To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 102

“I’ll help you. But next time, you’ll have to do me a favor in return.”

Before Jared could ask what he meant, William quickly stepped down from the platform and approached Iskan. Iskan, who had been moving toward Aisha, had no choice but to stop when the crown prince himself spoke to him.

“Crown Prince! How is the banquet? I personally prepared it for you and the people of the kingdom.”

“Ah! So you’re the Crown Prince. This is the most splendid banquet I’ve ever seen. I thank you on behalf of my people.”

“There’s no need for such words. More importantly, how is your father doing?”

Even though William was holding on to Iskan, Jared couldn’t move. He felt guilty for introducing Helen to his father and felt bad for troubling Aisha. He was even sorry to show his face to her.

William, still smiling and chatting with Iskan, noticed his younger brother standing frozen like a statue. Feeling frustrated, he slightly turned his head so Iskan and his group wouldn’t notice and mouthed the words to Jared:

“Go now. You idiot!”

When three men were intensely staring at her, Aisha didn’t even notice. Or rather, she had noticed Ian’s sharp gaze for some time but pretended not to.

Fortunately, she was too busy to care about Ian. Maybe because the mood had changed, Aisha received three times more greetings than usual.

“Lady Aisha, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Harrison Illoan from Count Illoan’s family. I work in the same royal building as your brother, Lord Edward.”

Many of those greeting her were from families connected to the Count of Parden, but occasionally, even young men with no relation approached Aisha. Edward watched these men with disapproval, giving excuses to dislike them. But unlike him, Daniel smiled brightly and, once their parents stepped away, brought over many of his fellow knights.

All of them were well-groomed and had good reputations, drawing envious glances from young ladies nearby.

“Daniel, what are you doing? What if people start spreading strange rumors about Aisha?”

“What’s the big deal? They’re just saying hello, and we’re watching. Women should meet different men, or else they might end up holding a worthless piece of glass thinking it’s a gem.”

“Do you hear yourself right now?”

“Come on, brother! Don’t be such an old man. You never know Aisha might throw away that glass and choose one of these guys. And the ones I brought are decent enough.”

Aisha didn’t know it, but she was especially popular among the young knights. Her fair skin, sky-blue eyes, and slim figure gave her a delicate beauty that matched the ideal lady from the stories in their heads. She was already known in social circles for her pure, elegant looks.

On top of that, even though Daniel was known in the palace guard for his bad temper, Aisha always treated him kindly. So the knights had no doubt about her character.

“Lady Aisha, I’m Norman Green from the royal guard, with Daniel.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Armin Hall, also from the royal guard. We met once before…”

“Lady, I am…”

As young knights greeted her one after another, Aisha realized something surprising socializing like this was more fun than she had thought. At past banquets, she rarely talked to anyone outside her family or a few close female friends. Especially with unfamiliar young men, she avoided speaking to them in fear of upsetting Ian and believed that was the right thing to do.

‘It’s not bad.’

It felt refreshing, as if she had stretched her shoulders for the first time in 15 years. With a bright smile, Aisha chatted happily. Hearing her laughter, her friends Evelyn and Viola came over. Soon a group of young men and women formed, and Aisha enjoyed the banquet to the fullest.

Even the stern nobles smiled at the sight of the young men and women mingling. The cheerful mood of the welcome banquet helped, and the conversations and behavior of the group seemed very proper.

“Look at Miss Aisha. She used to be quiet at events Now she’s abandoned her fiancé and doing who knows what.”

“Exactly. She seems to enjoy being surrounded by men. I wonder how she hid it until now.”

Of course, some still sneered. Most of them were old noble families who disliked the rising nobility. They criticized Aisha’s behavior as improper.

‘I expected this when I decided not to come with Ian.’

Aisha could tell what they were saying from their sharp stares. But she had expected such gossip when she rejected Ian’s offer to come together, so she wasn’t hurt. She accepted their judgment calmly.

“Tsk. Look at her.”

Among those criticizing Aisha was Helen and her group. Surrounded by her followers, Helen frowned and glared at Aisha before speaking insultingly.

“She really has no shame. Even if it’s in front of family, mingling with so many men? I’m disappointed in her.”

“Yes, it’s not a good look.”

“She must not feel any shame.”

Helen’s new followers echoed her like parrots. But Helen, being sharp, couldn’t miss the jealousy in their eyes.

‘Shameless girls.’

Forgetting she was in public, Helen bit her nail and cursed inside. Then, she noticed a young woman at the edge of her group. Unlike the others, the girl didn’t look envious her eyes were full of hatred, as if she loathed someone in the group.

Helen quickly remembered her name and approached her.

“Miss Sarah, don’t you think it’s shameful too?”

“Sorry? Oh yes, you mean Miss Aisha. As a noble lady, her behavior is just disgraceful.”

The girl was startled but happy that Helen had noticed her. Like Helen, she was an illegitimate child who had grown up under pressure. She was one of the few who truly admired Helen, who had succeeded with the emperor’s recognition despite her birth.

“Hm… I think you and I will get along well, Miss Sarah. Shall we talk privately for a moment?”

Sarah was nearly in tears when Helen linked arms and led her away. Helen only found her expression amusing she planned to use the girl. But she didn’t mind being admired, so she lifted her chin and led Sarah to a quiet room off to the side.

‘Damn it.’

Someone else was staring at Aisha’s group just as sharply as Helen—Ian. If anything, his gaze was more intense, especially toward the men around Aisha. His stare was so obvious that Sophia, embarrassed, ran off to join another group of girls.

Since Aisha entered the hall, Ian hadn’t taken his eyes off her for a second. Before the banquet, he’d promised to act indifferent after she rejected him as a partner. But when he saw her walk in, that plan fell apart.

‘Aisha.’

The longer he watched, the more parched he felt inside. Unlike him, Aisha looked cheerful and greeted everyone with ease. Each time a man joined her group, Ian clenched his fists so tightly that his veins popped. Still, no matter what expression he made, Aisha never once looked his way.

‘I’m your fiancé, Aisha.’

Feeling desperate, Ian grabbed onto the only justification left and began to walk toward her. Edward and Daniel were by her side, but if he asked, she might tell them to step aside. Even if she didn’t, he was determined to pull her away.

Taller than most men, with striking blond hair and a cold, handsome face, Ian caught attention as he moved. Soon Aisha noticed him too.

‘Don’t come.’

As soon as their eyes met, Aisha gave him a cold, silent message. There was still distance between them, but Ian understood her lips immediately and froze in place.

Like a statue in the palace garden, Aisha looked at him again and signaled with her eyes not to come any closer. Without any hesitation, she turned away.

Ian’s hand trembled with shock. He had been ready to talk even if she resisted but her one look shattered his resolve.

Did she really hate him that much? She never used to be so cold

‘No If she truly hated me, she would’ve called off the engagement by now. She must still be angry And her brothers are with her. Maybe she’s just trying to avoid making a scene.’

Ian was dizzy from fear, lowering his head and trying desperately to deny reality. Just then, a man stepped forward through the crowd to stand before Aisha.

“Your Highness.”

The man with red hair was Jared, known by everyone present. As he approached, the group, including Aisha, bowed politely.

Jared glanced over the crowd, then looked directly at Aisha. With a small bow, he held out his hand.

“Lady Aisha. Would you honor me with a dance?”

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