The Kind Older Sister Is No More

“I’m sorry, Duke. You must have been waiting for a long time, right?”

      “No, it’s fine.”

      Irene, who hurried out from the back door, said to Noel. Noel shook his head with a kind face. It was hard to be out of sight from the people in the house, so it took longer to get out. But thankfully, after the Boris incident, her letters were not disturbed again. Two weeks had already passed since that day, and two days ago, Irene received a message that the date had been set.

      Noel and Irene ran quickly to the carriage. Then Noel opened the door of the carriage. Noel reached out his hand as Irene tried to climb up. Irene looked at his hand with a puzzled face.

      “The carriage has a high footing, so hold my hand.”

      “Ah, I’m fine….”

      Irene had never been escorted like this in her life, so her face was flushed with embarrassment. When she was in a relationship with Boris, Boris would go straight into the carriage, and Irene would have to climb up the steps by herself. He had never once helped Irene before. So, it felt normal for Irene to be treated like that.

      “I would be in trouble if you fall down and get hurt.”

      Noel said again when Irene refused his offer. Contrary to his determined tone, Noel’s face was soft. Irene had no reason to refuse his gesture, so she carefully reached out her hand to him. Noel was surprised when Irene held his hand delicately, but instead of placing her fingers in his palm, she positioned her hand in his hand like a handshake. He couldn’t help her up to the carriage like this. Rather, it would only strain her wrist.

      Irene, who was ignorant of that fact, held Noel’s hands and looked at him blankly. No matter how hard she looked at Noel, it didn’t seem like he was playing a trick on her. Noel, who held back his laugh, let go of Irene’s hand. Irene seemed perplexed when Noel suddenly pulled out his hand and tilted her head at his action.

      “If you hold it like that, it will only make your wrist hurt.”

      Then Noel put his hand under Irene’s hands, who became stiff, and then supported her to get up to the carriage. Only then did Irene realise the proper way to do it.

      “Thank you, Duke.”

      Irene felt so hot that she could almost feel smoke coming out of her face. Then, Irene clambered into the cushioned seat of the carriage and sat in her place. Soon after, Noel sat opposite her. Then, the carriage moved away from the Chase residence. However, even as she felt the gravel beneath them, Irene could not raise her head. She was so embarrassed that she had made such a beginner’s mistake like that. How amusing it must have been to watch her.

      However, there was a reason why Irene did not know that. Not only had she not learned proper social manners, but she had also never received an escort from anyone.

      Irene was agitated each time the carriage shook. She tightly clenched her fist and glanced at Noel, who was looking out the window at the passing greenery. Then Irene carefully opened her mouth.

      “The Grand Duke…”

      Noel swivelled to face Irene.

      “Does he know that I’m coming?”

      Only now did Irene muster the courage to ask the most important question on her mind. She was a complete nervous wreck from the moment Noel had come to escort her. She silently chastised herself for questioning late and then looked up at Noel. Noel raised his brow at Irene and then looked out the window again.

      “I’m sure he knew. Maybe.” He answered.

      “Maybe?”

      Irene tilted her head at Noel’s vague answer. Noel was silent for a moment and then added an explanation.

      “I’ve told him that I’m bringing you there. But I didn’t hear his answer.”

      “Ahh…”

      From that remark, one could tell that his relationship with the Grand Duke of Kristen was strained. 

      “But…”

      When the conversation was cut off and Irene looked uncomfortable, Noel spoke up. Irene raised her head, curiosity on her face, and stopped breathing for a moment. Noel was staring straight at Irene, which caused her to become embarrassed at the sudden eye contact. Then, Noel opened his mouth.

      “Miss, why did you call me Duke?