In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 72

EPISODE 72

“You woke up later than usual.”

A refined voice greeted her. It was amazing how such thoughts came to mind despite the expressionless face, which could be described as cold.

Aileen Borderoa-Linaen. The queen of the former king, and the mother of Noah—or rather, Ian. She was also Tyrain’s sister. Although she had a pretty face, it was quite different from Tyrain’s, who had strong, angular features. However, their eyes did seem somewhat similar.

No, more than that. She feels like she’s just encountered the final boss right at the start.

“Yes, did you sleep well?”

Cordelia answered cautiously and, after a moment of hesitation, sat down opposite the woman. She rang a bell to summon the butler, and soon the table was filled with food meant for Cordelia.

Cordelia tried to tear the bread neatly, as Noah used to do while sneaking glances at the woman. She sat with her back straight, slicing her meat neatly and putting it in her mouth without a single gap in her posture.

Her long, lowered eyelashes occasionally trembled. Cordelia had thought this before, but now she fully understood why people said she resembled a lily.

Not just her face, but the more Cordelia looked, the more she found the resemblance. Did Noah learn his clean eating habits from this person?

Perhaps his body shape resembles the former king a bit.

“Is the food not to your liking?”

“Huh? No, it’s delicious.”

Cordelia resumed eating, moving her utensils again. Aileen, who had been quietly watching Cordelia busily eating her stew, put down her utensils.

“It seems like you’ve been leaving the mansion often these days.”

“I’ve had a lot of work.”

Cordelia’s mind raced as she answered reflexively. The numerous sketches piled on the desk and the other tasks he received from elsewhere flashed through her mind.

What’s this? Was he that busy? She feel a bit guilty for thinking he was avoiding her. Well, he did give a clear explanation the last time they met.

“Don’t overdo it. It’s good to work, but take care of yourself first.”

“I’m taking plenty of breaks, so you don’t have to worry.”

Cordelia thought she had answered smoothly, but Aileen’s expression darkened even more. Did she say something wrong? Even as she continued eating to avoid answering, Aileen spoke cautiously to Cordelia.

“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”

“What’s there to be wrong with me?”

Cordelia felt a pang of guilt but managed to keep a calm and composed demeanor. Noah had made it clear that he didn’t want to inform his mother about the situation, so she had to play along.

But Aileen narrowed her eyes.

“For someone with nothing wrong, your face looks quite worn.”

It seems that mothers have a developed intuition when it comes to their children. As Cordelia pondered how to respond, Aileen sighed.

“It seems like it started after you returned from somewhere for nearly a month. That’s when you started acting strange.”

“Me?”

“You looked like you had something on your mind. Is it something you can’t discuss with me?”

‘My mother is very worried about me. Sometimes it feels a bit excessive, so I think she would be very shocked if she knew about this, especially since she despises having her space invaded…’

When Noah spoke about Aileen, his words trailed off, but Cordelia could easily grasp what he meant. She wasn’t entirely uninformed about Queen Aileen.

A woman who hid a venomous side beneath a calm smile. The methods she supposedly used to eliminate her adversaries were slow but meticulous. She had a particular skill for gradually wearing people down.

Cordelia had encountered Aileen during her time as queen. Back then, Aileen’s seemingly unreadable smile had left Cordelia with a sense of unease, but now, even with an expressionless face, she appeared much more approachable.

Was it because she was in front of her son? Or was this her true nature?

“I know Mother is worried about me.”

Despite the complex emotions she harbored, Cordelia spoke quietly.

“But I’m fine. There’s no need to worry so much. I’m handling things well on my own.”

How should she express this properly? Is it even right for her to interfere in his life like this?

He’s always been ready to let go of her hand, so is it okay for her to leave these traces behind? So many thoughts crossed her mind, but she forced herself to continue speaking.

“I’m not a child who needs to be protected anymore. I’m at a point where I could protect you, Mother.”

Especially when considering the strength it took to cut an apple in half.

“I’m doing well outside. I have people I get along with, and some find the things I create beautiful.”

She knew it might be meddling too much, but she couldn’t stop her mouth from moving. But still, wasn’t it true? Noah was working on murals in the Great Temple and had even been invited by a marquis’ family to take on commissions that paid a significant amount.

