EPISODE 26

The voice was heard by the man standing close by, though others might not have noticed. His previously smug expression turned to one of surprise and then shock.

“Wait a minute. There’s only one person I know who would call me like that.”

“Please help, Lady Cordelia might be in danger.”

Instead of explaining further, Noah urgently added, and the man, no longer asking questions, made Noah step back. Drawing his sword and raising his voice, he declared confidently.

“Well, do you want to see more blood?”

The man who seemed to be the leader stopped those who were about to step forward. With a hand covered in blood, he had pulled out a dagger and clenched his teeth.

“No, we’ll retreat for now.”

There were too many eyes watching, and he had received orders to ensure the safety of his subordinates if necessary. As the guards, who seemed to be escorting them, began to join them from behind, the leader spoke.

“Lady, if you need to find us, come to Dios Apateros in the center of Rite.”

Leaving behind those cryptic words, he retreated with his subordinates, covering his injured hand. Only then did Noah turn to face the man, Tyrain, and hold his breath. Despite the friendly smile, his gaze was sharp, as if piercing through Noah’s soul.

“By the way, where’s the rest of the group?”

“They went over there!”

Recalling the situation he had forgotten, Noah quickly moved forward to find Cordelia. However, after taking a few steps, he stopped upon seeing a figure approaching from afar.

“Oh, Noah?”

Cordelia, looking like Noah, was strolling over. She had a sullen expression, like someone who had been caught by their mother after trying to come up with excuses before getting scolded. She halted in her tracks.

“Sorry, I was too stubborn. It’s alright……”

Before she could finish her words, Noah ran into Cordelia’s embrace and hugged her tightly. Startled by the unexpected hug, Cordelia’s body stiffened. It was understandable, as Noah had never embraced her in this manner before.

“Well……”

Is he not angry? Cordelia, who was about to ask this, kept quiet, noticing Noah’s face and looking up at her. Ah, she shouldn’t ruin the mood now!

“You’re alright, right? You’re not hurt anywhere?”

Seeing the concerned look in Noah’s eyes, Cordelia felt the cold feelings she had earlier melt away.

Look at this, he really cares about her.

“Yeah. Oh, you were worried? I guess they intended to take me hostage and call you… no, they were planning to call me. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine. But please don’t do this again next time.”

“Ugh. Alright……”

Cordelia had no choice but to lower her head to Noah’s resolute tone. Even though it was her own body, she was scolded, so she couldn’t say much about using someone else’s body like this. She slightly envied the calm demeanor of her sisters today.

Of course, Noah wasn’t angry because Cordelia was in his body, but there was no way the person in question would have known that fact.

“A tearful reunion, isn’t it?”

Amid the contrasting emotions, a round of applause was heard from behind Noah. Tyrain, who had briefly greeted the guards, strode over to them.

“I guess I should have caught at least one of them. From the accent, they seemed like they were from a foreign country. It would have made quite a diplomatic incident.”

Realizing Tyrain had joined in, Cordelia’s mind momentarily stopped. Then, her eyes widened in shock.

“No, why are you here!”

Tyrain May.

The king’s closest aide and the highest-profile scandalous figure in society.

What a scandalous person! If there were a competition for such things, he’d win hands down. Although Cordelia, who generally had a good relationship with her family, couldn’t understand his actions, it didn’t matter because he wasn’t someone directly related to her.

Or at least, he wasn’t before.

“What, haven’t you heard the story?”

Seeing the man scratching his cheek, Cordelia was too flabbergasted to respond. She quickly checked Noah’s reaction, but he seemed to be his usual self.

Then, realizing her position, Cordelia awkwardly released the hug and stepped back, which was rather endearing, making her want to hug him again.

But that wasn’t the issue right now. Cordelia pressed her throbbing temples and spoke.

“What story……. Could it be, the aide they were supposed to send to us?”

“That would be me.”

“Why, of all people, did it have to be you? You are……”

The one who ruined Noah’s family!

His former name was Tyrain Borderoa. The eldest grandson of Marquis Borderoa’s family who had kicked out the heir and become a close aide to the then crown prince, causing the Marquis to be dealt with harshly. Moreover, he was the despicable person who handed his own family over to the king.

Seeing someone who made a decisive contribution to the fall of the Marquis Borderoa’s family, Cordelia’s voice became sharp. Although he was one of the top loyalists with great achievements for the royal family, in high society, there was almost a forest of gossip about him.

Tyrain shrugged as if he was used to it.

“It’s my role to protect Ian.”

“Protecting, you say!”

Seeing Cordelia pointing her finger at him without hesitation, Tyrain lowered his eyes like a drenched puppy.

“Oh dear. I know the Lady’s temper is not ordinary, but seeing you make that face with Ian’s face, I can’t help but be heartbroken. Couldn’t you tone down the finger-pointing a bit?”

