To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 0

The bright blue eyes were beautiful. Like a lake with no visible bottom, the clear and vivid color had a magical charm that instantly drew attention.

Even Aisha, who had been walking, was captivated by that blue magic. The moment she met those endlessly deep eyes, she unconsciously stopped in her tracks.

“Ah…”

The soft sigh that escaped her red lips seemed to reflect her calm personality. But it wasn’t so quiet that the man escorting her didn’t notice.

“Aisha?”

Despite his worried voice, Aisha didn’t answer. Her gaze was fixed on the space above the entrance they were about to pass through. There, a mural of an angel had been painted. The man followed her gaze and let out a small, baffled laugh.

“That’s Gastio, the Angel of Judgment. And they painted that at the entrance of a ballroom? So fitting for an age obsessed with appearances.”

With dazzling golden hair, striking blue eyes, and a pair of wings, the angel painted over three hundred years ago embodied the peak of beauty, reflecting a culture that worshipped physical perfection.

“They say Gastio is the most beautiful among the angels.”

Aisha replied slowly, still staring at the mural. It looked as though she was mesmerized by the angel’s stunning blue eyes. Yet, at the same time, she seemed tense, her body stiffened slightly.

“You haven’t gone out in ages. Did you fall for a guy in a flat painting?”

Seeing her expression, the man playfully shrugged and poked her cheek. Only then did Aisha turn her head to look at him. Her sky-blue eyes, tinged with grey, sparkled quietly.

“It’s not like that. Just…”

“Just?”

“A little scary.”

“What?”

His voice rose slightly in confusion. Aisha let out a small laugh, shook her head, and turned away.

“It’s nothing. Let’s just go in. Daniel.”

“Hey, you…”

“We’re late. Let’s hurry. Okay?”

“You always say something strange when people call you cute.  Are you turning into Edward?”

“Edward never says weird things. Maybe you’re the one who’s a little off?”

“You little—!”

“Alright, sorry, I’m sorry. Let’s go in, okay?”

“If it weren’t for Mother and Father, I swear…”

Aisha clung to Daniel’s arm playfully as he raised a mock fist, glancing up at the angel again. It hadn’t changed. Still beautiful and still frightening.

The Angel of Judgment, Gastio, with his jewel-like eyes, aimed a silver arrow downward. For a moment, Aisha imagined that icy arrow flying toward her and piercing her heart.

‘It’s a happy day… Why am I thinking like this?’

She laughed softly at her own silly thought and straightened her posture. Taking that as a cue, Daniel handed the invitation to the servant at the door and whispered,

“You must be happy. You’re about to meet the one you’ve longed for.”

“Daniel!”

At the same time her brother’s name left her lips, Aisha slapped his arm. Daniel cleared his throat and lifted his head. The servant, who had been quietly watching the siblings, held back a smile and opened the door.

As the door opened with a clunk, the two quickly regained their composure. Though their entrance was quiet, the moment they appeared, eyes turned toward them from all directions.

“Yeah… now it’s obvious. We’re not welcome here.”

Most of the stares were curious, but a few held subtle hostility. Daniel seemed to sense it, frowning slightly as he led Aisha inside.

Unlike her brother, Aisha wasn’t bothered by the attention. Or rather, she had no time to care. Her light blue eyes searched the room carefully, clearly looking for someone. Daniel noticed and whispered,

“Aisha. You’re being too obvious.”

“But it’s been six months since I saw him… Where is he?”

“No wonder there are rumors. Do you know what they’re saying about you right now? That the youngest of the Parden is clinging to Marquis Lloyd over some childhood memory”

“Ah!”

Daniel’s complaint was cut short. Aisha had spotted someone and stopped in her tracks with a soft gasp.

The man who made her freeze was incredibly handsome. His deep blond hair looked like melted pure gold, and his vivid blue eyes were like the sky itself. His divine looks and flawless figure rivaled the angel Gastio on the mural outside.

