CHAPTER 67……………………….
“No!”
No matter how fiercely he denied it, it only sounded like an admission.
And yet, the fact that he still hadn’t managed to pull his arm free made it impossible not to laugh. Cordelia almost threw out a dirty little joke about how his words said no but his body said yes—but he looked too adorable, so she let it slide.
Am I being too generous? No wonder we’re moving so slowly.
Praising herself inwardly, Cordelia beamed. Noah, who had been staring at her in silence, murmured softly. His low voice carried beautifully in the quiet.
Maybe it was the way the blue moonlight fell across his face, but it sounded deeper, more resonant than usual. Cordelia’s golden hair shifted gently in the night breeze as tension crept up on her.
“Lady Cordelia.”
“What?”
“Aren’t you being too generous with me?”
“…Huh?”
What on earth is he saying?
She had just been thinking the same thing herself, but hearing Noah say it pierced her conscience. Tiren’s words came back to her, unbidden.
If he ever runs into a con artist, he’s doomed…
As she blinked at him, Noah stammered on.
“I-I mean… I can’t believe I keep managing to turn down someone like you. I thought… maybe it hurts your feelings…”
His voice was so faint it almost disappeared, and he didn’t even dare look at her face. Cordelia reached up and cupped his cheeks—maybe a bit roughly—forcing his gaze to hers. Rising on her toes, she locked eyes with him. His clear eyes, partly hidden by his bangs, flickered in surprise.
The strain of balancing on her toes made her wobble slightly. His strong hands finally moved—slipping carefully around her waist to steady her. Cordelia let out a small laugh.
“My sister was right. When you act like this, it makes me feel invincible.”
“What do you mean…?”
“You treat me like I’m too precious to handle. Like I’ll break if you touch me. If that’s how you look at me, why would I ever be upset?”
Moonlight broke softly over her smile. Noah stared, entranced, at the face so close yet so far.
Was it the spell of the night? That bright smile looked heartbreakingly fragile.
Why do you look like that?
“Surely…”
There must be someone better for you than me.
He repeated the words in his heart, but his lips wouldn’t part. He could have forced them out—so why wouldn’t they come? His throat felt locked tight.
Noah swallowed hard.
“Tomorrow… I’ll come see you.”
His reply was faint, his face still flushed, as if he were admitting defeat. After a pause, Cordelia let go of his face. He immediately stepped back, like a prisoner freed from chains.
After a polite farewell, he slipped outside. Cordelia watched him go, then called for someone to lock the gates behind him. A pale shadow stretched long at her back.
And then he never showed up?!
For four whole days—not a glimpse of him!
Cordelia swallowed her fury with gulps of fruit wine instead. Maybe it was the dangerous look in her eyes, but fewer people than usual dared to approach. She tipped her glass to drain the last drop, staring into the distance.
The royal garden was as beautiful as ever. It was still autumn, and the violet Murana flowers—the royal emblem—were blooming here and there. White sunlight spilled everywhere, dazzling her eyes.
Liam had stepped away for a while. She recalled how he had spoken curtly but politely to those who approached him.
I guess it’s true what they say—titles really do shape people. He’s more dignified now that he’s a duke.
Feels like I’m the only one standing still.
No! No moping allowed.
Cordelia smacked her own cheeks lightly. Feeling the faint heat in her skin, she started to call a servant.
“Excuse me, could I get another glass—”
“Any more, and I fear you’ll be drunk, my lady.”
A polite voice cut in, and someone plucked the glass from her hand. Cordelia scowled and turned.
“I’m not nearly that—huh?”
“It has been too long, Lady Cordelia.”
The sight of the silver-haired, smiling Raymond Pessick sobered her instantly.
Bingo. Today’s target.
Where his usual entourage had gone, she didn’t know—but she composed herself and answered coolly.
“Too long? If anything, we’re meeting again far too soon.”
Even close acquaintances might go months without seeing each other unless arrangements were made. Meeting him again in under two months was hardly “a long time.”
But Raymond, perfectly aware of that, raised his voice just enough for others to hear.
“Every day without seeing you felt like a thousand years.”
As he spoke, he lifted her left hand and brushed a kiss across the back of it. Cordelia looked away, scanning the crowd. Eyes that had been watching quickly darted aside.
