At Noel’s words, Irene raised her head. Immediately, Noel’s pupils and hers met. Irene’s startled face reddened, but with a different feeling this time.

It was the first time she had seen Noel’s face so closely.

The first meeting was at night, and the second time, her eyes were swollen due to weeping, making it difficult to distinguish. She thought he was really handsome.

Silver gray hair with a soft silvery color, dark brown eyes that feel clean and deep, clean skin without any blemishes, and features that are well positioned. He is also tall, so she had to raise her head quite a bit to make eye contact with him. The shoulders were firm and wide, and the neck was smooth.

’I can feel my face burning.’

Suddenly, she remembered what had been said at the ball. As rumored, he was really beautiful. But in rumors, he’s just a handsome bastard with only his face. Nothing more or less. Everyone was convinced he would not take over the Dukedom and ignored him. There are also people who have been openly speaking about it in public.

“My lady?”

“I hope I can help the Grand Duke, too.”

“Yes?”

Irene, staring at him without a word, was puzzled. When Noel called, Irene’s words popped out. Noel’s face was slightly confused at her unexpected and sudden words. That is said, Irene, too, was amazed and squeezed her eyes shut. What she thought was only inside her, she snapped at Noel’s call and uttered without knowing it.

However, Irene had no intention of withdrawing those words. She said it quickly, but she meant it.

“We need to help each other, but I am unilaterally getting help from the Grand Duke. Like the last words and Boris…”

“Ah, that’s what you mean.”

As if he understood it, Noel nodded and said with an insignificant face.

“No need to be concerned about it. Rather than doing it entirely for your sake, I’m just clearing up obstacles in achieving that purpose.”

“Purpose… ?”

“To marry your ladyship and inherit the Dukedom.”

Noel’s gentle look stiffened as if it had been the same. Just as her family is a weakness to her, the Dukedom to Noel Kristen was his flaw and his shame. That’s why he wanted to show them more and more. That he would inherit the Dukedom himself. However, his grandfather did not approve of his marriage to Irene. The process blocked Noel’s path ahead.

Irene stared at Noel. Noel’s current thoughts or details are unknown, but at least she can see how he feels right now.

‘He must be miserable.’

It was an emotion that Irene also felt several times a day. Even after forgetting, it once again pops up and makes you suffer, like a thorn.

“From the status of your ladyship, it seems that we need to hurry the process. However, it will take a little more time because it is not easy to break my grandfather’s will. Until then, just a little more…….”

“I.”

“…..?”

Irene, who was listening to Noel’s words, hesitantly blurted out. Noel looked at Irene with slightly surprised eyes. Irene was embarrassed enough, but she gathered courage.

“Can I meet him?”

“what…….”

Noel, who couldn’t fully understand what Irene meant because of her embarrassment, asked. Irene, who got a little courage, said this time with a more firm voice.

“the Great Duke of Kristen.”

“Your grandfather.”

***

While Irene and Noel were out in the garden, Riel entered the couple’s room with a pale face. Her father, enraged by the sudden appearance of Noel and Boris, looked at Riel and asked with an astonished face: “what’s the matter with you?”

“Riel! I’m not in a good state right now, why haven’t you returned to your room yet?”

Riel felt uneasy when her father became annoyed and angry. She then looked up and said.

“Because I think you will be in a bad mood because of sister. So I think I should be by your side.”

“Oh my good daughter. Come here.”

At his words, the father stretched out his arms. Riel was held in his arms. Her mother, who had an upset expression, also looked at the two with her face loosened.

“By the way, I actually have something to tell you….”

Holding her father in his arms, Riel raised her head and said. At one point, tears were forming in her purple eyes, and her father looked shakened. Her father quickly seated her on the bed and asked.

“What do you mean by that face? Please know that this father’s heart aches whenever you get sick.”

“I’m sorry….. Actually, I tried to believe that I wouldn’t be, but today I know the truth…”

“Riel, what do you mean?”

Riel’s words, which is incomprehensible , raised her mother’s doubts. Riel said, as she twitched her fingers.

“Actually, I’ve been telling my sister that I adore the Grand Duke of Kristen.”

“what?!”