Chapter 6 – Changes in Relationship (Part 4)

Why is she acting like this?

Sophia couldn’t understand her behavior but tried to respond calmly.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind. I also have one request. I hope you’ll reduce your interest in my husband from now on.”

Originally, Sophia’s intention was not to say that. She should have asked for help to facilitate a divorce. However, strangely enough, her mouth moved before she could think. She didn’t know why those words came out, but it felt like the right thing to say in the current situation.

Lady Aeri frowned, seemingly upset by Sophia’s words.

“I’ve known Sir Loden for a long time. Isn’t it natural for me to care about whether he is having a happy marriage?”

“Please do care, but I hope you maintain an appropriate distance. Just as I can’t share trivial details about my marital relationship with you.”

At that moment, invisible sparks flew between Sophia and Lady Aeri, and they continued to stare at each other without blinking.

The first to blink was Lady Aeri.

Her face crumpled as she involuntarily closed her eyes. But, as if unwilling to admit defeat, she stood up abruptly with a look that seemed to say her man was taken away by force.

“I’ll be leaving for today. I’ll visit again next time, so take care until then.”

“Sure. Feel free to come anytime if you want to see how well my husband and I are doing.”

Sophia also continued the war of nerves with her until the end.

Normally, she would have seen the guest out, but Sophia didn’t. She simply stood up and ended it with a farewell.

However, she couldn’t take her eyes off Lady Aeri until she left the estate, so she watched through the window as her carriage departed.

The moment her carriage disappeared completely from view, Sophia’s strength left her body, and she sank into the sofa. Although the conversation with Lady Aeri hadn’t been long, she felt utterly drained.

“Oh, what did I just say!”

Then, as the words she had spoken resurfaced, a wave of shame and self-reproach washed over her.

Anyone who saw might think she was jealous of Killian and Lady Aeri’s relationship. It was just a momentary surge of emotion that led her to say such impulsive things; she wouldn’t have said those things if she had been in a rational state.

“Have you finished your conversation?”

As she lay facedown, clutching her head with both hands, Emily entered the drawing room.

“Yes, it’s all over.”

Sophia replied after composing herself as if nothing had happened.

“Did Lady Aeri say anything strange?”

But having already seen her troubled expression, Emily’s eyes narrowed.

“Why do you think that?”

“Your expression didn’t look good.”

“She didn’t say anything strange. It seems she was just curious about who I am and wanted to chat.”

Not wanting to worry Emily, Sophia didn’t go into detail about what had transpired with Lady Aeri.

“Do you know what kind of person Lady Aeri is?”

Instead, she asked about Lady Aeri.

“From what I’ve heard, she’s said to be modest and demure.”

“Modest and demure?”

Sophia’s mouth fell open in surprise at the unbelievable rumors. Considering the conversation they had just had, she seemed far from being demure.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No. Could you find out about Lady Aeri’s current relationships with men? Like if there’s a man she’s discussing marriage with.”

Lady Aeri’s words about visiting again kept bothering her. Hearing that she was getting along with another man would be reassuring.

“Yes, understood.”

Emily nodded with a bewildered expression and left the drawing room. Sophia watched her go, then let out a deep sigh.

“This isn’t because of jealousy! It’s because Lady Aeri is different from the rumors!”

Although Sophia had instructed Emily to investigate Lady Aeri, she felt a sense of unease afterward. It felt as if her actions were driven by jealousy towards Lady Aeri. So, Sophia reminded herself that she was doing this because of Lady Aeri’s rude behavior earlier.

Afterward, Sophia returned to her bedroom and spent time reading. Emily knocked on the door two hours later, suggesting there wasn’t much to investigate.

“It seems she isn’t seeing anyone these days.”

Emily explained as she handed Sophia the report.

“Wasn’t there a man she was discussing marriage with? That’s why there was no progress with Sir Loden.”

