To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 91

“This side has the advantage for now…”

Ian judged that the current situation was favorable to the old noble faction. Moving the port was opposed even among Astar Kingdom merchants, as it was troublesome, and the current port’s location was excellent.

However, he couldn’t fully relax. The port location proposed by the new noble faction was slightly farther away than the current one, but it was much larger. Also, the current port, having a long history, suffered from serious corruption in the area. Even though the old noble faction kept watch, illegal tax issues frequently occurred. Because of that, many Astar merchants were dissatisfied with the current port.

Ian turned the pages of documents, thinking of all the strategies the new noble faction might try. The next page was filled with information from a secret investigation on the Astar delegation. As Ian read through it, his eyes stopped at a certain point.

There has been talk in the Astar Kingdom that the Crown Prince’s wife should be from the Empire. This shows how the Empire has become more important as trade between the two countries grows…

Ian tapped the word “wife” with his finger, then muttered a few words without realizing it.

“Wife. Aisha”

Though no one was listening, he blushed the moment the words left his mouth. But soon, memories of Aisha whom he had barely avoided using work as an excuse filled his mind. Ian, unable to continue reading, lowered his head and cooled his flushed face.

As soon as her meeting with the Emperor ended and she left the room, Helen’s expression completely changed. The smile that had been on her face until the door closed disappeared, and her proud posture fell.

Why…

This was already Helen’s fourth meeting with the Emperor. But the more she saw her father, the more deeply defeated she felt.

Mother always said Father was amazing…

“What did you call me?”

“Huh? Y-Your Majesty, I…”

“No use pretending. I’ll let it go this time, but don’t ever do it again.”

It had started when the Emperor refused to let her call him “Father.” On their first meeting, he had smiled warmly at Helen the whole time. But when she gently changed how she addressed him, his smile disappeared instantly, replaced by a blank expression.

“Yes, I understand. Your Majesty.”

Helen first thought she had rushed things and bowed her head quickly. But on the ride home, she had to clench her teeth to stop herself from crying.

I thought private titles were still too early. So why…

She had somewhat expected it, so why did it hurt so much? She found the answer during their second meeting. It wasn’t his expression that was the problem. It was the contempt she saw in his golden eyes. Helen realized the Emperor despised her very existence.

No. I’m also his child, just like the princes. He must just be awkward with me still.

It wasn’t uncommon for a father to despise an illegitimate child. But now that she was in that position herself, Helen was shocked. Still, she didn’t foolishly show her feelings. The Emperor had nothing to gain from her, but her future depended entirely on him. So, she swallowed her pain and tried to please him every time, acting as submissively as possible.

Maybe he appreciated her effort a little he gave her a whole three hours today, during their fourth meeting. Compared to their first thirty-minute meeting, it was a big improvement.

But the longer she had to keep up appearances, the more exhausted she became. Rubbing the corner of her mouth, numb from smiling too much, Helen walked toward her carriage.

“Young Lady, His Majesty has gifted you this.”

Just as she reached her carriage outside the palace, a middle-aged palace servant handed her a velvet box. Helen’s eyes widened.

“From His Majesty?”

“Yes. I’ve passed on the item, so I’ll take my leave now.”

The servant was polite but somehow made Helen feel uncomfortable. Still, since it was the first gift she had ever received from the Emperor, Helen felt only joy and tightly held the box as she stepped into the carriage.

As soon as the door closed, she opened it. Inside was a necklace, covered in bright red rubies as vivid as her own red hair.

See? His Majesty does care about me…

It was clearly a precious item. Helen carefully picked up the necklace, her eyes moved with emotion. But the joy in her eyes quickly shifted to frustration.

Clutching the ruby necklace tightly, Helen looked out the window. In the distance, she could see the central palace and nearby residences of the imperial family. She stared at the center for a moment, then turned her gaze to the Rose Palace, where Princess Catherine stayed.

Just wait. I’ll drive out the immoral woman who stole my mother’s place. And I’ll take back my position from that fake princess.

Her eyes were full of hatred and determination. Even after leaving the palace, she kept looking back toward it for a long time.

Only when the palace disappeared completely from view did she finally turn her head. The ruby necklace, which she had briefly forgotten while watching the palace, caught her eye again. Enchanted by its beauty, she brought it to her neck with a proud smile.

I’ll wear this tonight at Countess Lever’s party…

After her meetings with the Emperor, Helen had received many invitations to parties. Most were meaningless, but a few came from very influential people.

She went to several parties each day, subtly showing off her connection to the Emperor and casually dropping someone’s name.

Ian… You mean Marquess Lloyd? He and I…

Of course, since the Lloyd family had just caused a scandal, she no longer showed the brooch openly. But perhaps because there had been two scandals already, just speaking vaguely had a strong effect.

Once I’m officially recognized as a princess, even Ian won’t be able to resist No, by then he’ll probably come to me himself.

Helen imagined a bright future becoming the Empire’s only princess and the wife of the noble Lloyd family’s heir. The thought made her fingers and toes tingle with excitement.

But for that, I have to be recognized by His Majesty quickly. I wonder when he’ll call me again. Maybe tomorrow?

Her impatience crept in again, but the ruby necklace made her smile return. She kissed it gently and whispered to herself,

“Don’t worry. Everything will go my way.”

The largest ruby in the necklace flashed ominously, but Helen, lost in the jewel’s beauty, didn’t notice.

“Ah…”

“Young Lady!”

Marie quickly caught Aisha as she suddenly staggered on the stairs. Holding her forehead, Aisha softly whispered,

“I’m okay”

“But”

“I really am. So don’t worry, okay?”

Aisha had been born with a weak body and often suffered from headaches and dizziness. The servants were used to seeing her stagger while walking. But this was on the stairs. Marie’s heart nearly dropped thinking how badly Aisha could’ve been hurt.

“You ate so little at lunch. If you eat like a bird, of course your body will be weak.”

“I usually lose my appetite this time of year. Anyway, the carriage is ready, right?”

Marie complained about her meals, but Aisha quickly changed the subject to stop her scolding.

“It’s cold outside. You should just stay home. Why go out?”

“Marie, you’re getting more talkative every day. It’s nice to get some fresh air. It’s still warm enough if we dress properly.”

But Marie kept complaining. Aisha gently hinted for her to stop as they made their way down the rest of the stairs.

“Make sure you come back soon. The temperature drops a lot when the sun sets.”

“Got it. I wouldn’t stay out late with you coming along.”

As they reached the landing between the first and second floors, they heard voices downstairs. The mansion was usually quiet at this hour, so Aisha and Marie exchanged glances and quickly turned the corner.

At the bottom of the stairs, between the entrance and the hall, several people stood.

“Father? Edward? Why are you here at this hour?”

Aisha was surprised to see her father and older brother. They should’ve been working at the Imperial Palace.

“Ah, Aisha.”

Graham and Edward turned to her voice. But Aisha’s confusion deepened. Their expressions were strange.

Why?

They looked like they didn’t want her to be there. Her father sighed deeply, and her brother lowered his head and clenched his fist. Their faces made Aisha rush down the stairs. What was going on?

But just a few steps before she reached them, someone suddenly stepped forward.

What?

She stopped in shock, her hand rising to her mouth as she saw who it was. Dark skin tanned by the sun, white hair, and red eyes beneath. The rugged foreign man was someone she had recently met.

“Knew it.”

He bared his teeth in a grin. His eyes sparkled like polished glass as he looked at her, as if he had found a treasure.

Without a moment’s pause, he strode toward her with long steps, climbing three stairs in one leap and standing right in front of her.

“Aisha Parden. It’s good to see you again. My name is Iskan al Hamar.”

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