To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 54

Sophia nodded her head vigorously and began pouring out everything that had happened with Aisha. Of course, everything was from Sophia’s point of view. If you only listened to her, Aisha would seem like the most wicked woman in the world.

“I can’t believe that happened. She made you kneel in front of people over something like that? You must’ve been through so much, Sophia. I did write in a letter before that I was worried about letting that young lady into the family.”

“Right? She only pretends to be pitiful in front of Ian. I knew there would be trouble if a fox like that came into the house.”

“She looked kind on the outside, but she is from the Parden family after all A family that built wealth and fame through business might know how to smile sweetly while hiding a knife behind their back.”

Diane looked at Sophia with concern, sympathizing with her. Encouraged by her grandmother’s support, Sophia finally let out the feelings she had been holding in.

“Really… I got scolded unfairly by Ian because of that girl. If I hadn’t written you that letter, Grandmother, I might have left home from the frustration.”

“Sophia, don’t say that. Why would you leave because of that girl? You’re the only young lady of the Marquis Lloyd family.”

“But Grandmother, you just said it yourself earlier. That Aisha girl is going to be engaged to Ian in two days. We’ll have to wait and see, but she might really become the Marchioness of Lloyd…”

“If that young lady did something to you, do you think I’d sit by and do nothing? If she bothers you again after the engagement, I’ll step in. If anyone is going to leave the Lloyd family, it will be her not you. And just like you said, an engagement doesn’t always lead to marriage. Don’t worry too much in advance.”

Diane held Sophia’s hand tightly, looking truly sincere. Touched by her grandmother’s words, Sophia’s eyes welled up with tears as she gripped Diane’s hand in return.

“Finally, someone’s on my side. It was so hard not having anyone to talk to besides Helen…”

When Helen’s name came up after Aisha’s, Diane leaned in. She gently wiped Sophia’s tears and continued the conversation.

“Helen… Is she the girl you said you became close to in your letters? But isn’t she an illegitimate child?”

“Yes. Helen’s last name is Fitz. But she’s the Emperor’s illegitimate daughter…”

Sophia hesitated and answered in a lowered voice at the word “illegitimate.” Older nobles often disapproved of such people, worrying about the damage to their family’s reputation if their children associated with them. Some noble families even forbade their children from greeting or speaking to those born out of wedlock.

Sophia glanced at her grandmother, worried. Diane, being older and not from a particularly noble background herself, might not approve. But surprisingly, Diane remained calm.

“Well, the Emperor’s illegitimate child is certainly different from those of other nobles.”

“Exactly! That’s what I thought too, so I didn’t avoid Helen. And she’s so cultured! She’s nothing like those messy illegitimate children from other families. She’s beautiful and even runs her own business…”

Seeing that Diane didn’t seem to dislike Helen, Sophia eagerly started praising her. Diane listened patiently without showing any signs of boredom, and once Sophia finished, she asked a question.

“Sophia, from the way you speak, she must be a good young lady. But this might be a bit of a delicate question does Helen have a close relationship with Ian? I know it’s awkward to bring this up since his engagement is in two days, but I’ve heard rumors…”

Diane’s question made Sophia widen her eyes in surprise. There were indeed rumors about Ian and Helen. Especially at the Marquis of Litman’s banquet, where Ian and Aisha had shown up with different partners, the gossip had spread like wildfire.

‘Could the rumors about Ian and Helen have spread all the way to the capital?’

Sophia had never thought of that possibility, and her expression turned puzzled. But she quickly brushed it off and sighed.

“Haah. Actually… Helen had a lot of interest in Ian.”

After becoming close, Sophia and Helen often met in private. At some point, Helen stopped hiding her feelings for Ian during those times. And rather than despising her for liking her engaged brother, Sophia felt sorry for her.

“Oh my, Helen liked Ian? Then what about Ian?”

Surprised, Diane looked at Sophia. Sophia was about to say she wasn’t sure, but instead said what she wished were true.

“Ian didn’t say anything, but… I think he liked Helen too. You know what I mean, that woman’s instinct! They really looked good together, and I’m sure they were drawn to each other!”

