To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 68

“It makes me happy to see you two getting along so well. I used to suffer alone every day”

“In a way, we have you to thank, Sophia. If it weren’t for you, how could an old woman like me get along with such young ladies?”

“Hoho. Now that I think about it, it really is thanks to Miss Sophia that we could have this kind of meeting.”

The only person who was truly happy about the two women getting along without any hidden intentions was Sophia. She was overjoyed to suddenly have two people on her side something she hadn’t had in over ten years.

‘But this woman I wonder if she’s actually useful. She comes to the marquis’ house all the time but hasn’t seen Ian even once’

‘This must be the fifth or sixth visit. By now, shouldn’t she have asked to see Ian at least once? Do they think I’m some idle noble lady who just drinks tea all day like them?’

Regardless of their true thoughts, the three women laughed and chatted pleasantly. Most of the topics were pointless, but none of them looked bored.

“Um… Madam.”

Some time passed. A soft knock came at the door, and a girl with brown hair quietly stepped inside. It was Leah, a young maid Diane had brought from the kingdom. When Sophia saw her, her eyes narrowed sharply. Leah noticed it quickly and hesitated nervously.

Diane, seeing Leah’s face, deliberately set her teacup down with a loud clink. As everyone turned their eyes to her, she naturally asked Leah,

“Leah. What’s the matter…?”

Bang.

Before Diane could finish her sentence, the parlor door burst open. Even family members weren’t allowed to enter the private parlor without permission, so everyone’s eyes widened in shock. The person who appeared through the wide-open door was Ian. He gave Leah a silent look, signaling her to step back. The frightened young girl quickly moved aside, and Diane bit her lip slightly.

“Lady Helen. I’d like to speak with you.”

Ignoring Diane and Sophia, Ian spoke directly to Helen. Sophia stood up abruptly, ready to scold her brother for being rude, but Diane quietly reached out and stopped her.

“Alright.”

Helen nodded, feeling a slight fear from Ian’s piercing blue eyes. But she had been coming to the marquis’ house just to see this man. If she was afraid and avoided him, then she was a coward. She swallowed hard and tried to convince herself.

“Helen”

As Helen stood up, Sophia looked at her and Ian anxiously. Anyone could tell Ian’s intentions weren’t good. But since Helen had agreed, Sophia couldn’t stop her.

In the end, Helen followed Ian out of the parlor. The only ones left were Diane, Sophia, and Leah.

“Grandmother! Shouldn’t we follow them now?”

Sophia, staring at the door where Ian and Helen had just left, turned to Diane with worry in her voice. But Diane shook her head, stood up, and approached her.

“Calm down, Sophia.”

“But did you see Ian’s face? He’s definitely going to say something harsh.”

“Well Look over there.”

Diane pointed to the large window behind Sophia. Following her grandmother’s finger, Sophia saw Ian and Helen stepping into the garden after coming down the stairs.

“They’re heading to a lovely, flower-filled place. A romantic spot for a beautiful couple”

A smile appeared on Diane’s face as she looked at the two. But Sophia didn’t share the sentiment. That garden was less grand than the one inside the mansion and led straight to the front gate. More importantly, Ian wasn’t even escorting Helen.

Still, Diane continued watching the pair with a strange look. Once they disappeared behind the bushes, she turned to Sophia and said,

“Now I think what you said before was probably right.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You said it before, didn’t you? That Miss Helen definitely likes Ian, and Ian seems to feel the same way, but he’s pretending not to because of what others think or because he’s not over Miss Parden.”

Sophia had said that once. But she wasn’t sure if she really believed it. As she hesitated, Diane gently held her hand and smiled warmly.

“I believe it now. So don’t worry and keep supporting those two. True love always finds a way. Just look at your parents. Cliff may not have been a good match for the Lloyd family, but… he found his true love. I heard from the kingdom that your father loved your mother dearly, even though she was from a family with no noble title.”

