In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 32

EPISODE 32

“Wait, but… You lied to me back then, didn’t you?! You clearly said your name was Terry!”

In the end, she never met the boy again after that. At one point, she had tried searching, but she couldn’t find any trace and eventually gave up, burying the memory in a corner of her mind as a nostalgic recollection.

“Well, you see, at that time, the queen was already married to your brother…”

Noah had impulsively told a lie when the thought suddenly struck him that getting involved with Weichen, who was practically confirmed to side with the crown prince’s faction, might only cause trouble for Cordelia. He never expected that lie to stretch on this long.

“Then where did the name ‘Terry’ come from? Is it your dog or something?”

“No, it’s just that my mother sometimes called my uncle that.”

Noah made a half-hearted excuse, saying that it was the only name he could think of at the time. The former Terry, who had suddenly become a “dog,” was beside him, holding his stomach and laughing, pretending to bark.

“Woof woof!”

“I’m sorry, Uncle.”

Feeling embarrassed, Noah lowered his head, and Tyrain lightly patted his shoulder.

“Oh, it’s fine. It happens. Though I had a feeling you’d never reveal who it was…”

Noah quickly covered Tyrain’s mouth and shook his head, signaling him not to say anything more. Despite everything, Tyrain, who had a soft spot for his nephew, played along and changed the subject.

“By the way, I went to the guild and made a request…”

“Right, how did it go?”

“Well…”

Tyrain glanced at Lyneth with only his eyes. Lyneth, understanding the look, promptly answered.

“I won’t tell the temple. This matter alone is enough for disciplinary action.”

“Good.”

As soon as Lyneth finished speaking, Tyrain eagerly began to explain the details of the request. His concise and to-the-point manner of speaking was impeccable.

After the explanation, Lyneth added a brief comment.

“They’re fairly conscientious folks.”

“Oh, really?”

“At least they didn’t lie. I was already thinking of giving them a warning.”

“A warning?”

“Yes. Especially to you.”

There was no trace of a smile on Lyneth’s face as she looked back at Noah.

“Do you know the first concept a wizard learns when they start studying magic?”

“What is it?”

“Every spell has a price.”

Her voice was solemn as if she were explaining the principles of the world. It was intense enough to momentarily overwhelm everyone present.

“For Cordelia to have intuitively grasped the activation criteria without even suspecting it means that the spell’s activation is tied to you. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“That’s why you need to break the spell as soon as possible. If the spell becomes fully completed, there’s no telling what kind of price you might have to pay. Usually, the price is borne entirely by the caster.”

Noah, who had been quietly listening, asked in a casual tone.

“Then, will this harm Cordelia in any way?”

“Pardon?”

“Then it’s fine. Probably.”

“What are you talking about?!”

“How could that be fine?!”

Cordelia and Lyneth shouted at the same time, then looked at each other. Lyneth, noticing Cordelia signaling with her eyes as if to say for her to go first, rubbed her forehead.

“Honestly, you’re just as reckless as Lady Cordelia. Oh, I’m getting old.”

“Why are you suddenly bringing me into this?”

“Do you really not know?”

The priest looked at them both, alternating her gaze as if they were children and let out a low scoff. Cordelia wanted to retort but couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Anyway, now that we know the conditions, I have a rough idea of how the body operates.”

“What is it?”

“Wanting to see someone… what a vague and ambiguous condition. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like it’s triggered by just any ordinary desire. However, the problem is…”

“The problem is?”

“To return the body to its original state, you might need to harbor a strong emotion that counters that desire.”

Cordelia’s expression instantly turned serious.

“An emotion that counters ‘wanting to see someone’… like Noah finding me so detestable that he wants me out of his life?”

“Exactly.”

What is this? How is this so unfair?

“So, does that mean as long as we don’t think like that, it won’t happen?”

A low, eerie voice interrupted them. His elegant face showed signs of deep thought, with a slight frown making him look particularly serious.

Did he know his face could even make such an expression?

Worried that he might make a sudden declaration, Cordelia clapped her hands. The sound instantly changed the atmosphere.

“Then wouldn’t it be better to see each other often? So that the thought of ‘wanting to see’ doesn’t even cross our minds.”

“Yes, that could be one way.”

“Right? Lyneth, let’s change our bodies first. I’m tired of seeing my face all the time.”

Cordelia exaggeratedly spoke, standing up and grabbing Noah’s hand. She playfully pulled him as if saying, ‘Let’s go,’ and Noah obediently stood up from the sofa.

The second time they swapped bodies was easier than expected. The experience of feeling their insides churn was unpleasant no matter how often they went through it.

