Noah still looked back with a faint smile, his eyes saying, “So what?” 

 

And Philip felt a sense of helplessness as if facing the difference between paper and something else in that radiant face. He finally finished with a suppressed voice. 

 

“Please act responsibly as a gentleman. Don’t tarnish the name of your family and house.” 

 

“Hmm, alright.” 

 

Though his eyes seemed to say “what unnecessary worries,” Noah nodded his head while answering quite obediently. 

 

It seemed like that child had known since childhood, like a ghost, exactly how to appease others. 

 

Philip, who had been criticizing his irresponsible behavior, ended up glaring at his cousin without real malice as the younger man smiled sweetly with his eyes as if telling him not to be angry. 

 

Whether he was human or fox—it was a fact that all members of this household had personally experienced, but no one could ever get the better of Noah. 

 

Although the family all tried not to show it, they were shocked by Noah’s attitude toward Cordelia. 

 

It was surprising that he took care of another person’s meals and was concerned about her condition, but his playful and friendly attitude clearly had affection underlying it. 

 

Yes, that was affection, no matter who looked at it. It was a clear fact that Noah liked Cordelia. 

 

He wasn’t the kind of person who would go this far out of mere sympathy. 

 

In the first place, even if he took her in out of necessity, he wasn’t idle enough to keep her around and spend time together. 

 

But would that affection last? 

 

Noah Tudor cherished what was his, but he was also an unpredictable man who, once his interest waned, would suddenly sell off or burn all his cherished collections. 

 

Only the other person would be completely swayed and shaken by what might be a temporary whim. 

 

Although people had never been the object before, the family thought it was even more dangerous for that very reason.

 

It was because Miss Cordelia, whom they actually saw, looked much younger and more defenseless than they had expected. She had neither family nor money to take responsibility for her if anything happened. 

 

That pitiful young lady with a pale face and forlorn atmosphere could have her entire life shaken if she were swayed by a man like Noah. And it wasn’t as if this self-centered bastard had the generosity to care about or take responsibility for that. 

 

At best, he’d give her enough money to live comfortably for life and be done with it. Then he’d completely forget about her. 

 

Though he acted affectionately toward her for some reason, he was originally a calculating man who wouldn’t do anything disadvantageous. 

 

Even if people called him a son of a bitch, he was someone who would absolutely never do anything he didn’t feel like doing. 

 

Setting aside the fact that this itself was surprising, it was obvious to those who knew Noah Tudor well that the “affection” he showed was too shallow to compare with “love” or “devotion.” 

 

If Noah’s feelings toward Cordelia were serious and sincere, they surely wouldn’t have even gotten a proper look at a single strand of her hair. He would have hidden her away tightly and tried to keep her to himself alone. 

 

Of course, there was nothing strange about a relationship between young men and women exploring each other and gradually building affection, or an awkward romance. 

 

The problem was that such emotional exchange was only healthy in a somewhat equal relationship—in a one-sided relationship, wasn’t it natural for the weaker side to be crushed? 

 

It was no different from a cat playing with a mouse. 

 

Unless it was a strange mouse that attacked its predator. At their concerns, Noah burst into laughter as if he understood. 

 

“Everyone seems to see our Miss Cordelia as nothing but a helpless and pitiful young lady.” 

 

“Don’t worry. She’s no ordinary girl either.” 

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Have you ever seen a woman smile on the verge of death, even though she’s weak, cold, in pain, miserable, and no one is helping her?” 

 

Noah recalled the day he first saw Cordelia Marguerite. 

 

He remembered those two eyes gleaming with venom, as if mocking herself, her opponent, and this unfortunate situation itself. She hadn’t given up or lost her mind. 

 

Even as she lunged at a man twice her size and bled, the woman didn’t close her eyes but stared straight ahead. 

 

The killing intent, so vivid one might think she was drunk on moonlight, resembled an animal more than a human. She was like prey that glares at the hunter until the very moment of death. 

 

That’s why he moved. 

 

Because he wanted to see those strange eyes again. 

