Chapter 65 ……………………….
– Chapter 9. The Ideal Match:
“Hey.”
Liam leaned back, hanging his head over the sofa’s edge, and grinned up at Cordelia as if he owned the place. His casual posture, so unbefitting a guest, made Cordelia narrow her eyes.
“How the hell did you even find this place?”
“I went to your ducal mansion, but you weren’t there. So I grabbed a few servants and pressed them. One of them was acting suspicious, so I tailed him. Lucky for me, I was right.”
That smug, nonchalant face was absolutely infuriating. Well, fair enough. For someone who had lived as a knight for so long, it wouldn’t have been easy for the servants to shake him off.
Still, to be discovered so easily? Should I move again? But this house has the best location out of all the ones I own.
“Hey, let me crash here for a while.”
This lunatic really could ramble.
As Liam pressed himself comfortably into the sofa, staring up at her, Cordelia smiled sweetly and said:
“Find somewhere else.”
“Oh, come on.”
“Don’t you have a perfectly fine ducal mansion of your own?”
“It’s lonely by myself. If it weren’t for this stupid diplomatic mission, I’d never have come up to the capital. I even begged Father to come instead, but he nearly broke my knee threatening to keep me from running away forever.”
Grumbling about his damned old man, Liam sighed. To others, he might have looked like a man lost in melancholy, but Cordelia knew better—behind that wistful look, he was probably just thinking about how much he missed his wife. Hardly worth worrying over.
“Excuse me, but I’m a maiden. Do you expect me to let a strange man stay in my house?”
Liam snorted right in her face.
“Don’t make me laugh. With all the spare rooms in this mansion, and with our relationship, you’re worried about appearances? Just the thought makes my skin crawl.”
“You think I’m thrilled about this either?!”
“Then what’s the problem? Don’t tell me there are still people in society pairing us up?”
“You think there aren’t?”
Liam muttered a curse under his breath. Years as a knight had left his tongue sharp; Cordelia was certain most of his vulgar vocabulary came from sparring with his father, Yuri.
“Fine, fine. I get that people gossip because our ages and situations are similar. But I’m married with two kids already. How could anyone still spread that nonsense? We barely even see each other!”
Unlike most nobles, Liam rarely came to the capital—two or three times a year at most. Not surprising for a man so reclusive and reluctant to socialize.
But still—would it kill him to make some friends other than me, you handsome hermit?
“Why don’t you just bring your wife to society then?”
“Maybe I will. Mildred’s health has been much better lately. When spring comes, it might be nice to bring her along.”
His smile radiated happiness, and for some reason, seeing it today made Cordelia’s chest ache with loneliness. Why was she the unlucky one left without a partner, when even this guy had one?
“Anyway, no. Absolutely not. Get out and come back later. I’ll talk to you at a banquet. Happy?”
She strode over, grabbed Liam by the hand, and dragged him toward the door. Though strong enough to resist, he let himself be hauled along until they reached the open front gate. Then, suddenly, he paused and looked at her suspiciously.
“Wait… are you seeing someone?”
Her grip faltered. The question struck so squarely that Cordelia froze for a moment. She quickly tried to push him out again, but this time Liam didn’t budge.
“Ha! Thought so.”
Damn it. Too late to play dumb.
Cordelia shoved him outside, slammed the gate, and looked around. Fortunately, the street was deserted—the patrol must’ve passed already. It was so dark she could barely make out faces, but she crossed her arms, determined not to back down.
“So now you see why it’s a problem? A man and a woman, alone under one roof? That’s begging for scandal, my friend.”
Of course, the house was large, staffed with servants, and perfectly suitable for receiving guests. But that didn’t matter.
“That only applies to unmarried couples. I’m married. What’s with people making such a fuss? Don’t they have better things to do?”
“Shut up. I said no. Go sleep in your own damned mansion.”
“Then who is it? Don’t tell me it’s another pretty-faced good-for-nothing.”
His tone had turned serious now. Cordelia frowned.
“What are you on about?”
“I mean it. I’ve seen you in these situations too many times. I’m just wondering how long this one will last.”
“This time is different! Even Gerania approved of him!”
“Gerania? She approved? Why would a man like that be with you—”
Cordelia stomped on his foot before he could finish.
“Argh!” Liam yelped, clutching his toes. Cordelia smirked in satisfaction.
“Remember when I told you, ages ago, about that ridiculously handsome man who gave me flowers? Back when you stayed at our ducal mansion before your wedding—at Thanksgiving? Do you remember?”
