Chapter 58
She was a beautiful young woman who looked just over twenty. From her attire, she was clearly not an ordinary person.
As Noah had expected, the marquis brightened the moment he saw her.
“Oh, Dalia. You’ve finally returned.”
“Yes, Father.”
The young woman’s brown eyes briefly scanned Noah. Her clear and calm voice followed.
“…And this is?”
“Ah, this is the painter commissioned for the picture book.”
“Noah Eferman.”
As Noah briefly introduced himself, the woman’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re younger than I thought.”
“Right? I couldn’t believe it myself when I first met him. You saw the mural too, didn’t you?”
“Yes. That was the first time I’d ever seen Father’s eyes sparkle like that.”
The young woman stepped closer until she stood right before Noah. Then, without warning, she reached for his face.
“What are you doing?”
Noah instinctively caught her hand before it could reach him. As her attempt was blocked, she immediately raised her other hand, but he parried that too with ease. In no time, he found himself holding both her arms, bewildered.
What on earth is going on?
Even in his confusion, he adjusted his strength so as not to leave marks on her delicate skin. Perhaps frustrated at being unable to move him, her sharp eyes grew fiercer.
The marquis, watching the scuffle, shouted at his daughter in surprise.
“Hey, Dalia! What are you doing all of a sudden?”
“Let go. I just wanted to check his face for a moment.”
Noah shook his head firmly while still holding her. Then he released her and swiftly stepped back two paces to avoid her reaching hands. She looked ready to lunge again, but her father’s stern command stopped her.
“Mind your dignity, Dalia!”
Unable to defy him, she froze in place. Her brown eyes fixed on Noah, who sighed in relief.
“You there. Do you really not know me?”
A man of your stature isn’t exactly common. Tilting her head with the remark, she waited, but Noah answered firmly.
“I do not.”
He had no desire to be entangled with a noblewoman. If suspicions arose, he would be the only one to suffer for it.
“Why so cold when I just wanted to see your face?”
“If this is because of my lowly status, then I must object.”
He asked pointedly, implying that she was behaving this way only because he was powerless. Her shoulders twitched slightly at that.
Ordinary commoners, no matter how humiliating, were forced to bow to nobles. But in his case, he could not afford to yield. Ready to face punishment if necessary, Noah pressed her.
“I had no intention of insulting you. I only…”
She trailed off, unable to finish, and sighed softly. Then she bowed her head to her father.
“I apologize for startling you.”
“Never mind that. But why act so rashly?”
“Because… I was once helped by this man. I wanted to thank him, but he disappeared without even giving his name. I was afraid he might run away again.”
“Even so, your behavior just now was improper. You understand that, don’t you?”
“I have no excuse.”
“So, this really happened?”
The marquis looked back at Noah. But Noah quietly shook his head.
“With all due respect, I truly have no memory of meeting you, my lady. Forgive me, but where exactly did you see someone who resembles me?”
“The royal palace.”
At those words, Noah forced his expression to remain calm. Oh, no.
Could it have been Lady Cordelia?
“Well, never mind. At least I know your name now—that’s something. Since you spared me trouble before, I owe you. Tell me, is there anything you desire?”
“My lady, if I truly helped you, that alone is my joy. And the marquis has already rewarded me more than enough. That is sufficient.”
“That was from my father, not from me. Tell me what you want.”
As Dalia pressed him persistently, Noah forced a polite smile. He had a bad feeling about this.
“Then, I’ll tell you the next time I visit. For now, I’ll take my leave, my lord.”
He excused himself quickly. Dalia silently watched his retreating back.
“What?”
The tea caught in her throat, making Cordelia cough violently. Dabbing her lips with a cloth, she looked across at Frederick, who calmly spoke.
“Only a few ministers know yet, but in a week, an official delegation will arrive from the Duchy of Yurith Sanscria. They’re coming to negotiate with the royal family. The duke himself will be here, and naturally, there’ll be a banquet on the first night.”
Why on earth does that man keep coming here?
Thinking of Raymond Feshik’s face, Cordelia forced a look of surprise onto her frowning features.
“So, you want me to attend? As the family’s representative?”
“Yes.”
“Why me, of all people?”
Her eyes questioned him. Frederick answered flatly.
