To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 105

Sarah, a follower of Helen, had never really liked Aisha. A face beautiful by anyone’s standards, expensive dresses that looked fancy even when worn plainly, and a loving family always by her side. Sarah envied all the things she didn’t have. If that had been the extent of it, it would have been nothing more than a typical case of jealousy between girls their age. After all, jealousy was common in high society, where everyone was constantly being compared.

Sarah only became truly hostile toward Aisha after she began following Helen. Like Sarah, Helen was an illegitimate child, but she had become a famous figure in society. Admiring Helen, Sarah also saw herself reflected in her. Because of this, Sarah began to not just dislike but hate Aisha especially because Helen often gossiped about her.

Then today, the boy Sarah had once secretly loved her old childhood friend approached Aisha, blushing. That alone was bad enough. But when Helen noticed Sarah’s reaction and encouraged her while that same childhood friend asked Aisha to dance, Sarah was completely consumed by rage.

“Fiancé? As far as I know, Miss Sarah isn’t engaged to anyone”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I’m talking about Sir Ash, the one who danced with you!”

When Aisha tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what the girl meant, Sarah suddenly raised her voice.

“Ash is going to be my fiancé!”

Ash Lemon. A fellow knight of Daniel, he was the man who had danced with Aisha for the third time that evening. Unfortunately, he was in talks to be engaged to Sarah’s half-sister. Still, Sarah denied this, firmly believing that once her father recognized her as he had with Helen, Ash would belong to her. She believed that even if he got engaged to her sister, they would never make it to marriage.

Did I look that pitiful to others, too?

Just as Aisha was starting to grow angry from Sarah’s constant hostility, Sarah’s outburst stirred a different feeling pity. Aisha had been there herself. She had once felt jealous watching another girl dance with Ian. She hadn’t shown it, but there had been times she hated Helen for being caught in a scandal with him.

She’s a sad person. There’s no point in responding. People like her always go quiet when others are around. Even now, she’s only shouting because she thinks no one is watching.

Sarah’s rage filled face looked pathetic. Aisha held back what she was about to say, looked at Sarah for a moment, and gave her a polite nod.

“Miss Sarah, I have nothing more to say. I’ll be going now. Goodbye.”

Sarah stood there, stunned, as Aisha turned away without another word. Then suddenly, she reached out toward Aisha, muttering:

“Are you ignoring me too?”

Just as her claw-like hand was about to grab Aisha’s hair, a shadow appeared behind her, and a large hand caught Sarah’s wrist tightly.

“Ah!”

Startled by the sound behind her, Aisha, who had just stepped past a pillar, turned back in surprise. She saw Ian twisting Sarah’s wrist, her face contorted in pain. Seeing Aisha look his way, Ian let go of Sarah’s hand and said:

“So you’re the second daughter of Count Holtin.”

“V-Viscount…”

Sarah’s face went pale at Ian’s appearance. She knew her actions were wrong. That’s why she had waited for the moment Aisha was alone. She’d made her move the moment she thought it was safe.

“The Count I know is a cold man. If his illegitimate daughter causes trouble do you really think he’ll protect you?”

At Ian’s harsh words, Sarah’s face turned ashen. He was right. Her father had never been kind to her as an illegitimate child. Maybe he would forgive her sister but if she caused problems with a noble like Ian, her father would surely abandon her without a second thought.

“I… I just…”

“I think someone else needs to visit the temple more than me.”

As Sarah trembled, her chest rising and falling in fear, Aisha bit her lip and finally spoke.

“You should leave, Miss Sarah.”

“B-but…”

“Please, go.”

Trembling, Sarah looked at Ian nervously, and only after Aisha repeated herself did she flee, practically running from the scene. Watching Sarah disappear with hurried steps, Aisha looked away from Ian.

Thump.

How many times had her heart dropped today? Ian reached toward her, remembering a recent nightmare.

“Aisha!”

Smack.

Without even glancing at him, Aisha swatted his hand away. Seeing her avoid even the smallest contact, Ian’s expression turned bitter.