Despite his pitying tone, his smirking lips made Cordelia grab him by the collar. She then glared at him with all her might and growled.

“Are you looking for a fight?”

“Certainly not. That’s Ian’s body, isn’t it?”

Does he mean he has the intention to fight with her? Does this person even know what chivalry is?

The whispered voice was so absurd that Cordelia’s grip loosened. Taking advantage of the moment, Tyrain gently pushed Cordelia aside and turned his attention to the flustered Noah.

“I’ve heard from His Majesty the King. If you need anything, please let me know.”

Unlike Cordelia, who was left speechless by this, Tyrain kneeled and looked up at Noah in a dignified manner. Cordelia couldn’t believe the preferential treatment.

What is this discrimination?

“Well… please get up, for now.”

“Yes.”

Slowly rising, Tyrain alternated his gaze between Noah and Cordelia, observing them as if they were some odd sight. With so many eyes on them, it was impossible to continue the conversation. They quickly returned to the inn where they had reserved a room.

After Noah locked the door to the room they were to stay in, the three of them finally took stock of each other. Cordelia, slumped in a chair, Noah sitting on the bed, and Tyrain leaning against the door, like a guard.

The first to speak was Noah, the owner of the room.

“Didn’t you hear that our bodies have switched?”

“Isn’t His Majesty known for being tight-lipped? He said I’d figure it out when I see it… but I never imagined something so absurd would happen.”

Tyrain sighed deeply, glancing back and forth between the two. The lack of a smile on his face oddly resembled Ian’s, with features like clear, wide eyes and a healthy complexion.

“For now, since Lady Cordelia is the head of this group, please follow her orders rather than mine.”

“That was my intention anyway. It’s hard not to tease someone as amusing as you, Lady… even if I don’t mean to…”

In the small room, Tyrain’s murmured voice was easily heard. Cordelia was incredulous.

So, that’s why he kept teasing her at every party. It’s unfair that someone like him, who is already married, is still so popular. The world isn’t fair.

Even knowing she was being dragged into it, Cordelia couldn’t help but shout.

“Why can’t you take anything seriously even after getting older?!”

What a two-faced person!

Tyrain, who was also a two-faced individual, pretended to be pitiful as if he was deeply wronged.

“Lady, it seems like you still react with your fists before speaking, doesn’t it?”

He didn’t back down at all. Facing Cordelia’s glaring eyes, he responded shamelessly. Cordelia narrowed her eyes in irritation.

“So, are you dissatisfied?”

“Of course not. It’s better to have someone lively like you, who jumps around like a freshly caught fish, than a wooden block with no reaction.”

Is this a compliment or an insult?

“Uncle is just playful. Please understand. Despite this, he is quite capable…”

Noah intervened to diffuse the situation, and only then did Tyrain nod with apparent satisfaction.

“Alright, alright. So, what do you need?”

Cordelia, who had been glaring at Tyrain as if he was playing around, finally blurted out, looking dissatisfied.

“We’re looking for a foreign wizard who can handle this situation. Secretly, without the temple’s knowledge. And they need to join Lyneth Sandria in the temple district in three days without anyone knowing. Can you manage that?”

“For something like that, it’s faster to request through a guild. It might be a bit risky, but the <Soleil> or <Aurote> guilds should be able to arrange it. Normally, it’s hard to find someone if they’re not involved, but with some urgency, we might be able to meet today.”

Tyrain spoke smoothly as if he had already prepared for it, his eyes curving into a round shape.

“If it’s about the inspection team, they’ll likely be wandering around the charity houses. You can approach them when they appear there. Even if you narrow it down to the larger charity houses run by the temple, you’ll get a rough estimate.”

He naturally switched to a respectful tone and flashed a smile at Cordelia. Although it was a pity there was no way to pick a flaw, Cordelia replied coolly.

“Why do you know so much?”

“Working under someone like His Majesty the King, you learn to handle this kind of thing as a basic skill.”

Is this for real, or is he joking?

His face, with a distant look in his eyes, seemed to reveal the hardships he had endured. Indeed, he was known as one of the most frequently dispatched among the king’s close aides, in stark contrast to Irence Vins, who spent more time in the treasury than at home.

“Isn’t that rather disrespectful to His Majesty?”

“That’s nothing compared to what’s considered disrespectful in his presence.”

“Seems like you’ve grown a thick skin.”

“You haven’t seen someone who’s truly thick-skinned.”

Seeing the man shake his head, Cordelia was left incredulous. Her sister had once mentioned in passing that everyone working under the king was a weirdo, and it seemed she wasn’t kidding.

“Anyway, I’ll go find that recommended person.”

“What? I’ll go with you.”