Chapter 30
The two stiffened simultaneously at the unexpected proposal.
Why would someone make such an offer to an unmarried woman widely known to be actively seeking a suitor? No matter how they tried to interpret it differently, it sounded like an expression of interest in Cordelia.
Even if it wasn’t that, this proposal had to be rejected outright. Until the body-switching issue was resolved, they had to act together, but Noah, due to his position, couldn’t leave the country. If they got separated too far and then their bodies switched, that would be even more disastrous.
Cordelia smiled, pulling the left corner of her mouth, but reached under the table and tapped Noah’s thigh lightly. Understanding the signal, Noah first spoke the most important question.
“Pardon me, Your Excellency, but I assume you are aware of my circumstances.”
“That’s right.”
“Then why make such a proposal despite knowing that?”
Raymond awkwardly curled the corners of his lips. His soft and gentle voice followed, like a scent luring a butterfly.
“It’s embarrassing to say directly, but when I saw you at the banquet, I fell in love at first sight.”
A lie.
Cordelia was so incredulous she nearly grabbed his collar. What part of that looked like a face falling in love? It was more like the gaze of a child discovering an interesting toy!
She wanted to ask if he was crazy, but never had she felt more lamenting to be in someone else’s body.
Why hadn’t Lyness come sooner so she wouldn’t have to see this mess? Now blaming poor Lyness, Cordelia mentally chewed over the man under the table and wrote something on Noah’s palm.
As soon as Noah understood the message, he almost turned to look at Cordelia.
“Really?”
There was sincerity in the firm grip on his hand. Despite his complicated feelings, Noah answered with an unwavering voice.
“While I appreciate your feelings, I’m afraid Your Excellency is not my type.”
Good, that’s my guy!
Raymond, who had been quietly watching Noah’s casual refusal, wiped the smile from his face and answered as if surprised.
“Is that so? I’ve never heard anyone say I was unattractive.”
“Well, that’s only natural.”
Cordelia, who couldn’t help but reply quickly, froze at the gaze directed at her. His violet eyes glinted with interest and curved gently like a crescent moon. Seeing that expression, the truth slipped out from her mouth.
“Who would bluntly say someone’s ugly to their superior? It’s not like they want to shorten their lifespan!”
Of course, the man was handsome, but aside from that, it was absurd. Who would openly say that to the ruler of a country?
The attitude of someone who seemed to have never been rejected like this was highly irritating… huh?
Feeling oddly as if he was spitting on her face, Cordelia stopped thinking. The servants standing nearby seemed to be bowing their heads lower than before. Was that just her imagination? She thought she even heard a faint laugh.
It must be auditory hallucination. Yeah, it must be!
“Then, are you saying you want to call my face ugly?”
“No, that’s not exactly it…”
“Then I’d like to see how good your face is.”
“Huh?”
“No matter how generous I am, I get a bit hurt.”
Cordelia smiled wryly at the man who looked like he was enjoying catching her out rather than being hurt. Noah felt a strange foreboding and tried to stop her, but she had already spoken.
“Unfortunately, it’s difficult to reveal my face without permission. Our princess is very protective of me.”
When Cordelia leaned toward Noah and slipped her arm around his, his soft, tender body stiffened from tension. Even if he wanted to protest, it wasn’t exactly a lie, so Noah reluctantly nodded along, as if crying and eating mustard.
Raymond raised the corners of his mouth gently.
“But the princess is currently discussing marriage proposals, isn’t she?”
Even when asked if this playful teasing should stop here, Cordelia stood firm. Raising her lowered eyes, she looked up at Noah.
“She is only looking for a husband, not confirmed anything yet. Isn’t that right?”
“Well… yes.”
Close, so close, so close!
Internally screaming, Noah calmly reached out over the table.
Oh, whatever.
Noah picked up a grape and fed it into Cordelia’s mouth, which was clinging to his arm. His fingertips trembled slightly from embarrassment but he endured bravely.
Unaware of his turmoil, Cordelia happily ate the grape, which was annoying and adorable at the same time. What could he do? It was already like this now.
“And even if there are many suitors, I worry that someone I like might not come along.”
“You can’t just tie the knot with anyone.”
Despite the persistent gaze that seemed to gauge their status and worth, Cordelia shamelessly clung to Noah with a thick skin.
Noah blinked helplessly.
If he tried to pull Cordelia away now, it would look even more suspicious. Since Raymond already knew they weren’t master and servant, denying the relationship would only give a pretext for other problems.
