Chapter 68…………………..
“Alright, then let’s begin.”
Cordelia whispered softly, her gaze fixed on the arched doorway. The moment things began, a woman stepped out. Raymond muttered under his breath.
“…Well now.”
“Looks like luck might be on my side today.”
She had already grasped the identities of all who attended the banquet. Most of their traits were neatly arranged in her head. And if one thought about it, there were customs—perhaps trivial, perhaps even strange to foreigners like this man—but still important enough to remember.
That passage in the middle could only be used by certain people. It wasn’t exactly a law but more of a tradition.
The Gate of Motius. A legacy left behind by Motius, the architect who restored the royal palace centuries ago. A brilliant architect and artist, he had claimed that while working on the palace, he received a revelation from the gods in a dream.
No one knew exactly what that dream was. But Motius immediately consulted the king and designed an additional passage—an entrance for the gods themselves to come and go from the palace. That was the very gate they were now watching.
The condition for passing through the gate was simple: either a woman alone, or a man escorting a woman. A man by himself could not go through. Not even the king. It was said that breaking this rule would bring at least a week of bad luck.
Of course, some dismissed it as mere superstition. But during the chaotic days of the previous reign, when mysterious deaths occurred frequently in the palace, this gate became a favorite subject of rumor. Those who “knew better” tended to be cautious.
“Hm.”
Watching those emerge through the wide-open gate, Raymond lightly stroked his chin.
“So far, seven women and four men.”
“That’s right.”
Cordelia met his eyes with deliberate calm. Seeing her feigned innocence, Raymond whispered in a sweet tone:
“You’ve been rather clever, haven’t you?”
“What could I possibly have schemed?”
She smiled brightly, as though oblivious, and he let out a dry laugh. Still, he teased:
“Of course, it seems fortune is favoring me as well.”
“Huh?”
She quickly turned her head and saw another group just stepping out. A beautiful young girl, unfamiliar to her, led the way, followed by three young men.
Then, after a short pause, another man came rushing out, panting heavily. Cordelia’s brow furrowed instantly.
Seriously? Things were going well until now, and then this?
“It seems the generous gods have decided to grant me their hand.”
“You never know until it’s truly over.”
Though she replied confidently, Cordelia kept glancing at the entrance. From beyond the shadowed archway, she could feel more presences.
Much time had already passed. This must be the last group—or perhaps even the king himself. The weight of the presence she felt suggested the latter. Nervously, she clenched and unclenched her hand.
The gods really were merciless. Couldn’t they just let her win comfortably? Why make her suffer like this? A draw would be fine, but a loss would be troublesome. Please!
As if in answer, a man and woman stepped out together.
A tie?
But then, immediately after, a shadow appeared behind them. Cordelia’s breath caught.
A maid in navy-blue livery darted out. Following her came familiar faces, and Cordelia quietly exhaled in relief.
The king and queen walked out hand in hand, greeting those around them warmly. Gentle sunlight scattered like jewels across Gerania and Franz’s faces.
Ba-dump, ba-dump. Her pounding heart was interrupted by a calm voice.
“You’ve won, my lady.”
Even in defeat, Raymond only shrugged, his expression returning to boredom after a fleeting spark of amusement. He murmured:
“You seem to have a rather bold streak, my lady.”
At his sudden remark, Cordelia arched a brow. He continued:
“That may be one of your strengths, but too much boldness often brings harm. Someday you may pay dearly for it.”
Clearly, he was trying to warn her against recklessness. Cordelia gave a small smile.
“It’s alright. I can afford to live that way.”
His lips twitched, then he burst out laughing. The bright sound loosened the stiff atmosphere, and those nearby looked at them in surprise.
Cordelia frowned slightly.
“And what’s so funny?”
“Only that you’re utterly unpredictable.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“As you please.”
The smile lingered on his lips, like crumbs he couldn’t wipe away. Cordelia was about to protest further when—
“Excuse me.”
Startled by the clear voice, she turned and found herself facing the maid who had been the last to come through the gate.
Why was she approaching me?
“What is it?”
“A gentleman asked me to deliver this to you.”
The maid held out a small paper craft, neatly folded into the shape of a rabbit. Its large ears stood perked, and the texture of the paper felt surprisingly soft.
Cordelia accepted it with a puzzled look, tilting her head. From beside her, Raymond quipped:
“A love letter, it seems, has given you the victory.”
“You call this a letter? Lord Fesik, you truly are without prejudice.”
Muttering, she examined the object—then froze as a thought flashed through her mind. Before Raymond could ask, she turned to the maid.
“Where did you see that man?”
“He was standing just inside the entrance.”
“Thank you.”
With that, Cordelia looped her arm through Raymond’s. He gave her a questioning look, but she only smiled and pulled him firmly toward where the king and queen stood.
Noah had never intended to come here.
His gaze lifted to the palace, its rounded blue roofs so familiar yet so heavy to behold. He ran a hand across his face in silence.
“…Haah.”
He remembered the letter that had arrived at the estate. The royal seal on the envelope had startled him beyond words.
It was an invitation to today’s banquet, written in graceful script. Another page requested his assistance—whether due to the incident in Rite, or perhaps to identify anyone suspicious who might be accompanying Raymond Fesik.
The sender was the queen herself, but he knew instantly.
This was his uncle’s doing. The queen would have had no reason to write to him otherwise. He and his mother were entirely under his uncle’s authority.
Not that it mattered. He couldn’t refuse. He should even be grateful the invitation was addressed to Noah Epfermann.
Being a witness wasn’t difficult. But they couldn’t allow an unlicensed mage to slip into the palace unchecked.
And so, despite his turmoil, Noah came. He dressed with extra care to avoid attention. Presenting his identification tag and invitation, he passed the guards with only a curt nod in response.
Last time, inhabiting Cordelia’s body had made things easier. But now, his palms kept sweating. What if someone recognized him? What in the world was the queen thinking?
He deliberately kept to quieter paths, walking along the garden wall. He fussed with his hair, then suddenly caught a scent on the breeze.
Shaa— A refreshing wind rustled through the clustered trees. Multicolored leaves drifted down, mingling with a faint floral fragrance.
It hadn’t changed.
This was a path he had walked often while living in the palace.
Moving silently, he soon caught sight of people ahead. At the end of the wall, the garden spread wide, overflowing with flowers.
He hesitated at the edge, then spotted Cordelia. A faint smile touched his lips—only to vanish the moment he saw Raymond beside her.
The two stood close, gazing warmly at each other. They looked stunning together, sunlight glittering in their pale hair.
Perhaps it was the beauty of the scene, but Noah’s heart thudded wildly.
You knew, didn’t you? This was always the distance between us.
So why does it hurt so much?
His chest ached, his heart refusing to calm, as though poisoned. Emotions welled up, threatening to spill over. He forced them down, swallowing again and again, pretending not to notice.
It was then he sensed something strange.
