Chapter 69…………………….
What’s going on?
Fortunately, his eyesight and powers of observation were sharp. Even from afar, Noah could tell Cordelia was anxious.
Her face wore a flawless, prim smile, but to Noah, Cordelia was rather honest with her emotions. Words and expressions weren’t the only ways to read a person, after all.
Thanks to his line of work, Noah was used to studying people and things in detail. And in Cordelia, he clearly saw those small giveaways—gestures, habits, fleeting glances.
Watching her little tells whenever she grew nervous, Noah quickly followed the direction of her gaze. He blinked when he spotted the wide-open Gate of Motius.
Why was she watching that entrance so intently?
He knew well enough the legend tied to the gate. Hiding behind a nearby tree, Noah alternated his gaze between the doorway and Cordelia. It wasn’t hard to piece together. Her eyes shifted every time someone emerged.
Instinctively, it seemed she only relaxed when a woman stepped out alone… but why?
When a group of men appeared escorting a woman, Cordelia’s face tightened in frustration. Seeing that, Noah quietly slipped toward another entrance and went inside the palace. Having lived there until the age of sixteen, he could have found his way blindfolded.
He swiftly folded the letter he’d brought into the shape of a rabbit and stopped a passing maid.
“There’s a beautiful blonde lady outside that gate—she’s wearing a rose-colored dress and a pink jewel rose hairpin. This is very important. Would you please deliver this to her? As quickly as possible.”
“Yes, of course.”
Because he asked politely, the maid only gave him a brief once-over before hurrying off toward the entrance. Noah let out a breath of relief and fiddled with his violet coat.
He hadn’t expected the clothes Cordelia gave him to prove useful in this way.
Then he caught sight of the king and queen approaching. Startled, he pressed himself against the wall.
“Franz, you seem in high spirits today.”
“Do I? Honestly, I hadn’t noticed.”
“You’re as dull as ever. I could tell right away.”
“If you say so, then it must be true.”
His heart pounded until their quiet voices faded into the distance. As Noah turned toward the outer exit, he sighed in self-mockery.
Here he was, neglecting even the queen’s request. What was he doing, really? Whether or not he caught a glimpse of Lady Cordelia—what did it matter to him?
But he knew. He would have chosen the same course every time. Meaningless or not, even if it was only self-satisfaction…
He only wanted to help her, even a little. Since he could never give her what she desired most, at least he could do this much.
“Well, well—look who it is.”
Just as he was about to leave, a voice both unfamiliar and strangely familiar stopped him in his tracks. Noah turned involuntarily—and froze. It was the young lady he had met at the Marquis of Poliet’s estate. She stared at him in surprise.
He had denied ever meeting her, but facing her now, knowing she had seen the truth, made him feel awkward. Still, he didn’t regret it—he truly didn’t want to get entangled with her.
“Did you decide to work at court?”
“…Pardon?”
“Your outfit is completely different. I thought you weren’t the type for clothes like that.”
Under her curious gaze, Noah answered bluntly.
“I only came to deliver something for someone of importance.”
“I see…”
Her brown eyes swept over his figure, clad in the violet coat.
She had once dismissed him as nothing but a big frame, but now she realized his build was solid, well-muscled. With his height and physique, the wrong clothes could have made him look clumsy, yet these garments fit him neatly, lending him a certain elegance.
Clothes really did make the man. His polite speech and pleasant voice only added to the impression. A man women of rank might easily covet.
Tentatively, Dalia asked:
“Do you perhaps… have a patron?”
“No.”
Noah’s denial came instantly. He would not allow Cordelia to be dragged into some misunderstanding born of this woman’s imagination.
“I’m perfectly capable of earning enough to afford one suit of clothes. That’s why the marquis hired me, after all.”
“Yes, that must be it. Still, you wear such fine clothing but leave your hair unkempt… You must have rather refined tastes.”
“If that is all, may I take my leave?”
He still had to complete the queen’s errand. As he tried to excuse himself, Dalia suddenly grasped his sleeve.
“I didn’t mean to offend. I only…”
She bit her lip, then raised her head, eyes firm.
