The Kind Older Sister Is No More

“I found you. Someone spilled water over there. I’ll show you where it is, so come with me.”

“Ah, the Young Earl Rixis.”

“Do you have business with my maid?”

“Oh no, I was trying to check if she was someone I knew, but ah, I must be mistaken if she is Earl Rixis’ maid.”

“Then, excuse me first.” Ascardo smiled and moved to place his arm around Irene’s shoulder.

* I’ve used Earl and Count interchangeably. They denote the same rank.

What is this all of a sudden? Why am I walking with this man around me?

Confused, she lifted her head to look up at him. Ascardo met her eyes and smiled.

“You will only draw people’s attention here. Let’s go somewhere less crowded, Miss Chase.”

“...”

There was a lot Irene wanted to say, but he was right. Here, would only catch the scrutiny of others.

Getting out of here was the top priority. Thus, Irene walked beside him without saying a word. However, the hand wrapped around her shoulder was uncomfortable, so she slightly twisted her body.

Ascardo’s eyes were fixed on Irene, and smiled broadly, before lowering his hand.

“You won’t be noticed here. You can remove your headscarf. It must be uncomfortable concealing yourself.

//Thank you knight, but she’s probably more uncomfortable with you ahah.

At his words, Irene pulled off her headscarf. She felt his gaze was burdensome. But Irene did not avert her gaze and opened her mouth.

“Thank you for your help. I am grateful to you; because of you, I was able to get through safely.”

“No worries. But if you would like to thank me, could you spare some time? As a reward for helping you.” Ascardo’s fresh smile was as bright as the sun. Was it because of his sky-blue hair? His smile felt as refreshing as the clear sky. He was a man who one instantly thought was likeable.

“However,...”

“I do apologise sir, but I must urgently go to a place,” Irene lowered her head firmly.

This man is the person Noel was most wary of.

He was the main power opposing Noel, and leader of the faction against him. He was supposed to be the enemy aiming for the position of the throne. * Even though Irene felt uncomfortable with him, being with the person knowing his identity, was the equivalent of betraying Noel.

*Kristen throne, not imperial ;)

Ascardo shook his head. “Oh…”

Even though Irene had refused his request, as she did not want to be put in an uncomfortable situation for Noel’s sake, Ascardo did not show any signs of backing down easily.

“I’m in trouble. I would like to talk to Miss Chase a little more,” he said.

Irene was perplexed. And as such, she thought perhaps she had not conveyed her message clearly enough.

Irene looked straight into Ascardo’s ultramarine eyes and spoke clearly.

“Thank you for your help, unfortunately, I do not have the time.”

“Somewhere you have to go to, my brother…”

“That’s right.”

As Ascardo was talking, someone intervened in their conversation. At the sound of the familiar voice, Irene whipped around to face the owner.

As expected, Noel was walking fast towards her and her Ascardo.

“Noel…” Irene looked at Noel, perplexed.

Why was he here?

His expression was frigid. So cold that it seemed to freeze the air and the surrounding area.

He came close and pulled Irene towards himself. “What business do you have with my fiancée?”

Irene gasped when Noel said ‘fiancée’. Fiancée. The person he was promised to marry.

Even though fiancée is the right word…

Somehow it still sounded foreign. Her heart throbbed increasingly.

Stupid heart.

In this situation, Irene resented that her heart was always jumping out of her chest.

Hearing Noel utter ‘fiancée’, Ascardo’s smile cracked. His diction was not to just introduce Irene to him, but also purposefully irritate him with the fact that he was going to be married.

“I was only helping my brother's ‘fiancée’ and wanted to request a small ‘favour’.”

“Then ask. I’ll do it. Tell me.”

“No need to, Brother.”

Because the person I want is not you, Brother.

“I’m sorry. If I can’t fulfill your request, then I suggest you give up. Irene won’t listen to your request in the future.” Noel took Irene’s hand in his and uttered those words in warning. He effectively shut down the subject that was no longer worth talking about.

He nodded towards Ascardo and, still holding Irene’s hand, led her away. As she walked alongside Noel, Irene looked back.

‘Next time,’ Ascardo’s face seemed to say. Ascardo licked his lips and grinned at her.

// I love an assertive man. Seems Author wants us to dislike Ascardo with these high key creepy vibes lol.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om