In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 120

EPISODE 120

The old woman’s response was succinct.  

“The items tend to find those who need them.”  

Noah attempted to refute the old woman as if she were implying that he needed it, but he struggled to find the words. Sensing this, the old woman chuckled softly and added.

“I have a knack for recognizing those who are lost.”  

“Do you speak as if you’re a prophet?”  

“Not quite a genuine one. I wonder if I’ll ever see one in my lifetime.”  

Her voice was soft yet resonant, echoing as if it vibrated through her whole being, and it even sounded kind at first glance.  

“What wrong have I done to you?”  

“No, there are very few kind souls like you in this world.”  

“Then why…?”  

“Are you asking why you’ve been given such trials?”  

The old woman’s face leaned closer to Noah, her vividly shining eyes flickering like flames.  

“I can’t say you haven’t gained anything.”  

“But I didn’t choose this.”  

“Didn’t you wish for it?”  

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have accepted it.”  

The old woman watched Noah’s unyielding words with interest. He asked in a slightly subdued tone.  

“What is the cost of magic? Is it only applicable to me?”  

“The cost is borne by the caster. So, what do you think it is?”  

While the old woman smiled widely, Noah spoke with a slightly tense expression.  

“Is it my life?”  

“Surely not. What use would I have for such a trivial thing?”  

Noah wanted to protest how a person’s life could be considered trivial, but the old woman chuckled softly.  

“Emotions.”  

Her bony finger poked Noah lightly in the chest.  

“I’m going to take what you hold most dear.”  

As the old woman watched Noah’s face turn pale, she chuckled again.  

“Why! Are you scared now?”  

Instead of responding, Noah gritted his teeth, trying to deny the feeling of being buried, of being crushed by something heavy. Yet, he remained still, unable to move. Despite the overwhelming sense of helplessness, Noah did not lower his gaze.  

“I understand I can’t seize you right now. But why are you doing this to me?”  

If he couldn’t escape, at least he wanted to know why. Perhaps pleased with his firm gaze, the old woman leaned in closer. Her voice dropped to a whisper as if sharing a secret.  

“I don’t have a great fondness for fate. So, I’m conducting a little experiment.”  

“An experiment?”  

“How far can a person go against their destiny?”  

Though it sounded peaceful at first, Noah sensed the twisted emotions lurking beneath.  

Is this what the witch from the story is like?  

“I don’t know what answer you desire, but if that’s what you hope for, I have no intention of granting it.”  

Because Cordelia would be saddened to see him lose his emotions.  

“However, one thing piques my curiosity. What is it that makes you so sorrowful that you look at me like that?”

The old woman looked as if she had just taken a hit. At that moment, Noah felt his fingers move just a bit.  

“I’m not afraid of death. I’ve lived too long for that. But sometimes I think, it wouldn’t be so bad if miracles existed in this world.”  

It was something he had said once. Noah felt strength returning to his body little by little. The old woman’s gaze, slightly turned to the side, seemed distant as if she were looking far away.  

“And I hope such miracles go to those who truly deserve them.”  

Perhaps the old woman had let her guard down, as his previously tense body relaxed for a moment.  

Sensing this, Noah desperately reached out to her. If he could just grab her hair…!  

Noah’s hand barely brushed past the old woman’s hair, and when he saw her face smiling as she stepped back, he lost his balance.  

“Ugh!”  

Barely hanging onto the windowsill, he blinked. Outside the empty window, the snow continued to fall.  

* * *

“I’m back.”  

“Welcome home, young master.”  

As Noah entered the mansion, it was already quite dark inside. The butler noticed Cordelia’s hair and shoulders dusted with snow and quickly fetched a dry cloth. Wiping her hair roughly, Cordelia checked the time. It was a bit past dinner.  

“I’d like to have a meal.”  

“Oh, I’ll have it prepared. Shall I bring you some wash water first?”  

“Yes. I’ll be in my room.”  

Cordelia lightly responded and made her way to the second floor, where Noah’s room was. As she walked down the dark corridor, she noticed a door with light seeping through and tilted her head in curiosity.  

Peeking in, she saw the back of someone with several lanterns on the desk, their hair tied up. Recognizing who it was, Cordelia instinctively tried to step back.  

