While there had been bedrooms with attached reception rooms in the Astel ducal residence in the past, the scale in the palace was completely different.
Even on the way to the bedroom, she saw freshly picked bouquets on the tables, ornately carved wall reliefs, famous paintings, and equally beautiful curtains.
“Then, I will open the door to the bedroom.”
The door, smaller than that of the main room but ornately designed, opened soundlessly. While there were sofas and a few pieces of furniture in the bedroom, Serena only had eyes for the bed.
“Everyone out. I will attend to the Crown Princess.”
Anna tidied up the situation and closed the bedroom door. In the meantime, Serena had already flung herself onto the large bed, supported by four posts.
Lying her head on the soft bed, Serena sighed deeply as Anna removed her shoes from her swollen feet.
“Ah, I feel like I’m going to live.”
Looking back, she had rarely worn heels in Astel. She had often ridden horses and lived an active life, so heels had been far from her day-to-day existence.
“It’s really lucky that Lady Abigail is not here.”
If one were to be specific, the last time she had worn such high and sleek heels was six years ago at her engagement ceremony.
“Yes, she would have been shocked. If she had been a bit younger, she would have been your lady-in-waiting instead of me.”
“Ugh… What a dreadful thought.”
As Serena shuddered, Anna adeptly unbuttoned her dress and helped her out of it.
“Could you please sit up for a moment?”
Finally, Serena sat up, threw off the heavy dress, and lay back down on the bed in her white chemise.
Anna felt the distance she had initially felt from Serena, now the Crown Princess, melt away. In the end, people don’t change.
“What time is it?”
“It’s 5 o’clock. His Highness will probably arrive after 10, so you should rest and have a meal before taking a bath.”
Anna’s words were based on the premise of observing the first night.
“On your first night, you should wear special wedding attire, which is already prepared. Just take a bath and put it on.”
“Uh-huh…”
“You should only wear the wedding attire and no other accessories, so it won’t take long or be bothersome. The maids will also redecorate the bedroom while you’re bathing.”
Lying with her head buried in the bed, Serena half-rose, as if asking what Anna meant. How could this beautiful, perfect bedroom be redecorated any further?
“On your wedding night, a white veil is hung over the bed. The sheets and blankets will also be changed to pure white.”
The reason was obvious to anyone.
“Tomorrow morning, as your chief maid, I will come to check the sheets and burn them on the roof, following the tradition that the couple is blessed.”
Such cumbersome traditions seemed endless. But it was good that she heard about it beforehand.
“Is it only the chief maid who checks it?”
“Usually, all the maids come to celebrate, but…”
“No, can only you see it if I want?”
“Of course.”
Anna smiled, as if understanding the bride’s shy feelings.
“Anna.”
However, Serena had a serious expression for a completely different reason and gestured.
“Yes, there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s all natural…”
“No, listen to me.”
Serena tightly grasped Anna’s hand.
“His Highness the Crown Prince will stay in this bedroom tonight.”
“Of course.”
“But… um… there won’t be… that sort of thing.”
Rarely, Serena stumbled over her words and quickly averted her gaze.
“What?”
“That is, the sheets won’t get dirty.”
“…What?”
Anna’s eyes quivered. She had clearly just witnessed a wedding ceremony; what was this about?
“He agreed to respect my choice.”
“You mean, your choice is not to consummate the marriage?”
Marriage meant consummation. This was shocking to Anna, who had been raised and lived believing so.
“I can’t go into details, but yes.”
“But that could be a big problem.”
“It’s better than being submissive to someone against my will.”
“But he’s your husband, isn’t he?”
“Even so.”
Serena cut her off firmly.
“Anna, I understand if you can’t accept it. Instead, don’t try to understand, just accept it.”
Anna, who loved Serena more than anyone else in the world, could not refuse this request.
“The sheets will remain clean. But… can others be made to think so?”
If the still-shy bride only entrusted the wedding night sheets to a familiar chambermaid, no one would say anything. Initially, not consummating the marriage was unthinkable, so who could doubt it?
“If that’s what you wish… I will make it so.”
“Thank you.”
Serena’s hand, holding Anna’s, tightened.
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!!!
