To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 2

“No. That’s not what I meant”

Sigh. “Give it here.”

Ian snatched the handkerchief from Aisha’s hand again and bent down, gently cupping her face. Aisha let out a small whimper as her cheeks were pressed between his hands.

He must have heard her at such a close distance, but Ian pretended not to notice. With the wrinkled handkerchief in his hand, he gently pressed around her eyes.

Despite the force in his grip, his touch near her eyes was careful and soft. Thanks to that, the redness around Aisha’s eyes quickly faded, and her face returned to normal except for a slight flush.

‘Ian is a kind person.’

Aisha murmured to herself under Ian’s touch. He was usually cold, but in moments like this, he showed warmth.

Aisha, don’t cry. If our little lady cries, I can’t be a proper gentleman.

Aisha firmly believed that Ian’s kindness was genuine. Even when she lost her parents and was at her lowest, he smiled just for her. He had comforted her by patting her back, gently telling her not to cry… That image of Ian from 15 years ago had been etched into Aisha’s memory. He was someone who shined like the sun not just beautiful on the outside, but warm on the inside.

‘I’ll… I’ll love Ian forever. I mean it. So don’t be sad. Don’t cry, Ian.’

So, it was only natural that she fell in love with him from a young age. Aisha had followed Ian blindly, and before she knew it, her feelings had turned into deep affection.

In return, Ian had been kind to her for over ten years. Though brief, he had even once expressed the same feelings toward her. But things began to change around three years ago… Starting from a certain day, Ian slowly turned cold and eventually became an entirely distant man.

‘Probably ever since the engagement was brought up.’

Aisha vaguely remembered when his attitude toward her started to shift. It was when her father, Count Parden, invited Ian and his sister for lunch in the garden and formally brought up the engagement. At that moment, Ian, who had been smiling across from her, suddenly changed his expression.

It lasted just a moment, but he looked like he could freeze the flowers in full bloom in the garden. Aisha, who clearly saw it, involuntarily held her breath. It felt like her heart dropped under her chair.

“Later… Let’s talk later. Sir.”

His forced smile and awkward tone. When he avoided her eyes, Aisha instinctively knew something was going to change between them.

“You two are seeing each other too often. I’ve been busy with work, so I won’t be able to visit for a while.”

Sadly, her instincts were right. Ian gradually, but clearly, changed after that day. Aisha noticed it first, but even her family eventually spoke up.

“Ian stabbed our father in the back. No, he betrayed him right to his face! Siding with the Duke like that!”

“Daniel. Father has decided to let that matter go. Don’t bring this up in front of Aisha.”

“Brother! You think keeping quiet will fix anything? And do you think I’d say this just because of that? Aisha, be honest. Ian’s been cold to you lately, hasn’t he? I saw him dance twice yesterday with a lady from the Rubert family even though you were his partner! Did he even try to explain?”

Disappointed and eventually furious, her family couldn’t accept Ian’s behavior toward her. Aisha tried to mediate, but except for her father, Count Parden, everyone had lost patience. At some point, the people of House Parden didn’t even want to hear Ian’s name.

“Ian! You’re really leaving the capital for six months Is it true? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Was I supposed to?”

“Huh?”

“Anyway I’m busy preparing for the trip, so I’ll go now. And since it’s a vacation, I’d prefer not to get letters every day. I don’t want to read your pointless chatter while I’m away.”

His words, now cold and blunt, had grown sharp almost cruel. Still, Aisha smiled, hiding her pain. She clung to the rare moments when he still showed her a trace of warmth, remembering the boy who had smiled at her when she was crying 15 years ago.

I promised I’d love him. Even if he says those things now, later he’ll hold me again. Ian is kind. I know it.

Over the years, Aisha’s faith in him had become stronger, and her love deeper almost like a religion. Like a priest worships a goddess, she looked at Ian with unwavering belief.

“Ah…”

Almost mocking her devotion, Ian continued pressing the handkerchief around her eyes. As the repeated pressure began to sting her delicate skin, Aisha grabbed Ian’s hand with both of hers and murmured,

“I-Ian… I think that’s enough now.”

“Yeah, right.”

Ian shook off her hands. Her hands fell away, and the handkerchief dropped to the floor. Aisha quickly picked it up, holding it tightly in both hands it was clear how much it meant to her.

And for good reason. The handkerchief, embroidered with blue sage, was something very meaningful to Aisha. She had stayed up several nights sewing it, praying for Ian’s health.

It’s been more than seven years…

Even after all that time, the handkerchief was clean. The edges were slightly worn, but it was well cared for. He had treasured it. She hadn’t seen him use it for a while, so she had wondered Her tears from earlier now felt silly her heart filled with warmth.

“Th-thank you. I’ll wash it and return it.”

Aisha, forgetting she had just been crying, expressed her gratitude. Ian, though usually cold these days, still had moments like this that moved her.

“No need.”

But before she could even finish, his cold voice cut in. Aisha slowly looked up, only to see a man staring at her blankly, emotionless. Ian glanced at the handkerchief in her hands as if it were worthless.

“I have plenty of useless handkerchiefs like that. And now that I see it, it’s all worn out. I don’t keep worn-out things. So since you were the last one to use it, you throw it away.”

His flat tone was frightening. Aisha wanted to ask if he remembered what the handkerchief was, but she closed her mouth. No matter what he said, it would hurt.

Since she stayed silent, Ian’s lips twisted. He reached out and touched her earlobe. He didn’t press hard like before, but the way he casually played with and tapped it felt just as careless like it was another worthless object.

“While we’re at it, you should toss those cheap pearl earrings too. They’re no better than pebbles on the road. Wearing them just makes people question House Parden’s taste.”

Those earrings were a gift from Ian in return for the handkerchief. He had picked them himself. Aisha stared at him for the first time with resentment.

Why are you getting worse? Why…?

She thought she had experienced the worst of Ian’s coldness over the past three years. But now, after six months, he seemed colder than ice twisted, even. He had always been distant, but this was different. Now, it felt like he wanted to hurt her.

“Ian… Why… Why are you doing this? Why do you want me to throw everything away?”

Her voice cracked. Ian let out a dry chuckle, pulled his hand away, and smiled faintly.

“Just because.”

“I’m sick of all these pathetic, sentimental things.”

“Even looking at them ruins my mood.”

Ian smiled beautifully like an angel. But his words stabbed into Aisha without mercy. She clutched her hands to her chest. Seeing her eyes fill with tears again, Ian turned around. As he headed for the exit, Aisha quickly stood up.

“Don’t even think of following me. I wasn’t supposed to run into you here in the first place.”

Aisha stopped in her tracks. Ian didn’t look back as he walked toward the exit and pushed the curtain aside.

But he couldn’t leave right away. Ian frowned at the person standing in his way.

“Sophia.”

“Ian. What are you doing here?”

With the same golden hair and similar features, it was clear the two were siblings. Sophia glanced at Aisha standing in the lounge behind her brother and continued,

“Miss Loretta is looking for you. You left your partner alone. That’s bad manners, especially at an important event.”

Hearing Loretta’s name, Ian’s frown deepened. But he didn’t say much and simply gestured to his sister. Sophia stepped aside and spoke as she made eye contact with him.

“I’ll talk to Aisha for a bit before I go.”

“Don’t say anything useless.”

Ian hesitated at her words, muttered quietly so only she could hear, then walked off. Sophia scowled at her brother for a moment, but when she saw Aisha watching them, she quickly fixed her expression.

Ian had already left the lounge. Once he was far enough, Sophia pulled the curtain closed and walked briskly toward Aisha.

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