To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 74

The imperial palace was vast endlessly so. But there were only a few areas where people outside the royal family and their servants could walk. This was especially true for nobles like Ian, who had only recently been granted access to the palace. After walking for quite a while, Ian finally let out a deep sigh when he reached a quiet corner of the garden where barely anyone was around.

“Phew”

He brushed his hair back and pressed his fingers against the space between his brows. He had felt it since his academy days the noble factions, split into two groups, were always eager to tear each other apart.

He leaned against a tree and closed his eyes, recalling the last meeting where even papers and pens had flown through the air. The fresh scent of grass carried by the wind helped cool his overheated head a little.

But that peace didn’t last long. His mind quickly filled with a tangled mess of problems, growing like wild weeds. His position in noble society, his family’s finances, and issues in his distant estate lately, he had barely found time to rest.

Among all the problems, the most troublesome one was his social status. Ian’s position was vague, and people in noble circles talked about it constantly.

“His ability? Sure, he’s capable. But where’s he from? He’s part of the Old Nobles. Just wait someone that clever could betray us later.”

“Marquis Ian Lloyd? I heard he’s about to marry the daughter of Count Parden. There were even rumors that the girl refused to dance with anyone else because she was waiting for him.”

Though the nobles acknowledged Ian’s ability, they couldn’t fully accept him. The Old Nobles labeled him a traitor for aligning with the Parden family. The New Nobles, meanwhile, saw him as an arrogant relic clinging to an old title, benefiting from Count Parden’s influence.

In a closed-off society, finding your place when you don’t clearly belong to either side was difficult. Of course, like other neutral nobles, he could have avoided all this by giving up his ambitions for power.

Even Count Parden had once advised Ian to stay neutral and live comfortably. But Ian didn’t want that kind of life. Maybe it was arrogant, but he wanted to stand at the top holding power and honor in his hands. He didn’t fully understand why he was drawn to that kind of life, but he did know one thing: that desire grew stronger whenever he saw Aisha.

“Why would the Duke of Levantus choose such a risky youngster? Is the Lloyd family really that essential?”

“Honestly, I even doubt his ability. Isn’t it just because Count Parden is helping him? He’s young and inexperienced he can’t really do much.”

“And let’s be honest if Ian Lloyd joins, he’ll take a spot that could have gone to our sons. No way. I’ve been loyal for too long for that to happen”

It was a hard path, and the whispers behind his back were starting to wear him down. Ian covered his ears to block out the ringing and closed his eyes again.

“Aisha. Do you know why Father told us to prepare lunch in the garden today?”

Aisha, clearly nervous, fidgeted with her fingers under the tablecloth. Ian didn’t know it yet, but she had already heard a hint from her brother, Daniel. Seeing his sister’s eager face, Daniel pouted. The guest of honor still hadn’t arrived, only adding to Aisha’s anticipation.

“It’s really hard to see his face these days.”

“Ian’s busy. He’s not just training like you.”

Daniel, finally fed up, leaned back in his chair and grumbled. Edward, sitting nearby, understood his complaint and spoke up for Ian while nudging Daniel’s back, reminding him to sit up straight. Under his parents’ watchful eyes and his brother’s hand, Daniel corrected his posture. But his bad mood lingered, and he grumbled again, this time directing his words at Sophia across from him.

“All he does is scribble on paper in some building. Even if he’s busy, he shouldn’t be late. Arrogant jerk. Sophia, why is your brother so busy?”

“How would I know? I’ve been here the whole time too. Ask Aisha.”

Sophia didn’t bother hiding her irritation as she answered. Hearing her mention Aisha, Daniel raised an eyebrow. There had already been tension between Sophia and Aisha lately. Though no one knew exactly why, it was clear that Sophia was openly hostile toward Aisha.

“She’s always at home. But you’ve been going out a lot these days. You’re out nearly every day shouldn’t you have heard something about your brother?”

“I don’t know.”

Sophia flinched slightly, as if something had struck a nerve. Just as Daniel said, she had been going out nearly every day. Usually, it was to meet young noblewomen who shared her views, but once a week, it was to meet Arthur, who was still attending the academy.

