CHAPTER 104……………………….
Linda smiled brightly at Noah, who had tilted his head slightly.
“Just thinking how happy Cody would be to see that face of yours.”
“Pardon?”
“What are you even saying?”
Embarrassed, Cordelia smacked Linda on the back, making her whimper.
“Ow! I only said the truth! Wow, but seriously, you’re so handsome. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone this good-looking since His Majesty the King!”
Her overly honest remark left Noah momentarily speechless. Since she was Cordelia’s niece, she was obviously a noble lady, but her genuine compliment made him feel oddly flushed.
He could also see traces of her father’s sharpness in her demeanor.
“Ah, um… thank you. Anyway, perhaps we should move elsewhere…”
“Oh.”
“Right, right. Let’s get moving first.”
Cordelia reached out and pressed Noah’s hood down even further. She liked his new haircut, but for some reason, she felt reluctant to show it off to others.
Love really is a scary thing.
Smirking inwardly at her own thoughts, Cordelia was startled when Noah suddenly caught her hand just as she was about to pull it away. Meeting her wide eyes, Noah awkwardly said,
“Uh, since neither of us is showing our face…”
What’s so embarrassing about just holding hands that he’s smiling like that?
Still, Cordelia didn’t refuse and held his hand firmly. Whatever anxiety she’d felt over the play had long since faded away.
The three of them boarded the carriage, which soon departed for the castle.
Once they left the city behind, the vast grain fields of Devron stretched out before them. Had they come in autumn, they would have seen golden waves swaying in the breeze, nearing harvest time. But now, in the middle of winter, it was a barren sight.
The carriage rolled swiftly down the path cutting through the empty fields. Cordelia sighed as she gazed out the window.
“Such bad timing…”
She had always loved that time of year when autumn deepened and the wheat bowed low. She knew it wasn’t exactly a joyful season for those who worked the fields—but still, it was beautiful.
“If we’d come just three months earlier, it would’ve been gorgeous. Right, Noah?”
“Ah, yes.”
Cordelia tilted her head at Noah, who seemed lost in thought as he stared blankly outside.
“You seem a bit out of it. Something wrong?”
“It’s nothing. I guess I’m just tired from the sudden trip.”
That wasn’t exactly a lie.
Even as the number of secrets he carried grew heavier, Noah managed a faint smile.
‘Ah, so you came for this?’
When they arrived in Devron, following the map given by Gerania led them deep into the city, into a shadowy alleyway.
It wasn’t a place most people would dare to enter—but Noah did so without hesitation. He didn’t believe the queen would ever send him somewhere truly dangerous.
Finding the shop wasn’t difficult. A clean-cut man greeted him inside. When Noah handed over the small pouch of jewels, the man disappeared into the back and returned with something wrapped in cloth.
The moment Noah saw it, his expression hardened.
‘This is…’
‘So, what do you think? Not sure why someone’d want a thing like that… must be a keepsake or something?’
‘Where did you get it?’
‘No idea exactly. It drifted in years ago. I just ended up with it somehow.’
“Noah!”
At the sound of his name, Noah flinched. Apparently, he’d been spacing out again. Seeing Cordelia’s slightly pouty face snapped him back to reality. His hood slipped a little as her soft hand brushed his forehead.
“No fever… Are you sure you’re not sick?”
“I-I’m fine!”
Noah swallowed hard, thinking of the object in his pocket—
A gold hair ornament adorned with blue agate. It wasn’t particularly valuable, except for the small engraved crest inside.
And Noah knew that ornament well.
Dolores Hartford—wife of Baron Hartford, his mother’s close friend and attendant before marriage, and also his former nanny. No one had known her fate for the past eight years.
He’d been told that many had died during the rebellion. Some were executed as traitors; others fled and fell to their deaths or vanished without a trace. Many of his grandfather’s retainers were among the missing—some dead, others never found.
Eight long years without a single word.
He had assumed she was dead—but now, perhaps she wasn’t.
And yet… the possibility of her survival didn’t bring him joy.
When had he become this kind of person?
The thought hit him like a bucket of cold water. No one can have everything. Some things simply can’t be resolved neatly, no matter how much one wishes to.
Was this the queen’s way of warning him?
“If you’re feeling tired, how about some Helo tea?” Linda piped up from across the carriage. “It’s made by steeping Heselona leaves in hot water. Everyone at our castle drinks it when they’re worn out!”