“Uh… oh? Yeah, I remember. Wait—don’t tell me your guy is—”
“That’s right!”
Liam let out a long, exaggerated sigh. The déjà vu was irritating.
“Why are you sighing again?”
“I just pity the poor soul ensnared by your face.”
“Do you want to die?!”
Cordelia seized his collar and shook him hard. Even as he wobbled, Liam only laughed, looking unbearably smug.
They say you can’t spit on a smiling face, but oh, how she wanted to slap it.
Then—rustle.
Cordelia froze. Turning quickly, she widened her eyes in shock.
From beyond the iron fence, a tall, broad figure with shaggy hair was stumbling back. Realizing he couldn’t escape, Noah stopped and scratched his head sheepishly.
“S-sorry. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”
Oh no!!
“It gets dark fast these days.”
“Yeah.”
Watching the sun sink beyond the western hills, Noah glanced at Avery walking beside him. Craftsmen usually spent their days holed up in workshops, so compared to farmers or outdoor laborers, their skin tended to stay pale.
Avery was one of the more strikingly attractive young artisans in the guild—so much so that even apprentices often admired him. Some of the bullies who bothered Noah probably did so out of jealousy, hoping to impress Avery.
“You didn’t need to walk me home.”
“It’s dangerous lately. Don’t go around alone.”
“But you need to go home too.”
“Our directions match. It’s fine.”
That was a lie—but Noah said it smoothly. After hearing Tylene’s warnings, he couldn’t help worrying more than usual. Even though Avery wasn’t the type to be easily pushed around, Noah still felt uneasy.
“Liar. We’ve known each other over three years, and I still don’t know where you live. Not once have you invited me over. How’s that fair?”
Avery grumbled softly. Noah only smiled and said nothing.
“Sorry.”
“Forget it. Honestly, I’d take a simple, straightforward bear over some sly fox with secrets any day.”
Though his words sounded like a scolding, Noah recognized the concern behind them and accepted it quietly.
“Has Trofa still not confessed?”
“Ugh, that clueless oaf? Of course not. But what about you?”
“…Me?”
“You’ve been looking preoccupied lately. Don’t tell me—you’re in love?”
The teasing question silenced Noah briefly. Then he muttered:
“Maybe.”
“What?!”
“Never mind. I’ll give it up anyway.”
“Don’t cut off at the best part! You’re killing me here.”
Avery flailed dramatically, but Noah only shook his head.
“What kind of love could someone like me expect?”
“You? What are you talking about? You’re tall, good-looking, hardworking, kind—and you’ve got a great voice. Honestly, half the guild would line up to meet you if I introduced you. Is your crush a noble or something?”
Noah’s lips twitched ever so slightly. Avery’s words had hit too close.
“And if you keep hesitating, someone else might snatch them away. I swear, sometimes I want to shake you until you confess. Maybe I should just do it for you? Though, ugh, that’d crush my pride.”
“…Should I sound things out for you then?”
“Would you? Thanks. I’m this close to going out with another guy just to spite him.”
Noah looked at him quietly before asking:
“Hey, Avery.”
“What.”
“If someone kept rejecting your confession, it’d really hurt your pride, right?”
“Of course! That’s obvious.”
“Then why keep trying…?”
Noah’s gaze fell to the ground, his voice troubled. Avery studied him a moment before answering.
“Isn’t it obvious? It just means they like you that much.”
“…Not talking about me.”
“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”
Avery rolled his eyes but glanced sidelong at Noah. Taller than most, Noah’s face was easy to see when they walked together—straight nose, red lips, lashes catching the glow of the sunset.
With looks like that, no wonder life hadn’t been easy. No wonder he went around hiding under his hair. Avery had nagged him countless times to cut it, but the man was stubborn in all the wrong ways.
“If you like them too, then accept it. Even if they’re a noble. Isn’t that enough?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“You’re impossible. Do you know what matters most between a man and a woman?”
“What?”
Avery stopped him, poked a finger against Noah’s chest, and said:
“This. The heart.”
“…So—”
“Don’t you think they’ve agonized over it as much as you? Honestly, what noble would swallow their pride to chase after someone like us commoners unless they truly meant it?”
Avery had already assumed the crush was a noble. Noah couldn’t deny it—it would only make Avery more certain.
“I get that you hate complications. Sure, love that crosses class lines is fun in novels, but in reality? Please.”
He waved a hand dismissively. Their footsteps lengthened the shadows stretching behind them.
“You’re great, Noah. But you overthink everything. Try emptying your head for once.”
“If it ends up hurting them because of me, how could I decide so easily?”
