In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 10

EPISODE 10

She thought it was a fairly reasonable suggestion, but unexpectedly, Noah’s expression darkened.

“Ah, that might be difficult. Due to certain circumstances, I can’t stay out overnight.”

“What? Really?”

To think there was such a restriction on a grown adult? Noah offered an apology instead of an excuse in response to the questioning look.

“Yes, I apologize for turning down your kind offer. But I can still go out during the day.”

He added a bit more explanation.

“It’s just that I have a meeting with a client in two days, and I don’t know what kind of work I’ll be assigned. Until the problem is resolved, I think I’ll have to decline any tasks that would require me to go out of town.”

“Like the mural work requested by the temple?”

“Yes. The larger the work, the longer it takes. That one mural alone took well over a year. Fortunately, it wasn’t a ceiling painting, and the request came from the temple.”

“Oh, really? Is there a specific reason?”

“They lent me a magical tool that allows floating in the air. It was great to be able to paint steadily without a ladder.”

Noah remarked how convenient magic was, realizing anew its benefits, while Cordelia pondered and quickly proposed an idea.

“Hmm… Then how about I give you an excuse to go out?”

“Pardon?”

“If I commission you to paint a picture? Like my portrait.”

“A… portrait?”

Seeing Noah hesitate, Cordelia quickly waved her hand.

“Of course, I’ll pay you properly. As I said, I have plenty of money, so I can match whatever you want. I’m not trying to exploit you using my status or anything like that!”

Many nobles exploited those of lower status without paying them. Seeing Cordelia hastily adding this, fearing she might come off as such a vile person, Noah silently watched her and then covered his mouth, letting out a low laugh.

His refreshing laugh filled the room, and the man who had only shown a troubled face now had a smile that boasted an unexpectedly powerful charm. As Cordelia stared at him, mesmerized, Noah shook his head, as if to reassure her.

“No, I don’t think that way. I don’t particularly need money, and I’d be happy to draw for you if you wish.”

“…”

“Cordelia?”

“Oh, uh? But still, take it! I feel uneasy otherwise!”

Cordelia’s flustered response came as her hands pressed against her thumping heart. She stared intently at Noah’s puzzled face. As she suspected, handsome people looked like paintings even when they smiled. Why even bother painting? His face was already a masterpiece of the century.

But more importantly…

“Hiding such a face is almost a crime, isn’t it?”

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“No, nothing.”

“Just leave her alone. It’s been a long time since she’s seen someone as handsome as you.”

“What?”

“Lyneth!”

Cordelia, who had been dazed, hurriedly tried to cover her mouth, but it was too late, and Lyneth’s annoying lips had already uttered the words. A moment later, as Noah understood the meaning of those words, a red flush crept up his neck. Cordelia, in a moment of resignation, decided to drop her pretense.

“Well, I mean, it’s only natural to feel good when you see something beautiful and handsome. Don’t you think so, Noah?”

Given the situation, she decided to just be bold. Cordelia tilted her chin up and demanded an answer, and Noah, who had been looking around nervously, quietly scratched his cheek and agreed.

“Yes, that’s true. When I look at something beautiful, I feel like picking up a brush.”

“See?!”

See, she’s not the strange one. Lyneth, who had been silently watching Cordelia’s enthusiastic efforts to win over Noah, finally spoke up.

“So, have you decided to give up on your elegant lady image?”

“Hah.”

“Oh, if you’re worried about me, don’t be. I won’t tell anyone.”

No, she meant has she given up trying to impress him. They looked at the slightly clueless but perfectly sculpted face of the handsome man with a peculiar gaze.

“Anyway, I’m glad you like my face.”

“Why?”

When she asked with a slight hint of hope, Noah answered with a gentle smile.

“I feel sorry for dragging you into this mess, so at least it’s better if you like my face.”

Is he a saint? It wasn’t the answer she was hoping for, but it was such a statement that nothing else came to mind. Cordelia, unable to believe it, rubbed her eyes slightly, but the handsome man was still standing there.

To have such a face and a good personality, it seemed that God was indeed unfair. The faces of men she had met, who were said to ‘live up to their looks,’ flashed through her mind like a panorama and then faded away.

“Well, ahem. I just… I particularly like beautiful things. So I might act frivolous sometimes.”

