“Noel, is something the matter?” she asked. “Is there something on my face?”
“…no, it’s nothing.”
Noel smiled and looked at the hall. “What shall we do now? If Irene desires, we can continue to appreciate the art.”
At Noel’s question, Irene gently shook her head. She had seen almost all the work in the exhibition, and seeing the atmosphere around them filled with gossip and speculation, it seemed that the nobles would soon take notice and approach them. She did not want that. Deciding it would be better to change the scene, Irene shook her head.
“Alright, the host is not here, so I will leave a message with the attendant. The carriage will be stationed there.” Said Noel, taking a step forward. Irene looked at him departing, grabbed his arm.
He turned around in surprise.
“No, people are watching. Let’s go back.” Irene whispered.
She remembered Noel’s words, from last time. It was better to show the most lover-like appearance as much as possible, before marriage. However, for some reason Noel’s response was a little strange.
“Noel?”
Noel had paused in his tracks and stared at Irene. Only when she called him, did he shake off the weird feeling, and continue. Irene was puzzled, but faithful to her role, she tightly held his arm and walked beside him in unison — like that of a fresh blooming lover. Beneath her fingertips, his arm was particularly large and firm.
However, Irene was unaware of her contact, as she was concerned with the gazes of the nobles. Only, Noel’s expression hardened. The couple headed to the carriage, informing the attendant that they would first take their leave. As soon as she left the tea party, their surroundings quickly became quiet. The murmurs became background noise, and the attention on them disappeared. Still, Irene did not let go of Noel’s arm.
As a matter of fact, she had forgotten that she was holding him. She found walking side by side with him natural and comfortable.
“Irene.”
As the carriage drew near, Noel called her name. Irene looked up at Noel slightly confused, then realised moments later she was still clinging onto his arm.
“Ah, sorry…”
She subsequently apologised and tried to quickly remove herself from him, but upon hearing his next words, she found herself unable to budge.
“Thank you.”
Pausing, Irene looked up at him, with one hand in the air. The sun had begun to set, and the glow of the sunset lingered on his silver-toned ash grey hair. His dark brown eyes were coloured deeper than ever, and in them, was Irene. His eyes only held her reflection, as if she were his world, and all the things in it.
From the perspective of an outsider, his usual sharp eyes in this moment, were at first glance, loving. Above all, Irene could not remove her gaze from his soft lips, which were drawn in a soft arc. Noel was smiling so gently at her. A moderately low murmur echoed into her ears, like the sweetest melody.
“Thank you for holding on to me. For coming to me, and giving me hope. Meeting you may be the greatest gift in my life.” Everything revolved around Noel, and Irene could not decipher reality between the enchanting dream she found herself in. Irene was rendered speechless for a moment. A strange feeling arose within her and bubbled from her heart. It wanted to escape her throat, but she was not sure what it was. The anxiety that had constantly accompanied her, disappeared into the crisp, thin air at that moment.
Irene looked at Noel, and without a moment’s hesitation, opened her mouth.
“Mine too.”
Although it was brief, Noel had already said all the remaining words she had wanted to say.
“It’s the same for me.”
Was it because of the light of the sunset? Irene’s face was particularly flushed.
Noel stared blankly at Irene’s honest answer, then smiled affectionately. He took Irene’s hand in his big one, that had been left in the air, startling Irene. He looked forward and walked slowly.
“There are people watching. Let’s hold hands like this until we arrive at the carriage.”
Noel was not able to tell if there really were people around them, because he was only looking ahead, but it was alright. He just wanted to walk side by side with her, right now.
After alighting the carriage, there was no conversation between the two of them. After some time passed, the carriage arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence. It was already night.
Irene left the carriage, bid Noel farewell, then went back to her Irene. An unsettling memory dawned on her, and she flushed.
“I have poor taste in art. So could you please stay beside me, and explain?”
“I think I know of Karl’s work before…” Clearly, Irene’s explanation of Karl’s work was correct. Karl was not renowned, so she was not too knowledgeable about him. By asking her to tell him about Karl’s work…
Are you trying to relieve my anxiety?
Noel often told jokes that were difficult to understand, to relieve Irene.
She realised it too late, but it was clear that those words were also meant to relieve her tension. When she realised it, a smile escaped her lips. The more she got to know Noel, the more familiar he felt. It was a feeling that was new, exciting, and nice.