The sun was just setting, and the view of the sunset from here was quite spectacular.
“Sitting here after graduation feels strange,” Evelyn said in a contemplative tone.
“Right. It feels odd to be back in a place filled with memories,” I replied, gazing blankly at the reddened sky.
“Why did you come to see the professor?” I asked her.
“I needed a recommendation letter,” she replied.
“A recommendation letter?”
“Yes. I’m preparing to study abroad. I need the letter for the academy I want to enter.”
“Wow, Evelyn, you’re going abroad?”
“Mhm. I decided to go because I want to study more.”
“That’s impressive,” I said, looking at her admiringly and smiling.
“Not really impressive. I just don’t have much to do here, so I decided to go.”
“Still, the fact that you thought of it is pretty amazing,” I said, thinking how typical it was of Evelyn to design her own life and live by her own will. Her proactive approach was truly admirable.
“Where are you planning to go?”
“I’m thinking of going to the Uspelion Empire.”
“The Uspelion Empire? That’s the one on the eastern side of the continent, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I heard it’s really far from here… When are you leaving?”
“If nothing goes wrong, I plan to leave within this week.”
“This week? That’s soon. How long do you plan to stay?”
“I’m not sure right now. But I probably won’t come back for a few years.”
“A few years?”
“Yes. Since I’m going, I want to study everything I’m interested in. That will take quite a bit of time.”
“Oh… I see.”
Even though we didn’t see each other often, the thought of not being able to see her for a long time due to the physical distance made me feel quite sad.
“It’s really a shame.”
“Yeah. How about you, Helena? Have you thought about studying more?”
“Me? Um… I’m not sure. I haven’t seriously considered studying abroad.”
In truth, I had thought about it a lot. I enjoyed studying about plants and gardening at the academy, but the high cost of studying abroad was a huge burden for me, especially as I was just managing to maintain our family’s status. Plus, I was emotionally reliant on Adelia back then and couldn’t imagine being apart from her.
“Oh, maybe because of the marriage?”
“Marriage?”
“With Duke Laverion. He waited until you were of age, right?”
“Oh, yeah. Well, sort of.”
I was so flustered by Evelyn’s mention of marriage that I ended up responding vaguely.
“That would have been a good opportunity for you.”
“A good opportunity?”
“I heard from my father that the empire is launching a support policy to encourage international students. So people who couldn’t afford to study abroad might get a chance now.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If you’re considering it, think about it. Stepping into a new world is more amazing than you can imagine,” Evelyn said dreamily.
Looking at her, I felt as if I was sharing in her wonderful experience.
“Didn’t you study abroad when you were younger?”
“Yes, but back then, I was too young and inexperienced to do everything I wanted. Plus, the Kingdom of Waymon, where I went, was a small country, so there were limits to what I could learn.”
I nodded slowly, understanding what she meant.
“But the Uspelion Empire is different. I’ve heard that the academies there offer diverse and interesting things to learn, things that aren’t available in Waymon Kingdom, let alone here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. For those who want to study abroad, it’s truly a great opportunity. It’s something you’ll regret if you miss it.”
“I see.”
I also… want to go.
Convinced by her words, my mind began to fill with the desire to seize this wonderful opportunity.
“Thank you, Evelyn, for the information.”
“It’s a relief if it helped you. I hope we can see each other again soon.”
Saying this, Evelyn smiled brightly.
“Yeah, me too.”
As we talked, the sky, which had been tinged red, had now turned completely dark.
“Oh, I forgot I have an evening engagement. I have to go.”
“Oh, really? You better hurry then.”
“Yeah. Goodbye.”
“Bye, Evelyn.”
Even after Evelyn left, I remained deep in thought for a while.
‘A good opportunity.’
Can I really seize it?
Can I adapt well in a foreign country so far away?
My desire to go was strong, but I also felt anxious about leaving the place I had always lived for such a massive adventure, and that too, alone.
I hesitated to make a decision.
What should I do?
What would Adelia have said to me in this situation?
As I was pondering, I remembered the note I had found earlier.
‘Ah, right.’
I quickly pulled out the small piece of paper from my pocket.
It was likely filled with jokes and conversations we had at the time, just for fun.
Yet, I felt like this note would give me some answers.
I unfolded the paper, and there was Adelia’s handwriting, so familiar and dear.
To Helena, who is lying in front of me, sleeping.
Hi, Helena.
When will you read this note?
At twenty? Twenty-five? Or when we’re old ladies?
It might be forgotten and never opened, or lost by someone else.
Even so, I have no doubt we’ll always be friends.
No, maybe by then, we’ll be more like family.
Family?
Is she talking about marriage with Kae-earn?
‘It’s just a casual comment, right?’
I tried to take her words lightly and continued reading.
That’s up to brother, but the important thing is that we’ll always be friends.
I won’t let anyone hurt or upset you.
Even if that person is my brother.
So don’t forget.
I’m always on your side, cheering for you, wherever you are and whatever you do.
And I’ve always wanted to tell you this.
Thank you for being my friend, Helena.
After reading Adelia’s note, my heart felt full, and a smile naturally formed on my face.
‘Adelia.’
I knew it.
I believed Adelia would have the answer to my dilemma.
‘I’ll think about it more.’
What’s the best decision? There’s still time to think about it.
After reaching that conclusion, I got up from the bench and headed home.
My steps felt lighter, my mind calmer.
On my way home, my mind was once again filled with thoughts of studying abroad.
So, I let the topic of marriage mentioned in the note slide.
Time continued to flow ceaselessly.
Two weeks had passed since Kae-earn left the capital, but there was still no news from him.
‘I need to tell him soon.’
After meeting Evelyn and reading Adelia’s note, I spent the whole day contemplating and thinking. Finally, I made a decision and it was time to act on it.
Since Kae-earn should be the first to know, I planned to visit the duke’s residence as soon as I heard of his return.
‘When will he come back?’
As I was waiting for his return, an unexpected visitor came to see me.
“Miss, Prince Lucas Aiker requests to see you.”
“Who? Lucas Aiker?”
“Yes. Should I show him to the drawing room?”
“Oh, yes. Please do that.”
Why has Lucas Aiker come to see me?
Could it be…
With a sense of unease and curiosity, possibly related to what happened at the party, I left my study and went down to the drawing room on the first floor.
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
