I even thought it might be a relief that he had pushed all those trivial things we once shared to the back of his memory.

Seeing that I didn’t approach, Ricardo put his book down on the table. Crossing his arms, he leaned back and tilted his head slightly.

Taking that as permission, I exhaled sharply and mustered the strength in my legs.

“Your Grace.”

I used the imperial etiquette I had hastily learned before meeting the duchess. Ricardo frowned slightly at that.

“A quite different lady from the other night, I see.”

He raised an eyebrow, emphasizing the word ‘night’, making me clear my throat.

“I wanted to express my gratitude, and here I am.”

Ricardo gestured to the chair opposite him with his chin, and the servants around me stepped back.

I sat down, straightened my dress, and showed a proper, if somewhat stiff, smile. In response, Ricardo’s gaze returned, indifferent and dry.

“I sincerely thank you for saving my family.”

Holding a glass of water instead of a teacup, he took a sip. The water flowed, and his Adam’s apple moved noticeably. His gaze, as he slowly put down the glass, was cool and calm.

“It’s not something to be thanked for.”

Ricardo was a very different man from the one who had lain on the bed that night, softly asking to be put to sleep.

“May I ask what you mean by that?”

“You know, as long as your family stays here as guests, they are not safe from Schneider.”

I involuntarily swallowed hard. Though he kindly brought my family here, it didn’t mean an engagement with me.

“The duchy must be in turmoil. It was an order from Emperor Dermaier himself, so even the King of Lesothia must be in a difficult position.”

“…”

“If I hadn’t brought them here, your family, whom you hold dear, would be dead by now.”

“Even so…” Ricardo softly continued, his gaze briefly lingering on my lips. The corners of my lips, which I had barely managed to lift, stiffened awkwardly under his sharp gaze.

“I won’t engage with you.”

“Ah…”
He addressed the part I was most curious about without any unnecessary additions. His words, sounding almost like a death sentence, made me involuntarily close my eyes tightly.

Despite the obviousness of him saying he wouldn’t engage with me, looking into Ricardo’s eyes made me feel as if I had been rejected in love. However, I lightly dismissed the piercing pain that started in my chest and spread to my back.

“Then how long can my family’s safety be guaranteed?”

“Probably until Schneider finds out where your family is.”

“And after that…?”

“I’ll have to send them away. Unless I’m going to war with the Emperor.”

I took a moment to catch my breath. My heart was tangled with various emotions.

First came the relief that my family was alive, thanks to Ricardo. Then surged the resentment towards myself for having helped his awakening and causing this situation.

Despite these feelings, anger also arose at the face of the indifferent man who made the whole world seem blurry with his shining, carefree demeanor.

But now was not the time to complain about the situation.

“How long might that period be?”

“I can’t be sure. Even though Rochester is like a fortress, there are no eternal secrets.”

“So, I’m asking for your guess on how long this not-so-eternal secret might last.”

Even though my words carried a hint of anger, as if I had been insulted, he looked at me calmly.

“Well…”

Ricardo slowly closed and then opened his eyes, uncharacteristically adding more to his statement.

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!!!