ICHYR Ch 6

It was a sleepless dawn. For an unknown amount of time, Irene replayed Kaiden’s cold attitude.

 

He had never been angry.

 

Whenever she expressed her disappointment, he would come to her late at night, hug her, and give her a light kiss. He used to be like that…

 

Now he was lying with his back turned. She could hear his shallow breathing. Looking at his large, broad back, Irene clenched the bedsheets.

 

What went wrong?

 

What made him so cold?

 

What on earth…?

 

Unreachable questions swirled alone. Faint light pushed back the darkness. Irene’s eyes gradually closed.

 

She had a dream. In the dream, Kaiden received the painting and gave her a very bright smile. He whispered that he was sorry and kissed her forehead. Irene readily accepted his apology.

 

The words he said remained a big wound in one corner of her heart, but it was okay. She could just press the wound deep inside. It was very familiar to Irene.

 

The way to be happy again was easy.

 

 

 

 

She heard the rustling of blankets. Irene quietly counted the small sounds. The sound of water, the rhythmic footsteps, and the sound of fabric brushing. The early dawn brought sounds that were usually hard to hear.

 

When she slowly opened her eyes, she could see Kaiden’s figure dimly. By the time her focus returned, she realized the reality again.

 

He was going to disappear again today without saying a word.

 

Irene, who was staring blankly at his back, got up groggily.

 

“…Are you very busy?”

 

Kaiden’s hand, which was tying his tie, stopped. But he quickly continued doing what he was doing.

 

“Are you planning not to talk to me from now on?”

 

Again, no response. It was no different from last night. Irene didn’t give up and continued.

 

“You can at least tell me why you’re doing this to me.”

 

A low sigh escaped from Kaiden’s lips. Irene flinched and closed her mouth. He looked very annoyed in the mirror. Eventually, he opened his lips.

 

“You’re so caught up in useless paintings that you don’t even know how the world is turning.”

 

“Were you angry because I only drev paintings in the detached palace for a while? I’m sorry. I was so busy preparing a gift that I neglected you.”

 

Irene offered an apology without hesitation. She didn’t want to see Kaiden’s cold appearance. She wanted him to return to his old self as soon as possible.

 

His eyes met hers in the mirror. His golden eyes were still as cold as ice.

 

“Are you pretending not to know on purpose? Or do you really not know?”

 

“What don’t I know?”

 

Kaiden gestured with his chin to the side table. There was a newspaper on it where his gaze went.

 

“Check it.”

 

Irene picked up the newspaper in a daze. It was the first newspaper she had seen in a week because she was focused on preparing Kaiden’s gift.

 

What did the contents of the newspaper have to do with Kaiden’s attitude?

 

Irene frowned and turned the newspaper over. Politics, economy,social events. It was a common topic that was no different from usual. Her hand, which was nonchalantly turning to the next page, stopped.

 

[Shock in society: The only daughter of the Whitfield family revealed to be born out of wedlock. “Hiding the truth is a greater sin” “I wanted to protect my daughter, but the family’s honor was more important.”]

 

A cold chill swept over her. Without even having time to think more, her eyes quickly read the contents.

 

The newspaper contained an interview with her father.

 

[“Kaiden Hegwins tried to use my daughter as a tool to make the family’s honor and wealth his own, and eventually even coveted the authority of the Duke’s family.

I had no choice but to reveal that Irene was illegitimate in order to prevent him from abusing the family’s reputation.

It was a heartbreaking thing, but it was an unavoidable choice to protect the family.”]

 

Why did Father make this choice?

 

Her kind father’s appearance was so vivid.

 

Her father’s arms, which hugged her and told her to marry for her happiness, her father’s smile, which smiled brightly, saying that there would be another happiness if she started a family and had children. Her father’s letter, which contained his desire to see his grandchildren soon, flickered before her eyes.

 

She had never thought about a situation like this.

 

Especially since she was recognized as a member of the Whitfield family when she was young.

