Chapter 56
“I’m back.”
A large hand opened the firmly shut main gate. Noah slipped one foot inside, then quietly stepped through without a sound and headed toward the stairs.
“Welcome home, young master.”
The old butler standing nearby bowed his head. Noah gave him a light nod in return, then glanced around at the silent interior of the mansion with a faint, bitter smile.
It was only natural that the residence of a confined royal would be large and well-appointed. Yet with so few servants employed, it felt all the more empty.
He had lived here for over eight years, but aside from the old butler, he had scarcely exchanged words with anyone. Unlike the attendants in the royal palace who would chatter at him endlessly, the staff here made it clear they had no intention of becoming familiar.
No doubt his uncle’s orders. Oddly enough, that vigilance reassured him—it meant they had no intention of giving up on him so easily.
“Welcome back, Ian.”
At the gentle, delicate voice, Noah looked up the stairs. A graceful woman with deep-blue hair and bright blue eyes rested her hand on the railing, gazing down at him.
Her skin was pale without a trace of blood, yet she bore hardly a wrinkle. Though well past forty, she could easily be mistaken for someone in her late thirties.
With wide eyes, Noah addressed her:
“Mother.”
She was always in her studio—what was she doing here?
“I saw the door opening… and thought perhaps it was you.”
Speaking softly, she descended step by step. Under her quiet gaze, Noah felt a faint twinge of guilt.
After he had been absent from the mansion for nearly a month, she had begun checking on him often. It was only natural. Even if his uncle had sent letters, she would have worried.
He realized he had been too absorbed in his own thoughts. If she ever learned what had actually happened to him, she might truly collapse in shock.
Perhaps his uncle thought the same—for there had been no mention whatsoever of his body having changed.
The pale fingertips brushing his cheek were unexpectedly firm. Turning, Noah followed his mother, Irene, up the stairs. The deathly quiet corridor received them.
“Nothing unusual happened today?”
“I met some friends for a meal. Looked over some things to buy… And how was your day, Mother?”
“Oh, much the same as always.”
Chatting gently, they soon arrived at a familiar door. Noah hesitated a moment before speaking.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I heard you’ve hardly gone out at all.”
“I see that old man has been saying unnecessary things again.”
Clicking her tongue lightly, Irene opened the door to her studio. Autumn was deepening, and through the wide-open window branches of red leaves waved in greeting.
“I was never fond of going out anyway, so don’t trouble yourself.”
With that firm reply, Irene moved quickly to a spot where she had draped some cloth. Then she turned to see Noah standing idly at the doorway, staring.
“Ian.”
“Yes?”
She pointed to the navy and deep-green fabrics. Even at a glance, they were clearly fine, lustrous silk.
“Which do you think would be better for making a hat?”
“…Pardon?”
“Choose. I trust your eye for these things.”
Facing his mother’s utterly serious expression, Noah faltered.
“Uh… I think the deep green silk would be much nicer.”
“I see.”
“But why all of a sudden—?”
Irene paused a moment before answering simply:
“No reason.”
“I’m back!”
The servants greeted Cordelia as she returned, dragging her tired body inside.
“Welcome home, milady!”
“Welcome, young lady!”
Rosa, whose voice was brighter than the others, took the shawl Cordelia handed her. Once inside her room, Cordelia immediately stripped off her dress as though shedding a husk. Rosa helped her, smiling cheerfully.
“Shall I prepare bathwater right away?”
“Yes. Ugh, this is so heavy!”
Cordelia grumbled as she pulled out hairpins laden with ornaments.
She usually attended banquets to meet new people, and now that she had a goal in mind, it felt even more troublesome to go out. But she had no choice. If she shut herself away now, she risked becoming the pitiable heroine who fell into despair after repeated failed proposals.
Rumors traveled faster than horses—nothing was scarier than that.
After a more leisurely bath than usual, Cordelia returned to her bedroom and let Rosa dry her hair with cloth, apply scented oil, and comb it.
“Will you keep staying here?” Rosa asked.
“Of course. Why? If there aren’t enough hands, should I hire more servants?”
“It’s not that I’m inconvenienced. I just worry about you. Compared to the duke’s estate, this place is much smaller.”
“That estate was far too big. This place is cozy enough. It’s been nice, living quietly for once.”
Even after the uproar over her suitors, Cordelia had chosen to stay in her own residence rather than the ducal estate.
The reason was simple: Rick was still in the capital.
If they saw each other daily, sparks were bound to fly. Living under the same roof was impossible. She sometimes exchanged letters by footman, but she had no intention of returning.
