Episode 73
“I’m sorry, but the priest you’re asking for is currently away.”
The woman in a priest’s robe patterned with yellow designs replied flatly, looking up at the man standing before her. The burly man, his eyes hidden by shaggy bangs, scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Would you happen to know when he’ll return?”
“I cannot tell you that.”
Her tone was gentle yet firm. The man—no, Cordelia—clicked her tongue.
After finishing her talk with Irene, she had gone out with a light heart, as if a toothache had suddenly disappeared. And yet, Riness was absent again. Why was this guy’s schedule always out of sync with hers? And what could keep an ordinary priest so busy?
If Riness had heard her grumble, he’d probably have grabbed her by the scruff, saying, Not everyone in the world has as much free time as the young lady.
Cordelia asked another question.
“Then, would it be possible to visit the new annex in the west?”
“I’m afraid not. Today isn’t a day when the annex is open to visitors. Could you perhaps come again another time?”
Seeing the priest’s troubled look, Cordelia couldn’t press further. Another wasted trip, then. She was about to ask what day the annex was open when—
“Oh, isn’t this Mister Eferman?”
A bright, easygoing voice called to her. With the background buzz of whispers, Cordelia turned slowly.
A man with brown hair stood there. He looked a little over forty. His warm features carried a playful charm, like a friendly neighbor. But when Cordelia saw the priestly robe he wore, she stiffened.
White robes embroidered with blue patterns. Only those of a certain rank could wear them…
“I–Ipinas Benjamin!”
Cordelia wasn’t the only one startled—the priest beside her hurriedly bowed. Only then did she realize why people were whispering.
The temple hierarchy began with the High Priest, the Aviss, and branched into five ranks. Their robes marked their position. The man before her wore the uniform of an Ipinas, a rank second only to the Aviss itself, limited to just five people.
But it wasn’t only the uniform that shocked her.
The Guardian of the Temple. A title given only to the greatest barrier mage of the age. He was also the one who, together with another Ipinas, had exposed the great scandal two years ago. By revealing the temple’s corruption at the cost of his own honor and position, he had earned the respect of countless subjects of the kingdom.
Benjamin smiled easily and murmured, low and kind.
“Seems you’re having some trouble. Would you come with me?”
Cordelia hesitated. This man clearly knew Noah…
Noah had only said he came here to paint murals—so when did he befriend someone this important? Could she really follow? What if she was found out? What if they tried to dissect her or something?
But he didn’t seem like a bad man. In fact, he seemed to look on Noah with favor. Maybe she could even ask him to let her see the murals.
After a short pause, Cordelia nodded. She began to follow as Benjamin led the way.
Noah let out a small sigh as he stared into the mirror. A blonde woman in a violet dress gazed back at him with gloomy eyes.
“My lady, is something troubling you?”
There was plenty troubling him. Starting with why their bodies had swapped, why he had woken not in the quiet townhouse but in the ducal estate, why Rosa had seized him after lunch for dressing and grooming…
Clearly, there was some outing planned. But where?
“Rosa, what’s on the schedule today?”
“Pardon? You said you’d be visiting Baron Delos’s estate this afternoon. You had someone to meet… Was there something else planned?”
“Oh, right. That’s it.”
Couldn’t he just cancel? The thought crossed his mind.
“This dress—you treasure it so much. You hardly ever take it out. What’s the occasion? Is there perhaps a gentleman at the gathering you have your eye on?”
“It’s not like that.”
The moment he heard that, Noah abandoned the thought of canceling. If Cordelia valued this dress enough to wear it, the appointment had to be important.
Besides, he was the cause of this body-swap. He couldn’t let his own whims cause trouble for her.
‘If our bodies swap again, just make meeting me your top priority. You can cancel appointments if you need to.’
Cordelia’s words came to mind, but Noah brushed them aside. He would show his face at the event, then meet her afterward. Since it was in the afternoon, he could return to the estate by evening.
In any case, changing back depended on the priest’s schedule. They couldn’t ask him to adjust every time. It might be days before they could switch again.
“All done.”
Rosa, having finished braiding Cordelia’s hair, looked pleased. The long golden hair fell in a smooth braid down to the waist, swaying gently. With the hood pinned neatly, her appearance was elegant and composed.
Noah stared at the reflection. Certainly beautiful, but the dress, with its many layered skirts, was cumbersome, and the jewelry fixed into the braid weighed on his head.
He’d thought the same thing at the royal ball when he’d worn Cordelia’s body—was all this really necessary for beauty’s sake? Even as a prince, he’d never worn this much decoration.
“My, I don’t know whose lady you are, but you’re simply stunning.”
Rosa joked lightly. Noah gave her a faint smile and left the room, making sure to return every cheerful greeting he received from the staff.
Trailing after him, Rosa whispered.
“My lady, are you perhaps in low spirits today?”
“Hm? No. Why do you ask?”
“You just seem a little subdued.”
Her worried look left Noah at a loss for words. His mood wasn’t bad, and he thought he was mimicking Cordelia well enough. But clearly, he couldn’t match her natural liveliness. He knew his stamina was greater, yet somehow he always felt drained.
As he descended the stairs lost in thought, faint sounds reached his ears.
“What’s that?”
“Oh? Could someone be arriving?”
A few steps lower, he could see servants bustling about in the lobby. Lining up at the entrance, they made his unease rise sharply.
The surroundings hushed. A faint neigh echoed as the front door opened. A man entered, accompanied by the butler.
Chestnut-brown hair, sharp eyes. Noah recognized him instantly.
Frederick Weitzen. The current Duke of Weitzen, Cordelia’s only brother. Known for his calm nature, great ambition, and ruthless pragmatism in pursuing what he wanted.
In reputation, in temperament, he was the complete opposite of Duke Liam Gracia.
From the stairs, Noah looked down on him, unflinching. By chance of position, he was literally gazing down at Frederick.
“Send word to Count Ellon and Count Defcaran at once. We must discuss matters quickly… Cordelia.”
Frederick, noticing him on the stairs, raised an eyebrow. His presence was heavy, pressing, but Noah didn’t so much as blink. Seeing no movement from him, Frederick waved his hand slightly.
At once, the butler and the servants vanished, leaving the hall to just the two of them. Rosa hesitated, but Noah smiled reassuringly and gestured for her to leave as well.
Only then did Frederick speak.
“Did you return well?”
“Yes.”
Whenever Cordelia had spoken of her personal connections, the person she warned most about was him.
‘It’s not just that we don’t get along—he’s annoyingly perceptive. If he notices something strange, he’ll never let go. Early on, just respond casually, act a little annoyed. If it’s too much, make excuses and retreat. And above all, never answer questions about my personal relationships.’
Her advice played clearly in Noah’s mind.
‘Short answers are fine. What matters is not hesitating. Just toss the words out as if they mean nothing.’
When Cordelia had said it, a flicker of loneliness had crossed her lips before she forced a playful smile.
‘But don’t ever act pitiful. I’m not someone who’d bow my head to Rick.’
Remembering her chin lifted in proud defiance, Noah braced himself.
“I heard a bit about what happened at the ball.”
“What?”
“They say you and Duke Fesik seemed rather close. Has he caught your fancy?”