“You’re back early.”  

Eek! The sudden voice startled Cordelia, making her catch her breath. The pale-faced woman turned to look at her, her warm smile more at ease than before. Cordelia, feeling awkward, spoke cautiously.  

“Yes, I just… came back.”  

She thought she had responded as calmly as possible.  

As soon as Cordelia’s words reached her, Aileen slowly stood up and walked closer. With each step, the view that had only been a sliver before expanded widely.  

Opening the door fully, the woman looked up at Cordelia, reaching out to gently caress her cheek. Not knowing how to react, Cordelia stood still as Aileen spoke.  

“You are not my son.”  

“…Yes.”  

Since Tyrain had already informed her of the body change, there was no point in hiding it now. To Cordelia, who hesitated and glanced nervously, Aileen quietly asked.

“Where is my child?”  

“He should be in the drawing room of my mansion. I’ve stocked the fireplace with plenty of firewood, so don’t worry.”  

“…I see.”  

“Wait a moment!”

As Aileen turned back toward her desk, she gave a questioning glance. Cordelia, quickly scanning her surroundings, blurted out.

“Were you making something?”  

Just like Noah’s workshop, this room had quite an impressive scene. A loom was present, along with what looked like high-quality fabrics hanging to one side, and three desks cluttered with tools of unknown purpose.  

She glanced at a half-finished dress hanging nearby. The flickering light from the dim lanterns danced across the hem, and it was clear even at a glance that it was well-made.  

“I was working on some jewelry. The deadline is coming up soon.”  

“Jewelry? You?”  

“With nothing else to do but be locked up, I thought I’d occupy myself with something.”  

Cordelia stared intently at the face of the former queen, feeling a bit overwhelmed. As various thoughts began to swirl in her mind, she suddenly blurted out. 

“May I take a look?”  

It was almost a gamble, but unexpectedly, Aileen readily replied.  

“…Do as you wish.”  

Cordelia stepped closer to the desk, inspecting the items on it with hawk-like eyes. She had firmly resolved to compliment even a lump of scrap if that was what came out, but her eyes widened slightly.  

“Huh?”  

“What’s wrong?”  

“Oh, nothing. Everything is just so beautiful.”  

It wasn’t flattery; the three pieces of jewelry on the desk were stunningly brilliant. A necklace made of blue gems, earrings that seemed to be made of opals, and especially a crown-like headpiece adorned with red jewels, all exquisite and dazzling at first glance.  

As she stared at them in awe, Cordelia’s attention shifted to the papers beside them. Some sketches seemed to be designs for the jewelry, along with hurried scribbles beneath them. Upon seeing the signature written in the lower right corner, a small voice escaped Cordelia’s lips.  

“…Could it be, Adelle Azoro?”  

“You know that name?”  

Oh my, is this for real?  

“Wow, no way. Is it really Adele Azoro?”  

Looking back at her with surprise, Aileen nodded. Regardless, Cordelia was in a state of excitement.  

“So Noah inherited his talent from you! No wonder he didn’t seem to take after that rough-looking former king.”  

Cordelia, unabashedly speaking her mind, suddenly clamped her mouth shut, realizing how inappropriate her words might be. Noticing her cautious gaze, Aileen responded abruptly.

“You’re quite the curious one.”  

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t harbor any hostility toward me.”  

That was actually what Cordelia wanted to say. She replied with a bewildered expression. 

“I thought you would be angry with me.”  

“Angry about what?”  

“Well, considering my family background and situation…”  

The subtle relationship between the current king and the former queen Aileen was a well-known topic among those familiar with the social circles before the Marquis’ rebellion. She remembered that her sister, who was the crown princess at the time, hadn’t had a particularly good relationship with Aileen either.  

Having braced herself for some cold treatment, she was surprised that things were going so smoothly. She didn’t want to endure trials, after all!  

“That might have been the case in the past. But now, it’s a futile concern.”

Aileen’s expression as she said this was intriguing, making it hard for Cordelia to look away. Perhaps due to the tension easing, Cordelia couldn’t evade the topic Aileen abruptly introduced.  

“But what about you? Why did you approach my son?”