In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 110

EPISODE 110

“This, this is.”

Luther’s hand, holding the paper, trembled violently. He checked the contents several times, then glanced up to look at Cordelia sitting across from him.

“What is this about, Writer?”

“It’s the next novel’s content. Oh, I’ll be changing the pen name, though. Laurence is taking a break for the time being.”

Unlike Cordelia, who spoke calmly, Luther’s insides were burning with anxiety. If possible, he would have liked to rip open his chest and show the blackened contents inside.

“W-Well, I’m not trying to criticize your work or anything, but… isn’t this content a bit risky?”

Although it appeared to be an ordinary adventure story at first glance, seeing that the source of the protagonist’s trials was the royal family, Luther’s vision darkened.

It’s common to see works that satirize rulers, but this one had so many detailed elements that directly reminded people of the current royal family.

Is it okay to publish something like this? Will soldiers come to drag him away one day? Like everyone else, he wanted to live a long and uneventful life.

“It’s fine, I’m telling you. Look at this!”

Cordelia pulled out an envelope from her bag and handed it to him. Luther’s eyes widened when he saw the inscription on the cream-colored envelope.

“Wow, this is!”

“It’s a decree from His Majesty the King. In other words, it’s something that has received approval. The content has already been agreed upon in advance.”

“W-What kind of matter could lead His Majesty the King to approve something like this?”

Luther’s complexion grew even paler than before, despite being shown the assurance. It was clear that this was not an ordinary matter.

Cordelia didn’t bother denying the truth.

“There’s that. I was assured that the publishing house will not suffer any disadvantages from this, so you can relax.”

After quickly scanning the contents of the decree, Luther remained silent for a while, then lowered his eyes in contemplation before asking in a weak voice.

“Why exactly did you commission something like this?”

“Do you want to know?”

“No! I think it’s better not to know.”

As Luther sighed repeatedly, his gaze gradually became calmer.

“So, Writer, when is the deadline for the draft?”

Returning to his editor’s face as if he had never hesitated, Cordelia said sharply.

“I’ll send you the first draft within a month.”

“Is that soon?”

“The framework is already set, so it won’t be difficult. I’ll also keep the writing as concise as possible.”

It should make it easier to read. It would also be difficult to identify the author.

“From the content, it seems like it will sell well… The twist where the female knight encountered in the middle turns out to be a disguised princess is intriguing.”

“The protagonist, pursued by a corrupt royal family, meets someone and joins forces to regain the crown.”

One mustn’t give away too many direct clues. Otherwise, it would undoubtedly seem suspicious.

Just hinting that the current royal family was built on an unjust foundation was enough. That was what the King desired.

‘If it’s for an event, the founding ceremony in spring seems the closest.’

‘Early May might be too late.’

When Cordelia raised a bold counter-argument, the King nodded.

‘Then, the end of March. That’s the right time. It will take at least a fortnight for the rumors to spread nationwide. So, you must publish the book before winter ends. Can you manage that?’

The weather was quite chilly, proving the beginning of the new year. Though only about a month and a half was left, Cordelia answered confidently.

‘Of course!’

Having said that, she would work hard. Cordelia ended the recollection and focused on her conversation with Luther.

* * *

“What’s this? Did you cut your hair?”

Avery looked at Noah with a surprised expression. In response to the expected question, Noah awkwardly fiddled with his bangs.

“Yeah, is it strange?”

“Oh, really? So you’ve decided to stop being gloomy… Ouch!”

Tropa, who was elbowed in the solar plexus, was silenced. Instead of the clueless Tropa, Laura gave a thumbs-up.

“It looks refreshing and nice.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“So, you went to the guild looking like that? Didn’t anyone suddenly talk to you or anything?”

Noah was momentarily at a loss for words. The three could sense from his peculiar reaction that something had happened.

There must have been something. At least one or two people.

“How many?”

“About four? They asked for directions…”

“Did they ask for your name or if you’re part of this guild or anything like that?”

“They did ask. I didn’t answer, though.”

Even with a seemingly indifferent face, he was thorough in such matters. The three, who had been observing Noah with a strange look, couldn’t help but laugh. Laura, leisurely crossing her arms, spoke.

“I’ve heard rumors lately about a handsome newcomer visiting our guild. I guess I know who it might be now.”

“Maybe cutting your hair was worth it after all?”

“What are you talking about? You look much better now! I should have said this earlier, but you looked so frustrated before. Why were you hiding such a decent face? You’re not a child of darkness or anything.”

“Oh, what’s this? Tropa, you’re speaking the truth.”

“What?!”

