In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 139

EPISODE 139

“I report. First, we have captured both commanders who led the rebellion, and I just received word that the soldiers ambushed at the mansion have captured the woman and her group who were approaching Her Majesty the Queen.”

“And Ian?”

“He left early this morning. It seems he went to his master, Olive Flotera’s workshop.”

“Alright, good job.”

At the brief praise, Tyrain nodded. Jerome, standing next to him, remained silently tight-lipped. He had been assigned to guard the queen on Franz’s orders and had single-handedly swept away almost all the soldiers led by Bennett, even breaking one of Bennett’s legs.

Yes, he didn’t just strike with a sword; he broke it. Tyrain reaffirmed his vow not to fight that guy again.

“I thought if we loosened the guard around Ian, some subversives would surely make contact, and it seems I was right.”

“Honestly, whether in the past or now, you are relentless. Which country refers to the Emperor as a cat with its claws pulled out?”

“This will serve as a clear warning. Anyone who dares to raise their head will be crushed in an instant.”

Irence, standing behind Franz, added ominously. Tyrain cast a light glance at him before speaking.

“So, what do you plan to do about Ian?”

Before Tyrain, who looked even tenser than when he had just delivered the report, Franz tapped his arm with his fingers. Just as Tyrain focused his gaze on the rhythmically moving fingers, the tightly closed lips of the king finally opened.

“He’s done well in suppressing the rebellion… Isn’t it customary to grant great rewards to those who thwart treason?”

“That… is true.”

“Then, a pardon should be acceptable. Even if we cannot restore his royal status.”

Everyone in the room sensed that this was not merely a statement about granting freedom. Tyrain stroked his chin in surprise.

“However, the backlash won’t be trivial. Strictly speaking, he is of the bloodline they wanted to elevate.”

“Indeed. That’s why we need to resolve it now. So there isn’t even time for retaliation.”

The fingers that had been slowly tapping came to a sudden halt and then formed a fist.

“First, let’s exaggerate his merits as much as possible. Also, if we grant the title in the name of Noah Epherman, the artist, rather than Ian Linaen, they won’t be able to say anything. However, we should compromise on making it non-inheritable. Irence.”

“Yes, I will take care of it.”

Tyrain tilted his head in curiosity.

“You are quite merciful?”

Seeing the corners of Franz’s mouth lift slightly, Tyrain thought he must be having some useless thoughts again. Yet, Franz answered more readily than usual.

“Every matter should come with a suitable reward.”

* * *

“Noah, over here!”

Cordelia, dressed in a green silk dress, smiled brightly in front of Noah. Her well-groomed golden hair was adorned with a crown-like hairpin embedded with red rubies, beautifully contrasting with the deep green of her outfit. It was a perfect outfit for a spring day.

“What is that…?”

“Oh, I wanted to try it on, but I wanted to show it to you first. How does it look? Do I suit it?”

As Cordelia spun around playfully, Noah stared at her, enchanted, and nodded.

“Yes, it looks great on you.”

“Right? You look good too.”

Cordelia glanced over Noah’s outfit: a green top that slightly covered his waist, brown pants, and a green hat adorned with feathers.

Her opinion hadn’t changed from before; he was a good dresser, and the clothes suited him well.

After climbing into the carriage, they headed in the opposite direction of the bustling street where the festival was taking place. Since they had adjusted their plans for Noah yesterday, today’s destination was up to Cordelia. After getting out of the carriage, they walked for a while before reaching their intended spot.

“This place…”

Noah blinked slowly. Surrounded by trees on a hill, he recognized the buildings below; it was the very spot he had come to with Cordelia before.

Cordelia spread out a blue cloth on the grass and cheerfully declared.

“What do you think it is? A picnic!”

“Weren’t you going to the festival?”

“I already enjoyed the festival yesterday. I’d rather be here with you. Don’t you feel the same?”

“I do feel that way.”

Noah carefully set down the basket he had been carrying on the cloth. The two of them sat side by side, gazing at the distant festivities.

A cool breeze tousled their hair. Although they were dressed somewhat extravagantly for mingling in the festival city, in this green space, they seemed a bit more ordinary.

After sitting in silence for a while, Noah gently reached out and covered Cordelia’s hand with his.

