Chapter 129: Invitation (1)

Late post~! Genshin had an update yesterday, so I spent most of the day playing it and forgot about the translation, hahaha. As for the next chapter, there might be some delay in its release because I would have to help with the Christmas eve food preparations (noche buena).

Terms used in this chapter:

Mildang – Korean slang for a love strategy where the BF/GF try to control their love so that they do not look too much needy. It’s sometimes translated in English as ‘playing hard to get.’ – Source: Art of Mildang

Three weeks after Ga?l and Adelia’s engagement ceremony.

Cordelia was quietly sitting in front of the desk as she pouted her lips.

And there was one woman who was watching her.

Cordelia’s escort, Dahlia, who was like an older sister to her, smiled and said in passing.

“Miss, miss. Are you sulking?”

“No, I’m not?”

Cordelia automatically responded, and Dahlia smiled again.

“Don’t say that. You’re sulking, right?”

“I’m not?”

Cordelia replied in annoyance and even snorted, but Dahlia became more certain because of that.

‘She’s really upset.’

You look sulky.

Dahlia shifted her gaze a little further away and looked at the paper Cordelia was scribbling on.

It was the paper that she used to write formulas in her magic studies, but small scribbles could be seen everywhere, and as Dahlia had thought, the scribbles was about someone specific.

‘Stupid Jude. Idiot.’

Upon seeing the clumsy scribbles, Dahlia quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth.

Because she smiled like a mother.

‘How can you be so cute?’

The reason why Cordelia was sulking.

It was something simple and obvious.

‘Because Mr. Bayer had stopped writing to her.’

Around three weeks had already passed since the last one.

An unexpected letter arrived once with a gift five days after Adelia’s engagement ceremony, which had happily surprised Count Chase and everyone, but no other letters had arrived since then.

‘How coldhearted.’

He hadn’t been in touch with Cordelia for almost 15 days.

‘I roughly heard the reason why, but..’

After Cordelia lost contact with Jude, she was like a flower that withered away day by day – of course if she had heard Dahlia’s thoughts, she would have excessively denied it, but Dahlia had already gone to Count Bayer’s place once for Cordelia.

According to the explanation of the knight, Jun, whom she became acquainted with during their journey to Langesthei, it was as follows:

“He has been practicing hard every day with Count Bayer from early in the morning to late at night.”

In short, Sir Jun said that Jude was busy practicing every day.

“Well..it can’t be helped.”

“Yes, the young master was so quick to learn..so the count was also very passionate.”

Jude’s extraordinary talent had already been proven by the various events that occurred.

So she could also understand why a fire was lit in Count Bayer’s eyes and he began to actively train Jude.

“Young master Ga?l and even the count was convinced. Young master Jude will be the strongest knight in the north.”

“Oh..”

The weight of the count’s words was different from the words of a parent who often bragged about their child.

Count Bayer.

One of the Northern Sagang and one of the ten great swordmasters with the title ‘Sword General.’

Jun saw the count say that Jude would be the strongest, so it seemed to him that Jude had immense talent.

‘In fact, Iron Man Landius coveted his talent.’

Iron Man Landius was one of the five heroes of the Paragon Kingdom and the man who was always mentioned when people discussed about the strongest people in the world.

Jude was a disciple of Landius, and there was only one reason why Landius made Jude his disciple.

‘Cheonmujiche.’

The incarnation of martial arts from the heavens.

“So..please take care of Lady Cordelia. They’re a really good couple but if they ever have a falling-out..”

“Yes, I won’t let that happen. I’ll have a talk with the miss when that occurs.”

“Thank you.”

Knight Jun sighed in relief as if this was his business.

One way or another, it seemed like he was devoted to his young master Jude.

‘It’s a good thing.’

Ga?l and Jude had a very close relationship, so Count Bayer did not have any problems with the two.

‘Anyway.’

Dahlia stopped recalling her conversation with Jun and looked at Cordelia in front of her again.

