In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 111

EPISODE 111

In front of Cordelia’s beautifully stunning face, the three were at a loss for words. Though they had seen beautiful people before, this was the first time they felt that simply looking at someone could convey such elegance.

They realized anew that an overwhelming beauty could exude charisma just by standing still.

Noticing the awkward silence of his companions, who were taken aback despite their spinning thoughts, Cordelia scratched her cheek sheepishly.

“Oh, sorry. I guess I’m being a bit too blunt for a first meeting?”

Her awkward attempt at politeness made the three exchange hurried glances.

“Oh, no. Please, speak as you normally would.”

Tropa, who managed to speak, was promptly joined by Avery and Laura, both nodding vigorously. Noah, feeling sorry for his friends’ discomfort, gave them an apologetic look.

He expected this, but still…

“This person is…”

“Oh, just call me Cordy. I’ve heard a lot about you from Noah!”

“Wait, are you the person he was going to introduce?”

“Yep.”

At the straightforward answer, the three let out the breaths they had been holding. They sought permission from the smiling Cordelia and then led Noah towards the wall. Avery glanced back at Cordelia and whispered.

“What on earth happened?”

“Yeah, what on earth did happen?”

Noah had no more to say in response to their questioning looks. Reflecting on the stormy past few months, he could only feel a sense of wistfulness.

“Honestly, she doesn’t look like an ordinary person at all. Her face practically screams that she grew up in a noble family!”

“She is indeed noble. But don’t worry, she’s not as difficult as she looks.”

Laura, who had been listening quietly, immediately countered.

“Doesn’t look like someone who’d be easy to handle?”

“Not at all.”

There’s a saying among artisans, isn’t there? It’s better to avoid entanglements with nobles if you want to preserve your life. Noah had certainly heard that before.

“Sorry, should I have consulted with you in advance?”

“It’s fine. I wanted to meet her at least once. I was curious about what kind of slick noble had managed to attract my naive friend…”

Avery trailed off as she looked Noah up and down. Laura carefully spoke up.

“But why would someone like that be with you? She doesn’t seem like she’d be lacking in options.”

“Well, apparently, she likes my face.”

Noah’s offhand response seemed to deepen the seriousness in their expressions. Avery asked in a very small voice.

“Could it be that you’re being used as a toy?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“How can you be sure? She’s a noble! There’s no way she’s serious about someone like us. Remember Monica from our workshop? She was pressured by some noble to become a mistress and ended up leaving the workshop to go to the countryside.”

“Right. Maybe she’s just taking advantage of you and will discard you later?”

“Especially with marriage, they usually match status with status. Does her family even know about you?”

Understanding the genuine concern of his friends, Noah pondered his response for a moment.

“She’s a bit unique, but really, she’s not like that. Her family already knows about me. So far, it hasn’t been a big issue.”

“Wow, so she really is someone important?”

“What are you all whispering about?”

The four, who had been whispering among themselves, turned to look. Cordelia, seeming a bit bored, tapped her feet on the ground and cleared her throat, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Well, I understand if you find me awkward. Shall we move to another place? It seems a bit too conspicuous here.”

Noticing the uncomfortable atmosphere, Cordelia stood still, waiting for a response. Noah quickly moved to her side, wrapping his arms around her from behind and putting the hood over her head. The three friends, who were used to keeping his distance from others, stared in surprise at this new side of Noah.

“Where shall we go?”

The kind tone of the question was another surprise.

Is that who he is? Ignoring the intense stares, Noah whispered. Cordelia, smiling brightly, made a request.

“To your workplace! If it’s not too much trouble. I’d like to see what it’s like.”

“Is that alright?”

Noah asked, and Avery, Tropa, and Laura each responded in turn.

“We’re fine with it.”

“Well, I’m not sure. It’s a forge, so… it’s hot, and it might be a bit dangerous for outsiders.”

“I’m okay with it. Just a visit should be fine.”

Despite the mixed responses, Cordelia’s smile remained unwavering. Perhaps because her face was somewhat hidden, she seemed less nervous than before. Though she did wonder why a noble would be interested in such things.

“Alright, then let’s go.”

Cordelia, who had tried to sound lively, suddenly stopped. Looking puzzled, she asked.

“So, where do we go?”

Her shy question made everyone bite their lips to avoid laughing. Representing everyone’s efforts to hold back laughter, Noah covered his mouth with his hand and spoke.

“Laura’s workshop is the closest, so let’s start there. No objections?”

Seeing everyone nod, Noah extended his hand to Cordelia. She eagerly took it and began to walk along.

* * *

‘She is indeed noble. But don’t worry, she’s not as difficult as she looks.’