Turning her head, Cordelia met Noah’s gaze. They exchanged smiles, and Noah was the first to speak.

“Lady Cordelia.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve realized that I cherish more things than I thought.”

Noah’s eyes softened as he began to speak.

“I think that’s why I hesitate when making decisions. A choice that satisfies everyone doesn’t exist.”

Last night, when they returned to the mansion, he received a message from the palace. He had expected it, yet the feeling was worse than he had imagined. He knew that feeling this way was hypocritical.

Paradoxically, at that moment, Noah understood Tyrain’s feelings. Did he feel this way too? Did he turn away from them with these feelings? Yet he chose to linger around them anyway?

He resolved to carry this unshakeable emotion for a lifetime.

“I thought hard about it.”

Noah turned his head to gaze at the distant buildings, and a wistful light shone in his eyes.

“I know it’s already twisted beyond repair, but I felt like if I didn’t do my best until the end, I would regret it.”

Even without a subject, Cordelia could vaguely understand what Noah meant. Perhaps it wasn’t just one thing.

Instead of asking what it was, she cautiously inquired.

“Do you regret it?”

“A little. But at the time of the decision, I didn’t regret it, so that’s already enough for me.”

It was better than accepting a result without doing anything.

Despite the troubled emotions hanging beneath his eyes, Noah’s face bore a strangely relieved expression. Something lightly touched his shoulder, and when he glanced over, he saw Cordelia’s golden hair, soft and silky, resting against him.

“Lady Cordelia.”

“If you don’t regret it, then that’s enough for me.”

Her face, looking up at him with a bright smile, was so lovely that he couldn’t look away. Without realizing it, Noah tightened his grip on her hand.

“I wanted to give you a perfect ending, but I feel sorry that I couldn’t.”

Cordelia’s expression, slightly embarrassed as she added that, resembled a sulky child, causing Noah to chuckle softly.

“I’m already more than happy.”

In such a peaceful setting, wasn’t he with the person he loved? Even if troublesome situations arose in the future, recalling moments like this would give him the strength to carry on.

Even if it wasn’t perfect, wasn’t that enough?

“How about you, Lady Cordelia?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you truly okay with not satisfying everything?”

His tone sounded a bit more tense than before, and Cordelia tilted her head for a moment as she searched her memories for an answer.

‘I want to date and get married. But I don’t want just anyone; I want someone special. Is that wrong? If I say things like this, everyone tells me I’m being childish. They ask how I can be satisfied with everything.’

Cordelia squinted her eyes and gazed at Noah’s face.

His thick yet soft black hair, slightly tanned healthy skin, round and large eyes filled with a sky-like blue, delicately extended eyelashes, a prominent nose, slightly reddened lips, and a gently angled jawline—all combined to form a well-shaped face.

Despite seeing him so often, she never grew tired of it.

He seemed to have improved a bit, but this cute guy still had quite a low opinion of himself. Or perhaps he genuinely liked her so much that he lost his objectivity.

“What are you talking about? Of course, I want to have everything.”

As she playfully replied, Cordelia cupped Noah’s cheeks with both hands, a smile spreading across her face.

“I have you, don’t I? So I already have it all.”

Noah was left speechless by her excessively romantic confession that he was her everything. His gaze, filled with amazement, made Cordelia laugh heartily. Then, she suddenly composed herself, pretending to be aloof as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

“So just stay as cute as you are now. So I won’t ever get tired of you. Well, I guess it’ll be about a hundred years before that happens?”

Hearing her heartfelt joke, Noah began to laugh as well. He then rummaged through the nearby grass and took her hand.

“Ooh.”

Cordelia’s eyes sparkled when she saw the flower ring he made on her ring finger. Unlike last time, the yellow petals trembled gently with her movements.

Noah, holding her hand, lightly kissed the back of it and whispered sweetly.

“I’ll do my best, so please keep being beautiful for me.”

“…Huh?”

Noah usually spoke pleasant words, but his manner was quite rough. Hearing him softly utter such awkwardly sweet words made Cordelia feel her face flush.

Watching him smile so leisurely, she felt both charmed and exasperated, prompting her to suddenly grasp Noah’s face and kiss him.

Under the peaceful blue sky, it felt like this moment could last forever.