Chapter 63 –
Ian’s clenched jaw and raised eyebrows clearly conveyed his displeasure. He slammed the plate he was holding onto the cabinet near the lounge entrance, his expression turning grim.
Ian had already realized Jared was inside the lounge after hearing his voice through the curtain. Without even glancing at Aisha, he stared coldly at Jared and spoke with a suppressed voice.
“…Why are you here, Your Highness?”
Jared’s face contorted with a mix of surprise and annoyance at Ian’s appearance. He faltered for a moment but then smirked at the evident hostility, meeting Ian’s glare with one of his own.
“No greeting now? Just because we had one fight, I guess you think the prince of the empire is someone you can treat lightly?”
“Just answer the question. Why are you here?”
At events like this, it was customary for only family members or officially recognized lovers to share a lounge. So Ian’s anger wasn’t entirely out of place. The issue, however, was that his words were far too aggressive for addressing a prince.
“Do I owe you an explanation, Marquess?”
As Jared shrugged mockingly, veins stood out on Ian’s neck. He let out a short breath, clearly trying to restrain himself, then muttered darkly.
“You said you hadn’t been engaged to her when you approached Aisha back then. And now, even though she’s officially my fiancée, you’re still approaching her.”
“You really like to throw that engagement around, don’t you? Just because Lady Aisha is engaged to you, what—am I not even allowed to talk to her anymore?”
“I’m saying this because Your Highness has always been too persistent with Aisha. She’s my fiancée now. Shouldn’t you respect that and protect her honor?”
“Protect her? From whom? Honestly, she needs to be protected from you, not me.”
The conversation devolved into a childish squabble. Finally, Aisha couldn’t stand it anymore and stepped between the two men.
“Your Highness, thank you for your help today. I’ll be sure to thank you properly another time.”
Ian’s expression softened ever so slightly at her subtle cue for Jared to leave, but the moment she added that she’d thank Jared later, his eyes sharpened again.
“Will you be alright? If I leave…”
As Ian’s piercing blue eyes bore into the back of Aisha’s head, Jared shot him a sidelong glance and addressed her with concern.
But Jared’s worried tone only added fuel to Ian’s growing anger. Aisha, sensing this, quickly cut him off.
“Your Highness, I need to speak privately with my fiancé. Please.”
Reading the plea in Aisha’s eyes, Jared bit the inside of his cheek. But he couldn’t bring himself to refuse her. He shot Ian one last glare before brushing past him.
“…Then I’ll excuse myself.”
“Take care, Your Highness.”
Unlike Ian, who remained silent, Aisha maintained her manners until the end. Jared glanced back at her with a bitter expression as he reached the lounge exit. After a moment of thought, he didn’t use the main door. Instead, like when he had entered, he stepped over the balcony railing and disappeared. Aisha watched him go with unease until he was out of sight, then turned back toward Ian.
“Do you have any idea what people will think when they see a woman with a fiancé alone in a lounge with another man?”
Ian snapped the moment Aisha looked at him. He stepped closer, demanding an answer. Aisha sighed softly, then apologized without hesitation.
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
“I’ll be more careful from now on.”
There was no defiance or resentment in her slightly bowed posture. But instead of softening, Ian’s face contorted further.
“…Sorry?”
What?
Sorry.
You…
Ian suddenly recalled what Aisha had said on the bed not long ago, when he complained she was too thin. She had quietly replied, “I’m sorry.”
Now, she looked exactly the same. That same resigned face. That same voice of someone who had given up everything. Seeing her like that made Ian’s mouth go dry with anxiety.
“You…”
Ian grabbed her shoulders, searching her face. But Aisha twisted her upper body, pulling free from his tightening grip.
“…Ian, His Highness was only trying to help me.”
“Help you with what?”
Aisha went silent at Ian’s immediate rebuttal. She didn’t want to admit that Jared had helped stop the rumors swirling between her and Lady Helen.
Seeing her hesitate, Ian’s blue eyes flashed. He yanked his cravat loose and sneered bitterly.
“Are you refusing to answer? Or can’t you?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Ian didn’t truly believe that Aisha and Jared had done something improper. But the moment he heard Jared’s voice outside the lounge, he’d lost half his reason in a wave of anger. Now, he accused her recklessly.