Cordelia knew his profession was looked down upon by society. But that didn’t mean his efforts and talent should be belittled. Everything he creates is beautiful, whether it’s his paintings or the kind words he offers her.

“My job might not be something you’re entirely pleased with… but at the very least, I take pride in what I do. So, if possible, I would like you to be proud of me, too. Could you do that?”

Cordelia spoke the words that Noah could never say, all the while gauging Aileen’s reaction. At the same time, she felt a pang of guilt, wondering if she had the right to say such things when she still couldn’t be completely honest with her family.

Aileen remained silent, simply gazing at Cordelia. Because her face resembled Noah’s, it made Cordelia feel unnecessarily tense.

After a brief pause, Aileen finally opened her tightly sealed lips.

“You don’t need to protect me. Didn’t I tell you? No matter what happens to me, if it’s something that would harm you, I want you to turn away.”

Cordelia was momentarily taken aback by Aileen’s calm voice. What was this all of a sudden? What did she mean by that?

“It doesn’t matter what you do, but always be careful and prioritize staying alive. Try not to stand out too much. Even though much time has passed, there are still many who will try to find fault with you.”

“Find fault with me? What do you mean?”

Aileen pressed her lips together, remaining silent. Seeing the white hand resting on the table tremble, Cordelia’s intuition kicked in.

This must be about treason.

Indeed, there had been several attempted rebellions after the current king took the throne. Some were led by royal family members who had been expelled from the palace, and in one instance, dukes joined forces to march their troops to the capital.

The king had executed the ringleaders, sparing only a few, and stripped the direct relatives of their titles and wealth as a warning. The Borderoa family had fared relatively well, with all but the marquis surviving the fallout.

Regardless of how many royals there were, Noah—or rather, Ian—had the most legitimate claim to the throne after the current king, so even after being confined, such suspicions must have followed him closely.

“Yes, I understand. But please don’t worry too much. I’ve managed to get by just fine so far.”

Despite answering with confidence, Cordelia couldn’t shake off the heavy feeling in her heart, so she added one more thing.

“I’ll make sure nothing happens that would put you in danger. So please, I hope you won’t say such sad things like that it’s unnecessary or that it would harm me.”

She was relieved that Noah wasn’t hearing this conversation directly. He would surely be heartbroken. How would he feel hearing such words from his mother, when he worries even about a stranger like her?

“It was just a precautionary talk. Ian, I… I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

As she looked into Aileen’s pleading eyes, Cordelia mentally rubbed her forehead.

This is getting worse. She feels like she’s looking into a family situation even more serious than she had imagined.

Stop. She’s meddling too much, just let it go here.

What is she talking about? This sounds like nonsense, and she wants herself to just ignore it?

Once again, logic and emotion clashed fiercely, but in the end, Cordelia spoke.

“You need to live well even without me. What are you talking about?”

“What?”

Aileen asked in bewilderment, and Cordelia answered carefully.

“We may be family, but you have your life, and I have mine. Why do you speak as if you must sacrifice yourself for me?”

People are meant to live in connection with others, but that doesn’t mean they should be responsible for someone else’s life. It might be true for a parent dealing with a young child, but Noah had long been an adult.

He handles his responsibilities even better than she does. So why this overprotection? What’s the reason both Tyrain and Aileen treat Noah like a child who can’t fend for himself?

No wonder he’s so timid. Even as cynical thoughts crossed her mind, Cordelia continued to speak calmly.

“As I mentioned, I can take responsibility for my own life now. So, you don’t have to worry about me so much and can focus more on your own life. Or do you not trust me?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“But that’s how it sounds to me.”

Seeing Aileen at a loss for words, Cordelia decided to press a little further.

“I’m happy now.”

At least when Noah was painting, he genuinely seemed happy. He would gaze at his portraits with such affection as if he couldn’t contain his joy.

“So there’s no need for you to worry.”

Though the statement about being content didn’t sit entirely well with her, Cordelia knew Noah needed to learn to share some of his burdens. After all, what were these adults doing, treating someone much younger like a child?

Without realizing that she was the one most guilty of treating Noah like a child, Cordelia faced Aileen. She barely restrained herself from crossing her arms.

“Alright.”

Aileen’s response was somewhat understated, but when Cordelia saw the expression on her face, a gentle smile spread across her own lips.