CH 36

“Is it over there?”

Noel moved cautiously to the side of the store. It was a space between buildings, so it was suitable for people to hide.

It was then.

“Mrrr!”

“…Soda?!”

Soda bit into Noel’s legs which made him shake his whole body. Noel, who missed his gaze for a moment, quickly scanned the inside of the gap. However, he didn’t feel any presence now, perhaps because it was an illusion.

“Hmm.”

Noel’s gaze naturally turned to Soda, who was biting his leg. Then, he scratched the back of his head and shook his head.

“Well, what was I thinking? To think a mere cat has the same presence as a human.”

Noel sighed low and grabbed Soda by the nape of its neck, shaking it gently.

“Soda, why aren’t you inside? Why are you out here?”

“Mrrrr!”

Soda raised its claws, baring ferocious teeth in displeasure. Its big swings and kicks were quite violent. But the cat, slightly larger than his two hands put together, wasn’t threatening at all. Noel shrugged his shoulders and made eye contact with Soda.

“I know you don’t like me, but it’s not good to do this here.”

“Mrrrr!”

“Stop whining and go back to Lusi right away. Don’t make her wander around looking for you.”

“…Meow?”

“Here, around here. There seems to be someone watching over your master. Unless I’m mistaken.”

Noel rubbed Soda’s head, which looked somewhat depressed, and then put it down. He then caught a glimpse of Elusiana through the glass door. Her hands seemed very busy, as if it was a lie that she didn’t have much work. Every time she moved her hand, the silver bracelet he gave her sparkled and caught his attention.

“For the time being, I will have to visit more often.”

A soft smile was wrapped around Noel’s face. On the other hand, Soda, who was crouching at his feet, stared at him while sharpening its claws.

* * *

After leaving the Fragrant Garden, Noel met Yeriel in the middle and moved to the mansion where the banquet was held.

“Oh my. How can we find him in this place!”

“Oh my gosh! I’m not dreaming right now, am I?”

“Wow! I think he shines a lot more than before.”

The young ladies, who had been chatting casually, immediately exclaimed. The appearance of the handsome nobleman was like a sweet rain in a drought for them. Noel crossed the center with Yeriel. He greeted those who still had eye contact with a smile.

“Just looking at his smiling face makes my heart melt.”

“I thought he had completely withdrawn from society, but to be able to attend a small gathering like this.”

“I actually thought a lot about whether to come or not, but I would have regretted it if I hadn’t come.”

Excited joy spread across the whispering young ladies’ faces. It seemed they couldn’t believe it because the nobleman in front of them was someone they would have only met in their own imagination.

“I really can’t take my eyes off him.”The young lady staggered and sat down on her chair. She muttered, keeping her blank gaze fixed on Noel’s face.

“By the way… What is he doing here? The New Year’s banquet is right around the corner.”

In the end, the young lady who was sitting in the chair covered her lips with her fan and continued her words. “Is he looking for a marriage partner? After all, the Lord is already old, so he must be worried about his son’s succession.”

“But if it’s a marriage, isn’t it already decided? From long ago, Lady Eragost…”

Noel leaned back on the soft chair, letting out their loud chattering through one ear. As gorgeous as his appearance, the chandeliers flashed, dizzying his eyes. He picked up the red wine from the table and took a sip. “It’s still noisy.”

“Be careful with your words, Brother. There are many ears to hear.”

Yeriel poked a piece of lemon tart with a fork. For a moment, Noel felt that lemon tart was like his body.

“…I’m just talking to myself.”

“That’s a relief. From now on, just repeat the words you wanted to say in your mind.”

“…Yes.”

Noel, who obediently agreed, nodded his head slowly and looked at Yeriel. “By the way, Yeri. Don’t you have to meet your friends?”

Yeriel looked back at him, carefully wiping the corner of her mouth. “Yes. I have to protect Brother today.”

“You?”

“It was a request from mother.”

“Hmm. I’m fine. As you can see, no one is interested in me—”

Noel leisurely turned his gaze toward the hall. At that moment, people’s eyes quickly scattered.

Yeriel clicked her tongue and said, “You seem to have lost a lot of sense, Brother. Seeing that you didn’t feel their stinging gazes.”

