Amid various thoughts crowding her mind, Laila started flipping through the documents.
The report was written in Hanking language, used throughout most of the continent except for a few countries like Fitzroy. Being essentially the lingua franca of the continent, the language itself wasn’t a problem.
However, the need for a Hanking Duke to possess a report on the movements of a foreign princess was deeply suspicious.
‘A spy from a third country?’
Could this man be a spy from an entirely different country, using his identity as a Hanking Duke as a smokescreen?
Then why such excessive kindness to her, risking even the exposure of his identity?
Such intertwined thoughts prevented her from focusing on the content of the report. However, eventually, she couldn’t help but read seriously from the middle onwards.
It appeared that her father, the King of Wessex, had indeed irked Isabella’s sensibilities as she had suspected.
Milley seemed to agree with this assessment.
“……It may sound like slander against my father, but since Wessex sided with the First Prince, the First Princess probably saw it as internal interference.”
“If this report is true, then it indeed seems that way.”
The Kingdom of Fitzroy was almost the only counterbalance to the dominant empire of Hanking.
‘Our kingdom could fall into ruin at this rate.’
From Laila’s perspective, Wessex wasn’t strong enough to withstand manipulation by neighboring countries.
In such a situation, her father had played possibly the worst move, akin to a blunder in chess.
The result would be a checkmate.
The very existence of the kingdom was in jeopardy.
Laila placed the documents at the corner of the desk and looked at Milley.
“I should return to Wessex and inform the royal family of all this.”
“Yes… you’ll need time to prepare.”
Laila nodded, her eyelids fluttering.
But could she really change the dire situation by returning to Wessex? She had no confidence in that, especially doubting whether her father would even believe her.
At best, she’d be reprimanded for breaking off her engagement with Reynard and returning. At worst, her father might expel her or confine her somewhere.
Still, if this was true, she couldn’t just sit idly.
The problem was, ‘if this was true.’
“Can I really trust you?”
How much should she trust this man who mixes truth with lies?
Milley casually pointed to the stack of papers she had set down.
“Would I prepare such a report just to deceive you?”
“It also makes no sense for you to help me.”
Laila shook her head decisively and asked again.
“If it’s not out of sympathy, then why are you giving me this information?”
She wanted a definitive answer this time, looking him straight in the eye.
Milley had no more excuses or ways to evade. It was time for him to give an answer to convince Laila.
“Are you using me to block the path of the First Princess of Fitzroy?”
Laila brought up what seemed like the most plausible explanation. At this, Milley let out a somewhat defeated laugh.
“That’s an interesting interpretation. I do indeed dislike her, but…”
Apparently not considering it a significant part, Milley made no effort to hide that he knew Isabella personally. This only made Laila more wary of him.
She brought up her earlier speculation, however far-fetched it might be. She wanted to confirm.
“Then, are you a spy?”
“A spy?”
Milley raised an eyebrow, as if he’d heard something completely unexpected.
‘Did I guess wrong?’
It seemed like a strong possibility…
However, seeing Milley’s reaction, she wondered if he was displeased with being labeled that way.
Tense, Laila clasped her hands tightly and stared at him. Milley touched his temple with his fingertips and shook his head, looking almost incredulous at her far-fetched suggestion.
“Is that what you thought of me?”
His question, tinged with a sigh, made Laila wait for his next words, feeling unsure of her assumption. Contradicting his previous reaction, Milley gave an ambiguous answer.
“It’s not entirely incorrect. I do have another purpose for being in Filmer.”
Naturally, Laila, not suspecting any relation to herself, could only grow more suspicious of him.
“You’re not really a Duke of Hanking, are you? I’ve never heard of the Milley name.”
Earlier, he had said he was the son of a rural Earl, so it wasn’t impossible she hadn’t heard of him, but his story seemed too incomplete.
There were skips in his narrative, and he even evaded answering how he had saved the Duke. Normally, someone with such an impressive story would eagerly share it, but his lack of details was very odd.
“It’s confusing how much I should trust someone as suspicious as you.”
Laila stepped back from him, expressing her feelings, but Milley still didn’t fully reveal his secrets.
“I’ve helped you twice when you were in trouble. Can’t you trust that goodwill?”
That was precisely why Laila couldn’t confidently call him a liar. However, his evasive behavior now made her question even that.
“It could just as well not be goodwill, especially since you said you have another reason for being here.”
“…….”
Had she hit the mark?
Milley suddenly fell silent, and a moment of stillness enveloped the dark room. Alone together, they looked at each other in silence.
Then Laila thought.
‘Again…’
That look again.
It seemed as though he was seeing something beyond Laila, similar to when she asked if it was sympathy. His eyes dimmed mysteriously.
“Then.”
The silence was almost suffocating when Milley slowly approached her.
His footsteps echoed softly in the quiet room as he quickly closed the gap between them. His well-tailored suit perfectly fitted his sturdy, impressive figure, bending gracefully towards her.
The red light of the candles reflected in Milley’s blue eyes, creating an enigmatic atmosphere. His face was so close that it seemed their cheeks might touch, and then came his whisper.
“If I say it was love at first sight, would that make it more plausible?”
Laila’s shoulders twitched. Her heart began to race.
The man before her was undoubtedly lying.
Yet why did her heart flutter at such an implausible tale?
Was it she who had been charmed by his two acts of assistance?
Laila’s heart pounded so fiercely it felt as though the thudding was right next to her ear.
“At least you trusted me enough to flee the palace with me. That’s why you are here in this mansion now, isn’t it?” Milley added.
Laila couldn’t deny his words, though she pretended otherwise.
“……It was the best option at that moment.”
“Then what is the best option for you in this situation? Isn’t it to believe that I have fallen for you?”
“Milley.”
Laila felt increasingly cornered as the conversation progressed. She couldn’t think of an effective rebuttal as Milley delved into the weaknesses of her arguments.
However, he didn’t wait for her to come up with a better response.
“If you want proof of my feelings, I would gladly offer you a kiss.”
Laila’s eyes shook dramatically.
Her face and ears instantly felt burning hot.
“A kiss…?”
She hadn’t expected to hear such a bold word.
Wishing the candlelight would hide her embarrassment, Milley gently lifted Laila’s sweaty hand, which had been clutching the hem of her dress.
His lips almost touched her fingertips before he stopped and asked,
“Will you give me a chance, Laila, Princess of Wessex?”
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!!!
