His tone was admiring, a stark contrast to the hardness in his eyes when he first saw me.
‘So, as long as the exterior shines, even a tainted lineage seems quite acceptable.’
“Thank you for your kind words. I’m flattered.”
Despite my internal thoughts, I responded with a smile.
“I doubt you’ll heed my words, though.”
“Do I seem that untrustworthy?”
“Yes, you do.”
“Troublesome, isn’t it?”
I simply smiled.
I saw my situation as an advantage, a tool for garnering sympathy.
Like today, the steward, who had looked down on me, was now offering advice.
It’s their attitude of ‘I can ignore you, but I can’t stand others doing the same.’
Then, the door of another powder room opened, and Aris emerged, her face pale, wearing a dress far plainer and simpler than her usual style.
‘That’s definitely not Aris’s taste.’
I wondered if such a style even existed in her wardrobe.
Her expression of utter disgust was understandable.
She would have preferred her original dress, but having already claimed that it was harmful to her body, she had no choice but to pick the best of the worst.
Trying to hold back laughter was challenging.
Seeing me in her dress, tears quickly filled Aris’s eyes.
However, no one spoke to her.
The only person who could console her was her maid, Georgiana. However, even she hesitated to speak up, merely observing Aris’s mood.
Walking with a gloomy-faced Aris, we made our way down the stairs towards the banquet hall. That’s when…
“Ouch!”
Aris, having stumbled over something, grabbed onto me.
As we both staggered, she lowered her head towards my shoulder.
“So this was why you so easily gave up the dress to Aris, wasn’t it?” she said indignantly.
I couldn’t help but curve my lips into a smile at her huffy tone.
Whispering quietly into her round, adorable ear that peeked out from her hair, I replied, “What are you talking about, Miss? When have I ever not given you what you wanted?”
“…….”
“It’s the same this time too. I wanted you to wear this dress.”
“…….”
“But I never expected the royal family to be so concerned about me. Even as a princess in name only, I’m treated quite well.”
My words ignited a fire of anger in Aris’s eyes.
‘But that’s just how it is.’
‘Now, you’re my prey.’
Aris quickly detached herself from me, putting on a smiling face as if nothing had happened.
“Aris’s legs gave out, and I almost fell. Sorry, Sister!”
With that, she grabbed Georgiana’s elbow tightly and started walking. She was holding on so firmly that Georgiana’s lips were pursed in discomfort.
‘Who would have thought I’d feel sorry for that spiteful girl?’
Tsk tsk.
‘Why covet what belongs to others?’
How naive to think she could simply take a dress ordered by the royal family for herself.
‘She must have thought of the royal property as hers, something she could always take away.’
Thinking about it, the situation seemed ridiculous.
‘Is it a communal item or something?’
She probably didn’t expect the royal family to care so much about a mere princess’s dress.
Normally, that would have been the case. The royal family would have been content to dress her in any decent gown.
‘Is it because of the letter from the 5th Prince?’
The only reason for a change in treatment from the royal family.
‘But such favor will dissipate like a mirage once the prince’s interest fades.’
Nevertheless, it’s beneficial for now.
At least I don’t have to wear that unpleasantly short dress Aris was stuck with.
Adjusting my attire, I entered the hall alone. More people had gathered inside than before.
The King gasped upon seeing me.
“Oh, how beautiful you are. Were you always like this?”
He tilted his head, looking at me curiously.
I had dressed up for the princess’s enthronement ceremony, but it couldn’t compare to the high-end dress from Mabella Dress Shop, frequented by the capital’s nobility.
‘Clothes make the man’ indeed holds true.
‘And the royal maids are so professional.’
I hadn’t realized before how perfume spritzes and deftly applied makeup could transform someone.
The King, who had been scanning me with a peculiar gaze, cracked a smile. His usually sensitive face relaxed into one of satisfaction.
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!!!