“An urgent matter has come up in Debron. I must leave today, and it’ll take at least a week. I can’t help it.”
“Ridiculous. You’re skipping such an important event just for domain issues?”
“What are you implying?”
“There’s another reason. Out with it.”
She crossed her arms, refusing to hear anything else until he explained. Frederick shrugged.
“As you know, our family lands lie in the south. They overlap considerably with the duchy’s territory.”
“I know. That’s been a source of disputes every year.”
Of course—land disputes were endless. The more territory one held, the more friction arose. As the family owning the largest lands in the kingdom, the Veitzens couldn’t avoid it.
“There’s another dispute expected over navigation rights on the Rollesh River. If it goes to trial, they’ll have the advantage.”
The river at the kingdom’s southern border, branching from the Blod, was named. Hearing that, Cordelia grasped his meaning.
“So, you want to send me—the one known to have no interest in politics—as a stand-in, so that if Duke Feshik tries to raise the issue, nothing gets discussed. All I have to do is smile and pretend ignorance?”
“You understand well.”
“Hah.”
Cordelia slumped back into her chair. Frederick’s eyes narrowed at her casual posture, but she ignored him.
“If I do this, what will you give me?”
Her attempt to bargain made Frederick scoff.
“As if ruining your betrothal wasn’t enough.”
“You’re acting like it wasn’t your fault for making decisions without my consent.”
“I told you to address me properly as your elder brother. And usually, such matters follow the head of house’s will.”
“Don’t be absurd. I’m not an object. Keep spouting nonsense and I’m leaving.”
As she made to rise, Frederick dropped a line.
“I hear you’ve become quite absorbed with someone lately.”
“I’ve always been serious about love.”
“Never with a commoner, though.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve never chosen friends by status.”
Not widely known, but Cordelia had once dated the son of a wealthy merchant. A noble only by purchased title, but still technically a commoner by blood.
“They say you even brought him to Roychel Castle. True?”
Damn it. How much does this bastard know?
Had one of the servants leaked information? Who would dare such a reckless thing? Cordelia masked her unease with a shrug.
“Well, thanks to you, I had to go into hiding of sorts.”
I’ll have to write Father and tell him to root out the informant.
“Anyway, I won’t move without something in return, Rick. You should know my personality well enough by now.”
“I’ve never cared much for your relationships, but…”
Adjusting his glasses, Frederick’s sharp eyes slowly swept over her, as though appraising merchandise. The look made her skin crawl.
“If it’s just a passing amusement, I won’t object. But if you have any sense, you should know where to draw the line.”
From the way he spoke, it seemed he didn’t yet know exactly who the man was.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean don’t throw yourself at him too easily. At the very least, behave in a manner befitting your reputation.”
“What reputation? I don’t have one.”
“At least, you’ve never seemed like the type to chase after men desperately.”
His sharp retort silenced her. After sipping his tea elegantly, Frederick asked,
“So, what do you want?”
Cordelia thought carefully. As distasteful as he was, Rick was a man who always kept his promises. He never paid less than what he deemed fair.
“First of all, I don’t ever want a repeat of what happened last time. Do it again, and I’ll consider our ties severed.”
He didn’t reply. Expecting as much, Cordelia crossed her arms and added,
“And one more thing. I’ll attend the banquet, but whatever I do there, you’ll take full responsibility.”
“…What are you planning this time?”
“Don’t worry. Like you said, I won’t do anything to shame the family’s honor. Satisfied?”
She smiled brightly. He sensed an ominous undertone, but eventually nodded.
“Still harping on about love, are you?”
He never understood her insistence on finding her own partner. In a world where marriages were arranged for political gain, she was an oddity.
Just months ago, she had declared that if no suitable man appeared, she’d live and die alone. Frederick had been dumbfounded. That wasn’t something Cordelia—who hated being alone—should be saying.
When he suggested she marry and take a lover on the side if she wanted love, she slapped him. Though it was outrageously disrespectful toward the head of the house, Frederick didn’t retaliate. Instead, he secretly launched a grand proposal campaign on her behalf throughout the marquisate.
He had no idea how much she loathed that side of him.
“Well, isn’t that a bit rich, coming from you?”
