IOMB 43

Chapter 43

Although Isaac spoke from the family’s perspective, Cordelia gained conviction as she listened to his words filled with concern for her.

Of course. There’s no way Father wouldn’t have noticed Noah’s identity. Back when Noah was confined, Father was serving as Chancellor—naturally, they must have crossed paths often.

It wasn’t as if she had brought Noah into the territory without preparing for a situation like this.

“Why are you saying you’ll protect me?”

Though she understood his concern, Cordelia wasn’t without a reply.

“I can take care of myself just fine. I always have.”

It was true that being born into a powerful family had given her advantages, but if she had relied on them to handle every little matter, she would never have built such a firm standing in high society.

This was not a world where one could survive just by being pretty.

“And do you really think my actions would be read as my family’s will? Even in my own house, I’m notorious for having nothing to do with politics. Even if I get caught being with Noah, people will just think of it as a whim, not some political ploy.”

She had deliberately distanced herself from political entanglements, and now it was proving useful in an unexpected way.

In fact, many noble families saw her as nothing more than a pretty but useless fool. She hadn’t bothered to refute it, since arguing would only raise suspicion—and besides, it was tiresome.

“And really, the only force in a position to oppose our family politically would be the royal family…”

She knew well enough that powerful houses, including Frederick’s, often banded together against the royal court. In fact, arguments between Zeranias and Rick in the audience chamber were so frequent that days without a clash were rarer than the reverse.

What surprised her most was that they still got along privately.

“I heard that the fact Noah can even appear outside is considered top secret. I mean, it’s completely absurd, isn’t it? Letting the grandson of a traitor walk around freely—even with restrictions?”

Hadn’t she also been stunned when she first heard it? Cordelia’s lips curved faintly upward.

‘If you call it favoritism, I suppose it is—but it’s closer to a kind of deal.’

‘A deal?’

‘Not one I made, though.’

She recalled Noah’s words. Someone had made a deal—allowing Noah’s activities in exchange for something else.

And given that they had even sent Tirein May, Noah’s closest aide, here as an informant, it didn’t seem like orders regarding Noah would be withdrawn easily.

“So really, the person who wants Noah’s identity kept secret more than anyone else… is His Majesty the King. Am I wrong?”

“Well, that’s true, but—”

Isaac shuddered as a chill ran down his spine. So Cordelia was saying she was willing to become an accomplice to the King himself.

“Cody, be cautious. We don’t know the King’s true intentions for letting that man roam free. Making rash judgments is dangerous.”

He hurriedly added the warning. He had some suspicions of his own, but stopping Cordelia was the priority.

After all, while the King might support Zeranias, his relationship with Queen Dowager Irene—mother of Ian—was bitter. Stirring that hornet’s nest could only spell trouble.

“Oh, I’ll be careful not to get caught by Rick. Don’t worry!”

“Of course you mustn’t get caught! Good grief…”

The mere thought of it made Isaac’s stomach churn, as if last night’s wine were rising back up. Clutching his stomach, he groaned, and Cordelia exclaimed in alarm.

“Father! Are you all right?”

“Not really… Can we please end this conversation?”

“Nope. That’s a separate matter.”

Her merciless answer made Isaac stare at his youngest daughter with weary eyes. But Cordelia pressed on, determined to say everything she wanted to.

“I know that, even with all these calculations, if something goes wrong our family could be dragged in.”

Isaac’s expression brightened a little. At least his daughter was thinking things through…

“But if that happens, I can always give up my inheritance, right? If I’m cut off, what schemes or treason could they possibly tie to me?”

…Or maybe not.

Isaac nearly fainted at the outrageous remark.

“Don’t be ridiculous! If you give up your inheritance, how will you even live?”

No parent could stay calm when their precious daughter chose hardship with her own hands. Then again, maybe he could secretly set aside some land for her… Officially estranged, but privately supported.

As he brooded over this, Cordelia replied lightly.

“I already have plenty of money.”

“…What?”

“I’ve got other sources. Even without family wealth, I can be independent.”

“What on earth are you talking about now?”

“Don’t ask! Top secret. But if you knew how many estates I own in the capital, you’d be shocked too, Father.”

She hadn’t just left her publishing royalties untouched. Everyone knew that the foundation of sound investment was land and real estate.

‘Cody, you can never have too much money.’

