The banquet hall buzzed with excitement, and Cascus stared at Artia with a stern face.
She had defeated him in the duel, intending to avoid dancing with the Crown Prince, but now Artia was directly requesting a dance from the Crown Prince.
Owen seemed to sober up instantly.
Naturally, she hoped he would nominate her husband, but she didn’t know he would choose her.
“Want to dance with me?”
“Yes. Would you possibly reject?”
“No. You don’t have the right to refuse me. You are the winner.”
“Thank you.”
The unexpected choice further heightened the atmosphere in the banquet hall.
The ladies who had eyed the unmarried Crown Prince with interest, hoping to catch his attention, were disappointed.
However, due to Artia’s impressive skills displayed in the recent match, attention naturally shifted to her.
“…”
Cascus had no choice but to watch the scene where his wife and the Crown Prince went to dance together.
Artia turned back, winked at Cascus with one eye closed.
“I have some thoughts on this.”
Cascus felt somewhat relieved by her gesture, but the discomfort was unavoidable.
The nobles looked intriguingly at Cascus, whose face was deeply wrinkled.
Whispers among the nobles reached Cascus’s ears.
“Is he jealous?”
“He even makes that stern expression look cool.”
“I want him to ask me to dance.”
For the onlookers, it was truly an amusing spectacle.
Artia, holding the wine-colored dress, stood in the center of the hall, facing Owen.
The chandelier above the hall emitted light, sparkling beautifully.
The musicians quickly started playing music suitable for the atmosphere.
Owen’s large hand grasped Artia’s small hand.
“How can such a small hand wield a sword so skillfully?”
Owen’s eyes squinted affectionately at Artia.
“I never expected you to ask me to dance. It’s an honor to receive the winner’s choice.”
Usually enjoying interesting duels as if they were entertainment, Owen suffered a miserable defeat in the recent duel.
He thought Artia was quite something.
“While I can face the Duke anytime, opportunities to dance with the Crown Prince are not many.”
Feeling pleased with Artia’s words, Owen looked at her with clearer eyes.
Stepping to the beat of the music, Artia briefly held her breath and exhaled at the scent emanating from Owen’s body.
Although the smell of alcohol on Owen was unpleasant, Artia could endure it for the sake of diplomacy.
“You dance quite well.”
Complimenting Artia’s dancing skills, Owen supported her waist, causing sighs of admiration among the nobles.
The sight of the Crown Prince, who had rarely danced with ladies before, amazed everyone.
Artia, with her charming appearance and exceptional sword skills, left a deep impression on the nobles.
“I heard there were rumors that the Crown Prince has reconciled with the Wellington Duchess. Is that true?”
“Heard you effortlessly defeated Harald Youngae. Looks gentle on the outside, but can’t figure out what’s inside. I find it somewhat intimidating.”
While many watched, Artia and Owen slowly danced and conversed.
“Amazing. You defeated Harald Youngae, known for his skill.”
Owen praised Artia.
Artia understood his thoughts.
“He deliberately matched me up. He wanted to test my abilities.”
“Thanks to that, this match was quite enjoyable. I like such interesting things.”
“If the match was enjoyable for you, I’m glad.”
As Artia danced, she spoke softly to Owen.
“Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
“I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“Please expand the gymnasium.”
Artia had decided to gather the empire’s nobles by expanding the gymnasium.
Being someone who used dark magic involving considerable costs, she undoubtedly belonged to the wealthy nobles.
“I have plans for it.”
“…?”
Owen’s eyebrows furrowed.
“First floor is not enough. I’d like the second floor, or better yet, the third floor.”
“Is the first floor not sufficient?”
“Yes. It’s a bit smaller than I thought. I think we need to expand the gymnasium.”
“What would you possibly do there?”
“Except for what rises and falls, everything.”
Owen was dumbfounded.
Did she really say such words after asking him to dance?
“Your body seems to have become firmer than when I first saw you.”
Artia said, tightening her arm and hand.
Owen chuckled.
“Ha.”
“Thank you. Now let’s get started.”
Artia smiled mysteriously at Owen.
“Really… Is exercising that enjoyable?”
Owen had seen many women starve themselves to lose weight, but he had never seen a woman earnestly train like a knight every day.
Moreover, it was consistent.
“Yes. If you’re okay with it, I’ll also check Your Highness’s physical condition.”
“Me?”
“Yes. If I may say so, it seems there might be an issue with your legs. Men have lower bodies, after all.”
“What, men have…?”
It was the first time a woman uttered such words.
Moreover, how did she know there might be a problem with his legs?
“Have you ever injured your ankle before?”
“…”
Owen didn’t easily respond.
He didn’t want to reveal his weaknesses to Artia.
But she continued talking while dancing.
“It seems your hamstrings have also shortened.”
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!!!
