“How can I not step up when you’re pushing my husband with ridiculous words?”
“It’s ridiculous? Ha. What do you think you know?”
“Then what does Count Ascardo know that you are so sure about? It would be the same as not knowing anything.”
“Hah, ma’am, you are ignorant. My deceased older brother and I were close….”
“True. I know that. But that’s all. Noel is not shameless enough to kill people just because he has a bad relationship. Or does Count Ascardo kill people he doesn’t like?”
“You are very harsh, ma’am. If you say more than that, even if you’re the Duchess….”
“Even if she’s the Duchess…? I’m curious too. What can you, a mere count, do?”
Noel stared blankly at Irene, who was defending him. He quickly intervened when Ascardo threatened Irene. Realising that he was at a disadvantage, Ascardo wrinkled his forehead and left the place.
Irene looked at Ascardo’s back as he moved away and turned to look at Noel.
“Sorry. I intervened.”
“No, I’m sorry for showing you my bad side.”
“Don’t take his words to heart. They’re deliberate sarcastic remarks to hurt you, Noel.”
“I know that well. I’m fine. I am used to it.”
As if reassuring her, Noel smiled softly. However, it was more painful for Irene to see that.
-Used to it.
How much criticism and contempt would it take to get used to it?
If she had been there, she would have stood in front of him and defended him like she was now. Why did she meet him so late? If she had met him sooner, she and he could have been hurt a little less.
Although upset and regretful at the same time, Irene did not show any signs. She didn’t want to bother Noel anymore.
Irene tried to continue walking casually, but after Ascardo left, the atmosphere between the two became very cold. In the end, the two had no choice but to stop their stroll and return.
After returning to the room, Noel told Louiselle to delay the preparations for the ball a little, then sat Irene in a chair and started personally preparing tea and cookies.
“Have you not eaten much? You have to go around at night, but it’s hard to move on an empty stomach.”
”Ah, thank you….”
Thanking Noel for taking care of the details, Irene took a sip of our tea. The hot tea warmed her body that had been frozen in the cold.
She took a bite of the soft cookie, and it crumbled with the tea left in her mouth, creating a deep flavour. It was a simple refreshment, but this alone was enough to satisfy Irene.
Irene, who had been enjoying the refreshments diligently, felt Noel’s gaze on her and put down her teacup in a hurry.
“You don’t have to worry about me. If it’s not enough, I’ll ask Louiselle for more...”
”Oh, no! It’s enough. Why don’t you eat Noel?”
“I have no appetite.”
“Still...”
Unlike her own cup, Irene looked bitterly at the cup full of tea, and her face gloomed.
“I am upset.”
“It’s delicious. I just have no appetite, and I’m used to what Ascardo said...” Seeing her reaction, Noel spoke quickly to reassure her.
“I wish you weren’t used to those words.”
“.…”
Contrary to usual, Irene spoke out loud. Noel’s expression was slightly perplexed. Irene bit her lip and spoke again.
“Being used to it means that you’ve been through a lot of that kind of situation. The phrase ‘used to it’ sounds even more painful to me. When I think of you, who must have endured all the pain alone, I get angry, and my heart aches.”
“…Irene, I’m sorry. The words I said to reassure you seem to have made it harder for you.”
“Noel, you have nothing to apologise for. It’s the fault of those who talk and treat you as dirt as second nature.”
Irene continued to be positive in spite of her anger. It was unfamiliar to Noel, but he felt she was cute, and a smile naturally appeared on his lips. Irene, who noticed that gesture, tilted her head, and Noel quickly handed over an apology.
“Sorry. I just love the way you are so angry at my matters.”
“Uh, that...”
In an instant, Irene’s face turned bright red. This reaction was unexpected...
“Thank you. Irene.”
Noel continued speaking in a friendly tone.
“Actually, I tried to get used to what they said, but in the end, I couldn’t get used to it. I just pretended to be determined. So I don’t know if that’s the case. Not only my grandfather, but I also become glum every year on this day, and I get caught up in the memories of that day.”
“Noel...”
“Aren’t you curious about it, Irene?”
Irene was perplexed by Noel’s sudden question but then immediately nodded. But she was worried whether it would be all right to ask such a question on a day like today. It would only touch his bad memories.