Irene woke up the next day before the morning sun had risen. After washing her face with water pre-prepared by Louiselle and changing into comfortable clothes, she tied up her hair.
After getting ready, Irene walked over to the sleeping Noel.
Looking at him, she couldn't help but recall him asking her to take it easy and felt regretful.
"Sleep well, Noel."
Was it because he was sleeping? Irene, bolder than usual, leaned in and gave him a short kiss on his forehead. And just as she was about to lean back, Noel's arm circled her neck, blocking her movement.
"N, Noel?"
"You're up so early…."
Confused, Irene called his name, and Noel slowly opened his eyes that showed no sign of drowsiness, meaning he had been awake longer than she thought.
Irene turned beet red from embarrassment, but Noel ignored that and spoke softly.
"What if you catch a cold?"
"I'll be okay; I'm dressed warmly."
"Are you going to the second gymnasium?"
"Yeah. It's too early to use the carriage, so I'll try to use On's ability. But I don't know if I'll be able to do it..."
In Undi's memory, Rivena rode on the wind with the help of On.
"You will do well. By the way... Can I go with you?"
"Noel, you'll also be busy starting today."
From summoning Ram's mercenaries to preparing supplies and funds and planning with the Grand Duke and the Crown Prince, there were many things to be done. Irene knew that fact better than anyone else, so she said with determination.
"I will do my own thing, and you do yours."
"It feels just… like a mother bird letting go of her baby bird so it can be independent."
"Huh? What do you mean…."
"It's good that my Irene has the confidence to be more independent, but it's such a pity that the time she'll be spending with me will decrease significantly. therefore..."
"Oh-!"
Noel cut her off. He covered her lips with his and pulled her by the waist to his chest. He sucked on her mouth as his hand supported her neck as she lay atop him. Falling into his arms, Irene rolled her eyes at his antiques and tried to get up.
"Hold on, can we stay like this for a bit?"
Irene was taken aback for a moment when Noel asked for her consent. But in the end, she grabbed the hem of his robe and put her head on his chest.
"Sure, I like this."
The vivid sound of his heartbeat, the contrast of the soft feeling of the sheets around her, and the hard muscles under her – it was everything about him. The flames crackling in the fireplace warmed her, but even better was the warm comfort of his hot breath on her body.
'This feels nice.'
Feeling quite cosy, Irene snuggled even deeper in Noel's arms, earning a laugh from him.
♔♔♔
"On."
[Yes, contractor?]
On appeared after Irene's call and replied grumpily, but when he saw that he was the only one out, he was surprised.
[Why aren't the other two out?]
"I only need your help for now."
[Huh? Hmm.]
Hearing Irene's reply, he took a moment to think for himself, and shortly after that, the corners of On's lips curved up in a smile and gave Irene an answer.
[So, what is the job that only I am capable of achieving?]
"Umm, looking at Undi's memories, I saw that the former Empress was able to fly in the sky."
[You mean Rivena? Well, when she had an urgent business to attend to, she summoned me and used me as a faster means of transportation.]
"Can I do that too?"
[You?]
"Yeah… Can I?"
Said Irene carefully, hoping not to get a no for an answer, but On shook his head slightly.
[Of course, it's possible, but for you..., that might be pretty scary!]
"I'll be fine. Let's give it a try."
[Yeah, why not.]
When On nodded lightly, Irene, mentally preparing herself, let out a small scream.
"Oh, On?"
[What? Rivena also moved like this.]
"But..."
It was difficult for Irene to hide her embarrassment. She wondered why On was coming closer to her, but he suddenly hugged her.
[If you don't like it, then we can stop here]
"Oh, no. Please go ahead."
[All right.]
On ignored Irene's embarrassment and floated upwards. Irene, who found herself away from the ground, bit her lower lip nervously.
As they flew to the gymnasium at high speed, Irene held onto On tightly. That was because, as his contractor, she was the only one able to touch him even when he was made from the wind.
'How come I'm not experiencing any discomfort.'
Logically, if someone were flying at this speed, it would be normal for them to be in pain from the wind's resistance, yet she didn't feel any of it thanks to the spirit's power. It felt as comfortable as lying in a cosy bed.
'At first, it was a little scary...but I think I'm used to it now...'
"I think I will use this method more often."
♔♔♔