To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 55

“But Grandma”

“Leah has been with me since she was a child. I know she might seem lacking to someone like you, a young lady from the Imperial Capital. Please understand.”

Sophia felt hurt, as if Diane was taking the girl’s side. But since her grandmother was speaking humbly, she couldn’t say anything. Sophia pouted in displeasure, and Diane gently took her hand again, asking the girl in a cold tone.

“So, Leah, what is it?”

“The flowers… they were so pretty… I wanted to show them to you before putting them in a vase.”

The girl, Leah, lowered her head even more as she gave her excuse. Only then did Sophia notice the bouquet in her hands and shouted.

“Did you get permission before picking those?”

“Huh?”

“These are roses a maid like you couldn’t afford even if you worked all year. And you picked them without asking Unbelievable! You even stuck one in your hair?”

Sophia pointed at the rose tucked into Leah’s brown hair. Startled by the scolding, Leah quickly removed the rose and knelt down.

“I—I’m sorry! But this one was on the ground. It would’ve gone to waste, so I picked it up. The rest… I only picked them for the madam. I swear.”

“Hmph! And how am I supposed to believe that?”

“Sophia.”

Leah was on the verge of tears when Diane stepped in again. Annoyed, Sophia turned to stop her grandmother, but the moment she saw Diane’s face, she fell silent.

“I told her to pick the flowers. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first.”

Diane’s face was still kind, but something about it felt strangely off. Even though Sophia realized her grandmother’s words didn’t match Leah’s, she simply nodded.

“Then just be careful next time, okay?”

“Yes, Miss. I—I will be careful.”

“Leah, go back to your room now.”

At Diane’s command, Leah bowed and quickly ran off. Sophia glared at the girl’s back as she disappeared, then turned to the small pie placed before her.

“Here, try this too, Sophia.”

Diane was as warm and gentle as a mother bird feeding her baby. Sophia pushed away her earlier unease, thinking it was just her imagination, and took a bite.

“I’ll guide you, Marquis.”

The Parden family’s butler led Ian. Ian handed his coat to the servant beside him and followed the butler up the stairs.

As they reached the second floor, soft music could be heard from afar. Ian followed quietly, trying not to make a sound. The clear sound of a piano filled the air.

The closer they walked down the sunlit hallway, the clearer the music became. In the distance, Ian could see a white piano and the silhouette of a woman sitting in front of it.

The butler bowed deeply and stepped away silently. Ian walked forward alone, his eyes fixed on the woman playing the piano.

He stopped just in front of the room where the music came from. Leaning on the open archway, Ian watched Aisha play the piano.

The sunlight behind her made Aisha look even more delicate than usual. Her light brown hair looked almost silver, and her pale skin glowed faintly under the sun. With the light shining on her, she seemed almost otherworldly. Ian couldn’t take his eyes off her.

‘She’s beautiful.’

He unconsciously clenched and relaxed his fists, watching her blinking lashes. Something about the sight made his chest feel strange. He wanted to step closer to her but didn’t want to break the moment.

Thud.

The magical moment ended with Aisha. Her fingers slipped, and a discordant note rang out as she stopped playing.

“Haa…”

She lowered her hands and let out a soft sigh. There was something sorrowful about the way she sat. Ian frowned slightly and finally moved.

“Why the sigh?”

Only when Ian spoke did Aisha realize he was there. Her big eyes opened wide, blinking in surprise at the sight of him. For a moment, Ian had the strange urge to pull her into a hug.

“Wh-what brings you here?”

Aisha finally spoke, still flustered. Ian noticed the confusion on her face and felt disappointed. Feeling irritated for no reason, he answered bluntly.

“I was just passing by.”

It was a lie. Ian had come on purpose to see Aisha.

‘Tell Aisha to have breakfast with me.’

‘The lady just left.’

‘What?’

