“I met them when I was young, and even at a glance, I could tell the way they looked at each other was extraordinary. Especially the family head! Ah, if only I could experience love like that just once, I’d have no regrets.”  

 

Jane let out a sigh as she fastened a pearl necklace around Cordelia’s slender neck.  

 

Love… So this is how everyone yearns for love. 

 

Watching Jane’s envious expression, Cordelia realized it anew. Indeed, the love known to the world was something this beautiful. 

 

Unlike Cordelia, who felt fear first at the mere word love.  

 

Perhaps the true curse her mother had passed down was this.  

 

“There, all done.” 

 

Distracted by thoughts of Noah’s family, Cordelia met her own gaze in the mirror and parted her lips slightly.  

 

Seeing her reaction, Jane smiled proudly.  

 

“Beautiful, right? You’re always lovely, but a little change of mood now and then is nice too.”  

 

Cordelia nodded absently, lost in another thought. 

 

‘Mother… She looks like Mother.’

  

It felt as if her mother—beautiful and healthy in her prime—was gazing back at her. 

 

A bittersweet warmth filled Cordelia’s chest. Frantically tracing her mother’s features in her reflection, she murmured with genuine gratitude,  

 

“Thank you, Jane.”  

 

Jane’s round face brightened with a smile. 

 

As they exchanged grins, Cordelia felt as though something especially wonderful awaited her today.  

 

🫧

 

Carefully stepping so as not to tread on her precious dress, Cordelia paused at the top of the staircase. 

 

From there, she could see Noah Tudor lounging on the reception room sofa, legs crossed, listening to his secretary’s report.  

 

Even from a distance, he was as striking as ever. 

 

His casually swept-back hair, sharply defined features, the elegant curve of his fingers like a noble bird’s wing, even the way he idly tapped his polished shoe—everything about him exuded effortless refinement.  

 

Was such ease innate? Or was it the result of the abundant love and privilege he enjoyed?  

 

Whatever the reason…  

 

Their eyes met unexpectedly. 

 

As if pierced by his gaze, her legs moved toward him of their own accord. The man remained still, only his eyes following her movements—a silent, relentless observation.  

 

Like prey caught under a raptor’s stare, a shiver ran down her spine. 

 

Like a debutante nervously descending the grand staircase, her legs nearly tangled from the sudden tension.

 

Startled, she glanced down at her feet for a moment before quickly checking his reaction, but Noah had already turned his attention back to his secretary’s report and the documents handed to him. 

 

Suddenly, her energy drained, and her cheeks burned.  

 

Not knowing why she felt so gloomy, she trudged down the stairs, staring at her toes, until a pair of oxford shoes came into view. 

 

Startled, she lifted her head. Noah was standing closer than she expected, one hand extended toward her.  

 

Dumbfounded, she gaped at his hand and then at his impassive face. 

 

Even if she hadn’t grown up as the epitome of a refined lady, she still knew the basic social etiquette of escorting. 

 

It might seem rustic, but her heart fluttered nervously. 

 

Hesitantly, she moved to place her hand over his perfectly poised one—only for his fingers to abruptly bypass hers.  

 

It lasted only an instant, but the sting of humiliation made her fingertips tremble.  

 

That was, until his grip suddenly settled on her waist, and he lifted her as effortlessly as if she were a child, setting her down smoothly. 

 

Stunned, she blinked up at his handsome face, now slightly amused as he raised an eyebrow.  

 

“Yesterday, you were looking for food, and today, you’re learning to walk.”  

 

‘Will you grow a little more in a year?’  

 

His careless teasing made her flush for an entirely different reason. She jerked her head down, only for him to tilt his head and smirk at her reddened forehead, slipping his hands into his pockets.  

 

“Pretty.”  

 

“Huh?”  

 

Only after blurting out the response did she realize her mistake. She chewed her lip and mumbled, ‘Thank you…’ 

 

He merely remarked with composed amusement,  

 

“Breaking habits isn’t easy.”  

 

“Sorry.”  

 

“Hmm, ‘sorry’?”  

 

He hadn’t actually demanded an apology, but the way she peeked up at him with wide, wary eyes struck him as oddly endearing, so he let it slide.  

 

This time, Noah properly offered his arm, and Cordelia placed her hand on his with far less embarrassment than before. 

 

Unlike her aunt’s accusations, she prided herself on having no pride—but that didn’t mean she wanted to embarrass herself in front of this man.  

