In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 51

EPISODE 51

CHAPTER 7. THE WRITER AND THE PAINTER

“Missing persons case?”

“Yes.”

Eir, who was sitting across from Lyneth, slightly nodded in response to her puzzled question.

Ephinas Eir. She was one of the five high priests under Avis, the leader of the Grand Temple, and an Anasha with the ability to read the past. Lyneth knew well that the woman, who appeared to have a cold demeanor, was quite different from what she seemed.

Her golden eyes, the same color as her hair, gazed steadily at Lyneth.

“A request for cooperation has come down from the royal family. We are selecting people to be dispatched from the temple, and I would appreciate it if you could join them.”

“I apologize, but may I ask why?”

“I believe you are the most suitable candidate.”

Lyneth asked a bit more specifically.

“Is there no one else you trust?”

“It’s to prevent another incident like the last time. I trust your instincts and abilities.”

“Ephinas Eir, I realize this is a sensitive question, but…”

“Go ahead.”

“I recall a similar incident about two years ago. Are you perhaps thinking of that?”

When she mentioned the event that was known as the Grand Temple’s biggest scandal, Eir’s expression darkened.

It was an indiscriminate disappearance case that had been thoroughly concealed for a long time, involving the high priests of the Grand Temple. Every part of it—from the beginning to the process and the result—was nothing short of shocking.

Although the perpetrators, including the main instigator, were all imprisoned and made to pay for their crimes, the Grand Temple had been struggling to shed the disgrace it had incurred at that time.

“They say this case is somewhat different from the indiscriminate abductions of back then. So this time, it seems we’ll be working with the people sent by the royal family.”

It meant that even the royal family couldn’t completely trust the temple. Considering the horrors of that time, Lyneth found it understandable and didn’t argue further.

“In what way is it different?”

“Before that, will you join the investigation?”

Lyneth responded without hesitation to Eir, who wanted a definite answer first.

“Yes, I will participate.”

It was a good opportunity, as she needed an excuse to move freely around the capital. If someone else had asked, she might have pretended to hesitate, but there was no need for that with Eir’s request.

To Lyneth, the woman before her was as close to an absolute imperative as one could get.

“I’ve heard that while there are fewer victims this time, the case has a clear pattern.”

“What pattern…?”

“Young and beautiful women.”

Lyneth’s expression immediately turned serious. Eir, as if expecting this reaction, calmly added.

“Most of them are daughters from good families, so those families have been protesting strongly. You’ll learn the details once you join the investigation team.”

Eir handed Lyneth a note with the time and place, along with a token to prove her identity. Lyneth carefully took it and examined it.

“To clear the temple’s disgrace, we must conduct a proper investigation.”

“But isn’t my experience insufficient for such an important role?”

“People are chosen based on their abilities. Ephinas Benjamin also recommended you, so the others will naturally accept it.”

Why did he have to recommend her, too?

Lyneth wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or troubled by the fact that she was suddenly receiving the favor of powerful people. She wanted to advance in her career, but something felt off about it.

After confirming the contents of the note, Lyneth tucked the items into her pocket and stood up. Eir spoke in a serious tone.

“Then, I’ll leave it in your hands, Lyneth Sandria.”

***

The meeting place was located in a building on the outskirts of the Grand Temple. As Lyneth entered the room, she saw several people already gathered.

It seemed they were from different affiliations, judging by the unfamiliar faces. In a way, she was relieved.

“Lyneth Sandria?”

The problem was the few familiar faces she did see.

“Are you participating in this as well?”

When Lyneth encountered Daniel Sandria, who looked at her with a puzzled expression, she returned the same look, raising an eyebrow.

“And you, of all people, are part of this investigation team?”

Isn’t he the outstanding barrier master who is the undisputed successor of Ephinas Benjamin? No matter how much the nobles babbled, strength and diligence were the most important qualities for a guardian. It was only natural, given their mission to protect the Grand Temple.

Why did they place someone whose success is already guaranteed here? Is this some kind of factional struggle?

“Well… for personal reasons. That’s how it ended up.”

Apparently not.

As Lyneth glanced around, she stepped closer to Daniel and whispered.

“Do you know anyone among the missing?”

“Stop talking nonsense. How could I be involved with women of the common world?”

Judging by his horrified expression, it wasn’t about that.

“Were you just thinking how bothersome this is?”

“When did I—?”

Wow, he’s quick to catch on.

Lyneth had thought of using this opportunity to search for the old woman who had given Noah that crystal orb since she was already going to be out and about.

