chapter 36
(Episode 36. A Visitor in the Night (1)):
“Is it over there?”
Noel carefully moved to the side of the shop.
The space between the buildings was just right for someone to hide.
And then—
“Kyaaak!”
“…Soda?!”
At some point, Soda had come outside and was now fiercely shaking his body while biting onto Noel’s pant leg.
Noel, having briefly taken his eyes off the spot, quickly scanned the gap inside. But perhaps it had been a trick of the senses—there was now no trace of any presence.
“Hmph.”
Noel’s gaze naturally fell on Soda, who was still biting his pant leg. Feeling a little sheepish, he scratched the back of his head and shook it.
“Honestly, what was I thinking. To suspect that a mere cat is in league with someone giving off a murderous aura.”
Letting out a low sigh, Noel gently grabbed the scruff of Soda’s neck and gave him a little shake.
“Soda. Why aren’t you inside? What are you doing out here?”
“Kyahaak!”
Soda bared his teeth angrily, claws out in protest. His aggressive swiping was quite fierce. But being only slightly larger than a pair of clasped hands, the cat was far from threatening.
Noel shrugged and gently pried Soda off his pant leg, making eye contact.
“I know you don’t like me, but this isn’t the place for that.”
“Kyahaang!”
“Stop throwing a tantrum and go back to Luciana. Don’t make her run around looking for you.”
“…Kyauung?”
“There’s someone watching your owner. Around here. Unless I’m mistaken.”
Noel gave Soda a rough rub on the head before setting him down.
Through the glass door, he caught a glimpse of Eluciana.
Perhaps she wasn’t lying about being busy—her hands moved quickly and purposefully. The silver bracelet he had given her shimmered on her wrist with each movement, catching the light.
“Looks like I’ll have to visit more often for a while.”
A soft smile, one even Noel didn’t realize he was making, curved his lips.
Meanwhile, Soda crouched at his feet, eyes narrowed, claws out, glaring at him sharply.
Leaving the fragrant garden behind, Noel met Yeriel midway and headed to the estate where the soirée was taking place.
“Oh my, how did he come here!”
“Goodness! Am I dreaming?”
“He looks even more radiant than before.”
The bored young ladies, chatting idly, gasped in unison.
The appearance of the dazzling nobleman was like rain in a drought to them.
Noel crossed the center of the hall with Yeriel by his side. He wore his usual faint smile, nodding slightly to those who met his eyes.
“Just seeing him smile melts my heart.”
“I thought he’d completely left the social scene, and yet he came to such a small gathering in person.”
“I almost didn’t come today—what a mistake that would’ve been!”
Excitement sparkled in the faces of the young ladies as they whispered to one another.
The nobleman they had only dared imagine now stood right before them. It didn’t feel real.
“I can’t take my eyes off him.”
One blushing young lady collapsed into her chair in a daze, gaze fixed on Noel.
“But… what brings him here? The New Year’s ball is just around the corner.”
A seated lady chimed in, fan covering her lips.
“Could he be looking for a match? He is of an age where succession must be on his mind.”
“But hasn’t a match already been arranged? With Lady Eragost, I thought…”
Noel let the gossip wash over him and reclined into a plush chair.
A dazzling chandelier, as ornate as their appearances, sparkled above, making his eyes ache.
He picked up the glass of red wine from the table and took a sip.
“Still noisy as ever.”
“Mind your words, brother. Many ears are listening.”
Yeriel poked at a slice of lemon tart with her fork.
For a second, Noel felt like that lemon tart was himself.
“…Just talking to myself.”
“Good. In the future, please keep your self-talk internal.”
“…Sure.”
Noel nodded obediently and looked at Yeriel.
“By the way, Yeriel. Aren’t you going to meet your friends?”
Yeriel wiped her lips thoroughly before glancing back.
“No. I’m here to keep an eye on you today.”
“You?”
“Mother asked me to.”
“Ahem. I’m fine, as you can see. No one’s paying attention to—”
Noel glanced toward the hall, and as if on cue, all the eyes quickly looked away.