“I’m asking if you two did something you shouldn’t have. These lounges are known for things like that during banquets.”
Even if he didn’t believe it deep down, he should never have accused her of infidelity. At his insulting words, Aisha’s lips tightened before she finally spoke.
“Isn’t that your line?”
“…What?”
“You asked what he helped me with? He helped make sure I wouldn’t hear people talking about you and Lady Helen anymore.”
This time, Ian fell silent. Aisha watched his tightly pressed lips and clenched her hands.
“Ian, didn’t you tell me before not to act so small and petty?”
“….”
“That was the first time I saw His Highness again since the banquet at the Marquis of Roymon’s. But what about you and Lady Helen? You kept meeting under the pretense of business, even visiting her estate.”
As the same topic from their last argument came up again, Ian ran his hand through his hair and turned away, clearly not wanting to hear it. But unlike before, Aisha didn’t stop this time.
“I’m not done talking. What did you do with the gift His Highness sent me?”
Ian’s eyes flickered at the mention of the engagement-day gift. Aisha continued, pretending not to notice his growing unease.
“He said he sent me a present, but I never received anything from him.”
“…”
“I know you intercepted it, Ian. Who else would have done it?”
“…”
“Lady Helen even attended our engagement party as a guest. And you—couldn’t even give me the prince’s gift. So, tell me. Who’s really being small and petty here?”
Ian’s face turned red. He knew what he had done was petty and shameful.
Damn it…
He wanted to retort, maybe bring up her behavior as a woman, but with the topic of Helen now brought into the light, even that was stuck in his throat. In the end, with his ears bright red, Ian turned sharply and stormed out of the lounge.
Aisha didn’t blink as she watched him leave. Only when the curtain stopped swaying did she look away from the entrance.
Her eyes landed on the plate Ian had brought, still resting on the cabinet. It was neatly arranged with soft desserts and looked surprisingly presentable.
…He probably frowned the entire time he brought that over.
Knowing Ian’s temper, even carrying a plate for a few steps would have annoyed him. Aisha felt pathetic—getting hurt by him time and time again, yet still softening and holding out hope over such trivial gestures.
Dragging her feet, she shuffled over to the couch, kicked off her shoes, and climbed up, hugging her knees and burying her face.
Outside the lounge, people’s laughter grated on her nerves. Aisha buried her face deeper and squeezed her eyes shut.
Did they fight?
Helen eyed Ian as he stepped out of the lounge. Just an hour ago, his blond hair and clothes had been impeccably neat—but now they were slightly disheveled. Yet even so, he still looked attractive. Unconsciously, Helen licked her lips.
With that temper, he probably wouldn’t even talk to me if I go now. But… if they fought, maybe…
She glanced toward the lounge Ian had exited. Having observed them from the start, she knew exactly who was still inside.
Good. Opportunity comes to those who take it.
Closing her fan, Helen gave a sly smile. She excused herself from her partner, saying she had somewhere to go. Though disappointed, her partner didn’t stop her.
Unlike before, Helen moved as quietly as possible. Avoiding prying eyes, she slipped behind pillars and took the less-traveled paths, like an assassin sneaking into enemy territory.
At last, she arrived outside the lounge. She glanced one last time at Ian—now caught in conversation with Duke Levantus—and waited as he stubbornly tried to leave despite the duke’s protest.
Go on… just leave…
A few moments later, Ian exited the banquet hall. As soon as he disappeared, Helen grinned and gently pushed aside the curtain.
Her red hair slipped into the lounge, followed by the intoxicating scent of red roses—both vanishing into the room like a slow, fragrant invasion.
The rustle of a dress and an unfamiliar scent filled the lounge. Aisha, her face still buried in her knees, lifted her head with a puzzled look as the scent of roses grew stronger.
Standing at the entrance, smiling sweetly, was a woman with a presence as striking as a red rose. Recognizing her, Aisha lowered her feet and pressed her lips together in a firm line.
Helen tucked her crimson hair behind her ear and approached. Despite intruding on someone’s quiet moment, there was not a hint of apology in her radiant smile.
“Nice to see you. This is our first time alone together, isn’t it?”
