After Irene left the Chase household, the atmosphere of the entire County, which used to be fine, changed.
"Lady, my lady, breathe! Breathe!"
They were taking a walk when the maid shouted as she held onto Riel, who had a hard time breathing. But her maid's shouting did not help Riel at all.
As Riel's breathing barely returned to normal, the maids let out a deep sigh. It was not a sigh out of pity.
How many times has it been already?
After Irene left, Riel often collapsed several times a week. It was because there was no one to take proper care of her. At first, the maids felt sorry for her solitude and tried their best to help, but it didn't work out.
Their sympathy for her gradually turned into annoyance and trouble as time went by.
When the maid tried to lift the fallen Riel, Riel slapped her hand roughly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she coughed.
"...I don't need it."
"But my lady..."
"I'm going back alone, so don't follow me."
"..."
Staggering up, Riel walked inside, leaving her maids behind. Even without looking back at them, she knew very clearly what kind of gaze the maids were looking at her with.
Now, this is annoying.
Just a moment ago, if it had been Irene, she would not have yelled but would have calmly examined her condition and then decided how to deal with it.
It's annoying, really.
Did they all think that she wanted to be born with a body like this? She didn't even want those people's help.
She had a lot to say, but she did not have the energy to do so. She just wanted to hurry back and rest. And as soon as she took a turn at the corner...
"I miss Lady Irene."
"Yeah, I used to think she was gloomy because she was always so quiet, not saying much, but now that I think about it, she was rather mature and calm."
"The same goes for Miss Riel. It is only getting more irritating as each day passes. It was not like that before."
"I guess that was her true nature. While she was sick and was stuck in this house, Miss Irene left in search of a new partner."
"Ah, I really do miss Lady Irene."
Without knowing that the other party was also listening, the maids babbled.
Why do I have to be treated like this?
Riel clenched her fists. She could not raise her head as her body trembled with anger and shame. She was being ignored, but meanwhile, they said they missed her sister after she had left. All her arrows of rage were now directed at Irene.
It's all because of Irene. She is interfering with my life and ruining everything. If it weren't for Irene...
She gritted her teeth hard. Riel turned back out from the corner again with an impassive face. When Riel appeared out of the blue, the maids who had been gathering and gossiping were bewildered.
Maybe she hadn't heard it?
They exchanged glances and looked at each other confusedly.
Riel, who was expressionless, then smiled broadly and asked.
"Is there any letter from her today?"
Riel pointed to the letter her maid was holding.
"Ye-yes, we have finished sorting. I left your letter in your room." the maid timidly replied.
Seeing the beautifully sealed peach letter in her hand with a noble insignia, Riel further prompted.
"What is that?"
"Oh...This letter is for lady Irene. But I cannot deliver it, so I will collect it..."
"Give it to me," Riel demanded.
"Pardon?"
The maid's eyes widened at Riel's sudden request.
"The letter to my sister. Give it to me."
Riel repeated.
"Oh, I..."
However, the maid, who had given Irene's letter to Riel before, was greatly troubled. She was at her wits' end. To be honest, she did not want to hand it over to her at all. What if that girl got herself involved in some pointless affairs and implicated her as well?
"I am sorry, miss. This is a letter for Miss Irene, so I cannot give it to you..."
'Pang.'
The maid could not finish her words. Just moments ago, the Riel who had been smiling like an angel while asking her a favour turned cold in the blink of an eye. Her gaze was so frosty the maid felt chills. The maid touched her cheek with disbelief. All the maids around her also stiffened in surprise.
"I have witnessed you spouting nonsense about me -- whether I am good enough or not...I am sorry, but there is absolutely nothing that I cannot do in this family. I have every right to see that letter you are holding. Because I am the real daughter of this house."
"Ah, ah..."
The maid was speechless. Riel, who was looking at her coldly, soon changed her expression.
"I'm sorry if it hurts. But I am having a hard time as well since I do not have my sister beside me. You can at least understand that, right?"
She smiled sweetly and comforted her maid as if she was truly sorry.
"Yes..."
"Then, will you give me that letter?"
When Riel reached out her hand again, the maid quietly handed over Irene's letter to her. Riel smiled happily and took the letter to her room.
As soon as the door of her room was shut, Riel's face hardened. She spilt the basket containing Irene's letters on her desk. Last time, the news that Irene had attended Duchess Jasmine's ball had significantly increased the number of invitations to her. Because once she appeared, it became a hot topic of discussion.
"..."
Riel, who was looking at Irene's piled up invitations with indifferent eyes, checked the contents of the letters one by one. Most of them asked her to attend morning and afternoon teas, brunches, or a ball.
She gathered them just in case they contained news about Irene, but there was no harvest at all. Riel, nervously opening the peach letter, paused.
The Duchess of Jasmine...
It was about an exhibition at the Jasmine Duchy. Riel, who was contemplating, quickly smiled.
♔♔♔
───────── ౨ৎ ─────────
thank you for reading! you can read advance chapters and support me for free on my Patreon
patreon.com/posts/kind-older-is-no-80382100
tip me! ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎ ౨ৎ ko-fi.com/onedaythreeautumns
check out my other works: https://www.patreon.com/collection/343420
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...
