The Kind Older Sister Is No More

“Oh, no. Count, Irene…!”

“How dare you ruin my family’s name! Get out of my sight! I don’t want to see you.”

At that order, Boris looked at the Count’s face with a pale look and then turned to Irene. With Boris’ look of desire to be saved by Irene, she hesitated for a moment and then calmly spoke to him.

“Boris, the relationship between us is over.”

“Ah…!”

Boris’ mouth became wide open upon Irene’s words that sounded like a death sentence to him. After a moment of silence, Boris jumped out from his place and rushed towards Noel to attack him.

“This was because of you… Arghh!”

But Boris was no longer able to approach Noel. This was because Noel’s secretary quickly approached and gripped Boris’ neck from behind. No matter how hard Boris struggled to separate from his grip, the secretary did not budge.

“What should I do with him?”

“Politely send him out.”

“Okay.”

Noel ordered with a calm manner. The secretary nodded his head and briefly looked at Irene. Then he dragged Boris out.

Bang. When the door closed, Noel looked at Irene.

It’s all over.

Noel wanted to say that to Irene.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Grand Duke for this. For saving our status that was almost ruined.”

“You don’t have to. I have only done what is natural.”

“I see. Please don’t stay too long. Do quickly go back.”

The Count was dissatisfied with Noel’s polite answer. He wanted to kick Noel out right away, but he could not do that since Noel had helped him.

When the Count disappeared from the room, Irene turned to Noel, an apologetic look on her face.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t get your letter….”

Noel shook his head at her words and said softly.

“It’s fine because I had expected that you wouldn’t get it anyway.”

Irene looked up at Noel’s unexpected words, questioning with her eyes.

What did he mean that he had expected that I would not receive it…?

Noel explained with a kind face as if he understood Irene’s mind.

“The date and time of the visit that was written in the letter were fake.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

“Because it would be difficult for you to interfere with that.” Noel smiled, and then he continued his explanation. “I just made a few mistakes.”

♔♔♔

After the situation reached its conclusion, Irene thought that they could not stay in that room any longer, so she and Noel headed to the garden. She did not get permission from her father to go out, but she decided to be close to Noel because it was better if more people saw them together. If they suddenly married without any interaction, it would arouse suspicion.

They walked inside the garden, which was less crowded, then Irene brought Noel to a small glasshouse with a table and chairs inside. Irene sat on the opposite side of Noel. It was the summer season, so the garden was full of grass and flower scents, and occasionally, butterflies also flew around. It was a perfect atmosphere to talk.

It had been a long time since Irene had last felt this kind of peace. It was a peaceful silence. Then, Irene carefully spoke up when she felt that Noel’s attention was too focused on her.

“Is there something on my face?”

Noel seemed to be pondering for a moment before he answered Irene’s question, and then he pointed at Irene’s cheek.

“By any chance, did you get hit after I left before?”

“Ah.”

Irene was shocked at his words. Noel was pointing his finger at her cheek, which still displayed the bruise. She had placed gauze on it to reduce the swelling, and almost all the bruising had disappeared, so she had thought that even though they were sitting in close proximity, he would not suspect. No one would know unless they decided to look closely at her, so she was shocked that Noel had caught that.

Irene lowered her head, and her face was flushed because of shame. Usually, the aristocrats would value their daughters because they were like a trophy to sell for a family to form alliances, so they grew up like precious jewels. Just looking at Riel right now, you could tell that if the wind blew on her, she would fly away. If someone held her, she would also crumble. Comparing Riel to Irene was a stark contrast like the sea and sky.

So, it was unbelievable that Irene’s own father did that to her. Irene was ashamed if Noel was to find out about that. Although she had told him that she had wanted to escape from this house, she still wanted to show a good image of herself in front of him.

“Ah, no. It’s just….”

Irene weakly said. Her mind blurred, and she could not form words to express herself clearly. Noel just looked at her without saying anything. Noel’s eyes seemed to speak as if demanding the truth from Irene. In the face of those strong brown eyes, Irene nodded her head. Noel’s sigh could be heard, and then he reflexively shrugged. Noel gazed deeply at Irene, who was nervous in her seat and then he quietly said.

“You don’t have to hide it. You’re the victim. The one that should be ashamed is not you but the assailant.”