Chapter 61
“If someone heard you, they’d think you’ve always acted that way.”
Aisha’s tearful eyes and trembling voice pleaded for sympathy. But Ian didn’t bother hiding his mocking smile as he continued to jeer.
“When have you ever smiled sweetly and acted gently in front of me, Aisha? Isn’t it your specialty to cry every time something doesn’t go your way and make the other person look like the bad guy?”
Eventually, tears spilled from Aisha’s eyes. She thought she had grown strong enough to endure Ian’s cold words—but she hadn’t. As Aisha silently wept, Ian ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Crying again? Aren’t you tired of it?”
She knew she should stop crying and face him with dignity in moments like this. But her body wouldn’t listen to her heart.
“…What did I do that was so wrong?”
After a while, Aisha finally spoke, her voice full of hurt as she looked at Ian. He frowned at the question he didn’t understand.
“I’m your fiancée, Ian. And you… and I… we even spent the night together… sniff…”
“…”
“Of course I don’t like Lady Helen. People were gossiping when they saw you two together! They’re still talking! Isn’t it only natural for me to be upset?”
“…”
“…If I said I didn’t like her, you could’ve kept Lady Helen from coming here for me. You could’ve stopped her from attending our engagement ceremony. Couldn’t you have considered my feelings, just a little?”
“…”
“Ian. I tried. I really tried not to do anything you didn’t like.”
Her candid confession, her voice pleading for comfort, sounded utterly pitiful. Ian bit his lip hard, then uncrossed his arms to stand.
“I thought you didn’t like him, so I wrote to His Highness the Second Prince first. If he had said he wanted to attend the engagement ceremony, I would’ve declined. So you could’ve… just a little… just—”
But as she went on, Ian’s expression turned cold again, and he folded his arms once more. The moment Aisha mentioned the Second Prince, Jared, a surge of irritation and anger twisted inside him.
“You can’t compare two completely different situations.”
Instead of offering comfort, Ian spat out sarcasm. Aisha stared at him through wet eyes. Sitting with one leg crossed over the other, he showed no trace of compassion toward her sorrow.
“My relationship with Lady Helen is strictly business. But you and the prince? That’s not the case. And you’re a woman. Isn’t it natural for a woman to be more careful with her behavior?”
“…”
“And Aisha… it seems like you’re under a huge misconception.”
Ian looked her up and down and fixed his gaze on her tear-soaked face.
“…We’re not married yet. We’re just engaged.”
Aisha’s mind went blank. The image of him once warning her to keep her distance because he didn’t intend to get engaged overlapped with his current self.
“Just because we shared a bed, you think you can demand more from me? I’m not Parden or your brothers. I’m not going to put up with your tantrums or selfishness.”
Aisha’s eyes dried, and like shattered glass, they lost their shine. Ian’s words were practically answers to the questions she had thrown at herself in helpless moments.
Already feeling diminished by his constant physical advances, Aisha had lost much of her self-worth. She wiped her tears with her sleeve, bitterly thinking that her role was no better than that of a courtesan.
“Whatever your feelings or position, they aren’t enough to stop Sophia or Grandmother from inviting Helen.”
“…”
“If you hated it so much, why didn’t you try getting close to Sophia and Grandmother? If you’d gotten along with them, do you really think they would’ve invited Helen here? Hm?”
Even as he noticed the change in Aisha’s demeanor, Ian didn’t ease his tone. Knowing full well that Sophia and Diane didn’t like Aisha, he deliberately blamed her for the poor relationship. He refused to acknowledge any fault of his own and continued to berate her.
“This situation isn’t my fault. So don’t whine and cry at me like a child—”
Scrape.
The sound of a chair being pushed back interrupted him. Ian turned to see Aisha getting up.
“…What are you doing?”
“I’m leaving.”
Her tears had stopped. Aside from her reddened eyes, her expression was composed, as if she’d never cried at all. Ian quickly stood and approached her, grabbing her wrist with a low growl.
“Listen to the rest of what I have to say.”
“No. I’m leaving.”
Aisha turned her head away from him. Ian considered grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at him—but stopped himself.
“…Do as you like.”
He let go of her wrist, almost throwing it aside, then shouted toward the dining hall doors.
“Is anyone out there?!”
The servants, who had been quietly keeping their distance, rushed in at the sound of their master’s voice. Ian addressed the closest one.
“The young lady is leaving. Prepare a carriage.”
