To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 64

Although Aisha grew up in a fairly liberal family, she was still born a noble lady. On top of that, with three older brothers above her, she was raised with a rather conservative view on relationships between men and women.

The atmosphere of society condemned relationships with men as sinful. She believed that not being able to talk to her parents about something meant it was morally wrong. Because of that, Aisha felt quite guilty about her premarital relationship with Ian. To make things worse, Ian’s attitude didn’t give her any sense of security, so Aisha constantly lived with anxiety.

She tried her best to keep a calm expression, but eyes always show true feelings. She couldn’t hide the trembling in her eyes. Like a cat watching an injured bird, Helen observed Aisha’s every small reaction, then spoke with a mocking smile.

“Pfft. So you really believed that?”

Aisha didn’t know how to respond to Helen’s words. She tried to stay calm, but her mind had already gone blank.

“Ian is much more affectionate in bed than he seems. Sometimes, when I wake up and see him still next to me I wonder if he’s even the same person.”

Helen enjoyed Aisha’s reaction and continued to stir up misunderstanding. She knew very well how innocent noble girls her age who were either clueless or just beginning to understand physical relationships tended to think and feel.

“Don’t you think so, Miss Aisha?”

“For now, enjoy it while you can. As long as you’re Ian’s fiancée, I’ll turn a blind eye to you sharing his bed. Otherwise, when else would you get the chance to lie with such a wonderful man?”

Aisha was far more hurt than Helen expected. Losing control, Aisha fully believed Helen’s words that she wasn’t Ian’s only woman and was shocked by it. She was even more hurt to hear that he was kind in bed.

So this is why he thinks he can demand something of me just because we shared a bed…

Not long ago, Ian’s words repeated in her head, and at the same time, she heard a faint cracking sound close to her ear. It was a strange sound like wind striking a weakened glass window, spreading the cracks or like a broken part of a statue slowly wearing away from its center.

Aisha barely held onto the pieces that were about to fall apart and tried to gather the last of her pride to keep a composed face. She didn’t want to show any emotion at least not in front of this woman.

But the body can’t always hide its honest reactions. As she curled her pale, cold fingers into her palm, Helen smiled and said goodbye.

“I’ll be going now. You don’t look well, so get some rest.”

She would have loved to see Aisha cry, but it seemed harder than expected to break such firm pride. Helen gave Aisha one last look, then turned away. Her steps were lighter than when she had entered clearly pleased.

Only after Helen fluttered away like a butterfly did Aisha finally let out the breath she had been holding. Her eyes welled with tears, and the world blurred. But she still managed to swallow her sobs.

I can’t take it anymore!

As she forced the tears down her throat, a choked sound came from deep inside. She was tired of crying because of Ian. Tired of her swollen, sore eyes. Tired of the soaked sleeves that changed color. How long would this go on? Was he even worth all this pain? Once her mind started to crumble, a flood of negative emotions came crashing in like a tidal wave.

“Ah… Uh… Hic…”

A long groan of pain filled the lounge. But slowly, the sound began to fade. And with it, Aisha’s expression gradually calmed down, matching the softening of her cries.

“Well, look who it is! Ian, it’s been a long time!”

Ian turned his head toward the loud voice while standing with nobles he knew from business. A middle-aged man with neatly swept reddish brown hair approached him.

“You didn’t even invite me to your engagement party, and now you’re pretending not to know me here too? That’s cold.”

Ian recognized the man and showed clear annoyance on his face. But he couldn’t ignore the man completely, so he gave him a half-hearted nod.

“Count Floran. It’s been a while.”

The middle-aged man was Count Iron Floran. His estate in the south was known for its rare roses. He had connections with Ian’s father, as well as Count Parden, and had known Ian since childhood. Because of that, he spoke to Ian very casually.

“Yes, yes. And you’re still as handsome as ever. Easily the most handsome man in the capital!”

When Ian greeted him, Count Floran boomed with praise. His voice was so loud it embarrassed even the one being complimented, drawing attention from everyone nearby.

“Oh dear Count Floran again”

Most people who recognized his voice chuckled quietly and looked at him fondly. He was known not only for his lack of tact, but even more for his kind nature.

