The Kind Older Sister Is No More

“The Duke is currently in the office. I will show you the way.”

“I shall leave it to you then.”

When Irene said that she was going to see Noel in person, the maid took the lead to guide her. As they slowly moved from the room through the halls, the maid glanced at Irene.

I wonder what her special identity must be.

Irene was currently centric to the gossip of the entire Kristen Duchy.

Noel, the bastard, had become the successor after the death of the Duke’s legitimate son. The Great Kirsten’s announcement had appeared at the same time as the unknown woman. 

Rumour had it that she was Noel Kristen’s lover, but there were not many people who truly believed it. If it was her, she would not either. The timing was too coincidental.  Up till then, not a single wisp of Irene’s hair had been seen. However, as soon as the announcement that the Grand Duchy would not be inherited by Noel unless he agreed to a marriage, Irene, his ‘lover’ appeared. Was it not too suspicious?

There seems to be something fishy.

Most importantly, the woman he had brought was not outstanding. Though she was pretty and delicate, she was not exceptionally beautiful. Nor was her family particularly notable. Thus, was it not normal for anyone to think that the Duke had decided that any woman would do, in order for him to inherit the Grand Duchy? At least, all the employees of the Ducal House thought so.

A man who had inherited the blood of the commoners, was always compared with his brother, and was not recognised even after becoming the successor. The people at the Grand Duchy had quietly ignored Noel. Irene, who he had brought along with him, was also thought lightly of.

“There.”

“Yes, Yes?”

The maid who was secretly glancing at Irene was startled at Irene’s words and raised her voice excessively. She later realised how stupid she looked and her face blushed, but Irene did not pay any attention to her maid.

Irene was looking over at the other side.

“People are gathering, what’s going on?”

The maid turned to the direction Irene was looking at. A little further away, as Irene said, several servants were gathering head-to-head.

Seeing the situation, the maid nodded as if it was understandable, and spoke.

“There was a message in the morning that we will be displaying new works by famous painters in the hallway. From the looks of it... something must have gone wrong.”

“Well then…”

“It’s not a matter to be concerned about.”

The maid intended to move on, but she had to look back again because of Irene, who could not take her eyes off them.

“Miss?”

“Sorry. But can I stop by there for a while?”

“Yes?”

The maid was confused at Irene’s unexpected words, but soon nodded. She was not in a hurry, and she did not have a good reason to refuse either.

“If you want to.”

“Thank you.”

Irene, smiling brightly, headed to the place where the employees gathered. As she walked behind Irene, the maid’s expression became unpleasant.

“So, is it the right order as I said?”

“Are your eyes decorative? It’s Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter in seasonal order.”

“What of this seems like Winter to you? Can’t you see flowers blooming in the garden?”

“It’s snowing. Then it’s Winter.”

“Hold on a minute. When the butler arrives, you can ask him.”

As she approached, the two servants were arguing, surrounded by several paintings. They were so busy cooped in their verbal war that they did not even notice Irene moving closer towards them.

Irene saw a picture that was well between the servants. At first glance, it seemed like a painting of a flower garden in full bloom through the covered white cloth, which used to block the sunlight. Mysteriously, when one looked at the flower garden, it appeared to be a scenery sunny like Spring or Summer. However, snow fell from the sky. The correct interpretation seemed to have ricocheted into a confounded quarrel between the servants who were speculating on the ambiguous season.

“It is Winter.”

Only when she had suddenly blurted out her statement, did the servants and passing maids realise Irene’s existence. They turned towards her in bewilderment. The gazes caught her attention immediately, and Irene fiddled awkwardly.

“Apologies for the sudden interruption. I believe you were arguing over the season of this piece of work...Is that right?” she laughed slightly embarrassed at the attention.

“Yes? Oh, yes...That’s right.”

The servant, who responded in bewilderment, soon realised her identity as he looked at Irene’s face. She was the lover of the infamous Duke of the Kristen Dukedom.

What is it all of a sudden?

The surroundings were distracted by the unexpected appearance of the Duke’s lover. There were also a few vigilant gazes.

“Can I take a look at the painting? I might be able to help.” 

“Oh, yes... Of course, no problem.”

This painting would be hard to distinguish for most people. Especially those who lack the required knowledge to interpret the meaning of this piece. Original translation on onedaythreeautumns, if you’re reading on other sites it’s stolen.

The maid who had guided Irene stated that it was in fact painted by a renowned artist. In reality, the piece was by an unknown painter, whose work had yet to be brought to light, to let the world indulge upon.

The girl happened to be able to exhibit her painting as it had caught the Great Kristen’s eyes, but the servant did not expect Irene to be able to recognise the painting of a painter who had yet to even make a proper debut.

Therefore, the servant saw Irene’s actions as a noble, who pretentiously appeared to humble themselves, to know those ‘lower’ than them. Even if what she said was utterly bewildering, he was inclined to merely agree, then return the painting.

As Irene looked at the painting, there was a heavy silence. The workers exchanged glances and guessed as to what kind of answer Irene would come up with.

After a while, Irene raised her body. Then she put her hand on the picture and began to speak.

“It is indeed Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter arranged in seasonal order.”

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