“…O-oh.”
In an instant, the fireworks she saw with Noel at the festival flashed through Irene’s mind. Colourful fireworks that looked like they were embroidered in the sky. That ecstasy was now multiplied and exploded into a flame inside Irene.
“About what I said, I’m not hoping for Irene’s answer….”
“Me too.”
Noel quickly tried to reason, fearing that she might feel burdened by his sudden confession and distance herself from him. But to his surprise, Irene answered abruptly.
“I feel the same way as Noel. I…Ah!”
Irene, who stood up to convey her feelings, lost her balance as the carriage shook. As Irene fell, the startled Noel jumped up from his seat and caught her. He then carefully placed Irene in the position next to his.
“It’s dangerous to move so suddenly…!”
“It’s not a dream, is it?”
“...”
“You’re not kidding, are you?”
Noel, who was about to burst into anger, bit his lips. He nodded seriously to her earnest question.
“It’s not a dream. It’s not a joke. I mean it.”
“...Haha.”
In response to his resolute answer, Irene stared absent-mindedly at him and burst into a small laugh. Why? Maybe because it was the first time she had heard such an unwavering and heartfelt love confession from someone… Or was it because that ‘someone’ was Noel? She was so happy that she burst into tears.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think….”
Irene was about to apologise to him. In the end, her confused tears rendered her speechless. Noel’s lips blocked her.
Startled by his action, Irene’s eyes widened as his two hands gripped her shoulders. Soon, her trembling olive pupils found their calm and her eyes slowly shut.
After a while, their lips parted, and Noel gently wiped Irene’s tears, which were still trickling down her cheeks.
“I’m the one to shed tears out of joy, so why are you crying?”
“...”
“If you cry, I will cry.”
“...I love you, too.”
Irene clutched onto his sleeves tightly and spoke, eye-to-eye. Noel looked down on Irene for a moment, and smiling lovingly, he replied.
“I love you so much, Irene.”
And their lips found their way to each other again.
Long after, the carriage stopped in front of the Duchy. Noel hurried off the carriage and promptly carried Irene in his arms.
“Noel, wait...!”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I will be able to match your stride today.”
Then he headed to the room at a quick impatient pace.
Shut.
Upon closing the door, he carefully laid Irene on the bed. After which, he pressed a light kiss on her lips while loosening the buttons on his clothes.
Irene, whose pupils could not stop shaking, kept glancing elsewhere as she helped him unbutton his shirt after a while of him fidgeting over it. Thereafter, Noel naturally rose on top of Irene, embracing and caressing her. They then sunk into a deep passionate kiss. Soon, a hot breath escaped from Irene’s lips.
It was an unforgettable night that would be forever engraved in Irene’s memory. The night when everything soaked in ecstasy and exhilaration.
The next day, Irene got up, groaning slightly.
My back hurts...
As she recalled last night, Irene’s face blushed hard.
Noel is...
Irene turned to look for Noel. She smiled softly as soon as she saw Noel sleeping peacefully next to her.
It’s incredible.
He had always treated her the same way as others, but it gradually improved with each passing day.
‘I love you so much, Irene.’
When she suddenly remembered what he had said yesterday, Irene’s face heated up. Irene buried her burning face into her palms. It felt like his sweet voice was still ringing beside her ears.
Noel and I…