To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 108

“What’s wrong…? It’s nothing. I just felt a bit stifled, that’s all.”

“Really?”

Daniel looked at Aisha with suspicion as she spoke with her eyes lowered. As soon as his sister disappeared, that bastard Ian had vanished too. That’s why Daniel suspected that Ian, who had been watching Aisha throughout the banquet, might have dragged her away.

“I think the drink I had earlier had a little alcohol in it. I suddenly felt hot… Really.”

“Hmm…”

As Aisha quickly gave an excuse, Daniel narrowed his eyes. It was dark, and she had her head down, so he couldn’t see clearly, but he was sure the heat on her face wasn’t from alcohol. It was from crying.

He almost blurted out, “Did you forget what happened last time at the palace banquet with Ian?” But instead, he clenched and unclenched his fists several times to calm himself down. Aisha hadn’t done anything wrong back then. And if he brought it up and raised his voice, she would only remember and feel worse. So he suppressed his anger and spoke in his usual tone.

“If you feel stifled, call Edward or no, he’s busy then call me. Don’t make me worry, okay?”

When Aisha nodded, Daniel scanned her from head to toe and gently patted her head. Then, he offered his arm, signaling they should go back in. Aisha quickly linked her arm with his. Daniel walked slower than usual, mindful of her pace as they headed toward the hall.

“Ah…”

Just as they were about to enter the brightly lit, crowded hall, Aisha felt a heavy pain in her lower stomach. A sharp stabbing sensation followed. It was a pain she had felt a few times recently, always followed by dizziness. She bit her lip and forced strength into her legs.

No way…

At first, she thought it might be her period. Her cycle was very irregular, and because of that, the pain was often severe. She had once collapsed from the pain and been bedridden for three days.

But something about it felt different. The pain wasn’t going away quickly, like before. While struggling with the twisting sensation, a certain word suddenly came to her mind and it made her shiver.

No. It can’t be.

Just as she was desperately trying to erase the thought from her mind, Daniel, who had been watching her, quickly supported her and asked,

“Hey! Are you okay?”

She snapped out of it and saw her brother’s worried face. At the same time, the pain slowly began to fade. It didn’t go away completely, but it weakened enough for her to straighten up. Aisha forced a smile to calm her brother.

“I’m fine, Daniel.”

“Really? Your face looks pale.”

“It’s just because I was out in the cold for too long You know how weak I am to the cold.”

“If you knew that, why did you come out dressed like this? Geez. Come on, let’s go in.”

Daniel scolded her lightly as they entered the hall. Aisha glanced toward the people waiting in the distance, but then she suddenly turned her head. She felt someone’s gaze on her.

Ah…

Ian was standing halfway between the garden and the hall corridor. She didn’t know when he had followed them. The distance was too far to see his expression, but she could feel him staring straight at her.

As soon as Aisha felt their eyes meet, she quickly turned her head. But his gaze still followed her. Without realizing it, she rubbed her arm, which had gotten goosebumps.

“Oh dear, sudden rain…”

Rain tapped against the carriage window as the coachman sighed. It was now evening, the sun had set, and a sudden shower had started without warning. Aisha slowly opened her eyes and looked outside. Though the road was dark, the rain was clearly visible. White streaks of rain hit sideways, and she clenched her hands resting on her stomach.

It’s raining quite a bit. Everyone will come back late.

Just when she felt better and wanted to spend more time with people, the pain worsened again. Aisha left the gathering with some regret. Daniel had offered to go with her, but he had taken a few more drinks and couldn’t shake off his colleagues, who had waited for a chance to hang out with him.

“Let go of me! Aisha. I’ll… I’ll go with you.”
“Don’t just follow your little sister around. Drink this. When else can we tease you like today?”

Aisha had laughed as her second brother got dragged away by his eager friends and then headed to her eldest brother. The Count and Countess were busy, but Edward was a bit less so and welcomed her decision to leave early.

“Take Aisha home, then come back. The roads are dark, so be careful.”
“Yes, sir. Don’t worry.”

Even though he was busy, Edward escorted her to the carriage. Aisha gave him a soft smile, telling him not to worry as he reminded the coachman again and again to be careful.

I hope everyone doesn’t drink too much…

As she thought of her family still at the banquet, the carriage slowed down and stopped by the roadside.

“Good thing I brought this, just in case,” the coachman muttered as he got out, rustling about. Soon, wearing a raincoat, he knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

“Miss, since it’s raining, I’ll slow the carriage down a bit.”

“Okay. This rain came out of nowhere I’m worried you might catch a cold.”

“Ah, I’ve been driving for the Count’s family for over ten years. This kind of thing happens all the time. We’ll be there soon, don’t worry.”

“Then, take care.”

“Yes! Don’t worry.”

As the coachman answered confidently, Aisha smiled. But then, over the sound of the rain, she heard a horse approaching. The coachman, who was about to return to his seat, paused and looked back.

“Huh? That’s…”

“Is something wrong?”

Aisha asked curiously. The coachman squinted into the rain, then spoke with a troubled expression.

“That It seems the Marquis is following us.”

Aisha’s smile disappeared instantly. How could someone be so persistent? She had clearly said she didn’t want to talk or see him, but he still followed. It was starting to feel creepy.

As her nerves tensed, the pain in her stomach stirred again. Facing forward, Aisha clutched her stomach and let out a soft groan.

“Ah…”

“Miss, are you all right?”

The coachman looked worried. Aisha shook her head slightly, signaling she was fine.

“I’m okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“W-what should I do?”

Despite her words, the coachman hesitated for a moment before asking. At the same time, the sound of a galloping horse stopped. Neigh. A horse’s cry followed, and Aisha sighed deeply before giving a firm order.

“Ignore him. Keep going.”

The coachman glanced at Ian behind the carriage a few more times, then bowed and returned to his seat. The carriage started moving again. Aisha irritably pulled the curtain shut. Even without seeing, she could tell Ian was still following them.

The rain tapped on the carriage for a long while. Eventually, the carriage slowed and passed through the Count’s front gate.

“We’ve arrived, Miss.”

It seemed the coachman waited for the maid with the umbrella before opening the door. Aisha stepped out under the umbrella, then saw Ian standing there soaked, with his horse. She turned to the butler with a cold voice.

“We shouldn’t accept visitors this late.”

They hadn’t stopped Ian from following on horseback, and he was a frequent visitor to the estate. So the butler had some excuse. Still, he bowed immediately in apology.

“I’m very sorry, Miss. It was my mistake.”

Aisha felt a little embarrassed and told him to rise. But at the same time, anger toward Ian bubbled inside her. Even so, the pain and her desire to avoid him were stronger. She took a deep breath to calm herself and turned her back on him.

“Aisha. I have something you must hear.”

As she tried to walk away, Ian called out in a strange tone. Something about it stuck in her heart, but she kept walking.

“Huh?”

“Marquis, please—”

A few steps later, as she walked with the maid holding the umbrella, she heard footsteps splashing in the rain and the butler trying to stop someone. Then silence.

Aisha saw a large shadow swallow her own in the estate’s light. As she frowned and tried to keep walking, someone’s warmth pressed close behind her, and a hand grabbed her wrist. Before she could react, a low, gloomy voice spoke softly, meant only for her.

“It’s about my parents. And your father.”

“So even if you hate me, give me a moment.”

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