But Lumi was not as compliant as expected.
“However, only I know the exact location. I’ll let you know later, depending on how you help me.”
Wait, what? She just told me to go back if I’m not helpful, and now this? Inconsistent much?
“Hey!”
“I need to have some insurance. In case you mess things up and flee back to reality. If you really want to go back, you have to help me diligently. And…”
“And, what?”
I snapped back, annoyed. Then, Lumi muttered, avoiding my eyes.
“It would be problematic if you tried to kidnap me, claiming to take me back.”
I was dumbfounded.
So, she fears that if I know the way back, I might forcibly take her with me?
I was turning red with incredulity when Lumi casually took out a hand mirror to check her makeup.
“Sigh, I can’t have my makeup ruined.”
“Ha!”
Stunned by her comment, Lumi glanced at me with a smug look.
“Jin, I’ve improved a lot, haven’t I? Recently, I find it enjoyable to go out. Meeting people is fun too.”
“Sure. You do seem brighter.”
I agreed. Undeniably, Lumi’s depression had improved considerably.
But I refrained from saying it was all because she took over Elfriede’s life.
Lumi put on her gloves and picked up her clutch.
“Help me properly allure Evangelin. Seducing the Crown Prince is no easy feat, you know.”
“Even the villainess of a possession novel has her challenges?”
“Don’t tease. I’m doing my best.”
My sarcasm slipped out, despite my efforts to avoid it.
“Seems like Evangelin is designed to fall in love with the male lead just by breathing next to him. We absolutely can’t let her get close to Klaus.”
Damn, I lost control of the conversation. Reluctantly, I shifted the topic slightly.
“Alright, I get it. By the way, do you have any plans? Since the greenhouse tea time, the male lead doesn’t have any schedule to meet you, right?”
“How do you know that? Museul was just a supporting man following the female lead in the original.”
Lumi was surprised. I laughed confidently.
“Hey, I’m the Crown Prince’s aide.”
“So, you know all his schedules?”
“Uh? Yes.”
I felt a bad premonition and hastily added.
“But the chief servant knows more details than me. I often go on errands and am not always with the male lead, especially on days off like today.”
“Hmm…”
Lumi seemed deep in thought.
Hope she’s not thinking of becoming an aide too. That’s unlikely, right? Being an aide is not just anybody’s job.
Soon, Lumi looked up and smiled.
“Hehe, I’ll contact you again soon. I hope there’s more substantial progress next time we meet.”
Lumi turned swiftly, lifting the hem of her dress slightly as she exited the prayer room.
I stood there, gaping.
“Why’s she like that?”
Just minutes ago, I asked her not to treat me as a subordinate, but Lumi had reverted to her countess mode.
Maybe her depression has improved, but now she’s caught ‘countess syndrome.’
“Still, it’s better than her being gloomy, Lumi.”
Even though she’s living as Elfriede, it’s good to see her acting lively. I never thought I’d see such an energetic Lumi.
But is leaving Lumi here truly for her benefit? I’m not sure. Which is really in Lumi’s best interest?
My bad feeling soon became a reality.
As usual, I was organizing reports at Klaus’ desk when I heard the chief servant’s voice.
“Your Highness, the Empress has arrived.”
“The Empress? My mother?”
I quickly stepped aside. Soon, with the rustle of her dress, a beautiful and elegant middle-aged woman entered.
“What brings you here at this hour, Mother? It’s rare for you to visit at this time.”
“I didn’t come for anything serious, just… ”
The Empress’s brown eyes briefly glanced at me, signaling it might be inconvenient for me to stay.
Klaus seemed to notice it too but shook his head.
“If it’s not confidential, it’s better for my aide to hear it too. That way, we don’t have to discuss it twice.”
“If you insist.”
The Empress looked uncomfortable but brought up the matter in my presence.
“Colin, what do you think about appointing one more aide?”
“Huh?”
Both Klaus and I were surprised.
“Adding another aide all of a sudden? You know I’m very cautious about recruiting people.”
“Oh, it’s not someone suspicious.”
The Empress hastily added, stealing a glance at me again, and hesitantly spoke.
“The person I recommend is Lady Elfriede. She wants to gain various social experiences, having been sheltered under her family’s care all her life.”
I almost burst out laughing.
After hearing my story at the temple, she seemed quite envious.
Klaus, too, chuckled on my behalf.
“Ha, seeking a job is also part of social experience. And she asked Mother for help with that?”
“Isn’t it an effort in its own way for a noble lady? She can’t go around the streets looking for a job.”
Klaus shook his head in disbelief.
“One aide is enough for me, and that’s Museul here. Too many close aides make it difficult to manage.”
Unable to interject in their conversation, I busily observed the situation.
The Empress implored again.
“Adding one more won’t cause any harm, right? Think of your mother’s dignity, Colin.”
“I apologize, Mother. It’s impossible. I frequently meet Lady Elfriede in private already, and working together officially would raise questions among other officials.”
Klaus stood his ground despite the Empress’s earnest request.
The Empress finally conceded.
“You’re unkind, Colin.”
She left, her displeasure evident.
Klaus pressed his temples in frustration.
“This is unbelievable.”
I silently swallowed a sigh, feeling responsible for initiating this situation.
My helping Lumi with her conquest of the Crown Prince must remain a secret.
If Klaus found out, I’d lose my position as an aide, and Lumi would be marked as undesirable.
Klaus leaned back in his chair.
“An aide out of nowhere? Why is she doing something she’s never done?”
I remained silent, listening to his complaints. Though I wanted to agree, Lumi was still my friend.
Then Klaus’ purple eyes turned to me.
“What did she say when she met you?”
The question caught me off guard. I answered as simply and quickly as possible.
“She told me to serve you well, Your Highness.”
“Is that all?”
His gaze grew more intense, and I bowed my head lower.
“Yes. Her tone was a bit strong, but…”
“Did she threaten you to disclose my schedule?”
“What? No, that’s not the case.”
This is turning awkward.
I hesitated for a moment, conflicted whether to reveal Lumi’s feelings to Klaus or to keep silent. After all, it’s hardly polite for a third party to discuss someone’s affections.
Especially now, Klaus seemed displeased with Lumi’s request for a job as an aide.
Maybe it’s better to stay quiet, I thought, but then:
“Seems like I’m quite the joke to her.”
Klaus’ clenched teeth and his expression indicated serious annoyance.
Continuing to keep silent might not be good for me or Lumi. If handled wrong, Lumi might be seen as a despicable person who tried to manipulate the Crown Prince’s closest aide.
No choice then. Even if it’s not polite to Lumi, I needed to diffuse the situation first.
“The truth is, the Lady has a liking for Your Highness. So, being the only aide, she wanted to make a strong impression on me too.”
Klaus remained silent.
He seemed to have already been aware of Lumi’s unusual behavior. This perceptive man must have figured out her actions.
I continued anxiously:
“But I swear, I’ve never shared any information about Your Highness with Lady Elfriede.”
Well, except for planning to seduce Evangeline.
Klaus sighed deeply.
“I see. That’s why Mother intervened.”
“Is there any particular reason you find her presence inconvenient?”
I asked cautiously, to which he slightly shook his head.
“It’s not that she’s inconvenient, but neither is she comfortable enough to keep close. I prefer maintaining a certain distance from her. It’s more comfortable for me in many ways.”
“Understood…”
Oh no, Lumi. By overreaching, you’ve only managed to lower your favorability with the Crown Prince.
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!!!
