“That’s strange.”
Lehart inspected the small egg, turning it over in his hands. It didn’t change anything, but it was fascinating nonetheless.
“What’s so strange about it?”
With Pigumen Count gone and the butler, who had appeared out of nowhere, inquiring about Lani and Rahwin’s situation, Etienne had nothing to do. She approached Lehart, who seemed engrossed in his thoughts.
“It was supposed to reject me as the owner… yet it accepts me.”
“Really?”
“I thought for sure it would reject my touch. Seems like this little thing pitied me for losing all my powers.”
“Your Highness, how many people in the world would not pity the Crown Prince?”
“Umm… perhaps those who don’t have a brother zealously trying to kill them? Or those who can live long and peacefully?”
“Why do you keep saying such things, Your Highness?”
Etienne sighed and looked around, ensuring no one overheard the Crown Prince’s words.
Lehart stared at Etienne quietly for a moment. Etienne seemed to avoid getting deeply involved in whatever he said, showing no desire to listen to him.
“Got nothing to say to me?”
Lehart’s smile deepened.
“Something to say?”
“If your butler hadn’t called me, how do you think Pigumen Count would have emerged? Or if I hadn’t rushed here right after hearing from the butler? Or if I hadn’t touched the artifact, stalling for time with various excuses…”
“Enough, Your Highness.”
Etienne raised her hand, as if to silence him. Lehart’s face lit up with amusement, enjoying the situation.
“Thank you.”
“How much?”
“A lot?”
Etienne replied half-heartedly.
“Enough to make your admiration for me grow immensely?”
But the Crown Prince wasn’t done, adding more.
“Not to that extent.”
“Enough to boldly advise Prince Ludvi on my behalf?”
“Not quite.”
“To help me oust those who stand in my way to the throne?”
“I have no power for that.”
“What about helping me find someone?”
Etienne felt overwhelmed. This was his aim all along. He didn’t want to use this situation to exploit her, just needed help.
“Difficult to refuse such a hard-won opportunity. I don’t want to die again.”
His earnest voice resonated in her ears. She was almost convinced.
“Just one question before that. May I ask?”
“Ask away.”
Since he was open to answering, Etienne quickly asked.
“You said you don’t know the future. But how did you know you weren’t the owner?”
“Ah… didn’t I tell you?”
Lehart seemed to ponder, but Etienne’s gaze sharpened.
“Don’t pretend. There’s nothing to recall.”
“Right. I used to see the future of anyone I met. Not everything, but significant parts. Now, it’s different. Only sometimes…”
“Sporadically?”
“Yes. That’s all. Now it’s my turn.”
Realizing Etienne was almost swayed, Lehart asked.
“Your answer?”
Etienne closed her eyes, silently airing her grievances. It was good that he restored her time, but pulling her into this was something else.
Opening her mouth to voice her frustration about being chosen against her will, Etienne reluctantly conceded.
“I’ll do it.”
‘I really don’t want to.’
Her own acquiescence frustrated her…
But she couldn’t refuse the Crown Prince, especially after his remark about not wanting to die again.
“I knew you’d agree.”
“I initially intended to refuse, Your Highness. I really…”
Etienne trailed off as she looked up at the Crown Prince, who was wearing an exceptionally bright smile, even happier than when he became the owner of the egg. Seeing his expression, Etienne couldn’t continue her complaints.
“Thank you, Etienne.”
His voice sounded sweetly in her ears, though she blamed it on her own imagination.
“The head of the Supraheu family is calling for you.”
Fernando, who had been watching from a distance, was approached by his bodyguard who had been guarding him in secret.
“He wants you to return immediately.”
The bodyguard, hoping for his lord’s safety, urged him to leave. Fernando, however, stood still, gazing somewhere.
“My lord.”
“I’m going.”
Fernando’s voice was low and dry, indifferent to his father’s temper. The bodyguard turned to where Fernando was looking.
The Crown Prince and the Lady of the Claire family were chatting. They seemed quite close, sharing various expressions and laughter.
“I have a place to go first.”
“But the family head…”
“I have… a place to go.”
Fernando finished his sentence firmly, meeting his bodyguard’s eyes.
“I apologize. I’ll follow.”
Instead of looking back at Etienne, Fernando turned away coldly.
Thanks to the Second Prince’s uproar, Count Pigumen leaned back in his chair, exhaling a weary sigh.
“It’s a good thing I managed to connect with the Crown Prince, or it could have been troublesome with the Second Prince.”
Now it was time to choose which prince to support, but Count Pigumen felt relieved of this burden.
“But the Second Prince’s cruel nature is troubling.”
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!!!