When Avery teased, Tropa flared up, and Laura and Noah burst into laughter at the scene.

Having met after a long time, the four sat around the table sharing updates on their recent lives. By the time their food arrived, Avery was in the middle of recounting a chase she’d had one night.

“Goodness, are you crazy? Did you report it to the peacekeeping forces?”

“Of course, I reported it right away. They didn’t find the culprit, though.”

Avery spoke casually, tearing into a bone with meat on it. Noah, dipping bread into a bean soup with a worried expression, spoke.

“I’m glad nothing serious happened.”

“Recently, there’ve been incidents like that.”

Laura’s voice had lowered significantly compared to earlier. Avery laughed it off and waved her hand.

“Ugh, don’t even mention it. Right after I reported it, another incident happened, which made me quite uneasy. I even thought the people chasing me might be connected to that incident.”

Tropa, who was placing a drink in front of Avery, nodded.

“Since then, I decided to accompany you when you go out at night. It’s better to be prepared, just in case.”

“There’s no need to do that every time. It’s a long way for you.”

“It’s fine. I can consider it as exercise.”

Unlike Avery, who looked embarrassed, Tropa’s face, now devoid of playfulness, seemed quite unfamiliar. Instead of talking about the guild’s female member who had been kidnapped similarly, Noah quietly drank his share of water.

Fortunately, it seemed that nobody had asked him about his recent experiences, probably due to their usual lack of contact. Ignoring the slight pull in his abdomen, which was a sign of healing wounds, Noah spoke.

“I think my master will be returning soon, so I might get busier.”

“Wow, Master Flotera is coming back? Isn’t that earlier than usual?”

“For various reasons.”

“Will you be helping alone again this time?”

“Probably.”

Given his master’s personality, it didn’t seem likely that he would take on another apprentice now. It was regrettable in many ways that he was the only disciple given his master’s abilities, but he understood as he had no particular desire to train another apprentice.

“So, why did you cut your hair? It must be for some reason?”

At that moment, Noah almost spit out his food due to the sudden question. After swallowing his food with difficulty, he maintained a calm expression.

“Just, you know, thought it might be a good change of pace.”

He thought he answered quite reasonably.

“I guess it’s a good time to feel good.”

“You must want to look nice, right? Yeah, yeah, I understand.”

The moment he saw Avery and Laura’s expressions, he realized he was completely wrong.

The eyes sparkling with the excitement of having caught an interesting story were quite burdensome.

“What’s this? What’s going on? Why does everyone seem to know something except me?”

Tropa, with a confused look, asked for an explanation, but the three pretended not to hear. In a situation where it was too late to hide anything and with a request at hand, Noah cleared his throat lightly.

“Actually, there’s someone I’d like to introduce. Don’t be too surprised. Just treat her normally.”

“Is it ‘that person’?”

“I didn’t think you were just looking good for the show, this guy!”

“What? Noah, you have someone like that?!”

Tropa, who finally grasped the situation, gasped in shock. Noah made a shushing gesture, indicating for him to be quiet.

“Well, it just happened. Anyway, she’ll be here soon.”

“So that’s why you were treating us today?”

With Avery’s sharp observation, Noah inwardly sighed and nodded. Avery, with her hands propped up under her chin, tilted her head in curiosity.

“By the way, why does such a person want to meet us?”

“She’s curious about the kind of people I associate with.”

“What, really? Is this person someone high-ranking?”

“Please treat her as normally as possible. She doesn’t like formalities.”

Noah glossed over the details about Cordelia’s status. Even with this warning, if they learned her true status, they would surely be taken aback.

Usually, a noble of any rank encountered by artisans like them would not be higher than an earl, so it was understandable that they were surprised by the direct commission from a marquis family.

But was this acceptable? Noah had to try hard not to sigh.

After finishing the meal, Noah was the first to step outside and leaned against the wall, muttering quietly. The chilly winter wind seeped into his lungs.

“I wonder when she’ll arrive…”

“Looking for me?”

A clear voice pierced his ear. Turning towards the sound, Noah saw someone in a thick, deep purple cloak with the hood pulled low, smiling warmly.

“Co…”

Cordelia placed her finger gently over Noah’s lips as if to say it was a secret.

“What are you doing standing there? Noah.”

At Tropa’s loud and clueless voice, Noah’s shoulders twitched. Cordelia, holding Noah’s arm and peeking out, looked at the three people standing behind him. Facing their puzzled expressions, Cordelia slightly pushed back her hood, revealing her face.

Her honey-colored, rich blonde hair, large, clear almond-shaped eyes, a high nose, and softly curling red lips greeted them.

“Hello?”