The Grand Duke stood on the central staircase, followed by Irene and Noel side by side. The people in the hall looked up at the two of them. There were complex emotions swirling in the eyes of the audience.
The succession announcement ceremony was short. It was even more meaningful because it was an event where only ceremonies were conducted. A place reserved just for that. There was only one main character today.
“I would like to leave a brief thank you to those who are here today. As we all know, today is the time to announce a new heir.”
“...”
Grand Duke Kristen’s deep echoes circled the hall and reached Irene. Irene was nervous and squeezed Noel’s hand.
When she felt him looking down at her, she raised her head and smiled softly. It was an action to relieve tension, but when their eyes met, Irene giggled. Looking at Irene, Noel also smiled softly. Then he clasped Irene’s hand even tighter.
“The Grand Duke Noel Kristen has performed my conditions well and has shown himself worthy of being the next Grand Duke. The people of the Grand Duchy, including me, recognised him. Therefore, I officially announce it here today! From today on, Duke Noel Kristen will be appointed as my successor, the Grand Duke!”
After Grand Duke Kristen made the announcement, he turned to Noel. As Noel took a step forward, he pinned a brooch in the shape of the Grand Duke’s insignia on his chest. It meant he became the Grand Duke.
“Congratulations, Grand Duke.”
“Thank you.”
Noel bowed his head, and the Grand Duke looked at Noel with delighted eyes. The sound of applause resounded and the eyes of people were full of enthusiasm. Everything was aimed towards him, but at this moment, he only saw...
When Noel looked at her, Irene briefly blanked. His expression towards her was ever so serene. As if it were only her and him here.
She stared at him blankly then Irene smiled in response.
♔♔♔
“It feels weird.”
After the succession ceremony, Irene and Noel headed to the greenhouse. It was not meant to be, but the two naturally came here whenever they completed a special task. Irene, drinking the tea that Noel had made, looked at him, puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t today the day I’ve been longing for?”
He said, putting scones in her mouth. Irene nodded as she ate as docile as a baby bird.
“Mmm.”
From the moment she first met him, it was what he had been hoping for—succession to Grand Duchy. Since the official announcement had been made about the heir to the Grand Duchy, even the Emperor could not cancel it. Therefore, it was foreordained that he would become the next Grand Duke.
It was the moment he had been longing for so dearly, but Noel felt strange for some reason. To be precise, he did not feel as ecstatic as he’d expected. Why?
“I don’t know why, but even though it was a moment I was looking forward to, it didn’t really resonate with me.”
“Hm, it didn’t feel real?”
“Rather than that….”
Noel wavered at the end of his words. He knew the reason the moment he saw Irene licking her scones. But he could not tell why, so he shook her head and answered again.
“Yes. That seems to be the case.”
How could he say that? Even at that moment, he could only see her, so nothing else affected him.
Because he knew the atmosphere would become unbearably awkward the moment he spoke.
But I want to tell you.
Noel was worried. Due to her shy nature, he knew that she would feel awkward. However, he still wanted to convey his sincerity to her nonetheless.
He wondered why he couldn’t concentrate on the succession at that moment.
“Noel? Ah....”
Irene’s eyes widened as she called out to Noel, who was engrossed in his thoughts. His fingertips swept across her lips. Irene stiffened, startled by the sudden touch.
“It was smeared with crumbs.”
“Ah, that… thank you.”
She knew it was not a big deal, but she looked down, flushed. Her face brightened all of a sudden when his fingers, smeared with crumbs, caught her eye. Why? Because his hand touched her lips?
“And, it’s because of you, Irene.”
“...Yes?”
At his sudden words, Irene was puzzled. All of a sudden, ‘it’s because of you’ came out of nowhere. But Noel said no more. Instead, he reached out his hand to her and spoke.
“Irene, do you remember? The promise you made with me last time.”
“If it’s a promise….”
“That’s the promise you made at the end of the succession that I wanted to paint a portrait.”
“I remember.”
How can I forget?
Irene was also secretly looking forward to it.