But Cordelia was too close. Even though their bodies had switched, the fact alone wasn’t good for his heart.
To sort out this awkward situation, he spoke.
“If that’s all you have to say, may I take my leave now?”
Having grown up in the chaotic royal palace during the previous king’s reign, Noah wasn’t weak enough to flinch at this kind of pressure.
Cordelia, who glanced at the wine with lingering feelings, got up following Noah. Raymond watched the two with amusement.
“Are you really going to refuse?”
“I will keep this matter secret, so please let us leave.”
Watching Noah answer with utmost courtesy, Raymond looked at Cordelia again, then stared quietly at their joined hands. His persistent gaze was met with a fresh voice that stopped them.
“Is there no other issue?”
“Why do you always bring me such troublesome requests?”
Bende shook his head in frustration. Two robed figures standing behind him stared intently at Tirein seated opposite the sofa.
The large windows let in plenty of light, but Tirein knew they were sturdier than they looked. That was inevitable—the place was sealed with a magic barrier.
He responded with a smile.
“Is that so?”
Guild Soleil.
Though it masqueraded as an information guild, it was actually one of the secret meeting places where wizards not recognized by the temple or who came from abroad gathered quietly.
Wizards were usually individualistic and disliked group life, but even the most private types had to unite against a great enemy.
For them, that was the nation, specifically the temple. Starting from the belief that all magic belonged to the temple, they tried to avoid laws that restricted their every move once identified as a wizard.
While the benefits were many, some just wanted a peaceful and free daily life. Still, they needed a minimum contact point, so they entrusted themselves to the information guild.
The guild’s culture of trust matched well with the secretive nature of wizards.
Near the kingdom’s borders, there were several such guilds secretly interacting with wizards, and Tirein was involved in all of them. While it reduced some danger, it was the best way to keep the temple in check.
“I don’t know if there’s a wizard who can handle this kind of thing as far as I know, but I’ll send a letter first.”
Bende, the guildmaster of Soleil, was a fairly rational and efficient man. His friendly appearance and sociability helped him mediate conflicts easily among the members.
He was proud of the guild, so it was surprising to see him shake his head immediately.
“Is it that bad?”
“Yes. Even if you go to Aurote, you won’t get a better answer than mine. From what I’ve heard, this is not a spell for amateurs.”
Judith, a robed woman sitting next to Bende, explained on his behalf. Known as the most competent wizard in Soleil, she had an impressive scar running from her right temple, across her left eye, down to her cheek.
“If it’s a magic involving rituals, it’s probably in the realm of witchcraft. Since it’s not a direct magic circle, but rather uses a medium inscribed with a circle, it likely involves very high-level magic.”
Since she carried some items that blocked magic for work, Tirein also knew well how difficult it was to make magical tools. Watching his nod of agreement, Judith continued.
“If a magic circle had been found, the work would be easier, but it’s troublesome that the medium the circle was inscribed on has disappeared. To cancel witchcraft, the magic circle is essential.”
“How about this?”
Tirein took out a crumpled note from his pocket and showed it to them. It was a copied image of the magic circle engraved on the backs of Cordelia and Noah’s right hands.
Judith shook her head while scrutinizing it.
“It only has the form of connecting souls. It might be helpful as a reference, but if it’s a magic that swaps another person’s body and consciousness without side effects, the design would be double or triple layered.”
Tirein pointed out the uneasy feeling that had been bothering him.
“Still, you’re not saying it’s impossible to fix.”
“It’s not impossible, but it’s not in my area of expertise.”
“Then I’ll pay whatever it costs. Find someone who can fix this.”
“Secretly?”
“Yes.”
Judith, after some thought, spoke.
“I can think of one suitable person… but it may take quite some time.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Bende picked up the pouch Tirein had given him as an advance payment and checked the gold coins inside. Judith cautiously added beside him.
“Are you aware that curses fall within the domain of witchcraft?”
“I know.”
“You’d better hope this magic is not a curse. Otherwise, it’ll be twice as difficult.”
“In what way specifically?”
“Unlike other witchcraft, a curse requires you to find the caster to undo it.”
Judith’s pink eyes glowed gloomily as she added it was difficult to solve with just a magic circle and potions.
“You mentioned there is a limited number of times it can be undone. How many times do you estimate remain?”
“About five times, I guess.”
“…You should be careful, since no one knows what happens once the limit is reached.”
Her chilling warning carried a strong sense of caution.
