The newly renovated Black Swan next to the Artenbach Museum was on a completely different level compared to the existing building. The place that used to be as rigid as a detective office had transformed into an atmosphere resembling an art gallery.
As a result, it was Murtang who was thriving. He was the envy of his colleagues who found the museum’s routine burdensome.
The museum was characterized by systematic nurturing, while the Black Swan was characterized by free growth. That’s why these days, my lips were also filled with smiles.
Of course, I was running both of them, but I was pleased that the Black Swan had grown to be comparable to the museum.
“Madam.”
I rose from my seat as I watched the moving sculpture enter the museum.
“Oh my? What brings you here at this hour?”
“I came because I missed you.”
The administrators and curators murmured. They were discussing the exhibition of works by artists affiliated with the museum, so everyone present overheard Askal’s passionate words.
I rolled my eyes at the museum staff, feeling a bit embarrassed. But they didn’t seem to find it very scary, as they pushed me to go ahead, saying they would take care of the work on their own.
Eventually, I pretended to give in and went to the director’s office with Askal. We had the coffee that I frequently bought in front of us and engaged in extremely trivial conversations.
“Madam, would you take a look at this?”
When there was a brief pause in the conversation, he handed me a golden envelope. The seal of wax split in half and the pattern engraved on the envelope belonged to the imperial family.
I opened the envelope and took out the letter. The neat handwriting was a personal letter from the emperor that I had also seen before.
After carefully reading the entire content, I quietly placed it on the tea table. Then, Askal glanced at my expression and spoke.
“I would like to hear your opinion, Madam.”
There was only one thought that came to mind while reading the letter. It would be better to go and come back as quickly as possible.
“I don’t want to go if I could help it, but… you have clearly stated here that it’s an imperial order.”
I pointed to the end of the letter with my finger. Askal turned his gaze to the side and covered his forehead as if it was a headache.
“Askal, we shouldn’t postpone such matters. It would be best to go and come back as soon as possible.”
“But we have to take Rublion with us.”
“You’re worried that he might get hurt meeting that person, right?”
Askal nodded his head.
“You and I can protect him. We’ll make sure no one can touch Rublion.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to find a way to leave Rublion behind and go, just the two of us?”
Askal had lost his composure due to his concern for Rublion.
“What if the child finds out later? Will you tell him that we went without him because we were afraid he would get hurt meeting his biological mother? That we went against the imperial order?”
The corners of his eyes drooped down.
“Askal. The relationship between the Crown Princess and Rublion is not something we can resolve. We can only heal the child’s wounds so they don’t deepen further, and love and trust him until new skin grows. I think that’s what we should do.”
Askal didn’t say anything. I put the letter neatly back into the envelope, returned it to him, and said,
“So don’t be afraid of things that haven’t happened yet.”
He nodded his head with a worried expression. Seeing him like that, I thought to myself that raising a child is truly not an easy task.
[This is the timeline separator]That evening.
After finishing dinner, Askal carefully brought up the subject while placing dessert in front of us.
“Rublion.”
“Yes, Father.”
The child responded with tension to the rather serious call.
“His Majesty the Emperor has invited us. We must visit the palace soon.”
He continued in a low voice, as if he was reluctant to say it.
“It would be impossible to refuse since it’s an imperial order, but if you wish, I will try to find a reason not to take you.”
Rublion froze like a statue in front of his favorite chocolate cookies. Seeing that made my heart ache.
“You two are going, right?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
At our answers, the child sat silently for a long time. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he let out a big sigh and said,
“Let’s go together. I’m okay.”
“When we go to the palace, that person will be there.”
Rublion nodded his head as if he knew at Askal’s words.
“I thought I should meet her at least once more anyway. There’s something I really want to say.”
“Rublion…”
Countless emotions were reflected in the child’s deep eyes. It made my heart ache.
“I know what you and Mother are worried about. But I’m really okay. Father will be by my side, and Mother will be holding my hand, right?”
Rublion picked up a chocolate cookie and grinned.
“So I’m not afraid at all.”
[This is the timeline separator]On the morning of the day we were to leave for the palace.
Rublion ate more heartily than usual. He was even excited, saying it was his first time visiting the palace.
Askal and I were constantly worried that it seemed like he was forcibly trying to lift his sinking feelings.
After arriving in the capital by train, we settled in at the townhouse. Rublion, whose eyes had grown wide at the unfamiliar mansion in the capital, ran around wildly from room to room.
Somehow, it reminded me of the twins from Terbita.
