In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 28

EPISODE 28

“What kind of absurd nonsense is this?”

Cordelia tightened her facial muscles so that it looked that way in Tyrain’s eyes.

“What are you implying I’m doing?”

“Oh, why are you so defensive? Let’s be honest. Is there anyone who doesn’t know that you, Lady, like handsome men in the social circle? Just recalling the faces of your previous suitors paints a picture.”

It’s amusing how he talks about his nephew being handsome like that. Although it’s true.

“And you, on the other hand, have only ever courted beautiful people!”

It’s ridiculous how he speaks as if he’s not like that himself, raising her voice involuntarily. Tyrain shrugged lightly.

“Well, if that’s not the case, then fine.”

Though he withdrew gracefully, Cordelia could see Tyrain’s true feelings. He must be thinking that, despite knowing her circumstances, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.

As her sister once said, a good strategist uses tricks to catch the opponent off guard. Of course, strategy isn’t her thing! Anyway, it seems she has successfully caught him off guard.

Cordelia squinted and gave Tyrain a thorough look. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep this up, but she had a premonition that if it were discovered, it would inevitably become troublesome.

“Noah might be kind and let it slide, but I have no intention of letting it go.”

She felt the need to say this before moving on.

“What do you mean?”

“What’s the meaning behind this? Do you even have the right to be near Noah?”

Asked sharply, Tyrain smiled broadly. Despite his expression, he slightly flinched, suggesting that the claim that he would be hurt if he acted coldly was not entirely false.

“Well, it’s true that I don’t have the right. If it weren’t for this situation, I wouldn’t have even come to see you.”

Tyrain admitted this readily but added.

“His Majesty the King is even colder than you think. If he thought I would be harmful to you, he would never have sent me.”

Cordelia chuckled.

“That’s a rather rational excuse. Do you think His Majesty the King would extend such courtesy to someone who might become a seed of rebellion? That person’s existence would hardly benefit the royal authority.”

No matter how much he lost his royal status, blood is blood. Though he had many siblings from the late king, considering his mother’s status, he was the prince with the next highest legitimacy after the current king and his children.

When she looked at him with suspicion, Tyrain shrugged.

“Not everything is as it seems. Is your sister so foolish as to choose such a petty man as her husband?”

“Ugh.”

With that, Cordelia had no more to say. Seeing her tail go down the moment Jerania’s name was mentioned, Tyrain sighed inwardly.

Indeed, Her Majesty the Queen. She does know people well.

“Don’t trust me, trust His Majesty the King’s judgment. Lady.”

“For now, I understand.”

Cordelia pouted for a moment but couldn’t hide her curiosity and asked.

“So, what exactly is the relationship between you and Noah?”

The response was brief.

“Laura and the lion.”

“What?”

“It’s a famous fairy tale. Didn’t you know? Just think of it like that.”

“Of course, I know, but—hey, you!”

Before she could ask anything more, Tyrain exited into the alley. Cordelia hurried after him, but by the time she emerged, the man had vanished into the crowd.

Cordelia scratched the back of her head.

“What is he talking about?”

***

At high noon, Cordelia and Noah stood in front of a building named <Dios Apateros>.

“It’s bigger than I expected.”

“Yeah.”

Noah echoed Cordelia’s words. They had anticipated it might be an inn or something similar, but given the atmosphere, it seemed more like an upscale establishment. Cordelia, who had been staring at the throngs of people entering and exiting the building with a weary look, pulled down her hood and grabbed Noah’s hand. The texture of the black gloves was soft.

“The name of the building is rather ominous though.”

“A god without wings.”

It was a strangely unsettling name, wasn’t it?

As the two were about to enter the building, their steps faltered. The surroundings changed instantly and soon reformed into a completely different space.

“…What is this!”

Noah quickly scanned the area and pulled Cordelia’s arm towards him. Noticing someone directly in front of them, Cordelia stood in front of Noah, on guard.

“Well, doesn’t the welcome please you?”

The bright, expansive space before them was striking. The walls were white, the floor was marble and a round, red carpet lay in the center with a table full of food. Seated at the table was a silver-haired man, smiling at them. Servants in uniform stood in rows next to the pillars on either side of the table.

Cordelia, quickly surveying the scene, spoke somewhat coldly. Clenching her right hand slightly, she let her anger show.

“In the kingdom, unauthorized use of magic is prohibited unless it’s a temple.”

The sudden change in space was clearly due to magic. Where exactly was this place?

Trying to hide her anxiety and keeping calm, she asked, and Raymond responded leisurely.

“Don’t worry. We have permission from the temple.”

“That’s impossible.”

“There’s nothing that can’t be resolved with money and power.”

This essentially meant that it was solved with a bribe, which was legally prohibited. Cordelia resolved firmly.

She would report this to her sister once she got out. Clearing out corruption—what a desirable phrase.

Almost immediately after having this thought, Raymond’s gaze turned to Noah.

“The regional lord has also given their permission.”