At the mention of her parents, Sophia’s eyes trembled. Yes, her parents had also So Ian and Helen might…

“And Sophia, you haven’t told me yet, but I know you’re also in love real love that doesn’t give in to status or public opinion.”

As Sophia looked out the window, trying to shake off the bad feeling, Diane quietly added the final push.

“That’s right. Those two I need to help them.”

When Diane mentioned Arthur and her relationship with him, Sophia fully gave in. She nodded, believing that Ian and Helen were meeting in secret to confess their feelings. But a bitter taste still lingered, like medicine in her mouth.

“Hmm? What’s that…?”

Just as Sophia swallowed hard, Diane narrowed her eyes while still holding Sophia’s hand. A carriage had just passed through the main gate, visible through the window.

“What? Aisha and Daniel? Why are they here?”

Recognizing the carriage, Sophia yelled. It was the detestable Parden carriage. She hated it so much she could even recognize the horses pulling it.

“They didn’t even ask for permission I should tell James to throw them out right away. If I order him without Ian knowing”

But today, more than anger, Sophia felt a strange sting in her heart an uncomfortable feeling she couldn’t name. She headed outside to drive Aisha away, not realizing it was guilt.

Before she could take more than a few steps, Diane blocked her and asked slowly,

“Sophia. Do you think James will listen to you?”

“Then, then you, Grandmother Helen is here, and if that girl ruins their time together Ian’s already too soft on Aisha…”

“Hmm… We can’t make that carriage leave anyway. So, why don’t we use this situation to our advantage?”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“Aisha Parden That young lady also needs to face the truth that the man she likes loves someone else.”

For a moment, Sophia blinked in surprise. Her grandmother, who always seemed kind and gentle, looked strangely cunning and dark.

“It may sound cruel, but it’s better to face that kind of pain early. And it’s best when people in love end up together. Imagine if Ian married that girl and she became the marchioness. What would happen then? Living with someone you don’t love and what about Helen? And if Aisha becomes the marchioness, Sophia, what about you?”

“Sophia. My poor girl. Think clearly. Do you think Ian would take your side then? Or hers, as his wife?”

Noticing Sophia’s troubled face, Diane gently touched her most sensitive wound. The more Diane spoke, the more Sophia’s face twisted. Finally, she couldn’t hold back her emotion and cried out,

“Grandmother. Tell me what to do!”

“My lovely, kind granddaughter, just help Ian and Helen be together. I’ll take the blame for any bad looks. Leah, bring a pen and ink from the desk.”

Diane gently stroked Sophia’s hair, showing understanding. Then she gave an unexpected order to the girl who had silently listened until now.

“Madam. Here…”

Leah brought the pen and ink. Diane picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote a short sentence on Leah’s bare left wrist. Sophia looked on in confusion, not understanding what her grandmother was doing. Diane ignored her gaze and waited for the ink to dry.

“Leah, take this to the Marquis. You know how delicious it is, right? I’m sure he’ll love it too.”

Once the ink dried, Diane did something even more puzzling. She arranged some of the unusual cookies from the tea table on a plate and handed them to Leah.

“Grandmother, what exactly are you planning?”

Unable to hold it in, Sophia finally asked. Though she hated Aisha, this felt too much like a cruel plot.

“Sophia. I told you a fun story today while serving these cookies to you and Miss Helen, remember?”

No matter how Sophia reacted, Diane remained calm. She stopped Leah just before she left and picked up one of the cookies.

‘The herb in these cookies, shiho grass, is a rare plant found only in the Kingdom of Todome. It grows deep in the mountains on high cliffs, making it hard to find and harvest. Because of its high value, commoners often fight over it. The fights became so fierce they created a saying: “Whoever picks the herb first, wins the greatest reward.” I don’t care how they fight, but it gave rise to a famous proverb’

“Don’t lose to your rival seize the opportunity before you.”

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