In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 38

EPISODE 38

Cordelia froze at the sudden, direct comment that came out of nowhere.

“Huh? Oh, well, um…”

She could have answered lightly or mumbled something, but when she saw Noah looking at her with his innocent face, her throat inexplicably tightened.

There are many genres in the popular works of the world. In the field of novels, the most common trends involved chivalry, religion, or sometimes chronicles. Recently, with the increasing number of commoners learning to read, raw stories that satirized society were also gaining popularity.

Love stories? It wasn’t as though they didn’t exist. They were simply idealized love stories told in refined language within the backdrop of what was known as courtly literature.

Her writing didn’t fit into any of these categories. It was usually light and sentimental, and at times, she would candidly deal with raw emotions that might be considered secretive. You could say it was content faithful to desire.

…If she told him this, what would happen?

At Cordelia’s rare hesitation, Noah’s eyebrows, which had been raised in interest, slowly relaxed.

“If it’s difficult for you to say, I don’t mind…”

“No!”

Since it would be discovered eventually, avoiding the topic didn’t suit her nature. Cordelia sipped her now-cold tea and opened her mouth to speak.

“Romance. I write romantic love stories between men and women.”

She tried to speak elegantly and calmly, but her heart was pounding. Despite worrying about how he might react, the tea went down smoothly.

“Love stories?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds like it could be very interesting.”

“…What?”

She cautiously opened one eye and looked at Noah, who was speaking with a sparkle in his eyes, seemingly not just saying empty words.

“May I take a look?”

“No!”

She almost spilled her tea onto the carpet. Cordelia, who barely managed to close her mouth, hurriedly wiped her lips in an undignified manner.

“T-that’s something you only show to family or someone you’re going to marry!”

That was a ridiculous thing to say.

Realizing she had said something absurd, Cordelia nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and subtly watched Noah’s reaction.

“…Then, I suppose I really shouldn’t see it.”

Wait, why was he stepping back with such a sorrowful smile?

“But if it’s you, I might show it. Considering our relationship, don’t you think?”

“It seems too valuable to show to a mere guest.”

A line had been drawn, but Cordelia persistently pursued.

“A guest? At the very least, aren’t we business partners? And then maybe, we could become something more special?”

“Everyone has their own place, they say. I’m sure someone who suits that place much better will appear.”

“And how can you be sure of that? It’s up to me to choose who to place in that spot.”

“Usually, it requires mutual agreement.”

“Are you telling me you can resist someone as beautiful and lovely as me?”

“Such a person wouldn’t need to muddy their feet in a place like this.”

The argument, which seemed like it would never end, was interrupted by a single question from Calia.

“By the way, what work do you do?”

It seemed like she was asking if he had any work or what kind of work he was doing. Grateful for the interruption, Noah responded in a cheerful tone.

“I’m a painter. I’m affiliated with the <Hollemia> Guild.”

In the same way that social status often determined one’s worth, trades like craftsmanship were typically regarded as lowly occupations. Art was no exception.

Contrary to his worries about how they would react, Calia simply nodded lightly.

“Ah, so that’s why you and Cordy get along so well.”

“We do make quite the pair.”

“It’s Cordelia who’s accommodating me.”

Hearing Noah’s modest reply, Calia let out a deep sigh. Watching her sister standing so close to Noah with a troubled expression, she firmly said.

“No matter how I think about it, you’re too good for her.”

“Huh?”

“Your name is Noah, right? Don’t spoil her too much. That’s why she acts like that.”

“No, I…”

“Spoiled? How am I spoiled!”

“I get why you’re so taken with him. But can we expect some good news? It looks like you’re the one being wrapped around her finger.”

“Sister!”

As the two continued their bickering, Noah, who had been watching them with a strangely envious expression, spoke up.

“You two seem to get along well.”

When both pairs of eyes turned toward him, Noah quickly added.

“Thank you, even if you’re just saying that. I’m always in your debt.”

No, he meant it sincerely.

Calia’s mysterious gaze, Cordelia’s hand holding his arm, the awkward yet endearing atmosphere—all of this swirled around in Noah’s mind.

“But I think I should get going. I still have work to finish.”

Barely managing to get the words out, Noah stood up abruptly. Cordelia, who had also risen quickly, gripped his firm arm tightly.

“Wait, Noah! When will you be done?”

“Huh? I’m aiming to finish before dinner. Why do you ask?”

Cordelia didn’t bother to hide her smile. Her delicate red lips slowly parted, as if she were about to share a secret.

“Then…”

***

After finishing their conversation, the two sisters left the room and went their separate ways to attend to their respective tasks. Calia disappeared down the hallway toward the master bedroom to greet their parents, while Cordelia returned to the large guest room where she was staying.

