In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 23

EPISODE 23

“Lady!”

Turning her head, Cordelia saw one of the soldiers escorting them walking towards them. As soon as she noticed the unfamiliar man approaching, she quickly removed her hat, letting her bangs fall.

He was a beautiful man with slightly reddish silver hair and red eyes. Even walking on the gravel, he maintained a refined gait, with straight, broad shoulders and a languid, cat-like gaze. He stopped at a distance where the two could see him.

He greeted them lightly from afar.

“Hello, Lady Cordelia.”

Cordelia and Noah exchanged glances, then stepped down from the rocks and put on their shoes. They slowly walked over and stood facing the man.

Usually, unfamiliar faces should have been filtered out by the guards, but seeing the soldier struggling to take action, Cordelia’s mind was racing.

She hadn’t seen this face in the social circles, but judging by his attire and demeanor, he was undoubtedly a noble. His fluency in their language was notable, but the slight accent made her think he might be a foreign noble.

As Cordelia tugged at the hem of Noah’s cloak, they once again began their little role-play.

“Do you know me?”

Noah asked coolly, and the man responded with a smile.

“Yes, indeed. Did we not meet a few days ago at the Queen’s birthday banquet?”

When Cordelia looked at Noah, puzzled, he shook his head slightly. It meant he didn’t recognize the face.

“Though it was one-sided from my side, your skill in making an entrance was quite impressive.”

So, they don’t know each other.

While Noah was stunned by the sudden appearance of a man showing familiarity, Cordelia remained unperturbed. She had dealt with men approaching her in this manner before.

Noah glanced alternately between the silent guard behind him and the young noble in front of him. His eyes were steely as he cleared his throat.

“Isn’t it a bit rude to not introduce yourself first? Please state your name and status.”

Despite the cold tone, the man smiled and extended his hand. His white fingers, free of calluses, stood out as noble.

“Oh, I’m sorry for the late introduction. I am Raymond Persique. You may call me Ray if you prefer.”

Until then, Cordelia’s expression had been indifferent, but there was a slight crack in it. Even if she didn’t recognize his face, she knew that name well.

Cordelia leaned slightly towards Noah, who also had a troubled expression, and whispered.

‘He’s the Duke Persique, the ruler of the Yurite Sanskria duchy.’

‘I’ve heard of the Duke of Persique. But he’s younger than I expected.’

Raymond, who had been watching the two whisper with interest, calmly spoke.

“Who is the person behind you?”

“He’s my companion.”

Noah, closing his mouth and lifting his chin as if he didn’t want to provide any more information, perfectly matched Cordelia’s reaction, making her almost want to applaud in approval.

Of course, the man was objectively very handsome, but since he had intruded on a pleasant conversation with Noah, his presence was not particularly welcome. However, Cordelia was not the type to show her displeasure so openly.

“What brings you here?”

“I was captivated by the beautiful scenery and decided to take a short rest. Seeing a carriage nearby piqued my curiosity. After all, there is more joy in traveling with others than traveling alone, isn’t there?”

Cordelia almost nodded in agreement to the eloquent speech, but then snapped back to her senses.

“May I ask your destination?”

“There’s no reason for me to disclose that.”

“If you were heading this way… could it be Rite?”

The man seemed polite but was completely arbitrary. His interest didn’t seem genuine; it felt more like he was probing to see if he was on the right track.

“I was indeed heading that way as well. May I accompany you?”

“I must decline.”

Instead of the high and elegant tone of a nightingale, a pleasant baritone followed. Cordelia, holding Noah’s shoulders with both hands in surprise, pulled up the left corner of her mouth. The look in her eyes peeking through her sparse bangs was highly defiant.

The reason was simple. The man’s attitude of treating her like an object was irritating. She didn’t appreciate the feeling of being disregarded. Even if it was a noble’s expected behavior, it was still unwelcome.

His arm is nearly twisted into a pretzel.

“I was asking the young lady.”

The moment Cordelia met the man’s eyes, which were smiling smoothly, she was certain.

This man is just like her.

“But… we are already traveling together. Lady, are you going to travel with this man?”

Noah, almost choking on the sight of Cordelia’s innocent blinking, felt a flush of shame at seeing his own face contorted in such a way. Of course, this thought lasted only three seconds.

“I apologize, Duke. As mentioned, we are with others.”

Noah quickly responded, casting a glance at Cordelia. Despite his gentle tone, his intense gaze, showing a desire to dismiss the man quickly, sent a shiver down Noah’s spine.

Though he spoke cautiously to avoid diplomatic issues, Noah was equally tired. Acting as someone with a completely different personality was naturally exhausting.

