To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 60

“If someone heard you, they’d think you’ve always acted like that.”

Aisha’s teary eyes and trembling voice begged for sympathy. But Ian didn’t bother hiding his mocking smile and continued with sarcasm.

“When have you ever smiled sweetly and acted gently in front of me? Isn’t your specialty crying and making the other person look like the bad one whenever you don’t like something?”

Finally, tears rolled down Aisha’s cheeks. She thought she could handle Ian’s cold words by now, but she couldn’t. As Aisha cried silently, Ian ran his hand through his hair and snapped.

“Crying again? Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

She knew she should stop crying and stay calm when hearing things like that. But her body wouldn’t move the way her heart wanted.

“What did I do that was so wrong?”

Aisha asked in a hurt voice after crying for a while. Ian frowned, not understanding.

“I’m your fiancée, Ian. And you and I even shared a night together hic”

“From my point of view, it’s only natural I don’t like Miss Helen. People whisper when they see you two together! Even now, they’re gossiping! Isn’t it natural that I’d feel upset?”

“If I said I didn’t like her, you could’ve kept her from coming here for me. You could’ve made sure she didn’t come to our engagement ceremony. Couldn’t you have thought about how I’d feel?”

“Ian. I tried to do that. I tried not to do anything you didn’t like.”

Her honest, pleading voice sounded desperate. Ian bit his lip at Aisha’s words and started to uncross his arms to get up.

“I even wrote first to the Second Prince because I thought you didn’t like it If he said he wanted to come to the engagement ceremony, I would’ve said no. So you could’ve at least a little”

But when Aisha continued, Ian’s face turned cold, and he crossed his arms again. The name “Second Prince Jared” from Aisha’s lips stirred up anger and disgust inside him.

“You can’t compare things that are clearly different.”

Instead of comforting her, Ian spoke with scorn. Aisha looked at him through teary eyes. The way he sat, with one leg crossed over the other and arms folded, showed he didn’t care at all about her pain.

“My relationship with Miss Helen is just business. But yours with the Prince isn’t. And you’re a woman. Isn’t it natural for a woman to act more carefully?”

“And Aisha. You’re making a big mistake”

Ian looked her up and down, then fixed his gaze on her tear-stained eyes.

“We’re not married yet. We’re only engaged.”

Aisha’s mind went blank. The memory of him once telling her to keep her distance because he wouldn’t get engaged overlapped with this moment.

“Just because we shared a bed, don’t think you can demand things from me. I’m not like your brothers. I’m not going to put up with your whining or selfishness.”

Aisha’s eyes dried up, losing their light like cracked glass. Ian’s words were like the answer to the painful question she had often asked herself in moments of weakness.

She had already been feeling worthless, since Ian only ever came to her for physical reasons. Thinking she was no more than a prostitute, Aisha wiped her tears with her sleeve.

“No matter how you feel, it’s not a good enough reason to stop Sophia or Grandmother from inviting Helen.”

“If you hated it so much, why didn’t you try to get closer to Sophia or Grandmother? If you had, do you think they would’ve invited Helen to this house? Huh?”

Ian noticed Aisha’s change, but still didn’t stop. He knew Sophia and Diane didn’t like Aisha, yet blamed Aisha for the lack of connection. And in the end, he scolded her as if none of it was his fault.

“This situation isn’t my fault. So don’t cry and complain to me”

Screech.

The chair scraped loudly against the floor. Ian, mid-sentence, turned as Aisha stood up.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m leaving.”

Though her eyes were red, Aisha looked calm so calm it was hard to believe she had been crying. Ian quickly got up and grabbed her wrist, growling.

“Finish listening.”

“No. I’m leaving.”

Aisha turned her head away. Ian thought about forcing her face back toward him but stopped himself.

“Do as you want.”

He let go of her wrist roughly, then shouted toward the dining room door.

“Is anyone there?”

The servants, who had been keeping their distance, rushed in at the sound of their master’s voice. Ian ordered the one in front.

“The lady is leaving. Prepare her carriage.”

