At first glance, it appeared to be an envelope with the Duke’s seal on it.
I cautiously pulled the slightly distant envelope towards me.
‘Did he come to give this? So, he really doesn’t know about that day?’
There was a familiar name on the envelope.
It wasn’t Lewes’.
Shanette Leivian
That was the name written on it.
Shanette was currently a Duchess and also Lewes’ aunt.
I had become friendly with Shanette after I had incidentally helped her and occasionally kept in touch.
‘Yes, that’s all well and good…’
It wasn’t unusual for Shanette to send letters, so that seemed normal.
‘But why did Lewes bring this envelope to the Ivell mansion himself?’
Curiosity prevailed over waiting; I began to open the envelope when Lewes spoke.
“I heard Aunt Shanette formally invited Miss Ivell, is that correct?”
“Oh… Yes.”
Now that I thought about it, Shanette did mention wanting to invite me to her residence and asked if I would accept her invitation.
‘Is this the invitation?’
Just as I was about to open the envelope further, Lewes interrupted, causing me to pause again.
“It seems the letter wasn’t delivered properly.”
“It looks like it. I haven’t received any letters from Lady Shanette recently.”
“Aunt seemed anxious, so she asked me to deliver it personally and…”
Lewes paused mid-sentence, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.
“…to confirm Miss Ivell’s intentions directly.”
It was well-known that Lewes took great care of his Aunt Shanette. I had heard the rumors, but never expected him to fulfill such a personal request.
‘That’s quite unexpected…’
“If you’re disinclined, feel free to decline.”
“What? No! I… I would be honored. I already told her I’d be happy to accept the invitation.”
Benefitting from this slight deviation from the original story, I felt relieved.
Shanette, whom my mother Feria greatly admired, wouldn’t lock me in the basement just because I received an invitation from her!
‘And she wouldn’t hit me to avoid raising suspicion when I meet Shanette.’
It was a brief respite from being beaten and gave me more time to plan my escape.
Excitedly out of place, Lewes’ composed voice doused my thoughts in cold water.
“Then, proceed with your visit.”
Where to? What does he mean?
“Pack your belongings. I’ll wait as long as needed.”
“Belongings? Suddenly what do you mean by that…?”
Confused and forgetting my manners, I stared blankly at Lewes. He patiently added an explanation.
“If you’re going today, it would be better to pack some essentials, since you won’t return in a day.”
So, Lewes meant this: Leave today. Right now. For the Leivian Duke’s residence. And pack my bags.
‘Did I get that right…?’
It seemed so improbable that I had to ask directly for clarification.
“So, Your Grace, you mean we’re leaving today… I mean, now? I think I might be misunderstanding.”
“You’ve understood correctly, Miss Ivell.”
“…”
“Please go at ease.”
Really? Leaving like this?
‘So suddenly? Shanette isn’t someone to be so impolite…’
Who exactly is Shanette?
Known for her exceedingly gentle and mild nature, she’s famous in social circles as a virtuous person.
Considering her reputation, it’s hard to imagine she’d make such a request!
‘And it takes more than a day to get to the Duke’s domain, doesn’t it?’
From the Ivell mansion to the Leivian Duchy, it takes a full two days of travel. So even if I make the shortest stay possible and return immediately, it would take at least a week to get back.
That’s why Lewes told me to prepare for a trip, not just a short visit.
‘Is there a particular reason for such a sudden invitation…?’
I began to rationalize the situation, even though no one asked me to.
Perhaps they realized the letter hadn’t been properly delivered, and since the schedule was already set, they had to invite me so urgently…?
Then, Lewes spoke.
“Do you have any other commitments?”
“Commitments…?”
I didn’t have any scheduled plans, but there was an unwelcome guest waiting for me…
‘What about Kassien then?’
No, why should I care about him?
He showed up unannounced and uninvited.
Besides, even if it’s sudden, it’s an opportunity to escape this precarious situation, and it would be a luxury to hesitate.
“I don’t have any plans, but I need to inform my mother…”
Though Lewes said nothing, he seemed certain that Feria wouldn’t refuse.
“If mother allows it, I think I can just pack some clothes quickly…”
“I would prefer if you packed everything you need. Of course, you don’t have to bring anything if you don’t want to, but… I thought it might be inconvenient for you.”
Anyone might think he was concerned about me, but the underlying message was clear: don’t inconvenience Shanette.
“Then, I’ll try to pack as much as I can.”
“Yes. That would be best.”
“Yes…”
“It’s better not to create regrets.”
Lewes’ murmured words made me frown.
His tone, almost like a veiled threat, made it clear he was displeased with my visit to Shanette’s estate.
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!!!
