TYWML 39

39. Noah Lorraine (1)
2024.06.08.

Noah and the Chloe she had just seen earlier were twins, the same age.

Of course, every child grows at a different rate, but even considering that, their physical development was noticeably different.

Chloe had a healthy amount of flesh on her face and limbs, giving her a well-nourished look. In contrast, Noah was slightly thin.

Unlike most children with plump cheeks, his had little flesh, making his cheekbones stand out.

From beneath his slightly worn sleeve, his thin wrist was visible. His hand was so lean that the bones in his fingers protruded.

On top of that, his frame was so small that he looked one or two years younger than Chloe.

Even allowing for some age difference, he was certainly smaller than her own ten-year-old brother Aaron back home.

It meant his growth and development weren’t very good.

The dream she had yesterday flashed through her mind—the words that Noah Winkler had died from being struck by a vase.

With that thought, Riena, just in case, rolled up the child’s sleeves to inspect his arms. She also lifted the hem of his trousers to check his calves.

Thankfully—if one could call it that—there were no signs of abuse on his body. At least not in the visible areas.

However, judging by his clothing and physical condition, it seemed likely he had been neglected, even if not outright abused.

Why on earth…? Why only him?

If Chloe had been in a similar state, it would have made more sense.

But she simply could not understand why only Noah was like this.

While Riena was struck silent, at a loss for words, Noah—who had been quietly allowing her to examine his limbs—spoke softly.

“Are you an angel?”

“…Huh?”

“Are you the angel who came to take me away?”

“I…”

While Riena was hesitating, unsure how to define herself, the child’s voice trembled.

“Please take me with you.”

“…What?”

“I heard heaven is a nice place. A place where you don’t get sick, and you’re always happy. So, please…”

The boy suddenly burst into the sobs he had been holding back.

“Please take me there.”

Nine years old. If Riena’s memory was right, the boy was only nine. Back home, Aaron Dyke was a similar age—ten.

Aaron, who had been showered with love from his parents and older sister, was still an immature child.

He loved eating tasty food and playing more than anything else, and often played hide-and-seek with his tutor to avoid studying.

Though there was a one-year age gap, there was little difference between nine and ten.

A single year wasn’t enough for an immature child to suddenly grow up.

Riena herself had been just as carefree at nine and ten.

Nine years old was that kind of age.

So why was this boy wearing such an expression and saying such words?

Begging to be taken to heaven, with a face showing no attachment to life.

Was his life truly more painful than hell?

“For now, I’m…”

She felt a lump in her throat. Her eyes grew damp as she reached out to him.

“I’m Uncle Cassel’s friend.”

She figured the boy wouldn’t understand the word “fiancé,” so she described her relationship with Cassel that way.

“Uncle Cassel?”

“Mm-hm. Do you know Uncle Cassel?”

“…No…”

It didn’t seem like Noah knew who Cassel was.

“You have a father, right? Your father had a younger brother—that’s Uncle Cassel.”

“…Oh.”

“He’s another one of your family. I came here with Uncle Cassel to see you.”

“Then… you’re not an angel?”

The boy’s face crumpled, as if even the faint hope he’d been holding had been crushed.

Why was he so desperate to find an angel? Riena didn’t know, but she decided to comfort him for now.

After hesitating for a moment, she suggested, “Do you want to go have some custard pudding?”

Custard pudding was Aaron Dyke’s favorite snack.

No matter how upset or angry he was, if she told him there’d be pudding, he would grin in an instant.

It was the only way Riena knew to cheer up a child.

“…Pudding?”

The boy blinked his damp eyes, as if hearing the word for the first time.

He didn’t look delighted like Aaron would, but at least he stopped crying—half a success.

“My little brother always stops crying right away if I say there’s pudding.”

The boy’s lips parted slightly before he replied, “I want some.”

It was clearly said with courage. Not wanting him to feel timid, Riena smiled gently.

“Then let’s go, Noah.”

She held out her hand. After some hesitation, Noah took it.

His hand was so small and soft.