“Y-Yes! Right away!”

“I’m not in the mood to see her off. Take care on your way.”

Afraid of being caught in the anger, the servant quickly ran off. Ian wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin from Aisha’s side of the table, then tossed it on the floor. Without another glance at her, he turned and left the dining room.

Aisha and the remaining servants just looked at each other in silence. Luckily, Aisha had her back to them until the carriage was ready.

“Are you going tomorrow? Just say you can’t.”

“No, I have to go. It’s an important event.”

Daniel and Edward looked worriedly at Aisha, who lay in bed. She had gone out excited to ride her horse, but didn’t return until late and fell ill early the next morning.

“If you feel too sick, tell them tomorrow. Even if it’s the National Foundation Festival, there’s no need to go if you’re unwell.”

“Yeah Thanks for worrying, Edward.”

Edward put his hand on her forehead. Thankfully, the fever had gone down and was almost normal. But Aisha still seemed too weak to talk much.

“I’m going to sleep a bit more.”

“Make sure you get up for lunch.”

“Okay.”

Once Aisha fell asleep, Daniel and Edward quietly left the room. After exchanging a look, they quickly walked away.

“It’s obvious. Ian bullied her again. Why else would she come back from the marquis’ house and get sick?”

“Aisha said it wasn’t him. Don’t make things worse by starting a fight with Ian over nothing.”

Daniel frowned at his brother’s defense of Ian, but then narrowed his eyes as if he realized something. He asked quietly.

“Edward. What’s that look? Is there something going on between you and Ian?”

“Huh? Why aren’t you answering?”

“Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you. And avoid clashing with Ian for now. I’m serious.”

Seeing how serious Edward was, Daniel didn’t push further. He knew Edward only said “please” like that when it involved something important for their family.

“Fine. But after this festival ends won’t your wife be coming?”

Daniel changed the subject with a grin. At the word “wife,” Edward’s eyes twitched.

“Stay close to her this time. You and your wife are always too busy with your own stuff.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Of course it is. I’m going to be part of House Parden future”

“If you say one more word, I’ll talk to Father about your marriage.”

The mention of marriage wiped the grin off Daniel’s face. He backed off, walking away and shouting over his shoulder.

“Then I’ll make sure you can’t walk either!”

The Empire’s National Foundation Festival was held in the harvest season, full of warmth and generosity.

“Wow. The night market is huge this year!”

“Look at you, acting like a bumpkin. This is the capital, you know.”

“What? Do you know who I am?”

“Don’t be mad! I was just kidding. Here, take this. It’s free just for fun!”

The capital, where the festival took place, was packed with visitors. Commoners sang about the harvest, and merchants hummed with joy as their pockets filled.

“It’s even more glamorous than the spring banquet. I guess that makes sense tax season, after all.”

“Every banquet at the palace gets fancier. I can’t wait for the final winter banquet!”

The nobles were enjoying themselves too. At the palace’s five-day celebration, everyone from the young to the old wore their best clothes and drank expensive wine freely.

Ian and Aisha arrived during the peak of the party. Since tonight’s event was just a pre-festival gathering, the Emperor and Empress weren’t present, making it a good time to arrive quietly.

“Get down.”

From the carriage, Aisha wordlessly placed her hand in Ian’s outstretched one. He gripped her hand a little tighter than needed.

They hadn’t spoken a word in the carriage, and continued in silence as they walked toward the hall. Aisha kept her eyes low, gently lifting her dress, her face blank. Ian, on the other hand, glanced at her with a nervous look.

“I heard you were sick. Are you okay now?”

He finally spoke just before they reached the hall. Aisha answered with a simple nod.

The attendant at the entrance announced their arrival. As they entered, curious eyes followed the newly engaged couple.

As expected, Ian and Aisha danced as soon as they entered. Ian wore a deep green cravat, matching Aisha’s ribbon, and the pair looked perfect together.

But despite their matching outfits, the awkwardness between them was clear. Some sharp-eyed guests noticed the tension and whispered behind their fans.

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