When Miranda spoke first, Serena had nothing more to say. After all, the Duchess was in charge of the preparations for the royal marriage, and they were running out of time.
“Although I understand the urgency, the lady-in-waiting’s behavior was somewhat improper.”
Despite Serena’s straightforward comment, Miranda continued to smile.
“What part was improper? I’ll make sure to correct it.”
“Is it not improper for the lady-in-waiting, who is not my personal attendant, to enter my bedroom and take the quilt?”
“Oh my.”
Miranda’s face showed no signs of embarrassment as she fiddled with the fan in her hand.
“I used to wake up my daughter that way when she was a child. I even splashed water on her face many times. But I guess I couldn’t dare to do that with you.”
She couldn’t insult someone smiling at her, but she disliked the pretentious smile. Moreover, was she saying Serena was worse than her daughter when she was a child?
“We don’t have much time left before the royal marriage.”
“I’m aware of the date.”
Miranda slowly nodded, still smiling.
“Lady Serena, at this rate, you won’t even be able to greet people in society, let alone become the Crown Princess.”
Her blue eyes stared directly at Serena.
“It would be a stain on the illustrious House of Astel.”
Being a Duchess and not knowing manners would be an insult, but Serena had no intention of denying it. In fact, she chose that life, and thanks to abandoning formalities for the last six years, Astel had become more prosperous.
“It depends on what you consider to be honorable.”
To be pushed around by a mere supporting character like this meant Serena’s past life was really harsh. She wasn’t the first person to smile while making barbed comments.
“The Crown Prince personally came to visit the Astel estate and stayed for several days.”
Her blue eyes shone brightly.
“Do you think the Crown Prince finds my manners lacking, Duchess?”
Miranda remained smiling, though her grip on the fan tightened.
“Of course not. I’m just saying that there are separate laws for women unknown to men, and you, as the future Crown Princess, should familiarize yourself with them.”
“Am I unable to become the Crown Princess if I don’t know these laws?”
If that was the case, it was perfect for Serena. She was full of the desire to act foolishly and be expelled. However, Lucas wouldn’t give up their engagement no matter what absurdity Serena committed.
“It would be difficult to become an excellent Crown Princess.”
It was a cautious and cold answer. Indeed, she was a noble who looked down on Serena’s large stature at the engagement ceremony.
“Also, your carriage arrived earlier… I took the liberty of inspecting it, and there are many inappropriate items.”
“What about my belongings?”
“They are not suitable for the dignity of the royal palace.”
After agonizing over what to take, Serena Astel had chosen items filled with her memories. Naturally, she couldn’t hope for elegance in objects tarnished with use and memories.
“Don’t worry, Your Grace. We’ll provide all the necessities anew at the Shroud Ducal House.”
“I don’t need it. I like the items I brought.”
“Oh dear, what to do…”
Seeing the Duchess’s upturned lips, Serena felt a foreboding sense.
“To be honest, I thought that carriage belonged to the servants and threw away the items.”
“You threw away my items without my permission?”
“Our head servant made a mistake. But if it’s something that even a duke’s head servant would throw away, it couldn’t possibly enter the royal palace anyway… May I ask for your forgiveness?”
Miranda’s expression showed no signs of asking for forgiveness, but since the items had already been thrown away, what more was there to dispute?
In any case, Miranda would’ve disposed of them regardless of whose items they were. For the sake of her own dignity while overseeing the bride’s preparations, she’d do anything.
“We should attend to your grooming, Your Grace. Soon, a lady to instruct you in court manners will be arriving from the royal palace.”
Serena couldn’t understand what was being said, having already been groomed and made-up with Anna’s help.
“It seems our head servant woke you too hastily, not leaving you any time to change out of your nightclothes. I shall scold him.”
Upon seeing Miranda’s sly smile, Serena painfully realized that she’d rather have been tormented by Hyde and Lucas.
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!!!
