In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 62

EPISODE 62

Everyone turned to look in the direction of the sound. Despite the dozen or so pairs of eyes on her, Cordelia stood up and picked up the book in the middle of the table.

The sound of pages fluttering filled the silence.

“Firstly, isn’t the emotional depth severely lacking? The description of their meeting is only this much.”

Cordelia recited the sentences written on the page in a gentle voice. Initially, the parts featuring the princess were limited to early mentions, and a scene at the end where she defeats a monster and meets Jade for a conversation.

Even that was barely enough to fill two pages.

“It’s too little to predict the gap of love between them.”

After putting the book down, Cordelia was about to return to her seat but changed her mind. Placing her hand on the book’s cover, Cordelia spoke in a remarkably composed tone.

“This work is so famous that most arguments about it have already been discussed multiple times. So, I hope you’ll try to see it from a different perspective.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s consider the work from the princess’ point of view.”

Cordelia started lightly.

“The ‘Franchio Epic’ is undoubtedly an attractive work. I read it several times as a child myself. While reading, I felt as though I was becoming a knight embarking on various adventures.”

But she realized long ago that she could never be a knight. Rather, if there’s a character closer to her in this story…

“What kind of existence was the princess in this story?”

Not getting an easy answer, Cordelia gave a light smile and spoke frankly.

“Yes, it’s not clear, is it? Actually, I don’t know either.”

Aside from her stunning beauty, which leaves anyone breathless at first sight, and the fact that she treated the knight with a kind tone, there was almost no information about the princess.

Isn’t it funny? Despite being a character central to the work’s goal, there’s even less information about her than the people met on the quest for treasure.

“In this story, the princess is suddenly kidnapped, unable to go for walks, and then unexpectedly meets someone who comes to rescue her. Yet, she is supposed to marry this person. Someone she has just met with no previous interaction.”

Even though political marriages were common in that era, this case was somewhat different.

“In a relationship where no emotions have passed, what is the difference between the princess’s position and a mere gift?”

As soon as she voiced this, murmurs arose among the people. One of the men, who had been pretending not to notice, finally spoke.

“Isn’t that a bit of an overstatement?”

“After all, the person saved her. In such a dramatic situation, what is there to prevent love from blossoming?”

“Then, what about you, Viscount?”

“Huh?”

“If Viscount Rossiand were in the princess’ situation, would you be able to love the other person?”

Feigning a smile, Cordelia’s question left the man at a loss for words. It was only natural. Isn’t it a basic tendency of nobles to not consider commoners as equals?

Suddenly having to marry a commoner who originally served nobles? Most would find it more detestable than death.

“At least in this story, there is no love. It may indeed be called an epic, but if you possess intelligence, you should be able to see its essence.”

In short, those with a brain should understand this much. As Cordelia spoke with this underlying meaning, some of the men cleared their throats or averted their eyes.

Of course, this was a reading group where debates and discussions were lively. In other words, it’s a gathering of people who take pride in being intelligent and wise.

“But then, why would the princess immediately hand the knight a cloth and express concern upon seeing him? There must also be a description of her smiling happily at the wedding, no?”

As expected, someone challenged her. Cordelia responded calmly.

“When someone is standing covered in blood, it’s natural to first tell them to clean up. If there had been genuine affection, wouldn’t she have tried to clean him up herself?”

Her reasonable response silenced the man, but the man sitting next to him spoke up again.

“That’s certainly an interesting perspective. Then, Lady Cordelia, may I ask what novels you are fond of?”

Here it comes. It’s the classic.

“So, what great works do you know to make such statements?”

“Well… I found works like Sally’s Story, My Beloved, and At the End of the Far Horizon quite impressive.”

She listed her favorite works for them to hear, but the men only looked puzzled, question marks practically floating above their heads. Someone coughed quietly.

In a situation where no one dared to speak up, the man sitting opposite the first questioner adjusted his glasses slightly.

“Ah, are you perhaps referring to those popular, secular works that have been gaining attention recently?”