“Is the entrance to the palace tomorrow?”
“Yes, Madam.”
Askal caught Rublion, who was running around like a colt, and made him sit down. Then, with his usual indifferent expression, he said,
“I don’t know if this will be good news or bad news for you, so I’m just telling you, but I heard that Duke Terbita and the twins will also be entering the palace tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Rublion’s cheeks turned rosy. He mumbled Riena’s name very softly.
“But why is Ranson entering the palace?”
At my question, Askal’s expression subtly hardened.
“I’m not sure about that, but we are scheduled to have an audience at a similar time.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen Ranson.”
“…Madam.”
I looked at him, who had completely turned chilly. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the black leopard.
“It might be a very trivial issue and not a big deal, but I want you to know this one thing.”
“What is it?”
“He is Duke Terbita. Not Ranson.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t call him by that name, like a nickname.”
Oh my, oh my. What is this person saying?
“Shall I step out for a moment?”
Rublion rose from his seat, reading the atmosphere. It was a situation where I shouldn’t laugh, but laughter kept trying to come out.
In the end, I bit my lip hard, tucking it inside my mouth. The wise little one cleverly left the scene.
“I call you Askal every single time, so why do you call him like that?”
“Do you dislike me calling Duke Terbita ‘Ranson’?”
“Yes, I dislike it.”
Ah, I ended up laughing after all. Askal frowned, not understanding why I was laughing.
“You. So you do know how to be jealous?”
“If what I’m feeling right now is indeed jealousy, then I get jealous dozens of times a day.”
I don’t know why his sulky appearance is so cute. I wonder if there’s something wrong with my taste.
“Alright. From today, I’ll erase Ranson from my mind.”
His expression gradually softened as if his mood had improved a little. I cupped Askal’s cheek with my hand.
“Madam.”
He placed his hand over mine on his face and said,
“I heard that couples who get along well call each other by pet names.”
I wonder what he’s trying to say, drawing it out like this.
“So how about we also call each other by pet names?”
“Pet names like darling or honey… something like that?”
I just asked a question, but it made my hands and feet cringe. I wondered if I could actually say it out loud even if we decided on pet names.
“Any pet name is fine. I want everyone to know that you are my woman and I am your man just by that pet name.”
The condition is too difficult, though?
“Alright, for now. We don’t have to decide right away, right?”
I gave him a peck on the forehead to appease him.
“Is the fight over? Can I come back?”
Rublion popped out from behind a pillar, as if he had been hiding somewhere. Askal, who had a face dripping with honey, instantly changed to an indifferent expression.
“We weren’t fighting.”
“It was a fight. A lovers’ quarrel.”
At the child’s retort, I burst out laughing. Then, the two of them, swept up in the atmosphere, also laughed out loud.
[This is the timeline separator]After making all the preparations, we rode in a carriage with the Artenbach ducal family’s crest prominently displayed and entered the palace. Rublion murmured while looking at the enormous garden visible through the window.
“I would get lost if I were alone in there.”
“It seems so.”
I fully agreed with the child’s opinion. Askal said with his arms crossed,
“It’s just big in size. The structure is simpler than you think. You can get out just by walking in the direction where the building is visible.”
While half-listening to Askal’s explanation, pointing out the window like a guide, we had already arrived. As we got out of the carriage and looked around, Terbita’s carriage also arrived at that moment.
Rublion left me and Askal behind and swiftly rushed out. Then, he offered his hand to escort Riena, who was about to get out of the carriage.
The important thing is that Riena didn’t seem to mind and took Rublion’s hand as she got out. Lambermon teased them, saying they would get married at this rate, and got scolded by Ranson.
“Duke Terbita.”
“It’s been a while, Duchess Artenbach.”
He had lost his bear-like appearance and had become a complete nobleman.
“It seems Rieta didn’t accompany you.”
“Yes, she remained in Terbita as the lord’s representative.”
“I see. I was hoping to see her after a long time, so it’s a bit disappointing.”
As we were having a small talk, the chief attendant, who had been watching for an opportunity to intervene, took a step forward between me and Ranson and spoke.
“Welcome to the imperial palace. His Majesty is waiting, so I will guide you.”
I approached Rublion and held his hand. As if thinking the same, Askal held the child’s other hand.
“Rublion, Mom is here.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“I’m here too.”
“Yes, Dad.”
Capturing the child’s bright smile in my eyes, we headed to the audience chamber. We were determined to block any blade that might come our way.
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!!!
