However, lower-grade artifacts were ineffective for higher-grade ability users and often treated merely as expensive lucky charms. So, there was no reason to hesitate in buying it.

Laila thought the craftsmanship was decent enough and decided it could be a good gift for her younger brother, Cedric, as a souvenir from her trip. She turned to her maid and said, “Pay for it.”

The price was much higher than expected, almost half of the money Laila had brought. Hesitant due to her maid’s questioning look, Laila eventually nodded in agreement but approached the owner to subtly inquire.

“Are artifacts always this expensive?”

It was an innocent question, wondering if artifacts were generally expensive or if she was being overcharged.

The shop owner, pleased with the sale, began to explain enthusiastically, “Tuning artifacts are rare, and recently, the prices of Wessex items have gone up.”

“Wessex items have gone up? Why is that?”

Laila’s question seemed to surprise the owner, who countered, “Don’t you know what’s happening in Wessex? You seem to be from Hankin or Wessex.”

“I’ve been in a faraway country. What happened in Wessex?”

The owner casually made small talk as he counted the money.

“Where are you heading now?”

His sudden inquiry about her destination, especially if she was from Wessex, made Laila quickly fabricate a lie, sensing he might be trying to avoid sensitive information.

“I’m on my way back to Hankin.”

Realizing his cautious approach was correct, the man completed the transaction and returned his gaze to Laila.

“Since a few days ago, Wessex’s ports started being controlled. I heard that Fitzroy invaded? The last person I know who went there said they saw Fitzroy’s flags at the port.”
At that moment, the maid beside her couldn’t help but gasp for air. In contrast, Laila found herself unable to react at all.

Fitzroy.

She naturally recalled the content of the report Millei had shown her in the past.

It detailed the conquest of Wessex’s royal palace and the kidnapping of her youngest brother, Cedric.

“This is no time to stand idly. You must come to your senses and return to Wessex as soon as possible,” echoed Millei’s words in her ears like a ringing bell.

Millei had indeed issued a serious warning, all for the sake of Laila Wessex.

‘It wasn’t a lie.’

The news she wished were false turned out to be true.

But this realization brought another insight to her mind.

Millei was a very enigmatic man, but apart from hiding his identity, he had not uttered any falsehoods.

He had indeed facilitated the annulment of her engagement, the arrangement of a ship to Wessex wasn’t with any harmful intent, and even the continental pass, whose origin was unknown, was genuine.

And now, Isabel Fitzroy’s plans as well.

With her maid still in a state of shock, Laila stepped out of the shop. The rough winds of the harbor struck her face.

It was when the ship they had arrived on came into view that she felt utterly lost, unsure of what to do next. Then, one of the knights assigned by Millei prompted her back to reality.

“Princess, please follow me,” said one of Millei’s knights.

Laila and her group headed towards the interior of the city.

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!!!