In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 119

EPISODE 119

CHAPTER 17: THE MOMENT OF CHOICE

“Something’s wrong.”  

As Noah confirmed the state of his changed body, he quickly got up from the sofa. He grabbed his outer clothes draped over a chair and looked out the window.  

“…Snow?”  

White snowflakes were slowly falling from the sky. After a moment of daze, Noah turned around and approached the door.  

‘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.’

Today is cold. Moreover, there’s still quite a distance to home. He can’t guarantee that Cordelia, who’s bad with directions, can safely find her way back to the mansion.  

Should he pull someone in to search for her somehow? No, that would be a problem with this body, so it might be better to send someone to check if she arrived safely at the mansion…  

Knock knock.  

Is that appropriate?  

As Noah put a period on his thoughts, he heard a slow tapping on the window. His shoulders jolted as he was about to open the firmly closed door. He turned around slowly and gasped.  

“Good day to you.”  

An old woman in shabby clothes stood outside the window.

* * *

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Your Highness.”

Cordelia was speechless as she looked at the man gazing up at her. Thankfully, it was night; it was the perfect time to somewhat conceal her expression.  

Her mind, quick to work in a crisis, concluded instantly. So, if this person is still someone who would call Noah ‘Your Highness,’ then it must be…  

The contents of the play began to blossom in her mind. Yes, considering the relationship between Noah and His Majesty the King, the conspirators must be connected to Noah in some way.  

But knowing that in her head is different from facing it in reality!  

Despite being outnumbered, Cordelia swallowed hard at the sight of the thoroughly armed men. The only consolation was that, judging by their words, Noah truly had no connection to the rebellion.  

Before long, snowflakes began to fall from the overcast sky.  

“Indeed…”  

As she let out a voice that seemed to drift off, the man bowed his head even further. A sharp gaze landed on the back of his head.  

She deliberately elongated her words, ready to add another sentence at any moment, but there seemed to be no reaction from them, as they appeared to be speaking formally.  

After all, he was originally a prince.  

“Please forgive my tardiness in coming to see you.”  

Who could this man be?  

It was fortunate that Noah had a fundamentally calm demeanor. He didn’t need to speak much, reducing the risk of her identity being discovered. Cordelia focused on the scar on the man’s right cheek.  

It seemed this man was the leader… Let’s see, as she suspected, if he is indeed a remnant of the Marquis family, he would have a significantly high position for Noah to recognize him.

Two notable houses followed the Marquis of Borderoa: the Count of Elerand and the Count of Sephira. However, it had been a long time, and the surroundings were quite dark, so the only things Cordelia remembered were a few important names since she had never properly conversed with them.  

Which of those houses does this man belong to?  

“It seems you’ve grown remarkably since we last met, Your Highness.”  

Facing the man who, despite his stoic expression, seemed somehow moved, Cordelia tried to smile but quickly returned to a serious face, as if confused amidst the warmth of reunion.  

“Indeed. It’s a relief to see you alive. But is it safe for you to be here? It might be dangerous.”  

She casually tossed out a question to test the waters, and the man immediately took the bait.  

“Though you have faced many hardships, please endure a little longer. Soon, we will rescue you and the Queen from that traitor.”  

As she watched the man clench his teeth, an image of Tyrain grinning maliciously floated in Cordelia’s mind. Yes, that must be how they see it.  

“Rescue? How exactly…?”  

“There will soon be a significant operation. I wanted to visit and tell you sooner, but the mansion’s security is so thorough that it’s difficult to approach.”  

Is this about a rebellion?  

A chill ran down Cordelia’s spine, but she maintained her composure and added.

“But you managed to find me well.”  

“Yes. I was truly impressed by Your Highness’ willingness to take risks and the initiative shown by this Hamel.”  

Oh, Hamel.  

At the mention of the name, Cordelia’s eyes sparkled for a moment. This meant he was Count Hamel Elerand, the head of the Elerand family and one of the top knights in the kingdom.  

But wait, Noah didn’t go out with that intention!  

Realizing she shouldn’t speak carelessly, Cordelia paused before continuing.

“So, should I interpret that as you wanting to finish what was left undone eight years ago?”  

“Yes.”  

Seeing the man respond seriously, Cordelia felt a strange sense of unease. How was she supposed to answer in a way that would be deemed satisfactory?  

