Chapter 10
“Aisha.”
“Mmm… ugh.”
“Aisha, wake up and eat a little.”
When she forced her heavy eyelids open, a head of black hair came into view. Through her hazy vision, Aisha was about to call out for Daniel, but then caught a glimpse of dark green eyes and blinked.
“…Arthur?”
As her vision cleared a bit more, she realized it was indeed her twin brother, Arthur. Surprised by the unexpected presence, Aisha squinted at him again to make sure. Arthur noticed the confusion on her face and frowned.
“The others went out for work. I stayed behind on purpose… and what’s with that look? Don’t trust me?”
“You hate being next to someone.”
“It’s bothersome.”
Aisha was about to ask why he was there, then began to cough dryly. Her throat, terribly swollen, felt rough and painful. Clicking his tongue, Arthur quickly held out a cup of water. Aisha gulped it down all at once and finally managed to calm her coughing.
“Eat this and then take your medicine.”
Arthur pushed a tray in front of her with a bowl of soup. It had cooled to a comfortable temperature, and a rich aroma wafted up. As Aisha took the spoon, she noticed a water basin and a clean cloth on the bedside table.
“Did you change the cloth?”
“Daniel did it at dawn. I was gone for a few hours.”
His voice was curt, but Aisha smiled softly. She began to spoon the soup and expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you.”
Arthur paused for a moment at her thanks, then, after a short hesitation, spoke.
“…You didn’t tell the others what happened either.”
After returning from the House of Lloyd, Aisha had fallen terribly ill the next morning. She had always been weak, so the family was understandably very worried. And since she had seen Ian that day, Daniel had even made a fuss about going to confront him.
“I told Father I wasn’t thinking of getting engaged or married anytime soon… What did Ian say to you?”
Though he didn’t say it, Arthur also guessed that her illness had something to do with Ian. Aisha stayed silent for a moment before murmuring:
“He said he won’t get engaged to me.”
“…”
“He said the Lloyds and the Pardons… are headed down different paths.”
There were more words after that, but Aisha didn’t repeat them. The weight in her throat made it impossible to speak further. Arthur, watching her shoulders tremble as she held her hands together, kept a calm expression.
“Well… it’s not exactly wrong. He’s not wrong, but…”
“…”
“Did he really have to say it like that? Just the other day, he was doing business with Father, and now he says they’re on different paths?”
His tone was indifferent as always, but the sarcastic lift at the end didn’t escape Aisha. Arthur picked up the spoon she had dropped and handed it back.
“So? Are you going to give up?”
“…I don’t know.”
“…”
“He says he doesn’t want it, so I should give up… but it’s hard. I think I need more time to think.”
Arthur frowned slightly at her words, frustrated. But he soon seemed to think of something, nodding and regaining his usual blank expression.
“Well, thinking it over isn’t bad. Actually, it’s progress. When it comes to Ian, you never even considered thinking rationally. Honestly, your brain’s so empty it’s a wonder it doesn’t echo—like a hollow acorn—”
“Arthur!”
Aisha shouted, trying to lunge at him, but Arthur quickly stood up. The tray clattered, and the soup nearly spilled, so Aisha had to stop and glare at him.
“Anyway, finish this first. I’ll get the medicine.”
Unaffected by her sharp gaze, Arthur headed toward the door. As soon as he turned his back, Aisha stuck out her tongue at him. Still, she knew her brother cared, and her hand holding the spoon gained a bit more strength.
Part 2: Filthy Rumors
Sofia’s steps were lighter than usual. The maid walking behind her, holding a parasol, cautiously spoke after noticing her mistress’s unusually bright mood.
“My lady, you seem to be in a good mood today.”
“The weather’s lovely. Look at the sky—so clear. Not a speck of dust in sight. It’s as if everything unpleasant has been swept away.”
Normally, starting a conversation would have earned her a scolding. Yet staying silent risked being accused of being dull. In any case, her temperamental mistress seemed genuinely cheerful today, even humming—something she usually called vulgar.
Relaxed now, the maid tilted the parasol and wondered what had her lady so pleased lately.
‘Nothing unusual happened… maybe it’s just a mood swing?’
