To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 36

“Isn’t that too few times? You should at least attend twenty events with me. Do you know how many parties and gatherings there are in the Empire? I’ll be attending at least a hundred this year.”

Helen lowered her voice and reached out her hand. Her fingertips gently brushed against Ian’s. But the moment she touched him, Ian’s face turned cold. He pulled his hand away sharply and stood up.

“Understood. This deal is off. If you have nothing more to say”

“Oh my, how heartless. Fine. I’ll compromise. How about ten times, clean and simple?”

“I’ll be leaving first.”

“Okay, okay. Seven! I can’t go lower than that either.”

In the end, it was Helen who gave in first. Ian looked like he would really leave, and that made her act in a hurry without realizing it.

“Oh dear, don’t look so cold. Seven times will be over in just a month or two. Don’t tell me your fiancée can’t even handle that much? Noblewomen in the Empire are ridiculous. They act like they’re going to live in old-fashioned ways and please men in everything, but then they get all stiff only in matters like this. So unattractive.”

“Let’s do the paperwork here, same time tomorrow. I’ll be leaving first.”

“You’re already leaving? Since you’re here, why not talk with me a bit more? The tea isn’t even cold yet. You’re being so cold to your future partner.”

“I have work. Please enjoy your time.”

As soon as the terms were agreed, Ian stood up. Helen, her pride hurt, didn’t try to stop him. She stuck her lips out and waved her hand.

“I’m not the type of woman who clings to a man anyway. Fine. You can go.”

Ian gave a small nod and walked out. The moment the door closed, Helen snorted.

“What an annoying man. But not bad. Men like him, the arrogant ones, it’s fun when they end up begging on their knees.”

Despite the hot weather, Voves Street was crowded. Aisha was in the largest jewelry store on the right side of the street.

“How about this design? A big diamond in the center, surrounded by smaller gems. It also goes well with the stones sent by the Marquis.”

“It’s really beautiful.”

“Haha, I’m honored it suits your taste, Miss.”

In a private room with a soft couch, Aisha was alone with the store owner, designing her engagement ring. Normally, the groom would prepare both the gem and the design, but this wasn’t the wedding ring just the engagement ring. She wanted to choose it together with Ian.

Looking at different designs, Aisha even smiled something she hadn’t done in a while. But that had its limits. Even though the promised time had long passed, Ian hadn’t shown up. Her expression darkened.

“Would it be okay if I looked around the store? I think the person I’m with is running a little late.”

Aisha asked the owner after checking the time. The owner stood up as if ready to help.

“The items outside may not be as well-designed as the ones I’ve shown you. But if nothing here pleases you, I can bring more.”

“That’s not it. I need some jewelry to give to the guests at the engagement ceremony.”

The owner nodded, understanding. Even for the wealthy, it was unusual to give custom pieces as gifts. The jewelry on display outside was already high end beyond what most could afford so hardly anyone bought them as guest gifts.

“Then I’ll call an assistant to guide you.”

“No, it’s fine. I’d like to look around on my own.”

At her refusal, the owner just led her to the showroom. Being the largest jewelry store on Voves Street, it was quite spacious. Aisha walked toward the display of decorative buttons, a common gift for guests. But before she could reach her destination, she ran into someone unexpected.

Hair of a color she always admired. Long, wavy blonde hair like spun sunlight, and bright green eyes glaring at her. Sophia. This was the first time Aisha had seen her since the apology at the Parden estate.

“It’s been a while.”

The tone was cold and still held hostility. Aisha sighed silently.

“Yes, it has. Sophia.”

“You seem to be doing very well. Just strolling around a place like this. You must be thrilled to be engaged to my brother, huh?”

The hatred in her words was clear. Sophia, who had once stammered in tears, was now full of spirit.

“Just because you’re engaged doesn’t mean you’ll get married for sure. You’d better keep that in mind.”

