Chapter 142: Unexpected Encounter (3) (1/2)
Gossip could travel fast.
Rumors about Jude and Cordelia had widely spread beyond the north and even reached the country’s capital where the royal family lived.
‘No! Why?! What happened?!’
Because it was something strange and unusual.
Lovers who loved each other but were forced to break up due to the opposition of their families so they run away at night with their lover – such a setting was exclusive to sad romance stories.
But two people who were already engaged would still have a nighttime runaway of love?
The two of them had the full support of their families since they had already been engaged since birth, yet they still did that?
The reactions of those who heard the rumors about Jude and Cordelia were largely the same.
“What did you say?”
“Eh? What the hell did you just say?”
A story that was hard to understand.
That was why they were curious about the whole story.
Moreover, the story of Jude and Cordelia were so filled with attractive things that spiced it up.
“Have you heard about the letters Lady Cordelia left behind…”
“Oh my gosh, how bold.”
Cordelia’s letters expressing her love for Jude were quite direct and straightforward.
“I guess they wanted to have some time alone.”
“Ah…I think I somehow understand why.”
“Isn’t it?”
It was difficult to create a situation where two unmarried people of the opposite sex were alone with each other, even if they were engaged, of noble lineage, or belonging to the 12 northern families.
Because a lot of people would follow right behind them for this and that, such as their exclusive maid or escort knight.
“How could they do that…those two have gone too far.”
“Indeed…Lady Cordelia must still maintain the dignity of a noble young lady.”
“To be honest, I’m a bit disappointed in her.”
“She must have read too many romance novels. Hohoho.”
One way or another, a scandal was a scandal.
Just like Emma Ficus, there were many people who said bad things about Jude and Cordelia since this was the perfect opportunity for them.
And as always, bad rumors were bound to spread more widely than good rumors.
“But…isn’t it a bit envious though?’
“In fact, me too…”
“I’m a bit envious.”
The story of the two wasn’t simply a scandal where they could criticize and look down on the two.
Because it contained elements that were yearned for by young girls and even women who were quite old or those who already have multiple children.
“The two must really love each other, right?”
“Like those in love stories.”
For nobles, most marriages were arranged by their families.
A political marriage.
A marriage with an unknown partner.
A sudden engagement with someone they thought was someone else until yesterday.
A forced marriage with no love on both sides.
But Jude and Cordelia were different.
Despite being engaged since birth, the two strongly loved each other – they were truly in love like the main characters of romance stories.
They would be lying if they didn’t felt envious.
“And…have you heard about the rumors of Mr. Bayer? He’s really handsome, right?”
“Lady Cordelia has been famous for her beauty for a long time.”
“Count Chase is a bit too…”
“Hey, it’s been rumored too that Lady Adelia would have been the most beautiful woman in the north if she just shut her mouth, right?”
“I remember that.”
The two shined as an incomparably beautiful girl and an absolutely handsome boy even when considered separately, so how great would the two shine now when they are a couple?
In any case, the rumors about Jude and Cordelia quickly spread beyond the north and even to the capital because of these reasons.
And in fact, the rumors had already spread to the south, so the whole kingdom knew about the story of Jude and Cordelia.
From a fantasy couple to a couple of the century.
The love story of two people that was recognized by the entire kingdom.
‘F*ck, what is this… What in the world is this?’
Cordelia felt dizzy when she heard their story from Princess Darianne’s mouth, while Jude nodded with a very happy face.
“It’s a very exciting story. I really envy you, Lady Cordelia.”
“Th-thank you.”
As Princess Darianne’s eyes brightly sparkled in admiration, Cordelia was forced to smile and acknowledge it.
‘How did this happen?’
It clearly began as an excuse to avoid Dahlia and Maja’s watchful gaze.
The next thing she knew, the whole kingdom – no, perhaps the entire continent had publicly recognized them as a lovey-dovey couple.
“By the way, Your Highness.”
“Yes, Mr. Bayer.”
“Has the second story…not spread yet?”
“Second story?”
“It’s the secret story behind me and Cordelia’s journey. Our connection with the Guardians of the Holy Cross…”
Princess Darianne blinked her eyes at Jude’s words, and Sir Cornwell who was listening next to her coughed and opened his mouth.
“The reason why the two fled at night was to actually help with the mission of the Guardians of the Holy Cross. Count Hræsvelgr, the head of the Jackdaws, had reported that they were also very active in the military operations in the barbarian lands.”
“Wow, really?”
“I don’t know the other details, but that’s what I heard.”
Being the duke’s knight commander did not mean he could read the military reports that Count Hræsvelgr sent to the royal capital.
It was a rough story he gathered from exchanging information between his fellow knights.
“But…we might be able to find out the details now.”
Having spoken so far, Sir Cornwell looked at Jude who flashed a smile.
“I can’t tell you the details because it’s confidential…but the real reason why Cordelia and I ran away from home was to fulfill our mission from the Guardians of the Holy Cross.”
At Jude’s words, Sir Cornwell urged him to say a little more, but it was in vain.
Jude maintained his smile and Sir Cornwell just frowned as he couldn’t directly pressure Jude to say it.
Sir Cornwell was both a viscount and the knight commander of Duke Spencer’s knights, but he was not exactly in a position to order Jude on what to do.
‘Because he’s a noble too.’
Although Jude had no title and was unlikely to inherit the title because he was the second son, a nobleman was still nobility.
‘And perhaps…he’ll receive a baron rank sooner or later.’
Count Hræsvelgr had reported the contributions of Jude and Cordelia in the barbarian lands, so it was highly likely that they’d receive the higher-ranked title of baron and not the lower-ranked title of knight.
So Jude leisurely smiled again, and Sir Cornwell looked displeased as he couldn’t say anything to Jude.
But not for Princess Darianne.
Upon hearing the conversation between Jude and Sir Cornwell, her shoulders suddenly sank, and she spoke in a very disappointed tone.
“Then…was everything a lie?”
“What?”
“The love story between you two.”
She had longed for something like that and thought it was amazing, so she wished for that kind of love too.
‘Please say no.’
At Princess Darianne’s gaze, Jude turned to Cordelia who was visibly embarrassed.
‘W-what should I do?’
‘What do you mean? Let’s just do what we always do.’
‘Wait, what we always do?’
‘Then will you make Princess Darianne cry?’