Loving the Unloving

Chapter 6

The walk back to the Veylan mansion should have felt comforting.

Instead, each step reminded me that I was returning to a place that had never truly been home.

The enormous iron gates slowly came into view, opening as I approached. Beyond them stood the mansion—grand, elegant, and breathtaking enough to grace the cover of an architectural magazine. White marble pillars stretched toward the sky, crystal windows reflected the afternoon sunlight, and perfectly manicured gardens framed the estate like a painting.

It was beautiful.

Yet somehow…

It was the loneliest place I had ever known.

No matter how magnificent the mansion looked from the outside, the warmth of a home could never be found within its walls. Every hallway echoed with silence. Every room felt unbearably cold despite the expensive furniture, dazzling chandeliers, and priceless works of art.

It wasn’t empty because no one lived there.

It was empty because no one loved one another.

The mansion wasn’t merely quiet.

It was suffocating.

Like a luxurious cage where everyone wore perfect smiles while hiding hearts that had long grown distant.

I tightened my grip on my bag before quietly stepping inside.

Without wasting another second, I headed straight for the kitchen, placing my belongings neatly in one corner before rolling up my sleeves.

The moment I looked around, I realized something unusual was happening.

Several maids hurried from one counter to another. Pots simmered on every stove, fragrant steam filled the room, and ingredients were scattered across the marble countertops.

Roasted herbs…

Fresh seafood…

Imported vegetables…

Premium cuts of beef…

It looked less like dinner and more like a banquet.

“Ari,” Aunt Marta called the moment she noticed me. “You don’t have to help today.”

I smiled sheepishly.

“But there’s so much to do.”

“There is,” she admitted with a tired sigh.

I glanced around again.

“Is someone coming over?”

She paused before answering.

“Master Link has a guest.”

My heart skipped for a second.

Link was already home?

“And Madam Eleanor ordered us to prepare a proper feast,” Aunt Marta continued while seasoning another dish.

A guest important enough for Aunt Eleanor to personally supervise dinner…

Who could it be?

Curiosity lingered in my mind, but I pushed it aside and focused on helping.

For the next hour, I washed vegetables, arranged serving platters, polished silverware, and carefully garnished every plate.

No one asked me to.

But I couldn’t stand around doing nothing while everyone else worked.

When everything was finally ready, I excused myself and hurried upstairs.

After changing into clean clothes, I immediately headed back downstairs.

Before I reached the grand staircase, cheerful laughter drifted through the mansion.

The sound stopped me in my tracks.

Laughter…

It was so unfamiliar within these walls that I almost didn’t recognize it.

Curious, I quietly walked toward the living room.

What I saw made me freeze.

Ali and Eli were laughing brighter than I had ever seen before.

Shopping bags from luxury boutiques surrounded them—designer brands whose names alone were worth more than everything I owned.

“Oh my gosh! Thank you, Ate Lexa!” Ali squealed happily as she hugged the young woman sitting on the sofa.

“You know me better than anyone!”

Lexa…

Why did that name sound familiar?

“You always have the best taste in fashion,” Eli chimed in while admiring a designer handbag.

“I swear, no one picks gifts like you.”

Still standing behind them, I finally caught a glimpse of the guest.

Long chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders.

She wore a cream-colored designer dress paired with elegant pearl earrings. Her smile was graceful, gentle, and effortlessly charming.

Everything about her radiated sophistication.

She looked like someone who belonged in the Veylan family.

I instinctively smiled.

Maybe I should welcome her.

Just as I was about to step forward—

“Arieza.”

The cold, authoritative voice behind me made my body stiffen.

I turned around immediately.

“A-Aunt Eleanor.”

She looked at me from head to toe before speaking without a hint of warmth.

“Go back to the kitchen.”

“…Yes?”

“We have guests.”

Her expression remained unreadable.

“Make sure every dish is served properly. I don’t want anything out of place.”

“…Yes, Aunt.”

Not once did she ask me to greet their visitor.

Not once did she introduce me.

As if my existence would only embarrass the family.

I lowered my head and quietly returned to the kitchen.

…

Dinner was ready soon after.

One by one, the dishes were carried into the enormous dining room.

The long mahogany table looked like something from a royal banquet.

Golden roasted turkey glistened beneath warm lights.

Butter-garlic lobster rested beside grilled king prawns.

Prime rib carved to perfection.

Creamy truffle pasta.

Herb-crusted lamb chops.

Fresh sashimi arranged like artwork.

Imported cheeses.

Warm artisan bread.

Crystal bowls overflowing with colorful fruit.

Delicate pastries.

Chocolate mousse.

