In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 67

EPISODE 67

“No!”

No matter how hard he denied it, it only sounded like a positive affirmation. Even though he couldn’t free his arm from her, Cordelia couldn’t help but laugh. He said one thing, but his body was honest. She thought about making a crude joke, but he looked so cute that he decided to let it go.

Ah, is she being too lenient? This is why things are progressing so slowly.

Noah, who was silently watching Cordelia, murmured. His low voice sounded quite pleasant. Perhaps it was because of the blue moonlight on her face, but his voice seemed even more profound. Cordelia’s golden hair, tensed with nervousness, swayed slowly with the breeze.

“Cordelia.”

“Yes?”

“Are you being too lenient with me?”

“Huh?”

What is this supposed to mean?

Even though she had just thought that, hearing Noah say it made her vague conscience prickle. At this point, she even recalled what Tyrain had said.

What if he really gets scammed somewhere…?

As she stood there dumbfounded, Noah continued speaking incoherently.

“No, um, I was thinking that it’s quite remarkable how I keep rejecting someone like you…”

With a tiny, hesitant voice, Noah asked if it upset her, not even daring to look at her face. A gentle touch came to Noah’s cheeks, and the rough hands that cupped his face drew his gaze toward her.

Cordelia, standing on her tiptoes, met Noah’s eyes directly. His clear eyes, hidden under his bangs, flickered slightly.

Perhaps because she had been standing on her toes for too long, she wobbled a bit. Only then did the firm hands move to carefully support her waist. Cordelia chuckled softly.

“As my sister said, seeing you like this makes me feel triumphant.”

“What…”

“You treat me as if I’m so precious that you can’t bear to touch me. As if you’re afraid I’ll break if you hold me too tightly. Isn’t it more important to you whether you upset me or not?”

The moonlight scattered gently on her soft smile. Noah stared blankly at her face, which seemed both near and far.

Is it the magic of the moonlit night? The smile that always seemed bright now looked so forlorn.

Why is she making that face?

“Surely…….”

There must be someone better than him.

Even as he repeated it in his mind, his tightly closed mouth showed no sign of opening. Though it was difficult, he had been able to speak somehow. Why couldn’t his lips part? His blocked throat felt like it would never open.

Noah’s Adam’s apple moved slowly up and down.

“I’ll come to see you tomorrow.”

With a faint, weary reply, Noah’s face was still somewhat red. After a moment of hesitation, he let go of Cordelia and retreated slowly, like someone just freed from shackles.

Cordelia watched him walk out the door, a blue shadow falling over her back as she called for someone to guard the door.

***

“Then he didn’t come after all?!”

Instead of exploding in anger at Noah, who hadn’t shown up for four days, Cordelia gulped down some more wine. Maybe because of her fierce expression, fewer people approached her than usual. She shook the empty glass and stared into the distance.

The palace garden was beautiful as always. Perhaps because it was still autumn, the royal purple Muranas were blooming here and there. The bright white sunlight spread everywhere, dazzling her eyes.

Liam was momentarily absent. It seemed strange to think of him as distant, recalling how he used to be blunt even when speaking to people.

Certainly, position shapes a person. Since becoming a duke, he seems to have grown more dignified.

It felt like she was the only one stuck in the same place.

No, no more gloominess!

Cordelia lightly slapped her cheek and then, while soothing her slightly flushed skin, tried to call for someone.

“Excuse me, could I get another drink over here…”

“If you drink any more, you might get drunk.”

With a polite tone, someone took Cordelia’s glass away. She turned around with a scowl.

“I’m not that drunk yet… Huh?”

“Long time no see, Lady.”

The moment she saw the silver-haired, handsome Raymond Persique smiling softly, Cordelia felt completely sober.

Ah, here’s today’s objective!

Though she didn’t know where the people surrounding him had gone or why he was alone, Cordelia responded coolly.

“Isn’t it a bit too early to see you again?”

In this world, even among acquaintances, it was common to see someone only a few times a year unless a specific appointment was made. Seeing him again in less than two months wasn’t particularly unusual.

Even though he must have known this, Raymond raised his voice a little, as if to make sure everyone heard.

“It felt like a thousand years waiting to see you again as soon as possible.”

Cordelia, who had been looking at the man as he playfully kissed the back of her left hand, glanced around. The gazes directed at her quickly dispersed.

Despite being the focus of the day, others seemed hesitant to approach, perhaps due to complex political relationships or the man’s unique aura.

“It’s an honor to hear you say that. So, did you come to convey some message? I wonder where the people I saw last time have gone.”

