Underneath the glove covering Hadal’s hand, the bite mark I left was still distinctly visible. Feeling sorry for Hadal, I pressed my forehead against the back of his hand in apology.

“Kyu-kyu.”

My apology seemed to surprise Hadal; his eyebrows raised slightly. After a moment, he sighed softly and removed one of his gloves.

As he did, the entire court tensed up, anticipating something bad might happen. However, their fears were unfounded, and Hadal’s bare hand gently covered my head.

“Kyu.”

The familiar warmth enveloped my head, and I made a contented sound. This relaxed the tension in the room. One of the courtiers, looking at me curiously, commented,

“…The stoat seems very well-trained. I’ve never seen one show such affection.”

Others joined in with light-hearted remarks.

“The fur color is unique. While stoats are naturally white, this one seems particularly clean.”

“It’d be impossible to spot in the snow.”

I puffed up with pride at their compliments.

‘Hehe, I am a rather unique stoat.’

Recharged by the flame, I returned to my cushion and settled in comfortably.

As I calmed down, the courtiers resumed discussing various matters: crop yields for relief efforts, barter with neighboring territories, how the trading guilds are profiting and how we should respond, and so on.

I yawned widely, thinking to myself.

‘All the subordinates are burly. Seems there are more military than civil officials here.’

This region must be quite tough, right?

As if reading my thoughts, the topic shifted naturally.

“The mystical creatures have been quiet this year.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“No reported damages to the civilian homes. It would be great if they’ve moved to other regions.”

“Last year was tough. Even those rare ice snails appeared…”

‘Ice snails?’

It appeared this wasn’t just any dangerous area. As I suspected, the creatures here were all of ice attribute.

‘Then, even if they’re wary of Hadal now, his role becomes crucial when these creatures appear.’

Only fire can counter ice, after all.

‘Luckily, I didn’t encounter any in the forest. If I had, as a stoat, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.’

‘If only my heart could be healed, I could help Hadal.’

I closed my eyes, feeling the mana in my heart. Staying close to Hadal seemed to help; it didn’t throb like before. I frowned.

‘Wait, is my mana increasing? Am I producing it, or…?’

Am I absorbing Hadal’s mana?

‘That can’t be.’

Mana is produced by the heart, and each heart is unique. Even if the attributes match, absorbing someone else’s mana to make it one’s own is impossible.

‘But a normal stoat wouldn’t have any attribute at all.’

Mystical creatures are called such because they have attributes and wield mana, causing calamities – attributes that regular animals shouldn’t have.

‘So am I not a stoat but a mystical creature?’

I was feeling unsettled about my own state when one of the courtiers cautiously asked Hadal,

“Your Highness, are you feeling alright?”

Why that question?

‘Does Hadal have a chronic illness?’

Is that why he, a prince with a dukedom, lives here in the North, away from the royal palace?

‘What kind of illness? Or is it just the flames?’

It might be both. Constantly containing seething flames every day of the year would make anyone ill.
“But he didn’t look sick.”

I focused on Hadal’s voice, and true to my observation, he replied in a gentle tone.

“I’ve been feeling comfortable lately. Thank you for your concern, but there’s no need to worry.”

“That’s a relief.”

The courtiers and I all exhaled a sigh of relief in unison.

With Hadal’s health as the last agenda item, the meeting concluded. Hadal announced the end of the session with composure.

“Everyone has worked hard.”

I felt a sense of pride seeing the youngest Hadal, looking the most solemn in the room. It’s like a parent feeling proud of their child being loved outside.

‘Phew, sitting there was tiring, but it was a fruitful time.’

I smiled contentedly and nodded, to which Hadal frowned slightly.

“Do you find it amusing to watch others?”

“Kyu.”

Well, accurately speaking, it’s more about enjoying seeing Hadal in a different light.

‘That’s the same thing.’

I nodded easily in agreement, which, for some reason, deepened the frown on Hadal’s face. He seemed to ponder for a moment and then muttered in a heavy voice.

“…I guess I have to keep you confined in the room.”

“Kyu?!”

Why! I couldn’t figure out what had upset Hadal.

‘Don’t lock me up, you fool.’

I scratched at Hadal’s arm frantically. Despite the potential discomfort, Hadal showed no sign of pain and simply pressed down on my head. I melted into a puddle on the floor.

‘This guy knows too well how to handle me now.’

At first, he seemed puzzled and awkward about me not feeling the heat, but now he cleverly uses my vulnerability to fire, especially to silence my protests.

‘Ah, but I’m getting sleepy again.’

I felt like I had slept enough, but the flames wrapping around my heart made me drowsy once more.

‘It’s weird. Do stoats usually sleep this much?’

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!!!