In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 105

EPISODE 105

A lively voice broke the flow of their conversation. Curious, they glanced over and saw that the previously closed door was now open.

A woman stood in front of it, dressed in dark gray. She had a slightly plump figure, large eyes, curly red hair, and a few freckles on her nose. Her face was ordinary yet somehow captivating. Her bright, clear voice seemed to reflect her personality.

“……Huh?”

A stunned voice broke the silence. While the argument was ongoing, Noah had been quietly observing, and now he muttered, unable to hide his confusion.

“Uh, the statue?”

A small dimple appeared on the woman’s face as she spoke softly. Her gentle voice followed.

“Are you a guest?”

The casual question left everyone momentarily speechless. The woman noticed Cordelia standing beside her and smiled.

“Lady Cordelia, you’ve come in early.”

“I just looked around the city a bit. Ah, this is indeed my guest.”

“I see. Since we have a guest, I should ask the kitchen to prepare more food.”

“Pamela!”

“Why are you shouting, Duke?”

Fredrick just gaped at his wife, who was tilting her head in confusion. Pamela, who had walked gracefully towards him, locked eyes with Fredrick. Her smiling face seemed impenetrable as if no words could affect her.

“……Do as you please!”

As usual, Fredrick, unable to overcome his wife, clicked his tongue and stormed out with his clothes flapping, revealing his discomfort. Pamela tilted her head and watched his retreating figure.

“Why is he so upset again?”

It was amusing how genuinely clueless she seemed. Cordelia, thinking they were a perfect match, cleared her throat lightly to redirect attention.

“Uh, this is Noah Epherman. As I mentioned, he’s my guest. Noah, this is Pamela Weichen. She is the Duchess of Weichen and the lady of this castle.”

“Hello, I am Noah Epherman.”

Noah bowed his head with a bewildered expression while eyeing the woman in front of him.

The Duchess of Weichen, huh? He thought her attire was particularly elegant, and it turns out her status was not ordinary at all.

“I’m just Pamela. Duchess sounds too formal, so please just call me Pamela.”

Usually, when a noble says something like that, it sounds like a formality, but coming from her, it feels oddly sincere.

Noah’s expression became serious as he observed the woman, who oddly resembled a squirrel, closely.

“Did my father leave?”

Linda peeked her head through the open door. It seemed that an unexpected ally was her niece. Cordelia had to restrain the impulse to ruffle her niece’s hair.

“Looks like we’re only now introducing ourselves. The statue you bought is well-preserved. My son liked it a lot.”

Noah, flustered, hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

“Oh, no. I should be the one thanking you. Wait, how did you know?”

The mention of the statue didn’t seem like a memorable moment.

“Even if I don’t recognize your face, there aren’t many people with your build. That item is displayed in the salon, the reception room we use.”

“Displayed? Oh, wait. Were you the merchant from that time?!”

Linda’s eyes widened as she finally grasped the situation. Noah, too, scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Yeah, I thought I’d seen your face somewhere before.”

“Huh? What’s this about?”

“When we visited Roychel’s castle, I actually came to Devron briefly…”

Noah briefly explained to the bewildered Cordelia what had happened between them: he had met a young man in trouble, helped him by carving a wooden statue, and ended up selling the statue to the woman and her daughter standing before him.

“Wait, so that’s why you were so busy?”

“Yes. It turned out to be more labor-intensive than I expected.”

“You could have just asked me for help… No, I suppose you wouldn’t do that given your personality.”

Cordelia, who often grumbled about Noah’s excessive independence, lightly pinched his cheek.

“You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you? Wanting to help someone unrelated?”

“When I heard he had a sick mother, I couldn’t help it… It was just personal satisfaction, really. It wasn’t a big deal.”

Noah took Cordelia’s behavior in stride. Pamela, who alternated her gaze between Cordelia’s concerned expression and Noah, who was slightly bending his waist to accommodate her, cheerfully asked.

“By any chance, are you and Lady Cordelia close?”

“Hmm?”

“Yes! It’s a secret, though.”

Despite it being a secret, it seemed like more people were finding out. Noah inwardly questioned this as he reflexively put his arm around Cordelia’s shoulder, ignoring the feeling that he, too, was getting caught up in the situation.

