"...What? What do you mean? Why are you with my sister...!"
Riel exclaimed in protest at Noel's words. Then, Riel coughed, and her parents, who were watching the situation, quickly approached Riel. Irene stood still and only watched them from the sidelines. Under normal circumstances, she would have been distressed by this situation. It would be her alone, against the family of three. But now, she had Noel by her side. Irene felt a sense of strength and reassurance from his presence alone.
"Since the first time I saw her, Irene has caught my interest. I was the one who initiated it. I approached her first, and I spoke to her first." Noel continued.
"How..."
"What are you talking about to my daughter? Don't you know her health is frail? What if she falls in shock?!"
Noel's words were followed by yelling from the Count. Irene clenched her fist.
"The Count seems to have seen only your sick daughter in your eyes. Both before and even now, you refuse to even think about the wounds you inflict on Irene with your bias." Noel calmly replied.
"That...What wound could that child receive...."
While talking, the Count flinched when he looked back at Irene. Irene stared at the Count with cold eyes and a blank face that seemed empty. She could feel nothing for him at that moment. Because what Noel had said was true. It was the first time the Count saw her face like that, so he hesitated for a moment but soon covered his flustered expression with sternness. The fact that he had even hesitated for a while had hurt and offended his pride.
"Irene! Tell me! Is what the Duke said true? You're healthy, and you've got everything you want; what did he mean by stating that you're hurt? Father's legacy will also be passed on to you in the future!"
Her mother and Riel looked back at her father's words. Irene looked back at Noel for a moment and then grabbed the hem of his clothes. It was like when she first encountered him at the ball in the garden. Irene lightly smiled when Noel looked back at her and opened her mouth.
"I told you earlier. I will make the decision as soon as possible...."
Noel nodded at Irene's words while looking at her solemnly. He did not speak because he knew it was Irene's moment to stand up for herself. Irene turned her head and looked at her family. Then, she said with a firm voice.
"As I told you earlier, I'm going to marry Noel."
"Irene!"
"Sister!"
The Countess and Riel called Irene's name, but Irene did not back down.
"If you two disagree with that, I will...."
"..."
"... no longer be Riel's sister and your daughter anymore."
A silence fell over the room after Irene concluded her statement. The Chase family stared at Irene with a stiff face.
"Ok."
When her words fell, the Count was the first to respond to Irene.
"Do as you please! But just keep this in mind, your stubborn behaviour will just make many people upset, and you will live to regret it yourself!"
With those despicable words, the Count turned his back and went into the house.
"I'm disappointed in you, Irene...."
YOU ARE READING
The Kind Older Sister Is No More
Romance"You're the older sister - just let it go. Can't you even do that for her?" Irene has always been living in the shadow of her ill and frail sister, Riel. She believed that she could and had to do everything for her family... until Riel stole everyth...
