Chapter 55
Sofia nodded vigorously and began recounting everything that had happened with Aisha so far. Naturally, she told it all from her own perspective, and if one were to listen only to her, Aisha would seem like the most wicked woman in the world.
“…To think something like that happened. And over something so trivial, she made you kneel in front of everyone? You must’ve suffered a lot emotionally, Sofia. Honestly, I even wrote it in a letter before—I was worried about bringing that young lady into the family.”
“Right? I knew trouble would come if a fox like her, always pretending to be pitiful only in front of Ian, came into the household!”
“She looked kind on the surface, but who knows what lies beneath… Coming from a family that built its wealth and reputation through trade, it wouldn’t be surprising if she speaks sweetly while hiding a knife behind her back.”
Diane sympathized with Sofia and wore a worried expression. Encouraged by her grandmother’s agreement, Sofia poured out the emotions she’d been holding back.
“Really… I was so unfairly scolded by Ian because of that girl… If I hadn’t written to you back then, I might’ve just left the house out of sheer frustration.”
“Sofia. Don’t say such things. Why would you leave the house because of that girl? You’re the only young lady of the Marquess Lloyd family.”
“But you said it too earlier, Grandmother. That girl Aisha is going to be engaged to Ian in two days. Who knows? She might really become the next Marchioness of Lloyd…”
“You think I’ll just stand by when she’s wronged you? If she causes trouble for you again during the engagement, I’ll step in to help. Even if that girl breaks ties with the Lloyd family, you will never have to leave this house. And like you said, an engagement doesn’t always lead to marriage. Don’t worry ahead of time.”
Diane grasped Sofia’s hand tightly, seeming to genuinely care for her. Deeply moved by her grandmother’s words, Sofia clasped Diane’s hand back, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Finally, someone is on my side. I’ve been struggling, with no one to talk to except Helen…”
When Helen’s name came up after Aisha’s, Diane leaned forward slightly. She gently wiped Sofia’s tears and spoke again.
“Helen… That’s the young lady you said you’ve grown close to in your letters, right? But isn’t she an illegitimate child?”
“She is. Helen carries the Fitz name. But she’s His Majesty the Emperor’s illegitimate daughter…”
At the word “illegitimate,” Sofia responded in a quieter, more subdued voice. Illegitimate children were often shunned, as older nobles feared their children mingling with them might ruin their reputations. Some prestigious families even forbade their children from speaking to or acknowledging those of illegitimate birth.
Since Diane was of considerable age and her background wasn’t particularly noble either, Sofia glanced at her grandmother with concern. But Diane remained unexpectedly calm.
“Well, an illegitimate child of His Majesty is quite different from those born to noble houses.”
“Exactly! That’s what I thought too, so I never distanced myself from Helen. And she’s so cultured—completely different from those vulgar illegitimate children from other houses. She’s pretty and even runs her own business…”
Seeing that Diane didn’t seem averse to Helen, Sofia jumped at the chance to shower her friend with praise. Diane listened patiently, showing no signs of annoyance, and only spoke after Sofia finished.
“If you say so, she must be a good young lady. But… forgive me for asking something delicate—does this Helen girl have a close relationship with Ian? I know it’s awkward to bring up since he’s getting engaged in two days, but there have been whispers…”
At that question, Sofia’s eyes widened in surprise. There had been a lot of gossip about Ian and Helen. Especially at the Marquess of Litman’s banquet, where both Ian and Aisha had shown up with different partners, the rumors had flown.
‘Has the gossip about Ian and Helen reached all the way to the royal capital?’
Sofia had never considered the possibility, so her face briefly showed confusion. But she soon brushed it off and sighed.
“Haah… The truth is… Helen was really interested in Ian.”
After becoming close, Sofia and Helen had frequently met in private. At some point during those meetings, Helen no longer hid her interest in Ian. Rather than scorn her for being interested in her betrothed brother, Sofia had felt pity.
“Oh my, so Helen had feelings for Ian. Then what about Ian?”
Diane looked surprised at Sofia’s words. When Diane followed up, Sofia was about to say she didn’t know—but instead, she slipped in what she had always hoped for.
“Ian didn’t say anything… but I think he was drawn to Helen too. You know, women’s intuition! The two of them looked good together, and I’m sure they were attracted to each other!”
