“There’s always a reason when you avoid my eyes like that, Cediloy.”
A lukewarm smile appeared at the corner of Cediloy’s mouth.
“Your Majesty always understands my feelings before I express them, as if you were my mother.”
“I consider you like my son, Cediloy. The same goes for Verbo. You were no different from my children.”
If one traces the lineage of the Balthminster Duchy, it is indeed connected to the royal family of El Blyuen. However, King Elmerat did not cherish Cediloy and Verbo solely based on such blood ties.
Cediloy was aware of this fact, and she had felt the sincerity in his affection, which led her to follow and admire Elmerat.
After taking another sip of tea, Elmerat, who had been silent for a moment, pursed his lips briefly and looked at Cediloy again.
“Cediloy, as I mentioned, you are like a child to me. You precede as my most trusted subject. I don’t know how you will feel if I say this, but this time, I want to agree with Harman’s opinion.”
Cediloy blinked quietly. She had expected that Harman had already discussed matters related to Swann with the king, which was why she had humbled herself and requested an audience in the late night.
“But, Your Majesty, do you not know about Madam Duplié, who is the guardian of Swann?”
“Of course, I do. I am well aware of her son, Hessel, as well. However, Cediloy, why would I not intervene in this matter, even knowing their characters are questionable? It’s unfortunate what happened to Lord Gledon’s son at such a young age. However, it’s a task beyond one’s capability to rescue everyone from personal misfortune.”
Elmerat paused for a moment and exhaled slowly.
“As a king, I have a duty to take responsibility for the lives of all El Blyuen subjects. I have never once neglected my duty, pledging to the gods. But, Cediloy, my beloved child, there are times when we must acknowledge that there is some misfortune that cannot be remedied. It is a story we all, not just me in the king’s position but also you, must accept that humans have only two arms.”
A heavy silence hung between Cediloy and Elmerat. It was a silence born from Cediloy knowing and acknowledging that Elmerat’s words were true.
Nevertheless, it was an impossible task to completely shake off the image of Swann crouching in the corner from her mind. Paradoxically, while observing the lonely and trembling figure of Swann, he also thought of Ariante.
He had tried his best to protect, but the method was not right, and the child had to endure alone for a long time. Yet, the image of Ariante, who loved him dreadfully, overlapped with Swann.
Elmerat looked at Cediloy with a gaze that seemed to express pity for her silence. The agony and lament that she must be enduring were as vivid to her as the candlelight in front of her.
Why didn’t he understand? Elmerat’s words about cherishing Cediloy like a child were not lies. Verbo, on the other hand, was an easily understood child. If he wanted something, he would clearly state it to anyone and was honest.
However, Cediloy was not like that. Even if she had desires or things she did not want to do, she did not know how to express them. In Elmerat’s eyes, Cediloy still looked like that ten-year-old boy who closed his heart after losing his parents.
“Nevertheless, you have to take care of Gledon’s son…”
Cediloy cautiously looked at King Elmerat. She sighed as if reluctant, but soon closed her eyes and nodded slowly.
“Take the child under the ducal jurisdiction, but delay the adoption issue until Gledon’s son and Ariante both become adults. To avoid future problems, you’ll need to reach an agreement with Madam Duplié, who is the current official guardian of the child. However, it’s not something you need to take care of personally. If it were, you wouldn’t have come to me… There’s nothing you can do. I will handle that issue for you.”
Cediloy breathed a short sigh with a noticeably relieved expression. If King Elmerat took care of it like that, she could alleviate some concerns for a while.
“Your Majesty, it might be an impertinent opinion, but I hope that Swann inherits the title and property of the Gledon ducal family.”
“I have also considered that matter. The reason there is an official guardian in the first place is for that. In the case where both parents have died, leaving only a child, it is to protect the rights that the child should inherit afterward… However, yes. I also know that Madam Duplié and Viscount Hessell are not such respectable figures.”
“In that case…”
King Elmerat raised his hand to stop Cediloy from continuing.
“You don’t have to get involved in that matter. Those two won’t accept persuasion from anyone. Although I, as a king, am not particularly inclined to interfere in personal family matters, it is sufficient for the king’s name to ensure that the Gledon ducal family’s deficit does not lead to the loss of legitimate rights. However, you don’t need to know the detailed contents. Do you understand?”
“…I understand what you mean, Your Majesty.”
Elmerat nodded his head. A brief silence lingered between the two sitting opposite each other. Although it was a silence mixed with worries, Cediloy felt deep relief just from the promise that she would prevent Madam Duplié and Viscount Hessell.
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!!!