“Y-Yes! Right away, sir!”
“I’m not in the mood to see her off. Be careful on your way.”
The servant quickly ran off, fearing further wrath. Ian grabbed the napkin from in front of Aisha’s seat, wiped his mouth, and tossed it on the floor. Then he turned and stormed out of the dining hall, leaving Aisha behind.
The remaining servants exchanged unsure glances, unsure of what to do. Thankfully, Aisha had turned her back to them and did not see their looks of sympathy.
* * *
“Are you really going tomorrow? Just say you can’t.”
“No, I have to go. It’s an important event.”
Daniel and Edward looked at Aisha with concern as she lay in bed. Earlier, she had left to go horseback riding in high spirits, but she didn’t return home until late that night. And from dawn, she had fallen ill.
“If it’s too much, just say so tomorrow. It may be the Founding Festival banquet, but there’s no need to go if you’re sick.”
“Mm… Thanks for worrying, Oppa.”
Edward placed his hand on her forehead. Thankfully, the fever had mostly subsided and was close to normal. But Aisha, who had barely eaten during her illness, seemed too weak to even speak properly.
“I’ll sleep a little more.”
“Be sure to eat something by lunch, okay?”
“Okay… I will.”
Once she dozed off, Daniel and Edward left the room. After exchanging glances, they walked quickly down the hall.
“It’s obvious. That bastard Ian must’ve done something again. Why else would she come back from the marquess’ place and collapse?”
“Aisha said it wasn’t that. Don’t start anything with Ian over a suspicion.”
At Edward’s defense of Ian, Daniel frowned—but then narrowed his eyes as if he realized something. He whispered to Edward.
“Hyung. That face—what are you hiding? Did something happen with Ian?”
“…”
“Huh? Why won’t you answer?”
“Don’t poke around in things that don’t concern you. And try not to cross paths with Ian for a while. I’m asking seriously, so keep that in mind.”
Edward only spoke like that when it involved something important to the family. Seeing his serious face, Daniel backed off and kept quiet.
“Fine, fine. But after this Founding Festival is over… your wife will be joining us, right?”
Trying to lighten the mood, Daniel grinned and teased. At the mention of “your wife,” Edward’s eye twitched.
“This time, try staying together for once. You and your wife always seem too busy with your own stuff.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“How is it not? I’m the future head of the Pardenga family—”
“If you say one more word, I’ll bring up your marriage to Father.”
At the word marriage, Daniel’s playful expression disappeared. He walked away and called back over his shoulder.
“Try that and I’ll make sure even you can’t walk straight!”
* * *
The empire’s Founding Festival, held in the season of harvest, was as abundant and generous as the season itself.
“Wow, what a grand night market!”
“Hey now! Don’t sound like such a country bumpkin. This is the capital!”
“What? Do you know who I am?”
“Haha, don’t be mad! I was just joking. Here, take this for free as an apology.”
The capital, where the festival was held, was packed with visitors. Commoners sang of the bountiful season, and merchants cheerfully counted their swelling profits.
“It’s even grander than the spring banquet. Well, it is tax season, after all.”
“The palace banquets keep getting more lavish. I’m so excited for the final winter one!”
The nobility enjoyed themselves just the same. For the five days of the imperial banquet, nobles of all ages flaunted their finest attire and indulged in the most expensive wines.
Ian and Aisha arrived while the banquet was in full swing. Since the Emperor and Empress wouldn’t be attending this pre-celebration night, they didn’t have to arrive earlier.
“Get down.”
Aisha placed her hand silently in Ian’s outstretched one as she stepped down from the carriage. He gripped her hand tighter than necessary, for no reason at all.
Even during the ride, neither of them had spoken. As they made their way to the banquet hall, silence hung heavy between them. Aisha’s gaze remained low as she slightly lifted her dress, her face impassive. Ian, on the other hand, kept glancing at her nervously.
“I heard you were sick. Are you alright now?”
Finally, as they neared the hall, Ian broke the silence. Aisha merely nodded in response.
A servant at the entrance announced their arrival. The recently engaged couple drew curious gazes from the crowd as they stepped into the hall.
Following the expected routine, Ian and Aisha immediately began their dance. Ian, in a deep green cravat, and Aisha, adorned with a matching ribbon, looked perfect together.
But despite their coordinated outfits, a strange tension lingered between them. A few observant guests noticed and whispered behind their fans.
