“Didn’t I say? You can pay me back for the rest of your life.”
Ariana let the comment slide, but both Noah and Isaac couldn’t conceal their astonishment. They gaped at Sirus and then noticed a pleased Louis standing there.
Louis’s eyes seemed to say,
‘Look at this. Wouldn’t our lord even prepare a lady’s bed if necessary?’
Sirus patted the neck of the black horse next to him.
“So, how well can you ride?”
“I won’t be a hindrance.”
Ariana had naturally learned to ride while assisting the Third Prince in traveling across the continent.
Mounting his horse with a leap, Sirus commented,
“I look forward to it. Feel free to cry out if you’re tired.”
“If necessary, I will.”
As Ariana reached for the reins, Louis stepped forward to assist, but it wasn’t needed.
Ariana mounted the horse gracefully, her posture as regal as a goddess of war.
Isaac clicked his tongue.
“I thought she wasn’t an ordinary girl… indeed, she’s strange. How does a girl who was confined to her estate know so much? Even her movements are mysterious.”
“She’s not a girl, but a woman, Mr. Isaac.”
Louis corrected Isaac as he mounted his own horse. Isaac and Noah each got onto their respective horses as well.
Once Sirus started galloping, the rest followed.
Though traversing a mountain covered in trees and bushes without a path was difficult, Ariana managed to keep up with Sirus.
‘He’s incredibly fast.’
The horse Sirus rode led the pack with astonishing speed.
To maneuver through such rough terrain required not only the horse’s ability but also the rider’s skill. For this reason, Ariana couldn’t help but be amazed by Sirus’s horsemanship.
Isaac, who was running behind to protect Ariana, spoke to Noah.
“You’re running slowly, Your Highness.”
“I suppose it’s to uphold the honor of my queen.”
“Love, indeed.”
“Yes, love.”
With a heavy heart, Louis could only contentedly watch the couple advancing ahead of him.
+++
Although accustomed to horseback riding before her death, Ariana found it difficult in her current physical state. Her untrained muscles screamed in agony, and her arms felt like they were tearing apart.
However, Ariana didn’t show any discomfort and silently followed Cyrus.
When they reached a stream, Cyrus halted his horse.
“Let’s rest before we move on.”
Knowing Cyrus rarely rested until he reached his destination, Ariana sighed in relief as she dismounted.
Her barely recovered body felt heavy again.
She glanced at Cyrus’ face; he showed no signs of fatigue. He looked as refreshed as someone who had been strolling leisurely.
‘Envious…’
She envied his strength.
If only I were that strong, there would be nothing to fear.
Then Isaac approached her and asked,
“Your Queen, are you tired?”
“I’m fine.”
“I have some helpful medicine. Just a moment.”
Isaac fumbled through his bag and took out a few medicine bottles.
“This one is for wounds, it makes scars disappear, and this one is an energy restorative.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”
Ariana didn’t want to owe Cyrus any more favors, but Isaac forcibly handed her the medicine bottle.
“I’m different from His Highness. I don’t consider every kindness to a woman a debt.”
“Isaac.”
At his derogatory comment about Cyrus, Louis gave him a stern look. Isaac quickly added,
“Of course, His Highness only has a heart as vast as the sea for you, Your Queen…”
“Enough, Isaac,” Cyrus warned, and Isaac closed his mouth and rolled his eyes.
Cyrus pushed Isaac’s shoulder aside and said,
“Take it. I haven’t poisoned it.”
“I never thought you did, Your Highness.”
“Then what’s the issue? Take advantage of what you can. This fool is good for that.”
Cyrus patted Isaac’s shoulder, who smiled wryly despite being called a fool.
“Exactly, Your Queen. So take the medicine. It works well on healed scars too, so apply it before it’s too late.”
“Yes, but… Isaac, I’m not your queen.”
“Yes, yes, I know.”
Why does he keep calling me his queen?
Ariana felt uncomfortable being addressed as ‘your queen.’ She was anxious that Cyrus might snap and yell, ‘Enough with the pointless jokes!’
After resting by the stream, they resumed their journey and camped beside a small lake as the sun fully set.
While Louis and Noah prepared a meal with the game they had hunted on the way, Ariana took out the medicine bottle she had received from Isaac.
The small bottle, smaller than her palm, was filled with a green liquid.
Making sure Cyrus wasn’t looking, Ariana opened the bottle and poured the medicine into her mouth.
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!!!
