In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 78

EPISODE 78

 

CHAPTER 11: LUCKY DAY

 

 

 

The sound of someone running over the dirt floor could be heard. It had been dark for quite some time now. The lanterns held by the night watchmen glowed faintly in the darkness.

 

‘It’s late, it’s late!’

 

Avery thought as she immersed herself in her work, believing she was almost done. When she finally looked up, it was already pitch black outside. Despite her colleagues’ advice to stay in the workshop overnight, Avery chose to return home.

 

Though it was late for a carriage, Avery began walking along the main road. Even though the surroundings were dark, the path was familiar enough that she could walk with her eyes closed.

 

Or so she thought.

 

It was only a moment ago that Avery realized someone was following her. At first, she thought it was just a coincidence, but even after passing several forks in the road, the footsteps continued to follow her, suggesting it wasn’t just a random passerby.

 

When did it start following? From the workshop?

 

Avery pretended to walk nonchalantly and quickly turned into an alley, then began running with all her might.

 

“Hah, hah.”

 

Tap-tap.

 

To her dismay, the sound of footsteps following her grew as thunderous as the storm. Though no shouting was heard, that made it even more frightening.

 

‘Are there three? Four?’

 

If she got caught, it would be the end.

 

Instinctively sensing danger, Avery pushed herself to the limit, rounding the corner with every ounce of strength left.

 

“Ah!”

 

As she stumbled, she tripped over something in the narrow path. The sound of the fall was loud, and Avery felt a sharp pain in her knee.

 

With the footsteps drawing nearer, Avery quickly shook off the pain and got up. Blood trickled from her scraped knee, but she couldn’t afford to look back.

 

It felt like someone’s hand might reach out and grab her from behind at any moment.

 

When Avery spotted the fence of their home on the outskirts, she almost lost her strength. The lights in the window were on, waiting for her, casting multiple shadows on the glass.

 

Clenching her teeth, Avery dashed inside the fence, slammed the door shut, and leaned against it, collapsing in exhaustion. As she struggled to catch her breath, her younger brother, who had heard the commotion and come out through the inner door, looked at Avery with wide eyes.

 

“Sis, what happened? Are you hurt?!”

 

As the lantern light revealed the dirt on Avery’s clothes and the blood on her scraped knees, Avery wiped the cold sweat from her brow and finally noticed the scratches on her palms. After finally calming her breathing, Avery replied.

 

“…It’s nothing.”

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“Could you please bring me a glass of water?”

 

As soon as Jasmine returned to the banquet hall, she successfully caught the attention of a passing servant. The servant asked her to wait a moment and disappeared with a tray.

 

Jasmine considered getting a drink for Cordelia but decided against it since she had no idea about her tastes. Although she knew that Cordelia wasn’t as prickly as she seemed, she was still a difficult person to deal with, regardless of status or anything else.

 

Standing slightly back from the entrance, Jasmine scanned the interior with half-closed eyes. The party was as ambiguous as the host of the mansion—neither a masquerade ball nor a typical gathering. For someone like Jasmine, who was accustomed to following rules and etiquette, it was a rather tiring event.

 

If not for her father’s connections, she wouldn’t have attended. The event was hosted by a merchant of considerable reputation within the kingdom, so refusing the invitation repeatedly would have been impolite.

 

“Oh, isn’t this Lady Jasmine?”

 

A voice, not entirely familiar but not unfamiliar either, called out to her. Jasmine suppressed her initial frown and turned around.

 

Viscount Horrel and Count Echelon were approaching her from the corridor, each holding a glass. Horrel smiled broadly, showing his teeth.

 

“I didn’t expect to see you in a place like this.”

 

“Indeed. What brings you two here?”

 

“Well, I always dream of fateful encounters with beautiful ladies.”

 

Horrel gently grasped Jasmine’s hand and kissed the back of it. His curly hair and easygoing smile made him appear charming.

 

“Stop with the frivolous behavior.”

 

Count Echelon reprimanded Horrel with a displeased expression. Thinking that Echelon was still as rigid as ever, Jasmine tucked the bouquet under her arm and accepted the glass from the servant who had just returned.

 

“Are you here with someone?”

 

Horrel asked perceptively, and Jasmine replied indifferently.

 

“What about you two?”

 

“Well, we… Oh, I apologize if we caused any inconvenience at the gathering earlier.”

 

Horrel’s green eyes sparkled as he offered a polite apology. Jasmine felt a dryness in her throat, a sense of foreboding creeping in.

 

“If you don’t have any other plans…”

 

“Thank you, but I have something I need to attend to.”

 

It seemed they had come with that group after all. As she firmly declined, the man made a few more attempts to persuade her, but Jasmine resolutely turned down every offer.

 

“I must be going now. Enjoy the rest of the banquet.”

 

Holding the glass of water, Jasmine turned and walked towards the main entrance. As she did, she noticed a man quickly entering from the opposite direction, followed by a group she had just encountered in the garden. Jasmine gave them a slight nod and passed by.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“…Lady, Lady!”

