The Kind Older Sister Is No More Chapter 21: A Deserving Person

At his unexpected remark, Irene lifted her head up. Instantly, olive eyes t hazel ones as Irene looked at Noel. The small arc of his lips on his handso face and smooth skin made her heart flutter. Noel calmly smiled when he felt Irene glancing at him surprised. As you know, my grandfather, Grand Duke of Kristen, was displeased with . As his displeasure is well known in the mansion, and word of his disapproval of had already spread far and wide, I was t with mocking gazes everywhere I went. Those who appeared amicable in front of quietly laughed and gossiped behind my back. Those that chatted to warmly would have disdain in their eyes, once they turned around. When my brother died, and I beca the sole successor, the situation did change a little bit. I did receive so recognition, but still, it is currently an ongoing struggle. It is not much different from before. My grandfather does not, and refuses to, recognise as the rightful successor. Noel sighed, spilling out his feelings. In his words, Irene could sense the tinge of pain and longing, as well as a shy boy who only wanted to be recognised by his grandfather. ...Duke. Irene raised her hand before hesitating midway and dropping it. She did not know how to comfort him. All she knew was that she wanted to help him. Noels calm and quiet composure made Irene feel even more sorry towards him. One could tell from his story that the young Noel was pitiful. Although Irene had not seen nor experienced any of his struggles herself, for so reason, she knew how it must have felt to be in his shoes. Both their obstacles were different. The challenges that they had to face and overco were on different scales and in different worlds. However, the sa feelings of desperation, loneliness and sadness were universal. The longing of wanting to belong made Irene no different from him. Noel comfortably leaned his back against the chair and turned his head towards the terrace. Irenes room was located on the third floor, with a view of the Chase garden from the grand windows. The splendour of the tuberoses and multiflora roses arranged neatly in their trimd bushes could be seen from above. The small white petals would occasionally be swept up from a strong gust of wind and blown about wildly in the air before softly floating towards the ground. In fact, the sides of the walkways, where the gardeners would sweep the petals to, were littered in dots of pale yellow and white. This room is nice. Its comfortable, and you can see the views outside. He stated. Irene nodded. Then, she cautiously asked, Duke, how did you endure it? How could you live in such a place like that? I would not be able to. Irene was not sure what she looked like at the mont. She hesitated because her bloodshot eyes and tears from before made her appearance look like a carriage wreck. She also was not sure how to approach the topic. However, before she managed to open her mouth again and tell him to forget her question, Noel glanced slowly at her and replied. I endured it. For many reasons. His deep hazel eyes glinted in the afternoon sun, and she could see her reflection in his eyes....Irenes heart fluttered. Because all I could do was endure. One day, I knew that it would get better. I knew that perhaps I would wake up one day, and I would have it. Everyone would acknowledge . I knew that it was not just vain hope, even if it seed like it. No matter how hard I worked, I hoped that sothing would change, even though nothing did. Is that not the sa reason as to why you chased after ? To run away with ? Noels deep brown eyes caught the look of surprise that crossed Irenes face. His stare made her heartbeat slightly faster than usual. She turned her head to the side to avoid him and cool the heat surfacing in her neck. It was not because she found him attractive, although he was, she felt embarrassed because he was right. From the mont Irene had realised how unfair the situation she was in was, she could no longer breathe in this house. Every step she took, every interaction she made, suffocated her. Irene wanted to get out of the Chase mansion as soon as possible; she wanted to strip away any associations of the people living here with her na. And, to achieve that, she needed Noel to make her dreams beco possible. Noel just smiled softly when Irene felt stumped, unable to say anything. Irene, I am not saying that it would be horrific for you to use in fact, I am going to use you too. Lets make an agreent. Yes? What do you an by that? Irenes eyes widened as she tried to comprehend the aning behind Noels words. She could not believe him and what he was suggesting. Irene wanted to ask to confirm what she thought, but she was afraid that she would be wrong, and her hopes would be shattered. When Noel stared at Irene, who was so nervous that the hands she rested in her lap were trembling, he saw in her hope and fear. When she hesitated to talk, Noel opened his mouth to clarify. I know of your circumstances, and I do not think that you are trying to deceive . That is why I will help you to leave this house, and in return, you will help until I can inherit the dukedom. ...Duke. When Irene called him, Noel quietly laughed and spoke. Call Noel. Now you and I are on the sa boat. Irenes eyes wavered at his words. She carefully opened her lips, as if to test the na she had been allowed to call before voicing it out. ...Noel. May I also call you by your na? Irene nodded at Noels question. Noel smiled at the charming and quiet girl before him. Irene. He spoke. The na rolled off his tongue smoothly as if he had been wanting to say it all along. ... There were not many opportunities to hear her na be called, other than by her parents. Therefore, it was a strange but warm experience to hear Noel call her na. Especially in his deep baritone, and so tenderly. When Irene looked at him, sowhat mystified, Noel had a soft expression on his face. You need to be a little more confident. He said gently. ... Because you are a deserving person.