“I really enjoyed today.”
“Next time, I want to invite you two. Please attend.”
“Thank you for the herbs you brought.”
The tea party did not end until dusk. Seeing off her guests, Irene was relieved by the satisfied smiles on their faces. Finally, Lady Jasmine came and talked to her.
“It was a much better tea party than I expected. You’ve been through a lot.”
“I’m glad you think so. It’s all thanks to your help. Thank you.”
Irene spoke with her sincerity. If it weren’t for her, she’d have messed up the tee party. It was unthinkable how wrong it could have gone otherwise.
At Irene’s words, Lady Jasmine smiled softly. She then tilted her head slightly.
“I hope my relationship with you doesn’t end with this. Are you going to call me more often in the future?”
“Next time, I’ll go see you.”
“Oh, I’m excited. Then I will treat you with grand hospitality.”
“I look forward to it.”
Lady Jasmine then turned to Noel this time. He stuck to Irene’s side and showed no sign of leaving for even a moment. He looked like a child frightened about losing something precious, and Lady Jasmine burst out laughing.
“If you make your wife experience any difficulties again, then I will definitely kidnap her, so keep your guard up, Grand Duke.”
“...that won’t happen.”
Irene looked at Noel in surprise at Lady Jasmine’s surprising statement.
However, Noel responded coldly with an indifferent face than he had with Irene. Lady Jasmine, who seemed jealous at first glance, smiled and left the palace after leaving a final goodbye to Irene.
After leaving the last carriage, Irene felt as if she had just been through a storm. She felt relieved that it was over, and her body relaxed.
“Are you tired?”
Noel asked, reading Irene’s expression. Irene shook her head slightly.
“I’m okay… huh?”
But she couldn’t keep up with him anymore. Noel suddenly hugged her. Hook, startled as her body became airborne, Irene grabbed Noel’s hem tightly.
“No, Noel?”
I can’t sleep...
Even though she thought it was rude to fall asleep borrowing someone else’s arms as her bed, Irene had difficulty avoiding the weariness that overcame her.
“If you are sleepy, you can sleep.”
“… Aren’t I heavy?”
“Not at all. So close your eyes. I’ll wake you up when we’ve arrived.”
“...Fine ...”
“You look tired. It’s not too far from our room, so I’ll take you.”
“No, even if you don’t….”
“Didn’t you do your best for grandfather’s assignment? So please let me do this as well.”
Having said that, he looked down at Irene and pursed his lips.
“Am I not your husband?”
“...Ah.”
She wondered what this hugging had to do with him being her husband, but she didn’t want to argue. According to what he said, there was not much time left until they reached the main building.
It’s comfortable.
The feeling of his big, firm arms stably supporting her was more comfortable than her bed, and Irene grew drowsy. She had woken early in the morning to prepare herself, so she was overwhelmed with the accumulated fatigue.
She wanted to thank him for carrying her, but it drifted from her mind.
Noel stopped walking and looked down at Irene, who was sleeping in his embrace.
You must have been exhausted.
Well, that was likely because she had not been able to close her eyes properly for a while preparing for the tea party. Besides, last night with himself...
The light of the sunset softened over Noel’s face.
“You did great, Irene.”
It was impossible for her to hear his voice as she slept, but Noel nonetheless spoke those sincere words to her.
“I’m always encouraged by you.”
How great would it be to tell this in person that she was his strength? However, it was impossible to wake her from her sleep the moment Noel moved his steps again.
“Young Madame…! Ah, Grand Duke.”
“What’s wrong with my wife?”
“Oh, no. That’s...”
The maid who followed them looked at the hem of Irene’s dress. Her expression was troubled.
Can I tell him this? She seemed to be contemplating.
Noel’s brow furrowed at the sight.
“Tell me. What’s going on?”
“The truth is… Someone damaged the flowers meant to decorate today’s tea party.”
“What?”
Noel’s eyes widened. His face then wrinkled.
“How dare someone do such a thing.”