It didn’t take long for the three to understand what Noah’s words meant.

“What’s that?”

“That’s a loom. It’s used to spin threads and weave cloth.”

“Everyone’s hands are so fast. It looks like they’re flying. Amazing!”

“Laura is well-known for her skill even within the workshop.”

“I’m envious. I’m terrible at embroidery.”

Despite her refined appearance, which seemed like she wouldn’t tolerate anything unclean or dirty, Cordelia remained lively and showed no sign of complaining.

Even though she spoke softly to avoid disturbing the workers. Unlike the typical nobles who paraded around with their entourages, she avoided such displays, saying it was bothersome.

The workers, recognizing the people at the door, began to speak.

“What’s this, Laura? Didn’t you say you were taking the day off?”

“Someone we know was curious about our workplace.”

“Oh, interested in this place?”

“Convince them to stay! We’re short-handed and struggling!”

Amidst the laughter, the hands working the looms never faltered. Cordelia watched with interest as the threads intertwined harmoniously.

“Unfortunately, I already have a job, so it’s probably not feasible!”

As Cordelia responded casually, the workers added their comments.

“Wow, you’ve got a loud voice.”

“Working at another workshop, huh? Then it can’t be helped.”

“Make sure to check the conditions before signing anything! Those higher-ups are all out to take advantage of people!”

Among the unrestrained comments, the three who knew Cordelia’s true identity looked at Noah with concern.

“Got it, I’ll keep that in mind! There are far too many unscrupulous employers in the world!”

Cordelia’s voice, responding with an air of genuine innocence, revealed her bright disposition. Despite the hood obscuring her face, her striking features remained noticeable, yet it was surprising how the workshop staff seemed completely unaware of this fact. If they hadn’t seen her beauty firsthand, they might have been confused too.

After thoroughly ‘sightseeing’ as she had said, Cordelia and her entourage followed Avery to the workshop where she worked.

Avery’s jewelry workshop was notably quiet compared to the textile workshop. Since the work primarily involved handling gemstones, it required a high level of concentration, and many of the artisans had meticulous personalities.

Cordelia, rather than asking questions, observed the artisans’ backs. She was amazed watching them carefully cut the gemstones and her eyes sparkled as they picked up the polished stones with tweezers. When she glanced back at her companions with a look that seemed to question why, it was clear she was deep in thought without needing to say anything.

Even though the surroundings were incredibly quiet, her expressive face made the silence feel lively and quite endearing.

“Everyone is focused. I don’t think I could stay quiet for that long.”

After leaving the workshop, Cordelia let out a quiet expression of admiration. Avery, walking behind her, responded calmly.

“When you’re focused, you don’t think about such things. At some point, the finished product is just there in front of you.”

“I think I understand that a bit. I don’t think much when I’m working either.”

“Working? Do you have a job?”

“Indeed.”

Avery responded with disbelief to Cordelia’s answer.

“Aren’t you a noble?”

“It’s considered virtuous for nobles not to work, but not all nobles are like that.”

Cordelia’s casual comment elicited soft laughter from everyone. Tropa, who had been walking alongside Avery, naturally took over the conversation.

“What kind of work do you do?”

“I do something quite taxing on the mind. Sometimes I wonder why I started it.”

“Work is always like that. I sometimes feel the same when I’m hammering metal.”

“Well, it’s rewarding and there are interesting aspects, so I just accept it. I don’t have much skill with manual tasks, so I find it amazing to see people who are good at it, like Noah and all of you.”

Cordelia, who had been grumbling softly, was comforted by Laura’s words.

“I saw you were quite enthusiastic earlier. You might be surprisingly good at it if you try learning.”

Cordelia shook her head firmly.

“I don’t think so. When I was learning embroidery as a child, the lady who taught me gently suggested to my father…”

“Hmm?”

“She said, ‘It seems that your daughter might have talents in other areas rather than this.’ In other words, she was saying I had no talent for embroidery and should give it up!”

It stung a bit to hear that evaluation after a year of effort, but Cordelia wasn’t stubborn enough to cling to something she wasn’t good at.

“I was also curious about your teacher. What kind of person are they?”

“Hmm…”

Unable to answer easily, Noah’s three friends took turns speaking for him.

“He’s hearty and witty.”

“He’s known for being very particular and strict about his work.”

“He has a bit of a wandering nature, so it’s generally not easy to see him. He treats everyone, whether they are guild members or apprentices, in the same way.”

“…He’s somewhat eccentric.”

After Noah’s final addition, the three, excluding Cordelia, stopped walking and began to laugh in unison.