In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 34

EPISODE 34

CHAPTER 5. EVERYONE’S CIRCUMSTANCES

“You say something interesting.”

The golden-haired prince, who had just shed the last traces of his boyhood, looked down coldly at the man kneeling on one knee before him, head bowed.

“You say you wish to follow me, but I must first question the sincerity of your words. After all, no one wishes more than your father to see me fall.”

Only then did the man raise his head to look up at the prince. In his deep blue eyes, almost indigo, a determined light flickered.

“That is precisely why.”

“What?”

“Is it not easier to unite over shared resentment than over shared affection?”

Only then did the prince take a closer, more serious look at the emotions hidden beneath the smooth, unruffled exterior of this young knight. When he caught a glimpse of the anger simmering beneath the knight’s steadfast gaze, the prince let out a bitter laugh.

“You are the heir of the Borderoa family. If you remain silent, you will eventually gain much.”

If the man compromised with his father, he might take an easier path. Did he not covet the fruits of the greed that had sent his newly adult sister to be the second wife of a king who already had several children?

The man answered the question, laden with implications, with resolve.

“A castle built on sand cannot stand long, nor should it.”

The clear and dignified gaze, so different from that of his father, caught the prince’s attention.

“However, I shall not deny anything except my bloodline.”

The prince had met many people in his life. He had heard plenty of rumors about the knight before him. The man was certainly capable, but if the prince accepted him, he would inevitably sever ties with Borderoa entirely.

Was he worth the risk? The prince’s discerning eyes scanned the knight’s face.

“I believe you are well aware of my worth. If you accept me now, I swear to serve you loyally as your sword.”

“I wonder why you chose to seek me out. Aside from my legitimacy, I have no backing.”

Despite knowing better than anyone the power wielded by families supported by the queen, why would he throw his lot in with a prince who had been left to grow up neglected?

“I have learned that all problems must be addressed by adhering to the fundamentals. Furthermore, Your Highness has more than enough ability to uphold them, does he not?”

“Your words are smooth.”

The prince raised his head as if to say, ‘I’ll listen, go on,’ and the man’s tightly sealed lips parted.

“I have just one request.”

“What is it?”

The man spoke very slowly and carefully.

“When all this is over… please grant me one wish. Whatever it may be, I ask that you promise to fulfill it.”

Though the man remained calm throughout, the prince sensed a desperate note in his voice. Asking to grant a wish without even knowing what it was—a proposal full of danger, yet the prince did not hesitate to answer.

“I give you my word, on the name of the royal family.”

As soon as the prince accepted, the knight drew the sword hanging at his waist, gripping the blade with both hands and presented it to him. The young prince, now holding the hilt, lightly rested the tip of the sword on the knight’s shoulder.

The man murmured.

“Tyrain Borderoa. In the name given to me, I swear loyalty to the lord before me.”

Many years later, when his family’s downfall was finally complete, Tyrain had a private meeting with the boy who had now become the king. The king, who had grown up to be as beautiful and striking as a blooming flower, spoke indifferently.

“So, you’ve come to make your wish?”

Tyrain, noting that the king asked even before he could speak, looked at him with a bitter expression.

“It seems Your Majesty already guesses as to what my wish is.”

“You excel in many things, but hiding your emotions is not one of them.”

“Which is why I haven’t even tried to visit before now…”

With a sigh that bordered on irreverence, Tyrain ran his hand repeatedly over his face. When he finally voiced the wish he had held onto for so long, the king, listening quietly, chuckled.

“So, you’re asking me to spare someone who could potentially be the root of a rebellion?”

“You know Prince Ian, Your Majesty. He is not someone who would harbor such intentions.”

“The more innocent one is, the easier it is to manipulate them. You are well aware that politics is ever-changing.” 

The king pointed out coldly.

“Even if he has no intention of treason, the environment surrounding that boy will not allow it.”

The king continued, his gaze questioning whether Tyrain was prepared to handle that responsibility.

Without hesitation, Tyrain responded.

“I swear on my life and honor that he will never be a threat to Your Majesty.”

***

“Do you think it’s really okay?”

From the moment the outline of the castle appeared in the distance, Noah couldn’t sit still, anxiously looking out the carriage window.

“What are you so worried about?”

“I’m concerned that I might cause Lady Cordelia some embarrassment.”

Noah cautiously confessed.

“You know my situation. Being associated with a traitor’s family isn’t exactly a pleasant thing.”

“The traitor was your grandfather, not you. And hasn’t the Borderoa family already collapsed?”

