In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 117

EPISODE 117

It was usually the case when so many people crowded into a plaza like that. To perform in the central plaza, one had to get permission, so most troupes not affiliated with the temple would head to the eastern part of the city, which was larger but did not require permission. Even then, they could only secure a spot after enduring a tough battle for space.  

“Hmmm, should we take another route? I’m not fond of crowds.”

Cordelia muttered, her expression slightly tense. However, Noah, who was scanning the plaza, didn’t notice.

“Well then, let’s take that narrow path over there.”

Noah led Cordelia into a narrow alley. After walking down the winding path that seemed barely wide enough for one person, they finally emerged, leaving the crowded plaza behind.

“Wow, you know your way around.”

“I’ve been here often. As you know, our guild’s headquarters are nearby.”

“I don’t know anything about this area. Everything looks the same to me. But my sister can always find her way without fail.”

“You mean the queen?”

“Yeah.”

Noah’s mind conjured an image of Queen Jerania with her gentle smile. She was a sharp, intelligent woman who could grasp the entire situation with just a bit of information. She didn’t seem like the kind of person who would wander around back alleys.

“Despite how she seems, my sister is the most active of the three of us. She’s only slowed down a bit since getting married.”

Cordelia added, perhaps sensing Noah’s thoughts. Unlike herself, who would rather take a carriage when she didn’t feel like walking, Jerania could always find her way to her destination on her own.

“She wasn’t interested in things like parties, unlike me and Calia. But oddly enough, she’s well-connected. Honestly, when she announced she was marrying the Crown Prince, I was so shocked. To be honest, I even thought she might have been blackmailed or something.”

“He would never do such a thing.”

“I know, but that’s just how it felt at the time. Oh, how about that restaurant over there?”

Cordelia asked, pointing.

“That place doesn’t have the best reviews. How about we go to a place I know instead?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

Cordelia replied, allowing herself to be gently guided by Noah. She glanced down at the slightly thawed, muddy ground and the edges of her white cloak fluttering around her arm.

She couldn’t help but be aware of the flag that must be fastened to her back.

“Noah, you know—”

“Yes?”

“Never mind.”

Cordelia laughed lightly, as if it were nothing, and steeled herself. Stay calm, Cordelia. You have to bring this up at some point today. It was true that she had hastily avoided going to the play, but she had no choice.  

After all, it had been a while since they met like this, and she didn’t want to spoil the mood right from the start!

The restaurant Noah took her to wasn’t as noisy as the one they had visited before. Although there weren’t many tables, they were all occupied, and the patrons were quietly chatting among themselves.

The food was also incredibly delicious.

“Wow, I’ve never had fish with such a nice texture before. And it went so well with the seasoning, too!”

By the time they left the restaurant, Cordelia was quite excited. Noah, who had quietly eaten about three times as much as she did, nodded in agreement.

“The owner here is good at cooking. Since it’s a place only regulars know about, it doesn’t get overly crowded.”

“Really?”

“The owner says it’s better that way because too much attention just brings in more troublemakers.”

He, too, had learned about this place through Laura’s recommendation. She had joked that he should come with someone special, and though he had laughed it off back then, the memory now resurfaced.

“It was so good. I almost want to hire that chef to work at our estate. It’s the kind of taste that makes you nostalgic.”

Cordelia said as she smacked her lips softly, then quickly covered her mouth. Oh no, was she being too informal? What if she looked undignified?

“So, where should we go next?”

“Hmm…”

After a moment of silence, Cordelia cautiously asked.

“Is there anywhere you’d like to go, Noah? I feel bad just making all the decisions.”

Why did she ask to meet in the city like this in the first place? Normally, a noble meeting would involve visiting each other’s estates, taking a carriage ride, or going on an outing to the countryside.

Still, she doubted Noah would enjoy anything like that. When she thought about it, the only thing she knew about Noah’s preferences was that he liked art. He didn’t talk much about himself!

“Is there a place you like or something you’ve always wanted to do with me? You don’t have anything in mind?”

Noah hesitated, clearly deep in thought, before finally speaking.

“Are you really okay with going anywhere?”

“Of course!”

Cordelia nodded enthusiastically, but as soon as they arrived at Noah’s chosen destination, her face filled with confusion.

“Why here?”

“Does it seem strange?”

“No, not strange… but…”

Cordelia looked up at the large, white building in front of her. The Grand Temple of Sandria. The last time she had been here was to see Noah’s mural.

“Visitors can only go as far as the eastern hall, but even the works displayed there are impressive. I went once while I was working on a project, and there were so many incredible pieces.”