While the maid puzzled over it, Sofia strolled through the corridor, beaming. Knights and noble sons passing by blushed at her radiant expression. As the sister of the handsome Marquis Lloyd, Sofia too was strikingly beautiful.
She gave a charming smile to the men who greeted her first, while internally recalling the scene she had eavesdropped on days ago.
“For the reasons I’ve already stated, I intend to keep my distance from you. So don’t come looking for me again, and don’t expect anything from me.”
That small reception room on the second floor—she had been napping in the next room when she accidentally overheard a conversation between her brother and Aisha through a slightly open door. Every word had been perfect, and she had smiled to herself.
‘That arrogant nose of hers must’ve crumbled to dust.’
Her brother Ian had been far harsher than she imagined. Not only had he rejected the engagement, but he also told her not to be rude to his sister. All her frustration and resentment seemed to melt away at once.
“Lady Aisha. Pfft.”
Mimicking her brother’s tone when he addressed Aisha, she chuckled. The maid behind her flinched but wisely stayed silent.
Sofia continued through the corridor and stopped at the entrance to a rose-covered archway. An attendant who spotted her bowed deeply.
“May I see your entry pass, miss?”
With a flick of her hand, Sofia gestured to the maid, who quickly pulled out a fancy invitation from her bosom. Upon confirming it, the attendant bowed again and motioned toward the gate.
“Please, go in.”
With her chin raised high, Sofia stepped through the archway into a small garden surrounded by hedges. On the well-trimmed lawn stood a marble fountain and several tea tables laden with treats. Around them sat noble ladies and daughters, all well-dressed.
After scanning the area, Sofia spotted her target and changed direction. One of the groups noticed her arrival and waved.
“It’s been so long, Lady Sofia.”
“We’ve missed seeing you around.”
All five of them stood up as Sofia arrived, and they quickly cleared the seat of honor for her. Sofia sat gracefully.
‘Tch. I shouldn’t have come. Just the usual boring bunch. Still… they’re better than those with only noble titles and no real status.’
Behind her polite smile was clear disdain. Compared to the prestige, wealth, and power of House Lloyd, these ladies were sorely lacking. She gave a slight nod like a superior to inferiors.
“It’s been a while. I should’ve joined you more often, but I’ve been busy since returning from my trip.”
“We heard you went to Rivard, south of Haran? It’s warm there all year, right? Must’ve been wonderful.”
“Haran is a major trade city, so Rivard wasn’t bad. I thought it’d be inconvenient since it’s in the countryside, but they had everything I needed.”
One of the girls brought up Rivard, where Sofia had gone with Ian, and the rest quickly joined in.
“Warm weather, peaceful seaside… just imagining it feels refreshing.”
Their envious eyes pleased Sofia. She toyed with a sapphire ring she’d bought in Rivard, flaunting its deep, flawless blue. The women’s admiration grew.
“They say it takes a month by carriage just to reach Rivard, right?”
“I hear having a villa there is the real way to enjoy leisure. I’m jealous. I begged my father, but he hates the sea.”
“Someone told me recently that buying a villa there costs a fortune. Unless you’re filthy rich, it’s not even worth dreaming about.”
“Rivard is a stretch, but I’m going to Dabran in the west. A lot of people can’t even manage that, so I’m content.”
The conversation was mostly frivolous, laced with jealousy and subtle competition. But it didn’t concern Sofia, who sat at the top. Sipping her tea and watching the others babble about Rivard, she grew bored and tapped her fingers on the table. Instantly, all chatter stopped, and everyone turned to her.
“More importantly, ladies. Tell me what’s new in the capital. I haven’t been back a full month and I still feel out of place.”
“Other than the charity party you attended, there haven’t been any big events or gatherings. It’s been dull.”
At that, the girl to her right sighed, sounding disappointed. But the mention of the charity party made Sofia’s eyes briefly gleam.
Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner? These ladies, while not from powerful houses, were excellent gossips. Good news should be shared. Her earlier regret about coming vanished as a new plan formed. Malice flickered in her eyes.
Matching her sapphire ring, she opened a deep-blue fan and covered her lips, revealing only her gaze.
“Oh… That’s right. There was the charity party. It was delightful, just as its purpose intended. I even made a lovely new friend—Loretta Fidelroy.”
