"Because the number of people here is sparse, it would be appropriate to talk."
Noel said as he opened the door to the greenhouse. According to him, the greenhouse was located in a corner like a secret hideout, and there was no sign of people there. Irene gave a small thank-you to him for opening the door and went inside.
The temperature controller did not work because it was Summer, but as the sunlight penetrated through the glass ceiling, the inside was bright and warm like the outside. Likely at night, it would be pretty in its own way.
The scent of fresh plants lingered around the tip of her nose. They could see flowers and trees dotted in every corner and space.
"I did not know there would be a place like this in the Grand Duchy."
"I found it by chance. Do you like it?"
"Yes. I really like it."
Irene answered with a bright face. She looked around here and there. Her olive-coloured eyes were glistening, indicating that she truly loved it. At that sight of Irene, Noel became happy for no reason.
After looking around, Irene and Noel sat down face-to-face at the table in the centre. Irene stared at him, wondering what Noel wanted to say, but Noel thought about something else.
It would have been nice if there were refreshments.
There was nothing prepared for the greenhouse trip because it was unplanned. The top of the table felt empty.
As soon as I go back, I must tell Tom to organise afternoon tea.
He thought it would not be too bad to serve tea to Irene himself.
"Noel?"
Noel was in the midst of thinking what kind of tea would be better when he heard Irene's voice. Only then did he realise what was going on. He brought her there saying he had something to tell her, but later, he acted rudely by zoning out.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. But what do you want to say?"
"It's nothing special, but I think Irene said that you're interested in painting before, right?"
"Yes? Oh..."
Irene narrowed her eyes at the unexpected question. Not long after he had said that, she remembered that she had mentioned something similar to him at Duchess Jasmine's estate, where she had met him for the first time, to make that proposal, thinking about that, she found herself feeling strangely surprised.
I never thought you would remember, Noel.
She thought he must have heard and spilt it, but she did not think he would remember it until now. Her toes suddenly felt ticklish.
"Yes. I am fond of it."
Irene looked at Noel and said, trying to hide her shyness. As he looked straight into her olive-coloured eyes, Noel thought that they blended well with the greenhouse's surrounding, which was green-filled. Clear and fresh, but not as bright.
"Good thing. Then why don't we go there together?"
Noel took something out of his pocket and handed it out to Irene. Irene looked at it, confused. It was a dark orange envelope.
"This is..."
Irene's eyes widened greatly upon examining the contents. "This time, the Duchess of Jasmine is holding an exhibition to sponsor poor artists, and she sent me an invitation to it. Normally, I would not go there, but if Irene is interested...."
As Noel paused at the end of his words, Irene paid close attention. He muttered in a small voice, avoiding her gaze when their eyes met.
"Would you like to go with me? Only if you are willing to...."
"...Oh."
"If you want to go alone, please tell me. I'll arrange all the necessary conditions...."
"I would love to!"
Irene pushed her upper body forward and exclaimed excitedly. Noel's eyes widened slightly at her abrupt reaction. Irene spoke quickly.
"I want to go with you, Noel. Thank you for telling me. I'm so happy."
She was resolute and firm, unlike her usual self. But after she calmed down, Irene's face heated. She was so embarrassed. She could burst.
When Noel told her that she could go alone, she responded urgently. Irene restored her staggered upper body to her initial posture. Nevertheless, she did not take her eyes off Noel with a determined look.
It was an exhibition with Noel. She would never want to miss that chance. Irene herself could not tell whether the reason was because of the exhibition or because she was going with Noel.
Meanwhile, he had been worrying about what to do if she wanted to go alone or whether he could let her go out alone, but seeing how actively she had responded, implying that she wanted them to go together like that, Noel felt odd.
Is it because I could not get enough sleep that I'm going insane?
The feeling was indescribable. He was happy, a little overwhelmed, and embarrassed...
The two people, who were speechless in such a subtle atmosphere, stared blankly at different places for some time. Suddenly, the table and plants became so interesting. After some time had passed, unable to stay like that any longer, Noel broke the silence first.
"As stated on the invitation, the date is a week later. We will be leaving for quite a while, so if there is a place you want to visit, then think about it."
"Yes. I will let you know."
Even though it was not a big matter, Irene nodded earnestly. Noel suddenly realised it while looking at her.
Before he knew it, at some point, he had started smiling.
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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...
