The familiar voice swept her mind and echoed in her ears the entire journey, not completely forgotten. Was it because of a lingering regret?
âIâm sorry my mom hasnât done so much for Noah so far.â
It upset her. Noah had tried to bury the echoes of her motherâs bitter voice, but to no avail. After a moment of silence, Noah mustered enough courage, albeit hesitant, and asked Kyle. âSir, can you hold me?â
âNo.â His answer came almost immediately, but Noah refused to surrender. âCanât you hug me, then?â
âOf course not. Not even that.â This time, Kyle even took a step away from her as if his words were not enough refusal. Noah glared at him sulkily. âMuell hugs me very wellâ¦â
âAm I the same as Muell, Noah?â
âWhy donât you think so?â
âShould I teach you about the physical and mental differences between an adult man and a three-year-old child?â Kyle replied with his usual reprimanding tone, but avoided Noahâs stare. Irked, Noah thrust her face to where his gaze was directed, but Kyle was adamant. âThereâs no reason to give you a hug. Youâre not sick. And itâs not good for others to see.â
As Noah scowled at him in silence, Kyle began to utter more and more ridiculous excuses. Itâs not good for others to see? So until now, did you go around with Eleonora because it looked good? âSir, why are you suddenly acting married?â
âThis is exactly what it is. So far, itâs never been so bad.â Kyleâs tone was unyielding. Then, he turned his back coldly against her. âIf you donât come, Iâll go first.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âLetâs go together.â Reluctant, Noah began to follow him. I donât think he hates me at all, but he doesnât 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 donât look very goodâ¦
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.
âAm I not pleasing to look at?â
âMiss Noah?â Kyle, who walked forward without even sparing a glimpse behind him, turned as soon as he noticed Noah had stopped following him. âWhat are you doing?â
âBut Iâve received a lot of confessions myself.â Noah muttered to herself.
âWhat did you get?â asked Kyle.
âNo, it didnât mean much.â
âIt sounds very meaningful.â Kyleâs tone instantly sharpened. Noah asked again with little hope.
âSir, are you really not going to hug me?â
Kyle hesitated for a split second, but eventually wielded his iron wall again. âNo, Iâm not going to hug you.â
Instantly, Noahâs gaze dropped to the ground, sullen. âDo you really hate me? Okay⦠I wonât hit you anymore. I wonât even call you a butler⦠Letâs go.â
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 Kyleâs. She murmured softly, âSir, you look a little bit of a bouncer.â
âYou keep your mouth shut when youâre given a hug.â
âYou do, really.â
âDonât talk nonsense, and tell me why youâre scurrying like a dead weed.â