EPISODE 17

“No… I was just wondering when my sister would arrive.”

“Jerania? I wonder why it’s taking so long. Did Aira and Zenith get into some kind of trouble?”

Calia’s gaze fell on the box that Noah was holding tightly. As soon as she saw the box with its delicate patterns embossed, Calia broke into a gentle smile.

“Is that a gift for Jerania? You could just send it with a servant, and she’d receive it well enough.”

“But it feels nicer to receive it personally.”

“That’s true.”

Unlike Noah, who was nervously worried about being caught, Calia was completely at ease. Her voice, which had been sharp when she was scolding people earlier, now carried a warmth that hinted at her affection for Cordelia.

“I heard you fought with Rick.”

“From whom?”

“Rick, of course. I just ran into him. It’s easy to talk about, but he supposedly asked you to marry?”

“Yes. Did he ask that of you too?”

“At first. I think he’s pretty much given up on it. For one thing, you haven’t even inherited a fortune yet, so he’s thinking you’re easier than I am, and he’d never think of it if he knew the novel inheritance you’ve accumulated.”

“Ah… I see.”

Noah’s eyes widened at this unexpected information. Calia seemed to interpret her surprised expression as irritation and patted Cordelia’s shoulder encouragingly.

“Anyway, I’ll talk to Rick about it. By the way, where are you staying?”

“That is…”

As Noah was about to speak, there was a commotion outside. Seeing a group of people through the door, Calia stood up.

“It looks like the guest of honor has arrived. Let’s go.”

Noah stared blankly at Calia’s extended hand before cautiously taking it and standing up. It was only then that Calia noticed the navy gloves Noah was wearing and asked in surprise.

“Why are you wearing gloves? Oh, I suppose you don’t need to wear rings anymore, so that makes sense.”

“…Where on earth do you hear these things?”

“Just know what you need to. You’re in my palm.”

Calia said playfully, gently pushing Noah’s forehead with her finger. Noah followed Calia, who turned and led the way, taking slow steps.

The hand holding the wooden box trembled with anxiety.

***

“Is he in the banquet hall?”

Dressed in attire suitable for a servant, Cordelia blended in with the bustling attendants. Inside the pocket tied to her waist was a box identical to the one Noah had.

‘Oh my, oh my. I gave him the wrong one!’

About an hour earlier, Cordelia had gasped in shock upon checking the box in her room.

The gift meant for Jerania was a beautiful bracelet made with emeralds, which she had ordered from a favorite artisan months ago. However, she had also ordered another bracelet made with sapphires at the same time, and the boxes for the two pieces of jewelry were similar in appearance. It was only after sending the carriage that she realized the mistake.

However, it was impossible to just consider that as a gift. It was intentionally prepared as a pair for the King and Queen to share. After preparing such a meaningful gift, what a misfortune to have this happen!

Cordelia, who had been pacing the room for a while, soon concluded and looked into the mirror. Her straight bangs covered her eyes, making it hard to see her face. Clues began to surface in her mind one by one.

Having an item to prove her identity made entering the palace easy. When Noah had his head down, he looked quite ordinary.

So, if she could somehow meet Noah and just switch the gift, she could go back.

Once a decision was made, the action was natural. Waiting idly seemed quite boring, so it was a good opportunity.

The palace, which she hadn’t visited for a while, was still vast. It was large and crowded. Though Noah was quite large and didn’t get jostled around, the restricted view was more uncomfortable than she had expected.

Did Noah have to endure such discomfort every time?

When she returned this time, she would suggest cutting his bangs. It didn’t seem very good for his vision.

Yes, it was all for health. It wasn’t that she was unhappy about his handsome face being covered!

As she discreetly looked around, Cordelia slipped between the buildings nearby. Walking this way would lead directly to the garden.

The weather was very nice, and her steps were light. Feeling good, she was about to hum a tune without realizing it when she heard a sharp voice.

“Put that down!”

The agitated voice rang in her ears. Cordelia involuntarily turned towards the sound.

***

As Calia had predicted, King Franz and Queen Jerania stood at the center of the banquet hall. With his tall stature, golden hair that seemed to melt into the sunlight, bright blue eyes reminiscent of the autumn sky, and distinct facial features, King Franz, praised as the most handsome man in the kingdom since his days as a prince shone even more with age.

Next to him stood the day’s guest of honor, Queen Jerania, with her brown hair. Compared to the splendor of King Franz, she might have seemed plain, but Jerania Linaen was a neatly beautiful woman. Her intelligent green eyes recognized Calia and Noah as they approached.

“Welcome.”

With a soft and kind voice, Jerania greeted the two. At her gesture, the people standing around them stepped back slightly. They stopped at a distance where their conversation could barely be heard if they lowered their voices.

Instead of her husband, who stood with a stiff face, Jerania responded playfully.

