From the moment Irene had heard that piece of news and until now, she was so nervous that it was difficult for her to keep up. It was different from simply coming to convince the Great Kristen. Now she had come to get permission to stay in the Kristen mansion.

“Then let us go in.”

At Noel’s words, Tom opened the door. Then Irene and Noel entered the room. She was truly determined to stay, as Irene had nowhere else to go. Just like usual, this time too, Irene was worried that the Great Kristen would turn his back on her.

However, to the dismay of her worries, the Great Kristen stood up from his seat and locked eyes with Irene. Irene’s eyes grew wide – the Great Kristen was staring at her directly!

The Great Kristen hesitated for a moment and then spoke to Irene with an awkward but warm voice.

“Welcome, dear.”

Dear. Irene could feel Noel looking back in surprise at the words. Last time, Irene had cried, so she had not heard clearly what the Great Kristen said. Thus, it was also very strange to her. Irene had even believed that this was a dream because it was hard to believe that it was the second time the Great Kristen called her such an endearing term.

When Irene didn’t respond to anything, as she was lost for words, the Great Kristen’s face turned a little bit red. He knew that Irene and Noel would be unfamiliar with that, but it was also the same for him and he was courageous enough to say that. He was a stubborn and prim-headed gentleman. It was very difficult to say a word that he could not even say to his own grandson, to a person who was not his family. However, he did not want to live in regret anymore and moreover, he liked Irene.

Although he did not know much about Irene, he could tell how hurt she had been before and how righteous she was. He liked her good nature and strong will. It would suit Noel. Thus, this time he was going to do his best. He would make the right decisions to not regret it later.

“Ahem.”

As the silence continued, the Great Kristen coughed awkwardly. Only then did Irene notice his embarrassment and quickly bowed her head and said.

“Ah, good morning, Grand Duke.”

Irene bowed her head while thoughts ran through her mind. She guessed that she called him correctly. Originally, the Grand Duke was Noel’s father, but after the death of him and Noel’s brother, the Grand Duke position was again handed back to the Great Kristen, Noel’s grandfather. Noel was the heir apparent, although some in society might unofficially refer to him as the Grand Duke.

However, when no answer came back, Irene slightly lifted her head. She was worried that she had made a mistake, but then she heard his voice belatedly.

“Yes, I’ve heard the rough story from Noel. It must have been hard.”

Only then did Irene completely raise her head. ‘It must have been hard’. Hearing those words from him made Irene feel strange. In fact, Irene was very nervous from the moment she had met the Great Kristen. He was a grand figure, and she was worried that he would think of Irene as a weakling who could not mentally bear the position of Duchess. She thought he would think that she would run away.

But it was a useless worry. She was relieved by the words she heard from the Great Kristen. She realised that she was not exaggerating her situation. From others’ perspectives, they could see the strife she was in.

“.. Thank you.”

“There’s no need to worry about this.” The Great Kristen who spoke affectionately to Irene, soon called Noel. “Noel..”

Noel looked back at him with a slight sense of discomfort. However, Noel seemed to try hard to not show his discomfort.

There was a moment of awkwardness when the Great Kristen called Noel. Irene stood still and looked at them. It seemed like it had been a long time since they last faced each other directly.

In Irene’s eyes, the figure of the Great Kristen seemed to be trying to reach out to Noel. Because if it had been before, the Great Kristen would not have given Noel a single glance, let alone call his name.

“..Yes.”

When Noel gave a delayed reply, the Great Kristen shook his head whilst looking at him.

“It’s nothing. I’m afraid that you’ll have to leave now.”

“I understand. Irene.” Noel called to her.

Irene nodded and bid the Great Kristen farewell. She looked at him. His eyes were fixed on Noel, then upon sensing Irene’s gaze on him, turned to Irene. Irene hesitated and then quietly said.

“Thank you.”

“It’s all right. You don’t have to worry about it.”

//Slow, but it’s progress~