Chapter 7
Noah, catching his breath as he waited for the carriage, turned his head. A neatly dressed man had just stepped down from the carriage and was walking toward him.
Who’s that? Someone Lady Cordelia knows?
“So it’s true. I wasn’t mistaken.”
It had been a long time since Noah had to look up at someone, and he stared at the man awkwardly. With his well-defined features, immaculate attire, and the crest visible on the carriage behind him, the man was clearly a noble.
Well, that makes sense. Anyone in Cordelia’s circle would be a noble. Noah made a mental note of the crest on the carriage.
“I’ve been regretting not being able to have a proper conversation with you. But it seems you and I are destined to meet again.”
Unlike the man’s gentle smile, Noah felt irritated before the conversation had even begun.
Who does this guy think he is, acting like we’re close?
He had a vague guess but still found the situation absurd. Keeping a blank expression, he said flatly:
“I don’t know who you are.”
“Oh dear. I knew you could be cold, but I never thought you’d pretend not to know your lover.”
“Pretend? We already broke up, didn’t we?”
When Noah pointed out what the maid had told him, a vein bulged on the man’s forehead. His once soft expression momentarily twisted into something harsh before returning to its previous state.
The man sighed as Noah watched the change in his demeanor with curiosity.
“I know you’re angry with me. But refusing to even give me a chance to make things right—don’t you think that’s too cruel?”
“…This doesn’t seem like a conversation for the middle of the street.”
Even if they had broken up, it wasn’t Noah’s place to interfere. He didn’t know why they separated, and even if Cordelia still had lingering feelings, it was something she should resolve herself when she returned.
To avoid making things more complicated, Noah was about to withdraw when a strong hand seized his wrist.
“Ugh!”
“Are you trying to run away from me again?”
The voice called out to him with feigned desperation, but the grip on his delicate wrist was like a leech clinging on. Noah was dumbfounded by this kind of treatment he had never experienced before.
What is wrong with these people? Why can’t they talk without grabbing someone?
Anger simmered as he looked at the man who was being completely unreasonable, but Noah tried not to show it and attempted to pull his hand free.
“Why don’t you let go first?”
“Then come to my carriage so we can finish this conversation.”
The man’s grip tightened even more, as if afraid to lose him. Noah’s eyes darted around nervously. The hold was so strong that it might leave marks on his tender skin. More than the pain, what unsettled him was that this body wasn’t his own.
What should I do? At this rate, he’ll drag me off. Is that even allowed?
The man was a noble, so injuring him could create a problem between families. Noah needed to find a way to escape without causing trouble.
“Wait a minute!”
A cheerful voice rang out as an arm suddenly wrapped firmly around Noah’s shoulders. Startled, the man loosened his grip, and Noah found himself unexpectedly pulled into the embrace of someone standing behind him.
“Sorry, but how about you stop right there? This lovely lady happens to be my girlfriend.”
Noah turned to protest—What nonsense is this now?—but the words died in his throat. Because staring down at him with a grin was a face both familiar and unfamiliar: the face he saw every morning in the mirror—his own.
And yet his heartbeat thundered through his body. That smile resembled the one he knew so well.
“Right, Cody?”
Winking as he called her by a nickname, the man reminded Noah of their very first meeting.
Ah… Why is it that you haven’t changed at all?
“That’s right. What took you so long? I’ve been waiting forever.”
Mimicking a sulky tone, Noah gripped the arm draped over his shoulder tightly. He tried to act nonchalant, but his excitement made it hard to hide his lowered gaze.
The man’s ex-lover, Edward, shouted furiously at Cordelia—interpreting the situation however he pleased.
“You—who do you think you are to…!”
Judging by his attitude, Edward must have assumed Cordelia’s current partner was a commoner because of his simple clothes. Cordelia smiled smugly.
“Someone far more handsome than you could ever hope to be. Got anything else to say?”
Her brazen retort made Edward’s face flush crimson. He gaped wordlessly, then glared in Noah’s direction instead.
“I didn’t think your taste could get this bad.”
So, he didn’t even want to speak to a commoner. Cordelia was disappointed—Edward still clung to his pride. But she didn’t show it; instead, she smiled sweetly.
Since Noah stayed silent, Cordelia handled the talking.
“I’ve simply found where I truly belong. As for you, it’s curious that a noble thinks clinging to an ex after a breakup is a virtue.”
Snickers rippled through the small crowd that had gathered. They quickly stifled their laughter under Edward’s sharp glare.
“Well then, if you have a problem, why don’t you throw down a glove?”
The man who had boldly appeared radiated confidence, his arm flexing with muscle. His clothes looked plain, but his refined face, mannerisms, and speech made him seem like a noble. Edward, his face flushed red and blue, couldn’t answer easily.
