“Rather than entrusting an injured woman to a despicable man who can’t even offer a helping hand, it’s better for me to take her with me. Everyone, step aside.”

Shallen, seemingly unable to believe the words he just heard, lost his sociable smile and stiffened his face.

The shock was not limited to Shallen.

Not only Rose but also the guards following them all appeared visibly perplexed.

In fact, Parnes speaking insultingly to Shallen was not particularly surprising.

What truly astonished them was why Emperor Parnes was defending a mere maid, a man known for his indifference to anything other than state affairs and his people.

“Your Majesty, you really don’t have to do this.”

“Stay quiet.”

As Shallen, Rose, and their entourage hesitantly stepped aside, Parnes lightly adjusted Kasalyn in his arms and hastened towards the nearby palace.

Kasalyn, with only her white ankles dangling, looked back over Parnes’ shoulder.

Whether it was humiliation or some other emotion, Shallen’s face turned red as he glared fiercely in their direction.

He stood motionless like that until they blurred into the distance.

“Prepare a fire in the guest room, and get the bath water, fresh clothes, and towels ready.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Parnes, walking through the corridor, instructed the maids following him in a stern voice.

He didn’t seem burdened at all carrying Kasalyn, who was soaked from head to toe.

It felt strange.

Had he not helped, she would have repeatedly fallen in an unsightly manner due to Shallen’s scolding.

The fact that his strong arms were firmly embracing her now was unbelievable yet so reassuring.

‘To feel relieved beside the Emperor of a neighboring country, whom I barely know… Odd indeed.’

Parnes entered a bedroom that, although unused, was neatly cleaned. Contrary to her expectation of some formal words, he put Kasalyn down and left without a word as soon as his task was done.

That was to be expected, yet a vague sense of disappointment weighed on her.

“The bath is ready, and here is a new dress,” the kind maids said.

“Thank you.”

“Do you need anything else?”

Wanting to be alone for a while, she said she’d take care of the rest.

After the maids left, Kasalyn took off her wet clothes and immersed herself in the fragrant bathwater.

「Kasalyn, it’s your fault. As a maid, you should have properly taken care of the queen.」

She tried not to think about Shallen and Rose, but the pain once lodged in her heart lingered and deepened her wound.

As the water cooled, she shivered.

After getting out of the bath and changing into new clothes, a dry cough escaped her.

“I’m cold…”

Huddled in front of the crackling fireplace, Kasalyn gently touched her slightly swollen ankle.

With the grand ball the next day, could she manage high heels and a social event in this state?

As she sighed into the flames, she heard a voice.

“Hey.”

Startled by Parnes, who had entered without a sound, Kasalyn turned around.

“Your Majesty?”

He looked down at her, displeased and silent, then casually threw something at her.

A white medicine bottle rolled and bumped against her knee.

“Aren’t you going to treat the wound?”

“It’s okay. It’s just a little scrape from the gravel.”

He sighed deeply.
“Sigh…”

He let out a long sigh.

Kasalyn fiddled with the pungent-smelling medicine bottle, looking up at him slyly.

“Are you worried about me?”

“Me, worry about you?”

He muttered to himself, incredulously.

“Isn’t it? Otherwise, why did you…”

“I’m sorry, but I have no interest in whether you get hurt, roll around, or even die in the water. I just can’t stand being indebted to anyone.”

“Debt?”

“Drop your delusions and listen carefully.”

Parnes, with a reluctant look, knelt on one knee and abruptly grabbed Kasalyn’s ankle, starting to treat the wound.

His hands were rough with calluses from wielding a sword, but surprisingly delicate in their movements.

“The time under the flower tree, when you unnecessarily meddled and wrapped your dirty skirt hem around me. As an emperor, I couldn’t let that debt go unpaid. That’s all.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell if you’re thanking me or scolding me.”

“And one more thing.”

Parnes continued as he wrapped and secured a bandage around her ankle.

“I couldn’t stand to see you cowering and taking a scolding from Shallen Liche, not even fighting back.”

“Did it look like His Majesty was scolding me?”

“If that wasn’t scolding, then what was it?”

Kasalyn’s eyes widened, and she pursed her lips.

It seemed no one else there thought Shallen’s attitude was problematic.

Why did he think she was being unjustly scolded?

“Now that we’re on the subject, let me ask. Why do you always have a hurt expression when you’re with those two? In front of the emperor of Parnes, you’re fearless, but in front of them, you always look like you’re in pain, desperately holding back.”

“Having a hurt expression?”

“Yes. Every time you’re with Shallen Liche, you always look like your heart is torn apart in agony, yet you desperately endure it.”

Seeing that made him unbearably irritated.

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!!!