 

Yet, her resolve lasted only a moment. Her eyes widened comically at the unfamiliar vehicle before her.  

 

Noah chuckled as he opened its door.  

 

“Never seen a car before?”  

 

“Huh? N-no, I have!”  

 

She reflexively lied, but he nodded indifferently. 

 

‘Does he not believe me? Or does he just not care?’

 

Either way, Cordelia soon sulked, chewing her tongue in frustration.

 

In the city of Curan, the de facto capital of the Zeneka colony, the streets were often filled with sleek new automobiles and expensive carriages. 

 

It was known to be lined with the vacation homes of wealthy nobles and bourgeoisie. Though the upper class still preferred carriages, and automobiles were not yet widespread, it was said that eccentric rich people sometimes collected them.  

 

And indeed, at first glance, it looked both remarkably vintage and sophisticated.

 

The wine-red body adorned with gold trim, four jet-black wheels, undoubtedly the finest hand-stitched leather seats, a tall steering wheel wrapped in gold and red leather, and the folded-back black convertible roof—everything was unfamiliar yet magnificent.  

 

Above all, it suited the man who had extended his hand to let Cordelia board first too well.  

 

“It’s a Louise Serroide model. My cousin gave it to me for my birthday. He’s got about twenty of these in his estate.”  

 

“Your cousin must hold you in high regard, Lord Tudor. I’ve never seen such a splendid birthday gift before.”  

 

She might not have known the exact price, but it must have been exorbitant. 

 

To give away one of his prized collections to a younger cousin? 

 

If it were Dorea, she would’ve slapped Cordelia without hesitation the moment she tried to take something precious from her. 

 

This man must truly be loved. Then again, though he bickered with his cousin yesterday, they seemed to get along quite well.  

 

Noah, satisfied with Cordelia’s flawlessly appropriate response, started the engine and turned the wheel before replying.  

 

“No? I just took it.”  

 

“Excuse me?”  

 

“He wouldn’t give it to me, so I picked it out myself. Thought he didn’t know my taste.”  

 

…That didn’t sound right.  

 

Noah glanced at her dumbfounded expression and chuckled wickedly, like a devil.  

 

“Miss Cordelia. Sometimes, it’s faster to act first and beg for forgiveness later.”  

 

It was the first time she had ever heard such delinquent logic.  

 

“Um… so, did he forgive you?”  

 

“What’s he going to do if he doesn’t?”  

 

“…”  

 

Just what was wrong with this man to turn out like this? She almost pitied his poor cousin, clutching his nape in despair.  

 

Before she could even process this unheard-of, self-centered mindset—let alone figure out how to react—he reached out, closed her gaping mouth, and cupped her head, turning it forward. 

 

The warmth of his large hand brushing against her nape sent a shiver racing down her spine.  

 

“Look straight ahead. You said you wanted some fresh air.”

 

And the moment she looked ahead, Cordelia let out a gasp of admiration.  

 

The port city of Narath, built on many hills, offered a breathtaking view of the exotic, ocean-scented city from this elevated spot. 

 

The bustling square filled with citizens starting their mornings, the broad-leaved trees unique to the southern region, the red-brick and sand-colored houses clustered together—all surrounded by the deep blue sea shimmering under the sunlight. 

 

There were even ships setting sail, accompanied by the low, whale-like sound of their horns.  

 

Walking down this slope felt like diving headfirst into this vibrant scenery. Her heart pounded pleasantly, and swallowing hard, Cordelia instinctively turned toward the driver’s seat with flushed cheeks, wanting to share this excitement with someone.  

 

“It’s so, so beautiful.”  

 

Even the mysterious sea breeze, mingled with the scent of foreign spices.  

 

Amused by her bright-red face, Noah chuckled lightly behind his pale amethyst sunglasses. 

 

He pressed down on her hat, which was bouncing as if about to fly off her head, before letting go. 

 

As the car sped forward, the wind, carrying the refreshing scent of the sea, tousled his platinum-blond hair stylishly.  

 

Without realizing it, Cordelia burst into cheerful laughter. 

 

Even with a fearsome creditor sitting beside her, she was too lost in this exhilaration to hold back her giggles.  

 

And the man, who seemed to enjoy teasing her, surprisingly let her be this time.  

 

Only occasionally did his violet-tinted lenses capture her smiling face as she eagerly took in the sights—just fleeting glimpses, without much thought.