“It’s more than just sometimes—umph.”

“It’s rather endearing… Ah, no. It’s really fine. Please, feel free.”

Having finally managed to seal Lyneth’s teasing lips, Cordelia turned to Noah. She gave him a bright smile, the kind you see in high society, and Noah blinked quietly before shyly averting his gaze.

With a wave of Lyneth’s hand, the scattered chairs, tables, and items in the room floated into the air. The carpet was laid down, and the chairs and tables settled neatly on it, while the fallen items returned to their places.

“Wouldn’t it have been nice if you’d done this earlier?”

“I was worried I’d run out of magic power.”

“Alright, fine.”

They sat in the reception room, which had been quickly restored to its original state, and discussed the upcoming events. As Lyneth mentioned, the magic hadn’t worn off yet, so they needed to keep monitoring the situation for a while.

After wrapping up their talk about each other’s personalities, speech, and behavior, Cordelia lightly crossed her arms as they began to mention their schedules.

With a proud look on her face, Cordelia puckered her lips in a pout. It was both awkward and cute.

“By the way, I heard the Great Demon King will be back at the mansion in a few days.”

“The Great Demon King?”

“Yeah. Somehow, we’re tied by blood, but it’s a bit of a bad relationship.”

“The Duke of Weichen would be hurt to hear you say that.”

“Oh, that old man? He’d probably just scold me twice as much.”

Cordelia waved her hand dismissively as she continued.

“Anyway, there’s a high chance he’ll be really annoying. If he starts saying nonsense while you’re in my body or something, just ignore him.”

“Um, okay.”

“No matter what he says, the answer is always ‘no.’ Got it?”

Noah nodded eagerly at Cordelia’s repeated request. He answered several times before they finally moved on from the topic.

***

A commotion arose in the Weichen Duchy as the sun set late in the day. A carriage passed through the iron gates, and a brown-haired man in a stylish outfit stepped out of the carriage.

Walking with a dignified stride, he entered the open front door, greeted by rows of butlers and servants.

“Welcome back, Duke Weichen.”

“It’s been a while, Sebastian.”

Frederick Weichen, the master of the duchy, replied with an impassive face. Contrary to his neat and gentle appearance, his personality was cold and pragmatic—a “noble” demeanor. He was also Cordelia’s biggest adversary.

“Didn’t you say you’d arrive the day after tomorrow?”

“I came up early to take care of other matters as well. So, where is Cordelia?”

“The Lady is currently out.”

“Good timing.”

Following Frederick’s gesture, two servants carried in two wooden boxes. When they opened the lids, the contents were revealed.

They were portraits, but only of a man’s face. Below the shoulder, a small name was inscribed.

Receiving curious looks from the servants, Frederick gestured to them.

“Take these to Cordelia’s room. Tell her to review them all by tomorrow evening when she returns.”

“Your Grace, are these all portraits?”

“Yes.”

“There seem to be quite a few.”

“There had to be. I’ve promised a whole marquisate as a dowry.”

The servants, including the butler, doubted their eyes and ears. A marquisate?

Ignoring their astonished looks, Frederick collapsed onto a sofa in the living room, resting his head on the soft leather. The butler cautiously offered advice.

“But, Your Grace, Lady Cordelia is sure to resist.”

“She’s always resisted. That’s nothing new.”

Frederick, lightly clasping his hands together, let out a quiet sigh.

“That kind of rebellion only worked when she was younger. She’s almost thirty now. We can’t let her continue living like a wild horse forever.”

What he said made sense, but the problem was that it applied to Cordelia. Cheerful and bright but with a firm sense of self, the youngest daughter of the Weichen Duchy had been known for her independence from a very young age.

“It’s a good thing she has the Weichen name and a good-looking face, or it would have been too late already. One headstrong child in the family is enough with Calia.”

Frederick cared for his youngest sister in his own way, but he was strict about keeping personal and professional matters separate. Knowing well the social treatment of unmarried women, he had no intention of letting Cordelia follow in the footsteps of her eldest sister, Calia.

“Does Lord Isaac know about this?”

The butler cautiously mentioned the name of Frederick’s father, the former duke.

“No. Father spoils her too much. That’s why I have to take charge.”

Seeing the unwavering stubbornness in Frederick’s eyes, everyone present instinctively knew that a war was about to begin.