Strange. Even though he was today’s centerpiece, few dared approach him. Perhaps it was politics—or perhaps it was simply his daunting aura.
“I’m honored you’d say so. So, are you here just to exchange pleasantries? I wonder where your companions from last time have gone.”
She gave him a wary look, half-expecting him to be flanked by mages again. Raymond only smiled.
“I’m not so bold as to repeat that.”
“Isn’t that false modesty?”
“Some call it a noble’s virtue.”
His words were as impenetrable as the mask-like expression he wore.
“I had intended to greet the Duke as well, but I was told he couldn’t attend due to urgent matters.”
He said it with apparent regret, then bowed his head slightly toward her. Looking up into Cordelia’s steady gaze, he smiled faintly.
“Though really, from a sly man like him, it’s hardly surprising.”
Cordelia tilted her head.
“What do you mean?”
“Surely you’ve realized.”
That was the problem—she had. Cordelia’s irritation slipped through.
“You sent my brother away on purpose, didn’t you?”
“You wouldn’t want conflict, so naturally you’d send someone else.”
And that someone was her.
Cordelia glared at him in disbelief. So all this was a ploy just to meet her again?
“To think you went to such trouble just to see me—I should feel deeply honored.”
Her sarcasm bounced harmlessly off his composure.
“But of course. After all, you do carry something rather interesting.”
The words sounded casual, but the weight beneath them was anything but. Cordelia forced a smile.
“Interesting? What do you mean?”
“You didn’t bring that young man with you, I see.”
“You’re a little too curious about other people’s private lives.”
“And you’re still wearing gloves.”
“My hands are precious, you see.”
She nearly stumbled on the reply, but smoothed it over quickly. Raymond’s eyes narrowed, intrigued.
“You seem a little different from last time.”
“And you think meeting me a handful of times means you know me completely? That’s arrogance.”
“Not at all. If anything, I’m fascinated. For example—I noticed you favor your right hand, so why did you offer me your left?”
His easy tone pressed her like a hunter closing in on prey. Cordelia gave a sharp laugh, grinding her teeth.
“You must be very bored, if you pay attention to such trivial things.”
“Extremely.”
He didn’t even deny it!
“My life is unbearably dull. Everything flows according to plan—without the slightest twist. Such monotony is torture.”
His eyes, transparent red, brimmed with strange intensity. They looked kind, but beneath was only a chilling cold.
Cordelia held his gaze without flinching.
So that’s it.
“In short, you’re curious about my secrets.”
“Would you tell me?”
“Not for free. How about a wager? Loser grants the winner one request.”
“Oh?”
“But only after we agree on the terms. Fair enough?”
Frederick would have blown a fuse if he heard her, but Cordelia didn’t bat an eye. The boldness of it even caught Raymond off guard, his gaze probing her closely.
He leaned closer, setting her empty glass on the table behind her. The tension drew taut. Straightening again, he smiled.
“Very well. But nothing against the interests of the state.”
“As if I’d ask for something so grand.”
Cordelia smiled lightly, feigning innocence. Raymond laughed aloud.
“I suspected from the start—you really are fascinating.”
“Don’t fall for me. I already have too many admirers.”
“I’ll be careful. So then, what’s the wager?”
“Let’s see…”
If she made the bet too favorable to herself, he wouldn’t accept. Too unfavorable, and she’d lose outright. What would give her the edge?
Cordelia glanced around, then made up her mind quickly. Stalling would only make her look calculating. With a theatrical sigh, she smiled.
“Honestly, I know I can’t outwit you. So let’s keep it simple—men versus women.”
“…Men versus women?”
“See the archway entrance there? People will be coming out soon. Before His Majesty arrives in the garden, if more women come through than men, I win. If more men, you win.”
The simple, intuitive rules made Raymond whistle softly.
“So you’d stake it on chance?”
“Isn’t that fair enough? Well, what do you say?”
Of course, it wasn’t chance at all. Cordelia hid her plan behind a casual smile. Raymond, puzzled but intrigued, nodded.
“Very well.”
He treated it as a mere diversion. Clearly, he didn’t have mind-reading powers—otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed so relaxed.
If he could glimpse the scheme turning in her head, he wouldn’t be so calm.
