CHAPTER 102………………………………
When Linda asked with a hint of puzzlement, Cordelia quickly covered her mouth—where a bit of saliva was about to escape—with the back of her hand and spoke.
“It’s nothing. Are your classes fun?”
“They’re fun, but I’m still not sure about my future career.”
“You technically don’t need to work, though.”
“But I have to get married instead. My father’s already showing me portraits… Honestly, I really don’t know.”
What a thing to do to a girl who hasn’t even debuted in society yet.
Seeing her niece looking glum, Cordelia smiled reassuringly.
“There’s no need to talk about marriage already. It’s too early for me to be thinking about a wedding I haven’t even had.”
“Well, I guess someday I’ll have to! Maybe I just need to meet someone with a good personality?”
“That’s fine, but since it’s someone you’ll spend your whole life with, it doesn’t hurt to be careful, very careful. Are there any good men at the academy? I heard it’s a place where both men and women mingle freely.”
Linda giggled and waved her hand dismissively.
“Ah, no, don’t be so forward. I’m not very popular.”
“What? That can’t be true. Do people just have no eyes for it?”
“I’m serious. I don’t know any men I like… but there is someone who’s extremely, extremely, extremely annoying.”
“Oh? Really?”
Linda’s eyes sparkled ominously as she let out a soft laugh. Cordelia tried to subtly change the topic, but an angry Linda had already spoken.
“I know that guy has a bad temper! He’s reasonably nice to others, but why does he always act out toward me? Every time, he gives one-word answers like ‘uh, okay, fine.’ Is that all he knows how to say?!”
Cordelia looked at her niece in surprise; usually so easygoing and calm, Linda was now throwing a tantrum.
“Is he a blunt type?”
“He doesn’t talk much, but his personality is really cranky. If he’s not in a group, he just ignores you completely. Not that it’s all bad…”
Lost in thought, Linda suddenly fell silent. Then she pressed her face into her hands and screamed.
“What’s wrong?!”
“Oh, nothing. It’s nothing.”
Her face was quite flushed, as if she couldn’t contain her anger. Cordelia opened the fan she had at her side and gently fanned her.
“So, Codi, do you have anyone nice? What happened with the person you were seeing before?”
Cordelia briefly recalled. She had told Linda about her lover about a year ago.
“Well, if you mean Paris, we broke up a long time ago. But there is someone nice.”
“Really?”
Cordelia nodded awkwardly at Linda, whose eyes sparkled.
“You’re considering marriage if possible? Well, I’m just thinking about it myself for now.”
“Wow, this is the first time I’ve heard Codi talk about marriage.”
That made sense; out of everyone she had met, Edward had been the only one she had dated for even half a year. Cordelia believed that one should date at least a year before even bringing up marriage.
If Liam had heard, he would’ve probably clicked his tongue, calling her difficult. Of course, she didn’t care about his judgment.
“Keep it a secret from Rick for now. It’s a bit awkward.”
“Awkward?”
“He might oppose it. I’m considering several things.”
Even if she barely understood Noah’s feelings, the real problem would start from here. Once Frederick found out she was involved with a confined prince, he wouldn’t stay calm. She hadn’t planned to tell him yet, since his opposition was expected.
First, she needed to find a way to restore Noah’s status—or at least get him a noble title. She would also need to maneuver a little with the royal family. Though she had distanced herself from politics, she still had a card to play with the king.
Linda, tilting her head in thought, soon seemed to realize something and covered her mouth. Then she looked at Cordelia with soft, wistful eyes.
“What is it?”
“Cheer up, Codi! I’ll always be rooting for you.”
Cheer up… about what exactly?
That gaze, that expression—it felt strangely familiar. Cordelia couldn’t help but recall the same faces she had seen in front of the bookstore and muttered in disbelief.
“Linda, what book on earth did you read? This isn’t the kind of grand, serious story you’re imagining.”
Ridiculous!
Though Noah’s situation was indeed difficult, was it really that serious? They weren’t enemies’ families falling in love, after all.
She had said it could be the spark of rebellion, but it didn’t mean Noah himself intended rebellion. Still, she had a feeling that if she used it well, she could find a way to overcome the situation.
Though she hadn’t finalized the plan yet—if needed, writing a pledge and acting on it could also be a solution…
“I didn’t think anything! What were you thinking to say that?”
“There’s a very suspicious smell… Did you read one of those novels trending in the capital?”
“What do you mean, what I read?”
Linda tried to feign ignorance but couldn’t help spilling her thoughts.
“Isn’t it because he’s a commoner? Like, worried about the difference in status… Would my father really oppose anything else?”