Ah, why did it have to be now that she’s in Noah’s body? No, maybe that’s a good thing.  

How would Noah react to this?  

“Is that necessary?”  

“Your Highness.”  

Cordelia hesitated, pretending to take her time.  

“I appreciate your concern, but… I’m not sure if we can succeed at something that failed eight years ago, and to be honest, I’m a little scared. I wouldn’t want to put Hamel or the soldiers here in danger again because of me.”  

Perhaps her imitation of Noah was convincing enough, as the man quietly looked up at Cordelia. As their eyes met without flinching, he asked,  

“Then, do you plan to live like this for the rest of your life?”

Cordelia opened her mouth for a moment before closing it again, genuinely at a loss for words. She didn’t want Noah to remain trapped in this mansion.  

As if sensing her hesitation, Hamel pulled out another card to shake things up.  

“I’ve received reports that you’ve recently met a woman.”  

“…A woman?”  

“She’s said to be the daughter of the Duke of Weichen, is that correct?”  

Ah, right. She figured it would be hard to hide that. But to figure it out so quickly… she should have been more cautious.  

“If you continue like this, nothing will change.”  

Hearing him accurately pinpoint Noah’s situation left a bitter taste in her mouth, but she was also puzzled. Why was he bringing this up here?  

“If you become king, you can obtain everything you desire.”  

Understanding Hamel’s implications made Cordelia’s brow twitch.  

These damned fools. Do they think she’s some kind of object? Why are they debating whether they can get their hands on her?!  

Anger surged within her, but Cordelia maintained a calm expression. She couldn’t let on that she was anyone else; revealing that could lead to unpredictable consequences.  

The reality of a rebellion plotting right in front of her sent a chill down her spine.  

Calm down, Cordelia. Just think of it as a situation from a novel! You’re the protagonist now… Perhaps she’ll go with the name Jenny. Someone who stays calm, rational, and nonchalant in any situation. No, she doesn’t want to face this kind of situation!  

Her life’s genre is supposed to be romance!  

“I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. Could we touch base again later? I’d like to hear more details then.”  

When Cordelia spoke with a tone of concern, the man narrowed his eyes.  

“Next time…?”  

“Will you be lingering around the mansion?”  

“We’re watching the mansion from a close distance.”  

“In that case, I’ll try to venture outside alone again in about a week. Let’s continue our conversation then.”  

“Yes, understood.”  

As she observed the man who responded without hesitation, Cordelia hesitated before speaking up.  

“It’s been a while since we last met, so would you walk with me to the mansion?”  

She needs a guide, and this timing is perfect.  

That was her simple thought, but the man paused for a moment. Uh-oh, did that sound too suspicious? As Cordelia anxiously watched him, Hamel soon lifted his head.  

“I will follow your orders.”  

His voice, slightly muffled, didn’t seem to indicate anything untoward. Cordelia felt an uneasy impression that they must have had a good relationship in the past.  

Walking alongside them, the man, who spoke little, greeted Cordelia when the mansion came into view before leading his subordinates back into the shadows. Cordelia stood still for a moment until they completely disappeared, then lifted her head.

A snowflake floated down and gently touched the corner of Cordelia’s eye. The warmth of it melted and trickled down, feeling almost like a tear.

* * *

The moment Noah saw the old woman outside the window, he was at a loss for words. Though her hood was pulled low, obscuring her face, he instinctively recognized her. She was the one who had given him the crystal orb.  

“You are…?”  

“Yes, it seems you’re using the gift well.”  

They were on the second floor. How had she managed to appear here, floating in mid-air and chuckling? Noah took a step closer.  

He needs to catch her.  

“How did you get here?”  

Another step.  

“I can go anywhere. It’s a concept that might be a bit difficult for you to understand.”  

One more step, and he would be right in front of her.  

“Oh?”  

Just as he reached out his hand toward the old woman, Noah felt his body stiffening, frozen in place like a statue. The old woman chuckled, her voice mocking.  

“Did you think it would be that easy?”  

Even under his intense glare, she didn’t flinch. But was she just an old woman? It was hard to remember the shape of her face, even though she was so close.  

Noah remained frozen in his reaching pose, mouth moving slightly. Fortunately, he could still speak.  

“Why did you give me that crystal orb?”