The familiar voice swept her mind and echoed in her ears the entire journey, not completely forgotten. Was it because of a lingering regret?
“I’m sorry my mom hasn’t done so much for Noah so far.”
It upset her. Noah had tried to bury the echoes of her mother’s bitter voice, but to no avail. After a moment of silence, Noah mustered enough courage, albeit hesitant, and asked Kyle. “Sir, can you hold me?”
“No.” His answer came almost immediately, but Noah refused to surrender. “Can’t you hug me, then?”
“Of course not. Not even that.” This time, Kyle even took a step away from her as if his words were not enough refusal. Noah glared at him sulkily. “Muell hugs me very well…”
“Am I the same as Muell, Noah?”
“Why don’t you think so?”
“Should I teach you about the physical and mental differences between an adult man and a three-year-old child?” Kyle replied with his usual reprimanding tone, but avoided Noah’s stare. Irked, Noah thrust her face to where his gaze was directed, but Kyle was adamant. “There’s no reason to give you a hug. You’re not sick. And it’s not good for others to see.”
As Noah scowled at him in silence, Kyle began to utter more and more ridiculous excuses. It’s not good for others to see? So until now, did you go around with Eleonora because it looked good? “Sir, why are you suddenly acting married?”
“This is exactly what it is. So far, it’s never been so bad.” Kyle’s tone was unyielding. Then, he turned his back coldly against her. “If you don’t come, I’ll go first.”
“Let’s go together.” Reluctant, Noah began to follow him. I don’t think he hates me at all, but he doesn’t like me either. If she had to name the emotions that flashed across his face, it would be vague embarrassment or difficulty. What is it? The person who had been tending her, of course with grumbles and whines, for the past three months, keeping up with her uncharming character, seemed to have changed into a stranger.
Noah tilted her head and looked into the mirror on the wall, reflecting the face that she had worn for twenty-five years. A hair of caramel color touched her pale shoulders, and her eyes had the same hue, only a little darker. Gazing at her appearance, her mind hopped into a train of melancholic thoughts.
I don’t look very good…
Her steps ceased at once, and she inspected herself in the mirror. The only aspect reminiscent of Eleonora was her expression of indifference. Noah strained her eyes open, but of course, it would barely alter her appearance. Contrary to Eleonora, who exhibited a beautiful face, Noah certainly looked a little inferior.
Did I overestimate myself too much? Every ounce of her self-esteem shattered once Kyle acted the way he did.
“Am I not pleasing to look at?”
“Miss Noah?” Kyle, who walked forward without even sparing a glimpse behind him, turned as soon as he noticed Noah had stopped following him. “What are you doing?”
“But I’ve received a lot of confessions myself.” Noah muttered to herself.
“What did you get?” asked Kyle.
“No, it didn’t mean much.”
“It sounds very meaningful.” Kyle’s tone instantly sharpened. Noah asked again with little hope.
“Sir, are you really not going to hug me?”
Kyle hesitated for a split second, but eventually wielded his iron wall again. “No, I’m not going to hug you.”
Instantly, Noah’s gaze dropped to the ground, sullen. “Do you really hate me? Okay… I won’t hit you anymore. I won’t even call you a butler… Let’s go.”
When the memories of her past life returned to her at once, she sought comfort. However, when they met again, Kyle acted as if she was a stranger, making Noah feel dejected. I guess the hardest thing in the world is the human mind. She walked past Kyle and approached the door. But her shoulders were pulled back before she could even make three steps.
She was dragged a few steps backward, and a warm embrace enveloped her small figure. After returning to her original body, the difference in their physique was quite large. Kyle had only wrapped his arms lightly around her waist, but it felt as though she had been trapped by him.
For a moment, Noah blinked blankly. Then, she also stretched her arms and wound them around Kyle’s. She murmured softly, “Sir, you look a little bit of a bouncer.”
“You keep your mouth shut when you’re given a hug.”
“You do, really.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, and tell me why you’re scurrying like a dead weed.”