“Are you pretending not to know? Or are you keeping it from us on purpose?”

“Daniel, stop bothering Sophia.”

Count Parden, noticing something was off, scolded Daniel with a stern look. But Daniel, clearly frustrated, snapped back.

“Why are you always on Sophia’s side, Father?”

“So, should I side with an immature boy like you instead? You’re grown but still so childish.”

“Fine. Let’s say today was my fault. But even in other matters, you always take Ian and Aisha’s side…”

“There he is.”

Just as Daniel raised his voice, Marissa’s face turned stiff. She was about to scold him when Edward raised a hand, pointing to someone walking across the garden.

Everyone seated around the lunch table inside the gazebo turned to look at the tall blond man. Ian handed his coat to a servant and entered the gazebo without much reaction to their stares.

“Sorry for being late.”

His apology, while polite, felt a bit flat considering everyone had been waiting for him. Daniel glared at Ian until Edward jabbed him, and only then did he look away.

“Oh, Ian. You’re here.”

“Welcome.”

Count Parden stood and greeted Ian with a warm hug. Marissa, still seated, welcomed him with a kind voice. Ian bowed to Count Parden, then kissed Marisa’s hand before taking his seat.

Ian sat next to Sophia and across from Aisha. Normally, his seat would have been next to Aisha, so he found this arrangement a little odd. But he didn’t say anything and simply took his seat.

“Did you come straight from the palace? You must be hungry.”

As soon as Ian sat down, Count Parden clapped his hands. The servants moved quickly, bringing out the food. Dishes were placed one by one on the table in the gazebo, set in a garden bursting with flowers. It was clear that extra effort had gone into this meal.

“We made your favorite shrimp dish. The ingredients were brought over on ice very fresh.”

“Thank you.”

Marissa opened the main dish the servant brought and told them to give the largest one to Ian. Starting with his plate, large shrimp dishes were served to everyone. The tender meat cut easily with a single slice of the knife, and the rich sauce drew impressed sounds from the guests.

But Aisha couldn’t fully enjoy the delicious shrimp. Her eyes weren’t on the food they were on Ian.

‘Why…? It’s been a week. Isn’t he happy to see me?’

Since Ian entered the gazebo, he hadn’t once made proper eye contact with Aisha. She had even tried to catch his eye openly, but he ignored her and kept talking only to Count Parden and his wife.

“Ian. Are you okay?”

“Hm?”

Unable to stay quiet, Aisha finally spoke to him. Ian looked at her then, and on the surface, he seemed the same as always. But Aisha noticed something strange behind his blue eyes.

“You look tired”

She couldn’t bring herself to ask directly, so she gently commented on how tired he looked. Ian lowered his eyes slightly and answered calmly.

“Ah… I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

When Ian looked away from her again, Aisha felt like her heart sank. She paused, then opened her mouth to ask what was wrong.

“Ian”

“Did you hear the news?”

“What news?”

But before Aisha could speak, Ian turned away and addressed Count Parden instead.

“There was snowfall in Haran for the first time in fifty years”

It was a simple topic, but suitable enough for a lunch conversation, and the talk grew lively. Marissa joined in, then Edward and Daniel, leaving Aisha quiet and trying not to show her disappointment.

Despite that, the mood stayed cheerful throughout the meal. Ian took the lead, as if trying to make up for being late. Everyone laughed and smiled everyone except Aisha, who only managed an awkward smile.

After the main course was finished, dessert was served. The servants cleared the table and brought out colorful sweets. Marisa lightly tapped her silver spoon on her sherbet dish and spoke.

“The colors are lovely. I heard it’s made from strawberries that only grow in the north it’s supposed to be delicious.”

Her words were a signal. Count Parden looked at his wife, cleared his throat, and turned to Ian with a more serious expression.

“Ian. We actually gathered here today because there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Please go ahead, sir.”

Ian replied in a calm voice, but his left hand slightly tensed.

“This might sound sudden, but… you’ve graduated from the academy, and you’re an adult now. So I was thinking—how would you feel about getting engaged to Aisha sometime next year?”

Support To the One Who’s Only Cold to Me