Chapter 38,…………
Cordelia froze at Noah’s sudden, direct question.
“Uh? Oh, that’s… um…”
She could have answered lightly, or dodged the question. But as she looked into Noah’s clear, unwavering gaze, her throat tightened strangely, and the words stuck.
There were many popular genres in literature.
In novels, the most common trends were tales of chivalry, religion, or chronicles of history. More recently, with literacy spreading among commoners, raw and satirical works about society had gained popularity.
Love stories? They weren’t absent—just wrapped up in “courtly literature,” where idealized romance was recited in lofty, elegant language.
But her writing was none of those. Hers was light, tender, sometimes raw, unrestrained—exposing emotions that seemed too private, even taboo. At times, it was faithful to desire itself.
…What would happen if she admitted that?
Cordelia, uncharacteristically hesitant, trailed off. Watching her, Noah’s raised brows slowly softened.
“If it’s hard to say, then I don’t mind—”
“No!”
She cut him off. Avoiding the truth wasn’t in her nature, and besides, he would find out eventually. Cordelia grabbed her teacup, even though the tea had long gone cold, and blurted:
“Romance. I write romantic love stories between men and women.”
She tried to sound cool and elegant, but her heart thudded wildly. She worried about his reaction, yet the tea went down surprisingly smoothly.
“Love stories?”
“Yes.”
“That sounds… fascinating.”
“…Huh?”
Peeking one eye open toward him, she saw Noah’s eyes sparkling with genuine interest.
“Could I read one?”
“No way!”
She nearly spilled her tea all over the carpet. Hastily wiping her lips in a very unladylike fashion, she sputtered:
“T-that’s the sort of thing you only show to family… or someone you’re going to marry!”
What nonsense.
Realizing she’d just said something ridiculous, Cordelia tucked her hair behind her ear and sneaked a glance at Noah.
“…Then I definitely shouldn’t see it.”
Why was he smiling so sadly, backing off like that?
“I mean, I could show you. You and I—we’re close enough, aren’t we?”
“It would be far too precious a treasure to share with just a guest at the table.”
He drew a firm line, but Cordelia pressed on stubbornly.
“Guest? At the very least, you’re a partner. And partners can become something… more.”
“Everyone has their proper place. Someone far more fitting will surely come to fill that seat.”
“How can you be so sure? Who sits in that seat is my choice.”
“Usually, it requires both parties to agree.”
“You mean to say you can resist someone as beautiful and charming as me?”
“A lady such as yourself has no need to step into muddy waters.”
Their endless back-and-forth was broken only when Kalia spoke up.
“Now that I think about it—what is it you do?”
She didn’t mean “are you employed,” but rather “what kind of work.” Grateful for the interruption, Noah answered smoothly:
“I’m a painter. Affiliated with the Hollemia guild.”
Trades were generally looked down upon, and art was no exception.
But Kalia only nodded lightly.
“Ah, so that’s why you and Cordy get along.”
“We do make a lovely pair, don’t we?”
“Lady Cordelia is the one accommodating me.”
His humble reply made Kalia sigh heavily. Watching her sister inch even closer to Noah, she finally declared:
“He’s too good for you.”
“Eh?”
“Noah, was it? Don’t indulge this girl too much. That’s why she acts this way.”
“I don’t—”
“What do you mean, ‘indulge’?! Where?”
“I can see why you like him, but is there any good news on the horizon? Or are you just rolling around, getting in the way?”
“Sis!”
As the sisters bickered, Noah watched with something like envy and said softly:
“You two… really are close.”
Both pairs of eyes snapped toward him, and he quickly added:
“Ah—thank you for saying so. Though it’s always me relying on you both.”
But he meant it.
Kalia’s odd, assessing look; Cordelia’s hand gripping his arm; the warmth, the awkwardness—it all swirled dizzyingly in his mind.
“…But I should excuse myself. I still have work to finish.”
Noah rose abruptly. Cordelia jumped up too, clutching his firm forearm.
“Wait, Noah! When will you be done?”
“Hm? I plan to finish before dinner. Why do you ask?”
