Theron looked quite calm on the surface, but he was still calculating something.
When he used Malaya back then, his intentions were quite obvious. He needed a cover for his movements—a reason to be at the Purple Scale Teahouse and an alibi following Yonowai's death.
Of course, he had thought about what it would mean to choose Malaya as well. He had known Malaya was a Vermouth back then, so why would he choose her specifically?
The answer was obvious as well. He knew that as a noblewoman, she couldn't control her own marriage. In addition, her personality was quite soft and pliable, so it would be easy to get in and get out without too many strings attached.
Although she would be sad for a while, that wouldn't be because she had actual feelings for him. Instead, she would just feel bad about not reciprocating.
While there was a chance that she could fall for him… what did that have to do with him?