“Imperiale will start moving with the knights tomorrow. After all, Count Plache is the one responsible for the monster subjugation in the West, so it’s not surprising.”
“Do you intend to meet the Matop Lord?”
At Milene’s question, Hayden nodded.
“I’ve come this far, so I should meet him. Above all, if I show him the state of the princess, maybe we can find a solution together.”
Lu saw her parents’ faces brighten at that comment. What parent wouldn’t be pleased by such words?
“But hasn’t the Matop Lord been in seclusion for a long time?”
The vast West has a low population compared to its land area. The monster waves that occur every few years have made people leave this land, making it welcoming even to outsiders like Count Plache, not to mention tithe.
Anyone who protects lives and property from monsters is good enough.
Count Plache, who knew everything about this land as its lord, expressed his concern. The Matop Lord of the West had practically retired, handing over all authority to the Emperor.
“The Matop Lord maintains only the position of sage these days.”
Ethan spoke very cautiously.
“How are the rumors about Matop these days, Count?”
“It’s the same old story that it’s been empty for hundreds of years. It’s a difficult place for ordinary people to access, so only rumors abound.”
The oldest belief was to not approach the Matop carelessly and to pay respect to the Matop Lord when passing by.
“If the Matop Lord hadn’t shown himself when you ascended the throne, even the rumors would have disappeared.”
Lu didn’t know about this. She looked back and forth between Hayden, who nodded, and her parents, who seemed deeply involved in his ascension.
“It couldn’t be helped, as he showed himself after the Great Disaster.”
“Yes. I was worried back then because he seemed weak, but I wonder how he’s doing now. Since he’s the sage responsible for the West, I hope he’s in good health.”
Milene also nodded in agreement with her husband’s words.
“I’ll convey your regards to the Count tomorrow. The Matop Lord will be pleased. After a long time, a proper lord has emerged in the West.”
Lu didn’t think about interrupting the conversation between her parents and the Emperor; she just quietly sipped her drink.
Adults’ conversations aren’t meant to be interrupted, and moreover, the discussion among the three was almost like a state secret.
Including Lu, who had just arrived from Caletta, in this conversation was already a big deal.
‘So, they trust me for no reason.’
Simply because she was their daughter, who could discern properly and be with her parents, how big and wonderful a feeling that was.
‘I should have been a little more like that. Foolishly doubting, and even showing it.’
She should not have discussed her three officially registered sisters during dinner. Although she had thought she would do everything without regrets when meeting her parents again, she already had something to regret. Lu emptied her glass.
“Why are you drinking so fast? We also have your favorite fruitcake here. Eat this too.”
Milene took the glass from her daughter’s hand and offered her a plate of cream-topped, peach-filled cake instead.
“The princess recognizes a good drink.”
Hayden smiled warmly and filled Lu’s empty glass himself.
“Don’t drink too much, we have to go to Matop tomorrow.”
As a child, she could taste peach soaked in sugar with fresh cream, or chocolate cake with brandy-soaked cherries, once or twice a month. Mom remembered that Lu couldn’t resist a cake with fruit.
“Isn’t the Matop Lord you, Your Majesty?”
Hayden paused, his hand stopping midway as he was pouring the drink. Riga glanced at his half-filled glass, mumbling as if displeased.
“I may not be well-versed in Perseida, but I saw it in the aristocrat’s yearbook. Your formal title includes owner of the magic tower, does it not? Fill it up. All the way.”
Seemingly dissatisfied with the amount in her glass, she shook it to hurry Hayden along. He looked at her questioningly, then resumed filling the glass.
“Cake. We should have cake as well, Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
Where’s the fork? Lu looked around, then accepted the fork her mother was offering and cut a piece of fruit cake.
“I temporarily hold authority over the magic tower. That doesn’t mean I have special tasks to perform.”
“Why? There would be wizards in a magic tower…, ah, there are no wizards here.”
“Exactly.”
Hayden nodded.
“Still, aren’t there quite a few wizards from Kaleta? Many were captured.”
The purpose of the monsters that crossed the barrier was unclear from ancient times. Whether kidnapping members of the Kaleta Empire’s knight order was the goal, or if they aimed to breach the Catat walls, no one knew.
Lu thought it made no sense to be ignorant of this. To fight for centuries without knowing the enemy’s motives!
She would have to subtly inquire about this with Hayden when the opportunity arose.
“Yes, there are even two precious wizards here.”
Ah. Lu paused with the cake halfway to her mouth, staring at her parents. For an unknown duration, they had been staring at her.
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!!!
