as she focused on him.

“Come on.”

“....”

When he looked up at Irene and urged her, she was forced to sit on the edge of the bed. He carefully grabbed her foot and put on each of her shoes.

Irene felt like a baby.

It’s different from when Louiselle does it.

​​“All done.”

“Th-thank you…”

Irene stuttered. The moment Noel got up; dinner arrived just in time. Louiselle, who came inside with a tray, spoke with worry in her voice, who was sitting on the bed with her head down.

“Are you awake, Madame? Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes, I’m all right. Did nothing happen while I was sleeping?”

“Yes, nothing happened.”

After reporting, Louiselle excused herself. She left the room with the plates on the table.

“Irene, come and eat.”

“Yes. Have some food too, Noel.”

Irene sat down across from Noel.

Unlike the breakfast, the evening meal was quite sumptuous. Still, the light and slightly sweet potato stew were most to Irene’s liking as it best suited her taste. While she was chewing the stew and bread, suddenly Noel uttered.

“Wife.”

“Cough!”

Startled by Noel’s sudden “wife” remark, she got bread stuck in her throat. Noel quickly handed her a cup of water.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, it’s okay. But why abruptly....”

Usually, he used the word "wife," the official title, in an external place where many people are watching. Nevertheless, he usually called her directly by name when he was alone with Irene. There was no one here, but out of nowhere, he addressed her as "wife" while eating.

Her eyes were trembling out of bashfulness, and her face was flushed red.

At the sight of Irene, Noel lowered his gaze and spoke.

“Don’t you remember?”

“About what...?”

“You told me it was nice to hear. Me calling you ‘wife’.”

“I did?”

Irene’s eyes widened. Did she ask for that herself?

I don’t remember at all.

Noel was also confused at Irene’s reaction.

Was it merely sleep talk?

He knew she was half asleep, but he did not think that she would have any memory of it. For some reason, his heart felt like it was sinking. Her inability to recall their conversation had unknowingly hurt his feelings. Noel felt disheartened and disappointed.

But even so, he was not discouraged. Noel decided to ask Irene again to be more certain. And this time, she could not possibly say that she could not remember anymore.

“Then, let me ask you again. Do you hate that I call you ‘wife’?”

“Yes?”

At his sudden question, Irene blinked blankly for a brief moment, she then became hesitant. Honestly for Irene to say...

“...I don’t hate it.”

“You are good with it then?”

“...Yes.”

She was so shy that her head slumped. But it was true that she liked the sound when he called her his wife. The unfamiliar title seemed to remind her that they were a married couple...

“Wife.”

“....”

Then Noel said in a soft voice as if he had long awaited that answer of hers. Hearing such unexpectant words, Irene stared at him. They caught her off guard before she could even prepare herself. Irene forgot to blink.

Noel rested his chin languidly on his folded hands and smiled warmly at her stiff appearance.

“My wife,” he whispered to her again.

“...Ah.”

As if he was casting a spell on her in his secretive, low but melting tone, Irene’s gaze remained still on him, dazed.

“Are you okay?”

“O-okay…”

“That’s good. Then I’ll call you ‘wife’ more frequently from now on.”

The corner of his lips went up, forming a fine satisfied smile. Minutes later, he called Louiselle in to clear the table and told her to prepare refreshments.

“I’ll wash up while they are being prepared.”

“Ye-yes ...!”

When he stood up and notified her, Irene answered quickly, then once again lowered her head. Her face got so hot that she did not want to show him.

After seeing Irene’s funny expression, Noel went into the bathroom in a good mood. Not until the door shut, could Irene raise her head.

“Are you all right, miss? You look feverish.”

While cleaning the table, Louiselle asked anxiously, and Irene shook her head slightly.

“... it’s okay. I guess it’s because I have just woken up.”

“If you are not feeling well, please tell me. I will bring a physician right away.”

“Well, thank you.”

When Louiselle left the room after the awkward conversation, Irene fell flat on the table. The temperature of the cold table’s surface helped cool her heated face.

I shouldn’t have said yes.

It was already nerve-racking enough to address her as his wife in the presence of other people. But when he called her "wife" when there were just the two, her heart raced so fast that it was uncontrollable.

Irene lay her face down as her cheek pressed against the table, she closed her eyes.

Too provocative…

Was the title of ‘wife’ so provocative? Probably not, but she could not understand why the word sounded so different when it came from his mouth.

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