“First, why don’t you rest, Mr. Epherman? The Duke seems to have just returned, so he should be in his room until dinner.”

“Oh, feel free to call me Noah.”

“Oh, I can’t do that. Since you’re close to Lady Cordelia.”

“Give up, Noah. Pamela will do whatever she wants, no matter what.”

Even after hearing that, Pamela merely smiled, showing no signs of concern. Cordelia shook her head.

She seemed calm and lively on the surface but had a unique set of standards. Her sensitivity and thick skin, unshaken by even the most direct insults, were remarkable.

Ironically, while Rick was irritated by Pamela’s traits, he disliked anyone who questioned them.

“Make sure Noah’s room is close to mine. I’ll handle our meals. If Rick and I cross paths now, dinner might turn sour. It’s not ideal for a rare family gathering.”

“It seems like it would be much duller without you, Cordelia…”

Cordelia firmly shook her head at Linda’s pout. Pamela spoke with a worried expression.

“It seems you’re still not getting along well with the Duke. I thought, since it’s been a while since you came to the castle, you might have reconciled.”

“We’re always like this. By the way, Pamela, do you still call Rick ‘Duke’?”

“Well, he is the Duke, isn’t he?”

Pamela’s look of confusion at Cordelia’s question was met with a subtle avoidance. It was puzzling how some people remained consistent even as they aged.

Though it felt like a long-married couple’s dynamic.

“…You do like Rick, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.”

Well, that’s why he’s still holding out, isn’t it?

Cordelia glanced up at Noah. While it might not reach the level of obsession, maybe there will come a day when jealousy is expressed more endearingly.

“Alright, then. Go to your room and come back. I’ll be waiting in the western reception room.”

As she gently pushed Noah out, Cordelia cheerfully waved her hand. Watching Noah hesitantly leave, Cordelia stretched out with a sigh.

* * *

After setting down their bags in the room and changing into comfortable clothes, Noah and Cordelia walked down the spacious corridor. The stone walls made of neatly stacked gray bricks hinted at the castle’s long history.

“Oh, Lady Cordelia. What brings you here?”

“I was hoping to get some snacks for dinner. It seems our guest hasn’t had a proper meal.”

As they entered the kitchen, an elderly man greeted them warmly. With plenty of time before dinner, the kitchen didn’t appear to be very busy. The large kitchen was filled with people moving about and the faint warmth from the fire, along with the lively noise of ingredients being prepared.

Noah, who took in the scene slowly, awkwardly fiddled with the tip of his nose.

“I’m fine.”

“You haven’t eaten, have you? Am I right?”

Seeing that Noah couldn’t deny it, Cordelia gave him a sideways glance. He had a good appetite, so what could be keeping him from eating properly?

“Anyway, just pack up some meat for him. And a bottle of wine!”

“Understood. Is this gentleman a guest?”

“Yes. His name is Noah.”

“I’m Callen. I’m in charge of the kitchen here.”

Noah, caught off guard by the cheerful kitchen manager’s bow, also bowed his head in greeting. After exchanging a few words, Noah found himself carrying a large basket handed to him by Callen.

“Where are we headed now?”

“For an outing! If we don’t hurry, the sun will set!”

The sun was noticeably tilted as Cordelia cheerfully led the way. Though it was still bright, it seemed the sunset was approaching soon.

Noah’s gaze lingered on the back of Cordelia’s head as he walked silently behind her. Despite having trimmed it quite a bit, her hair was cut short enough to reveal her neck, which was a bit disheartening to him.

He couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind when she decided to cut it that short.

“Hello, Lady Cordelia!”

“Lady Cordelia, the weather is lovely today. Did you go for a walk?”

“Oh my, are you going to eat all that by yourself?”

“Make sure to bring a shawl since the sun will set soon!”

As they entered the castle and climbed the stairs, they passed by several people. Some simply walked by, while others greeted them warmly and with smiles.

Reflecting on how it felt to be greeted by people when Cordelia was present, Noah felt both a sense of déjà vu and a certain strangeness.

After opening a door that seemed to lead to a tower and climbing a spiral staircase for a while, they reached a closed entrance. Following Cordelia, who hopped through the door, Noah blinked in surprise at the sight that greeted him.