 

“Ugh…”

 

So noisy. What’s all this racket making her head pound?

 

“Lady, please wake up. Can you hear me?”

 

She just wants to sleep, but the noise is unbearable. Ugh, why? She wanted to lash out in frustration, but strangely, her lips wouldn’t move. Her body felt weak and heavy like it had been crammed into a box.

 

With a sluggish mind, Cordelia blinked her eyes, gradually bringing her blurry vision into focus. She saw a man wearing a black hat and a mask that covered half of his face, holding her in his arms. Cordelia muttered softly.

 

“Who are you…?”

 

“Oh dear, it looks like you’re not too badly hurt. You’ve got a bit of a bump here, though…”

 

The man replied, relieved that she wasn’t bleeding. He removed his mask, revealing a face with strong, masculine features. As Cordelia stared at him, blinking in confusion, Tyrain clicked his tongue in concern.

 

“Do we need to get you to a doctor?”

 

“No, no, I’m fine.”

 

As her scattered senses began to return, her entire body ached as if she had been beaten, and she felt a strong wave of nausea. A sharp pain was emanating from the left side of her forehead.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Cordelia, now on her knees, clutched her head as she dry heaved. Tyrain quickly handed her a wooden canteen from his waist. After taking a few sips of water, she felt somewhat better.

 

Her body felt drained of all energy, making it difficult to muster any strength. As she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hand, Tyrain leaned in and whispered.

 

“Don’t you remember? You just fell from that staircase over there.”

 

“What? I fell from there?”

 

Cordelia craned her neck to look at the distant staircase. The steep incline made it hard to believe she had survived the fall with just minor injuries.

 

“Wait a minute, if I fell from there, how did I end up here?”

 

They were currently crouched behind a thickly wooded area, near where carriages were parked. The spot was good for observing the surroundings, but it seemed difficult for anyone outside to spot them.

 

“My subordinate moved you here. At first, they thought you were dead, but since your injuries weren’t too severe, I decided to watch over you. Maybe you were lucky to land on the grass? I thought for sure it would be a disaster!”

 

“…No, it might be because of the magic. My body just changed again.”

 

“What?”

 

Tyrain looked puzzled as Cordelia touched the sore spot on her head, feeling the bump he mentioned. It wasn’t too painful as long as she didn’t press on it. She loosened the pin holding her bangs in place, letting her hair fall and cover the bump.

 

Good, that should hide it well enough.

 

“That means, it wasn’t me who fell down the stairs, it was Noah. Remember what Lyneth said? The magic might break if our lives are in danger.”

 

Upon hearing this, Tyrain tried to stand up quickly, but Cordelia grabbed him and pulled him back down. Reluctantly sitting, Tyrain asked in a low voice.

 

“He’s not dead, is he?”

 

“No, I don’t think so. What worries me more is where I collapsed in Noah’s body.”

 

“Where?”

 

“The Grand Temple.”

 

“What?!”

 

“I was looking for Lyneth when it happened. By the way, how do you know Benjamin Sandria?”

 

“Oh, we did some work together in the past… Wait, what? Were you with him?”

 

“Yes. And, why exactly are you here?”

 

Cordelia’s grip on Tyrain’s clothing tightened, her determination evident in the firm hold. It was clear that she wouldn’t let go until she got an answer. Seeing this, Tyrain sighed and glanced briefly up the stairs.

 

“Drink some more water first. I’ll explain after that.”

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

A groan escaped Noah’s lips as he slowly regained consciousness. His eyes, which had been tightly shut, gradually opened. The soft warmth of the blanket pulled up to his neck and the familiar sensation of his weakened body reassured him. However, the face in front of him was anything but familiar, and seeing it startled him.

 

“Benjamin?”

 

Noah murmured, confused.

 

That can’t be right. Isn’t he supposed to be at the Grand Temple?

 

“Are you finally awake?”

 

Benjamin asked. His usual smile was absent, replaced by a serious expression.

 

Noah, still dazed and wondering if this was a dream, was shocked into action. He quickly sat up, wrapping the blanket around his exposed upper body, blinking in surprise. His reaction reminded Benjamin of a shy animal, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

“You seem to be okay. Do you have any idea how worried I was when you suddenly collapsed?”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Noah apologized, his mind still foggy as he tried to piece together what was happening.

 

Seeing Benjamin’s face meant that they were likely at the Grand Temple. Noah glanced around the room, but the plain white walls offered no clues. The lack of windows gave the space an eerie feel.

 

“I brought you to a place where we wouldn’t be seen. You have no idea how difficult it was to keep the healing priests away from you.”

 

Benjamin said, shaking his head. Noah managed a faint smile at his words, about to express his gratitude when Benjamin spoke first, looking at him with a serious expression.

 

“Look, I tried to stay out of this, but…”

 

Benjamin rubbed his face with both hands, exhaustion evident in his features. Noah’s expression quickly turned serious as he realized what Benjamin was referring to.

 

“That back hand of yours. What are you planning to do about it?”