“If that were the case, I would have bought him a title already!”
Why is everyone so unimaginative?
“Then who are you seeing?”
“That is…”
“Everyone, we’ve arrived.”
The carriage reached the city conveniently at that moment. Cordelia quietly sighed in relief at the friendly driver’s voice.
“Let’s get out first. We’ll talk about that later.”
Even with her pout, Linda nodded, calmly gathering her things and pulling her hood over her head.
A few disguised royal guards followed the two at a distance. Leaving them to maintain their formation, the two chatted as they walked.
“So, where are we going?”
“There’s going to be a play soon at the plaza over there!”
“A play?”
“Yes. Do you know the Eureka Theater Company? They came to Devron recently, and Molly said it was really fun.”
“Oh, so that’s why you wanted to come out here?”
Linda averted her eyes, realizing she had been caught, and Cordelia lightly tapped her shoulder.
“Great, let’s go watch it!”
Walking through the familiar streets, Cordelia took in the city where she had grown up. The city still held the same charm as when she had lived there until sixteen, before moving to the capital.
Being a wealthy city, the streets in the center were tiled. Walking further, they reached a plaza with a fountain topped with a goddess statue, surrounded by people.
“Looks like it’s already started!”
Linda and Cordelia wove through the crowd. The actors by the fountain were moving.
“Brother, how can you do this to me!”
“Isn’t that also your destiny?”
“God will never forgive you!”
The play was just as Linda had said—very entertaining. The actors were lively, their comedic timing excellent, and the exaggerated movements drew laughter from all around.
Yet as Cordelia watched, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu. A nagging discomfort scratched at her mind.
After the play, that feeling grew even stronger.
“Codi, what are you doing?”
“Huh?”
Cordelia, lost in thought, looked up at Linda, who tugged at her arm.
“Just thinking a bit. Are we done here?”
“I’d like to look around the market a bit.”
“Then let’s go there.”
Arriving at the bustling market, Linda’s eyes lit up as she admired the stalls. Cordelia observed her quietly from a short distance.
When she was jostled back, something stepped on her heel.
“Oh, sorry!”
Before she could react further, a loud, piercing voice rang out.
“Hey! Do you know who this is, daring to be so rude?!”
Cordelia slowly turned. Beside her stood a well-dressed man and several others who appeared to be his servants.
But she had apologized! Shouldn’t it end there?
As she stared, the man’s eyes narrowed like a snake’s. His grip on her arm was firm.
“Looking closely, you’re quite a pretty face.”
“Let go.”
“Do you have time? I know an interesting place.”
Annoyed by his flippant attempt to harass a lady, Cordelia raised a hand to signal the approaching guards to stand down.
“Not interested. Now, let go.”
“How rude. Do you know who I am?”
Do you even know who I am?
“And who might you be?”
She deliberately spoke politely. The man, apparently proud of himself, continued bragging.
“I am the heir to the Pronene Baron family. Someone like you couldn’t even meet me.”
Hmm, a name I’ve never heard… maybe a family under our retainers?
I dressed too simply, perhaps. I just didn’t want to stand out.
“Oh, are you acquainted with a famous family?”
“Yes. Count Mentos is very close to our family.”
Cordelia had heard the name. Finally, she could openly mock him.
“How nice to be famous. Though power isn’t given for such arrogance.”
“What?”
Cordelia violently shook off his hand. Dusting it off like a nuisance, the man’s face turned red.
“How… rude!”
“You’re the rude one.”
Unable to tolerate him further, she revealed her identity to resolve the situation.
“Enough. This lady has business with me.”
A calm voice followed, and someone grabbed the man’s shoulder from behind.
“What—who are you… gah!”
In agonizing pain, he screamed. The figure in a deep hood walked quickly to block Cordelia’s way.
The surrounding soldiers immediately assumed defensive positions. The self-proclaimed heir of the baron grumbled in frustration.
“Who is this guy?!”
“I just called the city guards. If you don’t want trouble, you’d better leave.”
Tall and clad in black, the figure was even more imposing.
“Duke Vaitzen dislikes unnecessary commotion, doesn’t he?”
The man flinched at the calm voice. After a moment of hesitation, he yelled, pretending to be bold.
“You, I’ll let this slide this time. But don’t get caught by me next time!”
After spewing a typical villain line, he and his servants disappeared into the crowd. Cordelia looked at him dispassionately, then turned to the figure.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, fine.”
Cordelia’s heart raced. She cleared her throat and looked up at him.
“Um…”
Shhh.
He put a finger to his lips. Seeing his familiar, gentle smile, Cordelia embraced him joyfully.
“When did you get here?”
Noah.