Not something you’d normally say to someone engaged to your brother. But Aisha didn’t react. She’d endured over ten years of this hatred. One apology didn’t change a person that she knew well.

When Aisha didn’t respond, Sophia’s eyebrows twitched. She couldn’t hold in her anger and scowled. But then, suddenly, her expression changed as if she remembered something.

“I have something to ask.”

Her voice had grown small. Aisha was clearly puzzled by the sudden change. Avoiding Aisha’s gaze, Sophia finally spoke, nervously fidgeting with her hands.

“Your brother I mean the Parden gentlemen… no, I mean…”

Why is she talking about my brothers? Aisha was about to ask, confused. But Sophia suddenly flinched, as if she’d seen someone.

Aisha followed her gaze and saw Ian entering the store.

“I’ll go now. I’m busy.”

The moment she saw Ian, Sophia bolted. Seeing her walk quickly, then start running, Aisha guessed that Sophia had been scolded badly by Ian before.

Ian, having spotted Aisha, walked straight toward her. Under the store lights and surrounded by gems, he looked even more dazzling as he approached.

“Sorry I’m late. Sophia was here. Did she say anything to you?”

Aisha snapped out of her daze when Ian spoke to her. He glanced briefly toward where Sophia had left, then looked back at her.

“No, nothing much. Just said hi…”

“Really?”

“Yeah. She didn’t say anything important.”

“Anyway, why were you outside? I told them to prepare designs ahead of time based on the stones I sent. Didn’t they show them to you?”

“I said I wanted to look at them with you. I thought it would be more meaningful that way.”

“Pointless.”

A cold comment dropped on Aisha, who had just blushed a little. She looked up, feeling chilled from the tips of her fingers. Ian, showing clear annoyance, met her gaze and awkwardly brushed his hair back.

“Let’s go inside and choose. Where’s the owner?”

Ian led the way. Aisha stood still for a moment, then clenched her fist and followed him.

Inside the carriage, their moods were opposite. Aisha’s eyes sparkled, unable to hide her excitement, while Ian looked indifferent. Aisha hesitated, then spoke up, watching his seemingly annoyed expression.

“About the ring I hope it gets finished soon. I’m already really excited.”

“You’ll have it before the engagement ceremony.”

“Okay Oh, and I forgot to say earlier I love these pearl earrings. But why did you suddenly buy them?”

“They just caught my eye. No real reason.”

Aisha tightly held the velvet box, carefully wrapped. Ian watched her holding it with both hands like a priceless treasure, then closed his eyes.

‘She’ll throw out those shabby old pearl earrings now, I hope.’

Aisha looked at Ian with lonely eyes. Though he said there was no reason, his attitude still hurt. It seemed she needed more time before she wouldn’t be affected by it.

“Um… Did you know the Countess Garrot had her first baby?”

After some hesitation, Aisha brought it up again to break the silence. Ian nodded vaguely with his eyes still closed.

“I think I heard something like that… Why?”

“They’re holding a celebration party. I got an invitation. I was wondering could you come with me?”

Her voice trembled a little. It reminded her of the charity event when Ian didn’t even reply to her letter. She lowered her head nervously after asking.

“I probably won’t be able to. I’m really busy.”

After a short pause, Ian answered. He noticed the shake in Aisha’s voice and opened his eyes, but she didn’t notice. She just fidgeted with her fingers.

“You must be really busy, huh? That’s okay then.”

Her disappointment was clear, and Ian moved his eyebrows. A sense of guilt crept up from his feet. Feeling irritated for no reason, he folded his arms and stared at Aisha. Then, he suddenly remembered a promise he had completely forgotten.

“Speaking of parties, I need to ask for your understanding about something.”

“Huh?”

Ian’s voice held hesitation. Aisha looked up at him. He met her sky-blue eyes for a moment, then turned his gaze to the pattern on the carriage wall behind her.

“For the time being I might attend parties or gatherings with another woman as my partner. Just for a while. No more than two months.”

Support To the One Who’s Only Cold to Me