If this man were alone, Edward might have tried something. But with Cordelia there, calling the guards to drive him away would be troublesome. The man’s brazen attitude only added to his unease.
What if he really is someone of high status? That would be a mess.
And honestly, would a lady from a family like Cordelia Veitzen’s really date a commoner? You couldn’t judge by clothing alone.
Clicking his tongue softly, Edward finally turned on his heel. The last glances from onlookers faded as he walked away with stiff, deliberate steps.
Only then did Noah gently peel away the arm around his shoulders and turn to face the person behind him. Seeing his own face so close felt strangely surreal. He even realized his voice sounded much deeper than expected when he finally spoke.
“Wow, I was pretty impressive just now, wasn’t I?”
That confident tone—demanding praise—was so familiar that Noah almost laughed.
“Are you… really Lady Cordelia?”
Cordelia’s eyes widened.
“What? You know my name?”
“The servants called you that.”
When Noah hastily explained, Cordelia didn’t seem suspicious.
“Ah, well, that makes sense in our household.”
Just as I thought, she doesn’t remember me.
Some of the tension in Noah’s shoulders eased.
“I didn’t mean to introduce you as my lover, sorry about that. But honestly, saying you’ve got a new sweetheart works as the perfect excuse when this kind of thing happens.”
“That’s fine. But maybe we should move somewhere else…”
People were still sneaking glances at them. Cordelia, noticing this, nodded.
“Yeah, let’s go!”
They slipped into a nearby alley where Lynes was waiting, inspecting the barrier she’d set up. With a flick of her fingers, she greeted them.
“Did you handle everything?”
“Of course!”
Cordelia answered brightly, omitting the part where she’d nearly ended up in a duel. Edward would never have agreed to a peaceful talk, but she didn’t want to get an earful for being reckless.
“By the way, how did you even find me?”
Noah looked up at her curiously as Cordelia scratched her cheek.
“Well, about that…”
When she and Lynes had arrived at the ducal estate, the carriage had already returned. But seeing the curtains tightly drawn, Cordelia had been sure Noah wasn’t back yet.
“When I woke up earlier, you hadn’t drawn the curtains. That’s why I woke so early… You must hate feeling stuffy.”
Even in the workshop, Noah hadn’t drawn the curtains. Sure, he’d kept sensitive materials in the shade, but it didn’t seem like a coincidence. Cordelia herself always kept curtains closed—both to protect her secret as a writer and to deter the creepy men who sometimes followed her.
“So what now? Wait there until he comes back?”
“No, wait…”
Thinking hard, Cordelia spoke.
“He said something about going to the market today.”
“The market?”
“Maybe he went there. We’d look suspicious just loitering around here.”
Sure enough, they were already drawing attention—guards from the ducal household were eyeing them.
Diligent, even without their master around. I’ll have to remind the butler to give them a bonus later.
While Cordelia was thinking that, Lynes whispered:
“Seriously? Normally, waiting in one spot is the safest bet.”
“My instincts say otherwise! Let’s go check.”
“…Fine, but if this is a waste of time, don’t blame me.”
Grumbling under her breath, Lynes followed Cordelia into the city near the mansion. Cordelia smiled faintly at her friend’s soft heart.
She never expected to find her target the moment they got off at what looked like a carriage stop. But there he was—caught in a spat with his ex-lover. Cordelia didn’t hesitate for a second; before Lynes could stop her, she jumped in and wrapped things up in the blink of an eye. Truly remarkable decisiveness.
“Well, at least we found you! By the way, why didn’t you say anything back there?”
Cordelia asked, almost accusingly, as if Noah had nearly been dragged away.
“It was between you and that man. I didn’t think it was my place to say anything. I was just trying to figure out how to shake him off.”
His calm reply and clear gaze made his own face look surprisingly different. Cordelia exchanged a glance with Lynes, then asked:
“What’s your name?”
“…Noah Epermann.”
“Ah, so it really is you. Lynes’ hunch was right.”
Cordelia suddenly realized the person who had taken over her body was none other than the ideal partner Noah had been searching for. Casually, she asked another question:
“And your age?”
“What? I just turned twenty-four.”
Four years younger than her. Not bad. Definitely mature for his age. Nodding inwardly, Cordelia’s mind raced.
Stay composed. Make a good impression. This is absolutely not because I have ulterior motives—definitely not!
“I’m Cordelia Veitzen.”
She gave a gentle smile—the kind she often used in social circles—while Lynes’ brows furrowed slightly. Ignoring that, Cordelia put on her most graceful act and extended a hand.
“I don’t know why this happened, but… looks like we’ll be stuck in the same boat until it’s resolved. Let’s work well together.”
Noah hesitated, then carefully took her hand.
“Likewise…”
And at that moment—
As their hands overlapped, a radiant light began to glow across the backs of both hands.
