Watching them silently, Simoren picked up a gold coin.
“Do others think His Majesty will follow the same path?”
“It’s more that all evidence points to that conclusion. It’s a miracle His Majesty has held on this long without a consort.”
That applied to both the madness and the nobles’ coercion.
Madness wasn’t just a disease eating away at the Emperor; it was due to the Dragon’s power flowing in the Fonderlayen bloodline. As the madness engulfed the Emperor, his power also exponentially increased, though at the cost of his lifespan.
In fact, Kurtne II, who caused an unprecedented continental war, had enough power to obliterate a village in an instant, so everyone feared that power.
Especially so in the case of the current Emperor, Peter, who had a uniquely powerful magic, earned the title of tyrant despite retaining his sanity, and ascended to the throne after purging his father and his cronies.
“What will happen when such a man loses his mind? The nobles don’t want to see the answer with their own eyes.”
“That’s why everyone wants to put a leash on His Majesty.”
Ideally, to use and dispose of at their convenience, and better yet if he gets lost in pleasures. That’s what the nobles wanted.
Many were indeed aiming for that.
Touching the gold coin laid on the documents, Noah shrugged.
“I wish Annette Martinec would stay in the palace longer, Simoren. If Operetta stands firm, the other nobles will stay quiet, won’t they?”
“I agree with that, but I think Annette Martinec will leave the palace soon.”
“Why?”
Simoren tossed a gold coin lightly and caught it, gazing at his friend before shifting his gaze.
“You know what His Majesty’s goal is.”
“Ah, right.”
The hand holding the coin suddenly stopped. Noah’s gaze followed Simoren’s.
“That’s true. Once His Majesty achieves his goal…”
The replacement will be discarded.
The fate of a replacement usually follows a similar pattern: being discarded or damaged.
So, Annette Martinec should hope to be discarded intact, Noah thought.
Even if the whole palace was focused on the newly arrived bride, his concern was limited. She was just a replacement and not of importance to him.
“Even if she gets damaged, it’s her own doing, so there’s nothing to regret.”
Even if it wasn’t for that, Noah, with numerous tasks at hand, had no need or reason to be concerned about Annette.
…At least, that’s what he thought until yesterday.
“You’re Noah Ernst, I presume.”
At least until the woman with black eyes and hair suddenly appeared before him.
It was a fleeting moment, but Noah’s mind raced with numerous thoughts. Should he acknowledge her? Or pretend not to know? There were many thoughts, but little time. Noah picked the first response that came to hand.
“…I’m sorry, but this isn’t a place for just anyone. The servants’ passage is over there.”
“I’m Annette Martinec. You know that.”
Damn. Noah cursed internally, but his outward response was polite.
“Pleased to meet you, Lady Annette. But I’m afraid I have a schedule. May I ask why you’re here?”
“I know the meeting just ended, and for the next two hours, regardless of what happens, it’s your guarded teatime.”
She was right about everything. Noah felt like he had to wipe his now sweaty palms on his clothes.
Knowing so much about him, it couldn’t have been a mere coincidence that she was here.
‘But why?’
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!!!
