Tail’s Curse Chapter 44

Contrary to his initially curt tone, he greeted her in a rather friendly manner.

 

“Hello, Miss Cordelia. Welcome to Katisha.”

 

For some reason, everyone in Katisha already seemed to know who Cordelia was. 

 

It was probably all because of that man. 

 

Noah sighed deeply, muttering something about how it was starting again, then gave Cordelia a slight nod. She had come to understand that this meant he was giving her permission to handle things as she wished.

 

“You may have already heard, but I’m Count Philippe Dufort. This rascal’s maternal cousin.”

 

“Hello, I’m Cordelia Marguerite.”

 

Cordelia felt his deep gaze studying her and instinctively tensed her shoulders for a moment before relaxing again. She glanced at Noah, who gave her a mischievous grin. 

 

Somehow, that smile put her at ease.

 

After silently examining her for quite a while, Count Dufort finally spoke in a gentle tone.

 

“Yes, a beautiful young lady indeed. I can understand why this fellow has taken an interest.”

 

“Thank you. But it’s a misunderstanding—Sir Noah and I are not…”

 

“Well now, wouldn’t it be better for all of us to assume that misunderstanding is true?”

 

The count smoothly cut her off.

 

“Our family has long hoped Noah would take more interest in socializing with the opposite sex. He’s our pride, of course, but his obsessive focus on certain things makes him overlook what’s truly important in life. And Miss Cordelia, associating with him, wouldn’t be bad for your reputation either. If this misunderstanding proves beneficial to both sides, then perhaps it’s best to just leave it as is.”

 

Though he spoke with a more gentlemanly consideration, it was still a remark she had heard before. 

 

Remembering Mikael’s sarcastic comment about how it must look for a debtor and creditor to be living under the same roof, Cordelia parted her lips, then slowly nodded. 

 

Count Dufort smiled warmly and said, “How clever you are, Miss Cordelia.”

 

“You look younger than you sound. Are you planning to make your debut this season?”

 

“No, I don’t think I will.”

 

“Why not? Minor matters like financial support or a chaperone—this fellow here would gladly handle those for you.”

 

When Count Dufort raised an eyebrow and asked again, Cordelia thought that, even setting aside the fact that those were considered ‘minor matters’ to these people, there was no reason for Noah to go so far for her. 

 

If anything, the fact that she was indebted and still being given room and board was already more than generous. 

 

A debut in society? 

 

That was laughable. She almost scoffed, but quickly covered it with a cough and shook her head.

 

“Excuse me, but is it mandatory for every noble daughter to make her debut in society?”

 

At the bold question, the count gave her a curious look, reflecting on it before briefly glancing at his younger cousin, who had been quietly observing their conversation. 

 

Aside from a barely noticeable lift at the corner of his lips, Noah remained expressionless, as if it were none of his concern. 

 

The Count clicked his tongue and replied quietly.

 

“Well, it’s generally expected.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Because social interaction plays a crucial role in a noble’s life, their family, and business affairs. And for young ladies, isn’t it also an important opportunity to meet suitable marriage partners?”

 

“I won’t be doing business, and my family is in name only, barely respectable. I also won’t be marrying, so wouldn’t it be better for other beautiful young ladies to make their debut instead?”

 

Everyone was surprised by that answer. 

 

Count Dufort looked at her with a slightly bewildered expression, then quickly composed himself and asked with a serious tone.

 

“You say you won’t marry. Are you sincere?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“If you don’t mind me asking, may I know the reason?”

 

“I’m not in a position to get married. I’m neither ready to share my life with someone nor in any condition to take responsibility for another person.”

 

“I’ve heard a bit about your circumstances as well. Even if all those problems were to be resolved, would your opinion remain the same?”

 

Count Dufort looked genuinely serious, and in his eyes, there was also a touch of sincere concern for the young lady.

 

Ah, he’s a kind person…

 

Despite the way he had previously studied her as if assessing her, it seemed he was a good man in a different way from Wayne.

 

So Cordelia gave it some serious thought. Even if she managed to repay all her debts, and—by some miracle—her illness was cured, would she truly have the confidence to marry someone and start a family? 

