97 – Just A Powerless Old Man

“Noel…sweetheart.”

Noel’s heart pounded for a moment. Hearing his name come out of the Great Kristen’s mouth felt strange and unreal. Noel slowly turned his head. The Great Kristen was looking at him; he had left his gaze from the painting. Looking closely, the tip of the Great Kristen’s lips was trembling slightly, and the corners of his wrinkled eyes were folded.

Noel could hardly take his eyes off that figure. Gradually, the Great Kristen’s head dropped. He was a hero on the battlefield who never bowed his head to anyone.

“I’m sorry if it’s too late. I feel ashamed in front of you. I was wrong; I admit my mistakes, in the past. I’m sorry, darling.”

“…now.”

A choked voice broke out. Noel squeezed his eyes tightly and clenched his fists.

“Is there a reason why you’re doing this now?”

“I know it’s too late. I’m not asking you to forgive me, but my immaturity, stubbornness, and greed have hurt you. It’s up to you to accept.”

“I don’t understand. Didn’t Grandfather disapprove of me even becoming the Grand Duke. That’s why you made that condition to prevent me.”

“I didn’t make such a condition for you because I didn’t want you to inherit the Grand Duke. I did it to protect you from threats. I didn’t know you would really bring that girl.”

“…If I want to marry Irene, will you allow me?”

“Yes. Originally, I was going to match you with another lady, but if it’s that darling, I think I can trust you and entrust this place to you. You brought a really nice child, Noel. You are capable.”

“Ha…”

Noel placed his head in his hands.* His mind was in haywire, but somehow, his main purpose in coming here was resolved. But why was he so…

*metaphor here, meaning he is suffering/exasperated. Like crying dry tears.

It’s frustrating. Maybe it was because he received an unexpected apology. He admitted all his mistakes. It was something that Noel had never even dreamed of, so it didn’t feel real.

“If you need my help, let me know.”

“…We are going to announce our wedding at the banquet. After that, the wedding will be held immediately. All I need is your permission.”

“Granted. Of course, I will help you if there is anything I can do.”

“Thank you…”

“…Noel.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s eat together sometime, with your darling. Then you can formally introduce us. At that time, I’d like to welcome you both face-to-face.”

“…okay. I’ll go back now.”

“…Yes.”

After the conversation, Noel turned around and left the room without hesitation.

‘Ka-chak.’

When the door closed, William let out a shaky sigh. It was heartbreaking to see Noel not fully able to accept his heart, which he had opened up too late. He was not his son, but he was also mistaken. Even though he knew he could not go on like this for the rest of his life, he could not help it. “…I miss you especially today.”

The corners of William’s eyes moistened as he stroked the painting. It was not long before he turned back and shook his head. He was a living legend, a swordsman & warrior who had never seen the darkness of defeat. The adjectives that followed after him were descriptions full of prestige and dignity. But in the face of the passing years, and longing for the lost, he was just a powerless old man.

*Ms Yoon did not have to do us like that ( థ థ)ﾉ

♔♔♔

Noel walked out of the Great Kristen’s room, looking straight ahead. As he got farther, he gradually slowed down. Even though he had attained what he wanted, his expression was not happy. Rather, it became more complicated than when he had first entered.

I don’t know why? Why the hell am I feeling like this?

The Great Kristen had meant to say that he had always intended for Noel to succeed the Grand Duke title…he could get what he had wanted so dearly, why were his feelings so…

I’m angry.

Was it so? Could this be anger?

Something inside him was boiling, and he couldn’t decipher what it was, which made it all the more frustrating.

If it were her, would she know what this feeling is? It’s hard to put into words. Does she know what the experience is like?

“I’d be putting pressure on her; she would find it cumbersome.”

They were in just a contract-bound relationship. How could they share such personal feelings?

It was clear that it would be burdensome.

But I don’t want to let it go like this.

He didn’t want to run away and live like what he was now, without knowing what the heat he was feeling was. Noel violently shook his head, and moved on. To where she was.

♔♔♔

Irene was surrounded by designers taking her measurements.

“That’s it. We’ll make a dress with a design that matches the lady as soon as possible. The accessories will be prepared by us.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“You must have had a hard time standing for so long. Please rest well.”

The designer, who thought of Irene as a distant relative of the Duke who was simply staying for a while, smiled comfortably and left. Perhaps, if she had known that the dress was going to be made for the woman who would later become the Grand Duchess, she would not have measured properly because she would have been trembling.

“I’m so tired…”

Fitting a dress was not simple. It was never an easy process because one had to not only measure size, but also inspect samples of fabrics of various colours, to find a matching colour. Furthermore, it was a whole ‘nother task to find matching accessories, which one had to compare to the fabrics, and sample the different jewels and ribbons.

As Irene collapsed onto her bed exhausted, Louiselle approached.

// I love Grandpa William <33 Owning your past mistakes and apologising for them becomes harder as you get older, especially as you accrue power. Such an attitude is deserving of the title of Grand Duke. Relationships bloom only with honesty, sincerity, love and forgiveness.