The Kind Older Sister Is No More

Irene's shoulders flinched after lying on the table with her face down for a while. She slowly raised her head at the sound of the bathroom door clicking open.

“Wife, would you like to wash up, too?”

Wet silver-grey hair, broad shoulders, and clearly exposed clavicles. Droplets of water slid down his exposed skin, through the loosely open collar of the bathrobe.

Irene’s gaze traced downward, and she jumped up from her seat.

“I-I...!”

“I have prepared refreshments.”

Not knowing what to do, Louiselle saved her the moment she was about to make up some excuse. Louiselle informed them that the refreshments were ready.

“Oh, good.”

When Noel took his seat at the table, Irene had no choice but to sit back down as well. Whilst Louiselle placed the refreshments on top of the table, Irene cast her eyes around. She was quite nervous, and her gaze slid past all sorts of random objects. Irene was stiff as a statue.

“Then I will be guarding in front of the door.”

As soon as Louiselle left the room, Noel poured some tea into her cup. Sweet-smelling and warm steam brushed over Irene’s skin.

“Thank you…”

After giving her thanks in a small voice, Irene took a sip. Her embarrassment seemed subdued, as a warm stream of tea ran down her throat.

Come to think about it, I might be the only one who got so worked up over it.

She became sensitive and shivered a little at the title of 'wife'. Additionally, whenever he called her that, she became all perturbed and jumpy. It was like her head blanked and she did not know how to act in an appropriate manner.

...like a fool.

It must not have been that much of a big deal from Noel's perspective. She felt ashamed as she was freaking out over such a trivial matter on her own.

I must stay calm...

She could not be surprised by every single minor thing like this. She had to continue living like this for the next two years. If that happened, not only would it be difficult for her, but it would be exhausting for Noel as well. With that thought in mind, Irene raised her head straight.

“Noel.”

“Yes.”

“Um, did the investigation go well?”

“Ah…Yes. There is no definite harvest yet, but we have figured out where the demon came from. However, the location was far from anticipated, so I guess we will have to investigate it again tomorrow.”

“Well, where is it?”

Noel answered Irene’s question after a sip of tea.

“It’s within the vicinity of ‘the Snow Forest’.”

“If it’s the Snow Forest...Isn’t that the place you mentioned when we were on our way here?”

“Yes, I’m not sure yet, but I followed the footsteps of the beast and it led me there. It would be a huge hassle if there were to be a problem with the Snow Tree, so I’m planning on a cautious approach.”

“Oh, I see...the epicentre of the monsters is the Snow Forest, that’s a big deal.”

“It might get complicated. But it won’t take that long. I don’t want to hurt ‘the sacred tree’ either.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard….”

“Can I ask you one thing now?”

“Yes?”

Noel asked with a relaxed smile as she tried to wrap up the conversation. What was he trying to say? Despite being curious, Irene nodded regardless.

“What is it?”

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Pardon? What do you mean, why out of the blue…?”

At Noel’s sudden words, Irene tilted her head. Then Noel gave her a questionable look.

“Aren’t you avoiding me? Often these days, before and even now….”

“That, that’s….”

At Noel’s unexpected interrogation, Irene nervously looked at him, but when their eyes met, she slightly avoided him. Yet, Noel looked at her persistently.

Biting her lips, Irene barely made a sound.

“I don’t avoid Noel because I dislike you or feel uncomfortable. It’s just…it’s a little difficult to look at you at times….”

“Why?”

“I don’t know either. It’s just that.…”

She did not know how to convey it properly. That whenever she saw him, her heart palpitated at an insane speed, to the point that she could not control it. That her face blushed so hard that she avoided eye contact to hide it?

Won’t he think it’s weird?

Sure enough, it was not even a special relationship. But this kind of treatment and affection instilled a misunderstanding within her. The reason her heart raced and why her face reddened every time she interacted with Noel was simple. It might be because she had not yet gotten used to the situation.

Irene hesitated, then parted her lips.

“...sometimes it’s painful.”

“Are you sick? How bad is it? We need to seek the doctor right away...!”

“Oh, no! Not to that extent!”

As Noel tended to call a physician right here and now, Irene hurriedly waved her hand.

“Where do you feel sick? Did you perhaps get sick from the journey? Please tell me, Irene. Where does it hurt?”

“Well, that’s what I’m about to….”

As Irene bowed, Noel looked at her nervously. He hoped that she did not get sick during the short period he was gone.

Don’t tell me that’s why she slept so long.

She could lie all she wanted. But her body was honest. Irene had the tendency to sleep to recover at the slightest red flag.

How ignorant of me; I should have provided her with more care earlier.

Noel blamed himself as he looked at Irene with a worried face, but Irene hardly spoke. It was because she was still perplexed. As she did not know how to tell Noel about her eccentric situation. She could not just say that she was in pain because of him, though.

Seeing Irene keep her mouth shut, refusing to reveal anything, Noel let out a brief sigh. He got up from his seat and walked over to her. Irene raised her head to see why he was approaching. And seconds later, Irene found her body floating in mid-air. Immediately, her sharp shriek of surprise followed.

“No-Noel?”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. However, you’d better not overdo it today, so it would be best for you to go to bed now.”

“I can walk….”

“I hope Irene doesn’t overdo it, even the slightest bit. So please leave this to me. I’m Irene’s husband.” If Noel looked down and affirmed it with such a serious face, how can she refuse? Irene nodded, a little reluctant.

“....”

Just in case Irene might fall, Noel hugged her tightly but without causing her any pain. His bare skin...I can feel it... He was carrying her in his arms, he had held her once. It was at the wedding as well, but the problem this time was that she was only wearing one single layer gown. What was more, though she attempted not to touch him, he was so close.

The back of her hands and arms kept rubbing against his chest and bare skin.

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