To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 28

“Arthur.”

Arthur lightly clenched and unclenched his fist at the sound of someone calling his name from behind. He had tried to avoid running into him, but it was no use.

“Edward, what are you doing here at this hour?”

When he turned around, Edward was looking at him. Arthur tried not to show his surprise and replied in a calm tone.

“I had some business nearby and thought I’d stop by and eat at home before going back. But what brings you here at this hour? Shouldn’t you be at the Academy?”

“I came to get something I left at home.”

“I see.”

Edward nodded and stepped closer to Arthur. When their eyes met at close range, Arthur instinctively looked away.

“More importantly, Arthur, something happened.”

“Happened?”

“You asked to be kept informed, so I’m telling you. It’s about Sophia. Father found out. But like we feared, he said he’ll handle it quietly.”

Arthur’s heart dropped like a stone, and his palms became damp like someone caught committing a crime. He swallowed hard and asked,

“How did Father find out?”

“It seems Sophia went to him first and begged for forgiveness.”

“I don’t know why she suddenly confessed. But either way, it made things more complicated. Since Father said he’ll cover it up, a trial is unlikely.”

Arthur’s fast-beating heart was like a voice of his guilty conscience. He hated himself and forced out his words.

“So this is how it ends?”

“Well you heard, right? What that Viscount Valto guy did to Aisha.”

When Vincent and his gang were mentioned, Arthur’s guilt deepened. He already knew. Vincent and his group had used the rumors spread by Sophia as an excuse for their actions.

The only consolation was that they were caught red-handed by a prince, no less so they would face severe punishment. Rumors even said that not just Vincent but the others would be expelled from their families, so their lives were basically over.

But then, what about Sophia? Could she really walk away without proper punishment? Arthur’s sweaty palms clung to the inside of his pockets.

“I even thought about going against Father because of what Vincent and the others did but when I asked Mother for advice, she disagreed with me and brought up something else.”

“Mother did?”

“Hard to believe, right?”

That Mother would say such a thing. Arthur had even worried that Sophia might face the worst because of her, despite offering her advice. Listening to Edward, Arthur felt disgusted with himself for being both guilty and somewhat relieved.

“She even stopped Daniel, who wanted to drag Sophia out and humiliate her. She told us to ask Aisha’s opinion. Honestly, that’s the real reason I came home not for lunch.”

“So then…”

“Mother does have a point. I’ll decide after hearing what Aisha has to say. I’m about to go talk to her now. Want to come with me?”

Hearing Edward’s offer to go to Aisha, Arthur suddenly wanted to run away. His throat tightened, and even breathing felt difficult. With a pale face, Arthur shook his head.

“No, I should get going. I don’t think I can.”

Edward fell silent and looked at his younger brother. When Arthur flinched, noticing the silence, Edward gave a small smile.

“Alright. I’ll see you at dinner then.”

Arthur’s eyes widened at his brother’s expression before turning away. Edward watched his younger brother walk off without even saying goodbye, then sighed and began walking himself.

Knock, knock.

“Aisha? May I come in?”

“Yes, come in, Brother.”

Aisha’s room, with the windows wide open, sparkled with sunlight. After passing a small sitting area, Edward reached her bedroom in just a few steps. He saw his sister sipping tea and sat across from her on the couch.

The table in front of the couch was covered in all sorts of colorful snacks. Edward knew Aisha didn’t usually enjoy such things. So he could tell she had prepared them on purpose to cheer herself up.

“How are you feeling?”

“Just… okay.”

As expected, she gave the usual answer. Edward picked up a cookie and took a bite as he lifted the teapot. Aisha stopped him and poured the tea instead. The light red tea had a pleasant aroma that lifted the mood. As he sipped, Edward began.

“First of all the guys who hurt you they’ll be put on trial and punished. I found out this wasn’t the first time they did something like this. They won’t see the light again, so don’t worry about that part.”

Edward rarely used harsh words. Hearing her brother call Vincent and the others “those guys,” Aisha realized their futures would not be easy. But this wasn’t the first time something like this happened to her. And since there had been multiple incidents, she felt no pity. She gave a small nod.

“If there’s a trial, don’t I have to go and testify?”

“You don’t have to. Their biggest crime is insulting the royal family.”

“What? Insulting the royal family? Not assaulting a noble?”

Aisha’s eyes widened. What they did to a noble like her was already a serious crime, but insulting the royal family was on a whole different level. It was close to treason, and people avoided even speaking of it. But Edward calmly explained.

“They caused that mess during a royal banquet. And Prince Jared himself will testify. So you won’t have to face them in court. With a royal witness, no one will doubt what happened. They won’t even get a real chance to defend themselves.”

At his words, Aisha automatically pictured the red-haired prince. She had already sent a thank-you letter, but felt she should thank him in person too. She tapped her chin, thinking she should write another letter requesting an audience.

Edward stared at his thoughtful sister. Feeling his gaze, Aisha stopped tapping and met his eyes.

“Edward, do you have something to say?”

“Yeah… I do. I came to ask your opinion about something. Aisha.”

“What is it?”

Seeing her innocent expression, Edward hesitated. This would hurt her—but it had to be done.

“Sophia wronged you.”

With a heavy voice, Edward told Aisha everything: Sophia had started the rumor, how Vincent and his friends used it as their excuse, and how Sophia had begged Father for forgiveness.

“That’s what happened up to this morning.”

As expected, Aisha’s eyes widened and her hands began to tremble. Seeing his shocked sister, Edward silently promised himself: if Aisha just nodded, he would make sure Sophia was punished, no matter what Father said. He spoke with firm conviction.

“Sophia will come to apologize, but I don’t think that’s enough. So if you say the word, no matter what Father says, Daniel and I will—”

“Let’s do as Father said.”

But Aisha went the other way. She blinked a few times, then lowered her head.

“Aisha!”

Edward, who never raised his voice to her before, shouted.

“This isn’t something to forgive! Sophia tried to ruin your name on purpose. People like her need to be punished the same way. If we don’t, she might do it again. So—”

“Brother.”

Aisha gently cut him off and slowly raised her head.

“Thank you for asking me. And I’m sorry for not giving you the answer you wanted.”

“Aisha.”

“But this is my problem. Just this once, I want to let it go with an apology from Sophia.”

Her eyes were wet, her lips curled in a trembling smile. Edward opened his mouth to speak again, but her small hand held his and stopped him.

“If this ever happens again, I won’t forgive her either. But Sophia grew up with us. We can’t take her to trial. That would ruin her reputation forever.”

Edward was furious but couldn’t be mad at Aisha. He pulled his hand back and closed his eyes, clenching and unclenching his fists several times to calm down. After a long pause, he spoke in a much quieter voice.

“Alright. Your opinion matters most. Let’s end this with Sophia apologizing to you and quietly arranging compensation between the families.”

“But compensation, too? If she apologizes, then”

“Aisha, stop.”

When Aisha reached out again, Edward avoided her hand without hesitation. With a cold and stern face, he scolded her.

“Even agreeing to stop here is already a big deal. But because I respect you, I’m doing it. Still, you keep bringing your personal feelings into this. You never said it, but can you honestly say your feelings for Ian have nothing to do with forgiving Sophia?”

He was right. She couldn’t deny it. Her feelings for Ian made her act unreasonably. Aisha lowered her head, ashamed, and admitted her mistake.

“I was wrong, Brother. I just didn’t want this to affect our family. I didn’t think it through.”

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