Cordelia’s lips curved slowly, like sharing a secret.
“Then…”
After wrapping up their meeting, the sisters went their separate ways. Kalia disappeared down the corridor to greet their parents in their chambers, while Cordelia returned to the large guestroom she was using.
A maid happened to be leaving the room and bowed to her. Cordelia recognized her—she’d seen the girl a few times during visits to the castle.
Though Isaac seemed lax, he was notoriously strict with servants. Anyone who lasted more than a fortnight usually stayed employed for years.
“Um, Lady Cordelia.”
Cordelia paused, ready to enter the room, when she heard the maid call softly, her face tense with determination.
“What is it?”
“It’s about… the guest who came with you.”
“The guest? You mean Noah?”
“Yes.”
Even after speaking, the maid hesitated. Cordelia gestured for her to continue. Hugging her arms around herself, the maid whispered:
“Shelton said he heard strange noises coming from the guest’s room all through the night…”
“Noises? What kind?”
Cordelia’s tone sharpened slightly. The maid shrank, her voice dropping lower.
“I can’t be sure, but… like something being scraped? Or hammered? The sounds kept stopping and starting, over and over.”
Now she was trembling. Cordelia listened indifferently, but the maid stammered on:
“M-maybe he’s possessed!”
“There’s no such thing.”
In the kingdom’s faith, there was no afterlife. “Ghosts” referred only to clumps of malicious emotion—though some believed such malice could take on will.
And one of those believers was right here.
Cordelia scoffed, but the maid’s eyes welled with tears.
“You never know! He barely speaks, and sometimes he makes no sound at all—”
Her earnest concern made Cordelia uncomfortable. She knew the girl only meant well.
“All right, I’ll ask him later. But don’t you dare let such rumors reach his ears.”
He already seemed overly cautious. If he heard gossip like this, he’d withdraw even more. And Cordelia didn’t want that.
“Of course, my lady. Don’t worry.”
Saying she only felt obliged to warn her, the maid hurried down the hall. Cordelia watched her go, then turned into her room.
Come to the room at the far end of the second floor at 8 o’clock!
After dinner, Noah went where Cordelia had told him. The halls were dark now, the sun long set.
Carrying a lantern, he started up the stairs—only to meet Kalia descending.
“Ah, good evening.”
“Yes. So you’re headed there too.”
Her voice was casual, but her steps slowed. Noah matched her pace, puzzled by her reluctant expression.
“Is something wrong?”
“…You’ll see soon enough.”
Shaking her head wearily, Kalia strode ahead. Noah followed her down the hall to the farthest door.
Inside, the room was bright—lanterns lit everywhere. A large table stood in the middle, and heaps of something were piled up at the back.
“Oh, you came together!”
Cordelia jumped up from her chair, holding a huge wooden mug. Noah’s eyes widened when he saw Isaac seated opposite her.
“Here, take this!”
Cordelia grinned and shoved the mug into his hands. Inside sloshed a liquid—filling a cup nearly as big as his head.
“What is this?”
“What do you mean? Booze!”
She shouted cheerfully. Isaac, already seated at the table, couldn’t hide his delight.
“You drink at all, lad?”
His eyes gleamed even more sharply than when he had been chancellor. Noah instinctively shook his head.
“J-just a little.”
“Good! Then sit down. We’ll have a drink together!”
Noah had always thought Isaac Weitzen was a consistent man—either smiling kindly or wearing a stern face. Those were the two expressions he knew best.
But this—this bright, almost boyish joy—was new.
Cordelia leaned close, whispering low so only he could hear:
“Just go along with it. Mother finally allowed him to drink, so he’s over the moon.”
“Outside these walls, not a word. I’d lose too much dignity.”
Embarrassed, Isaac avoided their eyes. Kalia shot him a look of exasperation.
As Noah edged closer, he spotted the neat stacks of round wooden barrels piled behind him. With a trembling finger, he pointed.
“Don’t tell me… all of those?”
“Of course.”
Cordelia beamed, sat him down beside her, and clapped his shoulder cheerfully.
“Now—let’s drink!”
