In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 58

EPISODE 58

She was a beautiful woman who seemed to have just turned twenty. Her attire suggested she was not an ordinary person. As Noah had anticipated, the Marquis greeted her with delight upon seeing her.

“Oh, Dahlia. Are you returning now?”

“Yes, Father.”

The woman’s brown eyes briefly scanned Noah’s appearance. A clear and calm voice followed.

“…And who might this be?”

“Oh, this is the artist who was commissioned for the picture book.”

“I’m Noah Epherman.”

When Noah briefly stated his name, the woman’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re younger than I expected.”

“Isn’t that so? I couldn’t believe it myself when we first met. Didn’t you see the mural?”

“Yes. I had never seen my father’s eyes light up like that before.”

The woman, who had approached them, suddenly stood in front of Noah and reached out her hand toward his face.

“What are you doing?”

Noah reflexively grabbed the hand reaching towards his face. When that attempt was blocked, the woman immediately raised her other hand, but he also lightly defended against it. Noah found himself holding the woman’s arms and thought.

What on earth is happening?

Even though he was bewildered, he adjusted his strength so that no marks were left on her delicate skin. Seeing the unmoving opponent, the woman’s eyes grew sharp.

The Marquis, who had been watching the scuffle, called out to the woman with a somewhat flustered expression.

“Oh, Dahlia! What on earth are you doing all of a sudden?”

“Let go. I just want to check your face for a moment.”

Noah shook his head, expressing his refusal. After releasing the woman, he quickly took two steps back to avoid the extended hand. The woman’s attempt to move forward was stopped by the Marquis’ command.

“Maintain your dignity, Dahlia!”

Unable to defy her father’s command, Dahlia stopped in her tracks. The woman’s brown eyes looked at Noah, who was sighing in relief inwardly.

“Excuse me, but do you really not know who I am?”

With her stature being uncommon, Dahlia tilted her head in confusion. Noah responded firmly.

“I do not.”

He had no intention of becoming entangled with a noble lady. If suspicion arose, it would only be to his detriment.

“Why are you being so cold when I just want to see your face?”

“If this is because of my lower status, then that’s troubling.”

When Noah questioned if she was acting so freely because of his powerless status, Dahlia’s shoulders twitched slightly. While commoners often had to bow to nobles, he could not afford to retreat given his situation. When he asked with the resolve to endure corporal punishment if necessary, Dahlia hesitated and then muttered.

“I had no intention of disregarding you. It’s just…”

He waited silently, but Dahlia could not finish her sentence and sighed softly. Then she bowed her head to her father, the Marquis.

“I apologize for startling you.”

“No, that’s fine. But why did you suddenly act like that?”

“I had received help from him before. I tried to repay him, but he disappeared without even giving his name. I was worried he might run away again this time.”

“Even so, your actions just now were improper. You understand that, don’t you?”

“I have no words to offer.”

“Well then, did something like that happen?”

Even under the Marquis’ scrutinizing gaze, Noah gently shook his head.

“I apologize, but I truly don’t remember having met the Lady. If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me where you might have seen someone who resembles me?”

“At the royal palace.”

At those words, Noah struggled to maintain his composure. Could it be… Cordelia?

“Well, fine. At least I now know your name, which is something. Anyway, since you helped me avoid a troublesome situation, I should properly repay you. Is there anything you desire?”

“It would be my pleasure if I could assist the Lady. Moreover, the Marquis has already generously rewarded me, so that is sufficient.”

“That was from my father, not from me. Tell me what you want.”

Seeing how persistent Dahlia was, Noah forced a smile. He had a bad feeling about this.

“Then I will tell you next time I visit. For now, I will take my leave, Marquis.”

Dahlia watched Noah’s retreating figure with a fixed gaze.

***

“What?”

Cordelia, who had choked on her tea, coughed loudly. As she wiped her mouth with a cloth, Frederick answered quietly.

“It’s a fact known only to a few of the courtiers, but a delegation from the Duchy of Yurite Sanskria will arrive in a week. They are coming to negotiate with the royal family. A Duke himself will be visiting, so there will likely be a banquet starting on the first day.”

Why does he keep coming here, what’s his problem?

Thinking of Raymond Persique, Cordelia feigned surprise, her brows furrowing.

“So, you’re saying you want me to attend? As the representative of the family?”

“Yes.”

“Why on earth?”

Are they really making her represent the family on such an important occasion? With a look that demanded an explanation, Frederick spoke calmly.

“There’s an urgent matter to be coordinated in Devron. Unfortunately, I need to go there immediately. It will take at least a week, so it can’t be helped.”