 

“No matter what anyone says, you are my daughter. Don’t be attached to your birth and live with pride.”

 

Her father had completely cut off the label of being illegitimate.

 

A perfectly hidden weakness was not a threat.

 

Since there was no threat, it didn’t feel like a weakness. At some point, Irene couldn’t even remember that she was illegitimate.

 

Just as her vision was fading, she heard the sound of the door opening. Kaiden was leaving the bedroom.

 

Realizing it late, she hurriedly called him.

 

“Wait.”

 

Fortunately, a calm voice came out. Irene took a small breath and raised her head. Their eyes met in the air.

 

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

 

It was natural. What she didn’t understand more than her father’s choice was him.

 

“In the end, your attitude changed because I’m illegitimate… this doesn’t make sense.”

 

“I don’t know why you think it doesn’t make sense.”

 

“Because our relationship isn’t light enough to be overturned by birth.”

 

The two years she spent with him were definitely not light. She loved him sincerely and laughed often. The affectionate gaze and the touch full of affection were not all lies either.

 

The hand holding the newspaper tightened. Irene added with conviction.

 

“You didn’t love my status.”

 

Just as she loved the man named Kaiden.

 

Irene tried to find an answer in his expressionless face. But she couldn’t read anything.

 

“Kaiden, if you felt betrayed… if you’re disappointed in me because of that, tell me honestly”

 

“Should I feel betrayed?”

 

“If not, then what? Why are you so cold?”

 

“It’s just a process of getting to know each other. Just like I didn’t know you well.”

 

Irene stared at him with confused eyes. Was this person really Kaiden Hegwins? Or did she just love his illusion? Surely the lover she loved was a warmer person than anyone else. He didn’t look at her with endlessly cold eyes.

 

“…Just say you hate me. Why do you keep acting like someone else?”

 

A precarious silence flowed. Just in time, she heard the voice of his attendant calling for him beyond the door.

 

Kaiden, who had unbuttoned his cufflinks, checked the time. A slightly annoyed sigh permeated the quiet room. In the end, he turned around and left without any other answer.

 

Irene stared at the place where he had left for a long time. It felt like one side of her chest had been eaten away. It was when the room brightened that the focus returned to her dazed eyes.

 

Irene raised her head and quietly looked at the window. When he left early in the morning, Kaiden always closed the curtains. It was an act of consideration for her sleeping.

 

But now the dry autumn sunlight was shining into the room. She closed her eyes as she stared at the golden dust floating in it.

 

 

⋆˚✩☽⋆⁺₊✧༚❃༚✧⁺₊⋆☽✩˚⋆

 

 

Marble pillars and gold trim in every window. A splendid fountain and elaborately carved trees. The Hegwins mansion was as luxurious as any other noble’s mansion.

 

“What’s the point of just being flashy on the outside? It’s just an empty shell.”

 

Duke Whitfield clicked his tongue and entered under the pergola. Kaiden was sitting at the outdoor reception table.

 

“Aren’t you evaluating the place where my beloved daughter lives too harshly?”

 

Kaiden, who was facing the Duke, pulled at his lips. It was a social smile he made habitually. That arrogant and relaxed attitude always touched the Duke’s nerves.

 

But today was different.

 

The Duke smiled brightly and sat opposite him.

 

“Did you like my birthday present?”

 

Kaiden’s golden eyes sank deeply.

 

The Duke did not miss that subtle change. Duke, who pulled the lighter, put a cigarette in his mouth.

 

“The more beautiful it is, the more poisonous it is. Kaiden Hegwins, your judgment has deteriorated a lot. No, you’re blinded by a woman. To be honest, I’ve been surprised to see you these past few years. I thought you were really in love.”

 

Duke Whitfield exhaled cigarette smoke. His eyes, which were examining Kaiden, were sharp.

 

“It was so perfect that it deceived Your Excellency the Duke. I will gladly accept the compliment. However, as you know, I have suffered a great blow this time, so I am not in a relaxed state. Please tell me the main point now.”