CHAPTER 54………….
Noah quietly retraced his memories. Of course, it was true he had some backing.
“I don’t think I’ve only taken on good jobs, though.”
He hadn’t been handed many opportunities to make huge amounts of money. It was just that, on the rare occasions he did, the commission fees were enormous.
As for the mural work, honestly, wasn’t it simply that all the other artisans with the right skill had refused, and so it had fallen to him? If he had known that mural would become this famous, he would have just turned it down. The thought crossed his mind more than once.
“Well… I guess they think you’ve had it too good. Sometimes you’re way too fearless.”
“Am I?”
“You didn’t know? Hey, normally when a guildmaster says jump, you’re supposed to ask how high. But you actually pick and choose your jobs. That alone makes it easy to get on people’s bad side.”
“That’s just because… even if I don’t take it, someone else could.”
Since he had no real greed for money, Noah usually declined jobs he didn’t think he had to do himself. Instead, he mostly accepted work that required high skill but that others shunned. After the mural, though, his name recognition doubled.
How had things ended up like this?
When Tyraine had urged him to join the guild, he had only agreed because it felt wrong to keep getting special treatment for nothing, and he thought at least the pay could help cover art supplies and materials. He had never imagined it would come back around like this.
“Either way, be careful. Who knows what kind of trouble they’ll stir up again.”
Once, while leaving a building, he had been splashed on the head with dirty water used to rinse paints. Perhaps because they had seen that, his companions never spared their concern. Noah nodded.
There were indeed people who disliked him. Before, when he was always under protection, he hadn’t really felt it. But now that he was just a craftsman, he often ran into people who treated him poorly.
Still, power struggles among artisans in the guild were nothing new. At first, Noah had been surprised, but he soon grew used to it.
After all, he had grown up in a palace where disputes often cost people their lives or jobs. How could he be shaken by mere guild squabbles, where at worst you just lost a bit of money?
“That’s what I’m saying—why is it that after I finally made the weapons they wanted, they still complain so much!”
Tropa’s voice rose, whether from drink or frustration. His eyes were tinged red as he vented about the unfairness of the latest commission.
“It’s only because they’ve never tried it themselves, huh? They knock me on the head and talk down like it’s nothing—status, status, it’s all a curse!”
Instead of responding, the three of them just sipped their beer while Tropa sighed over the disdain artisans faced. Avery clapped his shoulder.
“Hey, day-drinking is fine, but if you pass out, we’re leaving you here.”
“Tch… heartless, aren’t you?”
“Helping lug around someone your size would take Noah, and he said he’s heading home early today.”
“Uh, yeah. That’s right.”
Meeting Avery’s pointed glance, Noah quickly agreed. Tropa muttered under his breath.
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop drinking. Happy now? What are you, my wife?”
“Pity the woman who’d ever marry you.”
“Pity? You kidding? I’m pretty popular, you know. This last harvest festival, more than one woman asked me to go with—”
“Oh-ho, is that so?”
“No, no, I turned them down! That’s why I went with you, remember!”
“Don’t grin like that and then try to deny it!”
Watching the two bicker, Noah leaned toward Laura, who was quietly eating, and whispered.
“Don’t tell me they still aren’t dating?”
“Look at them. Do you think he’d ever confess? Tropa’s just begging for trouble, as always.”
Laura clicked her tongue, then turned back to Noah.
“And you? No news?”
Laura was already married, raising both a son and a daughter. Noah waved his hands as if the very idea was absurd.
“Me? Not a chance.”
“Oh, come on. These days, women care as much about physique as looks. You’ve got a decent personality, and you earn well too. If you wanted, I could set you up.”
“No, really, I’m fine.”
As Noah declined again, Laura tore into some bread and said,
“Planning to stay single?”
“Not the worst thing, really.”
“But you do get lonely sometimes, don’t you?”
“Well, even so, what can you do.”
His evasiveness at being struck to the heart made Laura study him curiously.
“Still, you seem unusually cheerful today. Something good happen?”
“I just… met someone I thought I’d never see again.”
Laura’s eyes widened at his faint smile.
“You’re in love, aren’t you?”
“Huh? No, what are you talking about all of a sudden.”
“Then a crush? That face—you look just like my husband did before he confessed to me.”
Noah had forgotten how sharp Laura could be. A chill ran down his spine. He quickly busied himself pretending to finish his food, avoiding her gaze.
“I said it’s not like that. Anyway, do you ever take personal commissions?”
“If they come in? It might take time, but yes.”
“Then…”
“What are you two talking about?”
Avery and Tropa, done squabbling, suddenly cut in. Laura, unable to resist, spilled the whole story. The two men immediately teamed up to tease Noah, who floundered helplessly but, despite himself, couldn’t hide his genuine smile.