The day his grandmother had visited unexpectedly, Ian realized he had been too harsh with Aisha. So he had planned to have breakfast with her alone the next morning to make it up. But Aisha had disappeared early that morning, and after that, she didn’t visit the Lloyd family again.

‘She’s too busy to come’

Even when he sent letters asking her to visit for engagement preparations, she sent only replies and messengers, never coming herself. Aisha had never refused his invitations before.

Ian, offended by her refusal, had decided not to see her until their engagement. But he lasted only three days before his patience wore thin. Growing anxious, he came to visit Aisha at the Parden estate two days before the engagement.

“Why didn’t you come?”

“I was busy preparing for the engagement. That’s all.”

Ian asked sharply, thinking about how anxious he’d been. But Aisha answered calmly. She showed no sign of being upset, which made Ian furrow his brows. Aisha kept her head down, staring at the piano keys.

‘Damn it.’

Her calmness made Ian even more nervous than before. He thought seeing her would ease his worry, but it hadn’t. He couldn’t take it anymore and reached out to lift her chin.

Aisha frowned at the sudden touch, but as soon as their eyes met, she relaxed and lowered her gaze.

“You…”

“You’re still upset just because I said a few harsh things that day?”

Ian nearly blurted out not to be so childish but held it in. Even with his raised voice, Aisha kept her head down and replied softly.

“That’s not it. I’m just tired.”

“If you’re tired, you should rest in bed. Why are you playing the piano? Are you really tired?”

His frustration grew, but he couldn’t stop himself. He clenched her jaw tighter.

Aisha, in pain, grabbed his hand with both of hers. Only then did Ian snap out of it and quickly let go. Rubbing her sore jaw and cheek, Aisha finally spoke after a long pause.

“Ian.”

Hearing her say his name made Ian feel both nervous and glad. He looked at her intensely.

“Are you happy to be engaged to me?”

Aisha asked the question without avoiding his eyes. Ian was taken aback and widened his eyes. Then, his gaze turned sharp again.

“What about you?”

“How do you feel?”

Aisha didn’t answer right away. Ian, now desperate, grabbed her shoulders.

“I…”

He watched her lips closely as she began to speak. He expected a yes. He knew she would say she was happy but still, he was anxious.

Ian swallowed hard. Aisha looked at his tense face and slowly said,

“Yes. I’m happy to be engaged to you.”

His whole body relaxed at once, and the anxiety melted away. He didn’t know why he had been so nervous. He let out a long breath and loosened his sweaty fist.

“If that’s your answer, then you tell me. Are you happy to be engaged to me, Ian?”

Aisha looked at him and asked. Ian raised his eyebrows. His heart was still racing.

“That’s a silly question… Haa.”

At his vague answer, Aisha lowered her head slightly as if she expected it. Her eyes looked resigned, and Ian found himself speaking without meaning to.

“I feel the same.”

Aisha slowly lifted her head. Ian regretted the words he’d blurted, but when their eyes met, he twitched his lips. He leaned in close toward her.

“So open your mouth, Aisha.”

His low voice was husky. Aisha opened her mouth without resisting. Then Ian kissed her.

Veins popped in the hand he placed on the piano. In the sunlit room, the air grew hot with their shared breath.

Ian and Aisha’s engagement ceremony was held at a small, elegant estate on the outskirts of the capital, owned by the Parden family. The estate’s first owner had been a famous artist known for his excellent taste, and the house boasted a beautiful garden.

In the early fall, under perfect weather, five of Aisha’s close friends arrived with cheerful expressions. The household staff welcomed them politely and guided them inside.

“How beautiful. So it’s true that the famous artist Studandy designed this place himself?”

“Right? I heard nobles used to beg him just to get invited here.”

The garden was filled with the scent of fresh greenery and elegantly decorated. As they followed the staff toward the ceremony, the guests couldn’t stop admiring everything. Though it wasn’t flashy like other weddings, the carved decorations and fresh flowers lining the paths were all exquisite.

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