Although she hadn’t mentioned it to the others because it wasn’t certain, from a wizard’s perspective, there was a high probability that the old woman was still in the capital.

If she could create such an artifact, she wasn’t just any ordinary person. She likely had a strong researcher’s mindset. Wanting to observe the results of her experiment was only natural.

Of course, Lyneth didn’t feel like explaining why she understood such motivations. She shivered as she recalled the faces of certain mad scholar types within the temple.

However, working with this meddlesome man would make things more challenging. Lyneth, who had been glaring lightly, suddenly voiced a thought that came to mind.

“Since you volunteered, you must know some internal details.”

“More or less.”

“Who is the royal side planning to send?”

“Well, the thing is—”

“Oh, it seems everyone has already gathered. We must have been too late.”

The door opened, and several people in priestly robes entered the room. Despite their numbers, they moved with coordinated precision, indicating that they were likely soldiers. As soon as the door closed behind them, the man who had entered first removed the hood he had been wearing. His mouth curled up into a confident smile, contrasting sharply with the frown that deepened on Lyneth’s face. Daniel, noticing this, looked at the man with a puzzled expression.

The man who had stepped forward extended his hand for a handshake.

“I’m Tyrain May.”

“Looking forward to working with you.”

***

“So, I was hoping to push back the deadline a bit this time.”

With a calm demeanor, Cordelia finished speaking as she sat in front of a slice of apple pie and a cup of tea. Although she had already conveyed her intentions through a letter, it was important to have a proper conversation. Her father had always said that when dealing with people, it was crucial to be sincere.

Despite feeling somewhat nervous, Luther smiled warmly and nodded as if it were just another ordinary conversation.

“I was expecting that. I’ve heard that suitors have been flocking to the duke’s estate.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. Knowing your temperament, it would have been stranger if you could pick up a pen in that situation.”

He didn’t seem to mean anything by it, but why did it sound like an insult?

Cordelia narrowed her eyes at Luther, who skillfully avoided her gaze. But now feeling more at ease, Cordelia picked up a fork and took a bite of her apple pie.

Anyone would think she could afford to hire someone to do this by now, given how much money she’s made, but she’s always so diligent.

“It’s rare to see someone as prolific as you. Why don’t you take this opportunity to consider a break?”

“Really? I can?”

“Pushing yourself isn’t always a bad thing, but taking a break is essential for your work, too. Forcing it won’t make it any more productive.”

“Hmm, is that so? I don’t think I’ve ever been this blocked while writing before.”

“Is it that you still don’t have a story you want to write?”

“Right, I’ve been…”

Cordelia almost mentioned Noah, but she naturally stopped herself. Luther, eyes wide, tilted his head in curiosity.

“Pardon?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Luther was one of the few people who knew her secret, and after more than ten years of knowing each other, they were practically like family. She felt comfortable around him in a different way than with her sisters, so she would sometimes confide in him when she was in a relationship or had someone she liked. Luther was a good listener and kept things to himself.

In any case, it was true that stories often emerged from inspirational moments, and there were plenty of situations and ideas that had come to her while spending time with Noah.

So why couldn’t she say a word about it?

“It’s not that I don’t have stories I want to write. It’s just that… I can’t seem to organize my thoughts.”

With a groan, Cordelia made a show of tugging at her hair. Even the sweet pie couldn’t fully soothe her troubled mind.

“Luther, do you think if I wrote in a different genre, it would sell just as well?”

“A different genre…?”

“Just as an example, something like chivalric romance or adventure literature?”

When Cordelia mentioned the most popular genres in the kingdom, Luther looked a bit surprised but nodded.

“If it’s interesting, I don’t see why it wouldn’t sell.”

‘This story is quite captivating. It’s raw, but that only makes the emotions feel more intense. I’m really curious about how the tragic love between the two will resolve.’

Looking back now, there were so many rough edges in that first manuscript, yet Luther hadn’t held back on his praise. What on earth was she thinking when she wrote that at sixteen?

Those were indeed turbulent times. Back then, instead of considering the broader context, she had been wholly absorbed in exploring the emotions between the two protagonists.

A beautiful princess and the prince of an enemy nation who loved her.

If she were to write a similar story now, it would likely turn out quite differently. Being in a somewhat similar situation herself now, she realizes how complicated it truly is.

A love so passionate that both are willing to abandon everything they have. It was easy to immerse herself in the characters back then, but now, imagining herself in their shoes feels overwhelmingly difficult.

Especially when the other person stands to lose so much more than she does.

“But what suddenly made you think of this?”