It was only after the office door closed that I could finally breathe properly.
“You did well, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Duke Martins sat back down on the sofa and praised me.
I wanted to appear calm, but my face kept scrunching up.
He addressed me with curiosity in his eyes.
“Actually, I was a bit surprised earlier.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That you did not want to bring in the concubines.”
Duke Martins really seemed surprised by Rinel’s reaction.
I chuckled lightly and said,
“Is that so? He will approve in the end, there’s no need to be surprised.”
“But it was a strategic marriage between countries, and I thought you wouldn’t mind since you aren’t fond of the Empress…”
Duke Martins looked straight at the burn scar on my right cheek and muttered as if he was talking to himself.
I glared at the Duke, who was thoughtlessly babbling with his mouth wide open.
I had the urge to stuff something into that annoying mouth of his.
Maybe a grilled fish with thick bones, or a rose that hadn’t had its thorns removed.
“Duke. Please refrain from such remarks in my presence.”
“…Yes?”
“You too must stay true to your acting. I mean that you should treat me as befits my current status.”
“Ah, I apologize.”
Duke Martins lifted both hands in a somewhat flustered apology.
Even if I were to step down from the position of Empress, I should receive all the treatment I’m entitled to while I remain.
Even if I return to the Shatoneil Kingdom and live as a palace maid once more.
“If you were upset, please forgive me. I was thoughtless and inconsiderate.”
“Even if it’s just the two of us, we must be careful, shouldn’t we?”
“You are correct.”
“Yes, a pot that leaks inside will leak outside too.”
I threw a sharp rebuke and rose to return to the Imperial Palace.
“Haha, I’ll remember that.”
Duke Martins laughed briefly and stood up with me.
“Empress, would you like to take a walk in the garden with me?”
“I don’t feel like it.”
A word of refusal came out of my mouth in just 0.1 seconds.
“……Ah, yes.”
But the Duke, far from being upset by my refusal, chuckled again.
“Are you tired?”
“A little bit, yes.”
It was tiring dealing with a leaking pot.
“Smelling the fragrance of flowers or the scent of grass may help relieve your fatigue.”
No, I think breaking the pot might help relieve the fatigue?
I stared blankly at the top of Duke Martins’ head, thinking.
“Even if I smell the fragrance of flowers, will it relieve my fatigue when the biggest source of fatigue will be walking beside me?”
When I openly showed my discomfort, the Duke coughed awkwardly but persisted.
“Hmm, I’ve heard rumors about the skill of the Royal Gardeners of Lapeion, but I never knew they were this good. Please accompany me.”
“It seems like the Duke enjoys contemplation, but that’s best done when walking alone. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Today was a day when I exhausted a week’s worth of patience.
I just wanted to return to my room and rest quietly.
“Your Majesty, the Empress, I have something to tell you.”
The secretive voice of Archduke Martins came to me as I turned around.
“Is that so? Then speak here.”
I said to Archduke Martins, looking tired.
“There are many ears around. This is also your Majesty’s office.”
What is he talking about?
Ah, there was only one thing that could be confidential between the Archduke and me.
“Could it be…?”
“Yes, it’s news about Princess Resilia.”
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!!!
