The Kind Older Sister Is No More

The dinner ended in peace, Irene and Noel went back to their room.

“Earlier, did you do that on purpose?”

While walking down the quiet hallway, Noel asked Irene out of the blue.

“Pardon?”

“At dinner, you deliberately said it was delicious, right? Was it to ease the tension?”

“Oh…”

Irene’s cheeks blushed, she felt like having been caught doing something sneakily.

“The food was delectable, and there was an abundance of it. But I didn’t think everyone was paying attention to it. I didn’t want it to go to waste…”

“Sometimes I feel that you are a very wise person.”

“Pardon? Oh, you flatter me.”

Surprised by Noel’s sudden praise, Irene waved her hands clumsily in the air in denial, but Noel shook his head and reclaimed with a serious expression.

“There are not many people who can break the ice with such simple words. They usually try to avoid it or force it to stop. That’s why, you are a much greater and wiser person than you think.”

“No, it was really not….”

She became flustered because of what he said. She tried to rebut it, but in the end, Irene nodded lightly in resignation.

“...Thank you.”

It was really not a big deal...

Did she really do something that deserved this much praise? She did not quite get it, but Irene decided to believe in Noel’s word. She was just glad that what she had done was helpful to him, even if it was just a little.

Putting things that way gave Irene more confidence. As now she appeared even more self-assured and energised than before, Noel, who was watching her from the side, also smiled pleasantly.

♔♔♔

“Have a safe trip.”

“It will not take long. I will return before the day is over, right after investigating the place where the monsters appear; I promise I will be back.” At the front gate, as Irene bid him goodbye, Noel answered calmly after having managed to upright himself on the horse’s back.

“Please be careful, though. Otherwise, you might get hurt.” She told him, concerned.

It was not really that big of a deal, but Irene was seeing Noel off with a look of a wife sending her beloved husband to the battlefield.

“...Your Grace, we must leave now.”

As they were bidding each other farewell, Celt, one of the mercenaries, approached them to inform him.

“Alright, let’s get going.”

Answering him, Noel held the reins of his horse, and pulled, turning his horse around. However, he turned back to look at Irene one last time before he departed through the gates. Only then did he see her gazing back at him anxiously, with worried eyes. It was the first time they had parted ways like this, so she could not help but be very anxious. If the mercenaries or the knights saw her expression, they would say that it was needless worry.

Noel looked at Irene and quietly moved his lips. “If you are so worried, why don’t you give me a lucky charm?” He grinned.

“A charm?” She asked, unsure if she had heard correctly.

“That’s right.” he smiled.

A lucky charm...

“What may that be?” Irene tilted her head when she heard about the idea of a charm. Should she give him a handkerchief or something?

But she did not have anything prepared adequately with her at the moment…Oh, what should she do?

However, what Noel had in mind was not a handkerchief.

“A kiss would do.”

‘Thud!’

As soon as those words escaped Noel’s mouth, Celt, who was waiting next to him, lost his balance and fell off his horse. He landed underneath due to shock, and his mare snorted. Fortunately, he landed safely and there were no injuries, but his expression was already distorted.

Wh-what did he say just now?

Celt was so shocked that he was at a loss for words.

Nonetheless, Noel did not pay Celt any mind as he continued with his conversation with Irene.

“Since long ago, there’s been such a saying, that if one kisses their lover, who is about to set out on a dangerous journey, they will come back safely.” he told her.

“....”

Irene’s eyes shook violently. Really? But Noel’s eyes were showing no sign of lying. Besides, he had no reason to lie to her.

And as for Noel...well, he lied. Despite looking at Irene with unwavering eyes, he was also a mess inside.

Why did I say that?

Sure enough, he had never heard of such a saying. He initially attempted to reassure her because she seemed to worry restlessly, but the words that came out of his mouth ended up sounding weird. He had to redact it.

I ought to apologise and take back what I just said.

He had to, but for some unknown reason...he also wanted to wait for Irene’s answer. How would she react to it?

But the words that returned to him were completely unexpected.

Irene squinted her eyes, and her brows furrowed. However, she eventually took a deep breath and turned to him.

“Noel,” she called out to him.

“Yes,” he replied, gazing down at her from his black stallion, warmly. Despite the mess he was inside, his exterior was calm and exuded a sense of grandness.

“Please lower your head,” Irene murmured softly. It was almost inaudible, but Noel heard her clearly.

“...Pardon?”

“You are sitting too high. Please lower your head….”

“Ah, okay…”

Noel answered blankly and bowed to her.

PreviousTable of Contents