The Kind Older Sister Is No More

He said it as a joke, but his words were never a lie. Even if he was not a Grand Duke, he was involved in several projects. Besides, he was good at business, so he made quite a bit of money from there. Most importantly, he had a source of funds that no one knew about.

Ru: Whenever I read Noel’s jokes, they make me laugh. They’re sweet, slightly corny, and warm my heart.

Of course, Irene, who did not know all that much about finance, thought he was saying that on purpose to reassure hers. Nevertheless, his words worked, and the pressure eased slightly to see if his words worked. 

“Yes. I’ll do as you say Noel.” 

Irene resignedly nodded her head. Noel looked at silently for a brief moment then his lips went dry.

“As soon as this wedding announcement is over, I will marry you, Irene.”

“...”

Noel made eye contact, whose eyes wavered a bit. She was rendered speechless. He was simply carrying out their plan but the message that had been delivered to her ears was more like… a proposal. Of course, he had not meant it that way, but the tone and seriousness of the atmosphere when mentioning ‘marriage’ fell, seemed more like a proposal than a plan. 

“Irene, is there any problem?”

Seeing Irene mute, Noel asked. 

“...No, nothing.” she shook her head coming to her senses.

He frowned slightly puzzled but let it slide. “The maid I sent will help you with your attire for the do. Additionally, I would like to change your maid, Irene. Is that alright?”

“Yes, that’s fine,” she replied lightly.

Though she had become quite close to her current maid, there was not any special relationship that existed between them, thus she could speak without hesitation.

“I’ll replace her by the end of the day. This is as much as I wanted to tell you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know.”

“Well…” Irene leaned towards Noel.

“It’s nothing much but…” Irene placed her hand on his armchair and whispered in his ear.

Hearing her words, Noel’s expression became strange.

♔♔♔

“Good morning, madame*. Nice to meet you.”

*예비 작은 안주인 님 here connotes future lady of a noble house; the maid is saying she is the mistress to be/ treating her as Noel’s wife already with respect.

Noel guided Irene back to her room safely. There, waiting for Irene stood her new lady-in-waiting, a bright woman with pink eyes and hair stood. For an ordinary maid, she had a large stature and with a sword at her waist.

Irene instantly recognised at once that this was the maid Noel had sent. The gratitude to Noel was brief, before she became perplexed at how she had been addressed. ‘Madame.’ It was the first time she had heard of the title madame (lady of the house). She had yet to be married, and felt the expression was a bit excessive.

“Nice to meet you. I think it would be better if you called me by my name rather than madame. Irene.” Irene smiled and dipped her head. Her curls fell loosely over her shoulder. 

Seeing her lower her head and ask her to address her in a humble manner, the maid accepted.

“I see, I thought I should call you that because Viscount Esquan informed me. Then, may I address you as Miss Irene?”

“Yes, that’s better.” Irene felt a little relieved at the new title.

That’s how Tom described me. Madame. She was a little taken aback and embarrassed, but that meant Tom thought of her as such. She liked that when she found out his meaning.

“My name is Louiselle. Please feel free to call me that.”

“Louiselle, that’s a fitting name. How pretty.” Irene smiled brightly at her.

Louiselle watched her reaction silently then parted her lips.

“Excuse me, Miss Irene, may I ask you a question?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You are not curious?”

“Pardon?”

“My scar.” Louiselle paused. “People who see me for the first time always ask me about it, but milady does not ask. So, I ask.” Louiselle replied straightforwardly. There was a hint of unconcealed excitement. 

The scar started from her right cheek, then spread in a thick mountainous bump across her lips and to her upper left chin. She had been slashed. Louiselle was genuinely curious.

Everyone who met her always asked for the cause of the scar or pitied her for her disfigured face. Alternately, some felt she was disgusting. After knowing the reason that caused her disfiguration, those feelings turned into hatred. Louiselle agonised over how she would be received, or what to do if Irene refused to look at her seeing her face. That was until she met Irene.

The lady in front of her, contrary to her expectations, displayed no signs of regret, ridicule, or disgust. If she were not blind, she couldn’t have not seen the hideous feature on her face that was clear as day. But why did she not ask?

Louiselle wanted to hear why.

“Because I’m not curious.” Irene replied simply.

• The Kind Older Sister Is No More