“Are you kidding? You’re going to skip such an important event because of a regional issue?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“There’s another reason, isn’t there? Just spill it.”

As if determined to hear nothing if not told outright, Cordelia crossed her arms. Frederick shrugged lightly.

“As you know, our family’s territory is located in the south. Consequently, it overlaps considerably with the Duchy’s territory.”

“I know. There’s always a lot of talk about it every year.”

Territorial disputes are nothing new. The more land one owns, the more frequent the minor and major conflicts. As the BWeichen family owns one of the largest territories in the kingdom, they could not avoid such issues.

“There’s expected to be another dispute over the tolls on the Rollesi River. By the way, if a trial is held, it will likely be more favorable to them.”

The name of the river, which starts from the border-cutting Blod River at the very bottom of the kingdom and stretches southward, came up. From that, Cordelia figured out what Frederick was getting at.

“So, you’re saying that to prevent the possibility of Duke Persique bringing up such matters, you want to send me—someone known to have no interest or knowledge in politics—as a representative? I’m just supposed to smile cluelessly?”

“You’ve understood it well.”

“Hah.”

Cordelia leaned back against the plush chair. Frederick’s eyes narrowed slightly at her casual posture, but he continued without concern.

“If I do this, what will you give me in return?”

Frederick scoffed at his younger sister trying to negotiate cutely.

“Is ruining your matchmaking efforts not enough?”

“Are you acting like I’m the one who caused trouble without my consent?”

“I told you to properly address me as ‘brother.’ And usually, such matters follow the head of the household’s opinion.”

“That’s a joke. I’m not an object. If you’re just going to talk nonsense, I’ll leave.”

As Cordelia stood up to leave, Frederick threw out one more comment.

“I heard you’ve been involved with someone recently.”

“Well, I’m always sincere in matters of love.”

“It doesn’t seem like you’ve ever been involved with commoners.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve never judged people based on their status.”

Although not widely known, Cordelia had been involved with a wealthy merchant’s son before. Despite his nobility status being bought, he was technically still a commoner.

“I also heard you took this person to Roychel Castle. Is that true?”

Damn it, how much does he know?

Could it be that one of the servants leaked information? Who would dare do such a thing without fearing her Father? Trying to hide her anxiety while being unsure, Cordelia exaggeratedly shrugged.

“Well, I had to go into hiding because of you.”

She should send a letter to her Father and ask him to search the castle.

“Anyway, I’m not going to move without any reward, Rick. You should know my personality by now.”

“I haven’t been particularly interested in your relationships….”

Frederick, adjusting his glasses, slowly scanned Cordelia’s face with a sharp gaze. The way he assessed her felt unpleasant.

“If it’s just a game for you, I wouldn’t say anything. But if you have any sense, you should draw a line.”

For now, it seemed like Frederick didn’t know who Cordelia’s suitable match might be.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean don’t act so easily. At least behave in a way that suits your reputation.”

“What reputation do I even have?”

“At least you didn’t give the impression of a woman desperately clinging to men.”

Frederick sealed Cordelia’s mouth with his blunt words, took a refined sip of his tea, and then asked.

“What do you want?”

Cordelia pondered for a moment. Despite her dislike for Frederick’s personality, he was someone who always kept his promises. He was precise in his calculations, so he wouldn’t shortchange her.

“First of all, I don’t want to deal with something like last time. If it happens again, I’ll consider it as a sign to cut ties for good.”

There was no response. As if she had anticipated this, Cordelia crossed her arms and added.

“And one more thing. I’ll attend, but whatever I do at the banquet, you’ll be fully responsible for it.”

“…What are you planning to do this time?”

“Don’t worry. Just like you said, I won’t do anything that would disgrace the family’s honor! Is that okay?”

Frederick sensed a strange sense of foreboding from his smiling sister’s face, but he eventually nodded.

“By the way, are you still going on about love?”

He couldn’t understand Cordelia’s insistence on finding her own spouse. Given the reality of political marriages for the benefit of families, she was quite an unusual sibling.

A few months ago, when Cordelia declared that she’d rather live alone forever if she couldn’t find someone she liked, Frederick was utterly astonished. Was that even reasonable? If it were Calia, maybe, but Cordelia was someone who disliked being alone and had a nerve.

When he advised her to get married and just take someone if she was so obsessed with the idea of love, she slapped him. Though it was incredibly rude for a head of the family to be treated that way, Frederick chose to secretly place the Marquisate’s name on a massive matchmaking effort for Cordelia.

He had no idea that Cordelia shuddered at such sinister efforts.

“Well, that’s not really for you to say, is it?”