 

In fact, if he hadn’t discovered such unexpectedness in her, Noah would have saved her, made a fair transaction, and sent her away. 

 

Keeping Cordelia at the mansion was indeed something Noah didn’t normally do. 

 

But when she woke up from fainting, she was just an ordinary, slightly naive twenty-year-old girl who didn’t know the ways of the world. 

 

Did I see wrong? 

 

He was a bit deflated, but her antics were cute, so he decided to keep watching. 

 

In truth, the time spent with her was enjoyable. It was also true that he wanted to take care of her. She’s cute, after all. 

 

But that was all. 

 

To be more honest, he did become interested in that body. He wanted to sleep with her at least once. He was curious about what she’d be like in bed… but was he dying to sleep with her? 

 

Noah tilted his head. 

 

Normally in such cases, he would spend time together intimately once or twice, and that would be it, but it was also true that Cordelia was subtly on his mind, so he was just watching and waiting. 

 

For now. He, too, thought this ambiguous and exceptional situation was quite interesting in various ways. 

 

“It doesn’t matter. The rose will remain as it is.” 

 

The rose remains as it is, so nothing will be different? 

 

Noah chuckled. 

 

How cute. His debtor young lady, was quite smart.

 

🫧

 

On the fifth day of staying at Tudor House, Cordelia received a letter. 

 

Surprisingly, the sender was someone she knew well. Sasha Ander.

 

『Miss Cordelia! I had no way of knowing what happened to you after that day, so I made inquiries and heard that you’re staying with the Tudors! 

 

Thankfully, Miss Georgiana Langham told me she saw you with Lord Noah Tudor.』

 

Georgiana Langham? 

 

Cordelia made an awkward expression as she recalled that day not long ago when they had an unpleasant first meeting. 

 

To be precise, she was only caught up in it because of Noah, but Cordelia didn’t want to meet her again either. 

 

It was also unsettling that Noah, who was outspoken and clear about his likes and dislikes but also sensible, had shown such humanly contempt toward her.

 

『I’m curious about what happened in the meantime, whether you’re safe, and I want to see you. 

 

After you went out alone that night and didn’t return, I haven’t had a single day of peace. I was so worried that you might have suffered something terrible because of me. 

 

But to hear that you’re in Katisha! God must have heard my prayers!』

 

However, Sasha Ander was someone she wanted to meet once more. 

 

Even setting aside the fact that she was the most sparkling person in Cordelia’s life after Noah, Sasha was Cordelia’s benefactor and a good person. She didn’t have to, but with a kind heart, she had been considerate and generous to Cordelia, who had nothing. 

 

Honestly, if she could repay that kindness in any way, she wanted to give anything, but it was unfortunate that she had nothing to give.

 

『If you’re available, I really want to meet you again. I’m planning to hold a tea party this coming Thursday at noon—would you be able to attend? I’ll be waiting.』

 

Cordelia naturally had no experience attending social gatherings or parties. So she was worried that she might embarrass Sasha by going as her guest. 

 

Sasha Ander was a celebrity well-known even to imperial citizens and a flower of high society, so there would be many watching eyes. 

 

After a moment of contemplation, Cordelia’s heart was moved by the next lines.

 

『The truth is, I’m not happy these days. 

 

I should say I’m in a somewhat unhappy state. I’m depressed and sad, but I’m praying to God that this too shall pass. It’s quite ironic and absurd, considering I was once in the worst situation with you. 

 

To be honest, it’s foolishness I brought upon myself, so I haven’t been able to confide in anyone. 

 

So will you be my confidante? Though our acquaintance hasn’t been long, I feel I can trust Miss Cordelia, with whom I shared a life-and-death crisis. 

 

I hope you’ll understand generously, even if I show you my shameful and pathetic side.』

 

To think that even that sparkling person had worries and unhappiness. 

 

It was surprising. 

 

After pondering carefully, Cordelia cautiously sent a reply, and Sasha, as if she had been waiting, responded with great joy that evening, saying she would send a carriage on the day of the tea party.