Chapter 9
“Noona!”
Sure enough, the first one to greet me upon returning to the ducal estate after finishing my errands was none other than Noah.
In response to his appearance, I simply opened my arms without a word and bent down slightly.
Noah immediately purred and leapt into my embrace.
Normally, I would’ve pinched his cheeks or hugged him tight and swung him around.
…but this time, I just couldn’t.
Because my mind was elsewhere—specifically…
[“My lady, you’re very sensitive.”]
[“I should’ve been more careful. I’m sorry.”]
His whisper still echoed in my ears.
I could still recall the scent of Eastern.
It had been such a sweet scent—like the fantasy of an entire vineyard crushed into one aroma.
Even now, my heart fluttered.
“……”
I quietly inhaled as if I could still catch the lingering fragrance drifting over the bridge of my nose. Sensing something was off, Noah tilted his head from within my arms.
“Noona?”
But all I could offer Noah in return was silence.
It was as if I was under a spell.
Then suddenly—
“Mm!”
Something light pressed down on the top of my head.
Mixed in with the lingering grape scent, a new aroma touched my nose.
Wait… what was this?
I blinked several times and reached up to touch my hair.
And then my fingers closed around something.
“A flower?”
No—not just a flower. It was a flower crown, tightly woven with pink roses.
Who made this…?
I blinked wide-eyed in surprise, holding the flower crown and tilting my head in confusion—when a cheerful voice tickled my ear.
“It’s a present, Noona!”
Noah beamed up at me, his cheeks blushing.
Wearing the cutest smile he could muster, he declared proudly:
“I made it while waiting for you! With Rita!”
…Wait, what? Noah made this?
And while waiting for me? With one of the maids?
“Thank you, I’m really happy.”
Overcome with happiness, I bit my tongue to suppress a ridiculous grin.
Oh my gosh. Everyone, look at my little brother—he’s just too adorable and clever for his own good!
Sure, Rita probably did most of the work, but the thought that he wanted to make something for me was more than enough.
I’d grown used to the joy of giving lately, but receiving something like this… it felt completely different.
Seeing someone look forward to your reaction. Imagining how they must’ve thought only of you while preparing it.
It made me so, so happy. Truly a wonderful gift.
Ah, how pitiful my past self was—never knowing the joy of receiving!
“Will you wear it again? Just once?”
Still floating in bliss, I looked up as Noah gently nudged the flower crown toward me.
Instead of replying, I simply put it back on and wrapped him in a big, warm hug.
His warmth spread through my chest like a soft glow.
Somehow, the lingering scent of Eastern faded completely away, vanishing from around my nose.
Ahh… I’m happy.
A clear sky. Bright sun.
The cool shade of trees.
A perfect day that embodied the essence of summer.
Some people might go on a picnic in this weather, or retreat under a tree to sip something cold.
For them, summer would be best described with one word: refreshing.
Of course, that only applies to people in novels or comics.
As for me, a character now living in one of those stories…
“Cough!”
I was suffering from a summer cold—yes, the kind people say not even dogs get.
“……”
With a pounding headache and stifling heat, I groaned and kicked off the blankets—only for Annie to tuck me right back in.
“Honestly, you’re such a fragile lady…”
She sighed softly as she laid her hand gently on my forehead.
“You did take the medicine the physician gave, right?”
“…Sort of?”
“You need to take the full dose.”
Clearly exasperated, Annie hurriedly picked up the remaining medicine and helped me drink it.
“Next time, don’t overexert yourself.”
Overexert myself? That was for Noah’s sword practice, thank you very much…
“Ugh…”
My head throbbed, and I gave up trying to think anymore.
Yeah, I guess I had been pushing myself lately.
Between managing the estate’s budget and preparing for my future role as head of the house, I’d pulled more all-nighters than I could count.
Apparently, Rosenette’s body couldn’t take it.
She had never been the most physically robust person to begin with.
If I had known that walking a bit more than usual would knock me out with a cold, I would’ve started sword or spear training like the other noble daughters…
“Feeling hot? I’ll bring a cooling stone to lower the room temperature.”
“And an ice pack…”
“I’ll get that too.”