Cordelia was sitting in front of the desk and playing with her pen, and every small gesture of hers expressed her annoyance and dissatisfaction, just as Dahlia thought.

‘If she really wanted to see him, she should contact him first.’

She could also visit the Bayer mansion once.

But Cordelia didn’t do that.

She puffed her cheeks and pouted her lips every day, but she never tried to contact him first.

‘It’s mildang.’

Ufufu. How cute.

-I want to see you, I want to meet you, but I have to endure and hold back my feelings.-

But her mildang had a small drawback.

While Cordelia had plenty of time to think about Jude, Jude could not afford to think about anything else because of his one-on-one training with Count Bayer.

‘So I’ll have to help the young miss for a little bit.’

Because Dahlia had an idea on how to tease Cordelia who was sulking today.

“Miss.”

“Whyyyyyy.”

“A letter has arrived.”

“A letter?!”

Cordelia jumped up from her seat, but she soon blushed a little and then cleared her throat.

“A letter isn’t that important.”

She quickly sat down and turned around, but Dahlia could see it. The corners of Cordelia’s mouth was slightly raised.

‘Hmph, I knew you’d give up first.’ – Are you thinking of something like that?

“Ahem, ahem. By the way, Dahlia.”

“Yes, miss.”

“I’m not really curious, but you know that, right?”

“Yes, miss.”

“But he wrote it first, right? So wouldn’t it be polite for me to check it?”

“Maybe?”

“Ahem, ahem, you’re right. So bring me the letter.”

Cordelia turned around very slowly and stretched out her hand as if she was not interested. But there was something she couldn’t hide, and that was her eyes.

‘You’re anxious.’

After suppressing her laugh, Dahlia handed over a letter in a white envelope.

“Ahem, ahem.”

And then.

Cordelia grabbed the letter as if snatching it, and opened the letter in a contradictory behavior, as she did it as slowly as possible yet was quite quick too. But Cordelia soon frowned.

‘She can’t help it.’

The letter wasn’t Jude’s.

The letter that arrived was an invitation from Count Ficus.

“Birthday party?”

“Yes, it’s a party to celebrate Lady Emma Ficus’ 17th birthday.”

“No, I know that too.”

It was natural for Cordelia to frown.

The Ficus family was one of the 12 northern families, but wasn’t very close to the Chase family.

It wasn’t that bad that they would fight each other, but they didn’t have a friendly relationship either.

Moreover, Emma Ficus had long been a person who was arguing with Cordelia, and had a strange yet burning desire to compete with Cordelia in the past.

‘She’s hardly seen in the game.’

There was a related sub-quest involving her, but she only appeared once so Yellow Storm didn’t remember her.

But it was different for Cordelia.

Emma invited Cordelia on her birthday last year and bragged about her fiancé a lot.

‘Oh, is Mr. Bayer absent again? I’m so sorry, I feel so sad thinking about it. But later..you’ll have no problems with the wedding, right? I’m worried that it’s because of a problem with his health..hohoho.’

That voice. That look.

That behavior made her very angry even before she recalled the memories of her past life, or even when she was much gentler back then. But she got even more angry when she looked back on the memories of her past life.

“Miss, it’s time to show them what you’ve got.”

“Huh?”

“Mr. Bayer will be with you this time.”

When Dahlia spoke with sparkling eyes, Cordelia blinked because she didn’t understand her immediately, but it was only for a moment.

Cordelia’s eyes were suddenly filled with a will to fight.

“We have to pay back the grievances she had caused! And this is an excuse – no, we have to discuss this with Mr. Bayer who is coming too.”

That was why Dahlia didn’t lose her smile when she handed Count Ficus’ invitation that would surely upset Cordelia.

It was a justification for Cordelia to visit Jude first!

A way where Cordelia wouldn’t look like she lost against Jude, and a way where she could say that it was unavoidable!

“Ju-Jude?”

“Yes, there is something you need to discuss with Mr. Bayer. It’s also urgent.”

They didn’t have much time since Emma Ficus’ birthday was five days from now, and it would take a full day of travel in the carriage to get to the Ficus territory.