Aisha smiled gently, unable to hide her joy and excitement. But it didn’t last long. As soon as the man turned his head toward her, a sharp, silver-arrow-like glare shot her way. Thump. Her heart dropped, and she instinctively clutched her chest.

The man’s beautiful face was frozen cold. His clear blue eyes, colder than winter frost, showed no hint of joy at seeing her.

Shaken by the reaction that was far worse than expected, Aisha looked at him with trembling eyes. But the moment their eyes met, he turned away. That slow moment made it clear his eyes had remained indifferent until the end.

“That bastard.”

A grinding voice came from beside her. Knowing her brother’s temper, Aisha finally snapped out of it and grabbed Daniel’s arm, smiling faintly.

“I’m okay, Daniel. So”

“Are you serious? Did you not see how he just treated you? And who’s that woman with him? He ignored your letter and shows up here with someone else!”

“Stop.”

“What?”

“Stop, Daniel.”

Aisha cut him off and glanced toward the man. There was a woman beside him now one she hadn’t noticed before. With bright red hair and a dark green dress that made her stand out, she was strikingly beautiful.

Aisha’s eyes moved from the woman’s heavily made-up face to the delicate lace-gloved hand that was gently holding the man’s arm. Seeing the slight wrinkle in the man’s sleeve, Aisha bit the inside of her lip without realizing it.

Ian, I heard you’re back. You must be tired from your long journey, but I couldn’t hide my excitement when I heard the Lloyd family mansion had its lights on again. If you don’t mind… would you come with me to the charity ball? I’ll be waiting for your reply.

The time she had spent waiting for a reply to her letter came back with a bitter taste. Aisha swallowed it down and murmured,

“There’s no rule saying he has to reply. And… whoever Ian comes here with, that’s his choice. It’s not something I should interfere with.”

“Hey! You and that bastard have been close since forever!”

Daniel was about to explode again, but stopped when he saw her face. Her lowered eyes and quiet profile showed a sorrow she couldn’t hide.

“Daniel. I need some rest. The carriage ride gave me a headache.”

“Ugh… Fine. Let’s go to the lounge.”

Daniel guided her toward a corner, and an icy gaze followed them all the way.

“I said I’m fine, so stop, Daniel. Please?”

“I held back earlier, but Aisha! The reason that bastard keeps treating you like this is because you let him. And it’s not just you he’s acting like the whole Parden family is beneath him now! How can someone repay kindness with such disrespect?”

The moment they entered the lounge behind a curtain, Daniel exploded. The veins on the back of his hand stood out as he ran a hand through his black hair in frustration. Aisha, seated on a couch, tried to calm him down.

“You said it yourself earlier we’re like uninvited guests here. It must have been hard for Ian too, with everyone around him. He probably just couldn’t say anything.”

“So you’re saying it’s okay that he ignored you and walked around with another woman just to please the Duke of Levantus and his cronies? Aisha, you and that guy Ian are supposed to be engaged!”

At the word “engaged,” Aisha’s face darkened slightly. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand and whispered,

“We’re not officially engaged yet.”

“What?”

“It’s true. There have been talks about it, yes, but… Ian and I haven’t made it official. So please, Daniel, don’t be so hard on him.”

“You… You seriously!”

Daniel stopped pacing. But as always, he held his tongue. Ever since they were children, Aisha had been completely taken by Ian and couldn’t stand to hear him criticized.

“Ugh… If I keep talking to you, my head’s going to explode. I’m going to look for Arthur. Just stay here and rest.”

Arthur was Aisha’s twin brother and was supposed to arrive at the ball a little later than them. Aisha nodded silently. Daniel looked at her one more time.

Her lips were still firmly shut with quiet resolve. Frustrated, Daniel loosened his cravat and yanked the curtain aside with a sharp motion. The sound of it fluttering echoed loudly behind him.

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