In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 136

EPISODE 136

“I-I’m sorry. Were you upset? Angry? No, I thought it would be good to have some hair in emergencies since not all wizards are invincible, right? That’s why…”

“Don’t leave me.”

“Huh?”

Noah, looking directly at Cordelia, tried to keep his lips tightly sealed but ultimately fell apart. Fragments of words started spilling out.

“I’m scared of losing something again.”

Noah gripped Cordelia’s arm tightly as if he were suffocating. The overwhelming emotions rushing in felt like they were squeezing his throat.

He remembered how shocked he had been when Cordelia first confronted the old woman. It felt so surreal that he couldn’t react properly. When he saw them standing off against each other, his mind went blank, and before he knew it, he was holding her tightly.

He told himself he had to be okay, that he needed to be careful. He couldn’t cause any more trouble.

Now that the magic binding them was released, the emotions he had suppressed began to overflow, intensifying his heartache.

He understood, more than ever, that too much of anything is worse than having none. At this moment, Noah felt that truth in his bones. It was overwhelming to bear these surging emotions. He felt like he wanted to tear his heart out.

“I thought my heart was going to drop. So… I’m sorry…”

“Don’t apologize.”

Even at that moment, Cordelia stopped Noah, who was desperately trying to maintain his composure. Her voice was calm, filled only with sincerity.

It was her fault; why is he apologizing?

“There’s no need to feel guilty about being angry. I’m not the only one who likes you.”

Don’t hold back too much. Cordelia whispered, suppressing the emotions rising to her throat.

“That’s not a bad thing. It’s okay. You can be more honest, and it’s fine to be angry.”

Cordelia gently wiped away the tears streaming from Noah’s eyes with her finger. Then she relaxed and threw her trembling body into Noah’s arms. He quickly caught her, wrapping his arms around her and whispering soothingly.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m here. So don’t be scared. I won’t leave you. Not ever.”

“…Okay.”

At that moment, as the two lovers huddled together at the center of the magic circle, there was one fact they overlooked.

“Is it okay to let them behave like that in a sacred temple?”

The realization that they were not alone there.

“Let’s just leave them be for now. If we interfere, they’ll probably be sulking for years.”

In response to Silkion’s question, Lyneth shook her head. Since Noah started crying, the three had already stepped back, keeping their distance. Whatever their relationship was, it didn’t matter much, and they truly didn’t want to get involved.

As Lyneth observed Cordelia’s expression, she noticed her lips twitching and inwardly clicked her tongue. So, she still finds serious situations awkward. But seeing her remain calm without a smile, maybe she’s changed a bit.

Regardless, Daniel, who had been inspecting the state of the magic circle, stood up.

“I should go report to Ephinas Benjamin. In the meantime, please erase the magic circle.”

“Yes, yes. Let’s wait just a little longer.”

As Daniel closed the only entrance and disappeared, Lyneth snapped her fingers and flung open the closed window.

The clouds had cleared, revealing the moon floating gently in the bright sky.

* * *

“This, this.”

The old woman, sitting on a darkened rooftop with her blood-red magic symbols glowing on her arms, glanced over at the distant sacred temple. The white building, illuminated by the moonlight as the clouds cleared from afar, was quite striking.

She looked down at the people carrying lanterns beneath her. The surreal scene reminded her of the pain in her arms, bringing her back to reality. The old woman gazed impassively at the countless destinies sparkling like stars as they drifted by.

Having pushed herself to escape the magic circle, she knew she would need to be careful for a while, but it didn’t matter. She had witnessed an interesting outcome. Remembering the fearless gaze that had glared at her made her smile.

She recited a line from an ancient scripture.

“Ignorance is the greatest blessing, and thus, humanity may find meaning in their lives.”

The outcome of losing emotions might not have been entirely negative. Sometimes, she felt an urge to carve out her own insides completely. Yet, she understood that the trouble involved made life all the more brilliant.

“Yes, young lady. I hope you continue like this.”

With a soft murmur, the old woman vanished back into the darkness.

* * *

The moonlight breaking through the clouds revealed the outline of a courtyard where a situation had just concluded. Numerous assassins lay sprawled on the ground, and bloodstains were evident everywhere.

Jerome lightly shook off the bloodied sword and sheathed it, turning to his adjutant behind him.

“Are there any survivors?”

“There are quite a few captured, but they all took poison and committed suicide.”

The adjutant replied.

“All of them?”

“I’m sorry.”

At least there was some loyalty in them. Unlike the worried adjutant bowing his head, Jerome replied flatly.

“What about our injured?”

“There are thirteen in total. Five of them are seriously injured. Three are dead.”

Dealing with assassins was quite common, but it was rare to have this many involved. While they had managed to break through defenses reasonably well, they hadn’t overcome Jerome, who had been waiting near the king’s chamber.

The adjutant, having witnessed Jerome dispatch five attackers in the blink of an eye without even stepping away from the door, was once again reminded of his superior’s monstrous combat abilities.

“It seems everyone has gotten complacent. To suffer such losses against just this many is unacceptable.”

Even considering the surprise attack at night, sustaining such losses from merely ten attackers was significant. As Jerome looked down at the assassins’ corpses with indifferent eyes, he calmly ordered.

“First, search their bodies for any clues. Now that the situation is mostly under control, I will go report to my lord. As soon as we find any leads, we will inform His Majesty immediately.”

“Understood, Sir Jerome.”

