119 – Tom’s Intuition

“There’s chatter that the head maid is tormenting you these days.”

After the meal, Noel asked her whilst they drank tea. Irene shook her head. “She’s not bothering me, she’s telling me about the structure of the mansion and the things I need to familiarise myself with.”

“It’s difficult dress-fitting, but you don’t need to exert yourself so much. All I need is for you to be next to me.”

A smile found itself to Irene’s lips as he looked out for her. She was grateful for his care.

However..

“No, I must do what I must do. Noel is working on what you have to do too. It’s the same for me,” Irene replied firmly. Of course, it was a lie to say it wasn’t tough. It was hard and difficult, because everything was unfamiliar to her, but it was also something she just had to grit through and do. Just as she freed herself of the Chase house, she had to do her best to help him inherit the throne.

Noel listened patiently to Irene. “As always, I feel that Irene is a stronger and more responsible person than I. But don’t push yourself too hard. No matter how important the responsibility is, you are more important to me.” he replied amicably.

“Thank you, Noel.” Irene felt her cheeks heat a little hearing him tell her to put herself first. Fortunately, the cool night breeze from outside cooled her face, leaving no redness visible. Noel, who smiled quietly at the ashamed Irene, finished his tea. Tom stood silently on the side, alternating his glance between the two who wordlessly savoured their tea. This sweet and rose filled atmosphere was hard to accustom to. He tried to keep his expression neutral and held in his thoughts.

When did you get so close?

No, how could he describe this as close?

Are you really not a real couple?

The two seemed so intimate their relationship was questionable, despite him knowing their circumstances. Of course, it would be good to deceive others, but..

No matter how you look at it, this isn’t acting is it?

Above all, it was the first time he had ever seen Noel with such an expression. Where the usual cold stone expression that could freeze his surroundings was, was a face of warmth and mirth that seemed as if the spring breeze was blowing gently. Tom looked away and focused on Irene. She was casually savouring the tea without questioning if this was a normal atmosphere — like she was acclimated to it.

Maybe it’s really not a gimmick..

“Tom? Is there something on my face?” Irene touched her face, and asked after noticing Tom staring at her. Noel immediately shot him a look that said ‘What are you doing?’.

Hastily, he denied. “No, if you’re done talking, can I file the report?”

“Oh, yea.”

“Yea?!”

Noel’s subsequent answer was even more absurd. Tom couldn’t hide his absurdity in his response, as if he had forgotten why he was even here.

My Lord, did you not call me! To make a report on the progress of Madame’s position.

He’d called him, yet completely forgotten about his existence. Tom wanted to express his immediate disappointment and sulk, but he tried to keep calm because he knew that would be of no use in the face of Noel. Tom tried hard to persuade him instead.

“Can I file it?”

“Sure.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

If he had treated him like the Madame, Tom would swear allegiance with all his heart. He thought that, but at the same time his mind was relieved. After being ostracised by his family, Noel was used to being alone, so he was worried about what Noel would do if he lived like that for the rest of his life. Even though he could say he was close to Noel and supported him, he knew he could not make up for that loneliness. Moreover, even if he became the Grand Duke, his loneliness would not be filled. People only flocked to him to flatter and get in his good graces, but not one really came to know the true him. So Tom wished he would become more accustomed to loneliness and become acquainted with those who wanted to use him as a stepping stone. Because of that, Tom had no expectations when he first announced that he would wed Irene. Even if his opponent was of the opposite sex, he was wary of people approaching him and knew his character who did not give in easily. However, contrary to expectations, Irene naturally broke through to him like paint dissolved in water. She evoked spring in his seasons, which had always been winter, and warmly embraced his frozen hand. They ate together, they drank tea, they chatted, they laughed casually. Watching it from the sidelines, Tom was vaguely convinced. Two years after he became the Grand Duke and the contract was over, the two would still be together.