Why is her father’s name involved in this corruption?!

Isaac Weichen. Cordelia, recalling who the regional lord was, gritted her teeth. This meant that if she didn’t want to attract unwanted attention, she had to keep quiet.

No, her Father. What on earth did he authorize for this wretched person?

Noah, standing behind Cordelia, murmured, his voice as cold as hers.

“Are you threatening us?”

“I’m hoping for an amicable resolution.”

Did they come here in vain? It seems unlikely that Tyrain would find them easily in this magical space.

Raymond, not easing his guard, shrugged at Noah.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of causing harm to you. No matter how I am, I wouldn’t want to turn Isaac Weichen into an enemy.”

The sly smile on his face momentarily faltered as he shivered, as if recalling something dreadful. His previously perfect smile broke just slightly.

What could be so frightening?

Cordelia tilted her head, recalling her father’s inept face. Although he was reputed to be extremely skilled in politics, imagining a dignified version of him was still hard.

What about that?

The image of her father being dragged away by her mother flashed through her mind. Well, the idea of him being imposing still didn’t seem plausible.

“By the way, the food we prepared with such effort will get cold. Please, have a seat.”

Cordelia and Noah exchanged glances and sat down at the table.

The table was laden with roasted meats seasoned with various spices, cheeses, freshly baked bread, and a plate in the center filled with assorted fruits. The delicious aromas wafted through the air, stimulating their senses.

What caught Cordelia’s eye was the wine placed in the center of the table. As Raymond gestured, the servants standing closest to them approached. When the lid was lifted, a sweet and spicy aroma spread.

The sound of swallowing seemed almost audible. The color of the wine pouring into the glass in front of her was beautiful. It was an expensive, high-quality wine, its aroma enticing Cordelia.

“Please, help yourselves.”

“Oh, I don’t drink alcohol.”

Stay calm, Cordelia. Right now, you are Noah Epherman. He’s a person with no connection to alcohol! But why do her eyes keep sweating?

“I’m not particularly fond of alcohol offered by strangers.”

After responding lightly, Noah glanced at Cordelia, who was trying hard to hide her emotions. He was deeply startled to see his own face almost on the verge of tears. While his face remained composed, his eyes betrayed his feelings.

What should he do now?

“It seems my effort is not satisfying you if you don’t eat anything on this rare dining occasion.”

“…Well, it would be impolite not to accept at least one glass.”

He had no choice but to trust that he meant no harm. Noah, with a faint smile towards Cordelia, who was trying to appear more lively, accepted the glass.

Demonstrating, Noah lifted his glass first. Everyone knew that Cordelia was a known drinker, and he couldn’t afford to drink alone.

Tilting the glass, the wine smoothly flowed down his throat. Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Noah answered with a hint of sophistication.

“It’s not bad.”

He’s not a fan of alcohol, so he didn’t know how to react. Pretending to be shy seemed like the best option.

On the other hand, Cordelia was struggling differently. It was hard to keep her lips from curling up into a smile as soon as she took a sip.

Indeed, it seems that the duchy lives up to its reputation for wealth. Could it be that her father was swayed by alcohol as well?

Cordelia, lost in such unrelated thoughts, snapped back to reality as she felt someone observing her. She turned her attention from the man who resembled a sly fox, who lazily gave a small smile.

“It seems you quite like it.”

“Only now are you treating me like a person.”

The man’s attitude seemed to have changed oddly. Did he overhear something? As she tried to probe for information, Raymond widened his eyes slightly in a questioning manner.

“I haven’t done anything of the sort. Did something offend you?”

“Of course not. I was quite surprised when you separated me from the young lady, even going so far as to steal other people’s money.”

“I told Kion to bring you here respectfully. I heard there was some misunderstanding during the communication process.”

What a rare kind of lunatic.

Facing Raymond, who looked at her with a clear implication that he had heard about what she did, Cordelia said sweetly.

“Oh, what’s this? I thought you were going to use me as a hostage to threaten our young lady.”

Take a look in the mirror. Is it rare?

Laughter erupted between the two, and amidst the smiles, intangible sparks flew. Noah remained quiet, focusing on his meal to avoid getting caught in any potential crossfire. Though he only picked at the fruits, he stayed silent.

“By the way, the young lady has been quiet since earlier.”

Noah calmly responded to the sudden topic directed at him.

“You speak as if you ever included me.”

“That wasn’t my intention… But if the young lady felt that way, it was my fault. Is the food not to your taste?”

“Well, I don’t think the Duke would find it easy to enjoy the food in my position. But if you’ve enjoyed yourself enough, perhaps it’s time to get to the main topic.”

Good, he’s doing well.

Watching Noah’s quick adaptation, like a sponge soaking up water, Cordelia managed to repress her rising smile.

“You are indeed an entertaining person, young lady.”

Having enjoyed himself to this extent, it seemed he decided it was time to get to the point.

“Actually, I wanted to formally invite you to our duchy.”