While Victoria was contemplating for a while, Seojehu didn’t rush and waited patiently. Finally, Victoria responded.
“[Dash] Did he run away with his lover? Giving up the position of Crown Prince.”
Seojehu smiled as if pleased.
“[Dash] You’re truly perceptive, Dávíd. Indeed, that foolish guy wants to give up everything for his lover. Now, do you understand why I told you not to target the Crown Prince?”
“Yes, Grandfather. But if the Crown Prince went to the Northern Province, is it to seek help from the Northern Duke? Will the Northern Duke assist the Crown Prince?”
“No. The Northern Duke, that guy, has already seen through what it means to help the Crown Prince. Helping the Crown Prince is all sacrifice and no gain. He will absolutely not help.”
“Then, what will the Crown Prince do?”
“What do you think he’ll do?”
It’s impossible to know such a thing.
After a considerable contemplation, Victoria managed to extract one answer.
“[Dash] It seems like he’ll head to the Southern Province. Since the Southern Duke is hiding, wouldn’t it be better to go to the Southern Province to avoid attracting the attention of the Empire?”
Seeing Seojehu’s narrow eyes, she realized she was wrong. Her heart sank, but Seojehu soon smiled and patted Victoria’s head.
“[Dash] That’s right, you’re too young to know such things. But Victoria, if you want the position of Crown Princess, your age is by no means young. The moment you step into the Imperial Palace, it will become a battlefield. To survive, you should be able to easily figure out this level of answer.”
At that moment, Victoria thought of Ariana.
Would Ariana have been able to easily figure out this answer?
“[Dash] A Crown Prince who hasn’t received help from the Northern Duke will return to the Imperial Palace. Perhaps the Northern Duke convinced the Crown Prince that he must have sufficient power to protect his lover. I did the same for our country.”
“[Dash] Ah…!”
“[Dash] The Northern Duke’s position is still precarious, so he must maintain a good relationship with the royal family. Since he is close to the Crown Prince, he won’t use the Crown Prince as a pawn to throw away. He will likely place the Crown Prince on the throne and spread his wings afterward.”
“[Dash] Then… the Crown Prince will soon seek a Crown Princess.”
“Yes. But there’s nothing to worry about in that regard.”
Victoria couldn’t grasp Seojehu’s thoughts at all.
If the Crown Prince seeks a Crown Princess, wouldn’t it be the right time to intervene? If she had the authority of Amantal, she could enchant the Crown Prince using the powers of various beasts.
Seojehu noticed Victoria’s discontent on her face and grinned.
“[Dash] Wait and see. Someone more fitting for that position than the Crown Prince will soon come. As for this matter, leave it to this old man to handle. You should prepare to go to the Hinan Province soon.”
Hinan Province was a region once ruled by the Paganus family.
“[Dash] Since you’ve become a Paganus, it would be good to meet their leaders directly and establish connections. On your way back, it’s also wise to stop by the Northern Province and build relations with the Northern Duke. Keeping enemies close is the safest option.”
“[Dash] The Northern Duke… would he want to meet me?”
“[Dash] I’ve sent a letter. He won’t outright refuse.”
Since Victoria asked him to make her the Empress, Seojehu had been using Victoria without hesitation. Going to the Hinan Province and meeting the Northern Duke in the Northern Province might put Victoria in significant danger. Nevertheless, Seojehu had no reservations about sending his granddaughter to risky places.
But Victoria didn’t dislike Seojehu’s ruthless nature. If Seojehu, who utilized her without any regard for their blood relation, could make her the Empress, she didn’t mind.
Helena still complained about the party and Ariana’s affairs. She hadn’t bothered to observe what her sister was up to or what expression she had.
Victoria didn’t like Helena. Helena, who was old enough to know better, grumbled without understanding the situation. Victoria found Helena’s behavior terribly unpleasant.
“But I’ll take care of it, Helena.”
Now that Ariana had left the Brontë family, Helena was the only one left in the family whom she could use.
Sometime in the future, there might be a need for her foolish sister.
Victoria suppressed her bubbling irritation for that day and affectionately held Helena’s hand.
“It must have been tough, sister. Don’t be too sad. Everyone will regret treating you like that.”
+++
The hunting season in the Dongryeong had begun.
At the edge of the forest beyond the Elles Castle, a wide open space with a small stream gathered many nobles.
The forest, welcoming the arrival of autumn, boasted splendid colors. The leaves of green, crimson, red, and yellow trees fluttered, and beyond them, the sky was blue and clear.
The good weather brightened everyone’s expressions.
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!!!