Yeriel clicked her tongue.
“Seems your senses have dulled, brother. Didn’t you notice all those piercing gazes?”
“…I just chose not to care.”
“That’s a good mindset.”
Noel set down his wine glass and let out a long sigh.
He knew very well why Yeriel was sticking so close to him.
“…Yeriel. I don’t plan on breaking my promise to Mother. So you should enjoy yourself too.”
He smiled lightly at the noblewomen he recognized from the Klaus estate.
“Look over there. Your friends are waiting for you, aren’t they?”
Yeriel frowned awkwardly as she looked over.
Beth. Ilia. Evelyn.
Of course, Yeriel understood how her friends felt. She herself had been looking forward to this gathering, having rarely attended such events.
She had imagined wearing a beautiful dress, eating sweet desserts, chatting lightly, and dancing.
But public duty came before private joy. She couldn’t just let Noel, unpredictable as ever, roam freely.
“I’m fine.”
Noticing her inner conflict, Noel looked at her with sympathy and prodded gently.
“Even if you’re fine, your friends may not be.”
“That’s enough, brother.”
Yeriel glared at him, fully aware of his intentions. But Noel didn’t back down.
“It’s all for you, Yeriel. Besides, one clown is enough—me.”
Thanks to Noel’s presence, all eyes were on Yeriel as well.
“I’ll stay for a bit and then leave. Don’t worry. I’ll keep my promise.”
Yeriel shook her head and reluctantly stood. She glanced briefly at Noel before turning away.
“Fine. Do as you please.”
“Smart choice.”
Yeriel was soon pulled away by her friends and moved to the edge of the hall.
The moment Noel confirmed she was gone, he stood.
He hadn’t planned to stay long anyway. Just showing up was enough to fulfill his duty.
I’ve made my appearance, Mother. Promise kept.
Noel quickly crossed the hall toward the entrance.
It was still too early to go home. But there were plenty of places to kill time.
Several came to mind right away.
Thinking of one particular person’s face, Noel smiled softly.
Just then, a woman walked through the entrance.
Pale white skin and a red dress.
A blend of elegance and beauty—flashy but never excessive.
Noel’s brisk steps slowed.
…Camilla Lu Eragost. The woman who persistently chased him.
Swoooosh—
“Hmm. It’s raining.”
Simon watched the heavy rain pour down and swallowed a sigh. The sky had been gloomy since noon, and now it was pouring.
Though there were still a couple of hours left before he could go home, it didn’t look like it would stop anytime soon.
Thinking of Eluciana, who would surely be worried, Simon’s eyes drooped with concern.
“She should’ve waited at home. Did she already leave, I wonder?”
On rainy days like this, Eluciana and Astein used to visit the government office. That hadn’t changed even after Astein left.
If only we had a carriage… she wouldn’t have to worry like this.
Unfortunately, the Wyers family didn’t own a carriage. They could barely afford daily expenses, let alone upkeep for a horse. Plus, the government office wasn’t far, which made the decision easier.
“Hmm. This is worrying. It’ll get dark soon.”
Simon let out a heavy sigh as he looked at his boss’s empty desk.
His supervisor had dumped most of the documents on Simon and gone out for “fieldwork.”
Simon knew the truth: the supervisor hadn’t left for work.
Simon handled most of the outer district’s administrative duties anyway.
Just as he began to open the stack of papers his boss left behind—
Knock, knock.
“Hm?”
Visitors were rare at the office. And it was still too early for Eluciana.
Tilting his head, Simon stood and walked to the door.
“Who is it?”
“S-Simon. Are you inside?”
At the familiar voice, Simon opened the door. There stood a man with a haggard face, smiling awkwardly.
“Milan?”
“Y-yeah. It’s me. Haha. So… may I come in?”
Milan glanced nervously past Simon’s shoulder.
Maybe to make sure no one else was there.
Without waiting for an answer, Milan quickly stepped inside the office.