“If that’s true, it’s a sad situation.”

“Right? Two people who like each other but have to hide their feelings. But right now, there’s nothing they can do. Ian cares a lot about what others think, and he feels indebted to the Parden family because they helped raise him when he was young.”

“So that’s why he’s with that Aisha girl”

“It just makes me feel bad for Helen. But like I said, no one knows what could happen. If Ian breaks off the engagement with Aisha, I’ll support Helen right away.”

Even though it was a morally questionable idea, Sophia said it proudly. Rather than scold her, Diane gently patted her hand with a warm smile.

“That’s a good plan. But never say things like that in public. People who don’t know the situation might criticize us.”

“Of course!”

Diane picked up a pretty cookie and placed it in Sophia’s mouth, and Sophia happily accepted it with a playful smile.

“Now that Ian’s engagement is near Sophia, do you have anyone special yet?”

Diane smiled as she watched Sophia eat the cookie, then shifted the topic to her. Sophia quickly swallowed the cookie and avoided her grandmother’s gaze.

“It seems like you do. But you want to keep it secret, don’t you?”

“Yes I’m sorry. There are some circumstances. But I’ll definitely tell you someday.”

“You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you’ll handle things well. But I just want to ask one thing because I worry. These days in the Empire, there’s all this talk of free love and such, and some young ladies fall for men of very low status. Surely, you’re not seeing someone with no title or from a poor family, are you?”

Just as Sophia was starting to relax, she froze again at Diane’s question. But silence was an answer in itself. Diane gasped and called out to her.

“Oh my. Sophia, dear!”

“He’s a good person. It’s just he has no title because he’s not an heir.”

“Oh, no. I can’t approve of that kind of match.”

Diane’s voice sounded truly concerned. But in her eyes, deeper and calmer than Sophia’s, there was a hint of relief.

“That My future husband doesn’t need a title. Ian said he would give me the Wilton Viscounts.”

Sophia blurted out what Ian had told her in secret, despite him telling her not to share it.

‘What? As long as he’s not a complete fool, you can marry any noble you want?’

‘Yeah.’

‘But I don’t even have parents. If I marry well, it’ll help you too… Marrying someone with no title would only bring shame to the family, right?’

‘Like I said, unless he’s completely useless, marrying him won’t hurt the Lloyd name. So marry whoever you want.’

‘And if you’re worried about his status after marriage, don’t. If your partner doesn’t have a title, I’ll give you the Wilton territory and viscount title as your dowry.’

The Lloyd Marquisate owned four noble titles, including the marquisate itself. One of them was the Wilton Viscounts. Ian had promised Sophia that if she ever married someone without a title, he would give it and the land as her dowry.

“I can’t carry on the title myself as a woman, but my husband will get the name and rights.”

Hearing this, Diane’s expression stiffened for a moment. She paused, taking a breath, and then asked again to confirm.

“Ian said he would give you the Wilton title?”

“Surprised? It’s rare, I know. But it’s true. Ian promised me before. If I marry a nobleman without a title, he’ll give me the Wilton title and estate as my dowry. He did say I had to behave, but come on, that’s just for show. He wouldn’t really take it back over something petty, right?”

“Ian may seem cold, but he’s actually a kind older brother. That’s why, even when he’s mean, I can’t hate him.”

“I see. So Ian really does care for you, even if he doesn’t show it.”

As Diane took an unsteady breath and stared at her teacup, Sophia lifted her head to look at her. But before she could study her grandmother’s face properly, a loud noise came, and a brown-haired girl came running over.

“Madam! Madam!”

Seeing the girl, Sophia’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t like how close this girl seemed to be with her grandmother.

“What? Are you interrupting a private conversation between elders?”

Her bad feelings showed clearly. The girl, who had been smiling brightly, stopped and lowered her head deeply at Sophia’s sharp tone.

“I-I’m sorry, my lady. I just…”

“Now you’re making excuses? You really have no manners, do you?”

Thinking she had her chance, Sophia showed no restraint. But before she could call for another maid, Diane reached out her hand.

“Sophia, that’s enough.”

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