“Big sis, that’s mean! You said you’d come back to play with me! Where are you going without me?”

As Riena walked toward the dining hall with Noah’s hand in hers, a bright voice called from behind.

She turned to see Chloe, her pigtails bouncing as she ran toward them.

Noah spotted Chloe and hid behind Riena, mumbling, “…Going?”

“Hm?”

“For pudding.”

“Pudding?”

“Hmph,” the girl snorted softly, moving closer to Riena.

“I want to go too.”

“…Huh?”

Chloe’s blue eyes sparkled as she looked up.

“Can’t I?”

“Of course you can. Let’s go. I was having trouble finding the dining room anyway—can you lead the way?”

“Sure!”

Without hesitation, Chloe grabbed Riena’s left hand.

Holding both twins’ hands, Riena walked along while making small talk with Chloe.

“You’re lucky you met me instead of that dummy!”

“I’m not a dummy…” Noah muttered.

While chatting, Riena noticed something odd.

This girl is just… sunny?

There was nothing wrong with a nine-year-old being cheerful.

In fact, Chloe’s constant chatter, like a sparrow’s, was exactly what suited her age.

But the contrast between Noah and Chloe’s demeanor was striking.

Whereas Noah clearly bore the marks of neglect, Chloe seemed full of the confidence of a child raised with love—just like Aaron.

Why was that?

Usually, if there’s favoritism, it’s the girl—who can’t inherit the family name—who’s neglected.

Her question remained unanswered as the three arrived at the dining room.

A maid emerged from the kitchen, surprised to see Chloe.

“Miss Chloe, what brings you here? And…” She trailed off when her eyes fell on Noah.

Riena was about to explain, but Chloe jumped in first.

“Pudding! We came for pudding!”

“Pudding?”

“Mm-hm!”

“There isn’t any made right now, so you’ll have to wait a little. How about some freshly baked chocolate cookies instead?”

“Nooo, I want pudding.”

Riena stepped in. “Sorry, I mentioned pudding earlier, and now he’s set on it.”

“That’s fine.”

The maid straightened up and addressed Riena formally.

“You must be Lady Dyke. I’ve heard about you. I’ll have the pudding prepared right away.”

“Then we’ll wait in the playroom!” Chloe grabbed Riena’s hand again.

“Come on, big sis! Hurry!”

“…Alright, let’s go.”

Sensing something in the maid’s expression, Riena decided to play along with Chloe and leave the dining room.

“I’ll escort the young lady and young master.”

No sooner had they stepped out than the head butler approached, as if waiting for them.

Riena checked the twins’ expressions. Chloe looked unchanged, but Noah flinched.

Apparently, the head butler wasn’t fond of Noah either.

“I’ll take the young lady to the drawing room until the Duke and Master finish their conversation.”

“I promised the children we’d have pudding together. I’d like to stay with them until the Duke arrives—would that be alright?”

“That will be difficult.”

“Why?”

“We can’t trouble our guest with the care of the young master and young lady.”

“Trouble? I’m going to be their aunt. I just want to spend some time with my nieces and nephews. Is that a problem?”

Chloe tugged Riena’s hand. “Big sis, what’s an aunt?”

“I’ll tell you in a bit.”

Patting Chloe’s back, Riena replied firmly to the butler, “I’ll watch them.”

They stood at an impasse, neither willing to yield.

“What are you waiting for? I said I’m going with her.”

With Chloe’s sharp comment, the butler had no choice but to back down.

Riena took the twins to the playroom she had seen earlier.

Unlike Chloe, who acted naturally, Noah lingered close to her, clearly unfamiliar with the place.

Gently, she nudged his back. “Noah, don’t you want to go play?”

“I… I’ll stay with you.” He buried his face in her clothes.

“But—”

Before she could finish, Chloe, perhaps feeling jealous of the attention Noah was getting, dashed over holding a book.

“Big sis, big sis! Want to read with me?”

“Shall we? Noah, let’s go together.”

But Noah still shook his head.