Despite Emily’s words likely being true, considering Lady Aeri’s behavior earlier, Sophia didn’t want to accept it. She hoped there was a man she was engaged to.

“There was someone, but it seems they’ve grown distant recently.”

However, Emily’s response wasn’t quite satisfying.

“Why?”

“Since it’s a private matter, it’s not entirely clear, but it seems Lady Aeri suddenly rejected him.”

Did she suddenly desire Sir Loden?

The more Emily reported, the more Sophia was convinced that Lady Aeri’s change of heart was due to her reluctance to let go of Sir Loden, now someone else’s husband.

Is this the mindset of not wanting something but not wanting to give it to others either? How can she behave like this?

Lady Aeri’s feelings weren’t about liking Killian; they were merely about reclaiming what she had lost. If she had accepted his feelings earlier, it would be understandable, but how could she suddenly claim him as her man after he left?

At that moment, Sophia recalled Lady Aeri’s face, claiming Killian as her own. She wore a brazen expression, as if trying to toy with people’s emotions.

The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. No matter how hard she tried to think positively, she couldn’t, and a sudden thought struck her.

I don’t want to lose Killian to a woman like her.

She felt that, of all women, Lady Aeri should not be allowed near Killian. The moment they divorced, Lady Aeri could change her mind again. He was too precious to be sent to someone like her.

Killian had been considerate and respectful to Sophia, even trying to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband despite an unwanted marriage.

So, Sophia didn’t want Killian to get hurt. It seemed better to maintain a marriage filled with duty rather than see him get hurt.

Let’s see if I let him go to Lady Aeri!

Anyway, Killian was a man who had no intention of divorcing unless the King ordered it.

That meant, unless Sophia let him go first, he would never leave her. She felt a bit guilty but wanted to take advantage of his feelings.

The problem was that it wouldn’t be easy for Killian to let go of his lingering feelings for Lady Aeri. In this situation, there was only one way Sophia could help him move on.

And that was to build physical intimacy!

Having already been physically intimate once, she realized that she and Killian were compatible. He must have thought the same.

So, Sophia decided not to reject him anymore and to fully engage in their marital duties.

* * *

“I heard Lady Aeri came to see you today.”

As soon as Killian arrived at the estate, he brought up the topic of Lady Aeri’s visit.

“Yes.”

Sophia’s voice was weary as she answered. Hearing Lady Aeri’s name from Killian made her feel like her resolve to separate them was dissipating.

“Whatever conversation you had, there’s no need to pay attention to her words.”

As if sensing her mood, Killian gently patted Sophia’s head.

His attempt to comfort her was appreciated, but it didn’t alleviate her frustration.

Do you know what we talked about to say that? Why do you say there’s no need to worry? She was the woman you liked. She seems to have lingering feelings, so why shouldn’t I care?

In truth, she had a lot she wanted to ask him. However, she felt that expressing all those thoughts would only make her feel more stifled rather than relieved.

Swallowing the words she wanted to say and lowering her gaze to the floor, Killian tilted his head slightly. Although he didn’t ask what was wrong, he seemed to be trying to read her thoughts.

After a moment of contemplation, Killian spoke unexpectedly.

“If Lady Aeri ever comes to the estate, I’ll have her thrown out, so please be aware of that.”

“Thrown out? Is that necessary?”

Are you hiding something from me?

Killian’s excessive actions only fueled Sophia’s suspicion, making her think it might have been better if he had simply told her not to meet Aeri.

“She is not worth having a conversation with.”

Sophia looked into Killian’s eyes with suspicion, but his gaze did not waver at all.

“Why do you think that?”

Killian approached from behind Sophia, lowering his face and whispering softly into her ear.

“Seeing you so drained after meeting her, I don’t want her in the estate.”

Sophia’s body trembled slightly as his sweet voice flowed into her ear.

“Alright. But can I ask you one question?”

“You can ask as many questions as you like. Ask me anything.”

“How much did you like her? I heard it was a long unrequited love.”