As Jerome turned toward the king’s quarters, drops of blood, dark as rubies, trailed behind him like pebbles.

* * *

Cordelia held onto the wardrobe door and stared inside, her expression the most serious it had ever been.

What should she wear today?

Her hand moved slowly, hesitating as she reached for a dress, but just before pulling it out, she quickly put it back.

“Hmm, I think it’s better to wear this tomorrow.”

She took out the purple dress hanging nearby. She had worn a modest navy blue yesterday, so today she wanted to put in a bit more effort.

‘I’m sorry. I have to go home today.’

Noah looked somewhat drained when they parted last night, perhaps because he had cried so much. His haggard face and slightly swollen eyes tugged at her heart. It was hard to believe that someone of his stature could appear so fragile. She just wanted to comfort him endlessly.

‘Are you sure it’s okay to go home looking like that? Want to come to my mansion?’

‘I’m fine. My mother is probably already asleep.’

She hoped he got home okay. She wonders if he slept well. Cordelia glanced at the pattern that completely faded from her right palm.

‘And, Cordelia, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can meet you tomorrow.’

‘What?! Why?!’

Caught off guard by the sudden news, she shouted, but Noah, though taken aback, stood firm.

‘I’ll make time all day on the last day. I’m sorry.’

‘I told you not to apologize. You have your reasons, right?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then I have a condition instead…’

Yesterday, she had brushed it off in surprise, but after sleeping on it, it felt a bit strange.

Why had he cried so bitterly? Was it because she was in danger? Did all the feelings he had been holding back finally explode?

Cordelia shook her head. No, what is she thinking? If there’s more to it, that would be even more troubling.

She wonders if there’s been any news from the royal family. They said they might move during the festival, but isn’t it only two days away now? Or maybe Noah managed to handle things well somehow. Even though she trusted him, she couldn’t shake this uneasy feeling.

Sighing softly, Cordelia’s expression was heavy with worry.

Rebellion… After this issue is resolved, she needs to talk to Noah about her involvement in it.

She thought he might have already guessed, but her mouth felt dry. Remembering Noah crying in distress made her heartache.

Will he be okay?

‘I’m scared of losing something again.’

Maybe Noah would suffer irreversible scars from this.

Thinking that far, Cordelia thumped her forehead against the wardrobe wall. It hurt a bit, but it jolted her back to reality.

“Ugh, I don’t know!”

Politics never suited her, whether in the past or now. Whether a rebellion broke out or not, her sister and His Majesty would handle it well. They were far smarter than her, so why was she so worried?

“Rosa! Help me change my clothes!”

Cordelia shouted as she closed the wardrobe door with all her strength. The heavy emotions that had been weighing her down also vanished behind the door.

* * *

“Welcome, Lady Cordelia.”

When Cordelia went to visit Viscount Owen, she was informed by a servant that he was temporarily away. Saying she would wait inside, she was led to the reception room, where she found Elisa already sitting on the sofa.

“What a surprise! Weren’t you going to enjoy the festival?”

“And you, Lady Elisa?”

“I’ve already exceeded my limit from yesterday’s outings. Crowded places are just… I happened to run into a persistent man yesterday.”

Elisa shuddered as if she were recalling something unpleasant. With her small, demure appearance, it seemed she had experienced such approaches many times before.

“By the way, what’s bothering you this time?”

“Huh?”

“I assumed you would be out enjoying the festival with your lover.”

“We went out together yesterday. But he said he can’t make it today.”

“Oh, is it a case of infidelity?”

“He’s not that kind of person.”

Despite Elisa’s teasing, Cordelia responded with a touch of indignation. Elisa lightly rang a bell to request an extra teacup from the servant and to replace the cold teapot.

Once the warm tea and snacks were prepared, Elisa poured the tea into Cordelia’s cup with grace. As Cordelia sipped the tea elegantly, Elisa smiled and asked.

“So, what’s on your mind?”

Her gaze seemed to suggest that Cordelia must have something troubling her. After a moment of hesitation, Cordelia spoke.

“Well, it’s just…”

Tea usually gives off a sweet aroma, but when it’s in her mouth, it has a slightly bitter taste. It felt oddly reminiscent of life itself.

“I find myself wondering, what truly is a happy ending?”

Elisa set her cup down and replied.

“Is it about your new worries?”

“Something like that.”

A worry is still a worry, after all.

“Well, I suppose happiness means something different for everyone, right?”

“That’s true, but… isn’t it hard to find a happy ending that includes everyone?”

‘Then, I’ll find a way for both you and me to have a good ending!’

She had definitely told Noah that, but now that she thought back on it, was it truly possible?

She was certain she had decided to help the royal family resolve the issues that had arisen between herself and Noah. When she recalled the plot of the play she had seen in Devron, she had a gut feeling it was somehow related to Noah.

But now that the conclusion was approaching, her mind was increasingly troubled. If her predictions were correct, any ending would inevitably leave one side hurt.

If they hadn’t come looking for Noah, perhaps she wouldn’t have worried so much. She had thought it was a reasonable plan, but now she wondered if she had made the wrong choice.

Would Noah be disappointed in her if she confessed the truth? Or would he just swallow his feelings and move on?

She disliked either outcome, but if she had to weigh them, the latter seemed worse. Why did he always hold back his emotions, even when they first met and again last night? It wouldn’t hurt to be a little more honest.

Elisa’s face floated into her mind as she quietly listened, her serene, clear voice echoing in Cordelia’s ears.