Moreover, the man was incredibly handsome, even by male standards. It would be a lie to say that Cordelia’s disinterest didn’t make him uneasy.

“Very well. If you insist, I suppose there’s nothing I can do.”

As Raymond unexpectedly withdrew with a refreshing demeanor, a question naturally appeared above the two’s heads.

Is he leaving just like that?

“Then I’ll see you in Rite.”

Just as expected.

With those parting words, the man’s departure seemed to cast a shadow over their previously enjoyable journey.

“What should we do, Lady Cordelia?”

Next to Noah, who whispered, Cordelia muttered to herself.

“He seemed somewhat gentlemanly…”

He looks like he’s worth his appearance.

“Wait a minute. But in this case, who is he interested in?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, it’s just…”

As Cordelia was about to explain to Noah, her mind suddenly sparked with realization. Her thoughts, which had been running in a straight line, slowly shifted direction.

“…I thought he was quite handsome?”

Speaking sincerely, Cordelia gazed intently in the direction the man had left. She murmured as if lingering in her thoughts.

“I think he’s among the top five men I’ve met.”

This was true. Although Cordelia didn’t judge people solely by their looks. A good appearance might earn extra points, but that was only half of the total score! Anyway, that was how it was.

Family background or wealth weren’t factors for her. After all, she already had everything she needed.

Once she set a goal, she focused solely on that, and even in romance, she had never been involved with more than one person at a time. If a relationship ended because the other person strayed, so be it!

In that sense, Raymond—or Ray—was outside her interest. He was slightly off her taste, and besides, there was someone else who had already scored the highest and could earn extra points. There was no reason for her to be interested.

But Noah didn’t know that.

“What do you think, Noah?”

Cordelia gently took Noah’s hand and tilted her head, seeking an answer.

Is he okay with her showing interest in someone else?

“Yes, I think he’s quite a remarkable person.”

Oh?

Noah’s face, as he released the clasp on her hand, was quite composed. His clear eyes showed no sign of inner turmoil. Seeing Cordelia more flustered than before, Noah calmly said.

“Are you perhaps interested in him?”

“W-What?”

“If my attitude was inappropriate, I apologize.”

“…No, that’s not it. Do you have anything else to say?”

“Huh? No, I don’t.”

Noah’s response was so nonchalant and clueless that Cordelia, momentarily glaring with frustration, managed to calm herself.

Why is she feeling upset? She shouldn’t be feeling this way.

“But first, we need to get back to our original selves, so we should quickly find Priestess Lyneth.”

Cordelia stared intently at Noah’s back as he led the way to return. Ignoring Cordelia’s displeased stomping on the gravel, Noah placed a hand on his chest.

His heart was racing as if he had been running.

***

As soon as Raymond leisurely walked towards the ebony carriage he had arrived in, a group of knights who had been resting in the shade quickly stood up.

[Your Excellency, welcome back!]

[Yes. Have you all rested well? Let’s get going.]

Leaving the knights who bowed respectfully behind, Raymond hopped into the sleek black carriage made of ebony. Shortly after, the carriage began to move again, distancing itself from the travel carriage over there.

The man, dressed in relatively light attire compared to the elegantly dressed noblewoman, was perceptive enough to read the subtle atmosphere between them.

It was surprising to see her more reserved compared to her confident demeanor at the banquet, but it was an attractive quality in its own right. He was not one to be interested in women with weak spirits.

As he leaned against the window, his red eyes curved into a smile as he admired the ever-changing beautiful scenery.

[It is indeed worthy of offering the marquisate as a dowry.]

The Marquisate of Seta, which bordered the Marquisate of Eispain, was one of the territories under the Devron Duchy and a border region. Like the lands within the Devron Duchy, it boasted fertile soil and a good transportation network.

Nobles from both the kingdom and foreign lands coveted it. So, there was no reason Raymond wouldn’t have heard about it. Although he hadn’t been particularly interested until he saw it firsthand at the banquet.

[What’s the matter, Kion?]

Opposite him sat a figure cloaked in black, with the hood pulled low, obscuring their face.

[It’s nothing.]

The response in the official language of the Duchy, Florentine, was in a voice so melodious it could enchant anyone, but Raymond merely shrugged his shoulders without much reaction.

[It’s rather peculiar. Hmm.]

As Raymond began stroking his chin, Kion, who knew his habits well, quietly asked.

[Are you considering delaying the schedule?]

[Yes.]

Although it would be best for the Duchy if he returned as soon as possible, he made a slight adjustment to the schedule in his mind. He knew his retainers would make a fuss, but he didn’t care.

Kion, who was well aware of his lord’s true intentions, let out a light sigh, and Raymond chuckled softly.

[Look forward to it. Something interesting is going to happen.]