Cordelia cast a suspicious glance, wondering if he had brought another wizard with him. The man responded brightly.

“I’m not that bold.”

“Isn’t that a bit too modest?”

“That’s the virtue of nobility.”

As elaborate as his response, the man’s expression was as solid as a finely crafted mask.

“I originally wanted to greet the duke as well, but I heard he couldn’t attend due to urgent matters.”

The man, who spoke with a tone of regret, slightly bowed his head towards Cordelia. As he met her unflinching gaze despite the shadow falling over her head, Raymond smiled gently.

“I expected as much from someone so cunning.”

Cordelia tilted her head slightly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It seems you haven’t realized it yet?”

Understanding the context made it even more problematic. Cordelia didn’t hide her irritation this time.

“Did you deliberately send my brother away?”

“I assumed you wouldn’t want to risk a dispute, so it was only natural to send someone else.”

So, that means it’s her.

Cordelia glared at him in disbelief. So, was he saying he made all this effort just to see her again?

“It’s truly an honor that you went through so much trouble just to meet me.”

Even though her words were tinged with sarcasm, the man responded smoothly without any sign of offense.

“Indeed. You seem to have quite an interesting charm about you.”

Raymond’s response was light, but the weight of his words was anything but. Cordelia forced a smile.

“Interesting charm? What do you mean by that?”

“It seems you weren’t accompanied by that young man.”

“Don’t you think you’re too concerned with other people’s private affairs?”

“You’re still wearing gloves, I see.”

“My hands are precious, you know.”

For a moment, she almost hesitated but quickly recovered. Raymond’s eyes narrowed with interest.

“Somehow, it seems a bit different from before.”

“To think that you could know everything about me after only meeting once or twice seems rather presumptuous.”

“Not at all. I’m very curious about you, Lady. For instance, you seem to use your right hand mostly, but you offered me your left hand. Any particular reason for that?”

With a calm demeanor that pressed forward like a hunter pursuing prey, Raymond’s relaxed tone caused Cordelia to give a wry smile and clench her teeth.

“You must be bored to be so interested in such trivial matters.”

“Yes, very much so.”

He’s not even denying it!

“Life is unbearably dull. A life that flows just according to plan without any variation is truly boring.”

His transparent, red eyes, which seemed bored despite their gentle appearance, were filled with intense emotions. Facing his cold and deep gaze, Cordelia maintained a nonchalant expression.

So, that’s how it is?

“The point is, you’re curious about my secrets, aren’t you?”

“Would you be willing to share?”

“I can’t just tell you directly. How about we make a bet? The loser grants a wish to the winner.”

“Oh?”

“Of course, the type of bet should be agreed upon by both sides. What do you think?”

Even though Frederick would have undoubtedly been furious about such a topic, Cordelia didn’t even flinch. Raymond, equally surprised by the bold proposal, surveyed Cordelia with a probing gaze.

Raymond set the empty glass down on the table just behind Cordelia, bending slightly. As he straightened up and smiled at her, the tension in the air became palpable.

“Alright. However, any wish that goes against national interests will be difficult to grant.”

“I wouldn’t ask for anything that grand.”

Seeing Cordelia give a light, playful smile as if she were completely innocent, Raymond laughed aloud.

“I suspected it when we first met, but you’re quite an interesting person, Lady.”

“It would be troublesome if you fall for me. I’m already overwhelmed with attention.”

“I’ll be careful. So, what shall we bet on?”

“Well…”

If the bet were too favorable for her or unfavorable for him, he would naturally refuse. What should she choose to have a fair chance of winning?

Cordelia quickly made up her mind, realizing that dragging it out would only make it seem like she was hiding something. With a slightly exaggerated sigh, she gave a subtle smile.

“To be honest, I don’t think I can outsmart you. So let’s keep it simple: man versus woman, how about that?”

“Man versus woman?”

“For example, those people coming out from the entrance over there.”

Cordelia pointed to the arched entrance with her finger.

“The king will be returning soon, right? Until he comes out, if more women are coming through that entrance, I win. If there are more men, you win.”

The very simple and intuitive rules made Raymond whistle lightly.

“So you’re proposing a game of chance?”

“Isn’t it fair enough? So, what’s your decision?”

Of course, it wasn’t pure chance. If Raymond could see through her plans, he wouldn’t be so indifferent.

Still, the man seemed to view this as merely a form of entertainment, maintaining his cool demeanor throughout. If he had even a hint of her plan in his mind, he might not be so nonchalant.