In addition, Cordelia had one more reason.

‘Come to think of it, it’s about time for that event to happen.’

The time when the royal capital sent invitations to everyone for the 300th anniversary’s founding ball.

Emma Ficus’ birthday was a trivial event that one could just ignore, but the founding event was different.

It was their third task for a perfect happy ending.

“Yes, yes. This is really important. So I have to discuss it with Jude.”

As Cordelia spoke to herself, Dahlia immediately followed.

“Yes, miss. It is as you had said. So let’s go to Count Bayer’s mansion. In order to meet Mr. Bayer.”

“Hmph, that’s right. I’ll meet with Jude.”

“Okay. Then let’s begin now.”

“Huh? Now?”

“Yes, now. Before it’s too late.”

In fact, Dahlia had already sent a letter to Count Bayer, saying that they would come to visit today.

“W-wait a second.”

“Yes, so you have to dress up and be pretty. We still have enough time.”

“I-it’s not like that? There’s no need for me to look pretty for Jude.”

“Really?”

“That..ahem, ahem. But I should do the basics. For decorum.”

Cordelia murmured as if coming up with an excuse before she quietly moved in front of the mirror, and Dahlia smiled again.

And three hours later.

“Let’s call it a day.”

“We’re done?”

Inside the drill hall.

Jude tilted his head and asked after hearing Ga?l’s words, as he sat on the floor and wiped his sweat.

Because it was too early than the usual time.

“Yes, we’re done. There’s something scheduled for today.”

historical

“Did you get a letter from sister-in-law Adelia?”

Jude asked him teasingly, but Ga?l shook his head as if it was absurd and then said.

“If it’s letters, it comes every day. I also write back every day.”

“I-I see.”

Ga?l was his usual self, but Jude was very surprised with Adelia.

‘It feels like her real nature itself has changed.’

Adelia was like a hedgehog in the original, so he never thought that she would be a lady so deeply in love now.

‘It would be worth seeing her at the founding ball.’

Unlike Jude and Cordelia who were just hanging out at home, Adelia was a royal wizard for the Royal Guard Magic Corps in the royal capital.

She took a long vacation to catch Jude and Cordelia, but she still served as the commander, so she had no choice but to return to the royal capital.

‘It was another reason why the engagement ceremony was hurried.’

But Adelia was due to retire sooner or later, since the engagement ceremony alone wasn’t enough.

She was supposed to quit her job as a commander and return to her hometown after the founding event.

‘Because my brother Ga?l has to inherit the title of Count Bayer.’

They came to this conclusion because it was impossible for Ga?l to go to the royal capital even if Adelia could go to Bailon.

‘She must have really loved him.’

She easily gave up her position as a commander of the Royal Guard Magic Corps.

‘Anyway..it would be sooner or later.’

There was a month and twenty days left before the 300th anniversary founding ball.

If he followed the flow of the original, an invitation to the royal capital would probably arrive within a week.

“Well, it seems like the time has come. Go quickly and wash off your sweat first. It’s been a long time, so shouldn’t you look the best?”

“Eh? What in the world are you talking..”

That was it.

Jude quickly turned to the piercing gaze he felt behind him, and he finally saw her after a long time.

“Cordelia.”

There was a red-haired girl standing and looking down on the balcony overlooking the drill hall at a distance.

“I hear that she has something to urgently discuss. It seems like she got an invitation for a birthday party at Count Ficus’ territory.”

Jude nodded when he heard Ga?l’s explanation.

In the original, there was no event like an invitation to a birthday party because Cordelia was not in Bailon at that point, but the event was bound to naturally happen now that the situation had changed.

So instead of raising questions about Count Ficus, Jude just stared at Cordelia and asked Ga?l in a low voice.

“But brother.”

“Yes, my younger brother.”

“She somehow looks upset, right?”

“Hmm..maybe?”

Ga?l and Jude looked at the girl on the balcony together, and the girl – Cordelia, changed her expression and Jude thought he could hear her snorting at him.

