Chapter 29
What kind of absurd nonsense is this?
At least to Tirein’s eyes, Cordelia deliberately tightened the muscles in her face to look like that.
“What do you think I’m doing?”
“Oh, come now. Let’s be honest. Is there anyone in society who doesn’t know that young ladies like handsome men? Just thinking of the guys you dated paints a clear picture.”
So that’s how he talks about his own nephew being handsome. Well, it’s true, though.
“No, but you’re the one who dated only beautiful women!”
Tirein shrugged lightly as Cordelia’s voice naturally rose in disbelief, as if he hadn’t done the same himself.
“Well, if it’s not true, then it’s fine.”
He backed off lightly, but Cordelia could see right through his true intentions. He probably thought, ‘Even though I know the whole story, surely not.’
They say a good strategist sister always strikes at the opponent’s weak points. Of course, strategy has nothing to do with me! But anyway, it seemed she had hit the mark without harm.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes and glanced over Tirein carefully. She didn’t know how long the secret could be kept, but she had a premonition that once revealed, it would inevitably become troublesome.
“Noah might be kind and let it slide, but I won’t.”
Still, she felt she had to say this much.
“What do you mean?”
“What do you mean by ulterior motives, huh? By the way, do you even deserve to be near Noah?”
When she asked sharply, Tirein smiled faintly. Despite his expression, he slightly flinched his shoulders, so it seemed not just empty words when people said he was hurt if he was treated coldly.
“Yes, it’s true I don’t deserve it. If it weren’t for this matter, I wouldn’t even have come to see her.”
Tirein admitted calmly but then added:
“His Majesty the King is much more cold-hearted than you think. If he judged that I would harm her, he would never have let me come.”
Cordelia snorted quietly.
“That’s quite a reasonable excuse. Would His Majesty really accommodate someone who might be the seed of rebellion? That person’s existence wouldn’t help the royal authority at all.”
Though he lost royal status, blood is blood. The late king had many children, but considering the mother’s rank, he was the legitimate royal next only to the current king and his children.
When she looked at Tirein cautiously, he shrugged his shoulders.
“Not everything is as it seems. Your sister is not foolish enough to choose such a petty person as her husband.”
“Ugh.”
At that, Cordelia had no words. Seeing Cordelia immediately back down when Jerania’s name was mentioned, Tirein sighed inwardly.
Indeed, the queen really knows people well.
“Don’t trust me. Trust the king’s judgment, young lady.”
“Alright, I get it for now.”
Cordelia pouted but couldn’t hide her curiosity and asked,
“Then what exactly is your relationship with Noah?”
The answer was concise.
“Like the lion and the lamb.”
“What?”
“It’s a famous fairy tale. Just think of it like that.”
“Of course I know, but hey, you!”
Before she could ask more, Tirein slipped away down the alley. Cordelia hurried after him but he had already disappeared, blending into the crowd without a trace.
Cordelia scratched the back of her head.
“What is he talking about?”
At the peak of the sun, Cordelia and Noah stood side by side in front of the building called Dios Apatero.
“This is…”
“Quite big.”
Noah echoed after Cordelia.
She naturally expected an inn or something, but judging by the atmosphere, it seemed to be a merchant guild. Cordelia gave a tired look at the numerous people coming and going, then pulled Noah’s hand under a hood. The feel of the black glove was soft.
“The building’s name alone is ominous.”
Wingless god.
Isn’t that a strangely unsettling name?
As they stepped to enter, their steps halted. The surrounding scenery suddenly changed, and then reformed to reveal a completely different space.
“…What is this?”
Noah quickly looked around trying to understand the situation, then grabbed Cordelia’s arm firmly toward himself. Cordelia spotted someone right in front and, wary, stood in front of Noah to block the way.
“Oh dear, didn’t you like the welcome?”
A wide, bright space came into view. The walls were pure white, the floor marble, and in the middle was a round red carpet with a table full of food.
A silver-haired man sitting before the table smiled at them. At the pillars on either side stood servants in uniform, lined up neatly.
Cordelia quickly took in the situation and spoke coldly, lightly clenching her right hand, releasing a trace of anger.
“Within the kingdom, except for temples, the unauthorized use of magic is prohibited.”
The sudden space change was clearly due to magic. Where on earth was this place?
Trying to hide her tension, Cordelia asked calmly.
“Don’t worry. The temple has given permission,” Raymond answered leisurely.
“That’s nonsense.”
“There’s nothing that money and power can’t solve.”
Since it’s illegal by law, that basically means it was bribed. Cordelia firmly decided,
Once I get out, I have to report this to my sister. Cleaning out corruption — what a desirable phrase.