 

After a brief moment of reflection, the answer came to her clearly.

 

“Yes. I don’t believe my thoughts will ever change.”

 

There was a sense of conviction in her firm reply. 

 

Count Dufort fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

 

“To be honest, I’d like to say that you’re still young and carrying many burdens, so such a firm conviction might be premature. But I also respect your personal thoughts and decisions. I’m sure you have your reasons. Whatever path you choose, I just hope you achieve what you truly want.”

 

The man who had seemed strict and conservative unexpectedly showed flexible thinking and genuine consideration. 

 

Even though times had changed, there still weren’t many who looked kindly upon a woman without a steady income choosing a life of unmarried independence.

 

Especially for a young woman like Cordelia—poor and with no one to rely on—it was the sort of thing that would normally earn scorn. 

 

People would click their tongues, calling her foolish for speaking so childishly, for clinging to pride when she had nothing but her body and not a coin to her name. 

 

And they wouldn’t be wrong.

 

That is, assuming Cordelia would even live to become an old woman.

 

But such assumptions held no meaning for Cordelia.

 

“I got carried away in our first meeting and ended up being rude. Then, I’ll see you at dinner, Miss Cordelia.”

 

With a smile more carefully drawn than before and a tone even more courteous than their first exchange, Count Dufort gave the impression of having politely stepped back, a subtle line of distance now drawn.

 

After giving Noah a light pat on the shoulder and walking off with his cane, the only ones left in the hall were Noah, standing with his hands behind his back, and Cordelia.

 

He looked at her, eyes deep in thought, then extended a hand.

 

“Shall we go to your room?”

 

As they walked toward the room assigned to her on the second floor, neither of them said a word.

 

Stealing glances at his calm profile, Cordelia couldn’t help but think how striking his presence remained, even in such an old-fashioned and grand estate like this one she’d never seen before.

 

Despite the overwhelming wealth and history, the refined elegance and sensory luxury that would easily intimidate others, it was the man who naturally blended into this space—his indifferent but somehow relaxed expression, his demeanor—that drew her attention more.

 

Whether it was because of Noah’s unique personality and charisma, or because her fate now rested in his hands, even Cordelia herself couldn’t tell.

 

Either way, this beautiful mansion and Noah Tudor suited each other perfectly. 

 

Of course, he must have been born and raised here.

 

Truly, he’s a different kind of person from me.

 

Cordelia, who once lived comfortably with nothing to envy, couldn’t help but sigh at the vast difference between them.

 

How could Father have ever thought to borrow money from someone like this?

 

As she was lost in those thoughts, a small laugh came from ahead.

 

“Why are you sighing? Feeling down already, as if you’ve been forced into married life the moment you arrived?”

 

“Ma-married life…?”

 

“Why not? Seems like that’s what everyone’s expecting.”

 

When Noah muttered this with a hint of amusement, Cordelia looked sheepish.

 

He turned back to her in front of the door and opened it, speaking as he did.

 

“I suppose I owe you an apology. Just now, too. I get the feeling you’ll end up bothered quite a bit because of me.”

 

“I don’t think it’s something you need to apologize for, Sir Noah.”

 

“No, it is.”

 

He glanced down at her as he gestured for her to step inside.

 

“If I wanted to, I could have kept you from ending up in such a situation. But I didn’t.”

 

Leaning casually against the beautifully prepared door meant for her, Noah didn’t follow her inside. 

 

It wasn’t a confession, nor a regret. He was simply stating a fact, without any emotion behind it. 

 

Cordelia quietly stared at his indifferent expression.

 

“Why not?”

 

He didn’t answer, just smiled. The answer lingered on the clean line of his lips.

 

Because there was no reason to go that far for her.

 

Ah. Cordelia parted her lips slightly, then slowly nodded. 

 

Right, of course. Her heart, which had unknowingly fluttered for a moment, gradually calmed. Then fell silent.

 

As she studied his quiet face, Noah asked,

 

“You’re not angry?”

 

“Should I be?”

 

“You don’t have to be angry, but you could still be upset.”