Chapter 18 - You’re Very Different From Her (2) (1/2)

Chapter 18 – You’re Very Different From Her (2)

Irene was able to earn twelve coins of gold from selling her painting to the merchant the night before. If she gave up her life as an aristocrat, she would be able to earn a living by painting and selling her artworks. But there existed another problem beside that. It was her parents, they would never allow her to become independent.

It is not because they can not afford to care about me, but it is because of Riel.

If Irene disappeared, they would lose a person who could protect Riel and there was no way she could run away from her house. Thinking about it, how she was only a mere tool for their beloved youngest daughter, made her flinch in anger, yet at the same time, acknowledging this reality saddened her. She could not underestimate the people who would chase after her either. Be it dead or alive, they would hunt her down until they could drag her back. Moreover, she was an aristocrat who knew nothing about the world outside. All her life, she had been sheltered, her sole existence, was for Riel. There was no way she could hide from them. Noel was the only future she had. A future, she had once dared to dream about, but now lay shattered into shards of glass on the ground – trampled by the petite velvet heels of Riel and her parents.

Should I meet him again? Should I try, once more?

Fortunately, Irene knew where she could meet Noel Kristen. She could visit that place if she decided to, but would the Count allow her to do so? Even on the usual day, Irene’s parents would not let her go out of the house. They did not tell Irene the exact reason, but Irene was sure that it was because they considered it her responsibility to appease and take care of Riel.

Since all the butlers and horsemen were on Irene’s parent side, she was certain that they would surely inform them about all Irene’s movements.

It’s suffocating.

Irene felt imaginary hands, clamping down on her airway. She forced herself to breathe, choking on the air that meandered it’s way down to her lungs. When Irene was made aware of her parents’ intention, she had felt like a leash had been placed on her, slowly strangling her. Except, all her life, she had not been aware of this leash. But now, if she stayed in this house, one day she would die because of this suffocating feeling.

“I should ascertain one more time with the maid. She should have delivered it if it had arrived, no, I’m certain that it arrived.”

Irene had asked the maid in the morning, but she had said she did not know about it. However, Irene could not just stay still and fall into despair. As soon as Irene made that decision, she jumped out of her seat, opened her room and went down the stairs. The maid who had sorted and delivered the letter was doing the laundry.

“Wait a minute!”

Irene quickly caught the maid. The maid looked back in surprise.

“Mi…Miss Irene? What is…”

“Did I really not receive any letter? Can you check it one more time?”

“Ye…Yes? But you really did not receive any letter.” The maid stuttered out.

“But, please…”

Irene, who was pleading to the maid, suddenly noticed something strange. The maid’s hand holding the laundry basket was shaking, her eyes which had widened in surprise when Irene had startled her, were now anxiously avoiding her gaze as if she were guilty of doing something she should not have. Furthermore, droplets of sweat started to form on her forehead, and Irene was sure it was not because of the sun beaming down on them. Then, Irene realized that something was wrong.

“Tell me the truth.” She demanded.

“Ah, Miss…”

“The letter, where is it?” Irene’s tone turned cold.

In return, the maid began to feel uneasy. The surrounding temperature seemed to drop. The maid, who was wary of Irene’s mood, fell down on the floor.

“The truth is…”

***

“I have a weak heart. I have been through many moments of crisis in my life. Ever since I was born, my life has been full of hardship, which has made it difficult for me to make friends. Because of my heart, I have never been able to leave my house even for a day. This house is everything in my world. Although everybody is kind to me, I have always felt suffocated. Then I heard a story about you, Duke. I have always thought of how incredible a person you must be. You are truly admirable and determined, to be able to make your own fate.” Riel smiled gently, recounting her woes and flattery.

“Oh, yes.” Noel answered Riel with an uninterested look.

Noel followed Riel through the halls of the Chase mansion to meet the Count. He had thought that maybe, he would be able to meet Irene on the way there. However, as he walked through, he could not even see a sign of her existence in this house.

“There were always a lot of people around my sister. She delayed her entrance to the academy by a year for me, but she did not spend much time with me. She was always busy, and I always followed her from behind.”