No sooner had she thought that, Raymond’s gaze turned to Noah.
“The lord of this region has also given permission.”
Why does my father’s name have anything to do with this rotten business?!
Thinking of Isaac Weitzen, lord of this region including Rite, Cordelia ground her teeth. It basically meant she had to keep quiet unless she wanted trouble.
No, Father. What on earth did you permit to that damn man?
Noah, standing behind Cordelia, seemed to think the same and quietly muttered in a cold voice that even surprised Cordelia.
“Are you threatening us?”
“I just want an amicable solution.”
Did I come for nothing? Since it’s a magic space, it would be hard for Tirein to find us.
Raymond shrugged at Noah, who stood guard in front of him without lowering vigilance.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of harming you or the princess. Even I wouldn’t want to make Isaac Weitzen an enemy.”
The sly smile on his face briefly faltered as if recalling something terrible.
What could be so scary?
Thinking of her clumsy father’s face, Cordelia tilted her head. Of course, politically he was reputed to be very savvy.
That?
The image of her father being dragged away by her mother’s ears flashed through her mind. Hmm, imagining her father’s dignity was not easy.
“Well then, the food we prepared is about to get cold. Please, sit down.”
Cordelia and Noah exchanged glances and sat side by side at the table.
There were grilled meats sprinkled with all kinds of spices, cheeses, freshly baked bread, and a plate of assorted fruits in the center. The delicious smell filled the air, teasing their senses.
What caught Cordelia’s attention most was the wine placed at the center of the table. When Raymond gestured, servants closest to them came forward. Opening the bottle, a sweet and pungent aroma spread.
She thought she could almost hear the sound of saliva swallowing. The wine poured into the glass was a beautiful color. It was obviously expensive, high-class wine, and its scent tempted Cordelia.
“Please, have some.”
“Oh, I don’t drink.”
Calm down, Cordelia. Right now I am Noah Eppermann, a person with no relation to alcohol! Ah, but why does my eyes keep watering?
“I’m not really fond of drinks offered by strangers.”
Noah answered lightly and glanced at Cordelia, then was shocked to see his own face almost about to cry. His face was fine, but his eyes couldn’t lie.
What should I do?
“This is a rare meal together, and if you don’t drink at all, I guess my sincerity isn’t satisfying.”
“…Still, it seems rude, so I’ll have one glass.”
She had no choice but to believe he meant no harm. Noah gave a faint smile to Cordelia, whose eyes twinkled despite pretending otherwise.
As if to set an example, Noah first lifted his glass. Everyone who knew him knew he was a heavy drinker. He couldn’t just drink alone.
Tilting the glass, the wine smoothly went down his throat. Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Noah replied primly,
“Not bad.”
He wasn’t really fond of drinking, so he didn’t know how to react. Pretending to be shy was the best option.
Cordelia, on the other hand, struggled in a different way. It was hard to control the grin that wanted to spread as soon as she took a sip.
Indeed, the duchy is as rich as they say; it lives up to its reputation. Maybe even father was won over by the wine?
Lost in such odd thoughts, Cordelia came back to reality when she noticed the man watching her closely. Taking back his gaze from Cordelia’s hand, the man with sly eyes smiled lazily.
“You seem to like it quite a bit.”
“So now you finally treat me like a person.”
The man’s attitude seemed to change strangely. Did he hear something? When Cordelia tried to get some info, Raymond widened his eyes as if saying, ‘What are you talking about?’
“Not really, but are you upset?”
“Of course not. Though I was quite surprised when you stole someone else’s money and separated me from our princess.”
“I told Kion to bring her politely. I heard there was some misunderstanding during the communication.”
What a rare crazy guy.
Cordelia spoke gently, meeting Raymond’s gaze that blatantly implied he heard what she did.
“Oh dear, what am I saying? I thought you were going to take me hostage to threaten our princess.”
Want to look in a mirror? Rare occurrence.
While the two laughed, invisible sparks flew between them. Not wanting to get involved and risk trouble, Noah silently concentrated on eating. Although it was just nibbling on fruit.
“But, princess, you’ve been quiet since earlier.”
Even when the topic suddenly shifted to him, Noah responded calmly.
“You say that as if you were ever invited to join.”
“That wasn’t my intention… But if the princess felt that way, it’s my fault. Does the food not suit your taste?”
“Well, if you were in my position, Your Excellency, I doubt the food would go down easily either. You’ve enjoyed it enough; I think it’s time to get to the main point.”
Good, good.
Seeing Noah’s quick understanding, Cordelia wiped away the rising grin again.
“You are indeed an interesting person, princess.”
Seeming to enjoy this, he finally got to the point.
“Anyway, I would like to officially invite the princess to our duchy.”
