To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 52

When Ian mentioned the events from 15 years ago, Diane’s face turned red. She stayed silent for a moment, her lips trembling, before she finally opened her mouth.

“Leaving you like that 15 years ago was my fault. I admit it. But Ian, you’re smart you must know. Do you really think there won’t be any trouble over that land?”

“How much profit did you give up just to protect that land? Even if the Empire keeps my kingdom silent for now who knows what might happen later? The land has already seen conflict. And isn’t it true that uncertainty like that causes many problems?”

Diane wasn’t wrong. The tax paid to the imperial palace under the pretense of a protection fee was enormous. Because of the past conflict, people were reluctant to invest in or move to the Lachia Desert. From hiring workers to distribution, the extra costs were significant.

But Ian wasn’t particularly anxious about those problems. Everything would be resolved once Diane, the cause of the conflict, died.

“Time is on my side. If I wait a little longer, that uncertainty will disappear.”

Though he didn’t mention death directly, the meaning was clear. Diane, and even Sophia standing behind her, went pale.

“That’s true. But if I just sign one document, all those problems could be solved right now. If I write one line saying I give up all rights, the kingdom won’t argue anymore. And Ian don’t be too sure about time. You’ve seen it for yourself. Your father left before I did.”

Facing her grandson who was openly talking about her death, Diane barely held back a trembling smile. But she couldn’t completely hide her anger, so her words came out sharp. Ian didn’t bother to hide his scorn at a grandmother who dared to mention his dead father and grandfather.

“You fought with your husband and even your son, just to claim that land as yours as part of the Todome Kingdom. And now you’re giving it up this easily?”

“Of course, I have a condition.”

Her quiet reply made Ian smirk. He started to turn away as if he’d heard enough. Diane quickly stepped forward and shouted.

“I’m not asking for much! Please hear me out.”

“Just five years here no, just three years with you.”

Diane clasped her hands together and cried, tears running down her wrinkled face. Sophia, standing beside her, looked at Ian with pleading eyes. But Ian only gave her a cold glance as if to say, “Go on.”

“I won’t ask for anything else. I’ve regretted it deeply. I’ve asked myself countless times why I left you back then I don’t expect to stay with you forever. I just want to spend my last three years with you my family, my grandsons.”

“Ma’am has always missed her grandsons!”

Diane’s sobs grew louder, and a brown-haired girl suddenly stepped forward. Despite Ian’s piercing gaze, the girl spoke up.

“It’s true! I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

“Leah, be quiet. This isn’t your place to speak.”

Diane snapped at the girl, her sobbing stopping. Leah flinched and lowered her head in shame.

“Forgive her. I raised her myself since she was little, and I may have spoiled her.”

Diane looked back at Ian after glancing at the girl. This time, Sophia came closer, holding Diane’s hand tightly as she looked at Ian.

“Ian… she’s asking so sincerely… Grandma…”

“Sophia, dear, don’t cry.”

Ian watched the emotional scene between grandmother and granddaughter with a cold gaze. Diane bit the inside of her lip, sensing his hidden contempt.

“Fine. Stay, as you wish.”

After a long silence, Ian finally gave his permission in a stiff tone. Sophia jumped and hugged Diane.

“Ian, thank you. Really, thank you.”

“But you must do what you said. Write a statement promising not to claim any rights over the land or cause any more disputes. Send the same promise in a letter to the kingdom.”

“I will.”

His tone made it clear he felt no affection for his grandmother. Though Diane remained calm, Sophia glared at Ian with angry eyes.

“You may stay in the guest room tonight. Once the statement is notarized, I’ll prepare a permanent place for you.”

“Ian!”

Sophia finally exploded in anger at his continued coldness. But she froze when Ian’s piercing blue eyes locked onto her.

“Sophia, just because things turned out this way doesn’t mean you won’t be punished.”

At his low warning, Sophia hesitated. Diane gave her a sorrowful look as if telling her to stop. Encouraged by her grandmother’s bent shoulders, Sophia shouted at Ian.

“Isn’t this too much? You gave that Aisha girl the best room, and yet you treat our grandmother like this?!”

Aisha’s name made Ian’s indifferent face harden. He pressed his thumb against his index finger tightly.

“Even when she was in the kingdom, Grandma worried about you. Her letters always asked about your health. So how can you treat her worse than Aisha?”

“Sophia, about your punishment”

Ian’s voice grew colder. Just then, Diane looked up at the top of the central staircase and mumbled.

“That must be the young lady you’re engaged to.”

In this situation, there was only one person Diane could be referring to. Ian quickly looked up. There stood Aisha and her maid, clearly surprised. From their half-hidden posture behind the railing, they had probably come to check the noise.

“Come down here.”

Unexpectedly, it was Diane who spoke, breaking the silence. She straightened her back, smiled at Aisha, and gestured for her to come. Sophia glared sharply at Aisha as she approached.

“I’m Ian’s grandmother.”

Diane looked Aisha up and down. Her gaze was strange, making Aisha smile awkwardly and bow.

“Nice to meet you. I’m from the House of Parden”

“I know. Lady Aisha from the Parden family, right?”

Aisha nodded, a bit embarrassed. From the start, Diane treated her like a servant.

“As you can see, it’s been a long time since I met Ian and Sophia. So I’m sorry, but would you mind leaving for now?”

Her gentle tone was a clear dismissal. Aisha looked flustered, and Ian’s face twisted in anger. The sky was darkening, and thick raindrops were beginning to fall. It could become dangerous if it got worse.

“A guest cannot dismiss another guest.”

Ian pulled Aisha toward him and showed clear displeasure toward his grandmother. Diane, who had kept her expression even until now, finally frowned.

“Ian!”

Sophia, glaring at Aisha, yelled at Ian. But he didn’t even glance at her and continued coldly.

“Please be careful. Even if I offered you a room, that doesn’t give you the right to interfere with my guest.”

“You’re right. I got too excited and made a mistake.”

Seeing Ian’s stern tone, Diane finally backed down and nodded. With a bitter smile, Sophia supported Diane.

“James, prepare the guest room for Grandmother.”

Unbothered by Diane’s defeated posture, Ian looked to James, who bowed deeply and left the room.

“And Sophia, go back to your room and stay there until I give further orders.”

Ian gave Sophia a cold command. At the mention of being grounded, Sophia jumped in protest.

“Brother!”

“If you say one more word, I’ll throw you out. Want to go outside in this weather?”

A loud thunderclap echoed. The wind and rain shook the windows. Sophia bit her lip in frustration but didn’t speak again. Ian didn’t say another word either.

“Sir, everything is ready.”

James returned shortly. When Ian nodded, the maids behind him approached Diane. She looked at the well-trained maids and said to Ian,

“Thank you for letting me stay. And please, don’t be too hard on Sophia. She’s your sister.”

Sophia looked moved by her grandmother’s defense. But Ian sighed, showing his irritation clearly.

“It seems you didn’t understand me earlier, so let me say it clearly. Do not interfere with my guests or my household. I find it unpleasant.”

At his blunt words, Diane closed her mouth. Her face turned red. She tapped Sophia’s hand twice, then gestured to the maids to show her to her room.

The well-trained maids bowed and led the way. Diane and the girl she brought disappeared, and Sophia glared one last time at Ian and Aisha. But afraid of her brother, she turned away and stomped toward her room.

“Come here.”

Once Diane and Sophia were gone, Ian ran a hand through his hair in frustration and reached out to Aisha. She had quietly watched the entire scene and now moved quickly to follow his lead.

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