The tavern was noisy enough that you had to shout to talk. The tables were blotched here and there with stains, the food sat in rough wooden bowls, and his companions wore work clothes with sleeves frayed from long use.
It was nothing like the palace, where the wallpaper was dazzling, the ornaments were beautiful, the clothes spotless, and servants came running at a call.
But it was fun.
Not splendid, but warm and peaceful. Even if it was just a dream that might break at any moment—right now, it was real.
At the very least, Noah wished this dream could last a little longer.
After their meal, the group walked through the streets. Nearing the academy, large buildings clustered close together appeared. Just a little farther, and they’d reach Artisan’s Row.
Tropa stretched, his broad chest and shoulders straining, fitting for a blacksmith.
“Ugh, don’t feel like working.”
“You’ve got to work if you want to eat. Anyway, once you finish this commission, you’ll be flush, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. Guess that means next round’s on me?”
“Quick on the uptake, Tropa.”
Avery winked, and Tropa quickly looked away. Seeing his ears redden, Noah and Laura only laughed.
“Wait, there’s someone over there.”
In front of the guild headquarters, a luxurious carriage was parked. The air of nobility was unmistakable. They all hurriedly lowered their heads and avoided looking directly.
“Here to commission work? In person?”
“Usually they’d send someone instead.”
They whispered, then fell silent. Footsteps were approaching.
Step, step. The sound stopped right before them.
“You seem especially cheerful today, my lady.”
It was a rare banquet appearance. Cordelia, who had been thinking of leaving soon, gave a light reply to the man’s greeting.
“Do I?”
“At the balls, you’ve been so scarce, it’s been almost disappointing.”
Feigning praise while mocking, the man received only a bright smile in return.
“You’re right. It would’ve been nice to see you there as well, Baron.”
See? You couldn’t even find me.
The meaning was clear. Flustered, the man averted his eyes. Cordelia gently fanned herself when one of the gathered ladies spoke warmly.
“It feels like it’s been ages since we last saw your face, Lady.”
“I’ve been absent, peering into fates and fortunes, and didn’t realize I was keeping you waiting, Lady Amelia.”
The graceful beauty’s affectionate words brought a blush to the lady’s cheeks. Beauty, after all, drew eyes regardless of gender.
As they said, admiration and envy were two sides of the same coin. Just as many envied Cordelia, many also adored her. Perhaps her even-handed distance toward everyone played a part.
“Then, would you honor me with a dance?”
The ill-timed interruption from another man froze the air. Cordelia snapped her fan shut with a sharp click, cutting through the moment.
In the usual progression of courtship, wasn’t dance one of the first steps? Drawing close, brushing contact, whispering privately—it was a near equivalent to asking for a date.
“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline dancing for the time being.”
“In that case, I understand.”
Her composed refusal sent the man retreating without protest. Just as quickly, all the men’s gazes dispersed from her at once. How blatant. Cordelia sighed inwardly.
Patience. Just be patient. Winter was coming soon. Then she wouldn’t have to attend parties for a while—most nobles would return to their estates.
She had deliberately delayed her return until after Thanksgiving, so she expected attendance here would be low. And indeed it was, but what remained were all the worst sort—idlers obsessed with gossip. Chaff, through and through.
One lady, seeking to change the subject, spoke up.
“By the way, Lady Deborah, that hairpin is truly lovely.”
Her brown hair was adorned with a piece: silver-framed, with three peacock stones carved like wings. It caught every eye. Cordelia had noticed it earlier too.
Deborah tucked her hair back behind her ear, showing it off.
“Hoho, do you think so? I had it made by Adell.”
“My goodness, that artisan?”
“I waited almost a year, but it was worth it.”
Adell Azoro. An artisan who had become popular two years ago, his work so famous that any noble lady had heard of it. Even the bracelet Cordelia had ordered for Gerania’s birthday was his.
But because of health issues, he produced few works. After fame struck, one had to reserve half a year in advance. Commissions were always handled through agents. A mysterious figure in many ways.
But what did that matter? As long as the work was good.
Still, what nagged Cordelia wasn’t that. After some thought, she asked casually,
“Lady Deborah. Was there any special reason you ordered that piece?”
Though nervous sweat pricked her, Cordelia held her head high. A line of text flickered through her mind.
*“Izrael gently placed the pin in Frey’s raven-black hair. Each of the three silver-framed wings shimmered faintly with peacock stone.
His silver hair glowed under the moonlight as he smiled faintly.
‘Just as I thought. It suits you perfectly.’”*
Why was there, before her very eyes, a hairpin identical to the one the male lead gave the heroine in Night of Frey?