“…I didn’t really care.”

“That’s a good mindset.”

Noel let out a long sigh as he put down the wine glass in his hand. He knew very well why Yeriel stuck to his side and didn’t go away.

“…Yeri, I have no intention of breaking my promise to mother. So enjoy yourself for the first time in a while.”

Noel smiled lightly at the young ladies he encountered from time to time at Klaus’s mansion.

“Look over there. Your friends are waiting for you, right?”

Yeriel looked at her friends and frowned in embarrassment. Bess. Ilya. Eveline. There was no way she didn’t know the feelings of her friends. Since she usually didn’t attend social gatherings, she was also looking forward to today’s banquet. Wearing a beautiful dress, eating sweet desserts, chatting with people, and dancing with someone. However, the banquet was just a banquet. She couldn’t let Noel loose, who could go missing immediately.

“It’s alright, I’m fine.”

Noel, noticing Yeriel’s worry, gave her a sad look.

“You’re fine with it, but your friends don’t feel the same.”

“Just stop there, Brother.”

Yeriel, who couldn’t be unaware of Noel’s intentions, threatened him with a scary look. But Noel wasn’t an easy opponent either.

“It’s all for you, Yeri. And being a clown is enough for me alone.”

Because of Yeriel’s presence with Noel by her side, attention was also drawn to her.

“I’ll stay in moderation and leave. Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep my promise.”

Shaking her head, Yeriel reluctantly rose from her seat. After she glanced at Noel for a second, she turned around.

“Alright, suit yourself.”

“Well thought out.”

Yeriel soon moved to the edge of the hall, led by her friends.

Noel stood up as soon as he confirmed that the gazes on Yeriel had completely disappeared. In the first place, Noel had no intention of staying here any longer. Because he considered his responsibility fulfilled just by attending. I already showed my face, so I kept my promise, Mother.

Noel quickly crossed the hall and headed for the entrance. It was still early to get home, but there were plenty of places to spend the rest of the time. Some places came to his mind right away. Recalling someone’s face, Noel smiled lightly. Just then, he saw a woman walking toward the entrance.

A red dress with fair skin. Elegance coexists with splendid but never excessive beauty. Noel’s pace, which had been walking fast, slowly slowed down.

Kamilla Lu Eragost. She was the woman who persistently pursued him.

* * *

Swaaaa—

“Hmm, it’s raining.”

Simon swallowed his saliva as he watched the heavy rainfall. It had been cloudy since the day, and it was finally pouring out. He still had a couple of hours left to get off work, but it didn’t look like it would stop any time soon.

Simon dropped his eyes, thinking of Elusiana, who must be worried about him. “It would be nice if she was already waiting at home. Did she already come back from her work?”

Elusiana and Astein used to come to the administrative office on bad days like today. And that was the same even after Astein left. I wouldn’t be so worried if I had a carriage.

Unfortunately, Viscount Waieos didn’t have a carriage. It was because the maintenance cost to spend on the horse was unreasonable when the living expenses were insufficient. Above all, the fact that the distance between Waieos mansion and the administrative office wasn’t far also contributed to the decision to dispose of it.

“Umm, I’m worried. It’s going to get dark soon.”

Simon looked at his boss’s empty desk and sighed heavily. His boss handed over most of the documents to Simon earlier and went off to work. Simon knew that his boss wasn’t really away doing work outside.  He was in charge of most of the administrator duties in charge of the outskirts.

It was time for Simon to swallow his frustration and unfold the documents his boss handed over. Knock, knock.

“Yes?”

Usually, it was rare for guests to come into the administrative office at this hour. However, it was a bit early for Elusiana to arrive. Simon stood up from his seat with his head tilted. “Who is it?”

“S-Simon. Are you inside?”

Simon opened the administrative office with a familiar voice. Then he saw a man with a pale face smiling awkwardly.

“Milan?”

“Uh, yes. I-It’s me. Hoho. That… Can I come in?”

Milan glanced over behind Simon with a nervous smile. Did he confirm that there was no one? Before Milan could hear Simon’s answer, he stepped into the administrative office.