“I wonder why it’s so hard to see you lately.”

“It just turned out that way.”

Although she knew she should observe formalities, Calia responded easily to Jerania’s casual remarks. Jerania gestured for Noah, who was standing blankly behind Calia, to come closer. As they got close enough for whispers, Jerania firmly grasped Noah’s hand.

“Why are you so awkward? Are you feeling unwell?”

At the gentle, whispered voice, Noah stiffened even more. Unable to even glance at the King, he muttered and quickly handed over the box he had been holding.

“This! A gift!”

“Are you giving it personally again this year? Thank you.”

As Jerania accepted the wooden box with a calm smile, Noah hastily added.

“Open it later. I’m sure you’ll like it… No, you will like it.”

Jerania’s eyes, looking at Noah’s disjointed speech, were filled with curiosity. But before she could say anything, something heavy clung to Noah’s leg.

When Noah looked down, he saw neatly dressed little children holding onto the hem of their dresses and looking up at him.

“Cordy!”

“It’s Cordy! Cordy’s here!”

The platinum-haired boy, Zenith, who looked just like his father, and the girl, Aira, with golden-tinted red hair, looked up at Noah with grins.

Noah’s eyes briefly flickered with surprise as he looked at the children. Hesitant about how to act, he remembered Cordelia’s advice and reached out to the children. After a brief formal greeting, he patted their heads and spoke softly.

“It’s been a while, kids! How have you been?”

“I’ve been good!”

“I’ve been good too.”

Bright and cheerful Aira and calm and mature Zenith were siblings with quite different personalities, but they liked Cordelia.

This was largely because Cordelia was the only relative who would play with them. Even when considering their father, the King, there were no other royal family members in the palace.

This was because King Franz had expelled all the royal family members immediately upon his ascension to the throne eight years ago. Having become king after the tumultuous times when the royal family members, who were over thirty, disrupted the palace with power struggles, he was notably merciless. The fact that there were also rebellions at that time made his actions even more ruthless.

So, the only remaining family was from the mother’s side, the Weichen family, but neither the composed Calia nor Frederick could react and play with the children as much as they wanted. It was natural that the lively and cheerful Cordelia would monopolize the children’s attention.

Of course, Cordelia also liked her niece and nephew very much, so it was a mutual affection.

As Noah looked at the children, she reached out and picked up Aira, knowing she liked being held.

At over five years old, Aira felt quite heavy. Maybe it was because of Cordelia’s body that it felt that way.

“Eek!”

Zenith watched as Aira clung to Noah, his eyes wide. Noah smiled and extended his hand.

“I’m a bit too weak to hold both of you right now, so could I hold Zenith’s hand?”

“Sure.”

Despite his aloof reply, Zenith tightly grasped Noah’s hand, making him smile. After setting Aira down, Noah looked at Jerania.

“Sister, happy birthday.”

When Cordelia said what she had asked for, Jerania looked puzzled but smiled at her.

“Thank you for the birthday wishes every year. I’m happy to see you again this year.”

“I’m happy too! Really happy.”

Jerania’s green eyes, looking at Noah’s earnest expression, were filled with curiosity.

“Cordy, is something wrong?”

“Huh?”

“You seem a bit nervous. Is there something more you want to say?”

At the sharp observation, cold sweat trickled down Noah’s back, though his expression remained calm.

“Oh, I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m a bit tired.”

“You didn’t sleep? What happened…?”

Jerania and Calia looked at Noah with expressions as if asking what kind of disaster could have caused such a thing, making Noah once again admire Cordelia’s positive personality.

“Yes, so I’m planning to leave a bit early.”

“Okay.”

“Well, I guess you have those days too.”

At this point, one would expect a response like ‘What’s wrong with that!’ but Cordelia showed no particular reaction. The two sisters exchanged silent glances.

‘Is she hiding something?’

‘Sister, talk to her later.’

Just as Calia was about to say something, Noah, with a determined expression, preempted her.

“Sister.”

“What?”

“I’m hungry.”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to get something to eat, so I’ll be going now.”

With a serious face, Noah made a seemingly irrelevant statement and quickly left. This was one of the secret cards Cordelia had advised him to use in a hurry.

Though it seemed strange to make such an excuse, the people with understanding looks made him a bit amused. How free-spirited must she be for such excuses to work?

Thinking this made Noah smile involuntarily. Perhaps finding even this aspect attractive was a bit crazy. Noah bit his lips to hide his escaping smile.

Stepping out into the garden, where the bright sunlight poured over him, Noah blended in with the nobles present. He contemplated his next move.

He had delivered the gift, so it would be fine to leave now. It would be awkward to run into Duke Weichen, so where should he go…

As he walked, someone grabbed Noah’s shoulder. Noah turned around with a puzzled expression.