“So, where’s your beautiful fiancée? Why are you standing around with these gloomy men?”

Ian didn’t dislike Count Floran. But whenever the man asked tactless questions like this, he became a headache.

“She’s resting.”

It was rare for newly engaged couples to be apart during such an important party unless they had fought. That’s why others avoided mentioning Aisha around Ian. But Count Floran opened his eyes wide and shook his head at Ian’s vague answer.

“Oh no. You should be by her side. A man should treat his woman better than anyone else”

“Oh my. I’d heard you were a devoted husband, but now I’m sure it’s true.”

As the faces of the men around Ian darkened, a woman stepped between Ian and Count Floran, bringing a strong scent of roses with her.

“Long time no see, Count Floran. And everyone else.”

Even though the topic of Aisha was dropped, no one around Ian looked relieved. The woman who appeared was Helen, and most of the guests at the party had heard rumors about her and Ian.

“Oh, look who it is. Miss Helen!”

Unfortunately, Count Floran had no idea about the rumors. He welcomed her cheerfully and made space for her.

“Ian no, I mean, Marquess it’s not that nice to see you again. We met recently, after all.”

Helen gave Ian a sly smile and spoke in a meaningful tone. Her deliberately soft voice made Ian frown as he stepped away from her. Seeing Ian trying to avoid her, Helen’s eyes briefly turned sharp. But she quickly replaced it with a pretty smile and turned to Count Floran.

“Count, I heard the rose business in your estate is thriving because your wife loves roses. That’s so romantic You’re amazing.”

“Haha! I’m too old to hear such praise from a young lady. You’re the amazing one, Miss Helen. So, did you use those roses you ordered last time?”

“Of course! Floran roses are so beautiful I told my designers to craft them just like that.”

“I heard your designers are all top talents. You’re incredible. To attract so many people at your age”

“You flatter me. I didn’t do anything. It’s all thanks to people like the Marquess and others who help me.”

Helen mentioned Ian again while answering. But Ian didn’t even look her way, only staring at a corner of the hall. Toward the resting room, behind the curtains the place he had come from earlier. When Helen saw this, she quietly approached him and clapped once to catch his attention.

“Oh my. My favorite song is next”

When Ian turned at the sound, Helen looked at him as if asking him to dance. Everyone except one person instantly knew who she wanted to dance with.

“You like the next song? Then I’ll dance with you, Miss Helen”

The only man who didn’t catch on was Count Floran. Just as he offered his hand to Helen, Ian nodded and turned away. Alarmed, Helen ignored Count Floran’s hand and grabbed Ian’s sleeve.

“Where are you going, Marquess? A single dance between us wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

It was rare for a woman to ask a man to dance first. And doing so with a man who had a wife or fiancée was bold enough to earn disapproval. But even knowing that, Helen couldn’t stop her heart from racing and made the risky move.

As expected, the surrounding air turned cold. Even Count Floran frowned at her, like when she had shown off Ian’s locket in front of noble ladies. Feeling the weight of those reactions, Helen bit the inside of her cheek.

Please… don’t reject me. Please…

If she got rejected here, the shame would be unbearable. She stared at Ian with desperate eyes. But Ian firmly pulled her hand away. Rejected in front of everyone, Helen’s face turned red.

“I… I must have gotten ahead of myself. I just really love this song”

Helen struggled to move her stiff lips to cover up the moment. Then, just as she turned away, Ian suddenly reached his arm out to her.

He said nothing, but his gesture clearly asked for a dance. Everyone including Helen turned their attention to Ian.

I’ve finally…

Helen had desired Ian, but she had never thought she truly loved him. Yet now, seeing him act with such cold politeness, her cheeks flushed.

I think I’ve found real love.

With her heart pounding so hard it could burst, Helen convinced herself this was love. She noticed some people frowning and whispering about her as Ian took her hand.

It’s fine. Once I become Marquess Lloyd’s wife, no one will dare look at me like that again.

Even as she walked toward the center of the dance floor, Helen only had eyes for Ian. But Ian never looked at her. His gaze stayed fixed on the far end of the hall the curtained resting room where Aisha was.

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