“Go quickly.”

“Yes, brother.”

Jude smiled as he stood up right away and hurriedly moved.

***

‘Are you upset?’

‘No, I’m not? I’m not upset at all, okay?’

‘But you look like you’re upset?’

‘No, it’s not. I’m totally not upset at all, okay?’

Jude and Cordelia were seated across the table and quickly exchanged glances, and Maja and Dahlia warmly smiled at the affectionate air between the two.

‘They really look good together, right?’

‘Yeah.’

The two had a similar conversation with their eyes before they quickly got up and left their seats.

It was to allow Jude and Cordelia to spend their time alone together.

“Aren’t you upset?”

“No, I’m not! There’s no way I’m upset just because you haven’t contacted me for 16 days!”

“Oh.”

16 days.

She was counting the days.

‘I’m touched.’

Jude smiled in satisfaction, and Cordelia snorted without realizing the mistake that she had just made.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. I was too preoccupied with training.”

“Hmph, it’s okay. I do not mind it.”

“I am glad then.”

When Jude smoothly said that, Cordelia frowned for a moment, but she couldn’t take her words back now.

“So, is your training going well?”

Jude immediately nodded his head at her slightly sulking voice that she was unconscious of.

“Yes. I’m training on how to further utilize the power of the Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors.. Specifically, I’m learning how to fight while using it together with the Bayer’s swordsmanship.”

“I see.”

She didn’t really understand what he meant, but it seemed to her that he was working hard.

‘I guess he really can’t help it.’

Should I forgive him?

‘No, he didn’t do something for me to forgive in the first place.’

Cordelia herself had never been that upset.

“Anyway, Cordelia, what about you?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you wouldn’t be just doing nothing, right?”

“Of course, I didn’t. I practiced really hard.”

Cordelia loudly snorted again before she pulled out a detonating cord from her waist.

She looked like she wanted to show off her training achievements.

‘But a detonating cord out of all things?’

No, it was definitely a tool that required training in order to be properly used, and it was something that Jude himself gave her.

“Why? Are you impressed?”

Cordelia asked in a quiet voice, and Jude immediately nodded.

If he pretended to be tactless at this point, she would really be upset.

“Yes, I’m impressed. I’m very much impressed.”

“Hmph, well..if you say so.”

I guess I’ll have to give you a demonstration.

The corners of Cordelia’s mouth was raised, and she promptly picked up the detonating cord. However, she definitely couldn’t use the detonating cord inside the drawing room.

Therefore, Jude said as he slightly dissuaded Cordelia.

“Let’s put that off for a moment because we have to go to the training area to see it. Before that, there’s something that I want to show you.”

“Something to show to me?”

“Yes, you came here today in the first place because of the invitation from Count Ficus, right? There’s also the invitation for the founding ball that will arrive soon.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She had forgotten it for a while, but her primary purpose for visiting was to discuss on how they would respond to the invitation of Count Ficus.

“We’ll have to crush her.”

She was a girl who was not satisfied in arguing with Cordelia every year, but even leveled insults at her.

Jude had no intention of letting her get away with it.

“Hey, Jude? We’re going to a birthday party, right? We’re not going on a fight, okay?”

“Yes, you’re right. It’s not a fight. We’re just going to crush her one-sidedly.”

Cordelia frowned at Jude’s words, but she decided to let it go since she somehow felt much better and relieved.

“The timing is perfect. We can use it for practice before using it in the royal capital..let’s consider it as a demonstration.”

Cordelia tilted her head when Jude spoke again.

She couldn’t understand what he was talking about.

‘Ah, come to think of it..’

Was it in Langesthei?

Jude had said that he was preparing a secret weapon to increase their influence in the royal capital.

‘That’s right, that’s what he is talking about now.’

Jude had immediately said that without checking if Cordelia had understood him, so Cordelia decided to ask instead of thinking more about it.

“So, what is it?”

“It’s these.”

Jude smiled a little more evil than usual as he put the things he had prepared over the past three weeks on the table.