”… Ah.”
Noel’s eyes widened. The thought seemed never to have crossed his mind. Irene’s face could not help but burn as she noticed, and even tears welled up in her emerald-like eyes. Right this instant, she just wanted to jump out of this moving carriage and dig a hole in which to bury herself. At the very least, it would be of immense consolation if she could have hidden her face from this shame if there were in a room. Sadly, she was in a small carriage, less than a meter away from him. There was no place for her to back out from this irreversible humiliation.
He must think I’m a fool.
What did she mean by kissing? Even if they were married, it was based on a contractual relationship. She could not believe that she had made such an absurd statement, such a foolish mistake. She was frustrated, blaming herself tremendously for her blunder, but then his voice sounded.
“But why didn’t you avoid it?”
“...Pardon?”
“Can I take that meaning however I want?”
“....”
Speaking ever so softly, Noel came closer again. Irene’s olive-coloured eyes trembled as she gazed at him. Slowly and steadily, his handsome face obscured her view of everything else. This time it was not a misunderstanding. He was…
“If you don’t like it, say no. Otherwise, I won’t stop.”
It was close to a warning, but his voice was sweeter than ever. At first glance, he seemed earnest. Irene’s eyes rounded. Her lips parted naturally. As he gently tilted her head, Irene slowly closed her eyes.
There was no way she could say she did not like it. It was Noel, no one else but him.
This kiss was intense—much more than at the wedding, which was her first kiss. She did not strain her neck to meet his lips. Because Noel lowered his posture towards her, her awkward hand, which had nowhere to go, clung onto Noel’s arm. Tears welled up in her eyes at the dizzy sensation; it was as if she was delirious with heatstroke. Gentle. Soft. Warm.
It was not bad. Rather, Irene’s mind was preoccupied with a sensation she had felt for the first time in her life. She thought it would be okay if it did not stop this time.
But Irene did not know.
About what was the meaning of her not hating the shared kiss with him.
That irrevocable idea had already arisen within her. Her heart was like a still water surface, stirred by paint dripping onto it, and little by little, it was gradually covered in its own splendid kaleidoscope of colours.
Even though she was not fully aware of the root of this foreign feeling yet, one thing was clear -- that her kiss with him was special.
//Squeallllll. Capricious translated this scene, and at 23:56, she was so high that she had difficulty falling asleep. And I can’t help but agree, omomomomo.
♔♔♔
“We are here.”
The carriage that circled the Grand Duke’s residence, at some point stopped in front of the main building. When the coachman opened the door, Noel got out first.
“Irene, take my hand.”
He reached out his hand to Irene in a courteous manner. Irene’s head slumped. She found it difficult to lift it.
I don’t know how to look at him at this point...
What kind of expression should one make when they face someone they had just kissed?
Either way, she could not sit still like this forever, so Irene took his hand with her head bowed and alighted from the carriage.
“...thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
However, Noel did not let go of her hand, even after she had got off the carriage. Irene was a bit bothered about them holding hands, but she did not withdraw hers. Maybe it was because she wanted to feel that lingering sensation a little longer.
With that being said, hand in hand, the two-headed to the Grand Duke’s office.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
At the Grand Duke’s words, Noel opened the door and went inside. The Great Kristen immediately greeted them both welcomingly.
“Alright, come and sit down. I have told the servant to prepare the refreshments.”
At his suggestion, Irene and Noel settled down, side by side, on the sofa. Across from them, the Great Kristen sat down, and the servant came in, presented some refreshments, and promptly left.
“Have a drink. It might suit your taste.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Upon answering, Irene quietly took a sip of tea. The tea was cool. The weather outside was quite chilly, but the Grand Duke’s room was damp and warm, so the cold tea was perfect. Not to mention it was also good to cool off her hot face.
“Aright, first of all, congratulations on becoming the heir to the Grand Duchy. You will be quite busy soon.”
Becoming the heir to the Duchy or the future Grand Duke did not just simply change his title. It meant that he could enjoy some of the rights exclusive to his position in the long term. Therefore, the nobles blinded by power would not leave him alone. Noel seemed to let out a small sigh as he envisaged those nuisances running around, bothering him from time to time.