“If that’s true, then it’s really unfortunate.”
“Right? To have two people who are drawn to each other hide their feelings like that. But right now, there’s nothing they can do. Ian is very conscious of public perception, and since the Parden Count’s family took him in for a few years when he was young, he tends to go soft on them.”
“So that’s why he’s with that Aisha girl…”
“In the end, I only feel sorry for Helen. But like I said, who knows what could happen? If Ian breaks off his engagement with Aisha, I’ll fully support Helen.”
Even though the thought was morally questionable, Sofia spoke with confidence. Rather than stop her, Diane smiled gently and patted her hand approvingly.
“It’s not a bad thought. But don’t say such things in public. People who don’t know the situation could easily misunderstand and criticize us.”
“Of course!”
Diane picked up a pretty cookie and put it in Sofia’s mouth. Acting playfully, Sofia accepted the treat and munched on it with a bright smile.
“Now that Ian’s engagement is just around the corner, what about our dear Sofia? Do you still not have a match?”
As she watched Sofia eat with delight, Diane shifted the topic to her. Sofia quickly swallowed her cookie and avoided her grandmother’s gaze.
“…From that look, I’d say there is someone. But you want to keep it a secret, don’t you?”
“Yes… I’m sorry. There are some circumstances. But I promise I’ll tell you someday.”
“You’re a smart girl, so I’m sure you’ll make good choices. Still, I must ask one thing. These days in the Empire, there’s so much talk of ‘free love,’ and some young ladies are falling for men of very low status. I worry about that. Surely you’re not looking at someone without a title or from a humble background, are you?”
Sofia, who had been relaxing, fell silent again at Diane’s question. Silence often meant agreement. Diane cried out in alarm.
“Heavens, Sofia, my dear!”
“He’s a good man. It’s just… he doesn’t have a title because he’s not the heir.”
“Oh, no. I can’t approve of such a match.”
Diane’s voice was full of concern and seemed sincere. But her deep green eyes held something more—relief.
“That matter… My future husband not having a title is fine. Ian promised me the title of Viscount Wilton.”
Despite Ian telling her not to mention it to anyone, Sofia let it slip in response to her grandmother’s reaction.
‘What? As long as he’s not an idiot, I can marry any noble I want?’
‘Exactly.’
‘But I don’t even have parents. If I marry well, it’ll help you too, Ian. If I marry someone without a title, it’ll stain our family’s name.’
‘As I said, unless he’s a total fool, no match of yours will tarnish the Lloyd name. So marry the one you want.’
‘…’
‘If you’re worried about status after marriage, don’t. If your partner doesn’t have a title, I’ll give you the Wilton estate and title as your dowry.’
The Lloyd family held four noble titles, including the marquessate. The Wilton viscountcy was one of them. Ian had promised Sofia that if her future husband lacked a title, he’d grant her the Wilton lands and title as part of her dowry.
“As a woman, I can’t inherit and carry on the family title, but the name and rights will pass to my husband.”
At her words, Diane’s face stiffened for a moment. She paused as if to collect herself before asking again, as though to confirm.
“…Ian said he’d give you the Wilton title?”
“Surprised? It’s rare, I know. But it’s true. Ian promised me before—if I marry a noble without a title, he’ll give me the Wilton lands and title as my dowry. Of course, he said I have to be obedient, but that’s just words. It’s not like he’d go back on it just because I didn’t listen, right? That’d be petty.”
“……”
“Ian may be blunt, but he’s a kind brother. That’s why even when he acts mean, I can’t bring myself to hate him.”
“…He really must care about you more than he shows.”
Hearing Diane’s uneven breathing, Sofia looked up from her tea. But before she could fully study her grandmother’s expression, a loud voice rang out and a brown-haired girl came running toward them.
“Madam! Madam!”
Sofia’s eyes narrowed at the sight of the girl. She didn’t like how close the girl seemed to her grandmother.
“What is this? Are you barging in while your elders are having a conversation?”
Her hostility was clear. The girl, startled by Sofia’s sharp voice, quickly bowed her head.
“I-I’m sorry, my lady. I just—”
“You’re making excuses now? You really have no manners.”
Seeing an opportunity, Sofia didn’t hold back. But before she could call another maid, Diane reached out her hand.
“Sofia, that’s enough.”