The servants she had brought here—including Rosa—were all ones who had long served with her at the ducal estate. She did miss the faces of those who had stayed behind, though, and thought she might visit soon.
“By the way, the Duke of Weitzen sent word that he wishes to see you.”
The topic made Cordelia inwardly click her tongue. Born unlucky—not the type to be a proper nobleman, that Rick.
“For what reason?”
“He said it’s family business. Something that must be discussed soon, so he asked you to come within three days at the latest.”
“All right. Whatever it is.”
Waving dismissively, Cordelia glanced at the wall beside her.
Two portraits hung side by side: one with a faint, elegant smile, the other with a bright grin. Both were painted by Noah.
The finished portrait was exquisite—so graceful she herself wondered if she had always been such a calm beauty.
After returning to the capital, Noah had delivered it to her. As she admired it, he shyly fidgeted, then produced the second portrait as well—much to her surprise.
Sitting in the grass, smiling radiantly—the picture was vivid and alive, unlike the formal commission.
“Please take this one too.”
“What about the payment?”
“It wasn’t a commission, so you can have it. If you don’t, I’ll erase it and start over.”
“What? That’d be a waste! Then I’ll take it. But in exchange, you have to accept something from me later.”
“And what would that be?”
“Secret.”
When she had grinned slyly, Noah had blinked nervously, as though worried but unable to take it back.
“…I miss him.”
“Mr. Noah, you mean?”
“Wha—did I say that out loud?”
“You must be sleepy. Better get some rest.”
“I suppose I am tired.”
Cordelia gazed at Rosa through the mirror, smiling faintly.
“You won’t try to stop me? From meeting with a commoner, I mean. I thought you’d say something like that.”
The first time Rosa had seen Noah in this house, she had looked shocked. But now her attitude seemed almost supportive. Cordelia half-suspected she had read too many romance novels.
“Would you really listen if I tried to stop you?” Rosa said.
“Of course not. But you could at least pretend to—so I’d feel less neglected.”
“Then you’d just complain that it was nagging.”
“…Tch.”
Rosa shook her head as Cordelia pouted wordlessly. When the maid finished combing and capped the oil, Cordelia suddenly chattered again.
“Hey, Rosa.”
“Yes?”
“I decided to join Lord Owen’s reading circle.”
“Oh? That’s unusual. You always said you hated such things—called them dull gatherings where pompous men preen at each other.”
At Rosa’s genuine surprise, Cordelia’s lips twitched.
“Do you have something you want to say?” Rosa pressed.
She was quick to notice—years of serving Cordelia had made her perceptive. Yet Cordelia only exaggeratedly shook her head.
“Nothing at all!”
“Careful! Don’t shake your head, I just finished your hair!”
Rosa pouted at the mess, and Cordelia leaned in, flashing the smile everyone said was beautiful. Rosa’s face softened in spite of herself.
Once again, she had left things unsaid.
Even with someone so close, she hesitated to reveal her secret. Perhaps she had hidden it too long.
Seated alone at the desk in her bedroom, Cordelia counted the few who knew her truth. Kalia had returned to her territory, Gerania remained in the palace. She had only just seen Luther, so it would be a while before visiting again.
And then…
“I’ll be busy until next week, so I may not visit often. I have some things to wrap up.”
“All right. But don’t forget our promise. A week from now—you must come.”
“…Understood.”
When would Noah return? Had he finished the commission he’d delayed?
Cordelia’s eyes dropped to the blank page before her, glaring at it as though it were Noah himself. Then her gaze fell to the magic circle etched on the back of her right hand.
Within the mansion, only Rosa had seen the mark. Thankfully, she was tight-lipped.
But what kept Noah so busy that he left her waiting? She couldn’t exactly go find him herself—so frustrating! At least in four days, she would see him again.
“When he comes, I’ll make him give me a proper princess-style hug.”
Resolving firmly, Cordelia blew out her lamp. Darkness spread, and she moved to the wide-open window.
Stars glittered faintly across the vast night sky. A waning moon cast its dim light upon the world.
Resting her arms on the windowsill, Cordelia gazed at the moon, lost in thought as a cool breeze brushed her face.
The curtains fluttered in the stillness, and countless tangled thoughts filled her. It had been some time since her return from Roychel Castle, yet every night, she still drifted into strange reveries.
She felt she mustn’t name this emotion, yet she returned to it again and again. It was more than loneliness—it was like stepping into a deep, inescapable pit.
I want to know. I shouldn’t. But I want to… and yet I don’t understand.
She furrowed her brow, then smiled, eyes bright with curiosity—before falling pensive again.
With only the quiet night for company, Cordelia sank once more into endless thoughts.