Strawberry tarts.

Macarons.

Every plate looked flawless.

Yet somehow…

None of it made me hungry.

The family slowly entered the dining room.

Link had changed into a charcoal-black shirt that fit him perfectly.

His expression remained as unreadable as ever.

He took his seat beside Lexa.

Only then did I remember.

She was the woman everyone had been talking about a few days ago.

“The table is overflowing, Aunt Eleanor,” Lexa said with a soft laugh, her eyes widening at the extravagant feast.

“You’ve prepared far too much.”

Nonsense.” Eleanor smiled warmly.

“Eat as much as you’d like. You’re practically family.”

I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen Aunt Eleanor smile like that.

Her face looked…lighter.

Kinder.

Almost motherly.

A version of herself I had never experienced.

I quietly stood in the corner beside the other household staff, waiting for instructions.

That was always my place whenever guests visited.

Invisible.

Silent.

Forgettable.

As everyone settled into their seats, Link suddenly lifted his eyes.

For one brief moment…

Our gazes met.

My heart skipped.

But just as quickly, he looked away.

Without a word.

Without expression.

Without acknowledging me.

Then he turned toward Lexa and gently pulled out the chair beside him.

“Please.”

The simple gesture drew delighted smiles from everyone at the table.

Except me.

For some reason…

The warmth I’d felt earlier that day slowly disappeared.

And I couldn’t explain why the sight of them sitting together made my chest ache.

…

The dining room gradually came alive.

Crystal glasses clinked softly against porcelain plates as the servants began serving the first course. The rich aroma of roasted herbs, butter, and freshly baked bread filled the air, but none of it reached me.

I remained in my place near the wall with the rest of the household staff, hands folded neatly in front of me, waiting for instructions.

Invisible.

That was the role I had long grown accustomed to.

“Arieza.”

I immediately looked up.

“Yes, Aunt Eleanor?”

“Pour Lexa’s wine.”

“…Yes.”

I hurried over, carefully lifting the crystal decanter. My hands were steady as I filled Lexa’s glass without spilling a single drop.

“Thank you,” Lexa said with a gentle smile.

Her voice surprised me.

It wasn’t arrogant.

It wasn’t mocking.

It was…kind.

I smiled back instinctively.

“You’re welcome.”

Before I could return to my spot—

“And mine too.”

Ali casually slid her glass toward me without even looking up from her phone.

I silently filled it.

“Since you’re already standing there,” Eli added, “serve everyone.”

“Yes.”

I moved from one seat to another, refilling glasses and adjusting cutlery whenever needed.

No one thanked me.

No one acknowledged my presence.

To them, I wasn’t part of dinner.

I was simply part of the service.

The conversations soon flowed effortlessly around the table.

“So, Lexa,” Eleanor asked warmly, “how long will you be staying this time?”

“About a week,” Lexa replied.

“I finally managed to clear my schedule.”

“Good.”

“You should stay longer.”

Ali clasped her hands excitedly.

“Yes! We haven’t gone shopping together in forever.”

“And don’t forget our spa day,” Eli added.

Lexa laughed softly.

“I remember.”

“I already made reservations.”

The siblings exchanged delighted looks.

I couldn’t help noticing how naturally Lexa fit among them.

There wasn’t a trace of awkwardness.

She laughed with them.

Teased them.

Even Aunt Eleanor seemed genuinely fond of her.

It almost looked like…

she belonged here.

“Arieza.”

I looked over again.

“Bring another basket of bread.”

“Yes.”

I returned to the kitchen.

The cooks were still busy preparing dessert.

I quickly placed warm artisan bread into a silver basket before hurrying back.

As I approached the table—

“Oh.”

Ali wrinkled her nose dramatically.

“She’s still here?”

Heat crept into my cheeks.

Eli chuckled.

“I almost forgot.”

“She blends into the furniture so well.”

The table erupted into soft laughter.

Everyone…

except Lexa.

She looked between the three of us, clearly uncomfortable.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Ali said with an innocent smile.

“I was only joking.”

Another laugh.

Another reminder.

I wasn’t someone they respected enough to apologize to.

I carefully placed the bread on the table without saying a word.

As I turned to leave—

“Wait.”

I stopped.

Ali looked at me from head to toe.

“Can you stand somewhere else?”

I blinked.

“You being there is…kind of distracting.”

“I…”

“I can see your reflection in the glass cabinet.”

Eli nodded in agreement.

“It ruins the atmosphere.”

More laughter.

Even some of the servants lowered their heads, pretending not to hear.

I quietly stepped farther away.

“I’m sorry.”

“There.”

Ali smiled.

“Much better.”

⸻