Noah forced himself to stop thinking and smiled softly.
“Is that so? I’ve never tried it.”
“It mostly grows in the south. We’ve got so much of it here that it’s practically worthless, so no one sells it. People from other regions usually don’t know about it. My father drinks it sometimes, too!”
“Right, I used to drink it often when I was little. Add a bit of honey—it’s nice and sweet.”
Cordelia chimed in, laughing at Linda’s chatter. Swept up in their lively mood, Noah’s expression gradually relaxed as the carriage neared the castle.
But the trial awaiting them was far from over.
“Ah—!”
Linda, who had run ahead into the castle courtyard, stopped dead in her tracks. Before Cordelia could ask what was wrong, she followed Linda’s gaze—and froze in shock.
There was no chance to retreat. The man turned his head toward them, narrowing his eyes as he paused mid-conversation with a butler.
“Where have you been?”
“…Rick.”
Cordelia’s pointing finger trembled.
“Why are you here?!”
Her sister had promised to stall him for at least two weeks!
“My castle, and you’re asking why I’m here? Really? And Linda—how many times have I told you not to run in the halls?”
“I-I wasn’t running!”
“I could hear your footsteps from across the courtyard.”
Frederick Weitzen frowned, scolding as usual. Then his sharp eyes moved from his daughter to Cordelia… and finally to Noah, who stood behind them with his gaze lowered.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Cordelia’s back.
She was certain she’d removed his hood in the carriage—but had Noah put it back on before entering?
They were still a fair distance apart. Maybe he wouldn’t recognize him—
But then Frederick began to walk toward them.
One step. Two steps.
Each one hit Cordelia’s heart like a hammer. The fine hairs on her arms stood on end as her brother’s face drew near.
Should I run?
If you decide—act.
Cordelia grabbed Noah’s arm, ready to bolt—
But he didn’t move. Not an inch.
Before she could even curse internally, Frederick stopped just in front of them. His gaze sharpened as soon as he saw Noah’s face up close.
“Cordelia.”
His tone was deceptively calm, but ice dripped from every syllable.
“Why is he here?”
Oh no.
“I got proper permission. There’s no political issue,” Cordelia said quickly.
But the chill surrounding Frederick didn’t fade. Instead of shouting or making a scene, he rubbed his chin and murmured lowly,
“I see.”
With his sharp mind, Frederick immediately pieced things together. Without another word, he gestured.
“Follow me.”
“But—”
“This isn’t a conversation for the hallways.”
He didn’t spare Noah even a glance.
Noah, knowing this was coming, followed behind with a bitter smile.
Inside an empty drawing room, Frederick ordered the curtains closed and dismissed everyone—including Linda, who left reluctantly after a few sharp words.
Now alone with his troublesome sister and this unexpected guest, Frederick spoke first.
“Isn’t this strange?”
His voice was soft, almost coaxing.
“Someone who should be locked away where no one can find him somehow ends up here in the south—right beside my sister, no less.”
Under his piercing gaze, Noah said nothing. Cordelia spoke instead.
“If you’ve figured that much out, then drop the pointless interrogation. I told you, it’s not a problem.”
“I see. From the way you’re talking, I can assume Gerania or Kallia already know, then.”
Even with only a few exchanges, Frederick had nearly reached the truth. He stared hard at Noah, scanning his face before sighing quietly.
“Of all people, him? Are you seriously letting yourself be fooled by his face again?”
There was no point in trying to dodge the accusation. After all, bringing him here as her guest made denial impossible.
“There are many reasons to like someone,” Cordelia said frankly.
Frederick pressed his fingers to his brow, releasing his irritation in a strained voice.
“I knew you’d lost your senses, but I didn’t think you were this far gone. He’s tied to a rebellion! And instead of staying clear, you bring him into our home? Have you completely lost your mind?!”
Cordelia’s voice rose to match his.
“He didn’t commit any crime himself! I told you—it’s been approved. His Majesty gave permission. If he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have brought him here!”
“And you actually believe that? You think the king wouldn’t use this as leverage against our family?!”
“He wouldn’t! If that were true…”
If that were true, he wouldn’t have come to visit Noah when he was injured.
But saying that aloud would expose Noah’s secret involvement in the incident. She clamped her mouth shut. Frederick misread her silence as insolence and drew a sharp breath, about to scold her again—
When suddenly—
“Everyone, what’s going on here?”
A new voice broke into the room.
