Irene grabbed her blanket and spoke in a slightly louder voice.
“I love you, too, Noel...”
But Irene couldn’t finish her words any longer. Noel had climbed onto the bed and kissed her lips. Noel, who gave her a light peck, deepened the kiss. He parted her lips skilfully with his tongue. Unable to control her breathing, Irene’s face bloomed a blushing red. Noel gently wiped the corners of her tear-filled eyes, then slowly and calmly kissed her lips. Forehead, eyes, the tip of the nose, lips...
Thus, a time deeper than the night began.
♔♔♔
“Irene, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Noel’s voice came from outside her door, and she responded quickly. Irene checked herself in her full-length mirror one last time. She wore a black veil, a black dress, and black gloves. It was the first time she wore all-black attire, and it felt awkward.
After checking her outfit, Irene went out the door and looked at Noel. He was also in all-black.
Remembrance was held in the chapel. All she had to do was close her eyes and commemorate while the priest recited the blessings to the dead. Originally, there were more procedures, but upon the order of the Grand Duke, it was shortened to be kept as simple as possible.
“Grandfather must have gone to the chapel first. He always honoured first.”
“I see....”
Irene answered in a small voice and glanced at Noel.
Is Noel, okay?
She wanted to ask him. Irene was more worried about Noel than anyone else.
-Because he died right in front of Noel.
She didn’t know why the two people who were not on good terms went hunting that day and why Noel kept silent about the events of that day. But she could guess that it must have been a shocking memory for him.
“Come on, take my hand.”
In the end, the worried Irene could not speak her words. She took his hand as he escorted her and got on the carriage.
The carriage circled the Grand Duke’s residence and headed for the chapel.
After arriving at the chapel, Irene alighted the carriage and looked up at the building.
She had heard it before when she was cycling with the head maid, but today the surrounding landscape looked barren and lonely.
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
Entering the chapel, Irene hardened her body.
They arrived earlier than the scheduled time, so the chapel was empty.
-Except for one place.
“…are you here?”
The Grand Duke, who felt their presence turned around and spoke.
“Forgive me for being late,” Noel answered.
“Done. Are you saying that I came too soon...? Sweetheart is here too.”
“Yes.”
“All right, sit down.”
The Grand Duke pointed to the seat next to him and spoke, and Irene and Noel took their places right away. It was right in front of the angel statue. Irene, who was looking at the angel statue, glanced at the Grand Duke. He was repeating his prayers uninterrupted. As he prayed with his eyes closed, his usual dignity was not felt. She could only feel the sorrow of a grandfather who had lost his grandson.
Irene turned her gaze away from the Grand Duke and turned to Noel, sitting on the other side. Noel, too, was silently looking. It seemed a thousand thoughts were revolving in his mind at that moment.
How is Noel feeling right now?
No words seemed to comfort Noel, so Irene silently looked up at the angel statue and commemorated its blessing. Soon, the seats began to fill, and as the priest arrived, the memorial service began.
♔♔♔
As Noel said, the worship service ended quickly. It seemed less than half an hour had passed. The visitors left the chapel as quietly as they had come, silently glancing at Noel and the Grand Duke.
The last ones left were Irene, Noel, and the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke did not raise his head even after the service was over. Noel showed no sign of getting up either.
After a while, the Grand Duke spoke.
“If time permits, would you like to have a meal together?”
At the Grand Duke’s suggestion, Irene glanced at Noel. Noel paused for a moment. Perhaps he was taken aback at his grandfather making such a proposal for the first time, but he answered immediately.
“As long as Irene is okay, I’m okay.”
“Oh, I’m fine.” After hearing Noel’s words, Irene quickly answered.
“Then it suits me.”
“Thank you.” The Grand Duke smiled calmly.
♔♔♔