Zeranias had once told her that, and then promptly invested her royalties into prime properties. Kallia had found a shrewd steward to handle the accounts.

Over ten years, her wealth had grown to the point where she could almost bathe in gold coins.

Cordelia had tried to share credit and wealth with her sisters, but they had responded by pinching her cheeks and knocking her on the forehead until she sulked like a chipmunk.

“Of course, it’s only a last resort. I’ll try to prevent things from ever reaching that point.”

Isaac sighed.

“Fine… Let’s accept that for now. But tell me, what exactly is it about him that you like so much?”

“His face. His body. His personality.”

She answered crisply with three words. Isaac gaped, and Cordelia crossed her arms.

“Why ask the obvious? Honestly, didn’t you also approve the moment you saw his face?”

“…He did grow into a fine figure, I admit.”

“See? I was shocked when I first saw him. And then to find out he has such a sweet personality too? Isn’t that just unfair? Don’t you agree, Father?”

He was gentle, intelligent, diligent, with a clear sense of self. It had been so long since she’d seen someone look at her with such genuine concern.

“And now, because of some damned marquis’s scheming, I’m supposed to let go of this handsome man right before my eyes? Absolutely not!”

“C-Cody, calm down…”

Isaac tried to soothe her as she sprang to her feet, fuming. Then, carefully, he asked:

“But tell me honestly, Cody… does he even have the slightest feeling for you in return?”

His daughter might be impulsive, but she wasn’t the sort to force her emotions on others. And hadn’t Ian himself said flat-out that he wanted no such entanglement with her?

Of course, from his perspective, he could hardly have said otherwise.

The moment he asked, Cordelia froze. Her head turned toward him with a creak, and Isaac quickly backtracked.

“Ah, no, forget I said that. If you’re saying he does, then I believe you.”

He had always been weak against his wife—and his youngest daughter was the spitting image of her in youth. Seeing that expression gave him chills.

He still vividly recalled kicking his friend’s shin in retaliation for laughing about it, only to end up clutching his own aching foot.

“I know this will cause lots of trouble. I’m sorry that you and my sisters will have to worry because of me.”

Her voice, usually bright, softened slightly.

“But it’s not Noah’s fault. It’s just people meeting people.”

For nobles, marriage was usually a union between houses. Romance could be dismissed as a fling, but marriage carried political weight.

Cordelia longed for a romantic love, yet she understood reality. She had always wrestled with the conflict. To find such a good match, only to face so many obstacles—

Still. Wasn’t love that overcame trials and barriers all the more romantic?

“I just can’t stand to see him looking beaten down all the time. That’s no reason for me to stay away from him.”

Of course, she wasn’t so simple-minded. She would need to think of real strategies as well—but that could wait.

“For now, though—Father, why are you looking at me like that?”

She glared at Isaac, who was quietly smiling. He cleared his throat.

“I was just thinking… my youngest has really grown up.”

“Really?”

Flustered by his affectionate gaze, Cordelia scratched her cheek.

When Noah raised his head, he noticed two women standing in front of a stall.

A girl with refined brown hair—clearly of gentle upbringing—and a petite woman who seemed to be her mother were peering at the display. It looked like the mother had spoken first.

“This is exquisite! It looks like it might move any moment.”

The woman clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with delight.

It was obvious at a glance that they were of high status. Though they wore few jewels, Noah—having spent over five years in the artisans’ guild—could tell from the quality of their clothes that the fabric was no ordinary material.

And judging by the number of knights waiting discreetly nearby, their rank must indeed be high. Noah gestured reassuringly to the nervous siblings behind him and spoke.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, very much.”

The woman’s eyes widened briefly before she smiled warmly, reminding him of a rabbit. The girl, still studying the stall, chimed in.

“Mother, this rabbit is adorable. Can’t I have it?”

“If I only buy for you, Linda, won’t Oscar be upset?”

“Then I’ll just get him something else!”

After a brief pause, the girl declared proudly. Something about her attitude reminded Noah of someone, and he smiled faintly.

“I’m sure the rabbit would be very happy to be taken by you, miss.”

“Really?”

“They say even wildflowers know who loves them.”

His gentle tone made Linda’s cheeks flush pink. The woman beside her pointed to a sculpture of a figure at the center of the stall.

“This piece—did you carve the god?”