Just as she approached, a maid who was leaving the room bowed politely to Cordelia. It was someone she recognized, having crossed paths a few times when visiting the estate.

Though Isaac might seem easygoing, he was quite particular, so the servants who managed to stay employed for more than a fortnight usually ended up working for a long time.

“Um, Lady Cordelia.”

Cordelia, who was about to enter the room after exchanging the usual light greeting, turned her head at the maid’s quiet call. The maid was staring at her with an intense, almost resolute expression.

“What is it?”

“Um… about the guest who came this time.”

“The guest? You mean Noah?”

“Yes.”

The maid hesitated, as if unsure whether to continue. When Cordelia gestured for her to go on, the maid wrapped her arms around herself and spoke.

“Shelton said he heard strange noises coming from the guest’s room all night…”

“Noises? What kind of noises?”

Cordelia’s voice rose slightly as she asked again. The maid’s voice, in contrast, grew even quieter.

“I’m not entirely sure, but… it sounded like something was being sharpened or maybe hammered. The noises kept going, on and off.”

The maid began to tremble as she spoke. Unlike Cordelia, who listened indifferently, the maid stammered as she continued.

“Like, maybe… a ghost!”

“There’s no such thing.”

The kingdom’s religion did not include an afterlife. Ghosts, if they existed, were considered to be manifestations of strong emotions, particularly malice. Some believed that this malice could develop a will of its own.

And one of those believers was standing right here.

Cordelia scoffed at the absurd notion, but the maid, on the verge of tears, cried out.

“But you never know! That guest hardly speaks, and sometimes it’s like he’s not even there!”

Seeing the maid’s eyes well up with tears as she looked at her, Cordelia couldn’t help but feel a bit troubled. It was clear that the maid was worried about her, making it harder to dismiss her concerns.

“Alright, I’ll ask him about it later. But make sure that none of these stories reach the guest’s ears.”

He already seemed cautious enough, and if he heard these kinds of rumors, he’d become even more withdrawn. She didn’t want that to happen now that he was here.

“Of course, don’t worry.”

The maid, who had insisted on telling Cordelia, quickly walked down the hallway and disappeared. Cordelia watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning back to enter her room.

***

‘Then come to the room at the very end of the second floor at 8 o’clock!’

After dinner, Noah headed to the location Cordelia had mentioned, right on time. The sun had set, making everything around him quite dark.

As he climbed the stairs in the hallway, holding a lantern, he unexpectedly ran into Calia, who was coming down.

“Oh, hello.”

“Yes. So you’re going too.”

Calia responded lightly, slowing her pace slightly. Noah, noticing her reluctant expression, matched her steps and tilted his head in curiosity.

“Is something wrong?”

“…You’ll see for yourself.”

Shaking her head in what seemed like exasperation, Calia walked ahead of the puzzled Noah, reaching the end of the hallway in no time.

As soon as the door opened, the brightly lit interior came into view, thanks to the many lamps that had been lit. A large table stood alone in the center, with various items piled behind it.

“Oh, you both came together!”

Cordelia, holding a large wooden cup, jumped up from her chair. When Noah saw Isaac sitting across from her, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Here, take this!”

Cordelia approached with a cheerful grin and handed Noah the cup she was holding. Peering inside, he saw the cup, as large as his head, filled to the brim with a liquid.

“What is this?”

“It’s alcohol, of course!”

Cordelia exclaimed energetically, her voice full of excitement. Behind her, already seated at the table, Isaac couldn’t hide his amusement.

“Do you drink at all?”

Isaac asked, his gaze sharper than it had been during his days as a minister, now directed straight at Noah. Instinctively, Noah shook his head.

“Just in moderation.”

“Oh, then come on, have a seat. Let’s have a drink!”

Noah had always thought of Isaac Weichen as a consistent man—usually either wearing a gentle smile or a stern expression. These were the two faces he was most familiar with.

But now, Isaac looked different, genuinely happy, something Noah had never seen before. Trying to hide his surprise, he was interrupted by Cordelia, who leaned in close and whispered so only he could hear.

“Just go along with it. He’s excited because Mother said he could have a drink.”

“Keep this quiet outside, would you? It’s a bit undignified.”

Isaac added, glancing away with a hint of embarrassment. Calia, standing nearby, gave her father a somewhat exasperated look.

Noah hesitantly moved closer and noticed the round wooden barrels stacked neatly behind Isaac. Pointing at them with a trembling finger, he asked.

“Are those all…?”

“Of course.”

Cordelia replied with a grin as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She patted the seat next to her, guiding Noah to sit down, then cheerfully clapped him on the shoulder.

“Alright, let’s drink!”