“It hasn’t been that long. As long as I exist as a pretext, there will likely be problems in the future too.”

He didn’t appear resentful or intimidated. He just accepted it as a fact, his demeanor calm.

“Brother… from the king’s perspective, it would have been much easier to just get rid of me. I’m only alive because of his boundless mercy.”

Noah already suspected that some kind of deal had been made between his brother and uncle. Even so, sparing him, aside from his mother, was a different matter. The uncertainty of the king’s true intentions had made him shrink back even more.

‘Do what you must from your place, Ian. You don’t want to spill more blood either, do you?’

What was his brother really thinking?

“I just want to live without causing any more trouble.”

Noah’s face, usually warm and kind, was now shadowed by a faint sadness as he expressed his desire to maintain the current peace. Cordelia squinted her eyes, about to argue.

“You…”

“We’ve arrived, my lady!”

The coachman’s booming voice interrupted their conversation, splitting the air between them. Noah hurriedly adjusted his hat to cover his face and stepped out of the carriage. Cordelia, watching his retreating back with displeasure, followed him out.

Though not as grand as the Callisto Castle in Devron owned by the Weichen family, the castle before them was still large and beautiful. As they walked through a garden full of blooming roses, a well-dressed, elderly man emerged from the front gate and noticed them.

“Oh! Welcome, Cordy!”

“Father!”

Cordelia ran to him and threw herself into his arms. Isaac’s face lit up with joy as he embraced his youngest daughter, patting her back.

“You rascal, your letter saying you’d come only arrived yesterday. Tiella was in a frenzy, insisting we clean the castle immediately.”

“Is Mother inside?”

“She’s out at the moment. She’ll be delighted to know you’re here.”

“I’m here because—”

“You want me to keep it a secret from Rick, right? Yes, yes, I’ve heard a bit of the story. But more importantly, who’s that standing behind you?”

Isaac’s grayish-blue eyes fixed on Noah, who stood behind her, tense and fidgety. Noah, after clenching and unclenching his fists, finally managed to speak.

“Hello. My name is Noah. I, uh…”

“Ah, Noah! So, what’s your relationship with our Cordy?”

“Excuse me? No, it’s not—”

“He’s my guest! A very, very important person, so you must treat him as well as you treat me!”

“A very, very important person? My dear, what on earth do you mean by that…?”

Cordelia, now a step away from her shocked father, grinned playfully.

“I’m hungry, Father. I’d like some wine, too.”

“Huh? Oh, yes, let’s do that. The meal is almost ready, but—wait, hold on!”

Isaac watched with a bewildered smile as Cordelia, holding Noah’s hand, quickly led him through the front gate. He scratched his head and muttered to himself.

“Well, I’ll be…”

***

After a late lunch, Noah, saying he wanted to rest, returned to his room first. Cordelia knew very well that he wasn’t tired; he was giving her and their father some space to talk.

Cordelia sat on the sofa at the center of the study, where her father spent most of his time. She spoke up abruptly.

“Father, there’s something I need to discuss.”

“Yes, my little one? What favor are you asking for this time?”

Though his tone seemed like he was scolding her, his voice was overflowing with affection. It was hard to believe this was the same man known for his fearsome reputation outside. Cordelia, silently musing on this, began to speak.

“I met Duke Persique in Rite.”

“…What?”

As she summarized her encounter at the inn where the Duke was staying, Isaac finally broke his silence.

“Yes. I indeed gave my permission.”

“But why on earth would you?”

Isaac hesitated, which was rare for him. He looked around the room, and then sighed before speaking to Cordelia.

“You don’t seem to like the Duke very much.”

“It’s not just that. I’m curious about what made you do something like this. It just doesn’t seem like you, Father.”

“Can you promise to act as if you didn’t hear anything I’m about to say?”

“If it involves you committing a serious crime, I can’t make that promise.”

“Ugh, do you trust your old man so little?”

Isaac exclaimed, feigning indignation.

Cordelia replied nonchalantly.

“The Duke brought me some wine, and it was quite good. You tend to get very generous when someone gives you a gift of alcohol. So, I wondered if that was the reason.”

“Well, it’s true that we import wine from them! But that’s not the reason.”

“Then what is?”

Isaac gazed at his daughter, who was tilting her head in curiosity, for a long moment before covering his mouth to stifle a sigh. He had always been fond of her, but facing the daughter who resembled his wife the most made his heart soften even more.

Is he getting old?

“It’s true that we’ve been exchanging some information with the Duchy.”

“Wait, so…”

“It’s something His Majesty the King specifically requested.”