Noah said as he whispered to the priest at the entrance and handed over a small iron badge. The priest asked them to wait for a moment before sending someone inside.

Noah leaned toward Cordelia and whispered low enough that only she could hear.

“When I met Ephinas Benjamin, he told me that I could visit the central hall anytime by mentioning his name. It’s a restricted area for non-temple members, so I’m excited to see what works are inside.”

Seeing Noah’s face more excited than she had ever seen before, Cordelia suddenly felt a bit of mischief stirring.

“So, you asked me to come because you wanted to see this?”

“Yes, I wanted to see it with you, Cordelia.”

“With me?”

“You mentioned that you liked the mural last time, so I thought you might enjoy this too.”

Seeing Noah’s cheeks turn rosy as he avoided her gaze, Cordelia found it both absurd and cute. How could someone so large act so adorably? Just as she was about to lightly pat Noah’s head, the priest returned. Feeling a bit awkward, she lowered her hand. Without any expression, the priest handed them two small badges.

“Thank you for waiting. Please wear these badges and enter through this door. You are free to explore the spaces connected to the central hall, but some restricted areas will remain off-limits. Please return the badges when you leave. Also, the central hall is a quiet area, so we ask that you refrain from speaking.”

After hearing a series of other instructions, the two walked through the corridor leading to the central hall. On either side of the marble floor, murals depicting moments from mythology proudly displayed their magnificence. It appeared to be a passage reserved for visitors, as there was no one else around.

Lowering her voice, Cordelia whispered.

“Aren’t we being pretty bold? If they find out we’re under a spell, we’ll be in big trouble.”

“Priestess Lyneth told me that there are so many people using magic in the temple that as long as we don’t reveal the symbols, we should be fine once we’re inside.”

Noah replied.

This was the answer he’d received when he had asked, just in case he ever had to help his mentor within the temple.

“Well, that’s a relief. Oh, wait.”

Cordelia grabbed Noah’s hand, which was covered by his black glove, and checked the bracelet around his wrist. The bracelet, with a single green stone, was far from pretty, looking rather rough.

“Is this thing effective?”

“If it weren’t, we would have switched bodies at least twelve times by now.”

His unspoken confession that he wanted to see her often made Cordelia feel happy.

“Do you like looking at artwork?”

“Yes, though I don’t get many opportunities. Most of the good pieces either go to the temple or the royal family, or they’re privately owned.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

As they continued chatting and walking, their surroundings gradually brightened. When they finally stepped out of the corridor, both of their mouths gaped open slightly.

“Wow.”

The perfectly circular hall was truly majestic. The floor was adorned with graceful curved patterns, while murals filled the walls, and sculptures of all kinds stood around the perimeter. It was a vast, grand space that overwhelmed them with its beauty.

From the towering ceiling, soft golden light, reminiscent of sunlight, streamed in, illuminating the interior. The quiet space, where silence was revered, was dotted with priests in their white robes moving swiftly across the hall. They paid no attention to the two outsiders. The priests’ silent footsteps seemed almost light and lively.

The two of them began to slowly walk along the perimeter of the hall, taking it all in.

Despite the murals and reliefs being quite old and faded in places, they exuded a vibrant life. Cordelia couldn’t help but wonder what they must have looked like when they were first created. As she examined a slightly worn but delicate statue, she tilted her head in curiosity.

“This statue is a bit unusual.”

The sculpture depicted a woman holding a man. Isn’t it usually the other way around? Just as she thought that, her eyes caught sight of an arrow embedded in the man’s chest. Noah carefully added.

“This woman looks sad.”

With his eyes closed, the man lay still while the woman looked down at him. Cordelia nodded in agreement and whispered.

“Were they lovers, I wonder?”

“Perhaps they had a special bond.”

“The man must be dead…”

Though it wasn’t her first time seeing a work representing death, the three-dimensional nature of the sculpture made it feel strangely vivid. Cordelia murmured.

“I don’t want to lose someone precious and never see them again.”

Reflecting on lost things always felt heavy. Even if she lived her life trying to forget, certain moments would inevitably pull her back into the depths of memory. It wasn’t that she wanted to forget, but the instant she recalled something, sadness would creep in.

“Even something precious can change over time.”

Had she been too lost in her thoughts? Cordelia blinked, realizing she hadn’t understood his passing comment.

“Huh, what did you say?”

“…It’s nothing.”

After circling the central hall and returning their badges, quite a bit of time had passed. Checking the time, Cordelia stepped outside the temple and added.

“But still, your mural is my favorite.”

Speaking from the heart, Noah smiled shyly. Above them, the sky was slightly cloudy, casting a somewhat hazy light.