Annie smiled softly and left the room.
I decided to try getting a little sleep to ease my throbbing head.
I swear, I will build my stamina. I’m starting exercise tomorrow!
At some point, I must have drifted off.
When I opened my eyes again, the blazing sun had disappeared, and the sky had taken on a dusky hue.
It must be early evening.
“Cough.”
I let out a small cough and sat up, wincing as my head still throbbed faintly.
And then—
Warmth, contrasting with the cool evening air, brushed against my fingertips.
“……!”
Startled, I instinctively looked toward the source.
Sure enough, Noah was asleep with his face resting on the edge of my bed.
Wait—why is he sleeping like this?
“Noah, Noah.”
I gently tapped his shoulder and whispered his name. He furrowed his brow and slowly opened his eyes.
And then those bright crimson eyes met mine.
“Noona!”
His eyes crinkled into crescents as he smiled in that signature cute way of his.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. But… why are you here like this?”
“Well…”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he grinned brightly and said,
“You didn’t come to me, so I came to you!”
Oof.
That hit me right in the heart. I had to bite my tongue to stay composed.
But Noah didn’t stop. He kept chatting away with all the tiny, charming details of his day.
What he ate for breakfast.
What tart he had for a snack.
How many storybooks he read.
Truly a lively day in the life of a growing child.
“You’ve had a busy day.”
“Yup! Especially today—oh!”
“Hm?”
Noah clapped his hands and added:
“Oh! I also did sword training today!”
…What?
My rising spirits crashed to the ground in an instant.
No way! Did he just say sword training?
I missed it? I missed Noah’s very first sword practice?
“……”
Unbelievable. I could cry. Why is Rosenette’s body so delicate?
I wanted to see the moment he first held a wooden sword, all clumsy and awkward…
It’s a historic day—Noah wielded a sword for the first time!
I slumped in disappointment, imagining the scene I missed.
I really blew it…
I have to start working out. I’m serious this time!
What’s good for building stamina again? Spinach? Was it spinach?
No—first, I need muscle. Maybe I’ll start with push-ups…
Just as I was mentally drafting my training regimen—
“Today, I learned something for the first time.”
Noah’s soft voice drifted into my ear.
Learned… what?
I tilted my head silently, and Noah continued with a bright smile:
“That Noona is weak!”
What?
“Of course, you’re still much, much stronger than me!”
Gasp.
I froze, unsure of how to respond.
How is one supposed to react when their little brother calls them weak?
Should I scold him?
Laugh it off?
Or maybe start doing push-ups right here and now…
I ran through countless responses but quickly realized—there was no “right” answer to this situation.
I sighed in quiet defeat.
I had always wanted to appear perfect to Noah… and now, thanks to a silly summer cold…
There goes my “cool big sister” image.
Just as another wave of minor despair made me lower my head—
“That’s why… That’s why…”
Noah covered his mouth with his tiny hand and stepped closer.
Then whispered:
“That’s why I’ll protect you.”
Thump.
My heart started beating in a gentle rhythm.
“I’ll become a knight soon and protect you, Noona.”
Once for the sweetness.
“I won’t miss a single day of training!”
Twice for the earnestness.
Finally, Noah cupped my cheeks in his small hands and said with a dazzling smile:
“So don’t get sick again, okay?”
Thump, thump.
His precious kindness made my chest feel warm and fuzzy.
Wait—did he just say he’ll protect me?
Like something he’d say to Honey… but to me?
And then—
“Ahaha!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, caught up in the warmth of the moment.
To think he would whisper such sweet words just because I was sick.
What an adorable little mind he has. My goodness.
“I’ll look forward to it then.”
I reached out and ruffled Noah’s hair.
“So, my future magic swordsman is going to protect his big sister?”
How could I not be overjoyed by such a confident promise?
Ahh… if only every day could be like this.
Someday, Noah would surely make Honey his number one and leave my side—but just for that night, I felt like I was his top priority.
Despite spending the day weak and sick with a summer cold…
That night, I fell into a warm, peaceful sleep with Noah’s promise wrapped gently around my heart.
It was, in its own way, a lovely day.
