To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 7

“Tomorrow… no, even if I come next time, will I be able to say it?”

Thinking of Ian, Aisha smiled softly, but then remembered the reason for her visit and her smile faded. She had confidently told her family she was coming, but in truth, her heart was tight with nerves the whole ride in the carriage.

“Because we had been talking about the engagement for a while before he left on that trip”

Aisha had come to visit the Marquis of Lloyd’s estate for two reasons. One was to apologize for what happened at the charity party a few days ago. The other was to talk about their engagement, which wasn’t progressing at all. Until Ian suddenly left for his trip, there had been some talk about the engagement now and then, but ever since he left, it was like the conversation had been cut off completely.

Actually, this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Both families had spoken though not officially about Aisha and Ian’s engagement since she was a baby. But then Ian’s parents passed away in an accident, and ever since, Ian had avoided the topic whenever it came up by staying away at the estate or going on trips.

Count Graham of Parden had always patiently brought up the engagement again with Ian, but this time was different. When Ian left for a trip without a word six months ago, he quietly told Aisha that unless she brought it up herself, the Parden family would no longer mention the engagement.

Aisha had felt her world darken, but she understood her father’s pride and her family’s honor, so she nodded. Honestly, three years was enough time that it wouldn’t be surprising if Count Parden lost his temper.

“Father has his position… If I want to be engaged to Ian, I’m the one who has to make it happen.”

Of course, Aisha knew that what she was doing now was close to begging. But in front of Ian, she could put aside her pride and give up her doubts. He hadn’t outright rejected her, and once in a while, he had said things that seemed a bit hopeful.

As long as Ian didn’t flatly refuse her, Aisha was willing to bring up the engagement again, as many times as it took.

Knock knock knock.

Just as she was steadying her heart again, someone knocked on the door. A familiar-looking butler appeared. With neatly combed gray hair, he walked up to Aisha with an apologetic expression.

“Young Lady, thank you for waiting so long.”

“It’s fine. But James, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“This old man is sorry for not greeting you sooner.”

James had served the Lloyd family since the time of Ian’s grandfather. As head butler for over twenty years, he had watched Aisha grow up and had always found her quite dear. Seeing his kind face made Aisha smile brightly.

“No need to apologize. Actually, I’m thinking of going back now. It’s almost dinner time, and Ian seems busy… Instead, I’d like to set a time to meet. Do you know when Ian might be free?”

James’s expression darkened at her question. Since Aisha arrived, he had been passing messages to Ian, but the young master only said to leave her alone and didn’t give any orders neither to send her away nor to meet her. He wasn’t exactly busy either, as he occasionally asked for tea and smoked cigars. James sighed silently to himself.

“I’m sorry, Young Lady. As you know, the master just returned from his trip. If you go back for now, I’ll make sure to schedule an appointment and send a message.”

Aisha barely hid her disappointment. She brushed back her light brown hair and nodded slightly.

“Alright. Please do that.”

“It’s a shame to leave like this… Would you like a light snack before you go?”

“I couldn’t do that without the master’s permission. I’m fine. I came by carriage and can return easily.”

“But still…”

“I’ll get going now. See you next time, James.”

Aisha pressed her hand over her uneasy chest as she walked. She could feel James hesitating behind her, but she didn’t turn around. If she saw his face, she might cry.

“Young Lady.”

Just as she was about to leave the drawing room, a servant came running down the stairs.

The butler, James, frowned at the disorderly servant and asked sternly, “What is it?”

“The master… asked for the Young Lady to be brought to the small drawing room on the second floor.”

James turned to look at Aisha. Her face lit up as she turned around. Seeing her so happy made James feel strangely uncomfortable.

“This way, please. I’ll guide you.”

As he led her up the stairs, James looked up. Ian was leaning on the railing, quietly watching them from above.

The small drawing room James brought Aisha to was designed so that the master and guest could have a private conversation. Left alone with Ian in the closed-off room, Aisha fidgeted nervously.

