Chapter 13
“Ah”
Noticing Aisha’s unusual reaction, Edward turned around and saw a man and a woman just walking into the shop. Frowning, Edward quietly repeated the man’s name in his head as he walked in arm-in-arm with a flashy-looking woman.
‘Ian’
After hearing the recent rumors about his sister, Ian was the last person Edward wanted to see. Frowning in a way that wasn’t like him, Edward looked at Ian, then quickly turned back to Aisha. Since she had seen Ian walk into the restaurant arm-in-arm with another woman, her face was probably upset. Just moments ago, she had gone pale.
‘Hmm?’
But unlike what Edward feared, Aisha’s face seemed fine. She had lowered her head and eyes slightly, but that was it. There was no sign of sadness or surprise on her face.
‘That’s a relief.’
Edward let out a quiet sigh of relief. But just as he felt thankful, he heard footsteps that made him uneasy. Glancing behind, he saw Ian and the woman walking toward the table he and Aisha were sitting at, guided by a staff member. Edward, out of character, cursed silently.
‘That guy’s doing this on purpose’
Just before passing by their table, Ian leaned in close to the woman and whispered something. Whatever he said made the woman giggle. At that moment, Aisha dropped her fork.
Clang.
The sound wasn’t loud, but loud enough for those nearby to hear. Edward bit his lip and looked away, seeing Aisha quickly hide her shaking hand inside her sleeve.
Ian, who met Edward’s eyes, gave a small nod before sitting at a nearby table, diagonal from them. That annoying face stayed in Edward’s line of sight.
“Lady Loretta, thank you for making time for me.”
Ian lifted the woman’s hand and kissed the back of it loudly on purpose. When Edward saw Aisha flinch at the sound, he raised his hand to call a staff member.
“Bring the check, please.”
While the staff went to get the bill, Aisha said nothing. But from the ruined cake in front of her, Edward could tell how broken she felt inside.
There were places in the capital where the streets were even busier at night than during the day. Most of those night spots were tied to drinking, though they differed based on the guests’ social status and wealth.
If you rode a carriage for about 30 minutes down the main road to the left of the Imperial Palace, you’d find a district filled with so-called night salons places offering drinks and space for noble guests to socialize. Unlike salons, where noblewomen actively took part, women were strictly excluded from these night gatherings.
Men usually claimed it was because night and alcohol were dangerous for women. But in reality, these salons focused on politics and economics topics holding real power which revealed that such power remained in the hands of noblemen.
Since women were forbidden, some of the lower-end night salons brought in lightly dressed women under red lights. These kinds of salons were usually filled with vulgar talk and low-class behavior.
This was clearly far from the virtues nobles were supposed to value. But strangely, many noblemen preferred these places. So more and more salons began openly bringing in night women as part of their service.
“Wait here.”
“Yes, young master.”
Vincent had just gotten out of his carriage in the street lined with night salons. He was one of the young noblemen who preferred salons with night women. But the one he visited tonight didn’t allow any women, no matter their status. Looking at the dull-colored iron door and the polite staff standing in front, Vincent grumbled openly.
“Why pick a place like this? Isn’t this where all the ‘clean’ types hang out?”
The staff clearly heard him but didn’t show a reaction clearly well-trained. When the staff opened the door, Vincent strutted inside.
With over 50 years of history, the salon inside was quite spacious and elegant. After walking through a hallway, Vincent entered the main hall where guests had gathered. Scanning the room, he spotted some familiar faces. As he approached, one of the group welcomed him and offered a seat.
“Oh, Vincent. Did you have a nice date with your cute fiancée?”
“Ugh, don’t even ask. That annoying girl nags even more now that we’re engaged. I’m so sick of fake-smiling all the time Huh?”
Sitting down and complaining naturally, Vincent suddenly noticed someone in the group. That striking blond hair, that handsome face even a man would notice. It was Ian, someone rarely seen at their gatherings.
‘So that’s why they picked this place because of him.’
Seeing Ian, Vincent quickly understood why tonight’s meeting was held at this clean salon. Some members of the academy alumni group disliked salons with prostitutes. Ian, among them, was especially strict he didn’t even bother hiding his disgust.
‘Still acting all high and mighty, huh.’
If anyone else had objected, Vincent and the others might’ve forced their choice through. But they couldn’t do that with Ian. Unlike most of the group who didn’t have titles yet, Ian was already a marquis and held real political power in the capital. So even with his poor attendance, they couldn’t risk losing him over a venue. Knowing this, Vincent smiled bitterly and reached out a hand.
“Well, well, look who it is. Our great Marquis has arrived. Long-time no see, Ian.”
Ian didn’t even glance at him as he drank. Only after a moment did his cold blue eyes shift to Vincent. Seeing those indifferent eyes, Vincent slightly regretted his mocking words.
“No need for greetings Just drink.”
Ian didn’t shake his hand he replied bluntly and took another sip. Vincent awkwardly pulled his hand back, pretending it was no big deal.
‘That damn guy Just because he’s doing well lately? He used to cling to the Pardens at the academy’
Vincent tried to hide his feelings, but his face showed it. He looked around, hoping someone else might criticize Ian instead.
“Yeah, you’re late and then refuse a handshake? Come on, that deserves a penalty. Bottoms up, Vincent!”
Unfortunately, his friends just handed him a drink. Though annoyed that no one called out Ian, Vincent didn’t say anything more.
“Alright, everyone. Let’s drink!”
“To our friendship! Cheers!”
Glasses clinked over and over. With over a dozen people drinking, the alcohol flowed quickly. Some of the weaker drinkers were already red-faced and tipsy. Vincent was one of them, swaying in his seat while holding a glass of amber liquid. One, two, six drinks—down his throat they went. Soon, his drunken mind began to lose control.
“Speaking of which, Ian or should I say Marquis. Why haven’t we heard anything from you lately?”
Now fully drunk, Vincent stared at Ian and spoke. His red face showed open spite.
“Weren’t there rumors for a while that you were engaged to that rich man’s daughter, Count Parden’s girl? She used to shamelessly hang around the academy trying to see you. But lately, she’s nowhere to be found. What, she’s suddenly trying to act modest now?”
Someone nudged Vincent’s side, trying to stop him, but that was it. Everyone realized he was talking about Aisha. Silence fell as the others watched Ian with curious eyes. Ian’s blue eyes darkened at the mention of her. He looked straight at Vincent and finally spoke.
“Thanks for caring about my engagement, Vincent. But maybe you should worry about your own. You’re always late to dates do you really have time to care about who’s by my side?”
Ian’s emotionless sarcasm made Vincent’s face turn red with rage. He had struggled to get engaged to a woman way out of his league and constantly felt pressured by her.
That was why he always talked badly about her behind her back because he couldn’t act freely in front of her. Now that someone pointed out his cowardice so directly, even his hands and body trembled.
“You bastard!”
Vincent shouted, unable to hold it in. Just then, another drunk friend leaned over and interrupted.
“Oh right, Ian!”
This friend had a secret crush on Aisha and continued the topic.
“Isn’t there some trouble with your engagement?”
“Yeah, I heard you brought Lady Loretta from the Fideloy family to the last charity event.”
“That’s right! There’s even talk you were out walking around town with her a few days ago.”
“I also heard rumors you’re not going through with your engagement. So Do you really like Lady Loretta?”
Once someone brought it up, everyone started asking questions. Most of them had already heard the bad rumors about Aisha. But no one dared mention those rumors directly to Ian. Because of that, Ian misread their interest and frowned.
‘So just because we haven’t been seen together lately, they think the engagement is off? And I was with Loretta that day’