“Last time, I said I would tell you what I wanted the next time we met.”
“This isn’t the place for that.”
Noah was growing weary. How long would she try to force on him a favor he had never asked for?
It hadn’t even been his deed. His mind was already overflowing with turmoil, and now this obstinate girl too.
Gently but firmly, he freed his sleeve from her grip. He wanted to treat Cordelia’s gift of clothes with care.
“As I’ve said before, I need nothing. To expect repayment for such a small favor would be absurd.”
“Don’t belittle it. You may think little of it, but for me, to see someone risk disadvantage to help me was… extraordinary.”
“That can’t be…”
“How can you deny what you’ve never experienced?”
As Noah fell silent, Dalia steadied herself with a deep breath.
“I only want to repay you properly. Why do you reject it so strongly?”
His reply was cold.
“Because I was taught—there’s no such thing as kindness without a price.”
“But you’ve asked nothing of me.”
The sharp retort made his shoulders flinch. Even so, she held his gaze with unwavering brown eyes.
“Willing to give but unwilling to receive—that’s arrogance. Forced kindness is just as troublesome for the recipient.”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t have helped you?”
“I’m saying a gift deserves return. Do you mean to keep humiliating me?”
If he’d had the energy, Noah might have noticed the faint yearning in her voice. But his nerves were already frayed to the limit.
He only wanted this pointless exchange to end. Perhaps if he named a reward, she would relent. With no other choice, Noah began:
“Then…”
“Hold it right there. Who said you could decide that?”
A lively voice cut him off. Before he could even turn, a familiar hand grasped his arm. Noah kept his expression carefully neutral, though the touch was dearly familiar.
Of course—it was Cordelia. Her mere presence drew every eye in the hallway, the passersby pausing to watch.
How had she found him here? Noah was startled, but this wasn’t the time to ask. Cordelia greeted Dalia with a graceful smile.
“How do you do, Lady Dalia?”
“Yes, it’s been a while. But may I ask, what brings you here…?”
“I was searching for someone. I hadn’t expected to find the two of you deep in conversation.”
“You were looking for him?”
“He’s with me. Do you know each other?”
At her glance, Noah quickly played along.
“We met briefly at the marquis’s estate.”
“The estate?”
“I was there on a commission.”
They exchanged practiced words, and then Cordelia widened her eyes as though remembering something.
“Forgive me, but we have something urgent to attend to. You won’t mind, will you?”
“…If it’s urgent, I understand.”
Hiding her disappointment, Dalia answered politely. Cordelia returned the courtesy and then swept Noah away. They stepped into the sunlight outside, where the shadows had receded.
As they walked along the empty path, Noah gazed at Cordelia’s back as she held his hand firmly. Once clear of others, she removed her gloves and clasped his hand directly, making him quietly ask:
“How did you know it was me?”
“Who else would fold something like that and send it to me? You might as well have written your name on it.”
Noah fell silent. He had only wanted the delivery to look presentable, not suspicious.
“So what were you two talking about?”
“She insisted on repaying me, so we argued about that.”
“And did you accept?”
“No.”
Cordelia nodded approvingly.
“Good. Don’t accept things like that. If you do, she’ll use it as an excuse to keep asking you for favors.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course! She clearly likes you.”
Cordelia sighed dramatically, while Noah shook his head.
“No, impossible. She thinks I’m just a commoner painter.”
“And what of it? If she wants, she could buy you a title and bring you in as a son-in-law. Marquis Poliet dotes on his children—if his daughter begged with tears, he wouldn’t refuse.”
“That’s absurd.”
“You’re hopelessly dense. Honestly, I could do the same, you know—but I don’t. Consider yourself lucky.”
Muttering irritably, Cordelia squeezed his hand tighter. Noah followed, almost dragged along, a gentle smile tugging at his lips.
Holding her warm, solid hand, he felt as though fresh life was filling the hollow inside him. The brightness of that simple joy wiped away all his earlier doubts.
He shouldn’t feel this way, but he couldn’t help smiling.
