The Kind Older Sister Is No More

It was such a short and light touch that it was embarrassing even to call it a kiss, but it was enough to get on Irene’s nerves, to the point that her legs loosened. It was as if all her strength was drained out.

She immediately removed her lips as soon as she felt his skin.

“Ha-have a safe trip.” Irene stuttered, taking a step back.

“I will…”

In a daze, Noel answered, squeezing the reins. He moved his horse robotically like a doll. He was the first to leave the gate, followed by the mercenaries and knights. In a wink, the surroundings became empty, and Irene collapsed on the spot. Her head felt like it would explode any time soon.

“Madame, the wind has died down a bit, but it’s still chilly outside.”

The sweet deeds of the couple, and the kiss with Noel ...it was shocking news to the witnesses on the scene. While people around her were only exchanging glances in total disbelief, Louiselle approached her and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. Only then, did Irene raise her head and thank her.

“Thank you. Let’s go inside.”

As she rose from her knees and entered the castle with Louiselle, the rest of the servants looked at each other, exclaiming in admiration.

The brief but passionate love affair of the newlyweds circulated the castle almost in an instant.

♔♔♔

What am I supposed to do while Noel is gone?

There was not much she could do. When she tried to help with something, the servants would tell her that the Duchess must rest, and if she wandered recklessly unaware of where she was going, it would be bothersome if she lost her way.

“Should I try practising magic?”

Irene murmured as she looked at the emerald ring on her hand. Come to think of it, she had heard about a variety of skills at the Tower, but she had not even tested them yet.

First, attack magic…

Thinking so, Irene looked down at the ring, attempting to put it into practice, but soon paused.

A star has appeared...

Just above the jewel, a small dot of light emerged. The light was moving in the exact direction Noel was going.

Fascinating.

It was a coincidental discovery, which added to the novelty.

It’s like we’re connected.

Irene rested her chin on her other hand’s palm and looked at the moving star in the emerald. It was just a mark of his position, but it was as if they were connected through the rings.

Now, this is amusing.

Another interesting thing was that, although it was very subtle, it could tell whether Noel was still or moving by the movement of the stars. When the moving star stopped, Irene intuitively presumed that he had reached the destination. It was mesmerising, she kept staring at the ring that she forgot about practising magic. Only when a maid came in, after knocking several times, did she come around.

“Excuse me, Madame.”

“What’s the matter?” Louiselle, who had been guarding Irene’s side, asked the maid sternly.

Maybe it was because of her big stature and her dreadful face that she always appeared so tough and fierce. The maid glimpsed at Louiselle, before avoiding her gaze and proceeded to hold out the tray she was holding to Irene.

“What’s that?”

“This is the tea that the Duke ordered to be brought to the Duchess before he left. I’m sure you will like it…the tea’s fragrance smells very nice.”

“Noel?”

Irene reacted reflexively to the word “Duke.”

“Yes. May I present it?”

“Please.”

As expected, Noel knew that she liked tea. Especially since they had gotten close to a certain extent.

“The teacup is pretty.”

“Thank you.”

Irene, who briefly praised the teacup, got a nose-full of the aroma emitting from the tea that was poured from the pot.

It’s quite strong.

It was her first time smelling such a scent.

“What kind of tea is this?” Irene inquired.

“Cocorina is a flower that grows from the Cocorina fruit, and it’s later collected to be made into tea. It has a strong scent and is good for fatigue recovery.”

“I see.”

She had never heard of the fruit Cocorina, but the fragrance was ambrosial. Irene quietly took a sip.

It’s bitter and sweet.

At first, the taste was mainly bitter, but soon she could sense a bit of sweetness spread in the bitterness, and the aftertaste was sweetness as it lingered on the tip of her tongue.

Putting down the teacup, Irene spoke to the maid with a smile on her face.

“It smells great. Is it this region’s specialist tea?”

“Yes, Madame. I’m glad you like it.”

“Alright, you can go now.”

“Yes, if you need anything, please call me.”

The maid glanced past Louiselle for one last time before leaving the room.

After drinking some more tea, Irene looked at the star that was displayed on the ring again. And when her thoughts shifted to thinking about how to use magic more efficiently, unbearable drowsiness overtook her.

Why am I so sleepy suddenly?

Irene decided to take a nap as she felt her consciousness slowly fading away.

“I’m sorry, Louiselle. I’ll take a short nap.”

“I will stand by and watch over you while you sleep. Have a good sleep.”

Irene, smiling at Louiselle’s words, closed her eyes. A minute had barely passed, but she had already fallen asleep.

After a long time, a knock was heard once again and the maid from earlier came in.

“I’m here to pick up the tea set. Is the Duchess sleeping?”

“The tea set is over here. Take it with you.”

As the maid looked over at the sound asleep Irene, Louiselle pointed to the tea set. The maid checked the inside of the teacup. There was some left, but the tea was almost finished.

“Then I shall take my leave. Oh, but is it really okay for the Lady In Waiting not to stop to eat at all? If you want to, I can look after the Duchess in your stead.”

“I’m already done.”

“Yes.”

When Louiselle immediately refused, the maid quietly left the room. Louiselle only stood silently by her side, protecting her the whole time as she slept.

♔♔♔

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