The use of the word ‘secular’ was somewhat amusing, but Cordelia chose to remain silent, simply watching the man. As she didn’t respond, the man seemed to take her silence as agreement and nodded.

“But Lady Cordelia, wouldn’t such works be quite lacking for someone of your esteemed position?”

“Not necessarily. Every story has something interesting about it.”

“I too have encountered such works, but they contain far too many improper words.”

“Perhaps. But isn’t there something honest about desires, even if they are blatant, Baron Eland?”

Sparks nearly flew between Cordelia and the man as she didn’t back down. Everyone watched the two engage in this verbal duel with keen interest.

“Shouldn’t a person naturally seek more spiritual connections? If one is swayed only by desire, how is that different from a beast?”

“You’re right. But sometimes, even an unrefined word, when sincere, can move a person’s heart, don’t you think?”

“Even so, such expressions must still be beautiful. What sincerity or value can there be in unrefined words?”

“It seems rather pessimistic to dismiss the value of sincerity just because it’s not expressed beautifully.”

“Anyone with discernment would naturally be more moved by refined language than by vulgar words.”

What? Is he saying that the way something is expressed is that important? Of course, it matters, but it’s not everything. How many people has she seen use pretty words to cover up their scheming ways?

It’s true, but for some reason, it rubbed Cordelia the wrong way. The social world is just as full of swirling human desires. Just because something is said nicely doesn’t mean it’s not nonsense.

There are plenty of people in this society who are like that, so what kind of logic is this, that as long as the packaging is pretty, everything’s fine?

For a moment, she almost responded impulsively, but Cordelia managed to keep her mouth shut. Hold back, hold back. She’s a refined, elegant, and composed beauty. She mustn’t lose my cool.

“Is that so? While I do appreciate the language of love when it’s beautifully expressed, I tend to feel more affection for someone who, even if a bit blunt, sincerely admires me.”

Unless someone’s trying to toy with her, she prefers honesty. While playing the game of mutual attraction was fun, constantly beating around the bush was also a bit exhausting.

The man let out a low sigh at Cordelia’s remark. That familiar gesture made one of her eyebrows twitch.

“You must have found it quite tedious.”

“What do you mean?”

“Otherwise, how could you say you’re drawn to something so cheap?”

Woof, woof.

It was as if she could faintly hear the distant barking of a dog. Tilting her head slightly, Cordelia replied.

“But don’t the protagonists of Franchio Epic also make some coarse remarks to emphasize their commoner status?”

“That’s… “

“If you’re using the presence of unrefined language as a reason, then there are quite a few works considered classics that wouldn’t be free from such criticism.”

“Even so, there’s a significant difference in the dignity of the writing.”

Some of the other men nodded in agreement, a few even looking at her with curious eyes. Still, the fact that the conversation continued was something worth noting. Now, how should she respond to be praised for a clever comeback? Cordelia pondered briefly.

“Wait a minute, that’s not something I can just overlook.”

At that moment, a clear voice interrupted the flow of the conversation. Turning her head, Cordelia saw an unexpected figure.

It was the woman who had been sitting next to Viscount Owen since Cordelia entered the room, now quietly watching them.

Elisa Perriente. The woman with modest dark brown hair was a special guest invited by the Viscount, and she was the author of The Lady of Pranda, a romance novel that had recently taken the world by storm.

Naturally, Cordelia had been quite surprised when she first heard the pen name. Not only because a writer who so boldly described love and desire would have such a demure appearance, but also because of the Viscount’s boldness in inviting such a person as a guest.

Of course, most of the people present had no idea what books the woman had written. They merely assumed it was some sort of love story and dismissed it. Cordelia, who had read the novel, could only nod to herself in understanding.

“Pardon me, but aren’t you underestimating the value of romance a bit too much?”

Her voice was incredibly gentle, flowing as smoothly as water. The woman, who had risen from her seat, calmly gazed at Baron Eland. Though she was quite short, she stood taller than the seated man.

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable under her seemingly condescending gaze, the Baron discreetly stood up. However, before he could say anything, the woman spoke first.

“I found your recent book to be quite fascinating, Baron.”