“You must be tired. Waiting this long must’ve been hard.”

Without looking at her, Ian spoke while lifting his teacup. Aisha quickly snapped to attention. Thanks to James, the table had tea and a few light snacks.

“Oh… thank you, Ian.”

She reached for the tea but ended up picking up a cookie instead. She felt embarrassed for seeming greedy, but she hadn’t eaten much that morning, and her stomach was about to growl. Plus, the buttery white cookies were one of her favorites.

As Ian watched her through his teacup, he frowned and set it down. It didn’t make a sound, but his mood seemed off. Aisha, sensing the tension, quietly put the cookie down. Ian, seeing her reading his mood so carefully, let out a cold chuckle and spoke.

“Why wait two hours? Most people would just leave.”

“I came knowing I’d have to wait. I didn’t have any other plans today…”

“Really?”

His tone was flat and emotionless, but Aisha could tell he was irritated. Since childhood, Ian bit his lip slightly when he was in a bad mood. When her gaze landed on his mouth, he frowned and leaned back on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. His relaxed posture and sensual aura made Aisha look away, flustered.

“Um… Ian, are you mad that I waited?”

When he didn’t answer, Aisha nervously asked the question. Staring at the tip of his polished shoe, her face turned red. Ian smirked slightly at her honest expression and replied bluntly.

“Why ask something so obvious?”

“Huh?”

Her face went pale at his cold words. Ian crossed his arms and watched her closely, his foot tapping with annoyance.

“You might’ve had plenty of time, but I didn’t. Being pressured like that makes me uncomfortable.”

“Oh… I would’ve left if you told me to.”

“It wouldn’t be polite to tell someone to leave after they came all the way here. I thought you’d leave on your own when I didn’t say anything.”

“You really are clueless just like at the charity party. Must be because you grew up too gently.”

His calm voice made her shoulders tremble. Ian held her gaze until she finally met his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”

Unable to bear it, Aisha lowered her head and apologized. Ian felt a strange mix of emotion. Was he still angry? Yes, but seeing her bowing so meekly didn’t make him feel bad anymore. He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward.

“Forget it. No point talking about the past. You must’ve come here to say something—go ahead. I made some time before lunch.”

His voice sounded like he was doing her a favor. Aisha followed the small nod of his head with her eyes, then clasped her hands tightly, like she was trying to gather courage. Ian smirked, picked up a cookie like the one she had chosen earlier, and took a bite.

“First… I wanted to apologize for the party. You kindly told me not to come, but I didn’t get the message… Sophia told me you were put in a tough spot because of me.”

“A tough spot? Why would I be?”

He tilted his head slightly, his golden hair falling softly. He seemed confused, and Aisha quickly added more.

“Well… because you brought someone else as your partner. I thought my showing up might’ve made things awkward for you…”

“Sophia said something unnecessary.”

Ian finally seemed to understand and straightened up. After swallowing the last bit of the cookie, he looked at Aisha with a cold gaze.

“Don’t worry about nonsense like that. You and I aren’t anything. There was nothing awkward because of you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Aisha felt like her heart dropped. It was good that nothing bad happened… so why did it hurt so much? She slowly nodded, gently rubbing her tight throat.

“I see. That’s good, then.”

For a brief moment, his blue eyes glimmered at the sight of her tearful eyes. Crossing his arms again, he asked casually,

“Is that all you came to say?”

“No, there’s more.”

When she shook her head, he made a slight motion with his finger, signaling her to continue. After a long pause, Aisha finally spoke, voice trembling.

“Ian… About our engagement…”

“Before you went on your trip, things were moving along quite seriously. I wasn’t there myself, but from what my father told me…”

Sigh.

Before she could finish, Ian interrupted her with a sigh full of irritation. Surprised, Aisha looked up at him. He curled his lips into a mocking smile.

“Do noble ladies go around arranging their own engagements these days? Don’t you feel any shame?”

Support To the One Who’s Only Cold to Me