It’s not my fault! I wasn’t the one who treated you badly all this time. You can’t treat me like this, Aisha.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. Aisha walked away quickly, and though Ian wanted to follow her, he stopped. He saw her rejoin her brothers, then take another man’s hand. Watching the handsome knight lead her away, Ian lowered his head and clenched his fists.

“Miss Aisha didn’t even glance your way. That’s a first.”

A familiar voice spoke into his ear. Ian turned slightly and saw a man holding two glasses of amber-colored wine. The same man had once told him in the garden that Crown Prince Iskan had left for Parden.

Ian took the offered glass without refusal and drank it all in one go. The man, surprised, then said sympathetically:

“Looks like you two had a big fight. But honestly, with your usual behavior I told you before. If you’re going to cheat, make sure no one finds out, and treat your future wife kindly.”

“I get it—it’s hard. But look at me! Because I’m always good to Eliza, we’re doing just fine. We’ll get married without a hitch and live happily ever after”

“For someone so in love, I don’t see your fiancée around.”

Ian, silent until now, raised an eyebrow at the word marriage and interrupted. The man, caught off guard, stammered out a weak excuse.

“T-that’s because Eliza went to meet a friend! I just gave her some space for a bit.”

“Whatever. What happens between me and Aisha is none of your business.”

Ian showed clear disinterest and gave a sharp warning. The man looked hurt and said:

“Ian, come on. Don’t be so cold. We’ve been close since our days as junior officials. I even go against the Duke’s opinion for your sake. So at least listen to my advice.”

As the man whined on, Ian’s frown deepened. But suddenly, something seemed to click. He turned sharply to the man.

“You really mean that?”

“Huh?”

“You said just now that you care about me.”

“Y-yeah, of course.”

The man nodded, though Ian’s intense blue eyes made him nervous. Ian gave him a skeptical look and spoke like giving an order.

“Then help me.”

“Huh? What are you talking about—”

“Fine! Of course I’ll help. What do you need me to do?”

The man, confused and wary, nodded vigorously as Ian’s sharp gaze pierced him. Ian led him to a corner, looked toward Aisha dancing in the distance, and began to speak.

“First…”

After leaving Ian behind, Aisha smiled more brightly and continued mingling with the guests. Daniel watched from afar, clearly pleased by the way she now laughed out loud among others. Soon, he asked her close friend Evelyn to dance.

Edward, who had stayed with Aisha, watched her with concern. Unlike Daniel, he worried more. But soon he was summoned by their parents. Glancing at the politically important figures standing with them, Edward reluctantly walked over.

Before leaving, Edward pointed out a few people Aisha should be wary of. Aisha gave her brother a warm smile, whispering for him not to worry.

“Lady Aisha. May I have this dance?”

“I’ve been waiting for a chance. Please dance with me!”

As soon as Daniel and Edward left her side, several men came forward to ask Aisha for a dance. Unsure of what to do, Aisha finally accepted the request of her friend Viola’s youngest brother.

He was young, but a decent partner. Unlike his sister, who talked too much, he was calm and well-mannered for his age. As Viola had warned, he was still awkward with dancing, but he was improving with each step.

“It was an honor, Lady Aisha.”

“The honor was mine, young sir.”

Aisha smiled fondly at the boy, who bowed politely at the end. Just like with Iskan, someone suddenly held out a hand to her. Aisha turned her head to see a man she didn’t recognize, wearing a somewhat awkward smile.

“Lady Aisha. Please honor me with one dance.”

“I’m sorry, but”

Aisha decided to decline the stranger’s request. But as soon as she showed hesitation, the man’s face turned pale and his hand trembled, startling Aisha.

“Lady Aisha, please don’t say no. I’m begging you. Just one dance.”

“Ah… alright.”

Moved by his desperation, Aisha nodded. The man broke into a wide smile and escorted her smoothly. Unlike his nervous appearance moments ago, his manners were surprisingly polished, leaving Aisha puzzled. She had assumed he was just shy around women, but that didn’t seem to be the case at all.

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