Despite wanting to act nonchalant, Cordelia’s legs wouldn’t cooperate. A large hand supported her as she wobbled.

Cordelia leaned into that hand, quietly looking up at the handsome face staring at her with concern.

“Lady Cordelia, are you alright?”

Noah’s complexion wasn’t much better as he asked, pale with worry. Cordelia felt a sudden warmth at his concern and a smile spread across her lips.

“It’s tough, isn’t it? We have to find another way somehow…”

“It’s fine. I don’t want to be hated by others. Honestly, Noah, do you think you could hate me?”

Though she had no strength in her body, she managed to wink playfully. Her cheerful words seemed to lighten his tense expression a little.

“Still…”

“Even though I can’t say I’m perfectly fine, seeing your face makes me feel a bit better.”

“Huh?”

“I’m saying you’re handsome.”

Cordelia slowly raised her hand and caressed Noah’s cheek. A blush spread across his skin where her hand touched.

“Stop joking around and get up now.”

“Ouch, my head. I think I’m feeling a bit dizzy.”

Feigning dizziness, Cordelia suddenly hugged Noah tightly. He stiffened, unsure of what to do, while she took the opportunity to enjoy his broad embrace.

“Can you two stop creating your own world? I’m feeling left out here.”

Cordelia had overlooked the fact that they weren’t alone.

“Freeze!”

There was an interrupter, too. As a hand lifted Cordelia like she was a sack of potatoes, she barely managed to stand on her feet. She turned around in annoyance to see Tyrain struggling to close his gaping mouth. Grabbing her shoulders, he shouted with force.

“Lady, as I’ve said before, my boy is off-limits! No, absolutely not!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t pretend to be innocent.”

Tyrain glared at her, making it clear that he wouldn’t be fooled. Given how blatantly he was expressing himself, it would be hard to miss the point unless one was extremely oblivious.

Tyrain didn’t stop at Cordelia. He looked at Noah, his eyebrows twitching as he wore an aghast expression.

“Are you out of your mind, Ian? I understand that men can be swayed by a beautiful woman, but I never thought you would fall for it!”

“You’re mistaken, Uncle. It’s not like that…”

“Hold on, why do you keep assuming that I’m the one making a move on Noah?”

“Is that not the case?”

“It is!”

Cordelia’s confident response made Tyrain look like he was about to grab his neck in frustration. His usual playful smile was replaced by a blue-tinged fury.

“What do you think you’re doing to the boy I raised with utmost care!”

“This is ridiculous. He’s twenty-four now, a fully grown adult! He can decide for himself whether he wants to date or marry someone. Why don’t you butt out, third party?”

Recalling his own words, Tyrain groaned briefly, then glared at her as if unwilling to concede.

“I can’t help but worry! The kid is still so innocent!”

“What’s to worry about with that build?! If he didn’t like it, he could easily push me away and run off. You’re overprotective to a ridiculous extent!”

“And you, the kingdom’s greatest flirt, are in a position to talk?”

“Who are you calling a flirt? I’ve never two-timed anyone!”

“None of your relationships lasted more than three months!”

“The last one lasted six months! Why are you acting like this? I’m always serious about love!”

“Wait, wait!”

The pleading voice stopped their endless bickering. When they turned, they saw Noah looking at them with utter bewilderment.

“What are you all talking about, leaving me out of the conversation?”

At the unusual tone of Noah’s voice, Cordelia and Tyrain paused for a moment. Was he angry? As they hesitated, Noah quickly took the opportunity, maintaining a calm facade.

“What exactly is lacking in Lady Cordelia that would make it so unbelievable for us to be, uh, in that kind of relationship?!”

He stumbled a bit in the middle, but his words came through clearly.

“What are you talking about?!”

“What do you mean, what’s wrong with you?!”

Tyrain and Cordelia shouted simultaneously, exchanging glances. They silently agreed to a temporary truce and turned their intense gazes back to Noah, who bravely continued.

“Anyway, I have no intention of dating anyone. I assume Cordelia feels the same way…”

“Who said that? No, listen here!”

Pop! It sounded like a lid had blown off Cordelia’s head. She strode up to Noah, grabbed his collar lightly, and pulled him down to her level. As he faced her with a bewildered expression, Cordelia smiled sweetly.

“Noah Epherman, I’ve been patient because your feigned ignorance was endearing, but I’ve reached my limit.”

Her tone made it clear she was done with the act.

“I’m interested in you, and I’m serious about dating you. You know all my secrets now, right? I’m saying this knowing full well what you’ve seen.”

Her blue eyes, filled with determination, stared into his. They resembled precious gemstones, vibrant and clear, with depths that seemed endless.

“So give me a serious answer. What do you think of me?”