Chapter 6 – Changes in Relationship (Part 3)
Since childhood, the feud between the Dveshi and Loden families had been deep, so Sophia naturally thought the Loden family was bad. However, the more she talked with Killian, the more she felt she had been viewing the Loden family with prejudice. At the same time, she recalled Liam’s words, urging her to look at Killian without prejudice.
Have I been too caught up in preconceptions?
Sophia wanted to view the Loden family from a new perspective, but there were two people she couldn’t do that with. They were Marcus Loden and Clive Loden. Given all she had endured from Clive, it was natural not to see him in a positive light. As for Marcus, she needed to hear Killian’s explanation about him.
“As far as I know, the Young Master Marcus’s personality isn’t very good. What is he really like?”
Instead of beating around the bush, Sophia directly asked about Marcus.
“My eldest brother was mischievous and wild as a child, but after reflecting on his actions, he hasn’t harassed or tormented anyone. He has even apologized for his past wrongdoings.”
Suddenly, Sophia recalled the investigation she had done on Marcus in the past. It mentioned that he had reflected on his childhood mistakes and was now getting along with others.
“He never apologized to me.”
“He must have apologized, but perhaps it didn’t feel sincere. However, I believe he genuinely feels sorry in his heart.”
Was that sincere?
Even after recalling Marcus’s apologies several times, they never felt sincere.
“When we met at the mansion, he kept glaring at me.”
“Oh. Despite the apology, he might not see you favorably because he once got a severe scolding from Duke Dveshi. He has a scar from that incident on his hand, so he can’t view you entirely positively.”
“That makes sense.”
Sophia recalled the time Marcus was reprimanded by Duke Dveshi. The punishment was so severe that she had tried to intervene, so she could somewhat understand Marcus’s resentment toward her.
However, that didn’t change how she viewed him. To Sophia, Marcus was still an impolite man.
“You don’t need to worry about getting close to him.”
As if reading her thoughts, Killian’s firm voice followed.
The statement that there was no need to get close to him was reassuring yet slightly disconcerting. If there was no intention of divorce, it implied maintaining a family relationship with Sophia, so why was there no need to get close?
“Shall we head back?”
Lost in thought for a moment, Sophia was brought back to reality by Killian’s voice.
Only then did she realize that it had grown dark. Like yesterday, today seemed to have passed quickly.
Taking Killian’s outstretched hand, Sophia carefully stood up. After adjusting her attire, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
Perhaps because they had shared many conversations over the past two days, he felt more familiar than usual. Knowing that he had made efforts to get closer to her during their two days of dating, she felt this way even more.
While she appreciated his efforts, it also made her feel slightly uneasy. It was because she knew why Killian was being kind to her.
Killian was merely fulfilling the mission given by the King. His kindness and consideration were just part of his duty.
No matter how enjoyable the dates with him were, Sophia needed to remain aware of their formal relationship. She constantly reminded herself of the reality of her relationship with Killian because she felt a sense of fear. She feared that if they grew any closer, she would get caught up in something beyond her control.
The boundaries she had set were slowly being broken by him. For now, it was still manageable, but the future posed a problem. If she became overwhelmed by emotions she couldn’t handle, it would be too late.
Therefore, Sophia thought it was important to distance herself from Killian before their intimacy deepened further. As a result, after their date, Sophia and Killian’s relationship became even more awkward.
When Sophia drew the line first, he seemed to respect her space and didn’t try to get closer. They only exchanged formal greetings and shared a bed, but they had no personal conversations.
“He seems like a better man than I thought…”
As the awkwardness grew, Sophia began to feel sorry for Killian. She had cut off his efforts to close the distance between them. However, if she was considering divorce, this was the right way to act. A relationship that was neither too close nor too distant was the most ideal.
The only problem was that, as time went on, her resolve to divorce was gradually diminishing. After their date, her feelings for Killian seemed to have grown more than she had anticipated.
Thus, after sleeping in the same bed with Killian, Sophia found herself contemplating whether to initiate a conversation the next morning. She knew well that the distance between them depended on her actions.
“What should I do?”
As always, she woke up early in the morning, holding her head in her hands in distress. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Emily cautiously opened it, speaking.
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
Who would come so early?
“Lady Aeri.”
“Lady Aeri?”
“Yes, you know, the only person who has a close relationship with the Captain of the Knights.”
Seeing Sophia’s bewildered expression, Emily explained who Lady Aeri was, thinking Sophia didn’t know her.
“Tell her I’ll be down soon.”
Sophia answered with a tense expression.
Why would she want to meet me?
If a lady she had never spoken to came to visit, there was only one reason. It was likely related to Killian. There was no other reason for her to want to meet.
What could she possibly want to talk about?
Sophia changed into her most modest dress and headed to the drawing room with a puzzled expression. The thought of meeting a lady she had never spoken to filled her with discomfort as she walked. Even when she arrived and saw her face, the atmosphere was still awkward.
“We’ve only known each other’s faces until now, this is our first conversation.”
It was Lady Aeri who first greeted her. Her relaxed face and smile suggested she had something up her sleeve.
“Indeed. What brings you here? If you wish to meet Sir Loden, it would be better to go to the royal palace.”
Unable to let her guard down, Sophia deliberately diverted the conversation, hoping she was here to see Killian instead of her.
“I know that better than anyone. I came here to meet you.”
However, Sophia’s guess was completely off.
“Me? For what reason?”
Sophia exaggerated her expression as she looked at Lady Aeri.
“I wanted to know what kind of person the lady who married Sir Loden is.”
With a face full of curiosity, Lady Aeri carefully examined Sophia’s face. Every time she felt her gaze, Sophia experienced a peculiar sensation.
“If you’re close to my husband, you must know well how we ended up getting married. Yet you’re curious about what kind of person I am?”
“Yes. I didn’t expect you and Sir Loden to get married suddenly. You have no idea how surprised I was that day.”
Her reference to “that day” suggested that Lady Aeri had attended the wedding as a guest.
“Indeed. I was a bit taken aback myself when my husband changed unexpectedly.”
Since she wasn’t entirely sure what Lady Aeri wanted to say, Sophia continued the conversation while concealing her true feelings.
“Sir Loden is a bit reserved, isn’t he? You might feel that way at first, but he’s truly a good man once you get to know him.”
However, when Lady Aeri spoke as if she knew Killian very well, Sophia felt an unpleasant sensation.
Why is she acting like that when he’s not even her husband?
Feeling a sudden surge of irritation, Sophia unknowingly retorted.
“He seems kind to me.”
“Oh, so he must be showing basic courtesy to a woman he doesn’t like. As expected, Sir Loden is very polite.”
Lady Aeri responded magnanimously. Her attitude of speaking as if Killian was her man didn’t sit well with Sophia.
Nevertheless, Lady Aeri continued to speak unabashedly.
“You know Sir Loden originally liked me, right?”
Why is she saying this when I’m the one who married him?
Even though she was aware of this fact, hearing it directly from Lady Aeri made Sophia’s heart sink.
Why would she bring this up?
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Just so you know.”
Lady Aeri’s lips curled upward. It felt like she was declaring that Killian was her man.
Wasn’t it a one-sided crush from Sir Loden?
In her previous investigations, it was never mentioned that Killian and Lady Aeri were in love. It was only noted as a one-sided crush.
That implies that Lady Aeri did not have feelings for Killian, but judging by her actions now, it seemed that Lady Aeri had more lingering feelings than Killian did.
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and just when i thought their relationship is gonna get better :(( why did aeri have to act like this!! ugh now sophia is gonna avoid killian all the more (im hoping that im wrong though please prove me wrong)